Gratitude

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Farewell.......
2008-04-06 18:12:00
Hi all you fabulous bloggers,Cape Town has got some rain at last. My friend Dinx will be very happy to know that I got some well needed rest today.Last night because it was cold (I think) all 5 of the little rescues came and climbed on the human's bed. I had my head examined by Pumpkin's sister and when she decided I was acceptable I got a lovely head massage and she then proceeded to "clean" my hair!So this morning I stayed in bed until about 10.30 and got some love of the best kind - feral love. P.S. This blog will be moving....... will post the new link once I am up and running!
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Of broken hearts..........
2008-04-05 21:39:00
 I have had a busy day today!I popped in to see Meezie earlier while we were both being load shedded! Had a fabulous lunch and left way after I meant to. Thanks Meez, lunch was delish! I met her Grandson, he is too precious for words.Then it was back home to do a few things before zooting off again this time to go and see how Batty Cat was doing.My heart is breaking and I am angrier than I was before. The Batty I saw today is the Batty that she was the first day she arrived here. Hiding under a table with that terrified unhappy look in her eyes. All my months of work has been undone in a week! I cried all the way home.Now I know why I just felt it would be wrong of them to take her from my home when I was at the point where I could touch her and she was already sleeping on my bed.I am more determined than ever before to now home the remaining cats myself.Please see my previous post and let me know if anyone can help or knows of someone who can help.Please read my prev...
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An appeal............
2008-04-04 14:20:00
  Good Morning fabulous bloggers,   Because this subject is very dear to my heart, this post might be a little longer than usual.  As most of you know, I had 5 rescued feral cats from different litters brought to me simultaneously by a privately run Animal List group, bearing in mind that I already had Columbus to tame.  Yes, I offered my services to tame one or two BUT, even with the best will in the world, taming 6 ferals at one time is a pretty tall order.   When these ladies supplied 5 wild little outsiders to an existing domestic colony of 6 without fair warning, I should have realized that they weren't all that clued up on cat behaviour!!   Columbus was easy to tame as anyone can gather from previous posts.  The next 5 arrived in one fell swoop and I've posted ad nauseum about their antics.   Pumpkin was beginning to respond to me when he was injured by said ladies during an attempted "capture" at my house (I disapproved and was o...
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Of Clinking to Batty
2008-04-04 12:37:00
Good morning fabulous bloggers,Busy busy this morning with blah blah meetings but PLEASE will you spare a moment to go and clink on Batty's blog.She has been wonderful this week (and always) with her Hug-a-Thon making many a blogger feel so much better because of her HUGS!!Thanks and see you all later.

Obituary................
2008-04-03 14:09:00
  The sad passing of Common Sense   Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No-one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long in bureaucratic red tape.    He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in and out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.   Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).   His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.   Reports of a six year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condit...
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Inspiration
2008-04-03 10:01:00
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS  Remember to keep calm and cheerful. Don't let petty things annoy you and get you off course. You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving.--St. Francis De SalesThe weak can never forgive. Forgivenessis the attitude of the strong. --Mahatma Ghandi  LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS  No man can get rich himself unless he enriches others.  The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of ideas and enthusiasm.--Thomas J. Watson  Heroes are ordinary people who place their dreams above their fears.    INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION  Act as though it were impossible to failThere is always room at the top.--Daniel WebsterKeep your face to the sunshine, and you will not see the shadows.
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Of Gratitude Lists...............
2008-04-02 11:12:00
  I have a friend who mentioned to me a while back that although there are aspects of my personality that she does not like, she likes the way that I relate to cats and what I do for cats in general.   Last night we had a chat and I was telling her how I cannot pull myself out of this negativity I feel about my job and for the first time in my life I just CANNOT see the positive.   Anyway, to cut a long story short - I woke up this morning and realized that this is one of the aspects of my personality that she more than likely does not like. I am not practicing what I preach with regards to positive thinking. And no matter what my reasons are I need to get my ass in gear and JUST DO IT!   So, today is the beginning of my new life. I have decided to stick my job out and see the positive.   In this vein, my Gratitude List for today reads as follows:   I am grateful that I have a well paying job when many out there do not.   I am grateful that my job ...
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Venus's Challenge
2008-04-01 21:52:00
  Venus's Challenge  My ex.....tent of my attention span at the moment is zero Maybe I should... try and get some more restI love...Son A and my furry ones People would say that I'm...the crazy cat lady I do not understand.....Why cats do NOT always land on their feet When I wake up in the morning...I ask the cats if I can sleep a bit longer I lost...my mind a long time ago Life is full of...awesome opportunities My past is...something that can never be changed I get annoyed when...Eishkom load sheds in my blogging time Parties are...15 people strong MOB's in Cape Town I wish...I could build a cat sanctuaryDogs...are faithful slobberers companionsCats...have slaves and own you for the rest of your life Tomorrow...is the first day of the rest of my life I have low tolerance...for spiteful people If I had a million dollars...I would build a Cat Sanctuary and rescue and rehabilitate full time I'm totally terrified...of ignorant people You know what to do. Have fun!!Th...

