Category: J.C.

J.C. (“Just Cat”), is our latest re-homed baby and we are so grateful for him!!! He was a gift that we weren’t sure would be compatible with our four other babies, but he’s been a perfect addition to the Neal Family Barnhouse!

The phrase “Last, but not least” has never been more appropriate than with J.C. He truly is a gift from God. As you’ve read with our other furry children, we love them all. However, as much as we wanted J.C. to come home with us, it wasn’t right to disrupt our current furry children, so this was a major concern.

🐾 Life at the Neal Barnhouse: Fur, Fun & a Few Plot Twists 🐾

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If there’s one thing we’ve learned lately at the Neal Family Barnhouse, it’s that life is never boring when you’ve got six furry personalities running the show. 😄

Finn continues to live up to his reputation as the resident goofball, bringing a daily mix of energy, curiosity, and just enough mischief to keep everyone on their toes. His favorite hobby is still “lightly annoying his sisters until someone gives in and plays,” and somehow, he always wins. Whether he’s zooming through the house or instigating a playful standoff, Finn keeps the entire crew entertained—and maybe just a little exhausted.

Bleu remains our sleek and mysterious queen, gracefully navigating the chaos with quiet confidence. She has a way of observing everything from a distance, as if she’s analyzing each situation before deciding whether it’s worth her time. But every now and then, she surprises us with a playful burst or a perfectly timed interaction that reminds us she’s very much part of the action—just on her own terms.

Ella brings her signature tortoiseshell sass, making sure everyone remembers that she runs things (or at least strongly believes she does). Her personality is as bold as her markings, and she’s never shy about voicing her opinion or inserting herself into whatever is happening. She adds just the right amount of spice to the household dynamic.

Gracie loving her car ride

Gracie, our sweet Chinweenie, continues to be the emotional heartbeat of the farmhouse. She’s always nearby, ready to offer comfort, keep watch, or step in when the energy gets a little too high. Whether she’s curled up for a quiet moment or alerting us to something she thinks we should know about (which is often 😄), Gracie brings a steady, loving presence that balances out all the feline antics. 🐶

Now for the headline act…

J.C. (Just Cat)

J.C. (“Just Cat”) has truly embraced his role as the wise and dignified elder statesman of the group. With a calm demeanor and a lifetime of experience, he moves through the house with quiet authority, rarely needing to assert himself to be respected. Having been my dad’s cat, then my mom’s, and now part of our home, J.C. carries a legacy that makes him incredibly special to us. Watching him now step into a mentor role has been both meaningful and, at times, unexpectedly funny.

Tigg (“Monster Tiggarelas”), our once-feral orange fluff, continues to be a source of endless entertainment and amazement. Not long ago, he was navigating alley life, figuring out survival one day at a time. Now, he’s discovering toys, routines, and the joy of being part of a family. His energy is boundless, his curiosity unstoppable, and his personality larger than life.

Together, J.C. and Tigg have become the most unexpected—and entertaining—duo in the house. J.C. plays the role of patient mentor, while Tigg eagerly takes on the part of the enthusiastic (and slightly chaotic) apprentice. Watching them roam the house like they’re tethered by an invisible rope is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. One responsible adult, one lovable brat… balance has been achieved.

From alley cat survival to full-fledged family member, Tigg’s journey has been nothing short of incredible. And seeing J.C. embrace his role as “big brother” has made it even more special for all of us.

🌱 A Little Life Update…

Behind the scenes, Brandee and I have been incredibly busy navigating both technical projects and some… let’s call them highly predictable personal surveillance.

What we can say is this: sometimes this predictable behaviour has a way of clarifying what really matters. For us, that means simplifying our lives, focusing on what’s real, and protecting the peace we’re building together.

We’re staying grounded, moving forward, and keeping our energy where it belongs: on family, purpose, and the future we’re creating.

💛 Looking Ahead

At the end of the day, this farmhouse is filled with love, personality, a little chaos, and a whole lot of gratitude.

We’re excited for what’s ahead—more memories, more milestones, and yes… probably more antics from Finn and Tigg. 😹

Stay tuned… 🐾✨

🐾 J.C. & Monster Tiggarelas: The Feline Buddy Cop Chronicles 🐾

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Breaking mews: our eldest and youngest cats have officially formed a crime-fighting duo… or at least, a “keep the house mildly under control” duo. 😹

J.C., our 12-year-old white-and-grey gentleman (a.k.a. “Just Cat”), came to Brandee and me when my mom went to heaven in 2022. He’s extremely special—originally my dad’s cat, then my mom’s, and now he’s ours. Basically, he’s family royalty with a PhD in Charm and a black belt in Side-Eye. 👑

Tigg, our 11-month-old orange fluff (a.k.a. “Monster Tiggarelas”), came from the wild streets—a feral alley cat who spent his nights sneaking around, getting into scraps, and surviving on sheer pluck and leftovers. We trapped him a few months ago with realistic expectations that taming him, especially with five other animals in the house, might be… ambitious.

