Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 261

March 4th, 2013 by Karen 84 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for March 4, 2013

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

What was the last dish you cooked/prepared?
Last night I made a Thai-themed tomato and coconut curry with shrimp, and it wasn’t half bad, if I do say so myself. 🙂

What level of coverage do you prefer when it comes to your face makeup products?
For regular, run-o’-the-mill days, I like light coverage. Tinted moisturizers, or thereabouts, with a light dusting of translucent powder.

But when I’m going to be taking pics for the blog or getting ready for a special event (say, something fancier than Trader Joe’s or Petco for Tabs), I usually wear a full-coverage foundation and powder.

What’s your favorite yoga pose?
The happy baby. Because, ya know, I can do it lying down, LOL!

What’s your favorite flower?
It changes from time to time, but right now it’s freesia.

You receive your choice of lollipops today as a reward for being just plain awesome. Which flavor do you choose?
Wow, thank you. I’ll take either a Butterscotch or Cafe Latte lolly from See’s Candies, please.

Have you ever lived with roommates?
Yup, all throughout college and my 20s, and I don’t really think I’m built for it. I like my privacy, to be honest, and really value my alone time. Plus, I have some…quirks (please, PLEASE change the toilet paper roll when it runs out!!!).

I do love living with El Hub and Tabs, though. They appear to tolerate my weirdness. 🙂

Have you ever ridden/driven in a convertible?
Just once. On a family visit to Hawaii a few years ago, El Hub and I rented a convertible Mustang.

I dunno… I wasn’t really into it. Thing was hella noisy (even with the top up), and the few times we put the top down, driving through that humid, tropical air, my hair turned into a hot mess!

I’ve always wanted to…
Spend an entire weekend doing my own thing, no appointments or schedules, at a luxurious spa with a kick-@ss swimming pool.

Something that doesn’t move you?
Expensive jewelry. I know some girls love their shiny baubles, and I think they’re pretty, too, but I have a bad habit of losing earrings and necklaces… I think I’m better off going the costume route.

When’s the best time of year to visit your neck of the woods?
To me, it’s the early fall, around September or October. That’s when the weather here in the Bay Area is at its best. It’s pretty warm, but not too hot, reasonably consistent, which is a big thing around here where it can swing 30 degrees from day to day, and the crowds are a bit lighter.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. What was the last dish you cooked/prepared?
2. What level of coverage do you prefer when it comes to your face makeup products?
3. What’s your favorite yoga pose?
4. Favorite flower?
5. You receive your choice of lollipops today as a reward for being just plain awesome. Which flavor do you choose?
6. Have you ever lived with roommates?
7. Have you ever ridden/driven in a convertible?
8. I’ve always wanted to…
9. Something that doesn’t move you?
10. When’s the best time of year to visit your neck of the woods?

I hope you’re well on your way to having a great week. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 233

March 3rd, 2013 by Karen 8 Comments

Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the Cat, commonly regarded as “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most widely syndicated cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.

The naked truth

DEAR TABBY: HALP! My roommate Harold has a BIG problem with clothes — well, collars, specifically.

See, he just won’t wear them.

Ever since I first moved into my assistant’s house, Harold, who’s a year older than I am, has walked around the house wearing absolutely nothing at all — no collar — like, “Hello! I’m naked! Call me Harold!”

I can’t deny that it bothers me a little, because in my litter, when we were kittens, we always wore our collars, even if we were just lounging around. That’s just the way I was raised.

I try to overlook it — the nudity. I mean, Harold is a nice enough cat, but I don’t know — it still makes me feel uncomfortable.

And lately, it’s even gotten worse. Harold’s taken to sunning himself on the kitchen counters and the windowsills for all the neighborhood cats to see.

Tabby, there are kittens and children in our neighborhood! Should I say something to Harold? Or do you think I’m overreacting?

— Annoyed in Anchorage

tabs-the-mighty-hunter-collar-small — Formal collar attire

DEAR ANNOYED: Some cats are just more comfortable in the nude, and what you see as bad decorum could be perfectly acceptable behavior in some cat circles.

Way I see it, as long as Harold isn’t hurting anyone, I think you have to look the other way.

Problems with punctuality

DEAR TABBY: I’ve been seeing a massage therapist — my assistant’s husband, Tommy — going on about four years. I like him. I should say that right off the bat. Tommy has fantastic fingers, and he’s really helped relieve my chronic neck, back and tail tension.

Problem is, over the past few months or so, Tommy has been increasingly tardy, too. He’s late to almost all of his appointments.

I understand emergencies. Sure, things come up, but not every day. It’s disrespectful.

