A Place in the Sun

Lucy: We've been having some difficult times here at Artsy Catsy, so I've taken a break from my Spokesmodel duties to keep everyone in good cheer. I know we're not alone ... there are other kitty families out there whose Christmas isn't very merry. So I want to share with you some words of encouragement I learned from Stevie Wonder ... they work wonders for me, and I hope they will for you, too!

Like a long lonely stream

I keep runnin' towards a dream

Movin' on, movin' on

Like a branch on a tree

I keep reachin' to be free

Movin' on, movin' on

'Cause there's a place in the sun

Where there's hope for ev'ryone

Where my poor restless heart's gotta run

There's a place in the sun

And before my life is done

Got to find me a place in the sun

Like an old dusty road

I get weary from the load

Movin' on, movin' on

Like this tired troubled earth

I've been rollin' since my birth

Movin' on, movin' on

There's a place in the sun

Where there's hope for ev'ryone

Where my poor restless heart's gotta run

There's a place in the sun

And before my life is done

Got to find me a place in the sun

You know when times are bad

And you're feeling sad

I want you to always remember ...

There's a place in the sun

Where there's hope for everyone!

Mancat Monday Photoshoot

Rocky: You know, it gets lonely here at the top. All I do is work, work, work ... and I don't even have a girlfriendcat. In the pursuit of a more balanced life, I decided it's time I run an ad in the catpersonals, so I ordered my staff to take a mancatly photo of me for my ad. How about this one? ... The Cat Staff: Hahahahahaha ... giggle giggle ... will you look at that! Hey, Mr. CEO, what are those big pink floppy blobs on your belly? LOLOLOL ... you look more like a MAMA cat than a mancat!!! And what's that black smudge on your front paw ... did Santa bring your coal early this year?

Rocky: Alright already, knock it off! So I'm a man of girth. Who has time for the gym when I have to manage this unruly bunch? Now stifle it, turn off that flash, and move in closer for a head shot. How's this mancatly-but-sensitive look? ...The Cat Staff: *gasping and rolling on the floor* ... Hee heee heeeeee ... snortsnort .... Hoo boy, yeah, it's 'sensitive' to have two sets of cheeks on your front ... Hey, you gonna put your cup size in your personal ad? ... Hahahahahahahahaha .....

Rocky: That's enough!!! I will not tolerate this insubordination! Now take a HEADSHOT, I said, then get back to your catcubicles or I'll cancel all your holidays!!The Cat Staff: *grumbles* ... Big deal, a shot of one eye. Betcha he lies about his age when he places that ad ..... odds anyone?

Personalized Photo Christmas Ornaments

Since my human artist won't let me climb the Christmas tree, I've figured a way to outsmart her: I put myself in a Personalized Photo Christmas Ornament and gave myself a place of honor on that tree ... want me to do the same for you? (Don't you think a gingerbread ornament is perfect for my ginger spots?)

But they're not just for cats ... I'll personalize yours with pictures of woofies, other pets, or even humans. Maybe you'd like to give one to your v.e.t. as a reminder to be extra gentle with you?

And don't forget ... as with all Artsy Catsy products, 10% of your order will be donated to Cat Friends Helping Friends at the Cat Blogosphere, and 10% will be donated to the Rescue Farm!

Personalized Photo Christmas Ornaments

(Approx. 2 1/2 x 3 inches - and they're not real gingerbread!)
(Ordering instructions below)

# 1 Photo Ornament: Only 2 available! # 2 Photo Ornament: Only 2 available!

# 3 Photo Ornament: SOLD OUT # 4 Photo Ornament: Only 1 available!
# 5 Photo Ornament: SOLD OUT
# 6 Photo Ornament: Only 1 available!
# 7 Photo Ornament: Only 3 available!
# 8 Photo Ornament: Only 1 available!

# 9 Photo Ornament: SOLD OUT

# 10 Photo Ornament: Only 1 available!

# 11 Photo Ornament: Only 1 available!

Personalized Photo Ornaments

$6 each + $2 shipping per order

(We'll calculate international shipping for you)

To order, email Artsy Catsy and tell us:

1) Which ornament(s) you'd like to order

2) Your payment method (PayPal, money order, check)

3) Your mailing address

4) And be sure to attach your photo!

