Hello Kitties And Welcome...You'll Need Your Own Jump Rope!

This time at the show, I was asked by a number of women what exactly does it take to become a Cat Daddy Kitten.  He looks like such a 'fraidy cat...seems like an easy task to accomplish...right?

WRONG!!! 

First of all...he requires a leash...or as I like to call it a choke rope!  He's easily distracted by a pretty face and a smile.  The rope is my little reminder of who provides the cream in his coffee...just in case he gets confused and starts thinking he's an alley cat!

Second...an application must be submitted...in triplicate...black ink only...to the acceptance committee which...Hmmm...by coinky-dinky,  just happens to be headed up by none other than...

YOURS TRULY!

As a matter of public record, I happen to be the only one on the committee...so to get to the Big Cat...you gotta get past the Lion Tamer.

SQUIRREL ALERT!

Q:  What do you call a bad lion tamer?

A:  Claude Bottom! 

Ba-dump, dump, tish!

In the interest of full disclosure...I should also add...I AM open to bribery!  (Hint:  I can be bought with Mexican Wedding cookies!)

Thirdly...you gotta be willing to show him your stuff.  He loves nothing better than looking at junk ('course I was talkin' 'bout junk...what else would "stuff" be?)  photos...so if you got 'em...flaunt 'em!  Junk is the man's catnip...well that and chili dogs!

If you ain't got photos...then be prepared to walk on the wild side and strut your stuff.  The man has an ego as big as Texas and a trailer to match.  He thinks he's the best picker this side of the Pecos and if you agree with him AND buy some of his crap boots...you are a shoe-in for sure!

(I love this photo David...but we really need to work on a new pose for the MAN!)

See that smile?  That's the biggest happy face I've ever seen him wear and you wanna know the reason behind it?

TA DA!!!

This savvy shopper made the cut by buying his KISS boots or as she renamed them...The Lady Gaga Boots!  I kid you not...besides...y'all know I can't make this stuff up!  She and her friends were a hoot and a half.  Unfortunately I didn't get her name, but it should be up in lights.  She bought the LGB's to wear to a Tacky Ball in Dallas and get this...was planning her entire ensemble around these boots.

That's what it takes ladies.  Feats...or should I say FEETS...of daring to not only put those bad boys on and try walking in 'em,

BUT

to actually appear in public while sporting 'em!

(Darlin'...I take my bracelets off to ya!  You're more woman than me and if you happen to take photos of that ball...send me a dozen 8x10 glossies!  Loved you and your friends...y'all are my people!!!)

(Need a little help y'all 'cause at this rate...he's gonna wear that fool arm out!)

If any of you gals that came to Zapp have money shots to rival those of the boots...send 'em to me.   I'll see to it you are immortalized forever in the Kitten House Hall of Fame.

(Seriously...if you've got photos with the man...e-mail me.  I would love to showcase you and your claim to fame!)

Photo #1 courtesy of Lisa

Photo #2 courtesy of  Cassie

Photos #3 & #5 courtesy of David (who has tons of photos of the show on his blog and should be Zapp's official show photographer.  I'm just saying!)

Photos #4, #6 & #7 courtesy of Robelyn

BTW...I took a camera, but as far as me taking any photos...

who's kidding who?

In the words of the immortal Blanche DuBois...

"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers friends!"

Jumping Right Into The Thick Of Things!

Cue THE ENTRANCE OF THE GLADIATORS music!

Step right up ladies and gentlemen.  Welcome to my own little Sideshow of the Big Show!

Gazing out from Command Central of the Looney Bin...I am mistress of all I survey...such as it is!

I'm so sorry you missed my performance of Camille while I was setting up...it was Oscar-worthy!

For those of y'all who did catch the matinee...I apologize profusely for my whining!

Something told me (make that Some One) to take more smalls this time than usual.  (For the record...my idea of "smalls" is three will fit in a tub...rub-a-dub-dub!)  I heeded this advice and while He was right about what would sell, it created a major meltdown for me!

I'm used to working with furniture...not fluff and certainly not this much fluff.  Adding to my frustration was all my "flat" surfaces were being sold as soon as they hit the ground.  I'm not complaining about selling...just where om earth to put this crap quality merchandise in the meantime!

At one point, I threatened to spread blue tarps on the dirt and just start chunking it all on the ground!

Clearer heads (Cat Daddy's) prevailed, and with a quick trip to the warehouse (translation: storage unit E-4)...Voila...more flat surfaces and my sanity restored...for a little while!

Before I go any further, let me say sales were good...just not fantastic as in the past.  We did sell a ton of smalls (or as someone pointed out to me...mediums), but large pieces weren't moving as well (except those with flat surface...naturally!).  I do believe the...ahem...recession has hit Texas.  Land of milk and honey?  Ummm...not so much!  More like milk and cookies!

I also found it curious that people were paying in cash.  Usually I bring back a slew of checks, but not this time.  Folks were being careful with their money and how they were spending it.  Very prudent and perhaps a sign of the times.  For us...it just means adjustments are in order as to buying for future shows.  I can be prudent too ya know!

