i don’t know why i never considered moving cardio because holy JESUS i’ve never been more tired. i could run a half marathon and not feel the way i did this morning after a night of taping up thirteen boxes 🧡 or maybe it’s the emotion. 🤷🏼‍♀️. i didn’t think it would be this hard. i’ve moved eight times in the last two decades. sometimes pregnant. sometimes with newborns and little toddlers underfoot. but never alone. and never without another adult to share the hard with. and most definitely never from a place i didn’t want to move from 🧡 i’ve known about this move for five months. and i was sure i had felt all i was going to feel about the sadness, difficulty, anger and frustration that leaving the dream house you built for your family and your marriage would bring up. spoiler alert: i was wrong. that happens a lot lately 🧡 they say moving is a top three stressful event along with divorce and death. not an easy thing when the move follows the divorce. in the middle of covid. and your mortgage doesn’t come through. and it’s harder when you have all YOUR stuff and you’re trying to keep that under wraps so you can give your focus over to your kids who are grieving too but you just can’t. and frankly, maybe you just shouldn’t 🧡 just another day. and we will get through it. but sending out this post to the universe asking for ALL the strength and wisdom and understanding (especially to my customers who’s parties i’m trying to cater and may not be as on the ball as usual). i know we will get through. i know this new house is the new beginning we all need. i know leaving behind 680 won’t break us. but for today i’m gonna be human and say it feels like it just might 😢 #catchy.struggles #somedaysjustsuck #embracethesuck #SOS...sendlove

we waited three months to be able to throw this party. three months and seventeen years. we held on to this house for an extra month to be able to celebrate our graduate, her friends and ours in our home. it seemed as though covid wouldn’t let it happen. and at the eleventh hour, the government and the weather gods and the timing all colluded to create the most perfect night. our friends, hers, and family on hand to toast the graduate 🧡 this kid. she’s given me more gray hair in these four years than i like to recall but it has been worthy every last second. you are my sparkle CeC. you are like no other human in this planet. you are happy from the moment you open your eyes. through the mud and muck and the hardship, that smile and that dimple always managing to turn everything around for the best. you raise us up with your joy, having no idea what your infectious spirit does for your brother, your little sisters, and for me. i simply don’t know what i will do without you around next year to light up our days. but you are ready to fly kid 💛 #cecethegraduate #readytofly #gococks #iloveyoumorethanyouknow❤️

oof. it started off ugly. prom night stress is a thing y'all. add into the mix a graduation picture that needed to be taken and wow, good times🤦🏼‍♀️. no amount of joking from her brother and dad was gonna settle her nerves. only one thing helped: her girls 🧡 we forget those teenage years. we forget how important some of these things are to our kids. rites of passage (that we wished would have “passaged” along faster for us) are looked forward to hourly until they are finally here and the anxiety overwhelms. watching the smiles on their faces once their tribe showed up, the shoulders relax just a bit, the laughter loosen them. these friendships are everything and seeing it in the pictures brought me back to that time when we danced along the edge of adulthood, timid, scared, excited, our friends by our sides to walk with us through it all as we, their parents, drop away. surreal to watch, surreal and sad and wonderful. all the things. 💛 it was prom night for my firstborn last night. not the way i envisioned on any account. but if there is one thing i’ve learned in this life it’s that i’m not in the drivers seat. i used to think i was. what a laugh. now i know i can just show up and watch from the sidelines because someone else has got it all figured out. last night i did. and it was everything ❤️ #cece #firstborn #promnightjitters #classof2020wins

