catiecake.

Shake it, don't break it.

Dear Kittens,

1. What is this? Like the 100th day in a row that I've posted something to my blog? AM I AWESOME OR WHAT? Maybe I just needed a break from blogging? I don't know. I know for sure that I don't want to give up blogging. I've been doing it for so long that whenever something happens, no matter how mundane, I think about how I will tell you kittens the story. I think in blog posts. That's how commited I am to this medium.

2. Lately Andy and I have been very serious about keeping us stocked in snacks. Our latest favorite is naan and tzatziki. Also olives. And cheese of course. And sugar snap peas. Andy's become a master iced tea and lemonade maker, too. And let's not forget my ginger syrup for ginger ale. The homemade ginger ale is just about my most favorite thing ever. I've also taken to making giant batches of vinaigrette and storing them in the fridge. Because I use olive oil, it goes get solid in the refrigerator, but leaving it out in the morning means it's liquid again by dinner. Sometimes we use the vinaigrette for salad or sometimes we dip vegetables in it. It's all so delicious!

3. So everyone knows how much I love the dog trainer, right? I mean- he is absolutely my favorite person that I am not married to, related to, is not half Vietnamese, does not live in Ellensburg, Washington or is not already my friend. Anyway, he's promised to teach me how to ride my bike with Murray running along side. I CANNOT WAIT. You remember my bike, right? My awesome Hello Kitty bike that is pink and has Hello Kitty's face on the tire tread. I haven't ridden the bike in some time, so my ass has not built up any resistance, but Kittens, I can promise you this- that bike is going to get a work out with this dog and I cannot wait.

4. Speaking of my dog, Murray. I gave him a bath yesterday. Old school style, in the front yard with the hose. It was absolutely the best bath experience I've had so far with this dog. As I may or may not have mentioned, Murray is- how you say in your language- a wee bit stubborn. He approaches each new situation with great trepidation. Like, "what's in this for Murray?" Of course he's the sort of dog who refers to himself in the third person. Anyway, I gave him a bath and now he is the softest, sweetest smelling dog in the whole house.

5. My friend Jen is all the time, every second talking about The Tudors, a Showtime TV series. I finally decided to rent it via Netflx. Andy and I are watching it right this very second. Already I love it and we're just on the first episode. A few days ago I watched the mocumentary called American Teen. I'm not sure what was umentary and what was moc, but I enjoyed it.

6. At first I thought that we would go see fireworks tonight and maybe we still will, but right now I am so happy to be at home without plans, just puttering around. I've been doing some cleaning and organizing and TV watching and Interneting. Its just the perfect day. Plus! Tomorrow is flea market day and I am especially excited. I'm not sure why I'm so excited, but I am. And hopefully that's a good omen for finding extra great stuff.

Love,
Catie

I love you and this time I really mean it.

Dear Kittens,

1. GAH! Boating did not work out AGAIN. We were late leaving and then there was a tremendous amount of traffic and so we were late for our launch appointment and then the parking lot had reached capacity and so we werturned away and we all cried a little bit.

2. Another complaint is that I bought a new bathing suit and it smooshes my boobies. It smooshes my boobies so much that when I took it off my nipples were sort of inverted for a little while. That's some serious bosom control. I will admit only to you kittens that I ordered the swimsuit online and I ordered a size smaller than what I've previously worn and maybe this swimsuit is slightly too small. It doesn't look bad, but it just feels like the swimsuit really loves me and wants to hug me super tight all the time.

3. The good part about heaving everything ready for the boat is that we have tons of drinks that have been sitting in ice. I love ice cold drinks. They're so icey cold and then you drink them and it is wonderful.

4. We've got three mini thugs in our neighborhood. As far as I can they spend the majority of their time looking for some manner of trouble. They'll walk around testing car doors to see if one is unlocked, they will throw their litter on the ground and mostly they just wander around the neighborhood trying to look touch. On more than one occasion I've shooed them away from one thing or another and when they try to give me a hard scary look, I look them right in their mini thug eyes. One thing that strikes me as hilarious is that they are afraid of Murray. One day last week I was outside with Murray. I had him on his long leash and I was throwing a frisbee for him. The frisbee went out on the sidewalk and Murray ran for it and on those mini thugs SQUEALED in fear because of Murray. MURRAY. HAHAHA. He might lick them to death, but that would be about it.