In spite of this...I still had the best time at the show for pure enjoyment...once I figured out...or just quit caring...where to put everything. 

Mark those bad boys SOLD...Hallelujah!  C.D....you're my hero in a Resitol!

The guys who help us unload were doing the victory dance when these sinks left the field (no reloading) and I was doing back flips.  OK...maybe not back flips...but certainly the Running Man!

Did I mention Cat Daddy had to go back to Dallas after opening weekend?  Yeah, normally this would send me into a tailspin, but happily Robelyn volunteered to stay with me and drive Miss Lazy back and forth to the show.  Can you say slumber party...all.week.long?

(I sure hope no one tells her what a bad influence I can be!  Come to think of it...maybe she'll be a good one on me.  Don't laugh...it could happen!)

Speaking of parties...seems like we were attending one nightly!  I'll tell y'all about those later.

(Psst...I stole, I mean borrowed a ton of her photos!)

Will I be back in the fall?

You betcha your ever-lovin' boots I will...with bells and bangles on!

I'll just be sure and pack a lot of folding tables and a boatload of mediums...

and while I'm at it...just for the heckuvit...maybe I'll throw in a baker's dozen of duct tape rolls a la the Red Neck.Chic...ju-ust to be on the safe side!

One of C.D.'s kittens (and I'm not saying which one) had this sign waiting on him when we arrived!  I swan...that man's head just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Pretty soon...he's gonna be a melon head too!

Well Cat Daddy...this is another fine mess you've gotten me into!

God bless America...Texas...and Cat Daddy!

Jump Back Honey, Jump Back

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Gosh...I sure hope they are right...'cause this chubby Texas lady is way too tuckered out to type her usual 1000+ words.  I'm hoping THIS photo will hold y'all until I can rest a bit and gives you a taste of just how much fun was had at this year's Greatest Show On Dirt!

BTW...I should mention I picked up a new "daughter" while at the show.  While not a melon head...she's still the best souvenir money can't buy.  My new CHICK is the perfect reminder of what the show is all about...and not just because she lets me steal...I mean borrow her fantastic photos!

I'll be talking at y'all soon.  Just let me shake the dust off my tail feathers, wash me and Cat Daddy some underwear, get a little shut eye and patiently wait for my rear-end to catch up with the rest of me.

'kay?

Texasified Trophy Truck Jump

we're ready to deal...

and we'd love to move this load of junk...umm...I mean quality merchandise from our truck to yours!

Hope y'all come see Cat Daddy us at the Mother Ship (where we'll be schmoozing, schlepping, and schvitzing daily) from March 25th-April 2nd...from sunup to sundown (or by starlight) at the...

 Greatest Show On Dirt!

I'll be returning with a fresh load of bull...straight outta our field of dreams...April 4th!

Talk to y'all d'rectly!

Oh My...They'll Be Trying To Jump Ahead In Line For This!

(Can I get a heck yeah?!?)

Back by popular demand for a limited engagement at Zapp Hall,  beginning March 25th...

(Photo 2&3 courtesy of Moonlight Hollow)

and appearing for one...and only one...command performance at SweetT's Blog Party...

The One...

The Only...

The Indomitable...

CAT DADDY!!!

(Insert squeals and swoons here!)

(The liquor cabinet may be safe...but I can't say the same for ol' Cat Daddy!)

Take a number ladies...the line forms to the left!

Can I get a MEOW?

(I am dirty and tired, but because I do have a place to rest my weary head plus a tub to bathe in, but they don't...tomorow there will be no trash talking.)

Am I Jumping Around All Nimbly Blimby From Tree To Tree?

In answer to the above question in my title...You.Bet.I.Am!  Aren't I always?

Malissa at Moonlight Hollow (who just happens to be a hoot and a holler) did this announcement for me.  Isn't IT a hoot and a holler?  She will be at Zapp Hall (or as I like to call it....the Mother Ship) right beside the Junk Gypsy Company doing her Pent-Up Photos!  If you're going to be at the show or attending the girls' prom night...you really need to check her out for a one of a kind souvenir of the show!  Tell her I sent ya.

(It won't get you anything...but I love having my name bandied about!)



(Thank goodness for friends who help take care of me!  Love you Mal!!!)



Just in case y'all don't remember...we didn't do the Greatest Show On Dirt in the fall.  Needless to say...I'm working my fool head off trying to get ready for the spring show.  I tell y'all...it's like trying to nail jello to a tree or crackers to a wall some days!  (Aw...who am I kidding?  It's that way every day when one has SAD (translation...Squirrel Attention Disorder)!

We will be back in our same location right next door to Royer's.  If you come looking for ol' Trash and Cat Daddy, you can't miss us...just listen for the sound of music, laughter, and singing.  If you still can't find us...why then...just take a deep breath.  When you smell sweet buttermilk pie...look to your left and you'll see our grinnin' faces!

  If you still can't find us...you're in the wrong field! 

