Happy Halloween from The Cat Family

Respect and Honor to a Fallen Soldier

We have always mourned the blood that has been shed in every war that comes about, we are in the midst of another one, and I've always prayed for all our soldiers and have deep respect for their continuing fight for our freedom, for putting their lives on the line for us and those that can't protect themselves nor have the freedom to fight for their rights.

I have a very close friend that the loss of a loved one has hit very close to home. I know that she won't mind that I have re posted her blog, please take this time to pray for another fallen soldier.

My deep and undying love and prayers to the family and friends of Paul.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) _ The Pentagon announced Saturday that a Norfolk-based Marine died in Iraq.Captain William Pelletier, a Marine Corps spokesman based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, said Corporal Erik Garoutte of Santee, California, died Friday in Baghdad "as a result of unknown causes."Pelletier said he had no additional information about Garoutte's death. Garoutte was assigned to the 1st Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Norfolk.Pelletier said Garoutte joined the Marine Corps in November 2005. A release from the Department of Defense said the incident is under investigation.

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq and the events leading up to it.. there has been so much loss for individuals across the globe. For me personally I've lost 4 friends. So my heart goes out to anyone who has had to endure the pain. This morning, that loss for me has hit a little closer to home.

I got an e-mail from my mom this morning telling me that my cousin's son Erik was one of our most recent military deaths in Iraq. I don't have any details of the death other than that it occurred on Sunday in the line of duty. He was a very young 22 and had only been in Iraq since August. He leaves behind two younger brothers who he was very close to.

This is a very difficult time for the family as they deal with this tragic loss they are also keeping their eyes on the hills in San Diego waiting to see if they will have to evacuate from the wild fires to safer ground.

Please keep my cousin Paul and family in your prayers. Pray that for a resolution and end to the war.

Take the time to consider how very important it is to always remember what REALLY matters. It's not money...things...possessions...ti's people. Memories. Take the time to tell the people around you how much you care. Life is short and precious.

If you get a moment stop by Paul's page and leave him a message of prayer and support. If for some reason he's set to private - send the e-mail. He'll be appreciative and so will I.

Love you all!!

"We support our troops and we will never forget that these brave men and women have given their lives for our country and our freedom."

To this date, 4,281 soldiers have died in this war and the casualties are increasing. Please support our troops and spread the word about Project Never Forget.

Stop by Project NEVER FORGET

(click on the jpg)

Project Never Forget would be honored to offer every familywho has lost a soldier in this war one personalized 3-D photo charm memorializing their loved one.

Worry

"How simple it is to see that all the worry in the world cannot control the future. How simple it is to see that we can only be happy now. And that there will never be a time when it is not now."

Things To Ponder

*Is my life really going down the toilet? I mean really now, I'm blogging about the most silliest and questionable thing here!!!

Do toilet seats really protect us from anything?

1. Just who flushes the toilet 2000 times to make sure the water still turns blue? And how many times do you think they lost count? (Contributed by Jim Adams)
2. Why is toilet paper advertised as "facial quality"? Do you really intend to use it on your face? (Contributed by Don F.)
3. Why do some public restrooms have signs posted that read 'Notice: Do Not Flush Anything Down This Toilet Except Toilet Paper'? Just how do they expect us to do that? (Contributed by Bill Edwards)
4. How come when you go to a gas station today you usually find the cash register open and the toilets locked? Are they trying to tell us that toilet paper is worth more than money? (Contributed by Joey B.)
5. Where are the toilets on the U.S.S. Enterprise? (Contributed by Don F.)
6. What's with the people who put carpeting on the lid of their toilet seat? Do they think that if they have a party there may not be enough standing room? (Contributed by Don F.)
7. Why are the toilet flush handles on the left side? (Contributed by Don F.)
   
8. Do toilet seats really protect us against anything? (Contributed by Don F.)
9. Why don't people put the new toilet paper roll on the spindle? (Contributed by Tanu)
10. Why do men put the new toilet paper roll with the new sheet to the back while women put the new sheet to the front? (Contributed by Tanu)

More questions to ponder here:
(click on banners to ponder some more)

Maxine Monday

The following was recieved in my email this morning and I know of quite a few people that would agree "Hands Down" on this little tid-bit... and I even ran it through SNOPES.com and Yes, it is an urban legend, I still tend to lean a bit towards the fact that "challenged" people at work can make your day a bit more trying! It being Maxine Monday, I thought it would go hand in hand with her infinite wisdom!! Since I couldn't get the picture to show up larger without distorting the words, I've typed out the article for you all... ENJOY!

Working with idiots can kill you!

Idiots in the office are just as hazardous to your health as cigarettes, caffeine or greasy food, an eye-opening new study reveals.

