R U paying Life's Rent on time?

“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” ~Shirley Chisholm

It's the third month of the New Year and people have already shaken their new "found" resolutions. I see a lot of "celebs" have fallen off the "I'm-giving-because-I-Care-During-the-Holiday-season" wagon while others have latched onto the "Let-me-show-the-world-how-much-I-care-two-weeks-before-my-album-drops" tittie. One thing that chaps my hide is 'conditional philanthropy'. During the festive season celebs and all the like were breaking their necks carving turkey, wrapping presents, passing out punkin' pie and rocking terminally ill children in their laps. Now, where are they? Have they moved on to pilot season or have they developed another weak ass attempt to gain notoriety? What about you? What have YOU done today to make you feeeeeel proud (insert Heather Small song here)? We have a tendency to forget that the desolute still needs shelter in February, the hungry still vie for food in July and the terminally ill will still be debilitated in September if the Lawd don't call them home before then. Have we NO SHAME!Why can't we care all year instead of when the lil round-bellied man reminds us at the end of the year to do so? How are you paying life's rent?
Some of us fail to demonstrate acts of kindness and compassion because we are so damn selfish. It's always me, ME, moi or I, I, I! Catch a freaking clue! The world can not heal itself without our help. Yeah I know we are responsible for our own happiness but it's a known fact that making others happy usually result in personal ecstacy right? I could be wrong but I highly doubt it!

//signed//
The Rent-Paying Cat's Meow

I'm sorry....SIKE!

Why do people insist on forcing children to apologize? Aren't apologies supposed to be heartfelt and meaningful for the one apologizing and the one offended? The child, like any other human being, is supposed to "feel" apologetic. And to do that, they have to be aware of what they did wrong, why it was wrong and the consequences their actions. Not being cognizant of the ramifications of their actions will only result in an repeat offense. IMHO, the child will repeat the same offense but will be sure to not get caught the second time being as though they were forced to apologize when they weren't sorry. Apologies are supposed to evince true feelings of penance and personal responsibility and accountability. A forced apology is not an apology.
Forcing your child to issue empty apologies is a sure-fire way to assist them in being socially challenged and to keeps them out of touch of their true feelings. Could this be the reason why adults are so hesitant to apologize in later years even when they are genuinely "sorry"? Hmm....
It seems that way to me. I know as a child, when I was forced to apologize, I would say "I'm Sorry" real snappy or wait for my mom to turn around before sticking my tongue out at the offended just before rolling my eyes. I was sorry that I got caught but definately not for the feelings I exasperated. I wasn't aware of it. I was enabled into feeling so. Thank the heavens, now I know better.



//signed//
The Apologetic Cat's Meow

Que Sera, Sera....

Que Sera, Sera Whatever will be, will be.
The future's not ours to see, Que Sera, Sera. ~Doris Day

Will whatever shall be, be? How do we know that?
Here lies my problem with this statement. How long do we wait to see if what is meant to be, will be?
If we act too fast are we being inpatient? If we wait too long, are we being foolish?
If I'm meant to be a wife, why aren't I by now? If you are meant to be wealthy, what's holding you up?
The saying goes, "Don't wait for something to happen, make it happen." But I thought it WILL BE regardless right? R u just as lost as I am? So, if you work your ass off faithfully to do a certain job for 13 years, steps on no one's toes, do what you're supposed to do and is a go-getter and STILL not land the lead role what do you do? What do you say to that? Do you NOT become a go-getter and sit and wait for things to happen? Or do you give reality a little boost? I thought faith, without work, is dead. No one wants to wait forever for something that may or may not be!

Some people are drawn to this statement when if comes to true love. If you are meant to be it will be. How the hell do I know if it's meant or not? I ain't gonna sit around and wait but do I rush it? Do I wait for my Knight in Shining Armour to come and sweep me off my feet or help things along just for him to sweep me under a rug? What the hell? (u like that STICKY?) I don't even like brooms! Some folk go a lifetime searching for a life companion only to die without one. It's not meant for everyone in life to have a true love so how do you find out if you are on that list? I know I'm on that list but are you? If you knew you were on the list would you STILL try and beat the odds or settle for what is "meant to be"?

Grr....I think I'm confusing myself and pissing myself off at the same time! Excuse me while I try and figure this thing out. Damn, wish whatever will be just BE already!?

*walks off whistling Que Sera, Sera. Whatever...* Oh shut the hell up Doris!


//signed//
The Perplexed Cat's Meow

KAmber of DisGrace!

