Thursday, March 31, 2005

Things that scratch in the night....

First, Gracie woke up fine this morning.  Her eye is clear and not bothering her at all :)  Thanks for all the good wishes!  You guys are the best.....  

I, on the other hand, woke up alright... but ended up throwing up once and just not feeling well.  I had a headache last night that continued into this morning.  It might have something to do with lack of sleep.....  

It subsided by 4:00, then I was hungry as hell.... so I ate some soup and drank some water.  Poor Gracie hasn't had much of a Spring Break.  Good thing she really doesn't get it yet ;)    

I am so tired of being sick with all this stuff.  It's a good thing I don't work full time there, I'd have to call in once a week, at least, from illnesses I'm contracting.  I know Kelly told me I'd be sick the first year I worked there, but I was trying to reject that theory and live in denial.... guess she may be right.  

Tomorrow is calling for rain and be less than 50F.... sigh.... guess I'll find some indoor activity to do with the girl.  We never did make it to the zoo.  Mel's Jeep had an engine problem and honestly, my money wasn't really there to splurge like that.  But we'll go when it gets warmer, so we can see everything they have to offer :)  

Here's a strange thing for you guys....  Last night we had thunderstorms that were pretty close because the thunder was really loud.  I kept hearing this noise, a scratching noise, on my window in my bedroom.   

At first I thought it was a little hail... it does that a lot here.  There are no trees on that side of the house that reach my window.  But then Kitty got all interested in the noise and creeping to have a look through my vertical blinds.   

At 2:00 am, I climbed out of bed (I wasn't asleep which sucked in itself) and had a peek for myself.  It took a few seconds for me to see him, but I was eyeball to eyeball with a raccoon. 

He was big fellow too.  Must have shimmied up the downspout.  He did a double take and immediately began his descent to the overhang below him.  Poor thing must have been trying to get away from the rain.   I don't know where he went... if he went up the house or back down to the ground. 

We had a family of raccoons in the attic before, when we were kids.  An old neighbor used to have one as a pet (she was a park ranger).  She captured Mom and babies from our attic and took them to her park.  

I hope he went back down... wouldn't want him getting stuck on the roof.  Though he is a raccoon and they're pretty resourceful climbers with their long claws, it's a long way down from on top of this house.

My sympathies for Terri's parents to find peace soon.  I doubt anyone would want to know their child starved to death... it is inhumane.  My sympathies also to her husband for having to make the choice in the first place. 

It also sounds as if the Pope (who had taken a turn for the worse today) is responding to antibiotics and has been upgraded to stable condition.  When they gave him a feeding tube, I'm sure Terri was a thought on a lot of people's minds.......

Nothing much more to write.... that's the extent of my day.   My goal is to go to bed before midnight and actually fall asleep :)  

Have a good one....  

Cat  

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

In need of great earplugs....

What the heck is in the water?  

We only had 14 kids today.  One even left early, but it sounded like triple the amount.  Bunch of whiny criers today.....   When they weren't standing around crying for no reason, they were fighting (including pinching, pulling hair, and almost biting~we got to her first) to make each other whine and cry.  

Maybe it's because we're transitioning into a younger group of kids.  Maybe its because it was sunny and 74F out today and we were all cooped up inside like a bunch of panting, caged dogs...or puppies?  Whatever it is, I hope it leaves.... soon.  

Once Mrs. Lead and #2 left, the sub and I took the remaining 6 outside and let them run a muck.   It was better just to be out.... and they did get into the outside toys, since they're new to these kids.  

Came home for lunch, which mostly consists of trying to Gracie to sleep and reading as many alerts as possible before returning to work. 

Before I got home, apparently Grace had popped a balloon in her playroom.  It seems a piece may have hit her eye.  It also seems that my father didn't know.  Good thing I'm not paying for his services... he'd be fired :)  But we won't go there...

When I put her down for her nap, she closed her eye and started crying, saying it hurt.  I got her a cold cloth to put on it, but I'm fearing she scratched her cornea... that hurts like a mother.... and usually worse when your eye is closed.   

She did the samething again tonight at bedtime.  And it is a little red and watery, but she won't let me near it (since the eye drops for pink eye, her eyes are off limits to me and the mention of doctors). 

If its the same tomorrow, a call to the office has to be made.... wonder if they'll allow me to leave the room?  I always start to cry....   I know he'll need to put the drops in and check it under the blue light (been there many, many times before).  and I know she's going to fight like a Banshee....  

The joy of motherhood....  

