Aww, thanks guys....

I'm glad that 'The Cat House' is going over so well.   

For those who have read it, you now see my hesitation to the idea.  

For those who enjoy it, there are hundreds more stories.. as long as you want them, I'll write them.  Am toying with the idea of reader input stories (because I know there are some smoking J-Land fantasies out there....ahem, Nae, Stacy, Amy... oh, and Brian, well you could have a novel all your own).  Basically, you give me the characters and I'll write the stories.  Let me know what you think.  

For those who received access, but changed their minds after reading... please let me know and I'll remove your name.  It is not meant to be offensive (if I needed to make that clear).  

For those who lurk, cough once in a while so I know you're still breathing.  

For those who left comments, I am not surprised at all.  I knew you guys rocked! 

Thanks for the support and enjoyment...  

Cat

A reminder...

Six months from now, when life has moved us on, and we have all but forgotten the tsunami victims because images are no longer blasted all over the tele.... the smallest, most helpless survivors will still be struggling.  

Reports state children make up 1/3 of the casualties.  The surviving kids most likely lost some or their entire families.  Red Cross and Save the Children are making every effort to find shelter and relatives of these children, but the amount of damage is making things more difficult.   

When the air time of this disaster runs out, I hope our memories don't go with it.  Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India will be in need of assistance for a very long time.....   

Think of the children.

Cat

First 2005 entry....

This one is about nothing, basically because I'm here, at home... on New Year's Eve and bored.  I could've attended a party, but knew it would be a late night (early morning) if I did.  Besides, the only guy I'm remotely interested in, was staying in for the evening... recovering from celebrating last night.  And it's not like we've had any major dates or anything, I've sworn that stuff off until I grow up....  

I've also opened a bottle of wine, so bear with me if possible.  If it makes no sense whatsoever... you will get why I do not drink often.    Parents had hors d'oeuvres (psst, Danielle, is that right?) for dinner tonight--shrimp cocktail, caviar and toast points (rich way of saying bread)--fancy schmancy.... I don't eat that stuff.    But Gracie ate my share, happily. 

The child loves shrimp and gobbled down caviar like there was no tomorrow.  And capers, too.  I forgot about them and I do like those  :::wink:::  so, does she.  

The ball just dropped (ok, that was 42 minutes ago now), so Happy New Year J~Land!  

Its a New Year now and no time to dwell

On past bad comments, as words don't sell

The actions, like intentions do.  It's a fact well known.

Unblock the blocked and let them come home

To post nice or not, their choice to adhere.

Its the message that's shot, not the messenger....    

Wine is gone.  Don't go thinking I drank it in the time I wrote only this..... it took me a few minutes to write the poem..... and...      

Another entry at 'The Cat House'  waiting for you-- to heat up your New Year festivities :)  

It's 2005,  All is well......  

Cat  

One last 2004 rant....

Ok, is it just me or is everyone who changed to AOL 9.0 SE, getting bombarded with pop-ups freeze ups, etc.... even though blockers are on (and firewall in place)??   I've had more trouble since downloading this upgrade......    

New year not resolutions...

Resolution (n).  a resolving; fixed determination; firmness; formal proposal put before a meeting.  

I've been reading a lot about resolutions today in Journals across J-Land.  Some choosing to make them, others not having any part.  

Personally, I don't make resolutions.    I do make choices to continue or cease an activity.  And not only at this time of the year.  I thought we all did it on pretty much a daily basis.  So, I never really got what the big deal was over New Year's Resolutions.  I understand why... new year, new start...  but we're the same people in the same lives..... regardless of the date.   

So, I wanted to share some choices from years past, I've upheld (to date)--oldest listed first, but not necessarily in this order:  

1.  To give more of myself to others, expecting nothing in return.

2.  To volunteer my time, knowledge, to help another out of the dark.  

3.  To give what I can, what I have, what I know-- freely to anyone.

4.  To not engage in sexual activity until marriage (or committed partner).

5.  To be the best parent I know to be, and take (ask for) advice when I need it.

6.  To be me, and be happy, or at least content, with that.

7.  To always look for the good in a bad situation.

8.  To remember where I came from, honoring those who walked before me.

9.  To forgive.

10.  To tell the truth.... at all costs, even if it hurts..it only makes one stronger in the end.  

There's more, I'm sure.  But those are the ones that are conflicted the most in my life....  

Cat    

'Owed' to Dona...

I owe this one to Dona, who asked me questions on Dec. 22.....

So, Dona, an entry all your own :)  

1)  If you could live in any time period besides the present, which would it be?  There are so many places and so many cultures... from Africa's first humans to America's Pilgrims to the days of Roman and Greek rule to the Dynasties of China and Egypt....  I have no favorites... other than today's technology, I could be happy in any time period.  

2) Besides friends, what do you like to collect, if anything?  Coins and dragons.  

3) If the Internet did not exist, what would you most likely be doing right now?  Reading a book, most likely...  

So, there you have it, Dona... my apologies for the delay in answering.  

Happy New Year's Eve, Everyone....  

Cat

PS.. Yes, I did promise an outside house picture with snow... the beauty of living in Indiana (and the midwest) is that all 14" of snow that fell Christmas Eve Eve, is now all gone  :)  So, that'll have to wait until winter really hits us.... probably in May :::winks:::

Welcome to the Cat House...

To end the year with a BANG, I started another journal.  I've been toying with the idea for awhile now, but finally decided to go ahead with it.   

This one is private because its contents will not be suited for minors or those who wish to avoid foul language and strong sexual content.  (I'm really a librarian at heart :::winks:::)  

I've been fantasy writing for years and a dear friend convinced me to copy them from paper to digital format.  Since most readers here are women, its kind of embarrassing... but, hey... you guys know me and I pretty much tell things how they are, no skeletons in my closet.... (how else do people really get to know someone?!)  Besides, I think most of us have a dark side of varying degrees....   

So, anyone interested in some not so tasteful reading... let me know and I'll let you inside.    

Hope you're not too shocked.....  

Cat