LILLY BELLE IS GROWING UP!

Lilly Belle, my cat, is going on two.  Not sure what that is in cat years but I'm assuming she's about ready to enter high school.  I'm thinking she is getting to the age where she needs to be thinking about her future.  What are her plans?   What does she want as a career?

Now, I'll be honest   She can be very loving but she has a mean streak.  Her attitude can sometimes be a, well, a bit off-putting.  She's not like those cute kittens that everyone sees on Facebook everyday.   Maybe she could be a nurse or dentist.  You know nice until they stick a needle or tube in your arm or mouth!

Sometimes she looks at us like, ummm, she is having murderous thoughts about us.   I blame Ashlie and Elroy a little.   They mess with her until she gets cranky and attacks them.  She might be good in Human Resources.

Being a cat she is independent and a bit of a loner.  She can take you or leave you and always at her discretion.  And she can be a tad possessive.  Maybe she just needs to find a sugar daddy and play the part of a scorned woman.

We've given this a lot of thought.  Ok, more me than her.  However, that is only because she is content with her life.  It is full.  She eats, she poops and she sleeps.  She sleeps in the closet, on the bed, on her blanket, on the back of the couch, on Patty's bed.  She reminds me of a teenager.  Why do I have to learn a skill and get a job?  I'm busy sleeping!

Well, Lilly Belle, I'll tell you why.  You need to start paying rent in a couple of years.  I'm getting older and I need to supplement my income.  I buy you toys, food, have your nails trimmed and get your shots for you.  

So today I am reading Facebook and come across what I think  might just be the perfect job for my little Little Belle.  I think she has what it takes to be a Cat Masseuse!

Yes!  She won't have to interact with her clients verbally.   She knows just how to pounce on the parts of your body in such a way as to make you think the pain will never end.  

Every masseuse has a mean streak.   "Oh!  (lol) Did that hurt?"  They could be alone except for working your muscles.  She will be able to use her paws like she already does.

I know you are probably thinking, what in the world is Caryn talking about (these are normal conversations I have in my head every day).  Well, I think it would be easier to show you than to try to describe it.

Click above to watch the educational video for The Cat Masseuse School!  Enjoy!  

Thanks for sharing!

copyrighted 2016

caryn cannatella

Weight Loss Support Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarynsChamps

A YEAR OF CHANGE – 2016

This year is a year of change for me.  I'm on a mission to save as much money as I can by getting rid of the excess in my life.  I want to convert my garage into a one bedroom house and I want to pay cash for it.  And I want it completed by the end of the year.  Big dream; Big changes.

So, here are some of my changes:

No lending money to anyone.

No charging on my one credit card unless it is for monthly bills that I pay anyway.  (That will save me $500 - $1000 a month)

Cash purchases only.   Paying with cash always makes me stop and think.

No impulse buying.   That always gets me and I find that most of what I buy is want and not need.

A strict monthly budget where every dollar has a name.

If you are in debt, living beyond your means, spending money you don't have, couldn't pay for a new car battery because you have no savings, you are a slave.  A slave to debt.

Don't say you can't do it.   The truth is that most of us don't want to do it.  We want what we want when we want it.  We are like spoiled brats.

If you have animals, car notes, big screen tv's, go out to eat, have cable, buy a new cell phone every year, spend outrageously at Christmas, then you choose to be broke.  Choose to be debt free and see how much money you really have.

I see so many people who dream of making big bucks and have no plan or desire to get out of debt.  They think when they make those big bucks, THEN they will start paying off their debt.  HA!  If that dream does come true, the chances of them getting out of debt are smaller than the chance of making big money.  You have to know you need to change and then make a plan to change it.

Anyone can do it.  You just have to want it more than you want the stuff.

Start 2016 by getting your life in order to become financially free.  Check out Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps for how to advice.

I love this quote by Dave:  "live your life like no one else (frugally to get out of debt) so you can live your life like no one else (being debt free and living abundantly)."

I am listening to Total Money Makeover to and from work.   I will finish the book tomorrow evening.  Just 3 daily commutes is all it is taking.  This weekend will be spent working on that new budget.

My goal is to save at least $1500 a month.  I’ll keep you posted!

Debt free is the way to be!

copyrighted 2016

caryn cannatella

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YOU ARE A WORK OF ART!

Yes you are! Yep, I'm talking to each of you!

You are an original. One of a kind!  Perfection. Just the way the artist intended for you to be. He has captured your heart, your spirit and your love! Look into your eyes. Do you see it? He does.

Great art is not always appreciated in the beginning. But over time, others come to see the beauty that the artist always knew was there.  It’s time for you to see your beauty too.