5. Here are the plans for tomorrow- general and specific straightening and organizing, eating delicious foods that are delicious, walking the dog and reading. It should be a great day. Oh, also, maybe we see some fireworks. Or maybe we go to a movie or maybe we watch a movie at home. ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.

Love,

Catie

Bang!

Dear Kittens,

1. I know, but let's not get too excited. There is no telling how long this updating will last.

2. One of the awesome things about this so-called economic downturn is that places are super eager for your business. Sales, coupons, offers of percentages off your next purchase and so on. I heard some economist type say that a recession is good for those who have jobs.

3. I am in the process of returning a buttload of shoes to Zappos. I will not divulge the number of shoes or the dollar amount that will be refunded back to me. I will just say it's a lot and oi, I need to get better about returning things as soon I know they aren't going to work. Andy is helping me go through all this stuff and organize it and I am so extra thankful because maybe I mentioned that it's a lot of stuff?

4. I mostly read before I go to sleep and this is an awesome plan except for when I read a compelling book. A little while ago I decided that I wanted to read all Jane's Austen's books. I started with Emma and actually never finished it. It was a great before bed book because I would read 5-10 pages and then fall immediately asleep. Now I am reading two books I am enjoying and I AM NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP as a result.

5. Tomorrow we go out on the boat with my sister and her family. We didn't do any boating last year and so I am extra super excited to go tomorrow. I am hoping that we keep boating through October. Actually, I wouldn't mind visiting the lake in the winter, too, if it's not raining.

6. Andy's been wanting me to go shooting with him for a ridiculously long time. Since he was off this week, it seemed like a good time to go. So he made the arrangements for us to have a private safety class/shooting lesson with a guy who works out Reed's Indoor Range. The whole experience was a really good one and I am super glad that we did it. Andy is like some sort of natural when it comes to shooting. He did really well, never once missing his intended target. I think I did pretty well for a first time shooter and for someone who has not spent an inordinate amount of time playing shooty video games. My favorite part was the safety lesson because now I know how how a gun works, how to disarm it, how to load it and how to shoot it.

And now it's time to make some choices about dinner. How's about pizza?

Love,

Catie

july!

Dear Kittens,

1. Look, it's a new month. Let's see what happens.

2. Murray is 8 months old today. He's lived with us for nearly 5 months and it's been quite an experience. I love this dog and we have a lot of fun with him. He is 100% a party dog. He's never met a dog or other person that he did not want to play with. Seeing a person means automatic wiggles. Plus, he is super cute. I mean unbearably cute. He knows how to sit, how to stand, how to lie down. He knows how to stay in all those positions. He will give me kisses on command. He can high 5. He knows the hand signals for most of those commands and he knows how to stick his nose down my shirt and go into my bra and inhale deeply. (uh, I didn't teach him to do the last one, it's just a favorite thing of his to do)

If I had to do it all over again, I would still get Murray, I just would've waited before we got him. I was still pretty deep in my grief over losing my beloved Petey and it was really very poor timing for a new puppy. And let's not even talk about a puppy like Murray. But I didn't wait and overall having this dog has been a life changing experience.

3. I've been working more and more on my creative endeavors and that's feeling extra super awesome. I'm making a variety of stuff, all of which I am very proud. So yay for that.

That's all for now. Maybe I write more tomorrow!

Love,

Catie

I'll do anything

Dear Kittens,

1. If you are thinking to yourself, that Catie should be in bed right now- I do not disagree. I should've been in bed two hours ago. But here I am, awake. I'm wondering if maybe this not being able to sleep that great is somehow hormonally related? Anyway, despite being tired, I am not all about sleeping right now which is a big, big bummer.

2. I love taking Murray to play with his friends, but the bad part about doggy play date is that there are a lot of motherfucking mosquitoes out there and they love Baby Catie more than anything else in the entire world. I am lucky enough to not only be the favorite of mosquitoes, but to be allergic to their bite so that I swell up extra super big whenever I get bit and the itching is AMAZING. Almost always I scratch a mosquito bite until it bleeds. Anyway, so I finally started using bug spray, which does a pretty good job of keeping the mosquitoes off of me, but now I'm covered in a horrible chemical that says right on the package THIS IS A HORRIBLE CHEMICAL. Gah!

3. I am so looking forward to tomorrow. Firstly, it's manicure and pedicure day. Secondly, it's take yourself out for a sushi lunch day. Thirdly, it's go to the market to get delicious foods for the weekend day. Fourthly, it's go get your boat out of storage and it ready for summer day. Fifthly, it's take your puppy on a long walk day. Yeah, okay- you get the picture. I'm planning on a great day. Yipee!

