Christmas List Addendum

How could I have left this off...
The entire Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly libraries on BluRay...

Don't forget all, someone has a BIG birthday the day after Christmas...

XOXO
~CAT

A Christmas Wish List Fit for a Princess

In case you were wondering, even I don't have EVERYTHING...
Christmas Ideas Pour Moi...
From The Pink Monogram:

Sunglass Cases

Monogram:
Traditional (First) - C :: (Last) - T :: (Middle) - A
HS - Sunglass Cases : Black
HS Vinyl colors : Light Pink
HS Vinyl Fonts : Time block monogram
price with options: $ 34  

Sunglass Cases

Monogram:
Traditional (First) - C :: (Last) - T :: (Middle) - A
HS - Sunglass Cases : Pink
HS Vinyl colors : Brown
HS Vinyl Fonts : Time block monogram
price with options: $ 34  

Front-wheel drive car mats

Monogram:
Traditional (First) - C :: (Last) - T :: (Middle) - A
Front Wheel set : Front wheel set of two for front seats
Car - Carpet Colors : 182 Taupe
Car - Pattern Binding : 912 Retro Swirl
Car - Fonts : Diamond Monogram
Car - Font Colors : Pink
price with options: $ 85  



From Marley Lilly:

ITEMS QTY PRICE TOTAL Monogrammed Magnetic Pocket Clutch Purse View/Hide options Color: Bronze Select Thread Color: Pepto Pink Select Font: Times Initials FIRST NAME - MIDDLE/MAIDEN NAME - LAST NAME:CAT Initials In this monogram what initial above is for the LAST Name?:T Initials To triple check the placement - What is their full LAST NAME?:Thompson Choose Style: Female Style (LAST NAME Will Go In Center) Can we change your font?: Yes if something else looks better $39.99 $39.99 Monogrammed Rectange Key Chain View/Hide options Font: Times Block Monogram Initials FIRST NAME - MIDDLE/MAIDEN NAME - LAST NAME:CAT Initials In this monogram what initial above is for the LAST Name?:T Initials To triple check the placement - What is their full LAST NAME?:Thompson Choose Style: Female Style (LAST NAME Will Go In Center) Can we change your font?: Yes if something else looks better $14.99 $14.99 Monogrammed iPhone Button Decal- Set of 3 View/Hide options Vinyl Letter Font: Circle Block (3 Letter Monogram Only) Vinyl Letter Color: Pepto Pink Initials FIRST - MIDDLE/MADIEN - LAST:CAT Confirm Details Which Initial above is the LAST Name?:T

Marley Lilly Winner!

I am so sorry, all, for the delay in posting a winner.  Little doctor problem, nothing to worry about.

So without further ado...

Congrats Janice!!!!

The Marley Lilly Holly Bag is all yours.  You are going to LOVE it!!!!

XOXO

Marley Lilly Giveaway!!!

Who want's a fantastic new handbag from Marley Lilly.  It's called the Holly.  Not only are they roomy and stylish they have a couple of features you don't see just anywhere.  They have short handles to begin with, but ALSO come with a detachable cross body strap!  Even better?  They have an extra snap on the back so that they can roll to less than half their size for packing to travel!!!! I got grey with a gold monogram and it matches EVERYTHING fall and winter.  Seriously, if you don't win, BUY ONE!!!

Entries:
Follow Marley Lilly on Titter
Follow me @PrincssPrepPink on Twitter
Like Marley Lilly on FB
Tweet about this giveaway
Blog about this giveway
Donate a toy to Toys for Tots
Follow The Red Cross on Twitter.


The Giveway ends on Dec 7th
GOOD LUCK!!!


XOXO
~CAT   

PS-The next giveaway it a replica sleep mask from Breakfast at Tiffanys!!!  

We Have a WINNER!!!

We have a winner for the Pink Monogram Sweater!!!

Emily Rehse...it's all yours!!!!

Now it's time for everyone to get ready for tomorrow's giveway!!!  New Handbag, Anyone?

XOXO
~CAT

Do NOT miss The Pink Monogram's Cyber Monday Sale!!!!

Pink Monogram Sweater Giveaway!

My sponsor, the amazing Pink Monogram, has really topped themselves this time.  From the minute they offered Monogrammed Sweaters, I was DYING for one!  Well, now I've got one and one of you can win one!!!  Not only are they the PERFECT gift for the preps in your life...you know you want one for yourself!

 

 

You have until 2 December to order in time for Christmas gifts.  You have until Black Friday to enter to win one here.

