Alabama State Fair- 2010

DON'T MISS IT!!

Always a blast for the family or take your honey and laugh & smooch over cotton candy and giant teddy bears!

We went last year and the kids had a ball bottle feeding the baby cows and goats!

Of course the food is always amazing and the Peach Sweet Tea for 75 cents per 20oz. cup was unbeatable for Alabama heat!

Pelham, Al
Verizon Wireless Music Center

$8 adults

$5 kids

Free (4 & under)

Volunteer for FREE entry + unlimited ride wristband for you AND a friend

$10 VIP unlimited entry/exit all 11 days

$20 unlimited rides wristband

Visit the website for a full list of Events & Attractions that kids of all ages 4 to 84 are sure to love!!!

Have a great time!

Becca Bell

Operation SAK! SUCCESS!!!

WOW! I am just so excited about the success of Operation SAK!!

We reached the goal!!

Thank you so much, Shannon Dunn, Amanda Rupp & Nicholl Brown, who so graciously gave and EXCEEDED the goal!! Please do not worry... every penny will go toward these babes. (Shots and food were not included in the goal amount) These caring individuals have gone above and beyond what was asked and I am so very thankful as well as super excited about what this will mean for these precious lil guys. Lil Moma and Rocky will soon be off to the vet for a clean bill of health, required med procedures and then back to their home. Don't worry! As part of the TNR program encouraged by Moma Kat Rescue, we will be putting food out for them on a regular basis so that Lil Moma and Rocky will always have a "warm" meal and bed outside our front door if they would like.

Can you see the stunned excitement on their faces!

WHAT?!?!?! WOW... you guys are awesome!!

Now me and my lil one can go back home to live a happy,

healthy, free life!!

Thank you,

Lil' Moma

WOOO HOOO! I'm still so young and lovable...

perfect age to save from the wild...

take me home and I'll thank you everyday!

purrr-fect Love,

Rocky

If you would like more information on things that you can do to help stop the epidemic of unwanted strays in YOUR neighborhood please go to http://mommakat.org as a place to start.

So many of us WANT to help but either don't know how, don't know where to start, or don't have the resources to provide for the needs of these angels. Please do NOT let that stop you... all you really need is an open heart and a little effort. Please go to the website above for MANY answers to your questions.

Sometimes it can be scary not knowing who you'll talk to or what kind of guilt trip you'll under-go... Please do not hesitate to give me a call and I will help to guide you to the best resource available in Birmingham!

We CAN together!

You can follow the Lil Moma & Rocky story, as they visit the vet, thru 2B Events Facebook Fan Page.
"Like" and Follow!

Becca Bell

Operation SAK!!

Operation SAK (Save A Kitty)!!

Help me purrrr-ty please!

Rocky

Please help my baby and I return to our home with a clean bill of health and free to enjoy life.

With Love,
Lil' Momma

Just $1 could make the difference!

The two sweeties that you see here are just two adorable faces representing the hundreds of homeless kitties that are born and live in the wild...and then when they are of age... they start having litters of their own and the vicious cycle not only continues but MULTIPLIES!

It is very important that if your heart is telling you to take action that you do what you can to help reduce this problem. There are many organizations out there to help you along step by step...and with your help, ARE making a noticeable difference.

Cat Haven, who I recently featured on my blog, is a veterinary clinic in Birmingham that also provides a shelter for many strays and drop-offs. Dr. Linda Henckell and her staff are currently full to capacity with 10 adoptable kitties and 8 permanent residents. Please visit them and take one of their lil angels home with you... you won't regret it.

Talk to your neighbors about what you are doing to gain some neighborhood support.

Alabama Animal Adoption Society (AAAS) is another organization who's mission is to save stray animals, place in loving homes and reduce the number of unwanted and homeless animals in Alabama. AAAS will work with your current situation and income to provide you with a discounted certificate that is honored at participating clinics to help you responsibly spay and neuter your pet.

I was able to capture Lil' Momma and her baby Rocky this morning in hopes to give them a better future.

Moma Kat Rescue is an organization that supports a method called TNR to reduce the rising number of stray cats. TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return which is a process that can be deduced by its name. Moma Kat staff has a system in place where they will come a trap the stray feline, test and neuter, and then return it to its original habitat. BUT you have to do your part too! Have a plan in place where you commit to feeding the animal even if that just means leaving food outside in a location that the kitty will know where to find it. These steps help to ensure that the animal will not reproduce as well as be given the opportunity to live out a full, healthy, free life for very little cost to yourself. It can even be a neighborhood effort! Talk to your neighbors about what you are doing to gain some neighborhood support. Most of your neighbors will be thrilled to hear that the reproduction process will stop and that no harm will actually come to the animal!

