The cat

For those of you who dont know, my oldest daughter (Meagan) recently married and I am the luckiest mother-in-law out there. Steven is the bees knees (even though he's an American, but as Kyrsti said - we can work around that.. :)

This past week my kids went on a well deserved honeymoon to Maui. (I say well deserved as they are both gems, and its hard pressed to find finer young people who just give and give).

Anyhoo, as they disappeared into the land of bliss, we took Meagan's cat (Sassy) - the other love of her life.

I am a happily retired cat owner. My last cat took me out of the game, and now Mel has her (blessings to Mel for rescuing me), but I love miss Sassy even though she looks grumpy and bites noses. Looking after this cat is quite the endeavour. If I loose her, Megs will KILL me. If the dogs stress her, not good - so we are very cautious when she is in our care.

Yesterday was their return day so I wanted Sassy to be back at home to greet Megs on her arrival. I planned extra early to collect Sassy, litter box and things so as not to be late for my lunch meeting.

As I am carefully loading yucky litterbox into my vehicle, I see Sassy on the driveway. Heart in throat, I proceed to gently call her " oh sassy".... Im sure she felt my pulse racing. Of course she would bolt (that what cats do...)

I followed her to the park, praying and keeping calm so I can sneak up and pounce on her.

Ever so close... she waits until Im just grazing the top of her back and she bolts again. This time there is no "oh sassy" business ... %#@*&% CAT

Run home uttering vocabulary highly unsuitable for my neighbourhood, jump in the car, 2 wheels around the corner - I find her halfway to the next park.

Like a cheetah stalking a baby gazelle, I tippy-toe to the mound of fur hiding in the grass and I pounce. Success!

Now how does one deal with an angry Edward scissorhands - loading THAT into a vehicle successfully without loosing their eyes? And whats the deal with these claws - I KNOW Mandy just trimmed those down. My carefully laid out plan is to throw her in like a frisbee and let go very quick as I shut the door. Like throwing a velcro ball, cats tend to stick onto the area they land on, so the head rest it is then.

Im feeling pretty smug. Megs doesnt have to know about this and Im sure my friend will forgive me for being late for lunch.

Return home, carefully slip out of vehicle, pop back in to get my purse and meow. Miss Sassy in the house already to go.

I have someones else's cat.

SO I get rid of cat #1 to make room for cat # 2, who spiderwebs as Im loading her (likely the smell of cat # 1 set her off).

I proceed to drive off and become distracted by the scritching noise in the back.

I slam on the brakes - thump. Sassy falls off headrest. Leather and cats not good mix.

Im late, and in the negotiating process of "do I return home and reload cat into old car" or will she settle down and just lay there like a nice cat. I opt to keep going....

Spread out my jacket for her to lay on (which is a HUGELY nice gesture on my part as Im allergic to her) stroke her fur (not so gentle this time) and proceed to drive off again.

A little further down the road Sassy bolts for the back .... scritch scratch scritch scritch on Tammy's nice new seats. Climbing back up not working out so well, no traction.

Plant foot on brakes again, Sassy sinks her nails IN so as to avoid another plunk. Pull a u-turn to proceed back home causing her to make half a dozen turns around the headrest.

We switched vehicles. I was late for my lunch, but my story more than made up for it.

I havent checked my nice new leather seats yet, dont think I want to.

Whats the morale of the story? Cat carrier.

2012 Promo video

Well folks I am thrilled to say that the DVD is FINALLY done!

I use this little 9 minute video to showcase our event, particularly at schools or for various teams / workplaces and also displayed on our website.

In past, a coworker of Gord (Joe - at Canada Post) created 2004-05.

Following and up to current, I have recruited talent to pull divine creations out of my thoughts (that really aren't mine).

Up until last year, Amy Cornet and my daughter Kyrsti have extracted a vision and endured my plentiful and persistent edits and skillfully displayed beautiful moments of our history.