Last time I meowed, and ask Tommy why he was late. He just yawned. He straight-up yawned.

What do I do, Tabby? Do I need to find a new massage therapist?

— Tense in Tuscaloosa

tabs-working-his-angles-mass — Relaxing, post-massage

DEAR TENSE: I’m with you. If your massage therapist is showing up late often, it is disrespectful. Tell this Tommy how his being late to your appointments interferes with your busy schedule.

Maybe there’s a good explanation. Perhaps he’s overbooking himself, or not getting enough sleep, or his fingers have been sore. Whatever the case, he owes you an explantation.

It takes courage to be assertive in situations like these. Good luck. Be strong.

Two cats, two ceremonies, one day

DEAR TABBY: Guess what!? My sister and I will be graduating from two different kitty modeling school programs on the same day! 🙂

Unfortunately, our schools are across town from each other, so our mutual pet assistants and family members won’t be able to attend both ceremonies at the same time.

What should we do?

— Puzzled in Pittsburgh

[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora!

March 2nd, 2013 by Karen 422 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is MJ! Congratulations, MJ! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Have you heard of ?

It’s a new service or app thingy from Twitter that lets you make these short, six-second video clips, and IT’S A LOT OF FUN!

Fun AND practical, as you can clearly see by this unboxing video Tabs had me create of some new Too Faced Cosmetics products.

He wanted to convey the excitement he felt tearing into the packaging, and a six-second Vine seemed perfect for that…

In other news, nice to see you this morning! 🙂 I’m actually feeling a little under the weather. I’ve had this blasted migraine since early yesterday morning, and it’s thrown me off my game. I don’t know if it’s hormonal or was triggered by something I ate or just the light from the computer screen, but it hoits.

While I stick another cold compress on my forehead and take two Advil, you should enter this weekend’s giveaway for a $50 Sephora eCard. It only takes a comment, but the full deets are down below.

Have a great day today, whatever you’re up to, and I’ll catch up with you soon.

“Tabs! Mommy needs lurvies!”

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, have you ever made a movie or a short film (one with a storyline)? Do you ever wear bronzer, and if you do, who makes your favorite one? Best budget nail polish formula? Do you always wear a base and top coat on your nails? What shampoo and/or conditioner have you been using lately? Have you ever gotten a really great makeover? Do you have any skills or hobbies that people are often surprised to find out about? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/13wApSR

The deadline to enter is Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is MJ! Congratulations, MJ! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 260

February 25th, 2013 by Karen 57 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for February 25, 2013 — Taking a break from hiking at the Indian Valley Open Space Preserve in Novato, California

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

What’s a makeup brand you’ve been into lately?
Hourglass!

Dresses, skirts or pants?
Dresses when it’s warm, pants when it’s cold.

Do you like pastel nails?
I do. 🙂 Shiny, opaque pastel nails, please.

Describe one of your typical makeup looks for work?
Typical? That’s not exactly the word I’d use to describe what I usually wear to work. As I work from home, my neighbors have seen quite a few interesting things through my office window over the years — Wonder Woman, Marge Simpson, Katy Perry, Katniss Everdeen and a whole ton of stuff involving a chubby tabby cat.

I always seem to get caught/noticed when I’m testing multiple products at the same time, which I do a lot, I’ll be sitting at my desk with, say, cat eyes and a bright cheek on one side of my face and smokey eyes and bronzer on the other.

If I had a nickel for every time the postman saw me looking completely insane (I’d have a LOT of nickels)…

Rainbow suspenders?
Um, no. Not unless I’m starring in Office Space, and they’re holding my 25 pieces of flair.

What was the highlight of your weekend?
Sunday, from start to finish. Sunday was an A+ day. I slept in, made breakfast (pancakes, and eggs over easy), and then El Hub and I went for a long hike around the Indian Valley Open Space Preserve here in Novato.

It was so sunny and warm and just felt great to be outside.

If you had to make a major life change, would you prefer to ease your way into it and take baby steps, or dive in all at once?
All at once. I’d rather just get it over with.

Where were you in 1999?
I was in my early 20s, living in San Francisco and working as a legal assistant at a law firm.

Not one of my favorite years… I felt like I was in constant upheaval, starting with the move to the city, living with roommates I didn’t know before moving in with them, working at a job I didn’t particularly like. Bluh.

What’s something you’re grateful for today?
Sunshine! It makes everything better.