Did you know that a female cat can have up to 5 litters each year, 3-6 kittens per litter?

I am taking donations in order to see Lil' Momma and Rocky become graduates of the TNR program! With your help we can assure that these two sweethearts will be given a clean bill of health, fixed and released back to their home happy and healthy!

Lil' Momma and Rocky only need $60 to be returned back to their home happy and healthy.

Please see the link below to contribute any amount that you feel led to give to this cause. I think $1 is a reasonable donation although please feel free to give as your heart and wallet are so inclined. I know everyone is penny pinching these days but this is a small amount to see big results for your gift.

I'm speaking for the ones who can't speak for themselves when I say, thank you so much for your gift. I will be posting updates as the journey continues so that you can see their progress and reap the joys of your donation.

Thanks to AAAS they will give a "rescue" discount so all we need is $60!!

Goal: $60 by Saturday, August 28

Just $1 could make the difference!

Becca Bell

The "Scoop" on Cat Haven

I had the honor of meeting the team at Cat Haven last week, located downtown Birmingham

2100 8th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35205

It was the best time just hangin' out and playin' with the kitties. I can't believe I made it out without a new family member... Lord knows I could've used the company on the drive home after the heart-melting experience. Of course they are adorable but once you hear each individual story... then that's the deal clincher.

Izzi works the front desk and greets incoming guests

A few of these precious faces were already at the refuge when Linda Henkell, Owner and Veterinarian, took over Cat Haven, January 2009. Every single one of these lil guys has a story and a personality uniquely their own.

Blue (gray, far left) is the Cat Haven mascot. He was caught in a door as a kitten which caused paralysis. After alot of love and rehabilitation his motor skills were recovered in his upper body but hind legs were never functional again. They were later amputated so that he could get around more easily. He is a happy lil kitty and gets around just fine. He often cuddles with the other kitties and enjoys his cozy life at the Cat Haven.
Milkshake (black, above right) came to the shelter as a little baby after him and his brother,Simba, fell from an office space ceiling right onto a workers desk!

Pam is Dexter's human (below). Dexter came to Cat Haven very sick but after ALOT of TLC by the amazing crew, he is happy, healthy and loving as ever! He'll nuzzle you to say thank you for loving me and then curl up on your lap for a snooze. Linda says Dexter is available for adoption to a loving home... but Pam says he's a permanent member of the Cat Haven family.

If you are ready to provide a safe loving home to one of these deserving lil angels...there are just a few simple oh-so-worth-it steps:

1. Meet with Linda (owner) and Pam (office mgr./ lead vet tech) for a basic introduction and info review
2. Provide Vet references of past pets (if available)
3. Adoption fee $75 includes shots and preliminary tests

Playing with my swinging camera lens cover

Cat Haven does not support declawing because of the instinctive effects on the felines, however, spay/neuter is a MUST. Please do your part to reduce the number of stray and neglected animals by making the responsible decision...spay and neutering. There are locations in the greater Birmingham area that will work with your income to help you protect your pet from unwanted litters. Cat Haven also told me that anyone who adopts one of their sweethearts will receive the discounted spay/neuter rate.

Taking one or two of these furry friends home is a decision that will personally thank you every day. All you have to do is look in their eyes to realize that they need you.

I've always had a soft heart for abandoned and neglected animals. Coming up on one year ago we found a week old litter of kittens that had been abandoned by their mother after she had been frightened away by neighborhood kids. We took in one of the kittens and the other went to live with a neighboring apartment resident. Between myself, my husband and two children, we bottle fed the lil guy, weened him, and taught him to eat kitty food in the first couple months of his life. Oreo grew into a beautiful, silky soft tom cat and is a beloved member of our family. He has a personality all of his own. Despite his "I don't need anybody persona" we know he loves and needs us just as much as we love and need him.

Let me encourage you to open your heart and consider adopting one of these babes. Just like any relationship... It is not always easy, but it is definitely a worthy investment. The number of smiles and laughs more than compensates for the challenges.

"Our Oreo" (above)

Please visit Linda and the crew at Cat Haven. Spend a few minutes with these cuties... they're expecting you!




Becca Bell

GiveAways! Good, Bad or ...RUN!!

