Everday Gratitude: Bring on the Prancing Horses

On Thanksgiving, it's pretty typical for us to express gratitude for significant parts of our lives: family, health, friends, pets, bacon... you know, the important stuff. I am grateful every day for these gifts; however, I am also a big believer in regular appreciation for the little things. I once read something that felt really significant to me and I seriously try and remember this as often as my sometimes-chaotic brain allows me. The concept is to express gratitude all day long, even for the tiny things. You score a great parking spot -- thank you. You easily find the specific brand of chocolate chips for which you are looking -- thank you. You grab the last piece of chocolate cake before the kids clutch it with their grubby little hands -- thank you. Did I just use two chocolate references? Boy, do I love chocolate -- thank you. Sometimes I say it out loud and sometimes I internally breathe it in, but either way, I feel a rush of peacefulness through my body each and every time. If I've learned anything on my near-40 year hike on this topsy-turvy trail, it's that gratitude is the one true-tested way that I can instantly find peace even in the darkest of times.

As I lay in bed this morning, I thought about some of the little day-to-day things for which I am thankful. Here's a sprinkling of grateful to go with your mashed potatoes and gravy.

* A couple of years ago I realized that I could attach a Target bag between the two front seats of my van. This makes a great trash receptacle... when my children choose to use it -- thank you.

* My cats are not nocturnal. They go to sleep with us and wake up with us, thus allowing their people many hours of peaceful slumber. I know not all cat families are that lucky and deal with what sounds like Kitty UFC all though the night -- thank you.

* My route to work doesn't involve any highway time. Do you know what I see on my drive to work (when it's light outside)? I see mules, mini donkeys, mini horses, rustic farm houses, and corn. One day I may also see my van drive into a corn field because I am busy watching the mini horses prance and play. Seriously... have you seen a mini horse prance? Instant jolt of happy -- thank you.

* The first sip of magical coffee in the morning... that's all I have to say about that -- thank you.

* Sometimes I hear the perfect song at the precise time that I need to hear a specific message. It's a symphony of synchronicity and it happens all the time -- thank you.

I could keep typing for days -- really, when I look for the good, I find it. Not every moment of every day is picture perfect -- sometimes far from it. But when I notice the shiny parts, my life just feels more meaningful and I realize how truly blessed I am -- THANK YOU!

Slip of the Hip

It appears that I'm catching some crap for my fan-girl-gaga over the Twilight series and, specifically, being over-the-New-Moon about the latest movie. Listen here, I'm not above admitting that I have what some might call 'uncool tendencies' -- I've unabashedly blogged about my sometimes-sub-hipness and am not ashamed to share a few more nuggets of nerdom and panache for peculiarity.





* On the rare occasion that my family goes out to dinner, I enjoy arriving at the restaurant on the early side...like no later than 5:00. I can't stand crowds and cannot wait until my age qualifies me for the early bird specials so I can be seated right away and score a meal-deal.

* The other day I wore a hairband with little cat faces imprinted on the fabric. Cat accessories = one step closer to official eccentricity.

* I was just thinking about American Idol coming on again in January and getting a little excited about it. Hush.

* I still can barely keep my eyes open past 9:00pm, thus becoming a stranger to the likes of any shows with CSI, SVU, or NCIS in the title.

* I enjoy reading the Official Scrabble Player's Dictionary. I can't tell you who the name of the main character in the latest Stephen King novel is, but I can tell you chalazia (an eyelid tumor...yummy) is a word and will score you some major points if placed properly.

* The other day I was grooving in my mini-van(one uncool point) to some Seals and Croft (another point)... and I was probably wearing sweatpants(one more point). Plus there was the bonus possibility of embarrassing my children if this trifecta occurred as I pulled up to the school in the afternoon. Nice!

So there you have it. Come make fun of me all you like...you can find me first in line at the early bird buffet. I'll be the one whose children are standing five feet behind her -- the lady with the cat earrings and Edward Cullen t-shirt.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree...and a Bacon Martini

The holidays are quickly approaching and there may be those few people on your shopping list who really do have everything. Ponder no longer! I've scoured the interwebz to locate some real gems for your hard-to-buy-for friends and family.



Who doesn't love fresh bread...on their feet? Slip your cold tootsies inside these loaves of love and command the cozy comfort of their crusty goodness.





Did someone say bacon vodka??? It's true! Just when we thought any more pure ecstasy could be extracted from those savory little strips, the mapley-magic of the masterful Mr. Bacon is married with the ever-intoxicating allure of Ms. Vodka. These two lovebirds produce such offspring as the Bakon Oyster Shooter, the Bakon Mary, the Irish Boar, and my personal favorite: the Swine Flu Shot (equal parts Bakon vodka, Jaeger, and Goldschlager). I I can't decide if this product makes me feel fancy or trailer trasheriffic. Someone please fetch my bacon-scented tuxedo.



