Aspects Of An Anniversary

What do you do for your anniversary?   Somehow Merrill and I started going out for an anniversary dinner to a favorite or new restaurant. We started this due to our finances; like everyone we have bills that eat up our paychecks and debt to pay down so it seemed like the most sensible thing to do. Remember, I'm not talking McDonald's here; nice place but even Timmie's is an improvement on a special occasion. Before we moved to Prince Edward Island two years ago; its been two years, eight months the end of May, coming up but am I counting??  Anyway, since we moved here from our beloved Alberta where we had a favorite place we'd go that this island sorely lacks. There is no replacing a good Buffet!  There is one here but once was enough at the price they charge for what you get in return.


The first aspect is how you chose to celebrate your anniversary and since anything goes within reason, there are no set rules. From dinner out, a movie, a night on the town, dancing, a weekend getaway if you can afford it, exchanging gifts. Maybe you can farm out the kids to a neighbor or grandparents... Better yet, get them to clean the house while your gone!

If you're like me, kinda like with Christmas, you plan for it well ahead of time. To that end here is one thing that I do to make it more special. Say you have some spare cash (HA!) excuse the laugh, I'm still working on that part. 
Ok, so you know those gift cards you see in every store that is allowed to carry them, every time I can afford it I invest in one, from my favorite stores of course, I purchase. Then I tuck them safely away and more often than not, forget they exist. Then something comes up and I go on a hunt for them. I try to do this, once every month and for a sizable amount like 50 bucks to make it worthwhile as, lets face it, $10 even $25 just doesn't count for much anymore. But, I have to say that when it comes from a friend or family member, it is very much appreciate.

Are you a coupon clipper?  I've become one but, I go online to my favorite stores and new stores that I find and get my coupons that way. Always making sure that its a worthwhile item, at least something I'd actually buy and the expiration date is not too close to hand. Sometimes one can come across a good spa deal or gym promotion if one is keeping an eye out. Sounds ridiculous ~~ a coupon to get the vehicle fixed for half price will mean a great deal to hubby!  A free hair cut and style will literally make a new woman out of the Mrs's, especially around Spring ~~ the time when we get antsy and run after any change that presents itself. 

If nothing else, hand your spouse a gift card and send them shopping!  No worry ~ no guilt, you've had it paid for months ago and you where lucky to find it again!!  Might as well use it, its money already spent anyway. Remember when you actually enjoyed such things before you got in the habit of counting the pennies in your purse??

Enjoy, guilt free!


Catspaw

A Personal Introduction to My Readers

Hello and Welcome to my Blog, dear reader. 

My name is Stephanie; I live in a tiny hamlet called Emerald on Prince Edward Island in the extreme east of Canada called the Maritime. My husband, Merrill and I live in a little house on a local dairy where he works. Four cats share our home and our lives: Molly (Drama Queen), Sassy (Matron), Emerald (Princess) and Winston (School Boy). These are accurate descriptions of their personalities right now. I say right now because their dispositions change over time. 

We moved to the island two years ago in a seven day road trip from Penhold, Alberta with two overloaded vans, an encumbered, homemade box trailer and three loudly complaining cats in carriers. As much of an adventure that it was, it’s not one I would care to repeat any time soon. 

I was brought up with cats as a child and have raised and rescued cats and kittens many times over successfully, these experiences have included finding and securing excellent homes for them when necessary; sometimes nursing them back from the brink of death. I have made my own cat foods, experimented with various organic cat litters and performed my own brand of naturopathy when the occasion called for it. 

I can write an ad to find a home for a six month old stray or an abandoned throwaway and get a call the same afternoon once the post goes live. I can offer stories of my own involvements with my companions and the experiences of friends; one whose family operates a dairy and is listed as a ‘colony’ for stray and barn cats. Another who works with Humane Societies to catch, to provide care and find homes for.  I can also offer advice, recipes for homemade treats and an upcoming eBook that Merrill is working on with designs for a totally unique cat walk that can be set in front of a window or over a tv area in your home. 

It is my intent, dear reader that you will find some of this information entertaining, helpful and just plain fun to read. I hope you will follow me in my new venture with this Blog and gain insights, wisdom and more enjoyment from your own furry friends as some of it will be told by them. I will be including pictures of my cats to share them and their dazzling temperaments with you as I introduce them to you, one at a time and share their stories.

Thank you for stopping by and if you love cats, add me to your follow list. If you have a Blog, I’d love to have the link. 

Stephanie   a.k.a. Catspaw