Simon's Cat

Sometime life is overwhelming and you just have to go online and watch cat videos.

January 2012

I'm not to sure what I think about 2011. Let's review my goals...
1. Lose Weight. - Kinda? I think the hot yoga has really helped, but I've lost more inches than pounds. Which works I guess.
2. Learn French. - Nope. Not happening. Sigh.
3. De-Junk House. - A little. I got rid of a couple of things, but not nearly enough.4. Learn to play Guitar. - On my way? I know the basics and I am working on more...

I guess I did better than I thought I did.

I had a mostly uneventful year. Looking back there was not too much to remark upon.
-The UP was fun. I liked seeing all the neat nature related things and just kinda chillin.
-I decided to pursue the cake thing and start trying to sell more cakes and things to people, including non-family members. I like the challenge and the positive feedback.
-I still really enjoy the trips to Traverse City.
-I got to go to a bunch more music related things this year then any other year. I really like the music scene around town.

Looking ahead to 2012:
Goals
1. I want to learn at least 3 songs to be able to perform at an open mic.
2. Make a website for the cake business.
3. Get my "junk room" organized.

These things are pretty important to me at the moment. Let's hope I get them accomplished.

Aaah! So Short!

I got my hair cut again Saturday. About a foot taken off. It hasn't even been 2 years since I got my last haircut. I don't think it's been this short since my mom gave me a bob in the 3rd grade. I personally prefer my hair on the longer side, but I also really enjoy donating it since I am able to grow it out..

It's actually quite interesting to hear and see people's reactions to my hair being so short. Some like it and some don't - like any change.

Please note: This is one of many reasons I didn't "whip my hair back and forth", when I had long hair.


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Low Budget Band

This is great.

Christmas Cookies 2011

I took a picture of an almost complete tray of cookies this year instead of my dining room table covered in cookies. From twelve o clock - clockwise.

Soft Ginger Creams w/ Vanilla Frosting
Monster Cookies
Cranberry Walnut Cookies
Chocolate Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Salted Caramels (not pictured)
Lemon Gems
Pecan Goody Cups
Peanut Butter-Nutella Cookies
Raspberry-Almond Foldovers

My Brain Hurts

There is a gentleman I work with that makes my brain hurt, almost daily, with his questions and such. I always have thought of that one clip from Family Guy when Lois suppresses her issues with Peter and a tumor pops up in her head. I now think I might have numerous fake tumors in my head for different people/issues and they all sing the 'I'm a tumor' song in harmony.

Jeans Genes

There is not a much better feeling then when the next size down of jeans fit. :)
I had picked up some new jeans during my massive black Friday shopping, in which I only bought stuff for Matt and I, and I decided to just pick up the next size down since my normal size have been a bit baggy recently. And they fit! It made my day. :) That means some of the pants I have been saving for being too small, now fit. That is just awesome. Yeah for hot yoga!

Crashing Thru to Drama

Man, I hate drama. Long story, short version - They are changing the structure at the cat rescue that I volunteer at. They have 2 separate buildings with 130 cats at each house and I volunteer at one of these houses. The new layout would have us switch houses every month. I don't really want to learn about and love 130 more cats, making it 260. The cats at this other house have FIV. It's like HIV only for cats. Immune deficiency means they get sick a little easier and don't recover as quickly and can die a bit easier too. These cats are great and loving and wonderful, but people don't adopt a "sick" cat very quickly. So most of the cats that come to live here, will die here. I think all the added issues that would come with volunteering here would be too much for me. I wouldn't see the original cats as often either and would lose some of the connection I have with them.

I sent a long detailed email to the main vet and board director about all my concerns, as I was asked to do, and was berated for not accepting change and for not wanting to volunteer at the other shelter. I sent another email further explaining my position and trying to clear up any misconceptions about my point of view they might have and was berated again. I originally signed up to volunteer at the first shelter and was told I would not have to go to the other shelter if I did not want to. Looks like that will not longer be the case.

I don't think that the freely giving of my time and resources are very appreciated anymore. Which makes me sad. I love volunteering here and I love my shift mates and all the cats too and it really is still a great place to adopted a cat. But I really don't need the added stress of all this drama. But it's OK, I was told that this organization doesn't need volunteers with my attitude anyway..

Do You Like Lamb?

Netflix is growing on me. It's as good/bad thing.. I have watched some interesting shows and rating things have pulled stuff that I like to be easier to find. All of Matt's bad movies and TV shows are interfering a bit. He sure does like those 1 or 2 star shows.

I have decided to do another online class next semester. The last one went well and I wish I had taken the class I was in now online. This teacher is ruining marketing for me. I was excited to take this class and have been sorely disappointed.

I made a really cute baptism cake the other day. I have been talking about it for a while, but I really need to get a website up for the cake business. I have been getting more requests for info and pictures and such. One of these days it will happen. Maybe over Thanksgiving break?? Hopefully I won't find something really interesting on Netflix. It's not like I can just watch it later or anything...

