Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A Wonderful Poem Found on Facebook


Please Listen.


When I ask you to listen to me
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
you are trampling on my feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something
to solve my problem,
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.

Listen!
All I ask is that you listen.
Don't talk or do - just hear me.
Advice is cheap - 20 cents will get you both
Dear Abby and Billy Graham in the same newspaper.
And I can do for myself; I am not helpless.
Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.

When you do something for me that I can
and need to do for myself,
you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.
But when you accept as a simple fact
that I feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,
then I can stop trying to convince you
and get about this business of understanding
what's behind this irrational feeling.
And when that's clear, the answers are obvious
and I don't need advice.
Irrational feelings make sense
when we understand what's behind them.

Perhaps that's why prayer works - sometimes -
for some people, because God is mute.
and he doesn't give advice or try to fix things.
God just listens and lets you work it out for yourself.

So please listen, and just hear me.
And if you want to talk,
wait a minute for your turn,
and I will listen to you.

Author Unknown

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

It's Holiday Shopping Time!

Happy Holidays!


Have any animal lovers in your life? You do? Well then, here's some great gift ideas from our store for your shopping consideration :)















Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Holiday Shopping Time is Here...Woohoo!



Tis the season to shop, so everyone stop by my stores and see all the great new products now available. I've been busy designing and publishing pretty much 24/7 for a long time to get it all ready for this time of year so I'm excited for the holiday shopping season to begin!














It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week! I'll be cooking a big dinner as well as attending a party in the coming weeks, so amazingly, work will be put on hold momentarily for some fun then it's backl to work again. What a great time of year!

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

A Busy Autumn

It's now early October, I've been 47 now for one whole month though I still feel about 25 in spirit :) It's a busy time here at my studio as I work on items for my store and anticipate the return of my "old" (only 2.5 yrs old) Dell from the repair people. The Dell has all my business/graphics software on it, whereas the new one doesn't. It's been nearly three months since I've used my Photoshop and I miss it. I haven't had the time to mess with learning the new graphics program that came with the new computer yet. It's important to be fully accustomed to software in order to be able to draw and paint with ease and competence. When I feel stress of not knowing a program, my art suffers. So, I'm going to welcome back the old computer, and my old Photoshop with open arms.

Learning new computer programs is enough to make me, a generally mild mannered person, become a flaming, hot tempered nutcase if I get frustrated enough. So it's best for me to hole up with the program and immerse myself with it, muttering cuss words under my breath from time to time as I plug away at figuring it all out. I even turn the tv off sometimes, and don't let anyone near me when I'm doing this, because it's best to work alone and fight it out with the computer. The satisfaction of learning it well is what comes in the end, though, and is worth well worth the effort. I have a few of these programs that I need to do this with, but won't give them the full attention that they deserve until the busy holiday retail season is over, in January.

Right now, I'm preoccupied in making quality products for my store, getting rid of those that aren't good enough and keeping my mind as calm as possible so that my creativity flows. I must be totally dilligent with focusing on what I'm doing and staying clear of stress, put my nose to the grindstone and work until a break is needed, ignoring distractions. When I emerge from my work bubble, I chat on Facebook, take my parents out to eat or talk to/see friends.

Life is busy and good. The cats go into "sleep" mode as I work. It's cold and dark out, a good time to be productive from the warmth and comfort of home. I just got around to ordering a heavy winter coat recently, just in time for winter. Last year I was too busy to do much quality shopping so it feels good to get a lovely long length coat (L.L.Bean) that can keep up with the harsh winters of living in the snow belt of northern Ohio. Coat and sweater-weather rocks. Down in Florida it was too hot to wear much of anytihng and I missed heavy coats, blankets and the like. I like soft, fuzzy fabrics and plan on buying lots of fleece and flannel clothing again this winter, too.

So, while most of the world gets ready to shop a lot this holiday season, I plan on working pretty much nonstop, then shopping sales later on once the retail madness ends. No time right now for trips, boyfriends, etc. When a business is totally a passion like mine is, forgoing other things as I work hard is not a sacrifice at all. I love my work and it seems to love me back. My profits are consistently up, up, up. Remembering people who laughed at me long ago, calling me names like "Crazy Cat Lady" for naming my business after cats or "Recluse" because I work so much, touche! I get the last laugh as you go to your 9 - 5 job, working for someone else who tells you what to do all day long. My life is my own, I have my own water cooler and work here at my lovely mahogany executive desk. Nobody yells at me to get them coffee or calls me "sweetie" or "honey", love it. Years of discipline pays off. Above money and all else, my freedom is priceless.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

On Dealing With People Who Aren't Very Nice

Life has been going well in general. I crave peace, and an existance free of drama, as I work hard on my business happily from home. Still, there are people who are hard to deal with, hard to love at times and are in generally very disappointing to me that I keep in my life despite their hot/cold, Jekyll/Hyde personalities. It's very frustrating to me, when you want to love family members who love me back but in a less than healthy manner. I do my best to keep firm boundaries and get heck for it: put downs, assumptions that I am the problem, never them. It hurts. Why, I ask myself was I born into a family who spends so much time complaining, picking on others for their faults (weight, etc), and then pretend to be oh so nice to the world to cover their true personalities. Many people just walk away from people like this. I only choose to stay because they are the people who gave me life and I do love them.