4. Now I've got to go wash this horrible chemical off all the parts I sprayed it on and then I go to the bed and hopefully I rock the sleeping party. If I don't, then I will read and either way it will be time well spent.

Love,
Catie

Just on the other side of the lake

Dear Kittens,

I think I just go in baby steps with getting back into this blogging thing. Tiny posts. No over thinking it. Those are the new rules. We see how it goes.

1. For the last several weeks I've been making a concerted effort to look as cute as possible. All the time. I've gotten cuter sleeping apparel, I'm all the time with the cute outfits and it's sort of amazing what a huge difference it makes in how I feel about myself and how I relate to the world. Not like I was a slob before, because I absolutely was not, but I was just making the effort some of the time. Now it's all the time. EVEN WHEN I SLEEP.

2. It is the time before my period and usually it's not a big deal. I might get a little weepy or more snippy than usual, but this time? Oh, it is full force. There is paranoia, insecurity and general emotional mayhem. I am a FUCKING JOY to be around. It's so bad that I am irritating myself. I have a friend lunch date on Thursday that I am looking forward to. Hopefully that will help me get outside of my head for a little while.

3. Tonight was our dog training class. I was a bit apprehensive about the whole thing in the beginning mostly because other people can be a chore, but I'm enjoying it. I would enjoy it more if my dog was not so easily excitable. It's one thing to practice obedience training drills on the quiet sidewalks of my neighborhood, but doing this stuff with a bunch of dogs! around? Please. It's a lot of work, but he's doing okay. Not great, but okay. I love Murray so much. Having a dog is the greatest thing ever. I will still not say that all the stuff in the early days was worth it, but I'm glad to have Murray.

And now I prepare for the sweetest part of the day. BEDTIME.

Love,
Catie

Treasured Kittens

Dear Kittens,

OH HAI!

As it turns out, I have a blog! A horribly neglected blog. I would blame Facebook and Twitter for the neglect, but the truth is writing here has not been fun for me for some time. I have some theories as to why, one of which is just plain being done. I've been doing this for almost 10 years and that is a long time. Of course, because you are just baby kittens, you have no idea that 10 years is a long time. It is a long time, I'm telling you. Anyway, the point is- I'm not have any fun writing here, but I'ma try a few things to see if I can turn up the fun. Let's see if it works!

1. The cleaning company we used sent me an e mail today addressed to "Treasured Client". Um, maybe I would feel slightly more treasured if they used my actual name? Maybe?

2. Whenever we go out for sushi we always end up with a bowl of uneaten rice. And the waitresses always make us take it home with very specific instructions on how to make fried rice in the morning. I don't even try to deny the rice now because I love this tradition.

3. I have been extraordinarily happy lately. I've also been doing a lot of walking lately. It seems pretty likely that the two are connected, yes?

This feels like a good enough beginning.
Love!

Catie

I'm a woman in love

Dear Kittens,

1 I have a lot of pet peas about Hollywood and how they depict life. For example, who drinks tea with the tea bag in the cup? NO ONE WITH ANY SENSE, unless it's one of you Kittens, and then I understand because you are just baby cats who are fuzzy headed and don't know a single thing about anything.

2. I have a friend (Kate Musgrove) who loves more than anything to spell words the wrong way. And because I am easily influenced, I follow right along and then I use those misspelled words in my regular, every day writing and I worry that people think I don't actually know how to spell things. I mean, I don't worry TOO much because, like I pointed out you are just baby kittens, but still. You should know I know how to spell, but these misspelled words amuse me.

3. I may have mentioned that my dog, Murray, is difficult. This is the most difficult relationship I have ever had with a dude and although I do not want to give up on it, I often wish that it was easier. Mostly because it's exhausting and regularly overwhelming and hard. Really, really hard. He is stubborn and smart and dominant and cute and his latest thing is to give me a fist bump with his nose when we're walking and it's going well. The fist bump thing kills me. The best part of our relationship is the walking. The walking is so joyous. JOYOUS. WALKING. I wish I had a tail so it could wag along with Murray's.

4. I keep wanting to tell you about how this dog is changing my life and I keep not having the right words, but the constant challenges are making me let go of things, cling to other things and generally feel like he's turning me into a better person. I mean, of course HE is not changing me, but this experience is.

