Down Holiday Memory Lane

It was December - I was 15 and working at Toys R Us. I was in 10th grade and felt like I had finally arrived at my maturity peak. (hilarious).


I had lost weight, got colored contacts the summer before and has several boys from school interested in me (which up to that point was just an impossible dream.) I was "in love" with one of the seniors, Jeff Hunter. I thought he was just to die for. ha ha ha. Looking back, I see how he humored me and made me feel special with his meaningless flirting.

Ahhh to be 15 again. On second thought, looking back, I wouldn't want to do it all again.

Anyways, I was a cashier at Toys R Us and surrounded by adults and college kids working the busy holiday season. I was all dressed up that day because after work, my parents were picking me up to go to my aunt's christmas party. She always threw the most lavish parties during Christmas and I always looked forward to them because all the older cousins would gather together and sneak wine coolers from the bar. I know. I can't believe we never got caught.

This particular party was one I was looking forward to, because there was a guy, who was about 4 years older than me, that was going to be there who I thought was cute. So fickle at 15. So much for my "maturity" plateau. I was in a nosedive down that mountain!

So, I remember the drive there (it was all the way in Vista, CA) and I remember my gramps drinking until he got that Irish brogue that made him seem like a leprechaun, but I don't remember much of the party after that.

The one memory that stands out the most is when we were leaving. I was saying goodbye to everyone, stalling, because I didn't see this guy anywhere and I wanted to say goodbye. All of a sudden someone hugs me from behind and I glanced up and it was that guy. Swoon. I saw his lips coming toward me and I stuck out my cheek, just anticipating his kiss.

Then his lips came down on mine.

The feeling I felt at that time was literally like I was floating. I don't remember leaving the party, the long drive home, the next week. In fact, I don't even remember Christmas that year.

But that one small insignificant kiss by this insignificant guy made a lasting impression on a self-esteem challenged 15 year old that Christmas.

Now I look back and think about him and think, Oh Gross. ha ha ha.

But the memory will remain a sweet one to me, just because being 15 and having a boy you like kiss you is every girl's wish.

Where's the mistletoe, I need another sweet memory to get me through the next 15 years!

Queen Cat

All I Want For Christmas...

Since Thanksgiving, the thought of doing something for someone during this season that is less fortunate than me has weighed on my mind.

It's an inner struggle. Because, I don't want to take away from the people I love (selfish, I know) and then I feel like whatever I can do wouldn't be enough anyways... it's an emotional battle.

I am keeping my eyes, ears and heart open this season. I would love to be able to do something even if it's a small gesture for someone who would never expect it.

I have been the receiver of so much, it's time to be the giver.

Queen Catherella

Finding Buble

Sitting at work in 2004, I discovered Windows Media Radio. I know, I am totally behind on the technological times, but slowly I am discovering what this wonderful electronic world has to offer me.


I have thousands of songs on my computer. I brought in all my cds, so that I could have music to listen to at work and after only a few short weeks, I got bored with my music. So I thought I'd venture out into cyperspace and see what kind of stations they had.


Now I love, love, love Jazz and Pop Standards. Nostalgic music from the mid 20th century. So I found me a great little station that played some great Rosemary and Frank, Dean and Perry...



...and Michael.


























Now, there was an a.m. channel here in the OC that played a lot of Michael Buble, and I already knew his name and heard him sing for a few years prior, but it wasn't until I discovered that online, you can see pictures of the cd covers as you listen to the music, that I finally saw Michael for the first time.


wow.


First off, I couldn't believe how young he was. Secondly, of course, I found out just how drop dead gorgeous he is. Thus started my long lived crush on my Michael.
















I found Michael before most people even knew how to pronounce his name.


And then, the world discovered him.
























Ahhhh Michael, you charmer.

Buble Baby, you are perfect ....


Love,
Queen Catherella

'Tis The Season...

Oh what fun...

It's Christmas Time!

The Hustle and Bustle is here...

The shopping and wrapping and decorating and eating!

My favorite part of Christmas is when I find that perfect gift that someone wanted and then the anticipation begins as I wait for Christmas Morning so I can see the look on their face!!

