Thanks, guys.

As for sleeping in a crate - Tito would throw a fit if I tried to keep him off my bed at night. I don't think that's going to happen. Sophie might be OK with it, but not Tito.

We have decided to take down the Christmas tree before we leave to go visit relatives Friday night. We'll keep it up until then. I find fixing it just stresses me out more than it's worth. They figured out how to climb it and also how to make it spin around 360 degrees inside its base. That made a nice knot of my lights and garland. *sigh* I think the more I fix it, though, the more interested they are in it. So I've kind of left it alone, looking rather ragged, and so have they.

Through some conversations with NoahsMommy (thank you!) I have decided to try the free feeding again. I really hope they don't bulk up too much. Tito is scheduled to go back to the vet in April, so we'll see how much he weighs then. I just know if you all can do it, and your cats look fine, there should be no reason why I can't. They're on diet food anyway! I gave them a bit extra at breakfast this morning - they ate it all. I filled up their bowls at lunch today - they inhaled almost all of it (a whole cup)! Hopefully they get used to it soon!!! Wish me luck!

Oh and as for the blinds - we're switching to curtains as soon as I can get some extra $$ (after the holidays)!!!