5. Our niece and nephew are coming tfor a visit this weekend. We don't really have any specific plans with them, mostly we just wanted to hang out with them. Breeana and I are going to get manicures and pedicures and I'm sure Andy will take Jared out to a delicious lunch and for some birthday shopping. Other than that- it's all up in the air. I'm hoping they're up for some cooking, because that's the mood I'm in, but we'll see.

6. I wonder if I can sneak in a nap before I get the kids? I'ma try.

Love,
Catie

You can't make me want you more.

Dear Kittens,

1. I have lots of great friends, but most of them are online. The fantastic thing about that is that I talk to them regularly, the unfantastic thing is that we cannot meet for tea or a movie or a walk because they live far, far away. I've been thinking that I need more Real Life people, so I recently reached out to a woman that I went to high school with (Facebook is great for bringing this type a person into your life). She and I had a couple classes together and ran in overlapping groups, but we were never close. I always remembered her fondly though, so getting the opportunity to meet was a welcome one. We got together today and it was so much fun! I loved hearing her stories and learning the interestng things we have in common. Yay for Facebook! And for fun times!

2. One thing I'm doing this week is find 5 things every single day to be grateful for. I downloaded tihs application for my iPhone that is a gratitude journal. It's something that I do most days, but not every day and so this week I wanted to do it every single day.

3. Did I say that I was cooking this week? Well, so far that has not really been true. Although, we're not eating out either, so that's something.

4. Have I told you that when I'm happy I prefer to listen to melancholy music? When I'm feeling low I go for the happy stuff. There's something about listening to the melancholy music that takes a tiny edge of the happiness that feels so satifying to me. I wish I could describe it better because the feeling is truly wonderful to me. Anyway- that's where I am now- listeing to sad (ish) songs.

5. Life with Murrdog is a roller coaster. I called the trainer tonight to talk about an issue and he said about Murray, "he's come so far, but he's still not good enough". That's very true. He has made a lot of progress and I know he's a puppy, but Kittens, this dog. He is So Much Work. It's been said to me by more than one person that I can return the dog to the breeder and look for a dog that is not so much work. It's just that Murray is not a pair of jeans that are ridiuclously too long. He's a puppy. And I think I can gut this one out.

6. Also, after I tattled on Murray, he's behaved so beautifully.

7. I am wearing skirts this whole week. I am also breaking my clothes buying fast and going to use a store credit from Zappos to buy some red patent leather sandals. I am just that sassy.

8. Tomorrow I'm straightening and baking and walking the dog and maybe I'm even doing laundry. We will just have to see.

9. Baby Catie out.

Love,

Catie

I've seen the rain, I've seen the sunshine

Dear Kittens,

1. I am not doing that great with my Lent stuff this year. I'm recommitting myself.

2. I love my dog even though he is dominant and a pain in the ass.

3. I love the dog trainer almost as much as I love my own mother. I don't think I would love Murray as much as I do without him helping us.

4. I'm reading Wally Lamb's latest book on my Magical Reading Device from Amazon and I'm enjoying it. Reading is fun!

5. I cooked week before last and then pretty much not at all last week and this week I am back to cooking. One week on and one week off isn't great, but it's way better than no weeks on.

6. My office is coming along, but I admit that I've hit a bit of a rough patch with it. I go in there, look around sigh loudly and then leave. Sometimes Seamus comes in there with me for a peek. I appreciate when he sighs with me.

7. Andy is my most favorite husband ever. He said to me, in the saddest voice ever in the world, that he thought he should start dressing better. This makes me super happy, but I'm trying not to get too excited, because who knows if this will last. Alls I'm saying is that I LOVE it when he dresses up.

8. I've been sleeping pretty good, but last night I had a bad dream about someone named Raymond trying to kill me. I forced myself awake because I started getting really freaked out in the dream. I sat on the edge of the bed, bleary eyed for about 10 minutes and the told myself to dream about the beach. That dream was much nicer.

9. One day last week when we went to doggy play date, Murray got one of the other dog's favorite ball. Murray was so pleased with himself that he took a triumphant lap around the dog beforet the dog took the ball away from Murray. Later, two dogs were trying to teach Murray that he was not the boss (Murray does not believe that he's not the boss for 1 secod) of them and the dog Murray stole the ball from came right into his face and squeaked that ball about 40 times. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Oh, dogs!

10. Maybe I take my camera everywhere I go this week and we see what happens. Maybe there will photos not just of Murray?

Love,
Catie