To Dance With A Fetch

Still, even with her being as smart and wonderful as she is, it is not healthy to have a large, pudgy, and slightly overweight Maine-Coon cat jumping in the middle of your stomach, especially when you are about to drift off to sleep! Needless to say, it is not the best way to start the day.

"Meow, purr," responds Smokey as if she agrees with Lyla's unspoken assumptions.

She lifts her tail straight up displaying that she is happy then sways if from side to side in a very girly way as she presses her paws in rhythm, kneading the comforter on Lyla's bed.

"Okay girl, I'm up and moving," says Lyla.

She pushes the sheets and blanket back, then simply sits on the edge of the bed. Her feet are flat on the wooden planked floor, which feels cool to the touch. She looks over at Smokey and shakes her head.

"Guess a few extra winks are not in the cards for me today huh? It's probably for the best since I have way too many pressing issues on my schedule." Lyla yawns.

She knows in order for things to run along smoothly in her personal and business life, she needs to get everything organized and unpacked to set her new surroundings in tiptop shape. She has several potential business clients waiting for her to bring their internet sites up as well as many existing sites that need updates and changes put into place. She enjoys working the web. It is virtual gardening to her because she plays with colors, photos, wording, and each client is different, so things never grow stale. She spent the past five years building her customer base and is now very successful and in high demand.

Two days ago, Lyla left her medium sized one bedroom apartment in the city and moved back to the small town where she spent most of her childhood and teen years. It is a place of open pastures, rolling hills, thick forests, tree lined streets, and quaint little shops. She is still trying to become acclimated to her new environment which just so happens to be her dream house.

The structure is very old, quite large, and is loaded with plenty of character with one of a kind detail. There is also a hint of mystery surrounding the old house and for years, Lyla has been deeply drawn to it. The first time she walked past the property was when she was a little girl at the age of seven. She stopped at the front walk, looked up at it in awe, and immediately began to fantasize that one day she would live there. Now that dream has become reality.

One of the most amazing parts about the purchase is that the past owners chose to leave the majority of the furnishings behind. Lyla found this to be wonderful because all of the items are very old antiques that have been with the house from its establishment many years ago. The dark rich colors of the wooden floors and stair railings match up perfectly with the various tables, cabinets, and hutches that fill the space. Even the frames of the pictures and artwork that hang on the walls blend in flawlessly as do the various hand carved mantels to all five fireplaces. Every room is trimmed in beautifully decorated crown molding and is held firmly to the floor with thick sturdy baseboards.

Lyla walks to her closet where she pulls out a pair of comfortable pants and a long shirt. After getting dressed, she makes her bed and tosses throw pillows against the headboard in a casual fashion. Picking Smokey up, Lyla carriers her as she walks out of the room and into the hallway. The corridor is long and shadowed as it spans the length of the house.

"Thank goodness I work from home and can mix things up throughout the day as I see fit." says Lyla as she holds Smokey in her arms.

The wooden floor of the hall creaks ever little bit as Lyla walks toward the main staircase. Smokey nuzzles at Lyla's face as if she cannot get enough of her.

"Obviously Smokey girl, you are seeing to it that I stay on task, you crazy cat." Says Lyla as they approach the landing where the staircase meets the second floor.