In fact, those dopes can kill you! Stress is one of the top causes of heart attacks - and working with stupid peole on a daily basis is one of the deadliest forms of stress, according to researchers at Sweden's Linbergh University Medical Centre.

The author of the study, Dr. Dagmar Anderson, says her team studied 500 heart patients, and were puzzled to find 64 percent had relatively few of the physcial risk factors commonly blamed for heart attacks.

"Then we questioned them about lifestyle habits, and almost all of these low-risk patients told us they worked with people so stupid they can barely find their way fromt eh parking lot to their office. And their heart attack came less than 12 hours after having a major confrontation with one of these oafs.

"One woman had to be rushed to the hospital after her assistant shredded important company tax documents instead of copying them. A man told us he collapsed righ at his desk because the woman at the next cubicle kept asking him for correction fluid - for her computer monitor.

"You can cut back on smoking or improve your diet," Dr. Andersson says, "but most people have very poor coping skills when it comes to stupidity - they feel there's nothing they can do about it, so they just internalise thier frustration until they finally explode."

Stupid co-workers can also double or triple someone's work load, she explains. "Many of our sujects feel sorry for the drooling idiots they work with, so they try to cover for them by fixing their mistakes. One poor woman spen a week rebuilding client records because a clerk put them all in the 'recycle bin' of her computer and then emptied it - she thought it meant the records would be recycled and used again."

"My Special Cat"

This is a final follow up to my original posting of "My Cat is Special" Project. It's been finished now for about two weeks, I had a hard time picking just the right frame and matt for it, plus all this OT I've been working has made it almost impossible to finish my little project.

Something that should have taken just one week to do, took so much longer... sorry...

BUT! HERE IT IS!!! The final project!!

So, Happy Belated Birthday... I hope you can find a "Special" spot for it.

A Cat's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,

The king-size bed is soft and deep...

I sleep right in the center groove

My human can hardly move!

I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight

And here is where I pass the night

No one disturbs me or dares intrude

Till morning comes and "I want food!"

I sneak up slowly to begin

My nibbles on my humans chin.

She wakes up quickly, I have sharp teeth -

And my claws I will unsheathe

For the morning's here and it's time to play

I always seem to get my way.

So thank you Lord for giving me

This human person that I see.

The one who hugs me and holds me tight

And sacrifices her bed at night.

~ Author Unknown ~

Easy Does It

I could learn from this one...

Work has been herendous for me lately and it has been taking it's toll, not so much exhuastion, but missing the finer things in life. I also know that this is all coming to an end soon. One thing I am learning in all this OT, is that, it's not so much the money, don't get me wrong, the money is good in the end, but... I miss PC, and the finer things in life are passing me by.

It isn't the load that weighs us down, it's the way we carry it.

~Anonymous

There is a saying in the entertainment world that it takes most performers at least twenty years to become overnight successes. Many a person who is impatient to set the world on fire could be served best by a discussion on "Easy Does It" and "One Step At A Time." Rome, they say, wasn't built in a day. Nor is character growth.

When we try to climb ladders several steps at a time, we invite accidents. But the advice "slow but sure" doesn't mean not making the effort. Progress is always more lasting when made with caution. We solve problems as they arise, rather than trying to move around them.

I risk losing serenity if I let impatience force me into trying to do too much in too short a time.

TGIF!!!

Even though, I see myself working tomorrow, I still have to say...

T.G.I.F!!!!!!!!

Here's a Funny for your Friday!!

The Female Genie

While trying to escape through Pakistan, Osama Bin Laden found a bottle on the beach and picked it up. Suddenly, a female genie rose from the bottle and with a smile said, "Master, may I grant you one wish?" Osama responded, "You ignorant, unworthy daughter-of-a-dog! Don't you know who I am? I don't need any common woman giving me anything."The shocked genie said, "Please, I must grant you a wish or I will be returned to that bottle forever." Osama thought a moment, then grumbled about the impertinence of the woman and said, "Very well, I want to awaken with three American women in my bed in the morning. So just do it and be off with you." The annoyed genie said, "So be it!" and disappeared. The next morning Bin Laden woke up in bed with Lorena Bobbitt, Tonya Harding, and Hillary Clinton at his side.

His penis was gone, his knees were broken, and he had no health insurance.

God is good!

Some Fun Stuff

As I sit here, waiting on 21 updates to load, after upgrading the memory on this ancient computer from 512 MB to 1 GB, I decided to catch up on some reading and Mushy's place took me to the following site that gave me a $ amount on what my body is worth!!!

It's not a whole lot, but it's something!!!

$4975.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth.

Within the same sight, I learned I'm 84% addicted to blogging... I find that a bit hard to believe as I haven't been blogging on a daily basis, nor have I kept up with my reading as I use to. These late night hours at work are going to kill me... well, the money will be good, but I'll be too freakin' tired to enjoy it all...

