happy

Everything is sound

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYBCiN401ds&feature=g-vrec

Hair highlighted.  Check!

Smile applied.  Check!

Red lipstick.  Double Check!

Realizing self worth as priceless…CHECK!

Sometimes it takes a night out with the girls to realize it’s OK to be where you are at and that you should enjoy each and every moment.  I think that it was a great weekend.  I will be exhausted, but Thanksgiving is right around the corner!   So what am I thankful for?  I have an extreme appreciation and gratitude toward a lot right now.  I am happy and grateful for the opportunity to choose to be happy.  I am happy for the ability to be apart of my circle of family and friends to which help build me up rather than tearing me down.  I am thankful for laughter.  Babies.  Dating sites.  Customers.  Catch phrases…and so on beyond that tiny list.  I am grateful for food on my plate, a roof over my head, warmth at night, and like minded optimistic surroundings.  So, what is it that you have to be thankful for?

What is the sound of gratitude?

❤ CatMan

 

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Age gracefully……

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As a woman, I feel this extreme pressure to constantly feel like I need to look younger.  Tone up, if you will.  Make sure that I am in “perfect” condition for everyone.  Sure we all might feel like we are at our best when we look our best, but where do we draw our line?

I am young.  I am happy with my body as far as I recognize I have my problem spots and I know what I need to do to get them back in shape.  It is MY responsibility to get my body to the shape that makes me feel the best…not someone else’s expectations of “you should be as skinny as a rail, 100 lbs, your stomach’s getting pudgy work it out, you should wear make-up to the gym because heaven forbid you actually run into someone you know there, oh and your hair…um yes…grow it longer because short hair it just isn’t what women should do…it makes you look like a mom.”  I am tired of the pressure frankly.

Why is it so hard for people to face their music?  Why are we dragging our feet? Why do we feel like we have to look younger all the time?  Why is it so hard to find a wrinkle and be proud of it?  Well maybe it is a sign of people’s lack of appreciation for their age.  Do you fully embrace where you are at in the present moment?  Do you say, thank you for making me 25 years old at this very moment in time?  Or maybe your 10 or 70 years old in some cases!  No regrets, right?

To me, it is a lack of personal gratitude and appreciation for life’s journey when we force ourselves to “look” younger.  We start off as children and we “wish we were older” always….then we hit a point where we wish we could go back to that innocence.  We sit there and wish our lives away.  Seems rather silly doesn’t it?

I want to offer a little bit of “natural” solutions to looking and feeling younger (not found in a bottle of anti-aging cream or diet pills).  In no particular order:

1.  Surround yourself with people who care about you.  They support you.  They genuinely love you.

2.  Smile more.  If you smile for no good reason, I guarantee you will find a reason.  Plus, smiles brighten other’s days.  It might actually change someone’s bad day into good!

3.  Never actually act your age.  My good ol’ friend Herb taught me that.  Surround yourself by young people and you will forever feel connected and youthful.

4. Make sure that you wash your face, brush your hair and don’t smell like body odor.  One of the best ways to feel good about yourself is just simply keep good hygiene.

5. Try to make a point of doing one random act of kindness for someone daily.  When you give your effort and time to others it really pays back.  That little act could mean the world to someone.

6. Keep in touch with your friends.  Keep in touch with those who are distant old friends more so.  Just call to see how they are doing.  It makes a world of difference in your appreciation of that person in your life as well as talking about your past times keeps you youthful.

7. Talk to people of all ages.  There is someone always that has either been in your shoes, is walking your walk right now, or will be in the future.  Learn what they did, are doing, or what they might do to make the situation a little better.

8. Keep things in perspective always.  Is this really a big deal?  Is this really something that I need to worry about?

9.  Take care of our body, mind, and soul and seek balance always.  If you need to work out more to keep yourself in balance, then do what YOU have to do…keep your mental and physical health in check always.  Remember no one is perfect, so find what works for you!

10.  Pray daily and keep your God and creator at the center of your focus.  He will point you in new and amazing (sometimes amusing…) directions which will keep your mind off the aging process.  🙂  This part is the liberating part!

11. Love others genuinely with all your heart.  Keep your pride down and really work on looking past one another’s flaws.  It makes life so much better!!

I would like to end with this article I came across that I think will shed some light upon how to embrace growing older…http://www.psychologies.co.uk/news/how-to-embrace-growing-older/.

How are you going to embrace where you are at and in this very present moment?  How are you going to embrace this aging process that people consistently fighting today?

