GratitudeGratitudeA blog about cats, life, humour and abuse Articles
Giggling Gourmet MOB Part 2
2008-06-08 12:33:00 Today I am going to let the pictures do the talking! Of course it's also because I know you lot prefer pictures to actual words *snicker*If it's not too much trouble *giggle* you can read the captions.Jenny gave everyone instructions.As did the chef with the sexy legs :)Hard at workMore unwrapping and chopping done by Meezie *giggle*Someone's feet got sore (this one's for Madmom and Supa)This one is for all the ladies, Jenny made sure that Al checked the duck *evil cackle*Stirring the delicious Butternut soup *bye bye Woolworths*Norwegian salmon done in a meringue crust *dribble*Basting the scrumptious duckTime to dish upSo much food *drool*And finally time to eat *slurp*Right so appetites satsfied, it was time to play some "games".....More about that later. More About: Part , Gourmet
Sideview's Weekend Challenge....
2008-06-07 23:30:00 Sideview's Weekend Challenge Morning all, this is Madame Cat. The slave is still asleep as she watched that silly box till quite late keeping me from sleeping properly on top of her until late, so I have taken over her role in the weekend challenge. This weekend let your 4 legged owner write your post. The best will obviously come from us cats, but we will tolerate those from dogs. I suspect the fishy ones will all be o o o o and the bird ones just chirpy, rabbit ones will probably be jumpy. However it is only fair for those who are owned by lesser species to also be represented. What other animals own you? Let them have their way with your blog and tell of the weekend from their perspective. ^-^ =..=Hello all,This is Renegade here, yes me the beautiful one who lived in the ceiling for 2 weeks until that silly human coaxed me down into the house. I must say it's not too bad in the house though, lots of food, a lovely water fountain thingy from which we can drink filte...
Giggling Gourmet MOB
2008-06-07 13:45:00 First off, I have to say thank you to my dear friend DT, without who this evening would not have been possible for me - THANK YOU my friend, you rock!Meezie and I arrived at our destination and "drove" up in the car liftWe parked the car spotted Rockybaby and in we went. You could feel the great atmosphere as we stepped into the room, I just knew that this was going to be a night like no other!Cocktails in hand we gravitated towards the snack table where there was a fabulous array of sushi, biscuits and cheeses. Yum, no talking, just snacking and finally meeting Rose and Thorn and of course the fabulous Giggling Gourmet herself, the one, the only Jenny!Peeps, what an absolutely fantastic lady! Bubbly and mischevious with a twinkle in her eye, stunning both on the inside and outside :)Right, Wots for Lunch and Pregnant and Moody arrived. DT, Puppycat and Happygas and of course DT's stunning daughter Jeanne were already there.Finally our dear blogmaster Alistair made his grand entran...
Your Friday Story.....
2008-06-06 13:12:00 Here is your Friday story, The Living Legacy of Integrity When my father passed away last October, my mother, brother, and sister were all feeling quite distraught over the loss of a beloved husband and parent under seemingly sudden circumstances. Amidst the hurried preparations for a quick burial in accordance with our tradition, I scarcely had time to think, to do much else past taking care of urgently important details, making sure that my family and my father made the journey to the city in which his body would rest. Then came the service, and after seven days of Shiva, a time in which we are free of our daily responsibilities in order to fully mourn the loss that has occurred. This process was particularly therapeutic and thus healing for me and I truly appreciated the genius behind the creation of such a tradition. Being able to fully mourn the loss of my father gave me the ability to slowly move back into the stream of life when the seven days were up, knowing that I... More About: Story
Earning a living as a cat.....
2008-06-06 11:48:00 What a cat has to do to earn a living?.. The Times May 27, 2008 Tama the station cat brings passengers to Kishikawa railway line to not show photographer information --> to not show image description -->The number of passengers who travel along the Kishigawa line in the city of Kinokawa increased 10 percent for the year to March 2007 from the previous year and is credited to Tama after the stationmaster cat appeared at the unmanned small station. to not show enlarge option --> Tokyo A loss-making Japanese rail company has found the perfect mascot to bring back business - Tama the tortoiseshell cat. All the nine-year-old cat does is sit by the entrance of Kishi station in a railway uniform cap and pose for photos for the tourists. Tama has done such a good job of raising revenue for the Kishikawa train line that she was recently promoted to ?super-station-master?. The Wakayama Electric Railway Co said: ?She is the perfect station master. She never complains, even though... More About: Living , Earning
Catnip moments..........................