How to enter:

1:  Like Pink Monogram on Facebook

2:  Follow Pink Monogram on Twitter

3:  Follow me on Twitter

4:  Follow the American Red Cross on Twitter...Those affected by Sandy need your help

5:  Post your favourite Pink Monogram item on their Facebook wall

6:  Tweet about this giveaway

7:  Blog about this giveaway

Good Luck!!!

XOXO

~CAT

Thank You!

Thank you to all of you who  have asked about my friends and family during "Sandy"...which, btw, is a REALLY dumbass name for her a hurricane.  Come on, you're all thinking it...and a few of you are picturing Olivia Newton John...admit it.  I truly appreciate your concern.  Everyone I have been able to reach made it through relatively unscathed, though not all have been able to return to their homes.
I, on behalf of my friends and family, consider myself incredibly lucky to have weathered the storm with so little damage.  Yes...it was a terrible pun...I just...it was too easy to resist.  Moving on...though my family and friends are all doing as well as they can be, so many got it so much worse!  
Here's an example:  My darling Coco Puss lives in Jersey City, at the top of the hill on her street, in the top 2 stories of her brownstone.  She watched as the water moved up the hill and over...the knock at the door was from her downstairs neighbour.  The water was gushing in and easily waist high the last time she accompanied him to check it.  They watched from her window as a tree fell into power lines and caught fire.  They weren't told to evacuate.  However, they were forced to evacuate the following day as they were projected to be without power for at least 5 days.  No updates on her neighbour.  
So as always, I am here to ask you, if at all possible, to donate to the American Red Cross.  If you want your donation to remain local or to go straight to particular area, make out your check to that particular chapter.  For example:  High Desert Red Cross as opposed to American Red cross.  You can also call a particular chapter and donate by credit card.  If you want to volunteer...and please, as I always ask, volunteer whenever you can, call your local chapter before showing up...things can get just the teensiest bit chaotic in the offices during times like these.
On a brighter note, as we head into the holiday season, we head into the holiday review/GIVEAWAY SEASON!!!  I have 3 wonderful holiday giveaways coming up and I can not wait to share them with you.  Nothing like a little gift for yourself whilst shopping for everyone else.  And remember...while you're in a giving mood, the American Red Cross could use a gift, too!

XOXO
~CAT

I Must Have Misread That....

You all know my policy...regardless of one's feelings on a given administration, one NEVER speaks ill of the Office of the President of the United States.  It is not a man, it is an INSTITUTION...one over which Americans assign stewardship in 4 year increments. The Office of the President of the United States, is, for all intents and purposes, the leader of the free world.  
I suppose...in theory...that includes Hollywood...an industry made up of actors, musicians, and the like.  I fear that we have lost touch with our past.  Actors and musicians?  These were Court Jesters and Bards of old...meant to serve as entertainment for the rest of us...not Icons on pedestals.
It is not for the Office of the President of the United States to pander to, nor to settle internal petty squabbles that gossip magazines call "feuds." If one has a disagreement with one's coworker/neighbor/family member...as far as I know...one does not expect the Leader of the Free World to intercede.  As I understand it, the Office of the President of United States, has over $16 TRILLION in debt, multiple wars, medicare, etc., with which to deal.
And so I ask ALL of America, be the Red, White (house), or Blue, to see to it that the Office of the President of the United States is dealing with those issues rather than wasting time getting involved in the grievances of those whose only job is to amuse us...



XOXO
~CAT

Glad We're Not a Navy Family

Since yesterday's post was so much fun...for me...remember, my blog, my rules...I'd like to share with all of you why I'm so very glad we're an Air Force Family!!!

Glad We're Not a Navy Family!!!

XOXO

~CAT

Proud to be an American

Ok...I know this is old, and most of you have long since forgotten about it...but....well...it makes me proud of my husband, proud of his Alma Mater, proud of my friends...and damn it...Proud to be an American!!!!

Proud to be an American!!!!

XOXO

~CAT  

 

I've Missed You!!!

Oh, my darlings, how I have missed you!

I've been traveling far too long...and as you all can guess...it's taken a huge toll on my body.  Naturally, I managed to pick up an ear infection and despite the ZPac my doctor called in, it's gotten worse, and again I sit with an ear, sinus, chest infection.  At this point, it becomes nothing but funny.  If we can't laugh at ourselves, what do we have, my friends?

