An Inspired Cook

Meet Cheli, my sweet kitty who has been a part of our family for 10 years now.  It doesn’t seem possible that so much time has passed since the day I brought this little kitten home from the shelter at 6 weeks old. Named for one of my favorite Red Wings defensemen, Chris Chelios, who just released a new book detailing his NHL career and as Captain of 3 USA Olympic Hockey teams.  He is fondly known as Cheli.  I think the name fits her perfectly and she’s grown into a beautiful girl, don’t you think!  She can show her mischievous side, for instance here she is hiding in the pantry before trying to sneak out unnoticed all the while knocking over every box.  This is the story of Cheli  . . .

August 31, 2004 the day I brought Cheli home.  She was a little furball with the sweetest personality.  I think she adopted me, when I picked her up she curled up in the curve of my shoulder and just purred.  I fell in love at that moment!

Back in the 90’s Pound Puppies and Pound Kitties were all the rage.  We had one or rather my boys had one which they gave to Cheli.  She was no bigger than a pound kitty at that time and it’s been her play toy to this day.

After the first few days we started calling her Cheli Bean and the name stuck.

Back in those days I worked part-time from home and Cheli would distract me by walking across my keyboard.

And hop on the back of my computer chair.  If I was sitting there she would be playing with my hair!

The old couch with all the pillows . . . She would crawl into a corner, fall asleep and inevitably slide in between the couch and pillows.

Then she would crawl out and try again!

Doin the whale!

She loved hiding in small lunch sacks.

It took awhile for Sami to warm up to the little hellion with way too much energy.   Sami was with us 17 years but sadly we lost her last year.  Cheli kept her young and active until her last few month’s.

Josh claimed she had deer tracks on her side.

Tired after playing with the pound kitty.  She’s grown a little bigger than the pound kitty now.

With eyes on Sami, a sneak attack is in the works!

Take a shoe string and dangle it in front of her and she’ll play until . . .

she poops out!

She used Josh’s work cap as a place to curl up when she was a wee lass.

Josh was her buddy, she would sit in his hoodie and play with his head!

My girl is growing up but the couch corner is still the best place to nap.

A bigger whale!

Glad it’s the pound kitty and not my arm.

When a shoe string isn’t an option, go for the ceiling fan chain.  Josh will prop you up on his shoulders!

Teasing Sam

And getting a response!

I am Woman, hear me roar!

She would steal the kids beanie babies so I got a basket and filled it with toys just for her. It was only fun if she could sneak over without getting caught!

Mission accomplished!

Her favorite spot was the old monitor, probably because it was warm.  She got to the point where she was really too big but continued her perch until I got a flatscreen.

I don’t know why, but this is one of my favorite pictures . . . my cat, my chiles and my Red Wings . . .

The scanner also makes a comfy bed if you get kicked off the monitor.

Never leave an open file cabinet or else Cheli will occupy it.

Cheli cat . . . wannabe Squirrel Hunter . . .

Attack mode . . . if only there wasn’t a door in the way.

This is the story of the cat in the pants . . .

A cat jumps into a laundry basket filled with warm jeans out of the dryer and is drawn to the warmth. She pokes her head in the top of the jeans and finds there are only 2 ways to go, right or left.

She finds an opening that leads down the left leg . . .

Until she gets to the bottom of the ratty old boy jeans where it’s no longer warm.  There are cat whiskers peeking out but instead of coming out she turns around and heads back the other way.

Okay, almost out but it’s just too comfy in here!

You think anyone will notice if I just stay here awhile . . .

Are you lookin at me . . . Are you lookin at me . . . cuz if your lookin at me

Girl attitude!

Still jumps at the chance to play with a shoe string at the ripe old age of 9.

A bit older, a bit wiser . . . these days her first order of business in the morning is to roll over in front of me, which means I’m ready for my full body massage!  She practically demands it, first rolling on one side then it’s a belly rub, then the other side.  Oh and don’t forget the head rub, it’s mandatory that I scratch her head and ears and don’t forget under the chin.  It’s like physical therapy for a cat.

Catnip addict . . .

This girl gets high on Catnip!

She will roll in it!

Ahh, nothing better than catnip in the sunshine!

So for Christmas last year I hid a new container filled with her favorite Catnip just for her in the middle of all the packages . . . and guess what

Even though it was sealed and had never been opened, she found it and managed to get it out of the pile of packages.  Then she gave it some Cheli love!

And that’s the story of Cheli Cat.  Time for a nap!