❤ The CatMan

An Affirmation

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg&feature=player_embedded#at=15

I ran the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon this past Saturday.  The weather was nice but, it was the biggest pain in my booty ever.  First of all, with events such as this I like to plan ahead.  Plans were still being solidified morning of the event.  Cause for me to panic a bit considering this is one of the largest mini-races in the nation.  I have bulleted the list as not to bore you with all of the gory details.

  1. I was run/walking this mini with originally 2 girlfriends of mine (Mars and Special K) and one of their significant others.  4 total.  They were still trying to decide how to figure out how they were getting to the race the night before…
  2. I ended up staying with another girlfriend (KBarnes) who was running the race too….so we could all walk/run together.
  3. Day of the race:  we were together until it came to parking.
  4. Special K and I were in Corral R (I didn’t find this minor detail out until about mid race…) but Mars and significant other this were in Corral V.  We were all supposed to be in R.  Opps.  KBarnes was in Corral T.
  5. I went to Corral R thinking I was just going to find everyone there or go back to walk with KBarnes, but who was I kidding??  I got lost from everyone.  I had to go to the bathroom and we had at least 20 min left to start.  I felt like I needed someone to page my mom.  “we have a lost kid up here at the start line…..”
  6. I started the race off with no one beside me that I knew…I was kind of frantic and couldn’t relax.  I hit the first pit stop then.
  7. I ran my heart out until Mile 4, then I started to walk….then Mars and Special K came right up from behind me!  They ran/walked with me until Mile 10 (then they had to leave for a wedding)
  8. I had Mars text KBarnes to let her know where I would meet her after the race and that was my plan.
  9. We got to run on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway…and just on one long stretch I saw my college cheer coaches on the side cheering us on!  How cool is that?!  Gave them hugs and we were on our way!
  10. I finished strong walking the last three miles with a wonderful woman named Jewels.  We were both very happy to have each others company.
  11. At the finish line, I looked diligently for KBarnes…discouraged I started walking away…THEN NOMAD APPEARED!  Boy was I glad to see him!!
  12. Then we walked to Panera, where I was meeting KBarnes.  She was nowhere to be found there…then she busted thru the door and goes “where have you been?!  I was so worried I couldn’t find you!”  That’s when I explained what happened.
  13. I got my stuff and then Nomad took me to get my car.
  14. On Sunday, horrible migraine.  I didn’t move literally 4 hours straight, threw up twice, and just felt ikky.  Oh and my 2nd toe was black and blue.  That was pretty cool.
So all in all, I was glad to have finished.  It was the hardest race I have ever completed in my life!  But, I did it.  I made it thru and I was alive.  OH you might be wondering about my time….well that was nothing to write home about…but no matter what I finished it.  🙂
I started this post off with the youtube.com clip, “Jessica’s Affirmation” because I think it is important that I complete this race.  I made the commitment and I successfully completed my goal: “…to finish still standing”.
My Affirmation:  I can do anything independently or with others.  I am my own person and as long as I am confident in myself and my OWN abilities, I will succeed at whatever I choose to accomplish.  I recognize my strength comes from the Lord, my drive comes from my will, and I will only be as successful as I believe myself to be!
xoxo
CatMan

So this I do declare!

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So I don’t know what exactly what it is about guys in my life lately.  Maybe it’s that I am incredibly happy now and they see it and want to be apart of it, or maybe they are idiots…or maybe they just realize what a balla’ I was….SO this I do declare…frankly it’s strangely unbecoming.

Here is a memo for the men: (me getting up on my soap box and clearing my throat!)

I get a message on the Book of Face from a man who frankly just made me irritated.  Lets just call him Jock for time being.  I sent a response back stating I could send him an email regarding the event if he wished.  Then he calls me 2 days later.  I didn’t pick up.  Although his voicemail he left was pretty entertaining!  I will let you read (since I cannot give you it in audio).

Mind you I made a few interjections:  “Hey CatMan.  It’s Jock…I know it’s been a while. (and I look like a total d-bag)  I was wanting to call you regarding the Special Olympics opportunity (just because I know you are so involved and you are the easiest person I can access at this point in time…)  Right now, I’m on my way to Bloomington for the weekend (in a whiny voice: I’m driving and I need someone to talk to…wahhh!). Just thought you know we could “catch-up” (sarcasm–because I actually care how you are doing) You left some ice cream at my apartment (and I had to eat it before it went bad!  Sorry!) and yeah just was thinking of you (whether you changed your mind about the initial question of “giving it up”…)…so call me back at your convenience please.  Thanks.”