That said, I first attended a wedding...as Best Woman, naturally...not that any of you are surprised, I'm sure.  I met some very interesting people in the bridal party, on my side, and the bride's...including the drunkest bridesmaid I have ever seen.  It would be rude to tell the story here...but feel free to contact me about it.  The wedding itself was amazing, held in PAFA, the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts.  The ceremony was held on the landing of a beautiful staircase...that's right kids, the groom "forgot" to tell me that we'd enter and exit down a spectacular (read:  terrifying) staircase...me, the girl who has balance included in her physical therapy, in 5' Loubs!!!  I can't say that I was graceful, but I didn't fall...and for that, I am beyond proud of myself!  The guests watched the ceremony from a gallery above and I can only imagine how gorgeous...no, gorgeous doesn't do it justice...breathtaking the ceremony must have looked from the gallery.  The reception was held in a separate, large gallery and was simply spectacular.

From there DH and I were off to Daddy's house to rest (and eat cheesesteaks) until J had to leave the following night.  After a second night of rest, Daddy drove me to one of my besties for a sleepover, giggles.  Let me translate that into grown-up...Father drove me to one of my oldest and dearest friends for a nice long visit.  I FINALLY got to meet her son and husband and am positively in love...with her son.  LOL!  We had nearly 2 weeks to catch up and I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it.  Sadly, it was somewhere between the wedding and my visit with them that my infection began.  The skyline from her stoop included the Freedom Tower and every time I went outside, I had to catch my breath.  Driving to and from her house, was a beautiful and up-close and personal view of Lady Liberty.  Daddy picked me up and drove me back to his house.  At this point the infection had really taken hold and I missed seeing so many of the friends I had hoped to see.

One day I was feeling a bit better and was able to meet a friend from HS for cocktails.  We had a terrific time catching up and, as he works at the official NFL Films, he invited DH and I for tour when DH returned to NJ.  It was AMAZING!!!  I could have spent a week just taking in the halls!  He also managed to get me a tremendous donation for the fundraiser for which I remained in town.  It was the Queen of Hearts Annual Aloha Fundraiser...but you already know about that as I go on and on about it.  

By the way, I'm looking for donations for our fall fundraiser....Coach Bingo!

It was the QoH 10th Anniversary fundraiser and went sooooo well.  A big thanks to all who donated.  2 days later we were headed home to learn just how much worse the infection had gotten and tho I had fun, grateful to be home.

So now you have the short version...I'm back...and as you can imagine, my next post will be about the Navy SEAL who wrote the book and gave a 60 Minutes interview.

I've missed you darlings!

XOXO
~CAT

Giveaway Winner

We have a winner for our Marley Lilly giveaway!!!  Hey sissypoo...our winner is the lovely Emily Rehse!!! 

Sorry I've been neglecting you, my darling friends, but it's a bad time to be a spoonie.  Nothing will keep me down for long!

XOXO
~CAT

The Official 40 Before 40 List

40 Things I Will Do Before I'm 40

I should have started this list long ago...many of the suggestions I've gotten are things I've already done.

Learn to Scuba Dive

See Mt. Rushmore

See a Space Shuttle Launch

Learn to knit

Fight a fire

Go to a Phillies/Flyers/Eagles game/NASCAR race

Be in the paper

Be on the news

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!

Become an organ donor

Join the NRA

Swim with sharks (literal and metaphorical)

1:  Hire a housekeeper

2:  Be a "Groomswoman"  (cheater alert...I will be on 11 Aug.)

3:  Start my Post-Grad work

4:  Re-read at least 3 classics

5:  Finally start learning a new language

6:  Volunteer...because you should ALWAYS give back

7:  Not get ANOTHER speeding ticket

8:  Fly from John Wayne Airport (SNA) to Reagan National Airport (DCA)

9:  Visit the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Library

10:  Lay a rose at Ronald Reagan's grave

11:  Lay a rose at John Wayne's grave

12:  Have a better health regimen

13:  Be a better friend

14:  Have a matching pill box and flask...definitely pink, preferably monogrammed

15:  Make Sitch Happen

16:  Have a pink, monogrammed knife (any and all weapons fall under this umbrella)

17:  REALLY clean out my shoe wardrobe (throwing out one pair and calling it day doesn't count)

18:  Purge my house

19:  Spend more time with old...scratch old...longtime friends

20:  Shop (a little) less for things I don't really need

21:  Accept that women of a certain age and station, with the initials CAT, will inevitably be called Kitty

22:  Have tungsten rings engraved at Tiffany's...a la Holly Golightly

23:  Give up trying to explain to people that, in the book "Breakfast at Tiffany's," they're prostitutes...people!!!  Yes, I'm going to let that go...