Don't let someone else set the value of you based on their assumptions and beliefs.

You, my darling, are the real thing! You are a priceless work of art.

And don't ever let anyone tell you differently!

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

Tonight the temperatures in Houston will dip to the low 40's.  If you know anything about Houston, we consider that a freeze.  The weathermen will remind you to bring in the pets and the plants.

And few will even think about the people who will be sleeping on the streets trying to stay warm while we are snuggled down in our warm beds.

My son, Cody, went with me tonight to hand out some sleeping bags.   We visited one of our feeding locations and gave out about 9 of them.  

There was the old man who lives on the street in his wheel chair.  He is missing one leg completely and most of the other one.   I wish you could have heard him thanking us.   The face of Jesus.

And then the vet who lives behind the brick wall of the old Sonic Drive-in.   When I called at to him, he was so hesitant to even come near us.   I asked how many were sleeping there tonight.   "Just two of us.  Just two of us."   He seemed fearful.   "Well, here is a sleeping bag for each of you.  It's gonna be cold tonight so be sure you get in your bags."

His eyes filled with tears, "You are an angel, ma'm.  Thank you so much."  

We traveled down a street in downtown Houston.   There sat a man and a woman.  She was bundled in an old blanket.  I handed them each a sleeping bag.  Her name is Rocky.   Her face lit up.  "Are those for us?" 

"Yes, ma'm, they are!  It's gonna be cold tonight so be sure you bundle up."    "Thank you so much for these."  When we drove off, she was hugging that sleeping bed like it was a luxurious bed in a fine hotel. 

And then the man that walked up to me, "Can I shake your hand?  I see you come out here and all you do for the homeless.   Not many people do that, ma'm.  Thank you so much and God bless you."

People ask me why I do these things for the homeless.   I do it for me.   It makes me so grateful for all the blessings I have.   It makes me remember what being a Christian really is.   It's about doing for others.   It's about doing unto the least of these as Jesus would.  

It is about giving to those who cannot give to you in any way.   For the first time in my 62 years, I know that I am doing God's work.  And it completes my soul.

Thank you to all who have helped provide sleeping bags for my homeless friends.  I'm ordering two more shipments this week.  As cold fronts hit, the sleeping bags will be delivered.  

I wish I had 1000 sleeping bags.   But even with a 1000, it wouldn't be enough.

Please give to those who are less fortunate.   It will bless you more than it could ever bless them.

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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ORDINARY HEROES

Every day we are told by the media about sports figures or celebrities that do something for other people.   We ooh and ahhh over them like we are amazed at their gestures or generosity.  Most of their deeds are reported by their agents or publicists.  It's called free publicity.

Today I'd like to honor Ordinary Heroes.   These are the people that feed the hungry, clothe those who have few clothes, take in orphans or foster children, care for the elderly, mentor a child, call people who are homebound, or send a card to lonely people whose entire day brightens with that mail.  I'm not talking about the government; I’m talking about working folks who dig into their own resources to help.

Just Ordinary People, who take it upon themselves to help others.  Most people don't even know they are doing anything.  Many would guess they do nothing.  No one puts out a news release.   No one oohs and ahs for them.  They are a silent group who just do their good works in private.

Their reward doesn't come from accolades from society.  Their reward comes from the people they humbly serve.   They are uplifted by doing God's work here on earth. 

Don't say you can't do it.  You can.   It just takes doing it.

Be an Ordinary Hero in someone else's life.   The greatest feeling in the world is when you help someone who can never repay you or even do anything for you.  

That is Agape love, the greatest love of all. 

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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TRANSFORMATION

Imagine the most beautiful butterfly you have ever seen.  Think about where that butterfly started and what it went through to emerge as a free soaring beautiful butterfly!

It was a caterpillar (ok, I know that's not the proper name but stay with me here).   She ended up in a small dark cocoon.    As time passed that butterfly must have thought, "I was an ugly worm and now I've been hidden away in this tomb!  What a life!"  

It made her so mad that she decided she could and would escape this prison!   No matter how bad her life as a worm was, it was better than this! 

She started to move.  Slowly at first and then more vigorously.   She wasn't quite sure what she was moving but it didn't feel like she was making a bit of progress.   Minute by minute.  Hour by hour.   She struggled to free herself.   It seemed like forever.  She would get tired.   She thought about quitting.  Many times she asked herself, “Is it worth it?”

And then...all of a sudden, she saw light break through!   Just that little bit of movement encouraged her and spurred her on to keep reaching and working towards her goal.    She knew she could break free of this prison!

