Mother's Day (and possible cat #4!)

Hi everyone, I hope you had a lovely weekend.

This Mother's Day was a particularly poignant one with the sad passing of Jade Goody. I think it made so many of us truly thankful for what we have and even more determined to enjoy each other.

Well, I had a lovely weekend with my mum (left). We just spent lots of time chatting, relaxing, laughing and playing with her fab cat, Babybelle (right)!

She is a Maine Coon cat but desperately needed a loving home as she was not suitable to be a 'show cat' as she has slightly deformed legs. They are really short and she has the most amazing wiggle when she walks, to my mind it makes her all the more rare and special and rather like a 'sausage' cat if there were a feline version of the famed pooch.

Race for Life 2009 - running for Marcelle

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share with you that I have signed up for this year's Race for Life. Like so many people I've lost family members to cancer and my aunt is currently battling breast cancer.

I am taking part this year specifically in memory of a brave lady, Marcelle (left), who lost her battle with cancer in December. It has to be every parent's worst nightmare to contemplate leaving their young children but that is what so many parents have to face up to.

This was Marcelle's situation and so, in tribute to her and in support of her children, Charlotte, Sam and Taylor, I'm asking for your donations and/or participation in this very important fundraising event. I'd love to see you there if you can make it, please come say hi if you see me.

I shall be there with Marcelle's closest friends and we plan to have a fun and uplifting day in her honour. I certainly won't be doing any 'racing' though, I'm told it's fine to saunter, it's not a marathon. This is a relief as I came last out of all the girls in my school in cross country when I was about thirteen!

I'll remind you again nearer the time but feel free to sign up or donate anytime, even the smallest amount can make the biggest difference. Please check the Race for Life website for more information.

Love Catherine x

My 'Spring Break'!

I have been missing QVC in my two weeks off so it's nice to be writing to you again to share what I've been up to. I'm one of those people who loves their work so much that taking annual leave gets forgotten about until the last minute so I have a total of three weeks off in March.

In my first week off Steve and I drove nine hours to my aunt and uncle's home in gorgeous Scotland. My cousin, her boyfriend and son were staying there too, so we had a nice full house and, thanks to my auntie K, loads of scrummy home-cooked meals.

The scenery was amazing. It snowed a little almost every day, which gave the mountains a real alpine feel. I missed our cats but we enjoyed their pets enormously. One big fat lazy cat and two dogs who were as loopy as they come!