“hey girl…I’m Jock ;)”

Let me preface this situation a bit.  I met him as a volunteer for Special Olympics, we have a good mutual friend in contact, and we went out on 1 date!  He is 300 to my 100.  After that date, there was some physical chemistry but, nothing more than that honestly.  He would never give me the time of day.  We hung out a handful of times past that point and we had a mutual love of ice cream.  Love at first scream!  (I scream! You scream! We all scream for ICE CREAM!)  Riiiggghhht.  Well essentially one of the nights we hung out literally the last night and he asks me “So when are you going to give it up to me?”  I proceeded to give him a puzzled look and said “UH NEVER!” and left.  What the heck is that??  PS still haven’t returned his phone call!  Doesn’t it not suck when no one gives you the time of day?  TEAR….

Next, I went out on a date a few months back.  Let’s for time being call this one Motorcycle Jac.  One date and some chit-chat here and there.  That was about it.  No second date.  hmm…OK.  Then out of the blue I get a random text “Hey hottie how’s it going? :)”  um…who the heck is this?…”Motorcycle Jac!”…..uh…”Hey, I got to go…”.  Needless to say if you can’t realize that’s not how to court a woman, then you are NEVER going to get it!

Sorry…too late!

An on again off again friend, shot me a text on my day of birth.  It was very nice but, at 9am on a Sunday morning?  This was atypical of Doubting T.  But, it was cheerful, wonderful and nice voluntarily hearing from him.  Does he actually care?  OR is he toying with my emotions?  That I may never know but I will take it for what it’s worth.  We were close friends until a few things got caught up in the way.  Just like it always does in life.

Then, Monday night I get a call from an old friend whom was just desperate for a talk!  He called me, then I called him.  Literally, he says I just broke up with my girlfriend of 3 years and I am kind of down.  Were going to refer to him as “Desperate”.  No play on words really…I am in need of a cheerful friend to lift me up (AKA BOOOTTTYYY CAAALLLL).  I was busy so we had a nice conversation via phone and that was done.  Desperate was done!

hmmmmph…….really?

BOYS!  What the heck is your deal?  Quit being a Jock, Motorcycle Jac, Doubting T, or a Desperate and smell the roses!  If you have a really great girl sitting in front of you then TELL HER.  If you aren’t interested, then HONESTLY make your intention’s known, don’t just assume.  We all know what happens when you assume….(‘you make an ass out of you and me’ for all those who didn’t know!)  Keep us posted of your feelings.  There is no harm or foul in making it known early on!  How ’bout a little respect?  Women aren’t stupid.  No one is going to think of you any less of a man unless you start exhibiting signs of the males described in this post.  GOT IT?  I sure hope so!  🙂

Thanks!  Other than that life is good!  😉

Sincerely THE CatMan

Feel like a circus animal?

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Some days I feel like a circus animal.  No not one of the cool ones like a lion…OR the elephant…or EVEN the bear!  Sometimes I feel like all I do is juggle.  I get to be the caged juggler.  How uncool is that??   I feel strapped down, locked away…like a damsel in distress…..swoon!  But all in all, I feel trapped in my office and to my desk.

Yesterday I got my quilt back.  I had a really awesome thought of taking all of my t-shirts from high school, finding someone else to do this for me of course, and then making a quilt!  My idea of making a quilt would include the magic Genie where all I would have to do is rub the lamp and up she comes!  TAH-DAH!  Here it is!  Well it sort of happened that way…I think.  Essentially, we have a client named Keepsake Threads (www.keepsakethreads.com) whom I had received an announcement that their new website was up and kickin’!  That’s when it hit me….I had to call and see what they could do for me.  They were easy to work with, very friendly and overall just a peach of a company!  Essentially, what they do is take articles of clothing from whatever (whether it be a deceased grandmother’s decorative hanky’s or your uncle’s funky ties OR in my case high school memories thru t-shirts!) and create it into some other form like a bear, scarf, quilt…or whatever you could think of!   I personally wanted a quilt.

Meeting was a breeze.  I literally had three full bags of t-shirts from cheerleading, gymnastics, track and some random ones from Saint’s Alive (my high school’s biggest fundraising event).  I talked briefly to the designer and gave her free reigns.  She is the designer, this is her job, and I felt like she had connected with me enough to provide a quality quilt.  Boy, did she ever!

 

Beautiful swirled gold backing with navy and white polka dotted fringing.