The Great Outdoors.......
2008-04-01 11:49:00
  Good morning boggers bloggers,   Columbus here, the Human can't be bothered is busy today and doesn't have time to blog. She is going for training today for that work from home (woo hoo!) job so wish her luck.   Last night I FINALLY got to see the great outdoors as the Human let me out for a while. It was a closely supervised outing and I have some nice pics for you lot.   This is me discovering trees.    Jake wasn't too happy about having to share his garden.   But Big Daddy was watching to make sure I stayed safe.   I explored every nook and cranny of the garden   It was FABULOUS and the Human says I can do it again when she comes home. I can't wait!   This is a pic (not a very good one - the Human was half asleep already) for Ella-belle of my friend Pumpkin. Just look E how he is smiling now!    Well that's it for now. I am sure the Human will visit you all later but they are load shedding in the CBD from 12 to 2...
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Bowing to pressure.............
2008-03-31 15:34:00
Your Power Element is Water Your power colors: blue and aquaYour energy: deepYour season: winter Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion.You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul.A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem.You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream. What's Your Power Element?
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Good morning.............
2008-03-31 10:35:00
*Sigh* Back in the crappy place, working with a bunch of
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Of ceilings..........
2008-03-30 16:47:00
 Right, you all know about the 2 renegade cats in the ceiling. I decided this weekend they WILL come down come hell or high water.And so on Friday night I patiently waited and ...................... nothing, nada, nix.So on Saturday night again, I waited and nothing again. Then I thought maybe if I open the trapdoor in the passage.....Right then, trapdoor open, all my lot outdoors and kittens running up and down the passage having a ball. 2 little faces peeked down from the trapdoor and watched the shenanigans with great interest. 2 little faces watched longingly at balls being batted around against walls. 2 little faces watche with awe as human played with once wild kittens. 2 little faces showed signs of jumping onto the scratching post I had put there for that exact purpose. 2 little faces were hanging down and just about to jump when Son A and GF arrived home. Damn, buggery bollocks! Plan foiled!This morning at 7.00 AM I was awoken by elephants running around in t...

Of challenges...................
2008-03-29 19:13:00
  BeauBlog (Eating Humble Pie) has asked us to answer some questions about ourselves. This makes a fun challenge - reading each other's responses could be very interesting. If you'd like to take up his challenge, copy this post from my blog and replace my answers with your own. Then go and leave a message on BeauBlog's blog, so he knows who's responded and where to read it. TAKE A BREAK, PULL UP A CHAIR. JOIN ME FOR A CUP OF JAVA. RELAX - TAKE A LOAD OFF. NOW, TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE: 1. MOVIE - When Harry met Sally 2. SPORT - Rugby, Cricket, English Soccer and Golf all from the couch of course. 3. TV PROGRAMME - CSI Las Vegas, Grey's Anatomy, Animal Cops Houston/Miami 4. BOOK - Haven't read a book in ages but enjoy anything written by Jodi Picoult. WHAT MAKES YOU: 1. HAPPY - Watching my son make a success of his life. 2. SAD - When I have to home one of my foster cats. 3. MAD - Nasty, thoughtless people. WHAT'S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU'...

