The weather report:  The roads are clear of ice for the most part.  I still have a couple of icicles around the house and some ice on the tree/bushes, but the ice is mostly gone.  Today we're supposed to be getting lots of snow, so we shall see.  It hasn't started yet...  It's very foggy, white, and gloomy outside right now.  Definitely fixin' to do something.

So here's something I don't think of everyday.  We've had our cat Max since he was probably around 6 months old.  He was just a tiny little thing, covered in long, soft gray fur.  :D  I just couldn't believe how fast he was grew in the first year we had him, wondering where the little kitten had gone.  After about a year though, I really stopped thinking about how "big" the cat was.  Mostly, he didn't look like he was growing much anyway.  

Yesterday, he was in the bathroom while I was taking a shower.  I guess enjoying the warmth and the humidity?  Anyway.  He was sitting on top of the toilet seat as always, just chilling, waiting for me to get out.  I got out, looked at him, and realized how much bigger he's gotten since...  I dunno, a year ago.  He used to be able to curl up and fit just so on the toilet seat.  Now, his head hangs over one end, and his tail and his hind paws hang over the other.  He can't really curl up to be "on" the toilet seat anymore...  He kinda sits "over" it.  I was grooming him on my lap the same day, and I had the same realization.  He used to fit just right in my lap, and now, he really can't.  He's too big to fit just so, so he fidgets and moves around to find a comfy position to sit long. 

Kris told me that Maine Coons (which we suspect Max is a part of) grow for a long time, and that if Max really has a little bit of Maine Coon in him, he will keep growing for another couple years.  They generally get "longer".  Just talking to him about how much Max has grown, makes me realize it will be a bigger shock with our children!  They will be all grown one day, and I'm going to look at them and go, "Hey, what happened??"  I sure hope I will treasure that time I will have with them, as I have with Max.  :)

P.S.  He pulled down our Christmas tree for the first time early this week.  He was in BIG trouble.  Was grounded in his sun room for a whole afternoon, while he watched us hang out in the living room.  Which is like, torture for him.  He meowed very pitifully.

Max, Christmas 2004                                    Max, a couple of months ago.

So, it's FREEZING here in Oklahoma City today.  It's going to get worse, too - we're in for several days of ice storm.  It's supposed to start tonight.  Grocery stores must do real well before the storm - I went today to get some milk, and everyone and their dog was at the store.  (They were all parking crazy too.  I'm pretty sure that has nothing to do with the weather.)   I guess people just get ready for being stranded in the house?  I can understand, I needed to buy milk and bread and other necessities, just so that I didn't have to drive in the ice.  It's not all bad though - it is perfect time to just stay home, be warm, watch some TV episodes that you've missed (Private Practice, Bones, Brothers and Sisters, etc), drink hot tea and cocoa, cuddle with the kitty cat.  And eat cold weather foods.  Like grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  Or spicy curry.  Warm carrot cake with cream cheese icing.  Hah, I think those things are going to be my menu for the next three or four days.  :)

Those of you who are enduring cold weather as well, stay warm!