Fast forward four months: J.C. is the wise, responsible “detective,” teaching the ropes and rolling his eyes at Tigg’s antics. Tigg? He’s the rookie with endless energy, occasional bad judgment, and a complete lack of respect for personal space. Together, they prowl the house like they’re tethered by an invisible rope—J.C. keeping order, Tigg keeping things interesting. 🕵️‍♂️🐱🕵️‍♂️

It’s heartwarming, hilarious, and just a little chaotic. One responsible adult, one obnoxious but loveable brat… and somehow, it works perfectly. Watching them bond reminds us that miracles come in the form of fur, purrs, and unexpected friendships. ✨

Here’s to more adventures, mischief, and unforgettable memories from our Neal Family Farmhouse! 🐾💛

2025 in Review: Furry Family, Fun, and Focus

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This year has been all about growth, joy, and choosing what really matters. Between new additions to our family, watching our older pets thrive, and focusing on work that aligns with my values, 2025 has been a year full of memorable moments and meaningful connections. Life felt busier, yes—but in the best way, the way that reminds you to slow down, appreciate the little things, and invest your energy where it counts. From playful chaos at home to rewarding collaborations professionally, this year has been a reminder that quality—of time, relationships, and work—always wins over quantity.

Home Life: Our Growing Family


Tigg – Our 9-month-old whirlwind kitten. His curiosity knows no bounds, and he just loves his new life with all his new brothers and sisters. Tigg went from an on-the-streets ally cat, to a domesticated gentlekitty nearly overnight. We all love him so much!


Bleu – Our 8-year-old black panther of a cat. Calm, majestic, and hypnotic with her perfected slow blink. Bleu continues to be our steady who’s friendly with everyone in the house and VERY particular in her habits.


Ella – Our 7-year-old tortoiseshell. The gentlest soul in the house with a knack for finding the softest, sunniest spots and loves to play with her wiggles.


JC – Our 12-year-old senior, still the coolest cat around. Loves “paling around” with little brother Tigg—always entertaining.


Gracie – Our 8-year-old canine. Thriving since adoption day alongside Bleu. Loyal, loving, and occasionally in charge of Finn.


Finn – Our nearly 5-year-old black lab, 72 pounds of pure, exuberant puppy energy. Once tried to “herd” Tigg off the couch like he was sheep—classic Finn.

Professional Highlights


2025 also marked the successful execution of our third TWAIN Converge Conference in Safety Harbor, Florida. Preparing and running the event reaffirmed why I love what I do: creating spaces for people who truly “get it” and pushing the boundaries of technology innovation for the benefit of everyone’s careers and curiousity.

My work with the TWAIN Working Group continues to be incredibly rewarding. I’m passionate about open source software and industry standards because it’s simply the right thing to do to drive technology adoption. I’ve intentionally chosen to work only with people I respect. It’s fun because we share values, debate topics openly without hostility, and surprisingly productive—clarity, candor, and alignment make strategy and execution much smoother. Quality over quantity is my motto.

Personal Reflections


Brandee and I are so happy as a family. This photo is of Buc-ee on Brandee’s wrist. I had never heard of Buc-ee’s before, but during a business trip to St. Augustine, Florida, the group suggested I visit for the experience. I did… and LOVED it! So I got this Buc-ee, and now Brandee loves having him on her wrist while she works.

Personally, I’ve embraced the same “quality over quantity” philosophy in life. I focus on meaningful relationships, both personal and professional, and let go of chasing attention or responses that aren’t reciprocated. More joy, less stress, and deeper connections—priceless.

Helping others—both professionally and personally—feels like exactly what we were meant to do. We feel fortunate to live this way, and we hope it inspires others to focus on what truly matters too.

Happy New Year 2026!

J.C. is the blessing we never imagined

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Brandee and I continue to be amazed daily, how lucky we are to have been able to re-home my mom’s cat, J.C.  J.C. (“Just Cat”) truly is a remarkable gift from God that came to us in uncertain times, but has worked out the best.

For those who might not have been following the story, Brandee and I already had four adopted animals with our two dogs of Gracie and Finn, but also our two cats of Bleu and Ella. While our dogs didn’t give us too much concern about integrating J.C. into our home, the unknown of having our two female cats was something we had to take very seriously.  We just couldn’t predict exactly how everyone would interact with each other.

Fast-forward one year later and I’m happy to report that J.C. has assimilated into our family so nicely and I think he’s found his happy place in life.  J.C. is the type of guy that you can sense his feelings, and it’s pretty apparent that he misses my mom and dad (who raised him for his first 10 years), but he also enjoys that zany-nest of his new family with Gracie, Finn and especially Bleu and Ella.

Brandee has given J.C. a new nick-name of “Bubba” which I think fits his funny personality very well. Bubba likes to spend most of his days lounging-around his bed, which Brandee constructed of many fluffy pillows, and leisurely exploring our living room area with the rest of us. Bubba never makes a fuss about himself and he just generally goes with the flow watching the action such as Daddy throwing the ball for Finn to fetch like 200-times nightly!

In summary, I’m so glad that J.C. is part of the Neal Barnhouse Family.  He is such an interesting character that makes Brandee and me so happy plus he’s a good example of an older brother for his four other siblings. It’s also amazing that J.C. is an angel in our house that has experiences with my mom and dad that is only known to him.

We love you J.C.!

-Mommy and Daddy