09 August Happiness Challenge -- Day 22

Saturday. We found each other. The animal shelter that was once home to two of my cats was sponsoring an adoption event at the local Petco. I looked at all those sweet kitties and I felt my heart grow a couple sizes. Partly because I longed to take them all home with me, and partly because I feel so lucky that the cats I adopted from that shelter -- Joey and Charlotte -- came into my life. I love my big old tub of guts and my little diva so much.

If you're grateful for the furry friends in your life, it will make you happy to make a contribution to your local shelter or to the ASPCA. In this economy, charities are hit hard. Summer is especially trying for animal shelters because they have so many puppies and kittens, combined with the dogs and cats that are turned in because their owners can no longer afford them. It's a heartbreaking situation -- and it makes me just that much more grateful that I can give my cats love and stability.

Don't know why, but I gots to have it

Back to Black came out a couple years ago, and yet suddenly, I can't hear it enough. Specifically this song.

"He walks away,
The sun goes down,
He takes the day but I'm grown.
And it's OK,
In this blue shade,
My tears dry on their own …"

Yes, she's a hot mess. But she's so great.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: I Ran

1. When's the last time you ran? One afternoon last week I ran up the stairs to the platform to catch the Green Line el train. I made it!

2. Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them? My weekend playclothes jeans are rather worn around the seams. But my work clothes are in good shape.

3. What are you dreading right now? The return of The New Mom. She's my most difficult coworker, and it's been so nice at the office when she's been on maternity leave.

4. Do you like Mexican food? No. Because spicy food doesn't like me, if you know what I'm saying here.

5. Favorite ice cream? Mint chocolate chip.

6. When was your last doctor's visit? I saw my shrink last Thursday and I go to the dermatologist next Tuesday.

7. Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep a night? Not usually, but I did last night.

8. How many pets do you have? I share my home with three absolutely fabulous felines.

9. "First Loves Are Never Over;" is this true for you? No. I'm very over my first love. Unless we're talking about Paul McCartney, who I love as much today as I did when I was six years old and I first saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.

To play yourself, click here.