As I said, it's difficult doing a show this large for this long.  We'll be there for 10 days (YIKES!) and here in Texas the weather can (and will) change in the blink of an eye.  I have to pack to be ready for any kind of weather Mother Nature decides to throw our way and I do mean any!  We've seen rain, ice, snow, tornadoes...you name it...we've felt it!  It can be hot as blue blazes one day and colder than whodathoughit the next!  Needless to say...that requires packing a lot of clothes and shoes!  (Wish there was some way I could just express my closet down...sure would make my life a lot easier!)

I guess what I'm trying to say is sometimes...if I'm not watching...I fail to see the forest for the trees.

In the past, I pushed myself and set daily deadlines trying to accomplish so much in such a short time.  Six months sounds like time a-plenty between shows, but trust me...it isn't nearly long enough.

This time I'm trying to do things differently.  Instead of rush, rush, rush...I'm taking it step by step, trying not to get too stressed or overwhelmed...instead allowing myself time to breathe...and brush my hair!  Some things aren't getting done, some things won't get done, but that's OK.  No one but me will know the difference and it's more important to enjoy the journey...not worry about the piddly ol' stuff that doesn't amount to a hill of beans.  Besides...my tricycle didn't come equipped with bean-tread tires!

If I just focus on the work, I might find myself missing out on the little surprises each new day brings.  The show will be there when I arrive, but a little volunteer grape hyacinth won't be here when I get back.  Ya get what I'm saying?

  I know I have a tendency to sometimes talk in circles (heck...forget sometimes...try all the time), but it's my goal this year to zero in on what makes me feel content...happy...satisfied.  Stressing about the show doesn't make me happy...seeing my friends and show-family while I'm there does.  I'm going with an attitude that God will see to the business end by blessing our hard work and we will tend to the business of glorifying Him through honest work, done with grateful hearts.  He allows us to do something we love and blesses us with the hands and health to accomplish it.  The final ring of the cash register is in His hands...the way we treat our customers in ours.     



(Photographs courtesy of Foto Fabulous. Melissa does all of Bella's portraits. Aren't they Fab U Lous?)



SQUIRREL ALERT!

I wanted to let all of y'all know that I loved all the sweet comments left for Bella.  Y'all make my heart jump for joy.  I'm trying to get around to visit y'all and send replies to each of your comments.  Sadly...this is one of the things I'm having trouble getting the time for.  I've tried to do it early in the morning or late at night, but I sometimes catch myself falling asleep at the keyboard!  Please...bear with me.  I promise you up and down...it may take me awhile, but I intend on letting each of y'all know how dear you are to me and my family.



(Jenn sent me these preview photos of Bella's second birthday. Aren't they Fab U Lous?)



In the meantime, these photos of Bella on her second birthday are my temporary way of saying Thank You!  I'm thinking (and hoping) she can buy me some time.  Am I right or am I right?

(This canvas pretty well sums up what I'm feeling right about now!)

I'll close by saying I'm also thinking of the people of Japan. I can't begin to fathom what they are going through. My prayers are with them and I'm sure all of y'all feel the same.  An antique fair in Texas sure seems trivial when I find myself looking at the forest and not just the trees.

Jumping Bella Bean

(Bella at birth...15 oz. and 10 " long)

Yesterday was Bella's second birthday.  For those of you unfamiliar with her story I did a post here sharing her miraculous birth and the road from her glass castle at Baylor's NICU to home 5 months later.  I invite you, if you haven't read it, to please do.  Not because my words are awesome, but because our God is.  It is my testimony to witnessing the power of prayer and the faith of a mustard seed.

~Pray without ceasing~1 Thessalonians 5:17

~He replied, "Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you".~Matthew 17:20

I am humbled by God's mercies and to witness her going from an isolette to shopping for a big girl's bed at IKEA is just one of her many milestones that renders me speechless.  God is awesome in His majesty and His wonders are displayed every single day in her face.

When she took Jenn's hand in the hospital, she grabbed each of us by the heart, never to let go and continues to hold court on our lives.

God continues to pour His blessings on Jenn and Roby.  Bella's party had to be rescheduled due to Brandon requiring emergency surgery.  Roby was "listening" when Brandon awoke with severe pain and thanks to Roby and Susan's quick reactions and keen parental skills, what could have been a life changing situation, resulted in an hour surgery with Brandon going home the same day.  Roby keeps asking himself "what if", but there is no "what if".  He instinctively acted, listening to his son and the voice inside himself (and we all know Who that voice was...right?) and made all the right moves.  In other words...you did good Roby!  

Bella is continuing to grow as big as that flower on her dress...which btw...she can still wear! (Thanks Sue...she's definitely getting your money's worth outta it!)

As she continues to blossom, I will continue to praise God and thank Him for her.  Two years...it doesn't seem possible, but through God Almighty...The Great I Am...all things are possible!

~Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."~Matthew 19:26

(Two years and twenty pounds later!)

Today and every day, Bella is standing on God's promises.  She and I are also standing up for Jesus for all the days to come.  If you care to join us...just push your chair back...stand up and say thank you for His blessings on your life.

To our beautiful baby, Bella Bean...

Happy Second Birthday, my darling girl.  Nana loves you very much, but more importantly...

Thank you God for our birthday girl.