Write yourself an nice note.
Karen, “Remember, one thing at a time. Don’t give up. You can do it.” 🙂

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. What’s a makeup brand you’ve been into lately?
2. Dresses, skirts or pants?
3. Do you like pastel nails?
4. Describe one of your typical makeup looks for work?
5. Rainbow suspenders?
6. Highlight of your weekend?
7. Do you prefer taking baby steps or diving in all at once?
8. Where were you in 1999?
9. Something you’re grateful for today?
10. Write yourself a nice note.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 232

February 24th, 2013 by Karen 8 Comments

Tabs in Les Chat Miserables

A RELAXING TIME: PART 8

by Tabs the Cat

The werewolves took off at a full sprint in that direction, barking, growling and leaping over downed branches. Wracked with worry for the gray cat but feeling powerless to help him, Tabs watched the wolves go until they were too far into the forest to see them.

“Mrrrrrrowww!” the gray cat had said. Help me! Please help!

Tabs had to do something.

He stood up for the first time in what seemed like hours but was really only a few minutes. Compressed as he’d been while the werewolves were searching, he was retaining some of his body heat, but the full force of the chilly wind dug deep into the downy fur of his soft underbelly now that he was standing.

The plank Tabs had used to climb up to the windowsill, and from there up to the roof, was almost directly below him on the ground, which was covered by pine needles. Lot of good that’ll do me now, Tabs thought.

The roof was long and wide and, except for a chimney and a few air conditioning units, completely empty. Tabs wondered if there might be another way down, maybe a fence he could hop down to or a stack of boxes or something somewhere on the other side.

He scampered along the edge of the roof, looking for anything he could use to climb down.

Deep in the forest, something roared. It was deep and strong and powerful. It sounded huge!

What the heck was that!?

Then, the werewolves were howling. Tabs looked but couldn’t see anything. The wolves were howling and barking and yipping. And there was something else, too. Yelping. Something was yelping in what sounded like pain.

The gray cat?

The fierce battle raged like thunder for three seconds, and then it stopped.

After that, nothing.

A minute passed. The next sound Tabs heard was his own exhaling. He’d been holding his breath.

He shook violently now, from both terror and temperature, and breathed in fits and starts.

Tabs thought he heard something at that moment, a brief groan from somewhere off in the forest, but he listened hard for it and didn’t hear it again.

He did hear something else, though, a distant whump-whump-whumping that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, and it was getting progressively louder.

“Mrow!” Tabs exclaimed. Helicopter!

— TO BE CONTINUED —

To follow our story from the beginning…

A RELAXING TIME: PART 1

A RELAXING TIME: PART 2

A RELAXING TIME: PART 3

A RELAXING TIME: PART 4

A RELAXING TIME: PART 5

A RELAXING TIME: PART 6

A RELAXING TIME: PART 7

Tabs in Life of Tabs

Tabs in Lincoln's Cat
[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora!

February 23rd, 2013 by Karen 476 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is CS! Congratulations, CS! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Greetings, fellow makeup lover! I hope you’re doing well. 🙂

Not a lot happening out my way. I’m not sure where Tabs is right now (probably wreaking havoc somewhere), but I’m getting ready to run on the treadmill, then do some housecleaning (bluh), and then hopefully head to brunch.

Blueberry pancakes, here I come!

I also plan to rut around in my makeup collection to look for long-forgotten gems. Do you ever do that? I recently rediscovered some really great old-school hits that fell off my radarscreen, like Hourglass Exhibition (oh, hai!).

Got my fingers crossed that I find some more oldies but goodies to love anew.

Well, I don’t want to keep you. I know you have places to go, things to do and pets to assist, but don’t forget to enter this weekend’s Sephora $50 eCard giveaway. It only costs a comment and takes barely a minute or two (details down below).

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, what’s your current go-to eye shadow? Is there a scent that reminds you of a wonderful time in your life? What’s your favorite chick flick? You’re going to a potluck! — is there a dish you’d like to bring? Do you prefer wearing your hair up or down? Describe your warmest winter jacket. Liquid, pencil or gel eyeliner? What’s something you’d like to accomplish by summer? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/Zqh8xh

The deadline to enter is Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is CS! Congratulations, CS! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 259

February 18th, 2013 by Karen 85 Comments

021813-monday-poll — This is Charlize, one of the neighborhood cats I bumped into yesterday…

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

What’s one eyeshadow you’ve been loving lately?
NARS Cyprus. I rediscovered it last weekend, and now I’m thinking, “Where’ve you been all my life?”.

Can you walk and text at the same time?
Nope. Come to think of it, I can barely text under any circumstances, LOL!

Smokey or cat eyes?
Yes, please. 🙂 Cat eyes all day, and smokey eyes all night.