24:  Clean up my language

25:  Be less judgmental (never going to happen)

26:  Get my Cartier Love Bracelet

27:  Be grateful, every day

28:  Create the perfect pink cocktail

29:  Be a stronger woman

30:  Learn to refinish that gross table in the garage that DH has dragged everywhere since the Colorado School For Wayward Boys

31:  Start taking yoga classes

32:  Learn how to get my car to talk to me (No, I don't read instruction manuals...don't judge me)

33:  Have a better poker face

34:  Learn to play poker

35:  Stop stockpiling things (unless they're on sale or hard to come by)

36:  Finally learn how to use my Kindle Fire

37:  Stop taking things so personally

38:  Clean out my email 

39:  Start a 50 by 50 list

40:  Look much younger than 40!!!

And the list goes on:

1:  Visit the Vatican

2:  Go to the World Cup

3:  Learn to Fly a Plane

 

 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Daytona

I think we can all agree that, since 9/11, the face of terrorism has changed...I just failed to realize how much! 

Husband and I have just returned from the family's annual trip to Daytona.  People say "getting there is half the fun."  And that's generally true...as long as you upgrade, of course.  This time, forget "getting there"...just getting to our seats was about all the fun I could handle.

We had an uneventful drive to the airport...but for the fact that we had to fly out of McCarran (LAS) not Ontario (ONT)...as there were no upgrades available for ONT.  I always check ONT first because it is easy to get to, easy to navigate, and closer to my home.  Also, because I know that if terrorists ever try to take it over, Jack Bauer will rescue me...and the other people there, too, I guess...but, whatever, not my problem.  The drive to Vegas isn't that much longer and...thank you nice people at Sirius...I have 80s on 8.  

We park, easy peasy, unload the car, and, as we head from parking garage to airport, J began to question the wisdom of not having called ahead for a wheelchair.  It was too late at that point, so as a friend would tell me, I Rangered Up, and continued.  At the ticketing counter, no one was manning the First Class line, so we waited far too long.  But...onward.

At this point, we reach the TSA Agent before the metal detectors, who compares your ID to your ticket.  J and I presented our military IDs and tickets.  He compares DH's ID picture to his face and name to ticket and hands it back to him.  My turn.  He stared!!!  Used different angles and lighting!  He finally asks for a second form of ID...dude...are you kidding me?  I hand him my driver's license.  UH-OH...it's expired.  He lets the expiration slide with a stern warning and then starts the comparison dance again...both IDs and me...back and forth...squinting, staring, doing the hokey f*cking pokey.  With a dirty look he returns my documents and sends us to the metal detector line.  Again...this was the First Class line!!!  Seasoned travelers, everything is neatly in bins, all computers out, quart size bag of anything even semi-liquid, shoes and sweater off...let's roll. Then we get pulled out of THAT line to go thru the body scanner thingy. 

Don't get me wrong...I am a safety nut.  I have been since I worked with a wonderfully security conscious (read: paranoid lunatic) officer for 2 years at the Sheriff's Dept. back home.  J is also a bit hyper-aware (read: slightly obsessed) of Force Protection.  I'm all for any safety measures necessary to keep our nation safe...at the airport...or anywhere else.  I understand and support the need for our Govt. not to lay everything bare to the masses.  Though I disagree with the way most gun nuts interpret the 2nd Amendment, I AM a gun nut!

HOWEVER...am I the new face of terrorism?

Let me set the scene...
All 5'1 (if I stand up really straight and the nurse is nice, I'm 5'1, damn it) of me...chin length, ginger hair, pink, monogrammed, polo dress, matching monogrammed cardigan, pearls, and my new Marley Lilly Monogrammed Penny Clutch.  Really?  There's a rosary in my bag!  The only person I look like I could terrorize is a Protestant midget in Ireland!!!

From the front?  A basic, flat, clutch that is deceptively large enough to fit the current issues of Town & Country and Vanity Fair

 and still look flat with loads of room for your essentials.

 This back pocket?

Fits your favourite E-reader with room to spare!

Just to make more versatile, 

There are wristlet and cross-body straps included!

When traveling, the cross-body strap makes life SO much easier!

I love the bag so much...that Marley Lilly is letting me give one away!!!

