Twenty-Six

Yesterday was my sister's birthday.
What a whirlwind day it was.
I didn't have a chance to post until now. So sorry!

Deborah, my baby sister, I hope your birthday was meaningful and full of love and laughter. I know it probably wasn't the grandest birthday you've ever had. It wasn't the least stressful or most exciting time I'm sure. But, to celebrate another year of growth and family and friends and changes and all the in-between is a blessing nonetheless.

I am sad to think I did not get to share it with you. I would have never known that #25 would be the last birthday we'd spend living, working & playing together. Change is hard, but remember it's all things work together for good...

So here is my ode to Deb... 26 things that she does that makes me miss her most!!

1. JOHN WAYNE!
2. Peeking from the supply closet door while I'm "trying" to work
3. Talking to the cars while merging into the carpool lane on the I-5 after work
4. Eating Paul's Place even though she knows it makes her sick
5. Singing soprano
6. "Cooking" nachos in the microwave
7. Always examining if she has swollen ankles
8. Using a whole bottle of bleach to clean a bathroom
9. Laying on the couch reading a Julie Lessman book
10. Making pesto pizza and stuffed mushrooms
11. Reading her Bible before going to bed
12. Singing and praying in the shower
13. Making 'another' doctor's appointment
14. Saying she doesn't feel good
15. Snort laughing
16. Picking on Sonia
17. Sideseat driving
18. Ordering the most expensive thing on the menu
19. Craving gelato from Luccia's
20. Borrowing church clothes from my closet
21. Playing with Zee Zee
22. Yelling at the dog (used to be Tiffany!)
23. Fighting with Peter in her sleep
24. Fixing mom's hair
25. Laying across my lap watching TV in the bonus room
26. Sitting next to me at church

Happy Belated Birthday Deb! Your gift is in the mail!! Hope you like it!!!

Love you lots!

Queen Cat

A Friday TAG!!

I'm trying really hard to keep up with my blog!! Sooo glad it's Friday. Not sure why I'm glad, maybe it's just programmed in us to be extra happy on Friday... but for whatever the reason, I am ecstatic to see Friday arrive. Looking forward to another fabulous weekend here in Small Town USA!! :-)

So... on to the business at hand:

I was tagged by Deb at The Daily Bee!

Rules of the Tag

::List Six Unimportant Things that Make you Happy::
Mention and link to the person who tagged you::
Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along, and comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.

Here goes: Six unimportant things that make me happy!

1. Holding hands across recliner armrests!
2. New Shoes!!!!
3. Actually being Queen of my very own castle!! ;-)
4. Hats!! (I love hats, and when I need a pick-me-up, I just slap a hat on and away I go!)
5. Pedicures... they are pure bliss!
6. Good morning texts (It really doesn't matter if we are in the same room, they still make me smile!!)

There you have it!!! Six unimportant things that make me happy... although if they make me happy, they are definitely important to me, even on the smallest scale!!

Now to the tagging...

Mom @ Nana's Words
Eileen @ Say What?!?!
Yvonne @ Aune's Adventures
Rita @ Macias Moments


TGIF everyone!!!! We are survivors!!! :-)

Hope everyone's weekend plans include some rest and relaxation, laughs and giggles, good company and everything unimportant that makes you happy!!

Queen B.

Completely Confused!

This is my first post from the good old state of Mississippi!!! The state I now call home! Who woulda thunk it!! But, yes, it is true. I now live in the deep south. It's humid and warm and green and plush and chalk full of history. It's long drives of rolling plains and tiny towns in between. It's water towers galore and picturesque courthouses. The after work traffic lasts about 15 minutes and after 7 p.m. the streets are quiet. Scattered thunderstorms are about every 1/4 mile and happen mostly in the summer. It truly is a different place. Yet, somehow I feel at home. I think the added element that my heart is here has something to do with it. Home is truly where your heart is!



