"Crazy Cat Lady" Weekly Wisdom

Are you a cat person or a dog person? Or both?

In my world, there is a slight edge leaning to being a cat person but I love them both. Almost all of my friends have dogs.  I will play and snuggle with them while I am visiting but I do enjoy coming home to my sassy pants Tortie cat (on most days). Growing up, pets were really not going to be in my sister and I's future, until my Dad's boss had a litter of kitties. I remember the family loading up in my Dad's pickup and driving out to the acreage in the country, my sister and I were so excited. After seeing and playing with them all, we decided on a black and white male furball, we named Guy. He was the most handsome boy and we loved him hard. We weren't allowed to really have him in the house and he partied hard out in the great big world. There were a few outdoor cats after Guy who we would feed and play with but no one really stuck. 

In college, my friend Katy and I thought it would be fun to get a cat, so off we went to the Animal Rescue League to find a friend who needed a home. As we were looking at all the cages, one tiny paw kept reaching out, luring us in. Grace was the cat of the day and we knew she was the one. She moved 5 times, had 5 human roommates and had a tiny kitten who looked just like her, become her bestie until her 17 years on this earth were over. 

Why am I telling you all of this?  It is National Adopt a Cat Month and each year, I think about Grace and what would have happened if we didn't adopt her. My heart breaks every time I hear of a sad kitty situation, like hoarding or abuse. There are cats all over in need of a home, all different ages, shapes, sizes and needs. There are also cats in need of being spayed or neutered so the vicious cycle of becoming rescues doesn't continue.  Shelters across the world are full to capacity this time of year with cats and we can do better. If you lean toward being a cat person, maybe it is time to lean a little harder. And if you are not ready to lean, it is a great time to foster or donate to help the rescues around you. 

I couldn't imagine life without Guy, George, Grace or Lil g.  Save a kitty. 

#embracethehellyeah | #lessstuffmorelife

~AE

"Kick Ass Music Never Expires" Weekly Wisdom

What was the first and the last concert you went to?

My first was Spin Doctors with the Screaming Trees. 

My last was New Kids on the Block, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Naughty by Nature and Salt-N-Pepa. 

There is something about music that stands the test of time. I can hear a song I haven't heard in a million years and it can take me back to a certain place and time in my life. I remember events, people, smells, weather and even feel the same emotions from this place in time. 

As I was listening to Debbie Gibson this past Sunday, I forgot how much I loved her!  It was 1988 and I remember begging my parents to buy her record Out of the Blue. I cannot tell you how many times I listened to it. When she started singing, I knew every word to every song and quickly recalled the numerous lip syncing dance parties I had in my parents family room. I just needed my hair brush microphone and I would have been 12 years old again - (by the way, she sounds just a great as she did back then). As my 43 year old self, I couldn't stop smiling thinking about how much joy she brought me then and how much joy she brought me Sunday night. 

All the music in my life is kick ass music -you might not all agree and that's cool. Thank goodness there is so many options to go around for all of us. And thank goodness our favorite jams will have no expiration date. It will always be a part of my life. It will always be a part of all the internal structures of me. I will "listen to the oldies" and be thrilled by discovering newbies.  I am so grateful for the place music has in my life, most importantly live music. It's crazy how many concerts I have been to.  Moving forward, I am going to write them all down and try to remember the ones from the past to keep adding to the storytelling "Mix Tape" of my life. 

#embracethehellyeah | #lessstuffmorelife

~AE

"Everything is Better with Cheese" Weekly Wisdom

Is milk or cheese a key component to your family meals?

They were at my house when I was growing up and still are. I remember milk was always served at every meal and for me it had to be super cold. I would make sure it was stored in the back of the refrigerator because I wanted it cold. Milk helped me get down a few veggies I didn't care for in my youth, made breakfast my favorite meal of the day by accompanying my favorite bowl of Life cereal and I always enjoyed a "special treat" of a gallon of chocolate milk (when it was on sale) and poured with 1/2 glass of white milk to make it last longer (and reduced the sugar per Mom). 

Now as an adult, I don't know if milk is always on the table but cheese is!  I think the explosion of charcuterie plates has made me the happiest human alive. I have grown to really appreciate cheese, the different flavors, how it accompanies certain foods and brings out different nuances I would have not appreciated as a child. I can't remember the last time I bought an American slice of cheese but as of right now, I have a nicely aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh mozzarella just waiting for me. And a fun fact for you all, during a day of podcasting, you can find me settling in for the day with a little personal sized charcuterie plate to fuel my day. 

It’s National Dairy Month – a perfect time to enjoy healthy, delicious dairy foods. Dairy is the milk in your cereal, the cheese on your pizza, the yogurt in your morning smoothie. Dairy is part of all the things you love to eat and are shared at some of the most special moments in your life. Enjoy your favorite dairy foods today and everyday. 

Did you know dairy is responsibly produced? 97% of dairy farms are family-owned and -operated. Dairy farmers are committed to caring for their cows, the land and the environment to bring you the dairy foods you love.  Did you know the chocolate milk you’re enjoying might be a part of a larger sustainability story? One gallon of milk is now produced with 90 percent less land and 65 percent less water than it was decades ago. Satisfying your sweet tooth while helping the environment? That’s a win-win. Through the use of innovative and safe technology, the dairy industry delivers exceptional animal care, quality nutrition and the freshest products around.

My favorite thing about dairy?  It is local. The dairy community has a strong, positive impact on local communities across the country. Dairy farming and the dairy industry are responsible for nearly 1 million jobs in the United States and since most people live within 100 miles from a local dairy farm, dairy products are one of the freshest items you can buy. Milk is the perfect example of a fresh, farm-to-table product, taking less than 48 hours to go from the farm to the dairy aisle. And since 97 percent of dairy farms are family-owned and operated, you can feel good about supporting your local community through dairy.

Happy National Dairy Month!

#embracethehellyeah | #lessstuffmorelife

~AE