Thank you so much

for helping us help kitties in need!

P.S. Don't miss our CLEARANCE SALE

on Christmas Pet Food Bowls and Collar Tags!

Formerly Vishus Deer Christmas Bookmarks!

I captured ten Vishus Deer, then my human artist and I strung 'em up and put those cussed critters to work for a good cause! We gave 'em jobs as Formerly Vishus Deer Christmas Bookmarks ... and we're donating 20% of their income to the Cat Blogosphere's Cat Friends Helping Friends and the Rescue Farm!

You can hire these Formerly Vishus Deer and put 'em to work in the books you're giving as Christmas gifts. We've only strung up ten so far, but it's Vishus Deer season so I'll go out and capture more if you need 'em!

Formerly Vishus Deer Christmas Bookmarks

$10 (+ $2 shipping per order)

(Ordering instructions below)

SOLD! # 1 Vishus Deer: SOLD! # 2 Vishus Deer:
SOLD! # 3 Vishus Deer:
SOLD! # 4 Vishus Deer:

SOLD! # 5 Vishus Deer:

SOLD! # 6 Vishus Deer:

SOLD! # 7 Vishus Deer:

SOLD! # 8 Vishus Deer: SOLD! # 9 Vishus Deer:

SOLD! # 10 Vishus Deer:

To order, email Artsy Catsy and tell us:
1) Which Vishus Deer you want to smash in a book!
2) Your payment method (PayPal, money order, check)
3) Your mailing address

Toiling Away Tuesday

After my Monday meltdown (and some emergency Temptations & nip therapy), it's back to business as usual. My first important task today was to snoopervise the cleaning of our china cabinet:

Whoa, heads up! Giant cobwebs ahead!

Hey! I'm not "China" Cat! Open the *#%*! door!

Finally! Sheesh, what I have to put up with!

Manic Mancat Monday

Rocky (hissyfitting): How did I end up in this crazy place? Well, it all started when after years of climbing toward that corner catoffice, I became the missing rung on the corporate ladder ... I struck out on my own and found a cat’s dream job, where I can set my own hours, earn as much as I like, and work for someone I truly admire.

I became a self-employed feline, the CEO of my own Artsy Catsy empire – yes, one of that elite group of cats who work twenty hours a day in order to avoid working eight hours a day for some othercat.

Oh, the joy I felt when I came to work for me! All a distant memory now. My dream job has become a nightmare for one reason only: I've become my own toxic boss!

Let me tell you how horrible it is for me to work for me. I'm completely unreasonable and can't get along with me no matter what I do. Nothing I do is good enough for me. I even expect me to work nights, weekends and holidays. The overtime I expect me to put in is insane!

Can't I understand that there's just too much for me to do? I expect me to do everything around here, and I don't even begin to pay me what I'm worth. And the way I treat me is absolutely infeline. Every time I don't get something right the first time, is it really necessary for me to hiss and growl and humiliate me in front of myself?

All the awards I receive from me, and the recognition banquets I hold in my honor, don't make up for the fact that I constantly stand over my shoulder as if I don't know how to do my job. Sometimes I'm tempted to scream, "If I didn't think I could be trusted to do this job, then why did I hire me in the first place?"

I reached my breaking point today when I gave myself my performance review and told myself I was spending too much time online at work. Hey, I don't feel like my personal life is any of my business, and I don't spend any more time online than my boss does! I can't take this "Me boss, me slave" attitude any longer.

So I’ve had it!! I'm outta here, and all I have to say to me is I can take this job and shove it because …. I can't fire me – I quit!!!

Staff: Uh, Rocky … you’re talking to yourself again. And missing out on Temptations time.

Rocky: Temptations? Well, this job does have some benefits … okay, back to work everybody!!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Oscar, the Manx

Lucy
Rocky

Ivan (scary!) and Bitsy (spotty)

Callie

Fracas