THIS year, my Dusty took this project on (God love him) and I shall proudly say.... he did a fine job. :)

At some prophetic moment over the last 6 summers (while I'm driving) I will literally "see" the video. It comes all at once - the songs, the pictures, the atmosphere. Then I go home and make it happen before I forget.

Like many of these hairbrained ideas, I take little ownership as they are given to me. Ive just learned to pay attention to what's a Tammy idea and a God inspired idea.

I cant argue with an inspired idea, it simply works and we dont mess with it. I'll fight for it to the bitter end and historically this has caused some heated arguments over certain areas of this event.

My own ideas are negotiable. Sometimes I can hit one out of the park on my own, others take harsh ribbings from certain folks (you know who you are...)

This years video did not come this summer. It was worrisome.

I had to start from scratch, with a basic idea of an anniversary theme, but no vision.

I procrastinated, and eventually pulled ideas out of my -- until it finally came this month. I panicked as I realized that Kyrsti has a ridiculous schedule like mine.

I thought of Dusty and he enthusiastically said YES (that was before he knew what he was dealing with...).

The anniversary video is not high tech. Like the others, I am not too concerned about looking professional - Im focused on reaching the people. Its homemade, grassroots and the message brings it home.

Next 10 years, Jaime can take over the creative and Im good with that. I have officially run out of hospital pics of Kali and other young survivors (pics taken that once were frowned upon) were used for this. Interesting looking back...

Poor Dusty, each facebook post, text and tweet reflected "YAY - its DONE!".

Heheheh, my daughters warned him - when I say "sweet - you're done" - this means I will edit it another 3-4 times before our next viewing when it's done.

So its done.... Unless I hit the pillow and realize that I forgot to send a certain pic, or found a certain pic, or that Dusty could shave off a fraction of a second off something so I can add another something.

Dusty if you are reading this - just burn the DVD's man - dont answer your phone, dont open your email.

I'll tell ya. I could not deal with a me. I'd strangle it.

We Libra's really should be punished for a lifetime of changing our minds for the sake of balancing ourselves and everything around us.

I'll betcha 5 minutes after I hit "publish" on this blog, I will edit it.

Then I'll shut down laptop, pee .... and edit again. My head will hit the pillow, and just as I sink into the memory foam, Ill make my way in the dark, trip over a dog and ...you get where Im going.

I shall be posting on website as soon as DVD's are in hand (Thank you DJ FISH!) and notifying the schools that presentations are ready to go. :)

Have a good night folks.

Some Ritalin with my coffee please?

Today we had a HM meeting at Peters house (this would be crazy Christie's) and "we" would be Jaime, Brandi and myself.

Christie has just been recruited to be our full on stylist coordinator (who shall relieve the past responsibilities of my lovely daughter Megs, and offer support to our 2 dedicated captains Mel and Sam).

Christie may be a character, but she takes her roles very seriously (and I'll tell you this was the case this morning). She was on a mission and you dont mess with her when she's got that goin on.

Chris had all of her notes piled up and was adamant in getting to ALL of them.

Jaime sat across from her, new stages of learning the language of "Apple" on my old macbook (which is now her "new" laptop). Its missing a key and the little wheel just spins and spins.

Brandi sat next with pen in hand in a mad scramble to document and organize the ADHD conversation that billowed around her.

Her laptop weighs a hundred pounds and was built in the 80's. The occasional poof of smoke that came off her pen indicated that this was quicker than a keyboard.

Christie insisted that I stay focused... on 14 things, meanwhile Jaime is texting me across the table (as I am clearly not responding to her).

Reviewing piles of notes - NOT my favorite thing ... I decide to escape to the coffee and fixin's in Christies kitchen. That gave me about a minute of reprieve before the chains secured me back down.

I have reviewed the pledge packages more times this year than EVER before, its exhausting for a girl like me.

Please peeps find a new way to torture me, make me count money instead or how about lick stamps?

As I sat cuffed to the table I realized that I was not alone. I always knew I had these friends afflicted with the same traits as I, only today .... not so much. I couldn't keep up.

Having taken my pill this morning, I realized I was struggling.