She noticed that the harder she worked at getting to her goal, the stronger she became.  Soon her tiny world was filling up with light!   And then it happened!

She was free!  She emerged!  Once she had felt like a slug on the ground.  But now!  Now she was beautiful!   Her body was drenched in spectacular colors!  And she had wings!  WINGS!   She started to flap her wings and began to soar!  

She was free to be who she was meant to be!   Not a slug.  Not a worm.  Not a caterpillar.  Not a prisoner.   She was a butterfly!  Beautiful and free!

As she flew she realized that it was her determination, her will power, and her dedication that had brought her goal about.  She never lost sight of her goal,  We are no different than this butterfly.

Which do you choose?  To be a slug, a prisoner or a butterfly?

The choice is yours!

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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AND THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

My body has been craving carbs so badly.   And my body doesn't process carbs well.   Probably why I'm 10-15 pounds up, depending on the day.  Sometimes this journey is so hard I just want to give up.   Just roll over, eat until I can't eat another bite.

And then I think of my friend, Debbie, gone at 63.  Or my friend Joe, dead at 61.  Or my ex, dead at 71.   I don't want to die.   Especially from diabetes.   My friend, my sister, Patty, has been with her son for the past year who is in the end stages of diabetes.  He's 38.  I hurt for them both every day.

People who have never had to lose weight really have no true understanding of how difficult it is.  You have to eat to live and for so many of us, we live to eat.  I watch many shows that deal with anorexics an bulimics.   I'm always touched by the tenderness and care with which they are handled.  

But then when I see a program about an obese person, I don't see that same tenderness and love.   We aren't people with a disease.  We are just fat people who eat too much.  We aren't looked at as having a disease.  We are looked at as people with no self-discipline, no self-control, no will power. 

I know how to do it all.   I probably no more about nutrition, calories, the food pyramid, how to exercise and what exercises to do than most.  And I've done it all.   Healthy, unhealthy, strict, lenient, extreme, dangerous.  I've followed plans for a month and for years. 

But you just get tired.   You want your body to act and function normally.  And it doesn't.  You want to just scream WHY ME?  WHY DO I HAVE TO BE FAT?   But you know there are so many people who could scream the same words about what ever condition they deal with daily.

I know I will never be thin.   But I know I can be healthy.  And at this point that is all I am going to work towards. 

So, here I am, struggling with my brain to get into the right frame of mind.   I know what I need to do.  I just have to decide to do it.

And the struggle continues.

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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HOW MUCH HAVE YOU SAVED?

Anyone still doing the 52 week Savings challenge or as we like to call it, The Christmas Savings Club? It's not too late to start saving. You can start at the beginning and still have money by the end of the year.

I have gotten so many of my employees on it! I'm so proud of them all!

Trent has his 7 year old on his own little savings program along with his parents.

Richard asked me the other day to explain it to him because his wife just didn't see how they could do it. He said, "we need to do this."

Javier is 25, married and has 3 kiddoes. Yesterday he came in and said, "How much are we supposed to have saved by now?" We checked the chart and I think it was $551 or so. "Know how much I have saved?" "How much?" $2700!!!!!!! I want to be his kid for Christmas this year!!!

WHOA!!!!! Go Javier!

So here is my question to you to encourage you to start saving: If you or your spouse, partner, significant other, etc. were to be unable to work for a month or more, how long would you be able to continue to pay your bills?

Most people in our country are a month away from being homeless. If you don't have family and friends to buffer you and help you if that happened, you better start making you an emergency fund. If you need help, ask me or send me a message.

So let's get to saving!

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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MY MOTHER'S HUSBAND

MY MOTHER'S HUSBAND

I remember after my Daddy died and my mother started dating, we wanted her to go out with white collar men.  Doctors, Lawyers, Indian Chiefs, etc.   Only the best for our Mama.

And who did she bring home?   The bluest of the blue collar workers.   She brought home a plumber.  And married him. 

Yeah, he stunk when he came home from work but he could fixed anything. 

Yes, he wasn't rolling in money but the money he had he spent on her. 

Sure, he didn't look like a movie star and now looks like Santa, but he only had a twinkle in his eyes for her.  

A good man with a good heart.  All wrapped in blue.

She grew up with my daddy.  She grew old with Ed.

I think he might be the reason when men ask me what kind of man I'm looking for, I now say "a blue collar man who can fix anything around the house."

And if he has a million dollars?  That would just be icing on the cake.

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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OH, HAPPY DAY

One of my favorite gospel songs by Andre Crouch!   It makes me want to jump up, raise my arms and dance a little bit!   It just fills me with such joy!