 

Here is an example of what the back of my quilt looks like.  Because Red was a predominant color she used that on the front and complimented it with the Navy and Gold (my high school colors).

 

Vanna White and Mix Master Mike (my little sister and brother)

 

I wish these pictures were bigger but, the detail work, the time and effort involved was such a pleasure to see.  They really did a great job at capturing my memories into a tangible item for me to use and keep.  What a completely amazing piece of art and comfort.

I was very pleased.  Currently, I am trying to juggle about 6 different projects, report to 10 different bosses, all a while keeping my sanity!  YES wishful thinking…I only pray that cheer practice this evening goes smoothly, sushi is not tainted, and the roads remain clear! (fingers crossed!)

LAUGH OUT LOUD MOMENT:  Freaked myself out with my own shadow last night (I saw it in the moon light–as you can tell I am a big chicken…)

 

This would be THIS GIRL!! (pointing to myself!)

 

 

CYNICAL MOMENT:  Facebook stalking last night…someone I was talking to changed their status to single?  Does this mean they want to date the CatMan?  Or use her for her beautiful body?  Does he want a relationship?  AHHH the suspense is killing me!

BEAUTIFUL MOMENT:  Receiving a birthday cake from a friend and getting to blow out my b-day candles a whole 3 days sooner!  YAY!

 

TOTALLY made my day! Happy b-day to meeee!

 

 

LAZY MOMENT: right now……….3…..2……..1………..OK I am done now.

POSITIVE MOMENTUM MOMENT:  Telling three more people about my fundraising endeavors for our Special Olympics Polar Plunge 2011!  I am so excited!  Anyone want to come visit and plunge with me??

 

Today has been slow but sure.  But isn’t it the slow and steady that win the race?  I am keeping with that philosophy.  Being patient will pay off and prevent me from looking like a dumb butt.  I am convinced.

I am going to leave you all and go eat my cake!  Have a beautiful Thursday!!

CatMan

PS: Remember to smile!  You never know when a warm happy smile might make the difference for a friend, fellow co-worker, or random stranger!  Give Love.  Receive Love.

 

awww see now you are all warm and fuzzy inside!

 

 

“The Douche Lord”

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Today I devote my blog entry to all of those men that make women’s life heck.  Oh you know who you are…Here’s a clue if you still don’t get it:  the Italian Stallion was definitely one of them.

 

One example of a Douche Lord

 

OK women beware.  This type of man lurks everywhere with only one motive in mind…”satisfy myself”.  How rude?  Very rude.

So first I am going to define what a Douche Lord is and then we will go from there.  A Douche Lord is a man who is usually full of himself in one way shape or form.  He think’s he cares for others but, really he is using them and OK with manipulating them to get what he wants.  His world revolves around numero uno.  (He is a victim of the Me-Me-Me syndrome)  Well this type of male is totally toxic for a woman’s self-esteem, divine nature, and just is a one man wrecking crew.

Here is a good blog I found highlighting some Douche Bags thru the ages: http://www.the-fed.org/articles/volume25/issue2/douches.html

A Douche Lord is King of the Douche Bags.  He may or may not be affiliated with a fraternal order.  More than likely he thinks he is a pretty boy, but really he just looks silly.  He tries too hard.  These men should be avoided at all cost!

 

hahahahahaha! 🙂 What goofs!

 

This weekend I realized that there is way too much of this “me” douche bag-ness in our society and culture.  Sorry men for just picking on you, but the fact is women can be Douche Lords as much as men can.  So it does go both ways.

Life isn’t really about us.  Life should be about a bigger picture.  How we as tiny humble beings are using our gifts to help serve others on their journey, how we can make someone’s day a little better, or how we can make an impact on people we come in contact with daily.  If we truly want to make a difference in this world then, we need to see what is in front of our faces and act/react accordingly.  Love starts with you.  Kindness starts with….say it…YOU.  Compassion starts with you.

Let’s all make a promise to ourselves today my followers to not be Douche Lords or Douche Bags.  Lets think of others today, not ourselves AND remember where we have been and where we are going.  This is fitting for the Christmas Season.  Be kind to all those traveling on this difficult journey called life and help a brother (or sister!) out!

Today (or everyday’s) Mantra:  “I will put aside my wants and selfish desires today and be more giving and forgiving.  I will make it a better day for my family and friends.”

Give, not to receive or ask in return.  That’s the first step to being happy loves!

Love and good blessings to you sweet friend!

 

XOXO

CatMan