I'm gonna make this short and simple. Yall know how I love me some Grace 'Can't-Do-No-Wrong' Jones! I get very agitated and agravated when others try to immulate her, especially ones that don't come close to the goodness of GRACE. Now I'm sure a lot of you have viewed the catasrophic diabolical HAMASTIC photo of Kanye's side-piece, Amber Rose and her poor attempt to channel my GRACE. (I won't post AR's version cuz she is not worthy). What the hell was the bish thinking? Oh my bad, she wasn't. If she were she would have known that this attempt was a HELL NAW! She lacks the poise, lines, charisma,talent, savoir faire, attitude and GRACE of the Chocolate Disco Diva. GRACE=ART! This piece=ART! Her work makes you think and wanna party. KAmber's attempt, IMHO, was an attempt to extend her 15 minutes of fame. She has to stay in the lime-light some way. It's just another way for her dumb ass to show her ass to the world (I can't really call her dumb. N E 1 that makes money for being the side-piece for one Kanye West can't really be that boorish). Alirght KAmber, we get it. You like being bald on BOTH heads and you want the world to know it. Sitcho cellulitic ass down! I normally don't really care for the bish. Now initally I didn't like or dislike the trollop but now I loathe this bish with a capital LOATHE! I never went in threads talking about her b/c she never interested me but now the beast has ticked me off! Ok I'm getting more furious so I will make like Kanye's dick and cut this short. I hope the O' Great GRACE haul off and bust the bish in her head and yall know she will do it!

//signed//
A very disgusted Cat's Meow

Joshua Williams lived off of $8 a month!

Joshua Williams was the first African-American treated for his wounds in what is known today as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Ever heard of Joshua Williams?

His is an important name in the history of American Veterans.

Joshua Williams was the first African-American Veteran ever admitted to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, which is now the Dayton, Ohio, VA Medical Center.

Joshua Williams was admitted to the home in March of 1867. He lived out the remainder of his life—three more years—there. The cemetery where Joshua Williams lies is now known as the Dayton National Cemetery.

Abraham Lincoln authorized the creation of National Homes to care for disabled, injured, and sick soldiers who fought to preserve the union, including those who served with U.S. Colored Troop (USCT) regiments. The National Homes was the precursor to today's Department of Veterans Affairs, with 153 medical centers and nearly 300,000 employees who care for all Veterans.

Joshua Williams served as a private for the Union forces in the Civil War and received a serious leg wound. His military service records described him as 6 feet 1 inches tall, "copper" complexion, brown eyes, and curly hair. He was listed as "free."

Pension was $8.00 a Month

By 1869, his wound affected the entire left side of his body and doctors at the National Home classified him as totally disabled for pension purposes—which was $8.00 per month.

Approximately 180,000 African Americans served as volunteer soldiers in 163 US Colored Troops units, comprising roughly 10% of the Union Army during the Civil War. Of the 198,000 African Americans that served in the Union forces, 36,847 died.

Approximately 21,000 Union veterans were admitted to four 'homes' between 1866 and 1881, and of that number, 195 were US 'Colored' Troops.

Related links:

Dayton, Ohio Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Dayton National Cemetery

Wake Up and Pay Attention!

Ya know, Life, it's not that hard. We just make it more difficult then it really is. Loving, it's not so complicated. We just don't know when, where and how to accept it. We are oftentimes so unaware of the powerful enigmatical presence when it's among us. Giving ain't difficult. What's so bewildering about opening up ur heart? Listen to it and the blessings flow...literally. I find that periodically in our quest for advice, we know the answer to the question we seek but just don't want to face it. Wether we are not sure if it's the answer or afraid of the outcome, we KNOW! None of these are as operose as we make it out to be. If u need to know the way...wake up and PAY ATTENTION!

//signed//
The Enlightened Cat's Meow

THE TIME IS DRAWING NIGH!

In a lil more then 24 hrs, I will be in my footed PJs, sipping on Pink Panties, gulping down jello shots and pizza while celebrating my existence with some of my friends. "The Boss" and I, mainly her, have been planning this for weeks now and I'm so excited! I've been banned from the house after 12pm tomorrow so I think there's some type of decorating goings-on. I can see it now...pictures of ME & pink EVERYWHERE!I've ordered the famous Blue Bell icecream from Texas; B'nana Pudding, Cookies-N-Cream and Butter Pecan icecream will be at my door tonight packed in dry ice. I must confirm the pizza delivery and buffalo wing place, peel the shrimp and prepare the pig-in-the-blankets. Speaking of blankets, I think we may need more of those for tomorrow. My bourdoir looks like a Tsunami ran through it and my bathroom, a hurricane is no match for. Yeah I'm a messy Diva but I'm ok with that. I wish my other "me", Filita, could be here but she has to get her nursing on at work in D.C. and I'm mad about it!
Anyway, I hope everyone is up on their game of Twister cuz since I've never played, I WILL be cheating! So! It's MY party and I'll cheat if I want to! Cheat if I want to! Cheeeaaat if I want to! LMSBAO! Let's see, there will also be games of Phase 10, Vodka Roulette, Spades, a lip synching contest, two footed pajama contest and downing of more jello shots! This will be an event to remember...as long as I don't have any Hennessy. "The Boss" has banned me from having Hennessy in the public. She says my tyrant of an alter-ego, Elvada, reveals herself to the world and she is a BITCH! The funny thing is, I never remember anything after drinking it so I guess banning me from it is a good thing. I must get my new hair cut tomorrow and that will be an experience within itself. I've haven't sat in a beauticians chair in years. I normally go to the barbershop but since I've grown my hair out in the front, I must take a quick detour. Hhmmm....I just thought of something esle to complete my night. I'll keep ya posted. Today, Life is good.

//signed//
I'm the Cat's Meow and this is MY life as a COVERGIRL!