Christmas Hamper

Now that my humans live in a small village, they do quite a bit of shopping by internet and post - so a parcel delivery is quite common.  Mostly, though, they know what they are expecting.  So it was a delightful surprise when a large box was delivered yesterday.  "What's this", called Andrew to Mikki.  "It's a lovely hamper", replies the delivery man.  Oh wow! The label said it came from Fortnum & Mason.  And here's the contents.

 I'm a toy cat:  I don't eat.  But I think all this looks jolly yummy for humans.  Biscuits, two types of tea and one of coffee; wine mulling spices and lots more.  It's a super Christmas gift from Mikki's sister, Julie, and her family in Bermuda.  Thank you, lovely people.  I think my humans plan to keep some of the items for themselves at home and to take some to share with Andrew's family who we are joining for Christmas.

Less than a day later (and it's raining outside again) but the humans are already planning what they will do with the empty basket - which has "F & M" clearly printed on the lid.  If the UK gets any summer next year, there could be picnics on their own decking by the river.

Come along now.  If you are going to spoil yourselves with all these treats, the least you can do is give me a little cuddle.

Prrrrr.

Christmas Warmth

Here is another Christmas picture from our trip to WDW in 2009.  This is my human Andrew holding me in front of a display at the Walt Disney World Dolphin suggesting a lovely warm Christmas on the beach (make your snowman a sandman).

Outside here, now, it is raining.  Higher ground in England - including Andrew's brother's house - have had snow overnight.  Crisp fresh snow can look very pretty but driving through snow isn't part of the fun of being with family (my driver, Mikki, says).

I quite like the idea of a nice warm Christmas.  I think we might have to go even further south than central Florida to guarantee Christmas on a real, outdoor, beach (and I don't really like real sand in my fur).  Truth is that it doesn't matter that much as long as we're all together, and I'm getting lots of cuddles.

Prrr

One Month to Go

A month from now, we will be on our way to Walt Disney World.  My human Mikki is planning how to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as much as possible while it is open.  I am just thinking about a nice relaxing time and a few more pictures with characters.

The picture was taken on our last trip out in October 2010.  We were Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic.  Sadly, this is not how we will be travelling this time - but a toy can reminisce and dream can't he?

We all loved it.  We started with breakfast, massage and mimosas in the Upper Class lounge at Gatwick.  Onboard, the food was lovely and the humans could lie down and sleep while we toys could chat with the friendly cabin crew at the bar.

The flight was the result of the humans using a Virgin credit card and accumulating quite a large number of reward points.  I don't think it will be happening again soon (and Virgin are cutting back on Upper Class anyway).

On another subject, thank you, Ellen, for thinking of me and sending my Mikki the cartoon of the Dalek with a cat.  My humans have two radio controlled toy Daleks they were given one Christmas.  All they seem to want to do is exterminate each other.  Petting is OK but I prefer proper cuddles - and from proper humans.  Yes, you two, that means you.

Prrrr.

Christmas Preparations Continue

Preparations for Christmas continue in our house.  Andrew has been up in the attic getting down boxes of decorations and Mikki is sorting out what she wants to put up first.

There are some nice soft toys/beanies that are all dressed up in Christmas costumes and have to spend most of the year in st***ge.  It's nice to see them out, even if they are all mice (and one d*g).

Andrew has now set up the snowman (see "Snow has Gone" in January).  He is staying indoors this year.  Too warm outside!

Meanwhile I have been comforting the humans with cuddles as they both started crying.  They were watching the new video of the Military Wives Choir.  Look at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hR6O7VxKaQ

My humans have already ordered the official song and are sending some money to military charities.  I'm not sure I understand, but it seems this is the world's chance to show we want to help our heroes more than we want to support someone called Simon Cowell.

For my picture, I am still in Walt Disney World.  This tree was in the foyer of the Beach Club Resort.  I think whichever of my humans was taking the picture was trying to be artistic by framing me with two of the big chairs.  Don't worry.  The picture'll be fine.  It's got me in it. 

Later today, the humans will help erect the tree in our village.  The official lighting ceremony is this evening.

There, there. Calm down.  Let me give you another cuddle.

Prrrr.

Lights of Winter

According to the UK Met. Office, "winter" starts officially today for weather purposes.  We're looking forward to better weather in Florida in January but meanwhile here is another picture of Christmas at Walt Disney World.

It's of the "Lights of Winter" the lovely light and music show at Epcot that has now been retired.  It is quite difficult to get a good picture of the show so my human Mikki was very happy to find a good one in the middle of her new book from "Celebrations" magazine.  This picture was taken a few years ago.  It's the best of my humans' I could find, but I can't help thinking there's something missing.

Meanwhile, preparations for trips to WDW continue.  Mikki is now looking at a second visit - in October.  That is so she can be there for the 15th anniversary celebratons of "Intercot", the web discussion board where she is a moderator.  It's about 11 months away so Mikki has started thinking about things like flights and booking DVC accommodation.

Yes, there is something missing from the picture.  But it is quite difficult to get a good close up of a toy kitten and have the light display in focus too.  I'll forgive them for now - provided I get a cuddle.

Prrr.

Christmas Memories

My title is the title of a book Mikki got in the post (mail) yesterday.  It is a special hard back collectors' edition of the "Celebrations" magazine Mikki gets.  It is just full of wonderful pictures of Walt Disney World at Christmas.  I haven't found any of a black and white kitten but Mikki is really enjoying it.

There are lots of large model displays among Disney's Christmas decorations.  This one, of a funfair, was in the Boardwalk Villas:  incidentally, just about the only DVC location on property where we have not stayed.

And talking of things coming in the mail, Andrew's temporary disabled person's parking permit also arrived yesterday.  That's just a week since Mikki spoke to the Osceola County office about it.  She was impressed that they could immediately call up all Andrew's details from our visit in 2010 and sent it off as soon as they had the credit card payment.  I am told this may not be typical of every US local government office but it is certanly not typical of the UK public serrvice (who are mostly on strike today).

I think I'd like a cuddle for Christmas.  How about a practice?

Prrrrr.

Christmas Past

Today's Christmas picture is from one of our previous trips to Walt Disney World.  It wasn't the humans' first trip during December but it may have been the first one where they understood I am the star of the pictures (training them properly takes time).  It was 1999.  I don't know what camera they were using either (I'm cast, not crew!) but I'm pleased to know things have improved over the years.

I'm not quite sure where the picture was taken but the boat on the tree makes me think it is likely to be the lobby area of the Yacht Club.

Yes, this is from the time when I had lots more fur round my head and on my chest.  I really think it's much better to be distinctive, individual, not just any Figaro, me, No.1.

But if you must feel sorry for me, you can always comfort me with a cuddle.

Prrrr.