Last year, one of my favorite gifts that I gave was a calendar to my sister... you may think that sounds like an ordinary, impersonal gift, but really it wasn't just any old calendar. I had it special made with pictures of guys that she really liked! Colin Firth, Logan Bartholomew and Dylan McDermott! YUM! Her face was awesome when she opened that gift up!

Also, I got my mom an antique mirror that was stamped with her birth year on the back! That was a great find! I was sooooo excited when she finally saw it!

This year, even though finances are a bit tighter than ever before... I plan on really making it as special as I can for the ones I love.

It seems every year that my circle of love grows... this year, I have the privilege of having a new sister (even though she's been in the circle for the past 6 plus years...). It will be interesting to see what I can find for her and my brother this year.... (they married this past Saturday and are currently on their honeymoon... living on love... ha ha ha) ...

Well I guess the bigger the circle gets the richer my life is!

So 'tis the season of gift giving and sharing... for isn't that what Christmas is all about? I've already received that greatest gift from the love of my life.... The Holy Ghost! What more can I ask for? It's the gift that keeps giving!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From The Queen's Castle

HRH Queen Catherella

Giving Thanks

Doesn't the word "thanks" seem so inadequate
when it comes to the true meaning of thankfulness?

The one thing above all that I can say I am thankful for everyday (and consciously acknowledge every day) ... is that for some unknown reason to me, God has chosen to keep me from myself, the world & the enemy. I see others who walked a path similar to mine and became caught in the world and their own carnality. So now, their eyesight is poor, their motives cloudy and their joy gone.

Now I am far, very far, from being a saint of any kind. There is no one perfect but God himself.

But to see the times that I had fallen and somehow got back up... to look back at my failures and mistakes and still be able to look toward a bright and promising future... even to see the flaws in my present state... and know that I am still a usable vessel.... how do you say thanks? True gratitude of this magnitude is completely incomprehensible.

So in this case, today, I am hoping with crossed fingers that the saying "less is more" will work in my favor.

There are not enough words to express what Thanksgiving means in 2006 to me. The blessings that this year has brought, the trials that have made me stronger, the chastisements that have kept me on the straight and narrow path, and above all, the friendship that I've found in You Lord....



To sum it all up...
To God Be The Glory

I love you Lord.
Queen Cat

The Hunting Lodge Tour

Ok, before we get too excited, I am not actively
hunting "big game" so to speak...

However, let's suppose that I am.

What kind of qualities would I look for?

Well, I'm glad you asked.

I will gladly share with you my
requirements for bringing any
type of game into my hunting lodge.
(which I affectionly call - )

"The Queen's Catch"

Here are the "ROYAL" requirements:


TOP 5
1. Must live at the foot of the Cross.
2. Must dine at the King's Table.
3. Must wear the whole Armor of God.
4. Must be under leadership (and cheerful about it!)
5. Must not be so Heavenly minded that he's no earthly good!

And all the rest....

Must be masculine
Must have AMBITION
Must not be a job hopper
Must have a strong intellect
Must be independant and dependable
Must have passion
Must have an intelligient sense of humor
Must respect his parents, leaders, etc.
Must love music
Must want and love children


My age (give or take 2-3 years)

Preferrable Caucasian
DIMPLES
Tall (5'10 or taller)
Medium to Dark Hair (wavy or curly if possible)
Green eyes
Medium to Husky Build
Not too muscular
Great Dresser!
Nice Shoulders


Good kisser
Fun to be around
Relaxed
No Drama
Easy Going



Perfection....

Purpose

Quote of the Day:

"When your life has purpose, there are no accidents..."


Ok, so I'm quoting myself. (laughs) But it is so true.

In prayer on Saturday night, running through my head were two words:

Purpose and Passion

Now don't get caught up in the whole Purpose-Driven Life hoopla.

There is my purpose and there is God's purpose.

So I figure the only way to achieve true Purpose is to let go of my will/purpose/plans/agenda.

When I do that, there are no accidents. Because God is always in control.

He never loses control or "accidently" allows things to happen.