posting a lot about family and love and life these days than i am about food and business. sorry catchy. foodie followers who don’t know me personally, but family is even more precious to me than my work 💛 my oldest snapped this pic of my mom while she was down in florida with her last weekend. god what a beautiful mom i have. inside and out. she has a heart of unparalleled love, generosity and giving. these are the values she instilled in me as a little nugget at her side learning from her 💙 and now, as i’m older, and facing a hard season of change, i see her face in this picture and remember all the tough seasons she must have endured. and i remember that i am made from her stock. and if she is a warrior than i must be too 💜 so i paste on that smile, and i dig down deep in my soul and i approach this new chapter with grit and serenity and acceptance. yes some days i’m angry. and yes, some days i’m sad. and every so often i go through a day where i don’t think i can possibly do any more. and then i channel my mama and know i got this 💚 #teamcatchy.s #madeformore #onedayatatime #warriorstock #ilovemymama

a redo. a fresh start. a new beginning 🧡 i never wanted one. my kids sure didn’t either. but here we are. sometimes god gives you what you need instead of what you have been fighting for. he gives you what you need instead of what you have been insisting is your dream. he gives you what you NEED instead of what you WANT. sometimes i want to tell god to shut up (kidding god, *sort of*), even when i know he has it just exactly right 💛 we’ve all learned a lot lately about needs vs wants. hard lessons. i wanted to build my dream house. i wanted to make my marriage work. i wanted the perfect little picture. but what i needed more was my self esteem, my dignity and my value system to be honored. i have learned in these two years (and two decades), that you can only work so hard for something when it doesn’t align with your values. honesty, integrity, hard work, transparency. my kids know those are my values because i teach them every day. but i don’t just teach them with my words. i teach them through my actions. and if they didn’t witness me acting in accordance with them, how much do my words really mean? sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is and live you values even when it hurts like HELL 💚 so this is it. the NEW dream house. with my four perfect (imperfect❤️🧡💛💚) kids. it wasn’t the original dream but man, does it hold so many hopes for me and them. fresh memories. new beginnings. the chance to live my life according to my values without that niggling feeling inside me that says “you were made for more than this, so why aren’t you?” 💙 in order to heal you have to let go of your ego 💜 #truerwords #catchy.values #teamcatchy #usfive #lovemypeeps

it’s time. come on phil. we will stay six feet apart. we will wear the masks. we will social distance properly. PROMISE. let us open up outside dining #catchy. #openoutsidediningnj #bemindful #openslowly #lunchonthepatio☀️

dinner tonight? deviled fried chicken & buttermilk waffles draped in maple bbq sauce. it doesn’t suck🙌🏻 #catchy. #timeouttrayspecials #sofriggingood #nightoff #wedeliver🚐🚙

the perfect 48 hours sometimes you need saving. sometimes others do. sometimes you think you might saving someone only to figure out it was really you who was pulled from under the current a quick 48 hours to lost tree to pack this wonderful lady up and get her ready for the jerz. we have missed her dearly and this pandemic has knocked her, us and so many others for a loop without really understanding it until we were on the ground, staring at the ceiling, not able to figure out we’ve fallen and we can’t get up. at least not without help for so many months, this mother of mine has answered my calls, listened to my stories, wiped away my tears, and pulled me back on my feet. the chance to give any of that back with the best of sidekicks at my side, @frankie.cacciabaudo, was a gift the three of us will never forget it may have rained buckets but the laughter in that closet as we realized that @carolynoneill86 really does have over forty two pairs of shoes aand that’s where we got that predilection for footwear kept our spirits high. can’t wait for her return on the 1st of june✈️ #threegirlsandsomepackingboxes #raincouldntgetusdown #ilovemymama

that smile!!! it doesn’t take much for this kid to light up with joy💛 even with a senior year that has been hijacked by a crappy pandemic, she finds a way to enjoy the little things. i could take a page from her book #cececatch #mysenior #practicethatheadswing #itsthejourney #lovethiskid❤️ #theworldawaits

another day, another dollar. some days feel like groundhogs day and it’s hard to motivate ourselves to endure the endless loop one more time but then some calls for small gatherings start rolling in, getting my creative juices flowing over new menus and the possibility that life is returning to some version of our old one, and suddenly i have some faith that everything is going to be okay. i’m not getting overly excited - we all know we aren’t out of the woods yet - but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the baby steps towards a this new version of our lives in the meantime, we’re over here cooking up your favorites, order up your timeout tray for tomorrow night, stoke up the firepit and mix up a pitcher of margaritas. everything is going to be okay #catchy. #hereforyou #drinkingmakeseverythingbetter #cateringagain