So here are the rules:

1:  Follow Marley Lilly on Twitter

2:  Follow me on Twitter

@PrincssPrepPink

3:  Like Marley Lilly on Facebook

4:  Share your "favourite" travel story here

And because Marley Lilly is so generous

5:  Like The Queen of Hearts on Facebook

6:  Follow The Queen of Hearts on Twitter
7:  Tweet about the giveaway
8:  Blog about the giveaway

Good Luck!

XOXO

~CAT

Congratulations!!!

We have a winner for the gorgeous Pink Monogram necklace!!!  

Emily at Live, Laugh, Shop...it's all yours!!!

For those who didn't win, don't worry...there are more giveaways on the way...and in the meantime...Pink Monogram is always open for a little shopping!

XOXO

~CAT

Beyond Fabulous, Summer Kick-Off, Pink Monogram Giveaway!!!

If you have read my blog in the past, you know that I have a serious monogram addiction...if you haven't read my blog in the past, what's wrong with you?  I mean, Welcome...glad you could join us!  You may also know that my sponsor, the amazing and generous Pink Monogram, is one of my favourite places to feed my addiction. (Often to my husband's and credit card's dismay.)

The lovely Monica at Pink Monogram not only sponsors my blog...and provides, a few times a year, a brilliant item for me to review and one of my lucky readers to win...but also steps up with a wonderful and generous item for me to review for you and be bid on at the Queen of Hearts Aloha Fundraiser on Labour Day weekend!!!  It's a charity dear to my heart and her support is truly just amazing and generous...there are no other words!  But that, my friends, is not until Labour Day...so enough about that.

She has provided me with an unbelievable item to review and giveaway to kick off summer!!!  With tomorrow being the first official day of summer, we kiss most of our monogrammed sweaters adieu...sigh.  Sure, we have our monogrammed towels and home goods...but, and I don't know about you, I feel naked without a monogram.  The Pink Monogram is solving that problem for one of my lucky readers!  What shows off a summer tan better than a necklace that gives a girl a bit of a glow?  I'll tell you what...a MONOGRAMMED NECKLACE!!!  The pictures do not do this necklace justice.  It's even better in person!

Let me see if I can sum up what I'm trying to say here...

YOU NEED THIS NECKLACE!!!

Now to the rules for this giveaway.  

One entry each for:

1:  Follow Pink Monogram on Twitter

2:  Follow Preppy Pink Princess on Twitter

3:  Like Pink Monogram on Facebook

4:  Follow my blog

5:  Tweet about this giveaway

6:  Blog about this giveaway

7:  Post this giveaway on Facebook

8:  Post your favourite Pink Monogram item on the Pink Monogram Facebook Page

A winner will be drawn at random on 26 July...GOOD LUCK!

 

For those of you who don't win...fear not!!!  The Pink Monogram will be more than happy to sell you one!!! 

 

You Need to Read This

I originally posted this as a facebook status...but I feel like that's not enough.  People need to be aware...

"Time for a little reality check:
Statistically, there are 10 suicide attempts for every 1 suicide.
Our servicemen are committing suicide at the rate of nearly 1 per day.
That's about 70 servicemen attempting suicide per week.
How many is enough?
Meanwhile, in Post-Cold War news, Putin has provided free travel for Russians with Euro 2012 tickets.
Just something to think about..."

Last night, DH read an article that said our servicemen are killing themselves at a rate of nearly one a day.  I was mortified!  So today, I did a little research on the matter and I thought I'd share.  The estimates I have provided are on the conservative side and are the highest in history to include Vietnam.

Then I was minding my own business (read:  screaming at my TV) watching the Czech v Russia match of Euro 2012.  I thought surely I'd been mistaken about what I had just heard...Russia...the FORMER Super Power was providing free travel to all it's citizens with match tickets?!?  Sure enough...a little research and it's true.

Make of this what you will...all I know is, my beloved Ronald Reagan is not resting in peace today.

COOTIES!!!

First, my I say, I'm terribly sorry for having been missing lately...I've been adjusting to...not 1, but 2 new meds.  I don't know about you, but I LOVE medicines that were created for something else and then suddenly the medical community realizes...whoopsie!  For example...did you know that Viagra was created for pulmonary hypertension.  Isn't that FANTASTIC?!?  I LOVE it!!!  One of my meds was created to ward off/treat MALARIA!!!  That's right people, you can get malaria and I can't!  Jealous much?  You are...don't lie.