2008-06-05 15:34:00 "Catnip" is the common name for a perennial herb of the mint family. It is native to Europe and is an import to the United States and other countries. The catnip plant is now a widespread weed in North America. Given to the right cat, catnip can cause an amazing reaction! The cat will rub it, roll over it, kick at it, and generally go nuts for several minutes. Then the cat will lose interest and walk away. Two hours later, the cat may come back and have exactly the same response. Because there really isn't any scent that causes this sort of reaction in humans, catnip is hard for us to understand. However, it is not an uncommon behavior in animals that rely heavily on their noses. For example, there are many scents that will trigger intense hunting behavior in dogs, and other scents will cause dogs to stop in their tracks and roll all over the scent. Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing ... More About: Moments
Wacky Wine Festival MOB
2008-06-05 10:33:00 Hi all,This is a quick reminder about the Wacky Wine Festival MOB.Please can you leave your name here if you are attending or mail me, my email address is on my profile.We need to arrange where we are all going to meet.If you want to know about this Festival you can read about it here.
Pet Therapy.....
2008-06-04 11:30:00 Cape Town dog trainer, Sylvia Willemburg, found out exactly how comforting the companionship of animals could be when she started taking her dogs to visit her parents in their retirement home. Her father had had an amputation, but the dogs could not care less that he was in a wheelchair. They were not embarrassed for his loss, or rather, at their own good fortune at having four legs. They just loved him and were happy to see him. Sylvia knows how comforting the companionship of the animals can be. But now researchers are getting at the science behind those relationships and seeing how it can be used for therapeutic purposes. The benefits of petsThere are countless stories of people who have found healing in the form of a furry friend. These include people recovering from operations, the elderly, the disabled, and, in short, anyone who needs company. And who doesn?t? But pets give us so much more than company. Science has also shown the benefits of pets to human health: ... More About: Therapy
What a day........
2008-06-03 16:46:00 Hi All,I left home this morning at 6.45 AM to go to UIF and stand in that unemployment queue, I contributed for years, may as well claim right?Well, I have just got back! I am starving after not having had anything for breakfast or lunch and I have a huge headache so I am going off to have a bite to eat and then take some err prescription drugs and hop into bed for a little um nap.I have to say that I doubt I will ever do that again!I promise to visit you all later :)
Sideview's Weekend Challenge....
2008-06-02 21:43:00 Sideview's Weekend Challenge :Everyone likes comfort food in winter. Share your favourites with us. Anything - your favourite stew, pudding, snack, warming drink. Either where you go to be fed this or give us the recipes. Maybe some of them need a specific setting to be at their best, e.g. marshmallows roasted over the fire are nicer than those just melted in the oven. Baked Brie You will need: 1 large sheet of puff pastry dough 1 round or wedge of Brie cheese Cranberry jam Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On a non stick baking tray, lay the puff pastry out flat; put brie round or wedge on top. Spread jam on brie, fold dough over top. Bake at 350º for 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with savoury biscuits and apple slices.
Averagejane MOB post first!!!
2008-06-01 01:45:00 Right so I know that you lot are waiting for the MOB post from today BUT I still haven't blogged about my MOB with Averagejane.On Tuesday evening I saw a comment from Averagejane telling me she was going to be in Cape Town for 1 night and would like to meet Pumpkin.Of course I could NOT pass up this opportunity to meet one of my favourite bloggers so calls were made and plans were laid.Son A had just got a new car so he was keen to take Mom to go and pick her friend up. Off we went, got to the hotel in no time and there she was.What an awesome lady, she was exactly as I had imagined her to be. We chatted away like old friends and Averagejane got to meet all my furry children.All too soon we were in danger of turning into pumpkins and I took her back to her hotel.But that was not the end........ the next morning I got a call and rushed off to go and pick her up. We came back here and spent a leisurely day chatting and watching the furry ones in the garden.Then I had a bright i... More About: Post
Good morning...