Surprisingly, the one hiccup in this state of complete bliss is an inner struggle that has crept up on me. I've never quite been in this situation before and had no idea what to expect, this moving across country. In the deepest part of my heart of hearts, I am completely content and happy and joyful and know I'm exactly where I need to be. But my surface is an emotional wreck. Tears threaten at every turn, without notice and usually without legitimate cause. I hate it. And totally not used to it at all. I'll be the first to tell you how annoying I am. I annoy myself with these emotional outbursts. When will it stop?? Please say soon.



Everything seems topsy turvy here. I am wondering where that strong independent woman who could handle anything set before her has gone. At times I feel like a 5 year old about to throw a pity party or temper tantrum. And I used to be efficient. Now I'm all thumbs and left feet. I even open packages from the wrong end and forget things. Paul has taken to leaving me notes for reminders. I'm starting to wonder how I managed to make it through a day without him. I'm hoping one of these days I'll actually be able to finally at least feed myself and change my own diaper!! LOL. Seriously, that's how I feel!!

See, Completely Confused. why me?? Huh? Huh? huh?...

Maybe I'm trying too hard. I need to relax and just live life, I know. Now that's just preaching to the choir! I guess I'll try harder to not try too hard. HA. Catch 22!!

If you know me at all or have read my blog at all, you know I overthink EVERYTHING. And here I am doing it again. Deep breath. Whew.

Emotions mixed with Imagination is a lethal combination.

Selfish, Petty, Ungrateful. Yep, I'd use those words to describe my silliness too. But give me a chance. Isn't acknowledgment the first step to recovery?? LOL. Fingers Crossed!!

For now, my confused self is gonna pamper herself with a relaxing evening!

Hasta La Vista Baby!
The Queen

Communication Crisis

I've had communication on the brain these past few days. It amazes me how many avenues of connecting with someone that are available to us today.

The spoken word has taken on a whole new meaning in our advanced age of technology. Since the invention of the telephone, where for the first time people did not have to be face to face or in close proximity to hear each other's voice, communication has reached a level that exceeds what was ever thought possible. And every day we find more and more ways to further our connection with each other. We can use a telephone, computer, television, intercom system, voicemail, even electronic birthday cards to carry on a conversation or speak to a person who is not physically in our presence.

The written word has moved beyond the ink and paper. There was a time when a letter or book was viewed and respected as a treasure, handled carefully and proudly shared with anyone who would listen. We can now send 'letters' all over the world with the push of a button. We text, email, instant message and blog with ease.

Humanity has not been such a close knit group since the days following the great flood!

Still, my wonderings have taken me to the thought, If communication is so accessible then why do we still fail so miserably? It seems these days that there is an undeniable lack of communication amongst families, coworkers, friends, governments, communities and really, society in general. Has the English language become too difficult and complicated for us to put together a cohesive sentence? Have we lost the art of speech and conversation? Have we dumbed ourselves down with the 'shortcuts' of communication because we are in too much of a hurry? Has OMG and TTYL turned our brains to mush?

I don't think that is the issue.

We are strong intricate creations with enough brain power and emotion and heart and soul to easily "reach out and touch someone" in any way we so choose. So what is the real problem? Why do we miss the mark so badly and so often? In my humble opinion, the true reason is, we've stopped saying what we mean and meaning what we say. We have the tools to successfully execute and we have the words to speak, what we don't have is the sense of value in what we say. We've lowered ourselves to pretty speech and empty words of promise or compliments that hold no worth. We smile on the outside while we are crying on the inside. We laugh when what we really want to do is cringe. We grin and bear it. We conjure up big words to sound like we've got it all together, when in reality, we have no clue what we are doing.

It may work for a while, however, in time we realize just how far away from honestly knowing someone or being known for our true selves we really are.

I want to be a person that you would always know where you stand. That when I say I love you, you know I mean it. When I say I'm sorry, you would know it's from the heart. Good communication breeds a level of trust that most people only dream about... I plan on keeping that dream my every day reality!!


~ The Queen~

News Worthy!!