This guy. No it’s not his birthday. And he’s not on social media so he probably won’t see this post. But all of my nearest and dearest know him well and will love to hear this because this guy is unequivocally loved and cherished by all. He does so much for so many; always, ALWAYS without fanfare or need for praise or lauding. He is generous beyond belief and is inevitably the first one to check in with you weekly and ask about your kids, your work and set up a time to get together and celebrate life THIS GUY landed the best news last week and it just must be shouted from the rooftops that no one deserves it more!!! He is talented and wise and driven and his efforts were seen and snapped up. Shout out to my big bro on his new position!!! Though it will take him far from me and my kids and our families, I couldn’t be happier for you Jace!!! In the words of Tina, you are simply the BEST!! #mybigbro❤️ #hardworkisALWAYSrewarded #thewiseoneiturntoforadvice #thatsmile

dinner special!!! laura’s LEGENDARY “spring penne.” fresh corn, asparagus, haricot vert, cherry tomatoes and grilled shrimp in a lemony buerre blanc first time i had this dish was ten years ago at kevin’s thyme where she was once the chef. i was pregnant with my last and took the liberty of eating the entire dish, claiming it was because i was eating for two. it wasn’t, i just couldn’t stop eating the citrusy goodness. she is a wizard in the kitchen and this week you get to enjoy her expertise #catchy. #TIMEOUTTRAYS #springpenne #lemonbuerreblanc #youhavenoidea #placeyourorderonline #orcallthecafe

this could be the best flavor we have ever made. PERIOD. end of story #catchy. #handmadeicecream #cookiecrumb #sodope

mama’s day is nine days away. NINE. i know if there is a year where the mama’s in this world are doing double (possibly even triple or quadruple) duty working and homeschooling and cleaning and MOMing, 20flippin20 is that year🤪 do you want to be the one to go to the market and butcher and do the prepping and the cooking to celebrate your amazing mama or shall we hand it off to people who do that best. people who would be and are SO SO grateful for the business of cooking that mama’s day meal for you no brainer, right?? agreed. so call catchy. and place your order today for next a saturday pick up of anything on the menu above. we will be cutting off orders by monday we do unreal food and would be so happy for your order. so let us🤷🏼‍♀️ #catchy. #mothersday #shoutouttothemamas

i don’t know about you but my screen time has just about tripled the last six weeks. this is HARD. and it’s my humble opinion that we all need to be just a little gentler on ourselves in this season. i am just trying to get through the day and keep my kids alive and fed (teeth brushing optional🦷🤷🏼‍♀️). i don’t need to see how Karen is learning french during the quarantine or how she made her first cassoulet. i would much prefer a picture of your recycling bin so i don’t feel so bad about my nightly cocktail so here are so happy food pics for those of you uninterested in cooking tonight. chicken marsala. parmesan crusted chicken with sunday gravy. some mint monster to top it off. just a few of the many delectable options here at catchy. so order up y’all! and then go back to binge watching outer banks on Netflix. you deserve it #catchy. #hereforyou #letitgo #chilloutandrelax😎 #wedeliver #TIMEOUTTRAYS

i always thought i hated mushrooms. who knew?🤷🏼‍♀️ #catchy.chickenmarsala #timeouttrays #orderUP #wedeliver #mychefmakeseverythingGREAT #mushroomlover

yasssss. dinner tonight? ✅ #catchy. #timeouttrays #wedeliver #callusDIRECT201.445.6400 #orderonlineatwww.thecatchycaterer.com #eliminatethemiddleman #🚫ubereatsdoordashandgrubhub #smallbusinessplea