Sideview's Weekend Challenge....
2008-03-29 10:51:00
Good morning fabulous bloggersI thought I would do Sideview's Weekend Challenge which is to come up with 'home remedies' of the less helpful nature. Anything ridiculous would be best. So here are mine: If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of  boiling water down your throat and presto! The blockage will be almost instantly removed.Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink.High blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a while. thus reducing the pressure in your veins.A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep when you hit the snooze button.If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.

Shrieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!
2008-03-28 23:29:00
I have just walked into Son A's bathroom and found this spider!!!!!!!!!! I think he must have brought it back with him from Knysna!It took me AGES to kill it!And just to be sure, I flushed it!It was so HUGE I was afraid it might eat my little Pumpkin!

Your Friday story............
2008-03-28 12:32:00
  Here is your Friday story, M.I.H. Just read an inspirational story in our local paper about a young man in high school with a very bright future thanks to his focus on three letters, M.I.H. This kid has a passion for excellence in everything he does, particularly his sport of choice, wrestling. Last year he had what most considered an amazing wrestling season and ended up hoisting the second place trophy at the state championships. While friends and family cheered, he planned. The day after the state finals, he was back in the same old gym working out in the same old sweats with one small change. He had placed white tape on each of his three middle fingers, and on each piece of tape was a letter. M.I.H. His friends, family, and teammates all repeatedly asked about the letters, but he refused divulge their meaning. He kept the letters on his fingers all year, and he trained harder than ever, until he again found himself at the state tournament. This time the outcome was slig...
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Of life.......
2008-03-27 14:32:00
Hi All,   There are so many things that I would like to tell you about right now but I just can't seem to find the time. Work is hectic and I don't even find time to sneeze never mind anything else. Oh and of course we have blah blah bullsh*t meetings for an hour and a half in between all of this.   I cannot wait to be out of this place. My update on that score is that sod I mean boss talked me out of resigning only to have learnt NOTHING from the frank and open discussion which we had during that meeting. So now... once again I will be resigning on 1 April to leave at the end of April. I do have a very nice work from home internet related job in the bag and also have been given a website by a very generous blogger but that is a post all of its own.   So for now I am biting the bullet and *sigh* taking each day as it comes.   In feline news, on Tuesday Batty went to a new home where she is now with her sister who was being fostered by someone else. I cried my e...
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For the er....... mature ones....
2008-03-26 10:30:00
Good morning,Another busy day ahead so I thought I would leave you all with a laugh....
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Oh Mobs......
2008-03-25 22:59:00
 Right then my MOB post.............Sponty had come to me a little earlier for a visit which I kept having to postpone thanks to the cat saga that had been ongoing all week.Finally she arrived and while I blowdried my hair she shouted spoke to me. Eventually we were ready to go and sped off to Woolies to go and buy my "plate of snacks".We arrived at Meezie's and Lornagh and Old Hen (now changed to Granny Hen at our orders request) were already there.Hugs all around and we plonked ourselves down on our favourite couch. Samantha and family finally arrived and within no time at all the party had began.The wine flowed as did the conversation and the laughter.What a stunning lady Granny Hen is and so full of life. I think poor OC had a culture shock but he took it in his stride.It was good to see Samantha again too as I had not had much of a chance to chat to her at our last MOB as her visit was short that day. And what stunning children she has!Meezie as always was an excellent ho...