So I know it's been a while since I've blogged. I've been up to my eyeballs in wedding plans the past few months. I've also been busy blogging on our wedding website. I guess for while it will take the place of this blog, until I finally descend off of Cloud 9... ;-)

I just wanted to share some fun pictures with everyone. My work corkboard is like a breaking news bulletin with all kinds of Paul & I 'stuff'! I still wonder at the hand of God and how much creative power He has. Never in my wildest imagination (and believe me, I've got a very healthy imagination!!) did I ever conjure up a scenario as spectacular as these past few months. All I did was tell God that I would enjoy every step of the desert place and allow Him to prepare me for what He had in store for me. Once I took my hands off of my life, God stepped in and gave me my heart's desire... and then some!!



So now, I am happily engaged to a man beyond my dreams and ready to start a new life. Which means... I am moving away from California. Something I never, ever thought I'd do. And, I'm leaving it for... Mississippi! WHAT?? Now that is just strange. No mountains! No OCEAN! No Palm Trees! No DISNEYLAND!!! No Del Taco and IN-N-OUT! Oy Vey!! (and that's just scratching the surface.) But if I stayed in California.... that means, No Paul. And that's not even an option. So, I will be living (at least for the time being) in Mississippi, where my heart is.

(as you can see, he's been VERY good to me!!)

Here is a glimpse of the beach where we will be getting married... that's the Gulf of Mexico in the background. The sand is a beautiful pure white with enough seashells to keep any scavenger content all day long! We were there that day to check out the house we would be staying at and to take our engagement pictures.

So, tonight (in less than 12 hours) I head back to Mississippi for quick trip to interview for a company that actually paid for my plane ticket! Of course I really really want to make sure and land a job before I come home, but also, the best thing is seeing Paul again for a couple of days... which is the highlight of my trip!!

So stay tuned for more News Worthy stories in a couple of days!!

<3

The Queen 'B'

Life and the Living of it!

Well, as promised, here is a post about Life, my Life...

Boy has my life taken a right turn... So much has happened in such a short time and I couldn't be happier.... (well, I could be happier, but I know I just have to be patient, it's just around the corner!!)

Cryptic enough for you?

Alright, well since I've got to get back to living life (see previous posts to understand that!), I'll leave you with a link... read the story and you will understand ...

http://www.momentville.com/PaulandCatherine


LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

The Queen

Instead of Talking...

I love to talk.

at times.

When it's a subject that interests me.

Or when it's with a person that stimulates my thought processes.

And I got to thinking... a blog is a lot like talking. Granted it's a one sided conversation, but nevertheless, there's a subject being "discussed".

I like to discuss life and living and current events and values and favorites and lists and music and movies and books... you name it, I'll have something to say about it! But as much as I enjoy sharing my opinions and view points (and if you know me even a little bit, you will agree that I can exhaust a subject at any given time!), I realized that I've been doing something a lot lately in place of talking.

Instead of talking about life, I've been living it. Really, truly living life. All in, up to my eyeballs, grab the bull by the horns and hang on living. How scary! But talk about having the best time! Or, wait, not "talking about having the best time, HAVING the best time!

So, if you've wondered why I'm not around as much... there's your answer. The life I've discussed over and over on this blog is now being lived, and lived to the fullest.

(of course, I promise to come back from time to time just to update you on what a great time I'm having.... maybe.) :)

Q. Cat

100th Post, & Patience....

I tried to keep track of when my 100th post would come up and then life just carried me away and I forgot all about it! So even though this is 105, I want to just stop and commemorate reaching 100.

When I first started blogging, I had a very different viewpoint of how I would go about writing about my life. I have had a lot of fun sharing facts, fiction, opinions & feelings with whomever was willing to read it.

I generally love to give my viewpoint anyways, so a blog is right up my alley. But then I didn't keep up with like I should... that's my procrastination side of me. LOL. Regardless, here I am with, finally, 100+ posts in the bag.

I'll try to make sure there are plenty more where these came from!

So today for my post I wanted to talk about impatience.