i heard this quote on a podcast sunday morning with @scottmillerj1 & @mrdavehollis and it just FLOORED me. carry your own weather. CARRY MY OWN WEATHER?!? who’s ever heard of such a thing?? i am the queen of external validation. my love language is words of affirmation. i blossom when people water me with their praise. i was supposed to have been carrying my own weather all this time and not needing others to create my sunshine for me?? well good morning y’all☀️, how do you do this was just what i needed to hear in the middle of this hard season. have a value system so strong and so impenetrable that no one’s crappy opinion or negatively can darken your day. someone wants to pee in your cheerios because they are angry? let ‘em. other people’s opinions of you are none of your damn business. 💥 so on this dreary day i making some sunshine for my customers. order up $60 worth of food and earn yourself a free “student” (three chicken fingers with a side of fries). awwwwww yasssss. it’s monday. you cooked all weekend and tonight you need a break. order up some salads and dinners for yourself and get a free “student” on the house when you get over $60. if you need help getting there we have some mighty fine handmade ice cream for sale #catchy. #hereforyou #orderup #timeouttrays #smallbusinessesrock #carryyourownweather #letsgo

back to back lunches to valley hospital for the WIN🙌🏻🙌🏻 PSA: i don’t post these pictures to be douchey. it’s not like, hey look at me, i’m so busy and important. rather the opposite. i post to let everyone know we will do anything food related you need right now: dinner for your family? lunch for a group of coworkers? sending a meal to a family who’s lost a parent? whatever we can do to make life a little easier or better for you, we are here for it as a small business owner who’s working hard to keep our families employeed, i post these pictures in hopes you will see them and spread the word that catchy. is OPEN! that we are serving our full menu! that we do hospital meals!! and that WE NEED YOUR BUSINESS!! pass it along when you order dinner from us and please tag us on any posts as it really helps!! we are so grateful for your business!! you are keeping us open with each passing week 🙌🏻🙌🏻 #catchy. #behumbleandgrateful #solucky #thankyoucustomers #ohanditFRYDAY🍟

wow. every day, when i need it most, i am inspired by someone on the internet plugging along on their COURAGE journey, doing their part in the midst of this crisis and posting how their community rallied around them❤️🙌🏻 . makes me feel not so alone. not so scared. not so frustrated when things don’t go the way i feel like they should yesterday i hit a bottom. i got my small business loan application in late and missed the aid. I couldn’t figure out the website to complete my mortgage paperwork for my new house. and then the register at the shop went down leaving me plugging and unplugging wires trying to fix it which is NOT my superpower. and i took it out on my kids (who, in all honesty, deserved it for leaving a sinkful of dishes because none of them could agree on who’s responsibility it was to clean them - spoiler alert: it wasn’t Mom’s). but the reaction was disproportionate to the offense. by about eight fold. apologies & amends still owed to my sleeping crew but the gist was, i had nothing left in my tank. i was angry. and i was feeling alone in the leadership position of my household and my shop and i. am. not. perfect. when i tuned in this morning and watched @jordansgems post about her rockstar small business and the people who have come out to support her family while she works around the clock making masks, it was just the wake up call i needed. the stark reminder of all the good that’s happened in my life. people who have ordered from us, made masks for us, sent money to us, texted inspiring messages to us. WE ARE NOT ALONE. even in the dark times we feel it most (for me that was on the checkout line at restaurant depot when my youngest called whining because i still wasn’t home and i had promised to be back by 4:30 - it was 5:39😩) in those moments when we can’t see the forest for the trees i’m sending out this reminder to anyone who needs it today: look around. there are people everywhere. you are not alone. do what you can. make a meal and drop it on someone’s doorstep. send a care package to a grandparent. leave a sidewalk chalk message for the mail carrier. you have NO idea how much these little things mean. #catchy. #yougotthis