Ahhh, the long hard days of winter have begun, and we must prepare ourselves for the frozen ground under-paw, and darkness. But we Finncats are brave, and here Tuomo-veli and I are surveying the state of the snow so far. At length we considered hunting possibilities, and decided it was best to advise Äiti to got straight out to catch enough provisions.
In the meantime we did notice that there was a very cosy congregation of our British siblings, downatairs, inside and right by a heater.

Okay, Tuomo-veli only ever shows scissors. Aila-sisko only ever shows scissors. Maybe it was a bad idea. I have tried to tell them paper is good to try (I love to tear it up - with my scissors too....).
I am quite tired out by it all and am very glad that actually today there have been no fights. this is good because it seems from my extensive inspection of blogs it is a day to give peace. Here Stran-veli and I are showing how we are peaceful and giving, and how Britmogs and Finncats can live without conflict and jealousy over who has the fluffiest fur.

Diplomatic relations between Aila-sisko and Tuomo-veli took a bit of a tumble again this morning and there was another fight before breakfast. Tuomo-veli had not been happy that we had been locked out of the bedroom (thanks to another paws and claws leg attack, voi ei). But I am not sure quite who said what but Aila-sisko ended up cornered in the kitchen sink, and Tuomo-veli had water tipped over him by Äiti before he walked away. The growling and shrieking and screaming could probably have been heard from Muhos! And unfortunately we all got a little bit scared and someone (who shall remain nameless) had a little accident on the kitchen floor because they were so scared. Actually it was a big accident, which was even worse.
All this was before Äiti had had her morning cup of tea, so she was not happy either, and left for work worried about how much fur she would find thrown across the floor when she got home later. But all was in fact calm, and in fact Tuomo-veli and Aila-sisko can co-exist in quite a relaxed way when they want to!
So, I am trying to deal with many complex things here by keeping the peace in my kingdom! We have racial differences - we have to accept that Finncats and Britmogs are in fact different. We have different miaows/miaut; we have a different heritage and background. And maybe we Finncats have to understand that our family grew up with carpets and bath tubs and weird things like that. And of course they were flown here to civilisation, and this could have been traumatic. But despite such deep psychological differences, they do have to integrate with us, and ralise we are in fact we are a very welcoming, warm race. Even if Tuomo-veli can be a grumpy suomalainen mies. And of course there is a gender difference and to be honest girl cats are quite hard to understand. Sometimes I really want to be friendly to a girl cat, other times they are just stinky little moody princesses, so it is hard to know what to do.
Äiti is making sure that Tuomo-veli and Aila-sisko get lots of tickles and cuddles separately, and that they both see each other getting attention. This results in looks being directed between them which would be nasty enough to melt steel, but Äiti is firm that we must be treated fairly and learn to live together. She is also careful to look for 'symptoms' just in case something is actually wrong. But she does say that sometimes she'd just like to leave them in a room to sort it out once and for all, but that won't happen. I think I shall try to teach them to play 'paper scissors stone' and see if that will help.......

Tuomo-veli's been on the catnip (again) and his yoga posing isn't quite so perfect now! I. however, have been very well behaved and eaten my medicine two days running. It has made me energetic, especially at 5am when I went for a full paws and claws mission under the duvet. I was then brutally locked out of the bedroom - I don't know why as it was only an hour before breakfast and Äiti could have fed us then.

We have had a happy Halloween with lots of hiding and pouncing out on each other. I was of course the bravest, and chose the scariest places to lie in wait before biffing out with my paws and claws of steel.
Tuomo-veli and Aila-sisko made it all very noisy with a loud game of chase. He managed to squish her into a corner in the kitchen, righht behind the microwave. Luckily he could not get the door open or I think he would have locked her in the cooker and left her to go 'ping'. This is of course not very nice, but I am sure Aila-sisko must have said something to upset him. Again.
Äiti was not so well yesterday so spent most of the day in bed with a headache. I of course tried to make her better with catupuncture. It must have worked because she did get up to feed us and make many cups of tea. Today she has been cleaning (and about time too - our facilities needed a thorough polish), and then she was dozing on the sofa. Tuomo-veli muscled in and had a long tummy tickle while lying on his back. He is really very soft sometimes.
Äiti was tickling my tummy earlier and noticed a fur tangle, so out came the scissors and before I could skilfully swipe them away, my precious belly fluff was trimmed a little. She then gave me a special treat - a chewy tablet which is to make me big and strong and flexible, and help my naughty patella stay in place. Now my patella has not been naughty recently so I am not sure why I have to have this tablet, but decided not to argue with Äiti in case the scissors appeared again. I might cooperate and take it each day, or I might not!

I have not enjoyed this week. Äiti as been out late, so we have been starving and neglected. Last night we were not fed until after 7pm! It is dark and cold outside and there is no snow to brighten our lives. Luckily Äiti has plugged in some 'feliway' so Tuomo-veli is more chilled and the chases up and down stairs are more fun than trying to jump on and beat up Aila-sisko. But Äiti has promised us more time this weekend - and I shall make sure that our play starts at about 2am tomorrow.

Life is very boring again as Äiti is off to work, and even worse is staying out some evenings to go to a Finnish class. I could teach her everything she needs to know if only she would listen: ruoka, kana, kala jne..
So we are spending a lot of time sleeping as she is not entertaining us, and it is no surprise when she actually is at home and wanting to sleep, that we are playful and 'demanding'.
Tuomo-veli has been amusing himself with yoga, and more ninja attacks on Aila-sisko. She, however, takes every opportunity to bash him when he is not expecting it.
Lewis-veli is hiding in his 'pod' all the time, but here was caught out when he went for a brief stroll to the litter boxes.
And of course I am always vigilant, and ready to pounce. This bag did contain a present Äiti bought for someone, but as it was a cuddly toy I of course knew it was for me (it was a big orange cat-ball), and so I began playing with it.
Äiti had to go to buy another present, and I didn't even get to see it this time. This I think was not fair as I should test all such things out.