2008-05-31 09:48:00 Good morning all you fabulous bloggers!I couldn't sleep in my own bed last night and this is why:So I went off and slept in Son A's bed because he is still stuck in Durban and this is what I woke up to this morningSo now I am feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.It's a short post I know but I have some "things" to do and I bet you lot are grateful you don't have much to read :)I am going to a fabulous lunch later *sly grin*Hope you all have a warm fuzzy day! More About: Morning , Good , Good Morning
Be yourself.....
2008-05-28 11:29:00 "To be nobody but yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you like everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight - and never stop fighting." E.E. Cummings "That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong." William J.H. Boetcker "Fix your eyes forward on what you can do, not back on what you cannot change." Tom Clancy
I have a blue mind....
2008-05-27 22:16:00 Your Mind is Blue Of all the mind types, yours is the most mellow.You tend to be in a meditative state most of the time. You don't try to think away your troubles.Your thoughts are realistic, fresh, and honest. You truly see things as how they are.You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about your friends, your surroundings, and your life. What Color Is Your Mind?and another challenge I thought was very interesting! What Your Bathroom Habits Say About You You are a giving soul. Way too giving in fact. You often get stuck doing the dirty work that no one else will do.Your look is put together, classic, and stylish. You always look fashionable without trying.You have the perfect blend of confidence and class. You're proud of who you are - but you don't broadcast it.In relationships, you tend to be very romantic and demanding. You'll treat your partner like gold, but you expect a lot in return. What Do Your Bathroom Habits Say About You?
Sleeping in............
2008-05-27 12:18:00 Hello all you fabulous bloggers, I had such a chuckle when I saw this comment on my blog now. kleine vlieg Ha! Caught red handed hey Cat? No, you’re taking this sleeping in thing to far now.... heeeeheeee!Busy morning? Or really sleeping in? ;-DAnyway - whatever you’re doing, Enjoy! :D Yes, you caught me I was sleeping!! In my defense though (LOL!) it’s been a whirlwind few days and I think my body just screamed: ENOUGH! Thank you all for your wonderful comments and support, I just want you to know I really appreciate it and with friends like you cheering me on, I couldn’t possibly go wrong. Yesterday was a very productive day and my little car only rolled into the driveway at 16.30. Then there was cooking and Son A had some shirts he needed ironing. As he pointed out it will be the last time I am ironing as he is moving to his flat this weekend. I have got a number of options open to me and yesterday I got some transc... More About: Sleeping
Words to ponder....
2008-05-26 10:19:00 Morning all,Today is the first day of the rest of my life.The first positive thing to being retrenched is that this morning I did NOT have to get up at dawn's crack and battle the traffic.I actually now have time for a leisurely cup of coffee which I had while I watched the cats at play. Right so now I have had a really good laugh at this lot and released all those feel good hormones :)Now I am off to see a few people and prepare to work my ass off in this new little venture of mine but first want to share this with you: Today I Will Make A Difference Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of their thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and vi... More About: Words
Sideview's Weekend Challenge....
2008-05-25 23:04:00 Sideview's Weekend Challenge : What’s the challenge this weekend?It’s enough to drive you round the bendAn animal’s antics, weird, the mostunusual story you need to postSo take your good time The story to verse or to rhymeDoggerel, limerick or coupletIambic pentameter or sonnetWhichever way you goYour talent to us you show I am so terrible at doing Sideview's weekend challenge and even worse with limericks. Now bear in mind I have 9 cats at the moment, but couldn't see myself coming up with 9 limericks...... but I did manage 3 attempts.Here they are: A little white kitten called Pumpkin Looks a lot like a Munchkin He has a crooked tail He broke it on a nail and that sent him into a spin. Big Daddy Miaghi was a cat who liked to roll around on the mat Some say it was disturbing that it was catnip he was eyeing but without any, he spat! There once was a cat named Renegade Who thought the ceiling she could invade The human got her ...