I ADORE my rheumatologist.  He is a fantastic doctor, really listens, and you can tell he absolutely has his patients best interests at heart.  This is probably why I always have to wait for at least an hour for my appointment...Grrrrr.  BUT...the minute I see him, the rage brought on be the waiting dissipates.  You see...this amazing doctor is a Sikh.  For those who don't know, Sikh's wear turbans.  My rheumatologist doesn't just wear a turban...he WORKS a turban.  It is soooo awesome!!!  He coordinates his entire ensemble...even his socks!!!  I LOVE this man!!!

BUT...he wants to add a new med to my cocktail.  He thinks its time to add one of a group of meds called "Biologics."  Maybe it's just me...but that just SCREAMS cooties!  The fact is, they are similar to vaccines.  They are a group of medications made by biological, rather than chemical means.  In theory, that should be a good thing, right?  When I shop for groceries, I always go with the most natural choices and organics.  So it would seem to follow that I would feel the same way about medications...right?  WRONG!!!!


First of all, they are administered by either needle or infusion.  I may or may not have shared this with you in the past...but I have a violent, pathological, terrifying needle phobia.  Lots of people dislike needles...but that is sooo not even close.  Just writing this, my heart is racing, I'm starting to sweat, see double, my heart is racing and there is xanax in my immediate future.  As a matter of fact...wait one...

Ok...let's hope that helps.  You have understand...when I say violent, I MEAN violent.  Sure there is the sweating and crying and nervous breakdown.  But then comes the biting, kicking, punching, scratching...somebody gets their blood drawn...know what I mean?  DH and I have developed a system.  It involves copious amounts of xanax, calling ahead to the lab, specific instructions to the phlebotomist or tech...do NOT say what you're doing, occasional additional techs to hold me down, and DH with a trashy magazine on the other side distracting me...and then taking me home and pouring me into bed as he heads off to work.


But that's the least of my issues with these Biologics.  They are, " living entities such as cells and tissues. Biologics are isolated from a variety of natural sources — human, animal, or microorganism."  What about that does not positively SCREAM COOTIES?!?!?!?!  If you consider having a lovely pineapple that is, in fact, a pump bottle full of anti-bacterial gel in my foyer in by collection of pineapples on my foyer table for EVERYONE that comes into my home a germophobe...then I suppose I'm guilty.  I also carry every conceivable  type of wipe in all my bags, antibac gel...and I can't lie...a small lysol or alcohol (or both) in my bag for public rest rooms...if you consider that a germophobe...guilty!


So you can imagine what the idea of a needle or infusion of COOTIES is putting right over the edge.  I do not want needles...but needles full of cooties?!?!?  


Kill me now.


XOXO
~CAT

Skin Care

Well...the great news first...
HUSBAND IS NOT DEPLOYING!!!
Thank you, Jesus!!!

Moving right along...I am creating a small skin care line.  It may be just for me...I may share a bit with friends...I may sell it.
So far the line will include:
Lip Polish
Body Scrub
Face Cream
Body Cream
Face Scrub

So here is my question...feel free to respond here, on FB, email, or Twitter..
What are your biggest skin concerns...body and face...and what are your favourite fragrance notes?

XOXO
~CAT

It's Not Easy Being Me...

It's not easy being me.  No, seriously.  I know you're all shocked to hear that...but it's not easy being me.

Husband is going away for 6 months.  In the interest of my sanity...or so I originally thought...I am headed straight home to the East Coast.  Sounds simple, right?  WOW!  Let me tell you...it is NOT!  I have a few events I have to pack for...I am "groom's-woman" in a wedding, so I have to pack for all the associated hoopla and a charity event over Labour Day.  Have you noticed that people rarely say "hoopla" anymore?  Tragic, isn't it?  Where was I?

Ohhh...that's right...I was bitching about packing!  Here's what I'm working with:  A small SUV, 2 dogs, and a friend named Angel who is flying to Vegas to road trip cross country with me.  When I jokingly suggested on FB and Twitter that people should start putting bail money aside...another of our friend's responded that if it were anyone other than the 2 of us, she would assume that was a joke.  Hmmm...where to go with that...no, best to leave it alone...she may be right!!!

I will be up and down the coast from NYC...possibly as far north as Boston...to Florida...spanning from July to January.  

OMG...let me put this on pause...just got an email from DH saying he may not have to go!!!

I'll be back!

XOXO
~CAT

 

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to Mrs. M!!!  Mrs. M has won the Marley Lilly Giveaway!  Enjoy your cooler bag!