God does not have the word "WHOOPS" in His vocabulary!

What joy to know that my life is in good hands...


Queen Cat

The Trophy Room Tour

Rewards~

I have never been the one who took awards home from school.
I never win raffles
I never ever win drawings
I never get first place in anything...

I don't bother with sweepstakes or send in cereal tops, becauseI know that with me, there's no point...

I'm just not one of those people...

But don't feel sorry for me, or mistaken this for a pity party.

If I placed value on such rewards, I would definitely be a miserable grumpy person.

However, I can say that I reap rewards by the barrel full. It's not a trophy you can touch, or money to put in the bank. It's not even a piece of paper, proclaiming my accomplishments.

. It's pictures like this -

To know that I touched a child's life, to know that I am partly responsible for helping a child fall in love with Jesus, that is all the reward I need...

Maybe that's why I love what I do so much.
I get to witness the outcome of my hard work and labor.
I get to share hugs and kisses and stories and games with
the world's next generation.
And I get to be a part of the future, by instilling truths into these children.

What more reward do I need than that? I am rich indeed!

"IF"

The Great Rudyard Kipling~
We all know him as the writer of "The Jungle Book".



When I was 7-8 years old, I had such a crush on Mowgli. I always envied the little Indian girl who got his attention at the end of the Disney animated version of Mr. Kipling's book.


(I also envied the fact that she could balance
a large water pot on her head...)






But then as I grew older (and hopefully wiser) I read a poem written by Rudyard Kipling that has become my favorite poem of all time. Words of wisdom such as this are so rare to find outside of the Bible, yet with so many Biblical truths in it.

I strive to be the person described in this tale of someone growing into adulthood.

At 31, I can see how far I have yet to go.

As I attempt to achieve the status of a mature adult, at the same time I hope I never "arrive" and that I continue to find ways to become better than yesterday.


The poem's title is simply "IF".

[IF]

~
If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

But make allowance for their doubting too,

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,

If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

1 Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Queen Catherella

* the word "man" is used loosely in this blog to mean an adult regardless of gender

The Wedding Chapel Tour

I admire and love weddings
..... from afar.

Romantic, Intimate, Personal and Visually Beautiful
Everything a Woman needs to keep her dreams alive...





Being involved in one is much more challenging.

In the end my question will be - is it worth all this?

I know the right answer is yes, but as a perfectionist (slash) procrastinator
Nothing seems good enough, and time is never on my side
(once I've wasted all the usable minutes that is....)

Why should it matter so much to me?
First and formost, it's for my brother.
That says it all.

Secondly, those who know me, know it's my nature to jump
in and try to corral, plan, opinionize, criticize and
generally think that I can do all things
and that I know all things.


Annoyed yet?
Don't worry, stick with me long enough
and you will be.


News Flash - I know that I'm not all-knowing,
but it doesn't seem to stop me from trying to be.


So here I am, wanting only the best, knowing that
the grandeur and glory that I have built up in my mind,
is something that physically can not be lived up to, and still
wondering if I can help to somehow give them stars
in their already dreamy eyes.

Weddings are a lot of work, but I guess I should be glad
to know that when it's all over and done with,
the newlyweds have a lifetime of
the "REAL" work cut out for them....

... while I get to go home and get some sleep.

Perspective - always manages to put me in my place.


~Queen Catherella~

The Family Room Tour

King Regent Bingley & Queen Mum Bingley preside over this clan...

Queen Catherella (circa 1975 -)

Prince Pedo (circa 1981 -)

Princess Bee (circa 1983 - )

Prince Crockett (circa 1985 - )

and - Duchess of Woodward - Tiffany (circa 1993 - )

There is upcoming a Royal Wedding in the Bingley Clan that will bring

Duchess of Cheeseburger Sony

into the fold.

Castle Tour

Welcome to the Castle.

A few rooms in here include:

The Music Room - I must be surrounded by music

The Reading Room - Books Books Books - Food for the Mind

The Family Room - The Best Room in the Castle

The Parlor - Where Friendships Live

The Kitchen - Chef's Creations Come Alive