Crafty Crafters

I stopped in at Fields Fabrics to pick up some denim patches the other day. Whenever I go to these places I really wish I was more crafty. I love the idea of making my own things and the patterns and fabrics in the store are really neat. I should totally make a cute cat costume or something.



I did finally cut up my first t-shirt the other night. I don't personally like to wear a crew neck t-shirt (or any crew neck shirt for that matter, but I like some of the neat prints on some of them, particularly from woot. I cut off the neck and sleeves and made a tank top. :) I used a shirt I don't really care about to practice on, and I have a few more stashed I'd like to practice on since I don't want to mess up on a shirt I would really like to wear. Maybe I am a little crafty after all.

Too Normal?

I often come here and open a new post page and just kinda stare at it. I feel like I should blog about stuff, but what stuff? I don't feel very original or have too much exciting or new to share.

I made super cute baby shower cake, which makes me think that I really should get going on a website for my cake business. But that would involve actually being productive. This whole Netflix thing is finally starting to grow on me. In the last couple of weeks, new shows have been added that actually peak my interest. Which also means I am spending more watching TV and not being productive. Like normal.

I need to bake more. I think I will buy a bushel of apples and bake.

The Sing Off

This is just awesome. I love The Sing Off.

Switching it Up

We finally bit the bullet and switched to Netflix. No more cable for us. It's a big thing for me, I haven't not had cable for longer than I can remember. And sadly, I don't see any Food Network shows on Netflix. :( Maybe I'll finally start getting all the things done that I mean too during the week instead of spending 20+ hours watching TV..

July

What should I say about July...

It's been a good month.

My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this month. It's amazing how long they have been together. They have been retired since before I was born, and snowbirds as long as I can remember too. We had a nice little get together at a local park, potluck style. I made a pretty nice cake. My first really nice stacked cake. I also only made one little girl cry - without even trying.

The day after my grandparents anniversary party, Matt and I headed up to the UP with a good chunk of his family. I made a reasonable small list of things I wanted to do while up there, and happily I got to do everything I wanted. :) Kitch-iti-kipi, Picture Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls, Oswald's Bear Ranch, which Sarah spoke very highly of, :) and some of the UP wineries. I also wanted to go fishing, make smores and hobo pies. I love a good camp fire too.

Cover Queen

I love this girl's covers!

Taco Bell Folk Song

This was played on the radio on my way into work today.

June Nights

June has turned out pretty good so far. I love going to yoga three or four times a week. :) School is going well. I like my online class. It's really easy. I've gotten to hang out with friends here and there, more than normal. I made a fun cake last weekend. I'm getting the hang of the cupcake cakes and I really think our friends and their son like it too. I've got two cakes already scheduled for July as well. Matt and I will be going to see Hairspray the the Civic Theater this Friday. I'm excited! I love musicals. Matt, not so much. LOL

We are also heading up to Traverse City this upcoming weekend for Cherry City Comic Book Convention. It's a small convention, which will only take us a few hours to get through. I finally talked some friends of mine to come up to Traverse City with us. Sweet! I can't wait to show them all our favorite spots. I wish we were going up for more than one night, but we only scheduled one night to save a little money. We are going up to the UP with Matt's family in July and we need to save up a little for that trip too. Still more excitement!! I can not wait to go the the UP, I have always wanted to get up there and explore. :)

So Frustrating

When I started volunteering at Crash's, I never expected the variety of questions I would get from people. I get alot of questions about cat care and the cats we have and all sorts of random cat questions.. The thing I am starting to dread is friends and family emailing me about what to do with cats that are not wanted anymore. It's always so 'reasonable' as to why the cat can no longer stay with the current owners, but I still get pretty upset that pets are something people can just throw away. People will justify anything. I guess it's better than some people's more cruel philosophy of just killing pets that are no longer wanted or that are having issues. Looking on the positive side doesn't seem to help me in this situation.

95 Degrees

I picked up a Groupon for Hot Yoga in December (when it was cold out) and finally got around to using it last week, now that it is hot out. I have unlimited visits for 30 days. So, I will be really trying to get my monies worth. I actually really like it. I have always liked yoga, but this style of yoga is what I like the best. The instructor jumps from pose to pose in quick succession, with a few long holds in between. I really feel the work out. I even kinda like the 95 degree temperature. I do get sick of it about 3/4 through. I bring alot of water...

It really is amazing what people can do with their bodies. Sometimes I catch myself just watching people do extreme poses and forget to do my own basic pose. It's also amazing how much some people sweat. Some of the people are just dripping sweat in puddles on their mats. Sure, the rest of us are sweating too, but wow.

9 Years

I wish I could download previously purchased books to my Kindle. I have so many books, that take up so much room, it would be nice if books had a one time code or something that would allow books to be uploaded onto e-readers. Blah. The only thing I don't want on the e-reader is cookbooks. There are a bunch of old public domain books that I downloaded for free, like all the Jane Austin books, The Scarlet Letter, The Art of War and others, but I really like being able to buy any book I want at any point from just about any where.