For a very special friend....
2008-05-25 14:04:00 A short while back I posted Follow your dream which I had received in my inbox from a dear friend. I neglected to say which dear friend it was and so I owe her a public apology. Meezie my friend, you know me so well and you know just when to say the right words or send the right email. And so my friend, I am SORRY I didn't do this as a tribute to you.For Meezie: A Simple Thank-You, My Friend by warmhrt Into the dim lit, bare walls of my world,You entered, bringing light and life to me,The vivid colors, painted with a swirlOf wit and charm, of personality,With tender care, you added comfort, warmth,And images that line the now bright walls.I look upon them fondly, bringing forthA thankfulness that you walk in these hallsWith me; our friendship has become a partOf my world now; it has its special place,Within my being, life, and in my heart,Your name hangs right beside your smiling face.Remembering just how drab these walls had been,I have to thank you for ... More About: Special
Thank you.....
2008-05-23 17:07:00 To everyone who clinked on my blog!! Susurration left this comment on my retrenchment post and I wanted to share it : Wow - the universe is really telling you to shake a leg!Or, as cool daddio Universe says:Life's magic is a lot like a swift flowing river. No matter how long you've overlooked it or unwittingly swam against it, the instant you stop struggling you're back in the flow, hat down low, coolest cat on the block.© www.tut.com ®So, I went into work this morning and accepted the retrenchment package because I have stopped struggling, I'm back in the flow, hat down low and I AM the coolest cat on the block
Your Friday story............
2008-05-23 11:38:00 Here is your Friday story, Uncommon Decency Last week, Sara Tucholsky, a 5-foot-2-inch softball layer in her senior year for Western Oregon University, was playing in a big game with Central Washington University. Both teams were vying for the Division II NCAA playoffs. Sara, who was batting less than .200 all season, hit the ball over the fence with two runners on. She had never hit a ball out of the park before, even in practice. She was so excited, she missed first base. Realizing this, she turned to go back but collapsed in agony as her knee gave out. Her first-base coach yelled that she had to crawl back to first base because if anyone on Sara's team touched her, she'd be out and her home run would be nullified. Her coach encouraged her to try to crawl around the other bases to preserve her home run, but it was out of the question. That's when the star player on the other team, Mallory Holtman, asked the umpire if she and a teammate could carry Sara around the bases. It was ... More About: Story
Of being retrenched....
2008-05-22 18:06:00 Well we knew it was coming, I just didn't expect it to be today!!I was called in this afternoon and "advised" to take the retrenchment package. Ok now I know if I don't take it, then a month down the line I will be forced to take it.So here's the thing. If I take the voluntary I get a month's pay plus obviously leave pay and I get to go tomorrow so that's another week that I will be paid and not have to work BUT if they force me a month down the line, I only get a weeks pay!!!!I must confess this was a bit of a shock BUT I have to see the positive in this and look at it another way.The Universe has just given me that month's pay that I needed to get the work from home stuff going :)So I best start working my little ass off from Monday! Ok so now I am off to have a vase of wine..... anyone joining me?Supaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!
Wacky Wine Festival MOB
2008-05-22 10:35:00 Good morning fabulous bloggers, This is the 3rd time I am typing this post and have now learnt my lesson and typed it in a Word document first J. One more sleep to the weekend Woo Hoo! I don?t know about you but I am ready for it! Congrats to Manchester United who won last night, what a nail biting game. Jexx is going to be in Cape Town and would like to have a MOB. So what say you lot, should we give her one or what in true Capetonian style? We realize that there is a MOB on the 6th but for those who are not going or would like to do both, this is going to be loads of fun. So Saturday the 7th would be the day to do it. She has suggested the Robertson Wacky Wine Festival . Taking place in the Robertson Wine Valley, the Wacky Wine Weekend has firmly established itself as one of the Cape Winelands most popular wine festivals. It's the wine festivals' 5th birthday. From 6 - 8 June 2008 wineries from Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson...
Positive thoughts....
