The Lovely Blogger Award

I am touched beyond words that my darling Mrs. WASP would include me on her list of Lovely Bloggers.  I hope I can continue to live up to...and exceed...her expectations.

Rules:
Link back to the person who gave you this award
Complete the form below
Share 7 random things about yourself
Award 15 bloggers this award and notify them of the award.

Name your favorite color: Pink...though from time to time I answer "plaid"

Name your favorite song: Hmmm...Nickelback's Rockstar? George Michael's Freedom 90? They Might Be Giant's Birdhouse in Your Soul? I think I'll choose our wedding song...Harry Connick Jr's version of It Had To Be You

Name your favorite dessert: Chocolate Decadence (for which, at the mere thought of it, I am now hungry)

What ticks you off: What's today?

When you're upset you: See my post titled Anger Management

Your favorite pet: I could never choose...I love every dog I've ever had!

Black or White: White

Your biggest fear: I have a VIOLENT needle phobia!!!

Best feature: Really?  Just one?
   
Everyday attitude: Snarky with a twist.

What is perfection: A smile.
 
Guilty pleasure: I am completely addicted to judge shows!

Seven Random Things About Myself:

I can not iron to save my life!
I'm not always as strong as people think I am.
I HATE vegetables.
My friends and family mean more to me than they know.
I tend to take EVERYTHING personally.
I love to cook.
I wish I enjoyed exercise more than I do.

The 15 Blogs I'm Awarding:

Preppy Girl Meets World

Muffy Martini

Blonde Episodes

Diary of a Domestic Failure

Flip Flops & Pearls

Brown Eyed Belle

Social Climbers

Way Down South   

Tickled Pink 

The Southern Blossoms 

Life, Love, & Luck 

 Cupcake MAG

Pink and Fabulous 

Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life 

the entertaining house

...extra points here for her fabulous words of wisdom that I will make my own:

"The world is your oyster...go find your pearls."

  

This post was far more difficult than I thought it would be.  To list only 15 blogs...I hate to exclude dear friends.  To answer many of the questions was strangely difficult and the random facts were nearly impossible!  Who'd have thought?  I hope you enjoy my answers, tho I am a pretty open book and always willing to answer any questions you may have.  

Another big thank you to my sweet, wonderful, funny, brutally honest, separated at birth, Emily, Mrs. WASP for this huge honor!  You are too kind and I am very lucky to be able to count you among my friends!

XOXO,

~CAT

Anger Management

We all have those days, don't we?  
Those days that start off on the wrong side of the bed and go downhill from there?  
You stub your toe on the way to the kitchen for that second cup of coffee which you proceed to spill because you bumped into that same damn branch again while getting into your car that you can barely back out of your driveway because some snapperhead in a truck from the city has blocked half of it and then once you do get on the road some idiot pulls out in front of you and slows down despite the fact that there is no traffic behind you then you finally get to the gym and you have to wait for every machine only to bang your head standing back up to change the weight on it and then you're finally done save for a quick stop at the store on the way home only to find screeching babies on every single aisle but the store just so happens to be out of what you went there for in the first place and all you want to do is get home because surely you'll be safe there having forgotten about the branch and the coffee and your stubbed toe and you walk into home sweet home and find the rat or bird your dog has killed in your absence and once you've got it cleaned up there's no hot water to wash your hands so you go to check the pilot light on the water heater only to find out it's leaking and it's just barely noon?
You know, those days?


We all have heard the saying, "Patience is a virtue," and I've always felt a bit guilty that it's a virtue I lack.  Naturally, having had one of those days, I decided to double check...I couldn't recall having ever actually been taught that.  Guess what?!?  As a Catholic?  I'm off the hook for patience!!!  I feel SO much better!  


Per the Vatican, the 7 Virtues are made up of the 4 Cardinal Virtues and 3 Theological Virtues.
Cardinal Virtues:
Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance
Theological Virtues:
Faith
Hope
Charity


I don't see patience ANYWHERE on that list.  The 7 GIFTS of the Holy Spirit?  Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Still no patience.  Dodged a bullet there!




So, as I no longer feel the need to focus on patience, how does one deal with one of those days?  Everyone deals differently.  Food, drink, exercise, shopping, going to the shooting range, etc.  But some days, all you want to do is break something!  It doesn't even matter what, you want to be one of those people on TV or in movies that throws things that shatter when they're mad...but that little voice inside us reminds us that whatever we break, we will have to clean up and replace...so we break nothing, clench our teeth and try to sublimate our rage and frustration...because "Patience is a Virtue."  Now that we know that isn't the case...

Time for a little 

Anger Management, Princess Style

Step 1:  Head straight away to the Dollar Store

Step 2:  Load up on inexpensive dishes and glassware

(buy extra so you always have a stash in case of emergency)

Step 3:  Choose a target.

(inside of the trash can is best for no clean up 

but a fence or wall with a broom nearby can be more satisfying)

Step 4:  Throw your inexpensive breakables 

at your target until your rage dissipates. 

This has been a public service announcement.  You're welcome!

 

XOXO

~CAT

Hood Philanthropist

Quick...when was the last time you volunteered?

Pop quiz...do you donate to charity for a reason other than a tax write-off? 

This year, more than ever, charities are making it easier to donate.  You can now text a donation straight to many charities!  To name but a few:
American Red Cross
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
The Humane Society 
UNICEF
The 9/11 Museum and Memorial

Here are some links to lists of several others:

Mobile Commons 

Mobile Giving Foundation 

JustGive.org 

With charitable donations this easy and accepted in such small denominations, now is a perfect time to release your inner philanthropist!!! 

Lest you get concerned that I've been knocked in the head and am going to be straight up "preachy," all I can say is, "Have you not been paying attention?!"  As most of you know, I have a secret shame...an addiction to trash TV judge shows!!!  Enjoy the following "philanthropist," one of my personal favs!!!

Hood Philanthropist on Judge Karen 

When you're through laughing, consider a text donation...every penny counts...

XOXO

~CAT

 

15 POUNDS?!?!?

Sorry I have been behind in my blogging...I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must be for you, dear readers.  I am in the process of changing some medications and sadly, RA and Migraines have kept me from you.  The doctor has just called and increased my dose on the new medication with a friendly reminder that I should expect to gain at least 15lbs.  WHAT?!?!?  In case you hadn't guessed, said doctor is a man!  This was before he doubled my dose...


So at any rate...that is why I haven't blogged in the last week.  I do apologize...I have missed you.  I will be sure to offer you at least a short post from now on...even when I can't write a full post.


With that behind us, I am looking for people and companies interested in doing a giveaway in connection with a non-profit...Queen of Hearts...that is simply amazing!  If you or anyone you know are or might be interested, please let me know!


XOXO
~CAT

Monday Manifesto

This week's 

Monday Manifesto

will be brought to you on 

Tirade Tuesday

courtesy of

Monday's Spoonie Misery 

Lucky you!  You now have an extra day to let me know what topics you'd like to see in Monday Manifesto...and feel free to let me know if there's a weekly feature you'd like to see!  In the meantime I'll be having a Health Related Hissy-fit over the Rheumatoid Arthritis Agony that has usurped my day.

If you're unfamiliar with The Spoon Theory...especially if you have someone in your life with an Autoimmune Disease or Chronic Pain...take the few minutes you would have spent reading my blog and read it:

The Spoon Theory

by: 

Christine Miserandino

 XOXO,

~CAT