Cold, cold, cold!!!

We are experiencing a cold spell here in Pennsylvania. When I went outside this morning, I was surprised to see a reading of 4 degrees on the thermometer. If I would have known it was that cold, I probably would have stayed in bed with the heated mattress pad turned up to high. That gift from the kids last year was the best...it is so nice to climb into a warm bed at night. We enjoy it so much we decided to give some away as gifts for Christmas. Grandpa doesn't mind Grandma opening the window at night anymore - he's nice and warm in his heated bed.

With all the snow we have been getting lately, we have been feeding the birds regularly. Any old bread gets tossed out and I love to see their tracks on the snow on the porch. I held Otis (our cat) up to the window to watch the birds, but he wasn't as interested as he used to be. For Christmas, Otis received some catnip filled toys, one of which is shaped like a mouse, including a long tail. Dad and I have both stepped on them in the dark and are relieved when we realize it is only a toy. I'll see the mouse and have to look twice to make sure it is not real. Otis still has energy - he bats the toys around and chases them from room to room. He's lost them a few times but we have managed to find them. We have Grandma to thank for Otis' Christmas gifts.