I have had 2 just like your Smudge, right down to the pushing stuff off the counter and stealing. They drove me NUTS!!!!! I was even considering rehoming Pepper at one time. Both of them got much better after being spayed. Pepper wanted kittens so badly, that she became a different cat when we took in Scooter and she adopted him as her kitten. I know how it feels to love a cat dearly, but wish you could spank them and send them to their room without dinner. Scooter is 8 months old now and testing his limits. Fortunately he knows who is boss around here, and will calm down if I hold him and grab him by his scruff. Good luck on maintaining your sanity until Smudge calms down.