When you are hosting a classy dinner party, why not impress your guests with this talking toilet paper roll holder? Seriously, what could be more annoying than a sassy robotic voice shaming you for not eating enough fiber? Oh I know what's more annoying...the toilet paper rolling around the back instead of the front. Someone will love this....right???




And after a long day of internet shopping, what could be more refreshing than a Bakon chocolate martini? Mmmmm.....

Sweet Surrender

I've previously written about my astounding ability to be sort of a somewhat-above-average Jane at many things, but master of not-much. Wait -- that makes my skillz sound slightly substandard. How about 'renaissance woman'? Yeah, that has a much more chic vibe to it. Anyway, I'll start out by saying that I'll try most anything...and have. I'm not afraid to take risks and dive in when I am completely ill-prepared, and learn what I need to know along the way. The exception to this rule is that I will not attempt any activity that involves heights or the possibility of my developing motion sickness. And no haunted houses or scary movies. There -- anything else, I'm in. I've started and ran my own business, learning what I needed to know as I went. When I fell in love with beading, I decided to create and teach classes on how to bead. Once, I had an idea for a newspaper column, pitched it, and thus became a regular columnist (with no formal writing experience).

When I don't know how to do something, I figure out how to do it. I don't always excel at everything I try, but I've never been afraid to try and possibly fail -- quite the opposite. Here's the interesting part: I jump in head-first with high expectations that I will absolutely exceed in whatever I try. That sounds great, right? Well, if I attempted new things, set an intention for success, and just released all expectations, I'd be fine. Instead, I undoubtedly expect myself to be perfect right away and don't allow myself any ramp-up time to gradually get better at the undertaking. This is why I'm a tough new employee. I want to know everything immediately. I always wished there were a chip of information that could be implanted in my brain when I started a new job -- or for anything, really. I would be elated if there were a brain download for learning Spanish, painting, math aptitude, or knitting.

I learned to sew in college and only recently picked it up again. Some of my friends can sew really well and I feel like many things I do have flaws and take me ten times longer than they should to create. I know that I'll get better with time, but I feel so impatient and want my work to look fantastic... pronto! So, with the training wheels still on my sewing machine, I agreed to share a table with a friend at several craft fairs this fall. OK...enter my psyche:

Me --
Somewhat of a beginner in the realm of sewing
High expectations that I should produce Martha Stewartesque quality work from the word 'go'
Signed on for multiple craft fairs, when (due to my skill level) I truly needed more prep time
Thinking "I can easily do all of this in this amount of time!"
Adding new products at the last minute
Scheduling 283979123 other things in the meantime

Based on what you've read so far, can you imagine why I've been out of my head the past month? Today I decided to let everything go -- it is what it is. I officially surrender. What is already created for this weekend's craft show is what will arrive there on Saturday morning. And next year I will begin preparations much earlier so there's not so much rush-time in the fall. And over the next year, my skills will improve and I'll be happier with my output. I've decided to look at this whole craft fair experience as a wake-up call that I can give myself a break and not be perfect right away...or at all, even. I love that I enthusiastically embrace each endeavor and I never want to lose that part of me; however, surrendering to 'what is' and giving myself permission to be a beginner is the key. Oh, and not over-scheduling myself is important too. A renaissance woman is a beautiful thing -- a freaked-out woman with 15 lists is not.

What I Know Today

I'm feeling just a smidgen overwhelmed today so I thought it would be a good time to sit down and list the things on which I am pondering.

* Cats make the best lap warmers -- there's a Phoebe nestled in the criss-cross of my legs right now. Cosmo wanted some mama-lap time, but I didn't feel like hauling out the tarp to lay across my legs. Yeah...he's still a drooly-puss...bless his moist little kitty heart.

* I don't remember a recent time when I felt as tired as I do today. With a craft fair approaching this weekend, I don't have the luxury of going back to bed, even on my day off. Thus, with the Costco-sized mug of coffee in my hands, I shall tackle the day, one stitch at a time. I slept nearly 11 hours last night and could crash again right this second. Maybe my family drugged me so they could enjoy a leisurely evening minus the soothing hum (not) of the sewing machine.

* I just noticed that I've logged 93 entries since I set sail into the open waters of the deep blue Blogspot. I'd originally planned on posting a minimum of two blogs a week, which means I'd end the year with...wait...math-in-head-skills initiated...104. Is that right? Anyway, 104-93 = ...counting-on-fingers-math-skills-initiated...seriously.shut up. 11! There you go -- I have 11 entries to post in order to meet my goal -- ten, if you count this one, which, of course, I do. I am determined to make this goal even if it means that I post an entry with only a picture of Cosmo trying to get it on with my stuffed bear. Don't even think I won't post it and don't question for a millisecond that aforementioned photo does not exist.