And again.....
2008-03-24 13:56:00
Right so once again I went into the garage this morning to do my usual filling of food and water bowls and emptying of cat litter. Yep not a cat in sight! And once again my handiwork undone!Since 8 this morning I have left the garage door open and have just now closed it. No takers, although they did all come out of the roof except one (the original renegade who started this trend).So I have now given up and it's up to the Feral Organisation to catch them and good luck to them. I must just say that this is a private network of people who rescue and so for those who were concerned about the cats, none of them under any circumstances will be put to sleep. They will be tamed and homed, otherwise I would let them exist in my garage for ever.Columbus really did try and get them all to come out and play: And so did Batty:Who also made sure the Human didn't think of going up the ladder this time:(as if I would even consider that)Littely One kept looking for ways to get past the HumanWhil...

Quick Update....
2008-03-23 23:35:00
  Hi All,   First things first, a happy Easter and I hope you all had a good one.   Update on my sister:  She is doing great and has gone out of town with her 2 children for a few days which I think is a good thing. Trauma counseling has been arranged for Tuesday so her and her colleague will both go. She told me she refuses to be a victim so I think that's a very good attitude to have.   Last night I went to a MOB but *sob* I am not allowed to blog about it yet... (GAG ORDER)   I am happy to report that thanks to Sandlover's advice, I put Arnica on my derriere and thankfully there doesn't seem to be any bruising. I still have bruises from my last fall which I didn't even tell you lot about!   All the kittens are now out of the roof and any access to the roof has been removed and plugged once again so I hope for the best. Tomorrow they are all being vaccinated and on Tuesday my Columbus, Batty and Littlie One are going to be sterilized. This br...
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Of ladders and falling.....
2008-03-22 15:46:00
There I was sitting at my pc yesterday doing a quiet bit of catch-up work (son A is away) when I heard this gentle little thudding sound above my head.  It was just a marginal distraction and I subconsciously blocked out the sound and carried on working.  It was the sudden, very loud meowing that broke into my concentration.  I listened carefully and realised that kitty pitter-patter on the ceiling boards' sounds like gentle thud-thud to She-Who-Sits-at-PC.  Yes, it would appear that one of the dangblasted (I did NOT say a bad word, Straycat!!) little ferals had found its way into the ceiling.   Now, I need to backtrack a bit here.  The reason I have been somewhat scarce on the blogs is not only due to the tummy bug that drifted over from Al's blog to mine but also to the fact that I spent the ENTIRE Tuesday from early morning till late at night plugging holes and escape routes in the garage non-ceiling.  I am so short that I qualify as...

A blogger in trouble................
2008-03-21 20:47:00
Please go and visit Demazon's blog.She is in need of our help, thoughts and prayers........
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Your Friday Story....
2008-03-21 14:44:00
  Here is your Friday story, The Nature of Character Abraham Lincoln was very concerned with character, but he was also aware of the importance of having a good reputation. He explained the difference this way: "Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." Put another way, your reputation is what people think of you. Your character is what you actually are. In a world preoccupied with image, it's easy to worry too much about our reputation and too little about our character. Building a reputation is largely a public-relations project; building character requires us to focus on our values and actions. Noble rhetoric and good intentions aren't enough. What we're looking for is moral strength based on ethical principles. Character is revealed by actions, not words, especially when there's a gap between what we want to do and what we should do and when doing the right thing costs more than we want to p...
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Scattegories
2008-03-21 13:05:00
SCATTERGORIES - it's harder than it looks! NO JOKE.  Use the first letter of your Blog nameto answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things - nothing made up. You cannot use your own Blog name for the boy/girl names. 1. Your Blog name: Gratitude2. A four letter word: Good3. A vehicle: GWM Double Cab4. A city: George5. A boy's name: Gabriel6. A girl's name: Grace7. Drink: Gin and Tonic8. An occupation: Gynaecologist9. Something you wear: G-String10. A celebrity: Goldie Hawn11. Food: Gruyere Cheese12. Something found in a bathroom: Germicide13. Something you shout: Goodness Gracious!14. An animal: Giraffe15. A body part: Genitals (sorry my blog does start with G!)16. Word to describe yourself: GratefulIf you are interested in the challenge..Then leave a comment on Venus Goddess's blog- so that others can check out your blog Copy 'n Paste this to your blog, change my answers to yours.This could get very interesting!

