Keats the (Krazy) Kitty

I didn't feel like I had anything to blog about for a long time, but now I have so many cat stories to share, it's crazy! Yes, that's right. CAT STORIES. Joe and I are now the proud owners of one Keats Hellion Chambers. He is an adorable one-year-old gray, black, and white tabby cat that we adopted last week. We already had the name picked out (well, the Keats part) because I've wanted a dog since forever and we decided we would get a Bassett Hound. Joe suggested that we name future doggy "Byron" and I was like, "Oh, like Lord Byron, the British Romantic poet?" And he's like, "No, Byron the Bassett Hound from Looney Toons." But either way, we both loved the name idea. Well Joe has wanted to get a cat as much as I have wanted to get a dog, and after doing some research, we realized that if you want a cat and a dog, you need to get them both fairly young and get the cat first. So we got a cat for Joe's birthday! And named him Keats, after British Romantic poet, John Keats.

Keats playing with the garbage can

So yes, Keats is adorable and I am so in love with him. But he's a bit psycho. Joe and I keep reassuring ourselves that he's still a kitten and is adjusting to his new environment. Like his favorite pastime activities are to pounce on anything that moves (especially toes and fingers), sink his teeth into squishy things (especially hands, feet, and steak), and challenge the garbage can to a duel. I don't want to get too carried away with cat stories... so I'll limit myself to three:
1) Joe and I were upstairs when we heard lots of commotion and thumping from downstairs. Joe went downstairs to investigate only to find that kitty, after many unspoken challenges to the kitchen garbage can, had finally pounced on top of it and fell in (because it has the flap lid that opens into it when pushed on) and was stuck inside, in need of rescuing.

Keats attacking, and consequently falling into, the garbage can

2) I had just reheated my leftover Texas Roadhouse steak from the night before to have for lunch. I set it on the counter, and then ran outside for literally 30 seconds! When I came back, Keats had jumped up  on the counter, grabbed the steak, and pulled it onto the floor and was devouring it.
3) I hear this is pretty common, but Keats seems to love to drink water from anywhere except his water bowl, even though I keep him in constant supply of clean, cool, and fresh water. Toilets, bathtubs, sinks, human cups, puddles on the floor, etc.

So he's a bit bipolar, hyperactive, and bitey, but I'm sure he'll get better. And he's so cute that I can never be annoyed at him for long. But the saying is definitely true that you don't train a cat, a cat trains you. I've learned that before we leave for work in the morning to close all the bathroom doors, hide the garbage can in the pantry, and put the paper towel roll up on top of the fridge.

Keats all tuckered out after losing to the garbage can

In other news, the reason we were able to even get a cat is because we now OWN A HOUSE! It was a long, stressful process to get this short sale house (which had 2 mortgages on it, complicating everything even more because we had to work with 2 banks that owned the house), but now that we are here, it was so worth it! It is about 1600 sg. ft. with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, a 2-car garage, and a huge yard! We love having a garage and newer place than any of our apartments; we're a little overwhelmed by the yard though. Thanks to Joe's parents for help on the loan and to my parents for letting us live in their basement for 2 months! And everyone who helped us move! We are pretty much moved in. The first thing I did with my homeowner freedom was to paint a wall in the living room! Lauren, Kara, Mom, and Joe all helped me paint an accent wall dark teal. I'm really pleased with how it looks. I want to eventually paint the master bedroom, but all in good time. I will definitely post some pictures of the house soon. i just want to finish things up a bit more first.