Vote for HEATHER!!!

It is rare in life that we meet someone who truly inspires us.  Heather is one of those people.  Heather and I (I won't say how long ago, because...DAMN! It makes me feel old.)  graduated high school together.  She is one of the nicest, most thoughtful people I know (and a complete smart-ass).  You all know that I am a huge sport's nut and that I take my Philadelphia home teams very seriously.  But Heather...well, she is the second biggest Phillies Phan I have ever seen!  My Grams was the biggest...I have yet to see Heather burst into tears when the Phils lose or someone says something mean about them...though if she does, I'll promote her to biggest...as soon as I'm done laughing at her.
It's still hard to believe, that 3 short years ago, she was healthy as a...well, she might get mad if I call her a horse...but you get the idea.  What a difference a year makes.  In 2010, Heather was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer.  In her own words:

"I have cancer but cancer doesn't have me. That is the mantra I have been living my life for the past two years. In 2010, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with Stage III Breast cancer. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy, chemo and radiation that summer. I sat in the chemo chair, bald and always wearing my Phillies hat. If I couldn't get out of bed, I wore a Phillies shirt. I bleed Red, not just any Red, Phillies Red. In Feb 2011, we found out that I had two large tumors the size of honeydew melons in my abdomen. In May of last year, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy, where we found that the cancer had spread and was now Stage IV. I can't let this bring me down. A PET scan in July 2011, found more tumors in my adrenals and Kidneys. A new drug is keeping them at bay and so far, they haven't grown any larger. The Phillies fighting spirit has kept me through each hurdle. If I have a lot of pain, I keep my next home game as my goal to get out of bed and keep moving. I keep thinking of Tug- You Gotta Believe. I believe in myself and my family and my doctors. I am going to rally in the 9th and knock this out of the park!! A new Phillies season begins and I have another PET scan in May. Its time to tie up the laces, and get out my bat, step up to the plate and give this cancer a ride right on the sweet spot. I have cancer but cancer doesn't have me."

The Phillies are looking for an Honorary Bat Girl for Mother's Day...a Breast Cancer Survivor.  Heather is so much more than just a "Survivor."  She is a fab wife...lucky Jim...an amazing mother...lucky Alex...and a Phantastic Phriend...lucky ME!!!  (Hey, look!!!  I found a way to make it about me!!!  SCORE!!!)  I don't know anyone who is more deserving than Heather to be recognized on the field of Citizens Bank Part! 

Here's where you come in...PLEASE follow this link and vote for HNH911!!!

http://mlb.mlb.com/honorarybatgirl/2012/gallery.jsp

Please...vote as often as you can and tweet/blog/facebook this link!!!  Let's show a wonderful woman, one that I count myself lucky to call friend, that we care and support her and Breast Cancer Survivors everywhere!!!

Thanks so much!!!

XOXO,

~CAT

Mullet Hunting (pt 2) and a Marley Lilly Giveaway!

Cooter and I hope you are enjoying the pictures and we're here today for you to meet Cooter and have a Marley Lilly Giveaway!!!

 In my family, rubber duckies are must have accessories.  There isn't a party or event or Tuesday that isn't made better by a rubber duck.  In the case of mullet hunting...a rubber duckie may just save your life.  You would be amazed at how many people will pose for a picture with a rubber duck if you ask.  When it's too dangerous to ask, holding up your duck and taking a picture of that...with your target in the background...often gets you the picture.  My NASCAR rubber duck is named Cooter.  Cooter likes Chevies and Lynyrd Skynyrd and Miller Lite.

Cooter has friends that are extremely helpful in snapping pictures of my very favourite insane, bible-beaters in the whole world!

Bless their hearts...they are there every year...and I look forward to them every year!  They preach, through bullhorns, the evils of...well...everything!  One year they were talking about the evils of buying a car...outside a NASCAR race!  Evidently, not everyone saw the irony.

At this point, you must be asking yourself, "How on Earth does Princess do NASCAR?"
Well, I'll tell you.  Every track is different and you should always check with tracks with which you're unfamiliar...but as a rule...here's what you can bring:

The standard is a clear bag of some sort...no handbags...and a 14x14x14in soft-sided cooler.  As you can see, I have what I call my "NASCAR Kit."  In my clear backpack I always stow a blanket, a scarf, a hat, and a koozie.  Princess tip:  Always keep heat wraps and emergency ice packs (the kind you break for cooling a sports injury) in your bag.  Something will ALWAYS happen that wasn't expected and you will thank me later that you had them.  It will either rain or get too hot or too cold and the unprepared are always miserable!