*sigh*...............
2008-03-20 16:43:00
Hi all you fabulous bloggers,I have been man down since Tuesday night shortly after I posted with a really bad stomach virus. I was extremely miserable as I never get these kind of viruses and this one has bitten me BIG TIME! So between crawling backwards and forwards to the loo and to the kitchen for liquids there has been no chance to blog. I think the Universe is trying to tell me something here.I have so much news for you guys but right now I just got the most shocking news and it doesn't feel right to tell my good news so you lot will have to just wait with bated breath.I just heard that my sister and a colleague were held up at gunpoint. They had got back from the bank and stopped outside their office when the car door was yanked open and a gun shoved in their faces. Their handbags, cellphones and my sisters car and flat keys were all taken together with her ID, drivers licence etc. I don't have any more details at the moment as I am waiting to hear but I do know t...
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Of other people's credit cards.......
2008-03-18 23:44:00
 *sigh* I had no internet for most of the day and just when I thought I would sit down at my pc, Eishkom load shedded me for 3 hours! *double sigh*On the bright side though, I went out and did some erm shopping. The cat food stocks were looking a bit low.So I got food for the adults: And of course a bag for the kittens:And some Bach Flower Remedies:for psycho Jynx who attacked 3 of the kittens last night(*sigh* That's a post for another day)Total cost of all of the above: R1000-00butthe priceless part of it all.....I got to do it with Son A's Credit Card!Now I am off to bed.Goodnight all.
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Help for stray cats..........
2008-03-17 11:27:00
Good morning fabulous bloggers,   Ai Shame Stray Cat wrote the cutest little poem yesterday and I ask that you all support her and help her on her quest to be on the list. Please, please go and visit her blog and read her poem she so painstakingly wrote.   This morning she left me a very heartfelt comment on my blog and my heart is just breaking for her.   Please, please go and visit her.... Stray Cat   Dammit, Catwoman, here you are doing bulk comment answers in an attempt to keep your avatar OFF the Most Commented List while I write the cutest little kitty poem EVER just begging people to comment me UP ONTO that list and..... Guess What??? You are climbing the bloody list again and I don't even FEATURE. Cheating the system is SO HARD. Sob, sob and LOL.   Isn't that just the saddest thing? Disclaimer: Tongue in cheek *wink*
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A personal MOB................
2008-03-16 17:26:00
  Yesterday morning I got a call on my cell, "Hi C it's A, when are we going to have that glass of wine?"   Plans were made and off I went. I pulled up to the house and the gates magically opened. In I drove. She knew I was there even before she heard my car, how's that for a strong connection? I was greeted at the gate with a hug and felt like I had known her for ages. You would have thought we were 2 friends who had not seen each other in a while and in some ways I think that's what we are.   I had finally met Rockybaby and her Darling.   When I first went inside I felt like a kid in a candy store, the house is stunning. I suddenly hated my house. The entire house is wood paneling and it is beautiful! I met Rocky and Penny. Penny promptly plonked herself down on my feet! Rocky took a while as she was smoking one of those bone cigars and really didn't have time for this blogger who takes up Mommy's time.   In no time at all I was invited to stay for ...
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Things to ponder..........
2008-03-15 13:23:00
I have so much to think about this weekend.My job has just become too much. It has weeded it's negativity into my personal life in such a way that I don't even have the time or energy to meditate and visualise, something I have done every day for the last year. No wonder I am feeling so out of sorts. I never really post anything of a very personal nature so only those that know and are close to me would know any of this.I am tired and drained and fighting to keep my head above water and stay afloat and it's taking its toll mentally and physically with the result I am reacting to things I probably shouldn't in a negative way.I have filled in 2 leave forms recently, both of which were denied, one was even crossed out and had DIE written on it. So on Friday I reached the end of my tether. DT handed over her whip but this is a battle I am just too tired to fight and I don't do ugly and that's what it will get - UGLY. So my friend, thank you for that but I am handing it b...
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