Be warned, if you set a web camera up to watch your pet while you are away, they will figure it out:
And let you know they are not happy being watched by making some adjustments to the camera:
Me: I swear I didn’t leave the house upside down when we left, or tell Data he could go on the counter…
Even if you tell the pet sitter to fix the camera, your pet will find a way to let you know that he DOES NOT approve of being watched and does not want the camera fixed.
In fact, he is happy sitting on top of the expensive plasma tv (where the camera sits). The tv he gets yelled at for going on top of… or even looking at.
He wants you to turn the camera off so he can sit on the counter (naughty!) in peace.
Okay, I have to admit, even though Data was being naughty, I was just happy to see him on camera! We were gone from December 24th until January 2nd, and that is a long time to be away! I missed him!
We ended up using a pet sitting (well, check-in service) for the first time. I was nervous that leaving Data somewhere else would stress him out, and giving his licking tendencies lately, I didn’t think he needed any extra stress. So we contacted Snaggle Foot Pet Care to check in on Data. They came by for a consultation before we left, and checked in on Data four times. They left notes on how he was doing, checked for packages, watered the plants, and swept Data’s room! (Of course, they fed Data, played with him, cleaned his litter, and even gave him his Christmas present on Christmas Day). I am really pleased with their services! They did a great job, and are professional, and friendly. I recommend checking Snaggle Foot out if you are local. It looks like they have locations in other states as well.
And of course, nothing beats Tori and her kids stopping by to check on Data as well. Thanks Tori! Data loves it when you visit!
So, we’re home. The holidays and fun/festivities are over. I took today off, then it’s back to reality tomorrow. Luckily, I have a pretty full calendar ahead of me, with a lot of fun things to look forward to… otherwise, I might be feeling pretty down right now. I always feel a bit bummed after December ends. I get wrapped up in all the excitement of the month, and find that hard to match in the next few gloomy months.
How did you spend your holidays? Do you feel a bit bummed when they are over?
We were in Iowa with my family from December 24th to the 29th, then in Kansas City with Steven’s family from the 29th until yesterday, the 2nd. Since you’re dying for the day-by-day breakdown, I put it in an extended post below (of course, the whole thing always shows up in Google Reader!).
December 24: Exchange gifts at home with Steven. Drive to Iowa. Hang out at younger brother’s house at night. Play Xbox Kinect and eat chili.
December 25: Three Christmases! Breakfast with immediate family at my younger brother’s:
UPDATE: Erin guessed correctly – Star Wars! Congrats Erin! FIRST PERSON TO NAME THE MOVIE ON THE TV GETS A LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE NECKLACE. Family cannot enter. Sorry.
Lunch with my dad’s family:
And dinner with my mom’s family:
December 26: Ice skating and pizza!
December 27: Run. HuHot. Cover things in Chocolate. Phase 10 and pizza (and crazy dancing by yours truly that my sis caught on her smart phone)!
December 28: Snowshoeing! (Steven started to get sick and had to pass)
December 29: Drive to Kansas City. Steven’s Birthday dinner. His birthday present from his dad:
December 30: Run in the morning. Meet with Steven’s high school friends in the afternoon. Christmas in the evening! More pizza!
December 31: Tron. IMAX. 3D. AWESOME. Phase 10.
January 1: Steven woke up without a voice. Had to cancel lunch plans with friends. Run with Andrew. Red Robin. Phase 10!
January 2: Drive from Kansas City to Round Lake. Steven was still sick and I drove most of the way = scary.
AND THE FINALE – ALL THE SNOW IS GONE IN ROUND LAKE! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We leave our cats alone all the time. They have the run of the basement. They are pretty used to it, the one cat doesn’t like visitors and gets scared so we don’t have people come check on them anymore.
We played a lot of phase 10 this weekend too. I love that game!
We loved checking on Data. Never worry about asking us to do that because seriously? The kids love it and it is no big deal at all to do.
Sounds like you had a great time! It’s always so hard to get back into regular routine after holidays.
Phase 10 is so fun… but can be really frustrating! Does anyone in your family get upset playing it?
Thanks again for coming over, especially after your ear fiasco!
I hope Sully doesn’t read this and realize that cats can balance on top of flat screen tvs! I’m fairly certain he’s never tried before… though the bird has landed on it before.
Looks like you guys had an excellent holiday week!
I promise I’ll be back to read your whole post, but I can’t resist guessing at the movie. Star Wars??
Sounds like a wonderful holiday week for you…though I do hope Steven feels better soon. Happy New Year Kim! May 2011 be a year of good health, injury-free running and filled with moments of pure joy 🙂
That is one busy, crazy, fun holiday week! I hope you had a great time!