It's really frustrating when I listen to my parents make rude comments about those who are overweight, including myself. Jokes, rude comments (that only we, not the person in question..except me..hear). Who died and made them the weight police? I've endured so much crap about the weight I have on me, which I have gained and lost like a yo-yo on and off through life. Serious, mean comments and digs made to "shape me up" and "make me see the light". I tell my mother to stop, yet she loves to do it anyhow, saying things like, "There sure are a lot of fat people in this store today, they are all walking time bombs!" (or something to that effect). All my life I've heard these things. And been told at times, "You shouldn't have a birthday cake, you don't need the calories", etc. I went out and bought my own cake anyways, nobody was ever going to control me or my life - as hard as they wanted to..and continue to want to.

As I have gotten older, I've had to endure being treated like a "second class citizen" who is "less than" them, needing endless, digging "advice" for simple, obvious things that I know. Many parents do this, but mine have made it their mission to try and tell me what to do, think, say as an adult to the point of put-downs, cruel comments and other bad things if I don't "step in line". Being strong willed and having a mind of my own, I have fought it all the way, as it's MY life and I can take care of myself. My way. It's called "stubborn" and "pig-headed" by my parents but to me, it's called "health". And I am steadfast in my beliefs, which just annoys them and gives them cause to criticize, lecture and pick on anything different than who they are and what they think. They endlessly gripe about every commercial on tv, how "they shouldn't do that", or "that is stupid". It is like they are trying to make themselves authorities on what is wrong and right in their own worlds. The truth of the matter is, the world doesn't revolve around them and their beliefs, and neither do I.

So, I gripe. I'm tired of being picked on, lectured, looked down upon. I want to love my mother despite endless crap and abuse she's dished throughout the years. Years of therapy and help from the authorities when I was young has taught me that my thoughts matter, that I am better than that. I am stronger now, and am trying to figure out now, in my middle age, how to deal with them at this stage in life. They come over and we usually have a good time when they do, but then in an instant it can all go to hell by something my mother says. She likes picking fights then looking down her nose at me when I don't listen or fight back. I don't have to deal with her if I don't want to, and sometimes I back away. I've moved out of the country, across the US to get away from her and her mouth, but now I'm back and love Ohio so I'm not going anywhere. I want to make it work between her and I but I won't stand for abuse. From either of them. Nobody should have to worry about this kind of thing, I have seen healthy families who get along and respect one another and so I know what healthy relating is. How I wish it was consistent and a norm with us.

So, I work, and work hard. I cherish friends and my pets. Life is good otherwise. I cherish the knowledge that I have on abuse and how to deal with it, and the very capable therapists who taught me about it long ago. Sure, there's more to learn about it, and I'm no expert, but I hold my ground, keep the boundaries as firm as I can. My mild manner is who I truly am, kind and laid back. Mother used to tell me how I was "hyperactive" as a child, but the doctors said that wasn't true. It feels good as an adult knowing my own truths, and no matter how much mud is slung at me, I know that I am OK and that nobody defines me but me. If only the pain would go away, of wanting a family free of aggressiveness, cruel remarks and hot/cold treatment. Therapists used to say that this will never change so I accept and deal with it. This is what a survivor is, and I am proud of living through it. And for accomplishing things that were never expected of me. With hard work, dedication and knowledge, my life is good, after all. I thank God every day for it.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Getting Used to a New Computer

After my barely four year old Dell desktop decided to bite the dust, I got myself a new laptop. It's shiny, new and really nice..love it. The old computer is now at the repair shop, and I'll get it back later, after spending about $250 to get it fixed. I was going to forget about it but then I found out that my trusted graphic programs, all very expensive years ago when I bought them, no longer work when loaded into a new computer. Uuuuuugggh!! Computers, if it's not one thing, it's another!

