Nigella …

Well, I am not sure how or why she did it, but M Kaz has removed my friend the dinosaur from the premises! It happened this morning while I was Outback. I heard M Kaz say “Get in the box” and I thought M Kaz was talking to M Sooz – but no, when I went back in, I couldn’t find my dinosaur at all. I looked under the drawers in the Mummies’ bedroom and in the bathroom which is where I’d seen them last – but with no luck. M Sooz thanked M Kaz for taking the lizard (read: dinosaur friend) outside – she had been worried about it not being able to find its way home. I’m not sure what I’m going to do about a friend now. Thanks so much M Kaz. (I don’t really mean that.)

My new “penthouse” has not yet arrived but M Kaz keeps getting updates from Temu saying it is on it’s way – as is the Small Cordless Electric Engraving Pen. Wonder what M Kaz is planning to do with that. Just as long as she doesn’t think she’s going anywhere near my red rubber band with it. She’d just move it somewhere where I’d have trouble locating it. I only have the one big one these days and that’s okay because I know where I put it. I had it in the bedroom last night and I’ve just carried it through to my dining area. I wonder if the Mummies are wondering why I did it – and why I do it. I’m going to keep them guessing.

No, M Kaz, I don’t know where your stapler is. I hope it isn’t a casualty of your decluttering efforts. I bet it is though. I think you’ve probably put it “somewhere safe” which means it will never be seen again – probably a good idea now she’s realised the staples she does have are for the stapler she did throw out a couple of years ago. And that is exactly why I don’t want M Kaz touching any of my stuff.

It is not getting any cooler here at Jannie – which is to be expected now that we are just in the middle of Summer. I keep searching for cool places around the house and have managed to get M Kaz to clear out one of the cubby holes in her wardrobe, and I’ve also been sighted in the linen cupboard and in the cupboard under the sink (which is much cooler when the dishwasher isn’t running).

I helped the Mummies change the sheets on their beds today. I’m not sure they were totally appreciative of my efforts – and certainly they didn’t like it when I was using my claws to anchor down the sheets when they were trying to extricate me from under the fitted sheet. They’re no fun sometimes. The new sheets are lovely though, and M Sooz was very complimentary about them after she’d had a nap on them this afternoon. I can’t wait to try them out!

I have yet to see any evidence of this decluttering that M Kaz keeps going on about. Except for the Christmas things that have all magically disappeared. That’s a shame because I was enjoying having them about. Is it really bad luck to have the decorations up after a certain date? One year I would just like those Mothers to not take them down and see what happens. How bad could it be?

I am enjoying being home – having my own food and reclining in my favourite places Outback – in the sun, in the shade, in the washing, on the pillow that Aunty M gave me, in the shelving in M Kaz’s wardrobe (and soon I hope – to be in the shelving on M Sooz’s side of the wardrobe – more of the aforementioned decluttering plans).

I am not sure where all my friends have disappeared to while I was away – again – but they still haven’t come back to Jannie. I’m not sure how to get in contact with them otherwise I would send out word that I am home and available. In the meantime, until one or more of them wanders by, I’ll just keep myself entertained as best I can – and yes, M Kaz, that does mean I will be spending way more time with you in the office while you’re watching “Jurassic Park” or “Stranger Things” or whatever it is you’re into now. It was good to see you reading a book the other day though – maybe there could be more of that – it’s quieter here when you and M Sooz are doing that.

I notice that my carry cage has not yet made it back out to the garage so I am being a bit wary in case they try to scoop me up and take me back to Aunty Michelle’s or (heaven forbid) the VET. I did hear M Kaz saying she would have to go to the VET soon but that was so she could get me some more teeth cookies (that’s how many of them I have been eating since I got home).

M Kaz is saying that she bought me something off Temu which she is waiting for. She isn’t sure how long it will take for it and the other items she has ordered to arrive. She’s also waiting on her coffee order to arrive – although ‘hanging out for’ would be a better description – and it looks as though it’s going to be a bit longer than the “1-3 business days” she had originally thought because she’s just had an email from Nespresso saying they “are currently experiencing a high volume of orders. Your order will be despatched soon and should be delivered to you in the next three to four business days. We appreciate your patience.” What’s that, M Kaz? You’re not happy?

It does look already like this year will be the year of buying things online – especially as she has already done an Uber One order for groceries from Coles! At least they were able to deliver as promised!

I’m not sure where they’ve been but I was pretty happy to see M Kaz when she turned up at Aunty Michelle’s yesterday afternoon. I told her all about my holiday and asked about what they’d been up to as we drove. Not that that helped much – M Kaz just kept blathering on about how we’d be home soon. Hmmm. I know M Kaz, I know. Still it was nice to be home after two whole weeks away and I think M Kaz and M Sooz were a bit surprised when I stuck to them like glue – actually like super glue!

I think they missed me too because wherever I turned (and it wasn’t that far as I said), there was M Kaz with the phone taking photos of me. I try not to pose these days because that just encourages her!

The big question is how long it will take them to unpack this time. I didn’t actually count last time but it seemed like ages before they put everything away. I do know that their laundry (how many dirty clothes did they bring home with them!!!) is being done as I write this and they’re talking about going out to get some milk and other things to put in the refrigerator. I’m just glad they didn’t run out of my teeth cookies while I was away. Who would have thought they would be my cookie of choice?

I have missed being Outback while I was away – yes, I do get to see the sun while I’m staying with Aunty Michelle but it’s just not the same as having my own large area to run around in.

Open the drawer, M Kaz. Don’t pretend you can’t see me here. And don’t make me bite you again. We’ve already done that (at least) once today. There may have been a leg scratch as well. There has also been some tenderness – well, that’s what I’m calling it when I jumped up on the desk to cuddle you (really) while you were sorting through those (hundreds!! of) cables. I thought it was kind of funny when you pulled the plastic box off the top of the bookshelf and it and all the stuff in it went flying. I was there – you didn’t have to yell ‘I’m okay’ for my benefit. I’m sure M Sooz appreciated the heads-up though because it was pretty loud. Not as loud as your language, M Kaz. And where did you learn those words? Not from me, surely.

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The Christmas trees have made it inside (finally) and I notice that the singing reindeer has also made an appearance. But I know for a fact that there’s still a heap of Chtistmas stuff out in the garage – the ‘real’ Christmas trees, the snowman, the tinsel – and M Sooz’s nativity scene. Then it really will be Christmas. And since you’re going out that way, M Kaz, why don’t you take my c-a-g-e with you. We certainly aren’t going to need that for a while. (Why are you sniggering, M Kaz?)

I keep watching outside just in case any of my friends are around. It’s a while since I saw any of the Cecil family and I know they have to be around because the neighbours saw one of them a week or so ago and I think the Cecils have to go through our yard to get to theirs. It’s best if they don’t go anywhere near the neighbours to the left because they are pretty frightened by the Cecils and sometimes aren’t as kind as they might be – they’re not mean really, they just can’t seem to think straight while they’re stifling screams.

The Kallax shelves that are destined for M Sooz’s wardrobe are still in the living area but M Ka, is hopeful that won’t stay the case. I love them – they are just the right height and distance away for when I’m jumping from the table to the bench. I hope they never move them!