Yes...the people you saw in the pictures are crawling all over races...but we needn't all be savages!  With NASCAR's increasing popularity and range of ticket prices, I'm not the only person there with a popped collar...nor will you be!!!

As for that soft-sided cooler, pack it full or you'll find yourself competing with the savages for a spot in line to buy $8 Miller Lites and greasy stadium food.  This Princess is madly in love with her Marley Lilly Monogrammed Cooler Bag!!!

I could not be more in love with this bag!  It's super adorable and durable and perfect for everything from NASCAR to your car!  I use it for grocery shopping and road trips...you name it!  I love it so much that the ever generous Marley Lilly is giving one away to one of my readers!

To enter, post each of these you do as separate comments:
1:  Follow Marley Lilly on Twitter
2:  Follow me on Twitter
3:  Tweet about this giveaway
4:  Follow my blog
5:  Blog about this giveaway
6:  Like Marley Lilly on Facebook.
7:  Who's your favourite driver and why?
8:  What's your favourite Marley Lilly item?
9:  Share a picture of your favourite mullet.

Good luck!

XOXO,
~CAT
 

Mullet Hunting (part 1)

In my family, mullet hunting has become something of a sport.

Well...mullet hunting is a bit too specific...though one does get extra points for mullets...and level of risk...but let's not jump ahead.  

If people choose to leave their homes looking a hot mess...I feel obligated...nay...I feel the MORAL DUTY to do my very best to snap their picture and share it so that no one else might ever think it's ok!  Or...perhaps...it's just funny as hell.

Case in point:

 Just a few to give you an idea.  These pictures, you should know, have been taken over the span of many years and in multiple locations from coast to coast.

I have found, that one of the very best places to find these people, is a NASCAR race.  Some of you love NASCAR and some of you just rolled your eyes when you saw the word.  I, too, was one of the many who thought it was nothing but rednecks turning left.  But, my friends?  I am here to tell you...it is soooo much more!!!  Once I actually went to my first race?  I was hooked!  
It's a circus, people!  I have never seen anything like it!  Pre-race, there is a concert or two, displays and booths of everything you can imagine...times 10!  Want to join the US Border Patrol?  Go to a NASCAR race!  You can meet agents, play with their toys...you can get an application!!!  Want to try that new soda?  I guarantee you, someone is walking around, handing out samples.  A fun, frozen, drink more your style?  You can find nice people that will swirl the mango flavour with some other pink flavour because you just can't make up your mind between the 2 shades of pink!  Take your drink, pop your collar, twirl your pearls, find a seat and watch the people go by!  You will be amazed!!!
You're not the only one in pearls!  As ticket prices range from about $35 to well over $400...and I'm not talking boxes here, I'm talking regular seating...the financial demographic is all over the map!!!  It's not at all unheard-of to go to brunch at the Club and then head straight to the track.  Forbes magazine has named it the "America's Fastest Growing Sport".  There's a reason.  Though ticket buyers may not share a neighborhood, they do, generally, share 2 things.
NASCAR fans tend to be Patriotic and have Faith in whomever their God may be.  I'm not suggesting anyone have Jr. Nation...you're NASCAR's version of the UK's Football Hooligans and you KNOW it (no, not all of you, so give me a break)...over for dinner, I'm simply saying, if you've never been...you would be amazed!

Moving right along, this...shall we say...diverse group includes the best mullets and most frightening attire I have ever seen!  That said, fan or not, grab your camera and get thee to a race!

As I said, these pictures can be extremely difficult to take and occasionally dangerous.  Start small...work your way up.

Please notice the woman in the blue seat...with a cheap sports-bra on over a dirty wife-beater!
What's with the ducks?  All in good time, my pretties. All in good time...

These next 2 are from my most dangerous and most awesome find...EVER!  This is not for beginners!  My friends...I would like to introduce you to an incredibly rare and very dangerous creature...mostly the stuff of lore since the mid-80s...

 THE FE-MULLET

Beware the fe-mullet! She is an incredibly fierce and aggressive creature prone to fits of rage.

That said, you will be happy to know...

There is someone for everyone...and for the fe-mullet?  A yeti.

For now...I'll leave you with that.

But tomorrow?  NASCAR the Preppy Pink Princess way...

A MARLEY LILLY giveaway...

And an introduction to my dear friend, Cooter the Duck!

XOXO,

~CAT