* Here are the things that are not getting done because of my love affair with the sewing machine:

1. The coffee maker needs some serious cleaning. After all, it is the caffeine-rich placenta that is keeping me alive these days. That was kind of gross, right?

2. I have absolutely no ideas what is in my fridge right now. The containers filled with outdated, unidentifiable items are simply an annoyance to my reaching the Zip-lock bags of leftover pizza.

3. There's still some laundry that needs to be folded and put away. I either need to do it, decide that wrinkles are my new look, or psychically will the cats to take care of this task. At this point, the last option is the most feasible.

4. I need the oil changed in my van. I wish there were a service that came out to my house and did this for me. Hey -- the cats are small and nimble...and they are always trying to get into the garage...

I probably could be doing any one of these four items right now, but see... I have to get going on these blog entries if I want to meet my goal. And I have only so many smutty cat/stuffed bear photos to post...

'Twas the Day After Halloween

'Twas the day after Halloween at the Bailey abode,
No decorations to hang or costumes to be sewed.
The spider webbing was hung by the doorways with care,
It may stay up for days...I'm too tired to care.

The children ate candy til they fell into bed,
While visions of Now-n-Laters danced in their heads.
Dad and I in our jammies, well after the bash,
Had just settled our hands in the kids' Halloween stash.

When out in the hall there arose such a tapping,
We sprang from the couch and grabbed the candy wrapping.
Away to the kitchen we flew like a flash,
With handfuls of wrappers we threw in the trash.

The hall light was shining a warm glowing light,
Illuminating the children who'd been wished a good night.
When, what to my horrified eyes should appear,
The kiddos looked curious and then they came near.

With suspicious eyes they arrived at our spot,
I knew in a moment that we had been caught.
More rapid than eagles they opened the trash lid with blame,
They pointed, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Look, Snickers! And Reese's! And Twix and Gobstoppers!
And there's Kit Kat! And Twizzlers! And Payday and Whoppers!"
They counted each empty wrapper, looking ready to brawl,
"You've eaten half of our candy -- nearly eaten it all!"

Their eyes-how they glared! Their faces how scary!
Our sweet candy caper now had turned hairy.
Apologies flew quickly from both of our mouths,
As hard as we tried, we were headed straight south.

"But why?" cried the children, their lips curled into frowns,
With no words to say, we could only look down.
"You've eaten our candy!" shouted each angry face.
"Now we have just half a pillow case!"

We spoke not a word, but went straight to their bags,
Half a pillow case of candy? There's plenty to shag!
"You kids have been greedy!" I started to fume,
"Who threw a great party and sewed your costume?"

The children then softened, knowing they'd lost the fight,
In fact, their hearts grew three sizes that night.
But I heard them exclaim, ‘ere they walked back to their beds,
"Have a few more pieces, but hands off the Airheads!"

Held Hostage by Evil Sinus Elves and a Remote Control

For nearly a week, I've spent quite a bit of time home from work. None of the reasons why I've been home involve anything lady-of-leisurely -- either my kids were hog-tied by the swine flu or my sinuses were inhabited by evil squatter-elves, who were apparently working overtime building mucous reinforcements (I know...gross...get over it). Whatever the case, it's been an odd week with an abundance of at-home time and, over the last few days, I've come to realize it's not the best idea for me to experience too much free time within the confines of my house. So now I give you...



Top Five Reasons I Should be at Work

5. Facebook friends tired of seeing 2748723 of my posts on their News Feed

4. Frequent justification that 16 small meals a day makes sense

3. Have you ever seen a TV show called Street Court?

2. Have watched enough episodes of Family Feud to experience all three hosts
Side note: I was not aware that J. Peterman of Seinfeld fame had risen to the ranks of Richard Dawson (minus the kissy-pants)

1. My cable bill does not get paid by my awesome sofa-cushion-warming skills. How can I see what happens at the Rule-Change Ceremony on Wife Swap if my cable bill doesn't get paid....

I guess I better get back to work...and program the Tivo.

Daydream Believer

I've always been a major daydreamer. Seriously. I'm embarrassed to admit that I regularly -- though not intentionally -- miss entire sections of conversations. Then I'm faced with the ever-so-awkward-pretend-like-I-know-what-you-were-talking-about-so-now-I'm-using-general-phrases-like "wow," "really?," and "how cool!." The whole time I'm hoping the lucid half of the conversation will somehow reveal a glimpse of what they just said. And I'm praying that it wasn't something that would have rendered my "how cool!" phrase ridiculous. You know, like her recent cauliflower ear diagnosis or her husband's affair with the Schwan's delivery guy.

