The perfect morning

This morning was almost perfect. Here's why:

• I got to sleep in.
• I woke up slow, checked my email and discovered nothing detrimental was happening at work.
• I released the kitty cat from his room and we spent 20 minutes cuddling (complete with purrs!) on his favorite chair.
• I made peanut butter toast for breakfast, then opened the fridge and remembered I had gone to the store - berries and juice were waiting for me in the fridge!
• I ate my hearty breakfast of berries and peanut butter toast and drank a full glass of water, all while Kitty Man sat with me in the chair opposite of me.

He's quite polite.

• I made the bed (just because it makes me feel productive.)
• I got cleaned up. My hair was still looking fierce from yesterday. (I blow-dried it straight)
• I used the last of my dry shampoo... but still had just enough.
• I put on one of my favorite dresses
• Finally, I grabbed lunch with my Daddy!

Who said Monday's had to be glum? I've had a great day so far... let's hope it stays swell!

What did you do this morning? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself, 

Alyson

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday folks! I have to apologize for my recent absence. I've been on the move!

For starters, I've been reconnecting with one of my best friends from college. I've never really been a "text your friends all the time" kind of girl but I've really been missing this friend and it's really been working for us! We're not texting back immediately (except on lunch!) so we can still get our work done!

Second, I've been picking up some more tasks at work. Both this week and last week I've had assignments - events to cover outside of the station - but both weeks I've been bumped up to two assignments a week! These assignments are often additional to my work hours, so I get a little extra cash, and it helps me work on my writing and reporting skills.

On top of assignments, I've also been dabbling with some advertisements at work. I think they're super easy, so I've been helping out with their input.

Up next: Kitty Mews

Finally, I've been trying to connect with my little Kitty Man more. I ended up adopting the cat I was sitting, so we've been learning together. Last night he even got to sleep in the bed until 2:30... then he started prowling. I had to put him in his "bedroom" - my office that's cat safe and filled with his necessities.

I've also been watching "My Cat From Hell" for kitty tips and also to appreciate my calm but curious little man.

The weather is also getting chillier here! It makes my outfit choices a bit of a struggle... but I'll get the hang of it soon!

How is your week going? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Life lesons from Kitty: Patience

Yesterday I received a call from the coworker I had been cat-sitting for. His daughter has officially relinquished her ownership of the cat, Cairo, and I was allowed to send him to the humane society I volunteer with.

But... Cairo is really growing on me. He drove me CRAZY for a few weeks, but after bringing him home to meet my family dogs, I learned that it wasn't him who was being crazy.

I wasn't executing any patience. He would jump on the counter and I would scream. He'd bite me in the middle of the night and I would scream. He would meow and I would scream back. I was at the end of my rope! But it was because I didn't know how to talk to the cat.

I realized that dogs and cats are actually very similar, but cats don't understand punishment like dogs do. Cats need patience, just like puppies do. It doesn't end with litter box training.

I learned that he was jumping on the counter because he knew I would chase him. He knew that if he rattled the plate I left in the sink or knocked over the papers I had on the table I would pay him attention. When I took away the papers and washed the dishes and put a little food in his bowl, he stopped jumping on the counter.

Cairo, halfway to Mt. Cabinet.

I also learned the "Ow and Down" technique. When kitty bit too hard during play, or when he bit me lightly while I slept to wake me up, I made a high pitched "Ow!' sound, similar to a yowl, and place him on the ground. He got the message very quickly.

Patience is a serious virtue and a very difficult one to master. I decided to keep Cairo because I knew I needed a lesson in patience and he needed a home willing to love him. I want him to grow up and be a fat, happy cat. I don't know if a humane society would give him that opportunity right away and as a kitten, he is in a critical stage of development. Without the proper nurturing, how could he be expected to be a "good" pet?

I still wouldn't call myself a "cat person" and I'm definitely still a dog person, but I felt that this was the right choice. So welcome home, Cairo! We've got a lot of learning to do!

Have you learned any lessons from pets? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Ripe for the picking

Some people bite their nails, some people never paint them, some people keep them long, some short. Me? I pick at imperfection.

I must get this from my daddy, who picks at his cuticles under stress, anxiety or boredom. But I pick at polish. Dent? Smudge? Chip? Pick it off. All of them. Good bye polish!

I guess it's because of stress, anxiety and boredom, but unless my nails are perfect, they are subject to the picking monster I keep within. And I refuse to be seen with chipped polish or half of a mani... if one goes, they ALL go.

I think my nail picking shows people that I'm a perfectionist and perhaps a control freak. I like things to always be pulled together effortlessly, and bare nails are better than chipped nails.

Do you pick at polish? Any home remedies to stop? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson