Upside Down Cats

The Counting Skunks Tour 2009

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:09:42 -0500

Today would have been my mom's 91st birthday. She passed away back in March and today I'm thinking that this is the first time in my life that I haven't been able to wish her a happy day and remind her to spend it celebrating herself. I'll have to celebrate her myself with my memories and by taking some time to reflect on her legacy in my life.

The way I'm going to celebrate Mom's birthday is by writing about the last time I visited her which, aptly, was at the big birthday bash my family held for her last August on the occasion of her 90th birthday. It was a party I very nearly missed...
Continue reading "The Counting Skunks Tour 2009"

The First Man in My Life

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:07:42 -0500

When my mom passed away this past Spring, I had the opportunity to spend some precious time with family, rediscovering some family treasures.

Among the treasures I unearthed was a photo I remembered fondly yet was certain I'd never see again. Oh, how I squealed with delight when my eyes fell upon it once again!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you for the first time in over forty years, the Fred and Ginger of the wedding circuit...

(Cue Rock and Roll Part II)

Mr Jim and Miss Gina!

This is my daddy and me, dancing at my sister Linda's wedding. It's a heartfelt memory, a treasured photo and now a long-lost friend, returned to my life once again.

This picture depicts Dad's and my relationship perfectly - I always felt like his little buddy. He always had time for me and he always made me feel special. Could a little girl feel more special than being all dressed up and dancing with her dad at a fancy hall with a live band? Well, I can tell you this little girl couldn't have!

I have previously written in detail about Dad and me - complete with pictures - but this is the only one you ever really need to see to understand what we were all about.

I share this photo today in honor of Father's Day. Dad passed away in 1997, so even though I no longer can wish him a Happy Father's Day, my heart is warmed today and every day by the memories of him that I carrry with me.

I'll Always Have a Mom

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Sun, 09 May 2010 21:01:02 -0500

My mom passed away this year on March 17.

No tribute I could write today could capture what I was inspired to compose a couple days later in the funeral home's online guestbook. It poured out of my fingers, straight from my heart. In my mom's honor, I share it with you today:

It is an extraordinary honor to have been born your daughter. By your example, you taught me that women are smart and strong and resourceful. By your example, you taught me that life is a precious gift full of joy and purpose: That it is as important to know how to enjoy life as it is to work hard and utilize my talents. These lessons have served me well throughout my life.

Most importantly, by your example, you taught me the essence of "home." Home is where you are accepted for the individual you are, warmly nurtured and endowed with the freedom to grow into the fullness of your potential. Because I know "home," I can venture forth to create and find that feeling of home in my own life.

Thank you, Mom, for these examples which guide me. They provide a constant source of conviction and direction in my life. These are the qualities I seek to share in the world myself. Through me and those whose lives I touch, your examples will live on forever - as will you in my heart.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I Wish I Could Tell You In Person...

Thinking Outside The Box For Gift Ideas

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:57:00 -0600

With the holidays fast approaching, Scott and I have again turned our thoughts to gifts for the family. Holiday shopping can be stressful, tedious, and time consuming - not to mention expensive. But believe me, gift-giving doesn't have to be unpleasant.

When it comes to gifts, it really is the thought that counts. No one in our circle of family and friends - fortunately - is relying on our gift to fulfill any need - or want - for that matter. In the true spirit of a gift, then, we are free to give of ourselves. It has become our tradition to give non-traditional gifts by thinking "outside the box."

For us, gift-giving is a joy rather than a pain in the neck and pocketbook because each year we challenge ourselves to be thoughtful, creative and budget-conscious. We are always proud of the gifts we give and we feel that the recipients are even more appreciative for the care and thought we put into them. Our approach also alleviates the "obligatory" factor of gifting, because our gifts come from the heart and not from the mall.

Let me share some of our previous gift ideas to illustrate what I mean by "thinking outside the box."

One year, two family members were diagnosed with diabetes. The subject of health was on our minds, so we made a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation on behalf of each recipient.

When we noticed that our growing nieces and nephews were leading such independent lives, we thought it would be nice to give the whole family a reason to spend some time together. We created a Family Movie Night basket which included a DVD (The Princess Bride was our excellent choice), homemade flavored popcorn and several blanket throws.

Then there was Couple's Game Night where we host a night away from the kids each month at our house to play games, enjoy snacks and visit with each other as adults.

Last year we offered "Aunt and Uncle Day" where we invited the nieces and nephews over to our house (two at a time) for some age-appropriate fun with us, including yoga and spa day for the girls, cooking/guitar lessons and crafts for the boys. It was all about making memories.

Each of these ideas was targeted at the current circumstances and priorities of those we were gifting. Getting to the essence of the recipient is the key to coming up with a great, personalized gift idea. Once you have the "a-ha" moment, you just need to flesh out the concept, making the completed gift as simple or as detailed as you can afford in time, effort and cost.

Brainstorming ideas for people on the gift list creates a wonderful opportunity for teaching children about giving. What a great chance for them to think of others at a time of year that can so often become all about "things." As a bonus, the creation and presentation of the gift can become a satisfying family project incorporating everyone's ideas and talents.

Scott and I want gift-giving to be a meaningful experience, for ourselves and for those to whom we give. We accomplish that by giving a piece of ourselves. One size fits all.

NaBloPoMo ' 09 - Hai-cat #30

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:15:59 -0600

Wow...another National Blog Posting Month is done! NaBloPoMo '09 has been fun as I searched back through the archives of our cat photos and wrote a haiku about one every day of November. Here's the last one...

Gina's Hai-cat #30

Cooper says it all
NaBloPoMo is over
Good night and sleep tight

NaBloPoMo '09 - Hai-cat #29

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:27:26 -0600

This is the next-to-last day of National Blog Posting Month. I do believe I'm going to follow through to complete the challenge for my third consecutive year! For NaBloPoMo '09 I've been posting a photo of our cats and a haiku I wrote about said photo.

Gina's Hai-cat #29

Abbey on the shirts
Great help folding the laundry
Never puts away

NaBloPoMo '09 - Hai-cat #28

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:58:00 -0600

National Blog Posting Month is almost over! I only have a few more opportunities to write a haiku about a photo of our cats to post for NaBloPoMo '09.

Gina's Hai-cat #28

Who says cats can't fetch?
Mama throws Desi's green ball
She carries it back

NaBloPoMo '09 Hai-cat #27

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:56:00 -0600

There's only a few more days of National Blog Posting Month but I still haven't run out of photos of our cats to write haikus about! Here's my 27th entry for NaBloPoMo '09...

Gina's Hai-cat #27

What a pretty face
Beemer could be a model
So perfect looking

NaBloPoMo '09 - Hai-cat #26 (Thanksgiving Edition)

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:17:00 -0600

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are reading along throughout National Blog Posting Month! Here's today's NaBloPoMo '09 haiku about a photo of our cats...

Gina's Hai-cat #26

A very sad year
Said goodbye to a best friend
Thankful for Abbey

NaBloPoMo '09 Hai-cat #25

gina@upsidedowncats.com (Gina) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:51:00 -0600

National Blog Posting Month is chugging right along! Here's today's NaBloPoMo '09 haiku about a photo of our cats.

Gina's Hai-cat #25

Lie down and hold still!
So I can lick your head clean
Abbey bathes Desi