84%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Thanks Mushy!

Laugh WELL NEEDED! Re: Britney Spears

Ok, so I'm not really one to laugh at others misfortunes or trials!! In fact I only hope and pray for the best for all involved, especially the children!!

But...

In reading the following article:

On Monday, a judge ordered the 25-year-old pop singer to temporarily hand over custody of her two sons to her ex-husband, Kevin Federline. She was later granted some visitation rights, but another court order then required that her behavior be monitored during the visits with her kids.

I was lead to this:

The Big Debate

For the rest of the article you can go here.

You have to admit though, the debate is freakin' hilarious!

Reflections

Since our trip back to my home town, seeing all my family; brothers, sister, mom, cousins (cousins, I hadn't seen since I was in diapers as I was informed), I have been reflecting on "family" alot.

Anyone that knows me, I mean "really" knows me, knows that "FAMILY" is EVERYTHING to me. I know that some of you (or many) know and understand the emotion and the tie that I speak about. I would die for my family and protect them to any extent and do what I can to help.

Every morning and every night, I always lift up my family in prayer. I am in such a better place these last two years of my life, and I can only thank God for the path that I have been put on. I can proudly say that my priorities are: God, family and job, and I hope to pass on the importance of that order to my children. I have not been perfect when it comes to those priorities. I have placed "other" things as #1 and am now having to fight desperately to make up for that. Not to say that God or family were totally forgotten, because they weren't, but they definitely were not placed in the order that they should be. I'm not a perfect Christian/Catholic, girl/woman, I'm definitely NOT a perfect mother, but again, I'm fighting desperately to earn that lost time back and needless to say, God first, family second, then job and "Other Matters".

I have learned that, life is short, and family is always there, no matter what. Friends have come and gone, there are a very select few, and I do mean "FEW" people (in fact, I can count on one hand) that I can call friends, that have stayed in touch throughout the changes that life has thrown upon me and them. But family, FAMILY is still there! They love you unconditionally (for the most part), yes we can disagree, argue, etc... but we all get over it and when you are at the end of your rope and life is throwing you curves after curves and surprises after surprises, mountains and seas of emotions, I have always been able to count on family for advice, support, strength, courage and even some shoulders to cry on. I had to listen and take advice that I really wasn't ready to hear, or willing to hear, but they give it any way, because they really do care and they only want the best for me.

Before you know it though, time has passed us by and has stolen some precious moments, moments that can never, NEVER, be recovered. My Dad passed away five months before my baby daughter was born, Jan. 16, 1987. It killed us all! It killed me even more, because I lost alot of precious time with him that I could never get back. It still hurts, but I know, I know that I am bringing a smile to his face now. **Dad... I know you're with me every day and I have to say... God has brought a very wonderful man to my life and I'm happy now and he reminds me alot of you. He has all your qualities and characteristics and that makes him even more special to me. I felt you with us when we were in El Paso and I know that I have your blessings too.

Mom isn't getting younger, her mind and heart though,is that of a young girl, still laughs and remembers so very much. I can only hope that I can be that young in mind and spirit when I gt to be her age. *I hope to see you in December mom.

Mom, recently said goodbye to her house that was bought for her and earned hard by my dad. It wasn't easy for her, just as it wasn't easy for any of us to see our childhood memories, flooded and ripped apart by nature and thieves. After the house was sold, thieves came through and stole whatever they could, even if it was attached to the house, bolted down. They stripped it. They stripped the iron work fence where the flooding water broke through the wall, they stole the iron work door, windows, the heating unit in the house. It was sad to see, but the memories WILL live on.

This is what's left right now of my childhood, "Childhood turned ghost town". What you see are abandoned cars, no one lives there now. The entire two streets plus a few apartments down the main road of Durazno were bought out by the city. Thieves have now taken over.

Take this time to cherish every moment you have with family....! Never take it for granted, The time you lose can never be regained or made up.

I found the following poem and I have to say thank you to the author for the words so eloquently put.

I love my family so much.

To be apart of a family like mine

is so divine

where love is shown hurt is shared

our love for each other is never impaired

we talk

we laugh

we cry

but we are a family

and we do it all together

for as a family

we do it all as one

you hurt one

you hurt all

and as a family unit

we will all stand tall

for we are family a family

full of strength

a family full of love

a family no one can touch

that's why I love my family so much.

~Mahfooz Ali

TURN IT UP! TURN IT UP LOUD!!!"How You Live" by Point of Grace

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Not much to be said... it's all right here in front of you...

Won't take but a quick second, Click on the jpg and "Click To Give Free Mammograms"

With a simple, daily click of the pink "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Breast Cancer Site, visitors help to provide free mammograms for women in need. Visitors pay nothing. Mammograms are provided by our charitable partners.