Non-Mom-Day: Lighting Redo With Kitten Assistance

As you've surmised from the post title there no Mom-Day today, as a rough day at the physiotherapist yesterday meant a painful time in the morning. Rest up, Mom! Doctor Sheila prescribes a hot bath, a juicy romance novel and chocolate! 

I took the unexpected unplanned day to redo my fairy lights and make them more kitten-proof. Some of the lights had been chewed on by Vizzini and a few strings were dead, so it was time for a refresh anyway. I'd picked up some orange and purple lights at London Drugs and am also getting ready for the spooky season.

I had assistance, of course. 

"We're ready for our next adventure, right, Barnabas?"

"Whateley, I can jump to the table!"

The table toppled to the floor with a very loud noise. Sorry, downstairs neighbours! 

This is the Before. The curtain lights were simply far too tempting for little kittens. 

I'd tied them up out of the way, which resulted in Curtain Attacks, and the crash during yesterday's pictures. 

I took two sets of curtain lights down and planned where I could put them out of little paws' reach. 

"I like to attack dangling lights! Also, this is my hammer now."

We have vintage 1970s suspended cabinets in our galley kitchen. I have a few things stored up there that I really should move along, but not today. 

I used screws on the left to string the top of the curtain. On the right, I hammered small nails and lightly knotted the light strings to a height that won't snare my tallest friend (Randall). 

The lights are set on pastel, but also have a red/blue/yellow/green mode, along with clear. These make me very happy.

We wired the cupboards many years ago, when we installed bar lights to give it a low glow for parties, so all I have to do is tap a switch and they're on. 

I tightened up the red lights around the bookcase. The kittens have learned to just ignore these (yay!). 

I restrung the white lights up around the butler's mirror and under the curtain valance, making them more snug, and less likely to attract a kitten's attention. 

The boys were very chill for most of my shenanigans, including clattering the metal ladder which Vizzini hated. 

"It's nap time, silly."      "This is the right number of blankets."

Barnabas is such a cuddler, but he cuddles HARD. 

"I see you."

He squirms around, rubbing frantically, and trying to get as close to me as possible. 

"You give me happy paws."

I clipped their front needle claws for the first time, as getting them used to having it done is a priority for us.

After that, I had lunch before moving onto the next curtain light. Our entryway has always been either way too bright or way too dark. 

I liked the swagged lights giving it a nice glow, but NOPE, that plain setting is way too yellow with our already yellow walls. 

Ah, that's better. 

Remnants of parties and events on the back of the door: The Supervillain Party (here, June 2018), the Men In Black Adventure (here, April 2020), the VFF Tropical Opening Gala (here, Feb 2024), and last year's Hallowe'en/Birthday party (here, October 2024). 

I moved on to the deck doors next, with intense supervision.

"You better not dangle anything."     "I think we should go chew on those lights."

After! I added two strings of orange lights under the valance and down the centre column. I like the warm glow.

Whateley's sitting on the CD spinner, licking himself, but he did bat around the spare bulb packet. 

Hi, buddy, I'm about to climb up this stepladder, so you should probably move. 

"But I want to play."

Gently shooing them out of the way was the order of the day, but I'm really happy at how well-behaved they were. I expected worse! 

As I was out on the deck, I noticed deer on the lawn of the apartment next door. 

I saw five the other day on the way to work, and dodged around one on the sidewalk. 

The boys also like watching the deer, plus the squirrels and birds. 

I really enjoyed having a day at home with them, charging up my batteries after all the social things I've been doing lately. Ahhhh.

Signing off for the weekend now, Gentle Reader - I'll be back on Sunday as usual with tales of adventure!