What’s your signature dance move?
The Snake! — although I also do a mean Sprinkler.

Two words: plaid pants?
Sure, if they’re pink.

A place where you spent a lot of time as a kid?
The front yard. I was always playing outside.

Have you ever made a toast at a wedding?
Not yet (but I want to)!

When was the last time you visited a desert?
Hmm… I think it was Las Vegas in 2009 for Blog World.

It’s been a hot minute! (Get it? Hot minute?)

If you had to have one or the other, would you rather have a bad haircut or a bad eyebrow wax?
I couldn’t deal with the brows, so I’ll take the bad haircut, and hide it under hats and up-do’s.

What’s something you’d like to do before you die?
Ride a horse.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. What’s one eyeshadow you’ve been loving lately?
2. Can you walk and text at the same time?
3. Smokey or cat eyes?
4. What’s your signature dance move?
5. Two words: plaid pants?
6. A place where you spent a lot of time as a kid?
7. Have you ever made a toast at a wedding?
8. When was the last time you visited a desert?
9. A bad haircut or a bad eyebrow wax?
10. What’s something you’d like to do before you die?

To my fellow Americans, happy Presidents Day! 🙂

Got any plans? El Hub has the day off from work, so we might zip down to the mall for a late lunch at Cheesecake Factory this afternoon. Other than that, though, Tabs is keeping me on a short leash (as he often does).

Hope your week gets off to a great start.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 231

February 17th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

A RELAXING TIME: PART 7

by Tabs the Cat

The first of the werewolves came into view, a long-legged black one the color of the crows Tabs policed from his favorite window at home in Novato.

Slowly, Tabs crouched down low at the edge of the roof until his chin was resting on the rain gutter.

The werewolf was stalking, sniffing, its head close to the ground like a metal detector. It was in the driveway now exactly where Tabs and the gray cat had gone through. Tabs expected the wolf to pick up their scent.

It was a bright night with the full moon, and it occurred to Tabs that he was probably easy to spot where he was with the moonlight behind him, but he stayed frozen like an Egyptian statue, not daring to move a muscle.

The only thing he did do was slowly close his eyes until they were just barely open and breath steadily. Cats were good at things like this. Hiding in plain sight. But Tabs imagined that werewolves were also good at hunting.

The second one entered the driveway. This one Tabs recognized from the wooden shed back on the frozen lake, and it was huge! Bigger than the black one by half, with mottled brown and gray fur and thick, broad shoulders.

The black werewolf seemed to bow reverently and made a whining noise as the larger one approached.

Tabs couldn’t believe just how big the bigger werewolf was. Keeping perfectly still with his eyes open barely a fraction of an inch, Tabs compared the creature to the nearby pickup truck, and wagered they were almost the same size.

Or maybe that was just the terror talking…

Tabs remained motionless while the two werewolves inspected the area, following their snouts. As they exhaled, their hot breath was visible in the frigid air.

They circled the pickup truck in opposite directions, checking carefully behind the tires.

Whew! Tabs thought. Good thing I didn’t hide there.

The werewolves must have picked up the scent because they remained quiet and moved stealthily, and they were focussing a lot of attention in this area.

Minutes passed. It was so cold up there on the roof that Tabs started shivering. He desperately wanted to hop up and start moving to warm his bones, but there was no way he was about to do that.

He would just have to deal with the cold. It wouldn’t be the first time…

He thought back to all of those long, cold nights he spent fending for himself and battling for scraps on the mean streets of Mill Valley in his kitten hood. Those were some cold nights, too.

Feezing, and feeling somewhat secure that the wolves would not find him, and even if they did, would not be able to reach him on the roof, Tabs allowed his mind to wander.

He thought about his makeup collection, his coveted online kitty modeling portfolio, gravy, his favorite hill at home and his assistant…

She was actually pretty nice, he concluded, even when she got on his last nerve.

Somewhere off in the woods, a branch cracked. It wasn’t a natural sound. Tabs heard it, and the werewolves heard it, too. Both of them appeared in the driveway from wherever they’d been searching and looked in that direction, standing tall on all fours, with their heads erect and their ears perked.

“Mrrrrrrowww!” came a distant voice. Help me! Please help!

Tabs felt his heart drop. It was the gray cat.

— TO BE CONTINUED —

To follow our story from the beginning…

A RELAXING TIME: PART 1

A RELAXING TIME: PART 2

A RELAXING TIME: PART 3

A RELAXING TIME: PART 4

A RELAXING TIME: PART 5

A RELAXING TIME: PART 6

[Continue reading…]