So if you're like me you're trying to decide... with all the giveways and promos going on constantly as america is ever trying to grow their biz... WHICH ONES ARE WORTH MY TIME!?!?



Like me, I'm sure you are asking yourself...
1. Is the offer worth my effort... or should i just buy the "pack of gum" myself?
2. What are my chances of actually being the lucky winner?
3. What is the catch... because let's face it... NOTHING is free these days?

Well this is my take on the matter...


1. Is the offer worth my effort... or should I just buy the "pack of gum" myself?

We are all in a rat race world these days, time is a rare and valuable commodity and one that we are not going to give up thoughtlessly. Believe me I know... if I have an extra 30 min... even 15 min... there are a million and a half ways I can think to spend it besides throwing them away on some chance of winning a $10 item or lame experience. BUT... there are alot of opportunities out there that ARE valuable and worth while. Opportunities that can benefit your family, help ease some financial stresses and give you one of those "life is beautiful" experiences. Look for these clues to a "worthwhile" giveaway:
a. What is the $$ value?
...If it is less than $10 then it's probably not worth it... even if all you have to do is sneeze to qualify.
b. What is the moral, ethical, or charitable value?
...There are several giveaways out there that benefit the greater good of your community, a charitable organization whose cause is close to your heart, or even a good friend or deserving person to be nominated. There are lots of people out there who need help and that is always worth a few minutes of your time.
c. How much time are we looking at here?
...Depending on the personal value to you... 15 minutes is a good average starting point. If you have to put in more than 15 min. collectively and throw in some manual labor then the pay off really needs to be worth it to you personally. (i.e. I REALLY need some mascara... I just don't have the money to spare right now...But my husband and I haven't been on a date in like 3 months... and he's taking me out this weekend ...and he LOVES my eyes... and I really want to look good for him... so... I may not have $15 but i have 30 min. to listen to a survey call and that is really worth it to me right now.)



2. What are my chances of actually being the lucky winner?

a. Some Giveaways are DIRECT TRANSACTION... meaning some kind of action on your part guarantees a product or reward~ these are obviously the best kind because you're guaranteed a physical reward for your time.

b. Then there's the 1:100 type... meaning your name goes into the pot along with all the other participants and a drawing is held on a certain date to determine the winner ~ the odds go down with the increased number of entries...
c. Always consider the source...is the "giver" a big national corp or a small local biz. There's alot better odds and follow thru with small local businesses because they are trying to build relationships and customer base. Can't beat the personal interest and efforts made to meet your specific needs.

Lucky winner of the MK Satin Hands Giveaway!

3. What is the catch... because let's face it... NOTHING is free these days?

If they say its a free giveaway... then it should actually be FREE! If you have to pull out your wallet for any other reason than to admire your amazing DL picture(I do this often;) ... then don't waste your time. This is just me but...If you have to buy something then doesn't that negate the whole FREE GIVEAWAY concept? Also you should never have to give out more personal info than an email and phone#. Most shouldn't even ask for address until after you've actually won the prize (if even necessary). We live in a cyber world so lets do business there! PLUS your home address is your safe place... don't give it to just anyone...

a. The reason a business holds Giveaways is usually one of the following reasons...
#1- to promote a new product
#2- to attract new customers
#3- to show appreciation of existing customer

b. They are trying to get your information as a way of building a referral base. That's the primary way to grow a biz. Although you need to be careful that you are not putting your contact info into a data base that will be open to solicitors... most small biz giveaways will keep your info for their own use, they simply want to inform you of what they offer and will most likely NOT harass you with calls and emails because that's a BIG turn off.

c. Giveaways that benefit charity or a nominated individual are typically catch free...Biz's hold these type giveaways as a way to relate to their customers and show a "we care" side to the biz and "its not all about the money... its about you". Of course the ones that are for YOU are fun because... well, you get FREE stuff! Just be willing to uphold your part of the deal... whether its a phone call, survey, etc... typically it will be pain free ;) Small local businesses giveaways will usually be upfront with requirements and have no hidden terms and conditions... steer clear of those offers online for a free shopping spree or visa gift card IF you try a bunch of trial offers that will bankrupt you with hidden fees and charges and put up your first born... they take and hour or more to fill out... and by the end you're so deep into the site that you can't find your way out and then never even get back to the giveaway.

Check out my Giveaways & Promos! tab for some legit, pain-free, guaranteed giveaways that will help to support small local biz in Bham!!

Becca Bell