I'm a very internalizing type of person. Not many people get a chance to really know how I'm feeling deep down inside. I seem to manage my emotions best when I keep them to myself. Some people have to talk things out. That is not me. I need to let them stew and sit inside as I look them over and try to figure them all out. Every once in a while they will boil over and spew all over the unlucky victim at the time, but for the most part, I'm a pretty even keeled person.

So back to impatience. I've noticed even more lately how impatient I've become. I can't tell you the conversations I've had with people who try my patience. Of course, they would never know because those conversations are all in my head! I am impatient for an event to happen, I'm impatient for time to pass, for the results to come in, for someone to spit out a sentence. For someone to figure out what they want to do. For the phone to ring. For food to finish cooking. For stoplights to turn green. I tell you. It's bad. It's something I know I need to work on, but I get too impatient to let the process take place. Yes, it's a vicious circle.

Internally, I groan and complain and let whatever is going on around me pass me by. I want to stop and smell the roses. To take time to enjoy or live in the moment. My pastor spoke about being in the desert place (like when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness). That we shouldn't scorn that place in our lives. It's a place of preparation for things to come. A place of growing and learning. I used to think that being in a desert place in life (when nothing is happening or things aren't coming to fruition like they should) was a bad thing. That I did something wrong... but now, I realize that the only way to get to where I want to go, is through the desert. But, impatient me wants to run, not walk, even fly through that stage of life and get to the next place quickly. I'm starting to realize that this would only handicap me once I got there, and I would not be able to handle all that is in store for me. Lord help me achieve the virtue of patience.

I've been in the desert. I do want to get to the promised land. But I guess I should stop, relax and look at the scenery. There's nothing like a desert sunset. And the stars shine so much brighter in the desert! I know the dreams I have are just beyond the horizon, if I'm patient enough to survive the desert long enough to get there....


The Q.

An Amazing Day To Be Alive...

I am reminded again today, what an amazing time in history I live in.

As I've watched all morning the Inauguration events of the 44th president of the United States of America and witnessed the historical moments taking place, I feel alive.

I feel alive because of the concern I have for our country and our world. For the feeling of expectancy that has come over me for the future. For the dismay I feel as I listen to the wording of speeches and interviews, knowing none is said by accident or coincidence. For the joy that I have for a future brighter than ever before. For the peace I feel knowing that nevertheless, God is in control. For the patriotism I feel for the country I love despite our flaws.

I am alive because I can feel. No matter the range of emotions, it's exhilarating to live in such exciting times.

Agree or disagree with our new president, it's time to back the office, which is different then backing an individual. With respect to the different views of other bloggers who may read this, I have reasons to feel trepidation toward the man now holding the highest office in the world. But, I believe that this nation still finds favor with God and so I back the office and administration that leads our nation. I urge everyone to do the same.

Breathe.

All is well.

No reason for fear or doubt.

The world is in His hands.

I am in His hands.

...And He has allowed me to live.

What an Amazing Day to be Alive!

I'M ALIVE

(Celine Dion)

I get wings to fly
Oh I'm alive...

When you call on me
When I hear you breathe
I get wings to fly
I feel that I’m alive

When you look at me
I can touch the sky
I know that I’m alive

When you bless the day
I just drift away
All my worries die
I’m glad that I’m alive

You’ve set my heart on fire
Filled me with love
Made me a woman
On clouds above

I couldn’t get much higher
My spirit takes flight
Cause I am alive

When you call on me
When I hear you breathe
I feel that I’m alive
I am alive

When you reach for me
Raising spirits high
God knows that

That I’ll be the one
Standing by
Through good and
Through trying times

And it’s only begun
I can’t wait for the
Rest of my life

I know that I’m alive

I get wings to fly
God knows that I’m alive

God Bless America!

~The Queen~

My Favorite Way to Start the Year... Blogger Style!