2008-05-21 08:30:00 LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS Allow me to be a blessing to you and allow yourself to be a blessing to others. --John Coonley LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. --Winston Churchill INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION One person with a commitment is worth more than   ; 100 people who have only an interest. &n bsp;--Mary Crowley More About: Thoughts , Positive
The best part of the day.....
2008-05-20 21:57:00 Good evening bloggers,You all know by now that the best part of my day is when I come home to my furry kids and today was even more special.I normally have to go outside into the garden and search for Pumpkin until I find him sleeping under some bush somewhere and then he comes out and greets me.BUTTODAYI opened the sliding door as I always do and who do you think walked through the door with his little broken tail swishing in the air to greet his Human????YES!!!Pumpkin!But wait, there's more.He then stayed indoors and made sure he could see his Human wherever she went :)Now I know for sure, he finally owns me!On another note : Please go and visit our very dear Trinity, she needs our support right now. More About: Part
Positive Inspiration for the day
2008-05-20 09:52:00 LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better,you have to take things into your own hands.--Clint Eastwood LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS The best preparation for tomorrow is todo today's work superbly well. --Sir William Osler INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION A gem cannot be polished without friction,nor man perfected without trials.--Chinese Proverb More About: Inspiration , Positive
Follow your dream......
2008-05-19 08:26:00 Good morning fabulous Bloggers,I hope your Monday is not too blue and remember:FOLLOW YOUR DREAM! More About: Dream
Up close and personal
2008-05-18 18:52:00 Ok so I never post anything deeply personal but there is so much going on with my life and I am a little scarce in Blogland so I thought I would give you some insight into what is going on. Work has become so unbearable that I found myself slipping into a deep depression last week that got so bad I had a migraine for 2 days. On Thursday when I got to the point where I couldn?t see straight anymore I came home and crawled into bed feeling very sorry for myself. I lay there for ages and then sat bolt upright and began to give myself a lecture which went something like this: ?C you need to stop this sh*t, the ONLY person who can end this is YOU and you are not doing it fast enough. Snap out of this cr*p and tell the Universe what you want and then go out and just GET IT.? At 5 when I was rudely awoken by Son A coming home asking when supper was, I switched on my cell phone. I had a message from a good friend telling me to phone immediately as it was work related. I... More About: Personal , Close
The journey
2008-05-17 23:20:00 The Journey When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better nat... More About: The Journey
All cats homed!!!!!!
2008-05-16 19:46:00 GREAT NEWS!!!! I just received this email and I have to say thank you to all my blogger friends!! It's because of the exposure on here that these cats were homed.To All of you Just to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, we have managed to home all 9 cats including the 10th one that was not included in my email along with her 3 x 6 day old kittens - you have all been absolutely amazing and it is so awesome to know that there are people out there who care and will make the effort to help an animal in need. To those of you who adopted one of the cats or 2 or even 1 lady taking 3 THANK YOU, I am forever grateful to you.....love those babies with all your hearts....they SO deserve it. I could never have done this without your help. Enjoy your weekend I know I am going to enjoy mine. :-) I Am An Animal Rescuer. My job is to assist God's creatures.I was born with the need to fulfill their needs.I take in new family members without plan, tho... More About: Cats
Your Friday story............
More articles from this author:2008-05-16 10:22:00 Here is your Friday story, Push "How are you feeling?" asked my friendly neurosurgeon Dr. Alex Gol as I lay in my hospital bed in the rehab hospital at 3:30 P.M. after a torturous day in therapy. I could not yet utter a single word after sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the age of 19. So I nodded as if to say, "OK." Dr. Gol then calmly replied, "That's nice," and quickly left the room with a smile. As he was leaving I thought to myself, "Dr. Gol...so nice...so calm...so peaceful." I tried to reposition myself in my bed as the door closed behind him in order to get more comfortable, but something was not "right" in the hospital hallway as I heard a great commotion coming from there. (True, I could not yet speak; however, nothing was wrong with my hearing and there was plenty of screaming coming from the hall.) I wondered, "What was the problem?" I soon found out the cause of the chaos: it was sweet, serene and calm Dr. Gol who was causing it. As soon as he left my... More About: Story 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |



