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2004 E.C.H.A.s
Over the past two years my humans have hosted many overnight guests. I've had the opportunity to observe the folks staying with us and I've also been privy to what Fluffy and Hairy have to say about the guests after they leave. So based on a very unofficial casa consensus I'm presenting the first annual
E.C.H.A.s
Expat Cat's Houseguest Awards
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Disclaimer: Any former houseguest who doesn't see their name on this year's ECHAs awards receives the "Most Forgotten Houseguest Award"....ouch!! (please forgive and email donna to let her know of the oversight).
**Marian Pruett of NC receives two awards: "Most Enthusiastic" and "Slowest Shopper" - Marian is a true tourista; always up for anything. However, Fluffy exclaimed that the next time she has to shop with Marian, one of them is taking drugs!
**Barb Johnson of NC receives: "First Visitor Award" - Barb should also receive a medal for bravery for coming when Fluffy and Hairy knew very little about living in Mexico. Barb was with Fluffy during the Mexico City robbery.
**Taylor Johnson of NC receives: "Most Interaction with the Locals without Speaking Spanish" - Taylor spent several weeks with Hairy, Fluffy and Stinky (aka Jake). Stinky and Taylor played paintball, and traveled around Puebla like they had lived here all their lives.
**Kathryn Barnett of SC receives: "Best Bearer of Hostess Gifts" - So, maybe it makes a difference that Kathryn is Fluffy's mom, but her suitcase was filled with Duke's Mayo, flavored coffees, grits, and dozens of other wonderful southern goodies.
**Jerry Barnett of SC receives: "Best Martini Maker in the World" - Fluffy says her step-dad is a master of many things, but his martinis are pure artistic genius!
**Jimmy Woods of NC receives: "Most Easy Going and Southern" Hairy and Fluffy agree - This south Georgia "boy" is about as fun-lovin' and easy goin' as they come. Give the man a hunk of cornbread, pinto beans,with a side of slaw and he's one happy gringo guest! He also gives wonderful hostess gifts - thanks Jimmy for the "peach shine"!
**Jack Lewis of NC receives: "Neatest Guest" and "Most Skeptical of Local Food"- Fluffy wonders if it's his military background, or his wife's (Gail) influence, but no one is neater and more conscientious than Jack. ~ As for Jack's skeptism over the local cuisine - Hairy and Fluffy noted that Jack seemed to be broadening his boundaries on his last visit.
**Ben Marion of NC ties for: "Longest Houseguest" and also receives "Best Launderer and Dish Washer" Ben and his wife, Kristin, spent close to three months at the casa while awaiting their assignment in Orizaba, Mexico. They were wonderful company and shared in all the duties of the casa.
**Kristin Marian of NC ties for: "Longest Houseguest" and also receives "Best Tummy Rubber" - not her own silly - but for MY tummy!! Fluffy also enjoys Kristin's company for they've many things in common, one of which is Roberto Benitez folk art paintings.
**Ben's mom and sister tie for my: "Mouse Award" for being the quietest and meekest of the guests. They stayed at the casa while visiting Ben and Kristin and we barely knew they were around.
**Gary Pitts of SC receives: "Best Gringo Spanish" To be a southern fella, and to have never lived out of the country, Gary has a super command of the language! Fluffy and Hairy were impressed.
**Dorothy Pitts of SC receives: the "La Carta Catastrophe" award. As sheer bad luck would have it, poor Dorothy "got holdt t'uv" some NASTY food when ordering from the Spanish menus. The most funny thing Fluffy and Hairy remember is the 'hunk o' meat' Dorothy received her last meal here...it's one of the largest pieces of meat they've ever seen one person attempt to eat. But poor Dorothy was so starved from havin' hardly eaten a thing all week, she put a hurtin' on her meal!!
**Betsy Pitts of SC receives: "Cutest Houseguest" and "Most Grossed Out" Miss Betsy is as perky, witty, and cute as they come!! We all enjoyed having her larger-than-life spirit in the casa. But when Betsy wasn't being grossed out by her mom's dinner selections she was being grossed out by what she ordered. People quickly learn, "Authentic Mexican Cuisine" is quite different from what we're accustomed to in the states.
**Rodrigo of Puebla Mexico receives: "Most Positive Influence" on Stinky, Hairy, and Fluffy. My humans owe a great deal to this fine young man and his family. Rodrigo has taught the family many, many things and exposed Stinky to many wonderful aspects of everyday life in Mexico.
**Ina Warren of NC receives: "Monarch Butterfly and Botanist Specialist" This very special lady accompanied us on our trip to see the Monarch butterflies of Michoacan, and she greatly enhanced our trip.
**Kathleen Logsdon of NC receives: "Best All-Round" Kathleen was a delightful houseguest...the quintessential of the visitor's visitor!! Fluffy, Hairy and I enjoyed Kathleen's enthusiastic, generous, and obliging spirit.
Hairy and Me - Abandoned
So, Fluffy abandoned me again! Seems she was missing Stinky, Fifi and Sneezy (her litter in the states) and just took off giving my needs absolutely no thought whatsoever. But not to worry � I�ll make her pay dearly for her actions upon her return�wait, she IS returning, isn�t she?
In the meantime, my only company is a pleasant enough housekeeper � ok, so she�s downright cute, but I can�t understand a WORD she�s saying. And then there�s Hairy: Big ole, easy-going, always snoring, Hairy. I like Hairy. Fluffy and the litter are crazy about him. But Hairy doesn�t understand me like Fluffy understands me. Plus, Hairy�s entirely too quite (except when he�s sleeping. Actually, Fluffy and Hairy�s synchronized snoring is a whole other update!!).
I heard Fluffy once explain to someone who asked her what she did for a living say, �Well, Keith makes the living and I make the living fun!��Which is sooooo Fluffy (couldn�t you almost hock a fur ball?). But part of me has to agree with her because the casa sure is quiet when she�s away. Since Fluffy�s trip home Hairy and I are getting to know one another better, he�s learning how to properly prepare my morning meal, and he�s learning to rub my tummy the way I like, but he still needs a whole lot of work on his gibberish talk to compare to Fluffy. (It�s a hoot, really�but Fluffy thinks that if she talks in this ridiculously sappy and silly way I�ll roll over for her - but in actuality, I start the rolling over bit to make her talk the gibberish!!�She�s so gullible � Hairy�s not falling for it).
Hairy and I are pretty lonely this month and since the guilt trip from the litter worked to get Fluffy home early, I think Hairy and I should try the same strategy to get her back. In the meantime Hairy and I are making the best of the quiet casa and our time together.