RESOLUTIONS

Online Thesaurus.com says that the word Resolutions belongs in Category 1 and means Acts of Volition or determination and strong will. There are a few other words that I will take for my own this year: boldness, constancy, courage, fixed purpose, fortitude, mettle, moxie, resolve, spirit, tenacity, willpower and decisiveness. 

 

Dictionary.com has this to say about the word,

1. Noun: a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization; a legislature, a club, or other group. Compare concurrent resolution, joint resolution.

2. A resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

3. The act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

4. The mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

5. The act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.

 

Being the first day of the New Year everyone will welcome it with the usual round of resolutions, the promises we make and break to ourselves, our loved ones and possibly the Lord too. I've always considered it to be a silly tradition because tradition is what it has become. Instead, may I suggest making a choice of a few words that have a meaning or power to you and setting your will on them. Its just too easy to go back on our word and the resolution that seemed so powerful and life-changing at first, is suddenly drained dry when we really don't feel like following through on it anymore, which will inevitably happen. 

 

Why make promises when a single word can carry more power and purpose in it, especially if you have certain goals to meet this year. Mine are simple because simple is easier to achieve...

 

1.   Save $2,080 by the end of 2013 (I already have $240). Seems small, doesn't it; but when you have obligations to meet and a budget to plan, working this in is HUGE.

2.   Read my Bible daily. (I finished Isaiah last November). I start 2013 with Jeremiah. 

3.   Work on a few personal goals.

4.   Start writing my stories again and get them finished by the end of the year in manuscript form. 

Well, so far so good... its only day 1.

Catspaw

   

 

 

CHRISTMAS CAT TREE

There was a mystery gift and it wasn't under the Christmas tree. Rather it was sequestered in behind the tv and covered over with a blue blanket ~ its hasty wrapping paper. When, what to my wondrous eyes should appear...

A brand new cat tree for the cats to enjoy! Me too, actually, because now they won't be on every other surface in the house and since they lost their last cat tree this past spring, they've been wanting one back. 
My husband made this tree from bits of rough hewn wood he found round the dairy. When, I don't know and when he got it into the house and down the stairs into the basement where I rarely go, I don't know and he isn't telling...
But I've been asking for one for a-g-e-s to keep the cats off other kitchen surfaces that they've claimed as their own and out from under my feet.

four cats in a tree

 

After putting it in the kitchen for the time being its become the most popular place in the house! Come January it will go in the living room front window.

This is the only way Molly and Sassy will share - 1. when they can't see each other and 2. when they are on different tiers.

The morning's entertainment on Boxing Day 2012;

For once Molly isn't hitting Winston and she can't see Blackie, so he's safe.
Of course, there's a story here, the grey cat on the highest tier is a little female; the one beside is a male...

Since she was fixed she's gained weight and  attitudes toward every cat that used to beat her up. 

So guess what?

Winston and the Grey male sharing the cat tree on Boxing Day morning.

Pretty much, you guessed it; she will take after any cat now...

Barn cats sharing a homemade cat tree

Happy Christmas to Everyone, including you're pets!

Prosperity, Family and Good Friends are all very welcome in the New Year ~ 2013

Catspaw

TIS' THE SEASON ~~~

Tis the season to wish everyone happiness and the holiday spirit. Gladness, sharing and entertaining with friends and family, exchanging gifts that are unknown to you and surprises coming out of brightly wrapped packages... but I'm reminded that not everyone has these things.

As the day ends on Prince Edward Island, my husband is at work on the dairy doing the second milking of the cows while I am alone in the house; the owner and his son are with their families...

There is just the two of us and we spent the holiday alone watching cartoons of Scrooge and indulging in the chips and pop while the ham, potatoes and carrots cooked for dinner. A few gifts I bought for him and for myself, and wrapped myself, are still under the tree unopened. I know what all of them are - 

No family to share with but he did surprise me with a gift I had no idea that he made for me and smuggled into the basement, where I rarely go...

Not everyone necessarily welcomes this time of year.

 

Catspaw

NEW IDEA ON THE OLD TRADITION OF CARDS

A friend of mine, who has her own blog, has already sent out 63 Christmas Cards! The only difference between hers and the ones I will be sending is that she made them all herself.

www.tammydowney.blogspot.com 

This is a site to check out if you would like to see what can be done and what crafting and stamping cards is all about. 

Examples:

"This card took me a few hours to make. First, I had to pick out the colors I wanted, design the background of the brick wall then do the wreath, I know I'm not the only crafter/stamper out there that spends hours on a card." (quote from Tammy Downey)

If you like that card, here are a few more of her latest creations ~ over this weekend ~

This card was made by her 9 year old daughter using 'Notes with Envelopes along with the Button Buddies kit'...

And these are 'Tammy's first go around with the NO PEEKING stamp set.'

What's in a card these days?  Considering what you pay for cards and you never stop at one, even at the dollar store; it just might be worth checking out her site and ordering a kit or two that will cover the cards you will need for every occasion in the coming New Year. Or, give a kit as a gift to a friend, neighbor or family member who is into crafts. Better yet, try it yourself and treat yourself to a kit! 

I doubt I have a 'crafty' bone in my body but this year I'm going to make some Holiday decorations ~ who knows, if this takes and I find I enjoy it, I'll have a new hobby in 2013; maybe one that could lead to some cash...  

Here are some more of the cards she's created. Intrigued by Vintage? Take a gander at these, you can't get these at any store that I know of...

                   Thank You Card in a new technique called
                      Faux Frame, adding a vintage feel to it.

Vintage and a bit of technique leads to a gorgeous and very masculine birthday card that any man would appreciate.

 


Here is the feminine version. Both these cards were created using sponging, embossing and watercolor techniques.




I don't know about you but I can usually, after more than one store and a whole lot of searching, find a suitable card for the female members of my family and friends, but when it comes to men...  Frankly, there just isn't much out there that's suitable. The main thing I dislike above all others is the fact that the store bought cards always have some sappy sentiment written in them that almost always is unsuitable even if I like the card. 

Yes, you can get cards that are blank but they are less then attractive on the cover more times than not. Check out her sites, Tammy has two of them and both are on the right side of my blog. There's Stampin' Up to order the kits at and Tammy Downey's Blog "Love To Create" to see the cards she has created and the latest information about how to create them.

Hey, if I can do this, so can you! 

Catspaw