Changed the music here... again.  I did say my last song was only temporary :)    But I know you guys will love this one, too..... Doesn't everyone?  Load main page to hear.  And if you have any cleaning to do, turn it up loud :)   

It works for me, anyway.......  

Have a nice night and a pleasant tomorrow......  

Cat  

Too much information about me....

This is travelling through J~Land, guess I'm following along this time :)  

 

1)  At what age did you lose your virginity?  17.  I'm growing it back now ; )

2)  At what age did you start your period?  12.

3)  How many times a week do you get lucky? Not applicable.  I'm a born again virgin :)

4)  Have you had your tubes tied? Nope...

5)  Did you have kids and if so did you have them naturally?  One kid by C-section.

6)  Have you ever smoked weed? Yeah, but I didn't inhale ; )

7)  Have you ever been arrested? Nope. Not to date...

8)  Do you have any skeletons in your closet? In all sizes too.

9)  Are you the huggy kissy type? Only if I'm getting some ;) or if it's my kid we're talking about, yeah.

10)  Did your mom tell you she loved you when you were little?  All the time and Dad, too until we hit our teen years... then I can't blame them :)

11) Was your dad in your life as a child?  More than my Mom, Daddy took care of us while Mom worked (he was in college).

12)  Have you had any surgery? Yep... tonsils out, ear tubes too many times, sinuses washed 2x before I was 2 years old.  Then, back surgery to remove pieces of bulging disks at 23, and C-section at 33.

13)  What's the craziest thing you've tried sexually? Sex on a firetruck, while it was on duty ; ) 

14)  How many adult teeth are you missing? All four wisdom teeth.

15)  When was the last time you had a PAP?  Crap, that reminds me--due in April.

16)  Are your toenails painted right now? Nope.

17)  Do you smoke cigarettes? Yep.

18)  Have you ever cheated on your spouse or lover?  Yep, cheated on Wayne with Mohammed, and on Mohammed with Wayne....

19)  Do you bite your nails?  Did until I wiped old people's butts for 6 years... 

20)  Are you the jealous type?  I can be made to be if it's put in my face.

21)  Do you have any pets?  2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 kid, 1 brother and bro's friends ;)

22)    Have you ever been out of the country?  Yep.. Amsterdam, Mexico, and Jordan..... almost to Australia (I'll make it one day, Nikki :)

23)  What was the last prank you played on someone? Gees... I used to call and hang up on my neighbor when I was a young girl~he was a hottie.. or should I say he was a fox?!  Lol.

24)  What's your favorite magazine?  'Shape' and 'Taboo' (if you don't know, don't ask ; ) 

25)  Bra size? 40DD... Thelma and Louise are big girls.  That is until I drop poundage... then they go bye-bye :)  

So, now you all know way too much about me, and most of it.. I'm sure you didn't want to :)  

Cat

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Do you know?

  As I was going through my Journal alerts today, I ran across this at Krissy's place.  

IRAQ - VERY INTERESTING - DID YOU KNOW?
1. The  garden of Eden was in Iraq.
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the  cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.
4. The  Tower of Babel was in  Iraq.
5.  Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq.
7. Jacob  met Rachel in Iraq.
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered  the ten tribes of Israel.
10. Amos  cried out in Iraq!
11.  Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.
12.  Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!
13. The  three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had  been in Iraq also as the  fourth person in the fiery furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the King of  Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into  Iraq.
16.  Ezekiel preached in Iraq.
17. The  wise men were from Iraq.
18. Peter preached in Iraq.
19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon,which was a  city in Iraq!

And  you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation  most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second?  It is Iraq! 

However,  that is not the name that is used in the Bible.  The names used in the  Bible are Babylon,  Land of  Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between  the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and  Euphrates  Rivers.   The name Iraq, means  country with deep roots.  Indeed Iraq is a country  with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

No  other nation, except Israel, has more  history and prophecy associated it than Iraq.

And also... This is something to think about! Since America is typically representedby an eagle. 
Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...  (I'm sure he knew it, but in a different way)

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible) (Calling the Islamic religious book a Bible is a sacrilege in itself.... there is only one book called a Bible and it is for Christians and Muslims would be offended)

Koran (9:11) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken  a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the  Eagle would be felt throughout the  lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still  more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and  there was peace.  (1st-its Quran, not Koran.  2nd--I am looking through my Quran right now and do not see this verse in 9-11 or in 11-9 {most other countries write verse first, then Chapter... unlike America... same goes for writing the date--date, then month ;)} 

    Picture from Hometown   The Quran's chapters are called by name... like Chapter 2-Surat Al-Barqarah.... or 'The Cow'... so maybe I should ask for more info on this.  I have read the Quran through 3 times, and do not recall this story....  