Oh, Data. I love that you set up a webcam, though. We talked about doing that when we had dogs but never got around to it.
Enjoy your extra day off! Sounds like you need some downtime after your busy holiday week.
Jason is going to be super-jealous of the giant monitor, by the way.
Tee hee. Naughty Data!
I have a service I use in the city called Bow Wow Meow and they are great too–they do all the things you mention (consultation, play time, notes, empty litter, water plants, etc). It is comforting to have a kitty sitter that you can trust!
Haha! That’s hilarious how Data messed with the video camera. Sneaky, sneaky! 😉
Looks like a fun, if busy, holiday for you guys! I always love the holiday season but getting back in the swing of things and back to normal is always nice, too!
Sounds like a great holiday! I’m glad you were able to find a reliable pet sitting service! I’m home today trying to rebound from another cold. Boo.
You poor thing! I hope you feel better soon! 🙁
Nice family photos and shots of Christmas and birthday gifts.
I’ve often thought about putting up a web cam to watch Rocko during the day, but I think watching a cat sleep would put me to sleep.
Glad to have Christmas over. I like the holiday itself, but the busy stuff leading up to it can be overwhelming. Glad your travels were great.
hahahahaha…. I love the pictures!
love the pictures of Data – looks like you had a great holiday, and even better when you can do it without worrying TOO much about Data back home.
no snow is so weird – drove in this morning, and it all looked so strange. now I need a (nother) nap…
Those pics of Data are hilarious. 🙂
Sounds like a fun but whirlwind trip. I’m glad to be in the new year as much as I enjoyed the holiday season.
We use a catsitter, too, and it works out great for both the cats and us.
Today is my first day back at work, and I am very sad that break is over. Looks like you had a lot of fun with your family this Christmas.
i’ve never heard of Phase 10!??! it wasn’t until someone commented they loved that game that i had any idea what it meant that it kept being in your daily updates, haha!
what a lovely christmas holiday!!
I think you would like Phase 10! I hear it is kind of like Rummy? You have to make certain hands. It gets pretty competitive!
Data is one smart kitty.
Ah, there’s the bit about you seeing TRON.
And why is that one guy wearing a glove on his hand indoors? Channeling Luke Skywalker?
Will was getting ready to leave and put his gloves on then we forced him to stop and take a picture 😉
Sounds like you had a blast these past few weeks! And LOL about data and the camera. Love it! I had a blinging new years eve!! 😉
Data cracks me up; he’s so mischievous (OMG, I just realized how that’s spelled, I’ve been saying it wrong!).
Your family events look so fun. I’m glad someone else has a multi-family, many-event Christmas holiday!
Does Steven have his voice back yet?
Ice skating is totally fun, right? Except when you wipe out like I did.
Steven kind of got his voice back yesterday, but was even more coughy and sneezy today. Thankfully he works for himself from home and can rest! Poor guy!
I think wiping out is fun too! Wait… my knees still hurt! We should go skating together 🙂
Oh my gosh- Data is HILARIOUS. Seriously, it’s like he knew you guys were watching him and was naughty on purpose. I’ve never met him (obviously haha) but I can totally hear him thinking “I am the king of this castle and I do what I want”!
I can hardly stand being gone that long. Makes me CRAZY! Glad you had a good time and I hope Steven is on the mend.
Wow, you packed in a lot during the holidays! I hope it was a happy time with lots of wonderful memories.
I had to tell you that Brian saw the Tron pic and was wicked jealous you went to see it (he couldn’t talk me out of seeing True Grit instead). 🙂
You should still see Tron in 3D! But see Black Swan first! 🙂
We play Phase 10 a lot too. I got my son Phase 10 Twisted for Xmas – it’s a fun way to play and lets you go for a shortened version of the game, so instead of what might be an hour long game for two people to play a full Phase 10, it was just about 20 minutes!
I love the one gloved guy! I liked it better before I read your explanation (in the comments). I like to imagine that there are people out there who sometimes just wear big bulky gloves indoors. Fun!
LOVE the data cam! I can’t believe he jumps up on your tv-I’ve never ever seen our cat do that, or even consider it. How funny! I need to set up a cat cam, though I work from home one day a week and they are sleeping on my bed 90% of the time. I have the most uncurious cats!
I saw an ad for Phase 10 Twisted in our Phase 10! One time Steven and Will (the gloved guy) will play in so that they can choose which phase they are going for!
You should set up a cat cam. You might be surprised at what you see! 🙂