Joy - that elusive feeling so many of us long for and search for.   Sometimes we stand waiting for it to cover us like sprinkles of rain from a downpour.  

It's really much easier than that and you don't even have to wait for it.

Like happiness, joy is a choice.   You can choose every day, every moment to have joy.  Maybe you get joy from music.  TURN IT ON!  Maybe dancing makes you feel joyful!   Get up and move!   I dance around my office all the time.  Sometimes there isn't even any music on. 

Spending time with my best friend, Marisela, and laughing always lifts my spirits and fills me with joy.   If we go several days without getting together, when we see each other we are like 4 year olds!   Jumping up and down, hugging each other and laughing like it’s been years!

You will notice that the more joy you have, the more joy thieves will start lurking around to steal it.   That is the time to allow and embrace more joy.  And remind yourself how much joy you will have when they leave.

There is that tiny seed of joy planted deep within your heart.   Feed it a little today.  Water it.   Love it.  Care for it.   Then watch it bloom and change your life!

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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DON’T TEXT & DRIVE

Yesterday on my way home I noticed a young woman in a car weaving in and out of her lane, slowing down and speeding up. When I passed her, I saw why. She was texting on a major interstate highway during rush hour traffic going over 60 miles an hour.

I just don't understand people who text and drive. There is nothing and I mean nothing that is so important that one has to endanger your life and those of others because you are texting. And don't give me that crap about "I voice text". You still aren't paying attention to your driving.

What are these people going to do if they cause an accident that ends up in severe injuries and/or death? Do they not understand that a death can result in a charge (and prison sentence) for vehicular manslaughter? If you don't care about us on the road and our families, care about yourself and your family.

Please please please don't text and drive. And if something is so important you just have to text, please exit the freeway, park and text till your heart's desire!

This has been a public service announcement from the people who share the road with you, our families and your family.

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WAIT!

Kathy, my friend of over 30 years, called me today to tell me her husband, Joe, had passed away. I'm so sad for her and their daughter.  My heart is just breaking.  They were married 38 years ago tomorrow.  He was only 61.

ONLY 61!  He was planning to retire this year so they could do all the things they hadn't done when they were working.

Please don't wait to do those things you are planning to do when you retire.  Start doing them now.  Travel.  Spend time with your friends and family.  Go to dinner with your kids.  Take that painting class you have talked about for years.  Learn to dance.  Go to the movies by yourself.  Walk in the park and pretend you are the four again.   Roll in the leaves.   Skip rocks across the water of a pond.  Be silly. Stop caring what people think of you.  Live like this might be your last day.

The hardest lesson I learned when Jim passed away last year is that i am going to die.  I have a finite amount of time left on this beautiful earth and I don't want to spend it working, being angry, unhappy or lonely.  I want every day to count.

Don't wait to start living until sometime in the future.  It might be too late.

Rest in peace, Joe Barrios.  You were a good man, husband and daddy.  Gone too soon but never forgotten. You will be sorely missed. 

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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THE INVISIBLE PEOPLE

If you have never fed the homeless, you have missed out on a great experience.

It will make you grateful. It will make you sad. It will make you feel useful. It will give someone hope. It will make you see people the way God does. Just like you but less fortunate.

Homeless people are not taken care of by the government. They are invisible people. Hoping for shelter but usually lying on concrete or sitting in wheelchairs in the same place day after day. The food lines are never long enough for everyone to eat. They will tell you how long it has been since they have eaten. They never take more food unless it is for someone who can't walk to the line.

They aren't greedy. They aren't mean. They are just like us. Just down on their luck. Most have no families that can or will help them.

If you or your partner were injured or got sick and couldn't work, how long would you be able to live in your home or apartment before you became homeless?

For most it is less than a month. Just a month away from being like the people who live on the outskirts of one of the most beautiful and successful cities in the world. And we don't even see them. Except when we go to an Astros game and we just don't want these dirty homeless people near the parking or stadium. Then we see them.

They hurt. They cry. They are embarrassed. They are hungry. They are dirty. They have few clothes. Many have no shoes. All they have are a few belongings that if they walk away for a few minutes will probably be picked up by the city and thrown away.

We are the homeless. They were once us. No matter where you live, there are homeless people. None of us can feed them all. But we can feed 50 or 30 or 10 or even just one. Even one will make a difference. And a difference in your life.

Matthew 25:35-40 New International Version (NIV)

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Brothers and sisters. That's what they are. Just like us but down on their luck.

copyrighted 2015

caryn Cannatella

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