Practicing presence is something on which I'm always working, but somehow, my wandering thoughts enjoy highjacking and racing away with the moment at hand. What am I thinking about when aforementioned highjacking occurs? Anything and everything. Sometimes I make mental lists or plan a dinner menu. Other times I wonder what the person I'm talking to was like in high school -- I try to picture what they looked like and imagine them at pep rallies or enjoying their first kiss after the Snow Ball. Many times I concoct outlandish scenes -- much like JD does on the show, Scrubs. I imagine everything from saving the show as the unsung-hero-understudy in a Broadway play to picturing my cats working at Burger King (they would look outstandingly cute in polyester pants).

Although I know this little daydreaming habit of mine sometimes gets in the way of enjoying the present moment, I sort of savor the little bits of escape into my own flights of fantastical fancy. And I no longer judge my cats, who sometimes sit and stare at a blank wall a la the guy at the end of The Blair Witch Project. For all I know, they could be thinking about serving up Whoppers and chocolate shakes.

Coming Apart at the Seams (or My Life the Past Few Weeks)

Now that the seams are all sewn-up on the first craft fair of the season, I have pause to ponder the goings-on in my life the past few weeks while I was hunched over the sewing machine. I'm not one to spend a lot of time overly back-stitching fabric that's already been sewn, but I do think it's good for me to review old patterns, pick up a thread of knowledge from past mistakes, and trim away some of the tension that's been needling me. Even if you don't have a notion about sewing lingo, read on -- I promise to stop with the sew-speak...seriously...this is no fabrication.

* For the past week, I have been waking up (with the aid of my new BFF, Juan Valdez) at 4:30am to sew a bit before work. My cats, who are normally fed at 6:30, think that because Mama is up early, that food must also be up early. Three whining cats circling the sewing machine operated by an under-caffeinated woman is a bad idea. They are lucky I didn't throw in a last minute display of kitty-fur leg warmers. You know I'm just kidding...right? Or am I???? ;)

* In addition to the pre-work sewing session, I've actively participated in a little happy-hour sewing when I get home from work (although if any kicky beverages were to be enjoyed, they were served-up after operating sharp, mechanical needles -- safety first, people). Thank goodness for mothers and husbands who take care of dinnerly arrangements or our family would have eaten cereal and Bugles every night. Seriously.

* I believe I have earned my black belt in listmaking. Over the past few weeks, I have successfully juggled six-eight lists at the same time. I'm thinking of running away and joining the circus -- and not just because I am an excellent list-juggler. I'm also pretty side-show strange in general. Just sayin'.

* I've neglected my toes. The polish is so chipped, the nails now look like a series of Rorschach inkblot tests.

* At the craft fair yesterday, I discovered my demographic appears to be teenage girls and women with multiple piercings. Both of aforementioned groups were eclipsed by the sweatsuit-clad, crochet dishtowel-purchasing crowd that overtook the place. I haven't decided if I should consider my shortage in sales a compliment to the hipness of my products or if I should just sew some calico bird feeder cozies for the next round of shows.

Well, at least today I can relax and enjoy a sewing-free day. What will I do? Maybe paint my toenails, play with the cats, enjoy my family, and make a couple of new lists. I'm ironing out few other ideas....nothing pressing. Gotta bolt!

Kreativ Blogger Bonanza!

Mucho gratitude to Joyce at Shady Hollow for awarding Eclectic Catladyland a Kreativ Blogger Award! I feel honored and am excited to pass the award along to seven other kreativ kats. The 'rules' for the award are listed below:




1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link the person who nominated you.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.
5. Nominate seven 'Kreativ Bloggers'
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.


Seven things about me that aren't known to most people are:

• My first name is Frances -- I go by my middle name, Angela.
• I grew up in primarily in Atlanta and St. Augustine, but lived in Baton Rouge when I was in 3rd and 4th grade.
• When I was a kid, I swear I once saw a two-headed snake and an real-live alien....not at the same time.
• One time in college, I ran my thumb underneath a sewing machine needle -- it went in, broke off, and went back in. I am extra-petrified of that ever happening again.
• My great grandmother was a Native American medicine woman.
• My kids went to a Spanish immersion school and are bi-lingual.
• I failed my first driving test and am still a horrible parallel parker.

Drum roll, please......

My seven nominations are blogs that I enjoy reading and would like to support:

spreadchange
wildhair
ramblingthoughtsandthoughtfulramblings
frugalluxuries
marysmeanderings
serenityismylife
catlady

Thanks again, Joyce, and blog on!!!