So, it's been 12 very short months and here I am again to write down my current favorite things.... you can go back to the one I did in December 2007 (for 2008) to see the similarities and differences that a year makes.... here goes:

My Favorite Book: I don't have just one favorite this year!

My Favorite DVD: P.S. I Love You and Dan in Real Life
My Favorite CD: Gavin DeGraw
My Favorite "Toy": My new laptop (yay me!)
My Favorite Color: Green
My Favorite Skirt: Black short skirt with ruffled bottom
My Favorite Shoes: Black Marc Fisher Heels
My Favorite Lunch: a Lean Cuisine
My Favorite Website to browse: Facebook!
My Favorite Song: Gavin DeGraw - "I Have You To Thank"
My Favorite Church Song: "Beautiful" / "God With Us"
My Favorite Comfort Quirk: Scratching my ears with a bobbypin (seriously it's so relaxing)(same as 2007/2008)
My Favorite P.J.'s: My .04 Seconds Derek Fisher T-Shirt

My Favorite Blanket: Leopard Fuzzy Blanket
My Favorite Cable Channel: Food Network/HGTV/Style Network
My Favorite Cable Show (non-food network): Jon & Kate Plus 8 / Top Chef / Who's Wedding is it Anyways / What Not To Wear

My Favorite Food Network Show: Iron Chef (same as 2007/2008)
My Favorite TV Sitcom: The Office!
My Favorite Athlete: Kobe Bryant / Derek Fisher
My Favorite Current Singer: Michael Buble (same as 2007/2008)
My Favorite American Idol Contestant: Elliott Yamin & David Cook

My Favorite Candy Bar: Big Chunk
My Favorite Restaurant: Steakhouse 55 / Lucca's
My Favorite Food: Lobster Bisque / Caesar Salad
My Favorite Drink: Tied between Iced Tea / Diet Coke (same as 2007/2008) & Cherry Coke!
My Favorite Starbucks Drink: Grande Hazelnut Hot Chocolate
My Favorite Eye Candy: Michael Buble & Wenworth Miller

My Favorite Clothing: My camis, jean jackets, belted tops

My Favorite Screen Legend (Male): James Stewart (same as 2007/2008)
My Favorite Screen Legend (Female): Doris Day (same as 2007/2008)
My Favorite Current Actor: Steve Carrell
My Favorite Current Actress: Reese Witherspoon
My Favorite Time of Day: Early Evening
My Favorite Show to Watch at Bedtime: Friends
My Favorite Daydream: Moving, Working for RTD Productions full time, One or two other dreams... lol
My Favorite Romantic Daydream: Hmmm... having Michael Buble and Wentworth Miller fight for my affections! LOL
My Favorite Online Service: Paying my bills and reconnecting with old friends!
My Favorite Fun Website: FACEBOOK, Blogger, Myspace, NBA.com
My Favorite Blog: The Daily Bee, and my own!
My Favorite Accessory: HATS!, Belts, Headbands & Sunglasses
My Favorite Blast from the Past: Where to start?! Kamye, Rebekah, Paul, Yvonne, Rita, John, Phillip, Michael, Jennifer, etc....
My Favorite Friend: Brenda Nicklas (same as 2008)
My Favorite Indulgence: European Pedicures and Spa Facials
My Favorite Scent: Pineapple Cilantro (same as 2008)
My Favorite Body Scent: Victoria Secret's "Pure Seduction"
My Favorite Scripture: II Corinthians 4:7-9 (same as 2008)
My Favorite Store: Macy's / Nordstrom

New for 2009

My Favorite Activity: Being with my family and friends.. doesn't matter what we do!

My Favorite Place to Spend a Saturday Afternoon: Either on a picnic or at the mall

My Favorite OC Place: Orange Circle

My Favorite Facebook Friend: Has to be John Aoki! He is so entertaining! ha ha ha

My Favorite Long Distance Friend: Hmm, I'd say Yvonne Aune. Although San Diego isn't too far!

Once again, there you have it! Some things are the same, others have really changed drastically....

So we shall see in 12 months what changes are made...

The Queen