It was like I was put outside myself so as to appreciate what my kids have weathered their whole lives, what Brandi and Nicki have endured. Its a LOT to process in one haul.

I looked over at Brandi and thought "how is she keeping up... and she's GOOD".

She's not even crying or chewing the skin off her hands.

Brandi, I gotta tell ya, it takes talent to organize these whirlwinds. Your sense of humour well in tact, youre golden girlfriend.

Meanwhile Christie has a vision for her area, I think she's owning that quite well. Im blown away actually. Chris and Jaime have been with me for 5 /6 years - enthusiastically and passionately.

Jaime is creating a sponsorship request - in Mac language, and addressing her points fighting for air time with Peters. I cant keep up with Jaime either.

Tammy called to task to hopefully approve a hundred ideas and edits.

After 2 1/2 hours, I left Christies with an urgent need to crash a buffet and put my face under a chocolate fountain.

Having shared, I have to admit we got a LOT accomplished.

Im very lucky to share this event with these levels of talent and enthusiasm.. and PASSION.

I do however think a sponsorship of Ritalin might be in order....

Getting going

Jaime survived her first week with us and away from a very familiar McDonalds Corporate restaurants.

I knew that it was going to be an easy transition bringing in a project manager who was so well acquainted and knowledged with HM. I believe the level of training Jaime will receive will equal the learning we will receive from her (she's a bit of a firecracker).

Last December Miss Brandi - (aka - Secretariat) hit the ground running. (She's not so fond of her nick name but its true...) There is certainly no ease time with this event.

After these 5 punchy days, I reflected on my drive home Friday (from a lengthy session of torturous checklists, potential sponsorships and the implementing of heightened social media) I realized I had blinked in probably a good hour.

I believe we acquired 2 new sponsorships this week. I wont reveal yet until confirmed but my insides are all squiggly. After a successful exciting event, I go through a period of shock or disbelief (likely because Im used to jumping through a million hoops first).

Dont sleep, want sugar, no blinking, somewhat catatonic - really messes me up until I process my excitement.

The last sponsorship meeting was with a social media company. It was Friday mid morning and Brandi had previously put us to task combing over the pledge packages.

Anyone that knows myself (and Jaime) knows that we have a limited attention span on just one item, so Brandi was put to the challenge to keep us focused.

It was Friday and I was in a Tammy mood. Luckily I met another crazy like myself (lets call this soul sister, ummm Carmel), and it was awesome that she got me, otherwise it might not have worked out.

Friday afternoon was all checklists, oh I no like those dreadful things.

I entertain myself by counting the 'looks" over the glasses received from Brandi.

On the good side, she laughs and lets me throw in an anecdote every 30 minutes or so - its like recess.

Thank to her strengths - being organization, checklists, combing documents we are further along than we've ever been. Mot my forte, that's just plain torture. I do do it and can do it, but it knocks out my mojo.

In the same room as Jaime, I realized I can easily recruit a partner in crime to attempt to distract Brandi. Hehehehe. I know exactly how far I can push before I sober up and grab a coffee.

When her eyebrows stretch above her glasses, its time to check back in. Its actually a Godsend that we have someone that focused in the group.

Nevertheless, Im thinking Brandi should bring us treats for good behaviour and effort. Maybe she could leverage her efforts.... or not.

I figured out this dynamic - Brandi is Yang, I am Yin and Jaime is both (chi).

She has the love for check lists, procedure but its so easy to get funny story out of her like nobody's business, and sway her off topic ('cause the old one became boring).

Now, even IF Brandi brings treats, let us have recess - once we incorporate social media (like Twittering) could be interesting to maintain our attention spans. The new plan might be to forfeit our phones and purses to the big grey bin prior to any future meetings.

Our first week with Jaime - a success, but its gonna be busier due to new implemented ideas and plans.

I am bringing Fred's doggy bed with me to Make-A-Wish so I can curl up and suck my thumb during those upcoming "Hey! Lets do this... moments".

Kidding aside, Im feeling good about this year.

Its a little belated - Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Check in soon!