That girl is still here...

Rufus and I have a routine most mornings: I get up, feed him, then get my hot chocolate, Joan's coffee, and morning snacks ready.  Then settle in to watch some morning news.

This morning, Rufus came and stood on my chest while I was still in bed... "She's still here.  That girl didn't go home last night."

"Yes, Rufus, that is Stephanie, our little girl.  If it wasn't for Stephanie, we may not have been a cat family.  She came from a long ways away to see us, and we are happy she is here."

"Oh, OK."

Rufus is pretty understanding like that.  ;-)

We picked Steph up at the airport yesterday - this is really a treat to get to see her this time of year.  Especially this year: she is a teacher in Arizona and the teacher "Walk Out" that happened earlier this month threatened to interfere with this timing for her to come see us.  It was close.

Steph didn't have checked luggage, so it was just a few minutes from first seeing her come down the escalator at the airport to sitting down for supper out at Texas Roadhouse (almost a family tradition when she and Dan come here).  Dan is still working this week (also a teacher, at a different school); this is the first time since they got married that it is Steph here solo.

We had a wonderful visit over supper, then came home to more catching up... it has been two months since we left Phoenix, but it seems longer.  It is a delight to have her here.

The important question you're all thinking: how is Rufus with all this?  Well, Stephanie loves cats, she is crazy about Rufus, and Rufus likes attention... this pretty much plays out for everyone's happiness.  Rufus met Stephanie the first day we adopted him, and has been happy to see her each time since.

We didn't know how Rufus would be with an overnight guest... he slept in his usual place: by our feet.  But, he did want me to know that Steph was still here this morning.  Steph is still asleep, so I quietly got up and fed Rufus... knowing that his meal schedule stays intact, even with company, he is fine with the situation.

We're looking forward to showing Steph around and letting her see what summertime in the Tropical Tip is like - she has only been here once in the summer, and that was 9 years ago.