So, in about a month I get the old computer back, and I'll be back in business at least on it. Till then, I get to play with my laptop, not doing much in the way of productivity but at least I can chat with friends, check my email and research things. I'm not complaining, as my business is set up to run itself, and I just collect the money..still, it's nice to be productive. I will make myself useful one way or another with the new computer in time and opening my wallet yet again to fork out big bucks for the professional Adobe products I use so much. I knew it was only a matter of time before the old programs became obsolete on new equipment, and now that milestone has been reached. Actually, I stretched their use out for at least five years longer than I'd expected to, so all in all, I did well.

At least I'm online. I am happy to be reconnected after being forced to be computerless for a few weeks. It was like going back to the pre-technology days, before computers were the norm. A dark and dismal place I would prefer not to return to :D
Time to go look at the prices of new programs. I'll get it together sooner or later. Note to self: Always have a backup computer ready to go with work software at the ready at all times! Until I get that old computer out of the repair joint, it's kind of a welcome break to just have fun online, and not work compulsively all the time for a change. I haven't played Solitaire in awhile..guess I'll indulge myself..time to be non-productive in style, with a super-fast processor and tons of memory.

Friday, April 30, 2010

On Saving Good Horses From Becoming Dog Food

Lately I've been thinking about getting a horse. Having had one as a child/teen, I want to do the whole thing over again, even if I am middle-aged. Instead of getting a horse the normal way (have a reputable trainer go find a suitable one), this time I plan on getting a horse eventually from rescuers who go to save perfectly good horses from the idiotic and barbaric kill auctions, who send horses to slaughter. Horses are "thrown away" there from the racetrack, taken there when irresponsible owners don't care and just want the horse out of their lives, and from various other places. It doesn't mean the horse is bad, or has poor conformation/manners. Horses with famous bloodlines, purebreds and more end up at these terrible places.

For a few hundred bucks, you can bail a horse out of these places and then take it home to quarantine (to make sure it is fully healthy) before putting out with other horses. Some rescuers bail out and quarantine horses themselves, such as:

Voice For Horses
http://www.voiceforhorses.org/adoptapp.htm

Having looked at all the photos of available horses, and being quite picky about what horse I would want, I see many very lovely ones who are young, sound, with great looks and manners. It makes me so sad that these lovely animals end up in places so sinister and deadly. I think it is a good way to find a horse and at the same time, save a life. With the economy being as bad as it is, those who worry about affording a horse can find this way of getting one a lot less expensive than paying many thousands of dollars for one through a trainer. With love, patience and maybe some training, rescue horses are rehabbed every day into family pets, show animals too. It just pays to be vigilant in knowing what you want and checking out the animal in person if possible. Calculate how much it would cost to board, vet, shoe and care for the horse. Make sure you can afford it, because owning a horse costs plenty of money on an ongoing basis.

These animals deserve people who love them, not to end up in dog food. If you want a horse, then consider going to the auctions such as Sugarcreek in Ohio, Camelot in New Jersey, and others or talking to nonprofit horse rescue agencies who go to these places. It's well worth the risk.

So, I'm watching and waiting for the right horse opportunity to come up. I am patient and taking my time. I want a big, young to young-ish hunter/jumper type who moves well, is sound and beautiful. They are at the auctions, lots of them. One will be mine, it's only a matter of time.

Example of a horse in the Camelot auction:



683 - QH gelding, 15 hh, buckskin, 3 white socks, barrel racer, fast, 10 yrs old, registered ranch horse, nice turns, dead broke, nice turns $550


This is Camelot Auction:
http://www.nj-feedlot-horse-rescue.com/availablecamelot.html

Monday, February 01, 2010

My New Website is Up and Running

It's been a busy month here at my studio, as I tackle a few different projects at once.
First of all, I have a new website (yes, I broke down and got myself a site and domain)! It's a work in progress as I keep updating it but here is what it looks like so far:

http://twopurringcats.com

So far, the site shows some of my many products and a pictorial backround on me. It will have much more content of different kinds, as I go along.


Other recent news..my products are going to be given out to the celebrities at the ESPY awards held in the near future at the Playboy mansion in California. I'm busy assembling the products that will be sent there, as someone will be there for me, I'm not going.

Here's a few photos given to me by mom over the weekend, from the past..


Note the very big hair, lol.

Here's a few from my Mexico days:







I am gladly out of the tropical heat now, firmly planted back in Ohio. It is wonderful to be home. It feels good to slow down and stay put for a change. I love small town life. NO drama, craziness (the polar opposite of living in Florida) and horse stables everywhere. I will start riding again when I have the time. For now, it's non-stop work on my business, which I really enjoy doing.


"Beau"
Vote



"Fluffy"
Vote

Monday, January 18, 2010

New at the store for Valentine's Day : http://ping.fm/f9MTY
Fast shipping & secure ordering!