catiecake.

Lord knows it would be the first time

Dear Kittens,

This will be quick and maybe even a bit dirty, because that's how I like it. Or something.

1. I was in a major slump last week. The dead hairstylist, the heat, the tremendous amount of work I have looming ahead of me- it all got to me and I wasn't doing a good job of managing it.

2. I tried Indian food for the first time last week with Stacey and it was so good! I never ate it before and assumed that I didn't like it because whenever I read an Indian food recipe it sounded gross to me. Using spices like cinnamon and cloves in savory foods just did not appeal to me at all. Thankfully, I am reformed and now prepared to eat Indian food all over the place.

3. Another highlight of last week was going for lobster rolls and an IKEA reconnaissance mission with Tracy. I was happy to introduce Tracy to lobster rolls and even happier that she was willing to walk around IKEA. It was practically empty, so I did not have any panic attacks. I found several things that I'm interested in and tomorrow I'm going to hopefully go buy some of them.

4. However unpleasant last week was for me, I think I needed the down time. I'm feeling slightly hibernatey these days. I understand why. I've got tons of ideas brewing and I need some sitting and thinking time to get them fleshed out.

5. My laptop died for good. Well, maybe not forever, but for right now and the secret of that is- I am happy about it. The laptop is a major time suck for me because it allows me to watch TV AND be on the computer at the same time. I'm actually enjoying TV and my computer time more because I am not so distracted from either. I want to get it fixed, but I don't think I will continue computing in the living room. Once I get a decent office chair I will be hap hap happy in the office.

6. I'm reading a collection of short stories by Jean Thompson called Throw Like a Girl. The stories are well written, but horribly sad and probably not helping my overall mood. Also, the last book I finished by Richard Yates- Easter Parade also great, but depressing. The next book I read will be cheerful.

7. Andy has been working really hard on planning our European Excursion. I'm still nervous about the traveling and the togetherness with my parents and being away from the cats for so long, but I am also really excited.

That's it. I'm going to bed.

L,

Catie

Twelfth of November

Telephones sitting on a shelf in my house. Even though the pink one is not plugged in, I use it regularly to talk to people.

Dear Kittens,

It's the 12th of November and while I do not think I have to tell you what that means, I will. It's only THREE months until my first Large Number birthday. I am not dreading it quite as much as I thought I would. This is in large part to working with Life Coach. If I were in the same place mentally as I was when I first hired Life Coach, I would be very sad about turning 40, but I'm not! I'm in a much better place and really, it just keeps getting better. So, I'm not hugely excited about turning 40, but today I do not hate it.

Also, this morning I went for a walk. I've been walking most days, but not always in the morning. Lately my goal has been to just get in one walk a day and not to be invested in when it happened. One of my issues is setting up ridiculous rules for myself like if you don't walk first thing in the morning, there cannot be any other walks! Just so you know, rules are said loudly and usually with a British accent in my head. As another aside, there are real reasons I prefer to walk first thing in the morning (less going on, less sun, nice way to start my day, etc.). So, this morning I went for a walk and my orange cat, Seamus, came with me. He was in a very happy mood to be going on a walk. He leaped over puddles, he said hello to various animals, he chatted happily, it was great. The best thing we saw on our walk was an orange fluffy cat that looked like a tiny fox. The foxy orange cat was looking for trouble, but we were on our fitness walk and so we ignored him.

This week begins the holiday madness. On Wednesday, I do into my mom's classroom to make a Thanksgiving craft with the kids. On the weekend there is a friend date and a housewarming party, then next week is Thanksgiving and then the freaking holiday parties begin. This is all very good and fun stuff, but it also means things are BUSY. I realized the other day, this is why I like to stay at home and keep it quiet for New Year's Eve. Firstly, the whole forced party thing seems ridiculous, but also it's usually a pretty busy holiday season for us and it's really nice to spend the last/first holiday quietly drunk at home.

I started reading a book last night, called The Snapper by Roddy Dowell. So far it's all dialog and it's quite funny, but also very familiar. I looked it up today and I learned it was a movie. And I saw it a long time ago. I remember liking the movie quite a lot. The story is set in Ireland and the thing I like about it is that the author writes out a good portion of the dialog phonetically and so you're reading that Irish accent and it makes the experience that much better. 

Here are my promises to you, My Very Most Favorite Delightful Kittens-

1. I'll post a new photo every single day (Mon-Fri).

2. I am going to buy candy for that big jar on the shelf so when you come over you can have a piece of candy. (Only 1 piece, though.)

3. I will get rid of a BUNCH of magazines this week. A BUNCH! And I MEAN it.

But right now, I'm going to bed.

Love,
Catie

Fourth of November

Dear Kittens,

The flea market today was disappointing. I managed to buy a gorgeous glass footed compote bowl and an empty picture frame. I've got quite the collection of serveware going. I should have a party or something.

Today was good because I was outside, with my mom and I was walking. It felt really good to get away from the house and do something completely unrelated to my work. I truly love what I do, but the last week has been extremely stressful for me (my own fault) and getting away was good. Speaking of which- all of my holiday stuff is up. Cards, artwork (makes a great gift), ornaments and stockings. www.catiecake.com

We started on our yearly review of Firefly. Sometimes we watch the whole series more than once a year. Man alive, even though I know every episode by heart, I still love the series so very much.

Last week I was supposed to start a new program of awesomeness or whatever I was calling it, but it's for sure starting this week. I've been advised by my trusted advisor, Craige, that maybe my initial plans were a bit much and I should start slower. So slower is what I'm going to do. I do everything Craige tells me to do, which is remarkably easy since she pretty much never tells me what to do.

I have a full week of productivity, awesomeness and fun ahead of me and because of that I am going to bed early! Two nights in a row of a decent bedtime. Thank you, Fall Backwards time change.

Love,

Catie

Third of November

Sneak peek of things to come at www.catiecake.com

Dear Kittens,

I am so irritated that there should be a name for this level of irritation. Like Super Major Really and Truly Irritation. Or something. I am certain it's because of lack of enough sleep over what seems to be a very long period of time. It's getting better, the sleeping a proper number of house, but it's not ideal yet. Wah. Wah. Wah.

Here's what you really need to know- my website has been updated. Go visit www.catiecake.com To see part of of what I've been working on. Right now you can see cards and artwork, but very soon Christmas tree ornaments and stockings will be up. Kittens, if you would please do me the favor of passing on the URL of my website on to people you believe would be interested, I will be very grateful.

My webgirl is the most amazing webgirl ever in the world. Her name is Kate McMillan and her website is www.outboxonline.com . If you want an amazingly designed website, Kate is your gal. She has been an invaluable partner to me. Truly, I do not know anyone that I would trust more with my website. Her asthetic is spot on. Her work ethic is awe-inspiring. I'm lucky enough to be friends with Kate. Seriously, pass her name on to people who need a kick ass website.

In non website news- tomorrow is the flea market. I'm meeting my mom there and we are going to walk and walk and walk and walk until we feel like dying. Then we'll go out to lunch. We might even buy some stuff. We're both always on the lookout for religious things like crucifixes, icons and rosary beads, various small pieces of furniture (I have a thing for small tables and chairs) and I'm going to be looking for beads for to make necklaces with. I really need a day like what tomorrow is going to be.

You are loved!

Catie