And I'm wondering how many people are clueless about the region our country is fighting in.    This is Iraq, the second holiest place to ancient Christians on the planet.   

I'm angered almost outraged that even self-proclaimed religious persons never speak of the present day area, but always refer to them by their Biblical names...   

Who do I blame?   

Well, I blame the public education system for not teaching world history, ancient geography before college, and well.. just not teaching too much in general.  

I blame the religious community for being hypocritical when it comes to teaching these areas... everyone knows Babylon and Mesopotamia~ but does anyone say they're in present day Iraq.... No!  

And finally, I blame parents.  It's our job to teach our children not only the present, but the past as well.  If I've said it once, I'll say it a million times:  The only way to predict and truly see the future, is to know the past.  It's always a cycle in history......  

Maybe you guys have already deleted this by now, but for those who have stayed (thanks), world history teaches me so much about our own little country, I just had to vent a little.  

Suppose it was Israel who had committed the act on 9/11/01?  Would 'Christians' and 'Jews' allow us to freely bomb targets there, even if it might mean destroying the remains and artifacts, like the old wailing wall, in Jerusalem?  

Just something to make you think.....  

Thanks to Krissy and from Tricia (think she went private?), who sent it to her...... thanks for enlightening some, and triggering the memory for others..... namely me  :)  

Cat

Brain~tease......

TRY THIS :  

How smart is Your Right Foot? (It also works on the left foot and hand, I tried)  

This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And you will keep trying at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't.    

 

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.    

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.           

 

 

 

I told you so ......And there's nothing you can do about it!

 

Wonder if we will ever really figure out the brain works.....

Cat

 

Monday, March 28, 2005

Easter~Monday....

Easter... it came and went.  Grace showed her ass all day!  She was just out of control and not listening to anyone.....at all.  She was in bed by 6:30 pm, too.  Sheesh.....  

We went to my Uncle's house for brats, beer and eggs~glad I wasn't around my brother and Johnny after that feast   :::winks:::  Egg and beer farts are nasty!  Oh and we usually have lamb or ham, but this year we all voted for something for summerlike :)  

I have cut Grace off of sugar (she can eat fruit and have 6ozs of juice daily, but that's all the sugar for her) since last week... and she has been even more wild, obnoxious, and obstinent as an ox!  I'm seriously thinking of testing her blood sugar with Dad's meter.   

I am slightly hypoglycemic normally (low blood sugars, its also why alcohol really messes me up).  I'm pretty sure Wayne had a very fast metabolism as a child, because he always tells me about struggling to gain weight then.  So, maybe Grace wasn't getting too much sugar, but rather, not enough.  Must call her doc in the morning to inquire.  

Today she was calmer, but Dad said she still was a little wound up in the morning.  I think she's just testing other authority figures out... because she doesn't push my buttons too often.   

Went to work today... the room is changing now that some of the old kids are moving up.  Not good or bad, just different.  We're getting kids now who are barely a year old~we're supposed to be the 'older' toddler room.   

Claire moved to the 2's today.  She was the best talker in our room, now that title is Dawson's.  Grace and Kaitlyn move in the next two weeks~2 of my favorites... I'm gonna be so sad :(   I'll get pictures of them so you guys can see.   

Grace is the quietest kid, but the look she keeps on her face is one of intrigue... like she's always thinking.  Kaitlyn~aka K-K, well, she's a spitfire... a chunk of girl who is solid muscle and can rival any boy twice her age.  Her mom is a teacher of special needs kids, and you can tell by K-K's intelligence~she's one smart cookie ;)  

We had 13 kids today, being it's spring break week here... and many of our kids' moms are teachers.  We were short 3 kids today and this is our busiest day this week.  So I might be bored to tears on Wednesday.  

We have a replacement for Kennady, in the form of Josh.  He only comes in on Mondays, so I can deal with it one day as opposed to five.  He's an only child for the moment (his mom went into early labor today~6 weeks early).   

His Dad came in to get him and told me.  I have to admit, I didn't really know what to say.  So I told him I hoped the docs could stop the labor... but also that babies born after 32 weeks gestation are usually ok, just smaller than full term.  After he left, I felt totally like an ass.  What kind of thing was that to say?!  Sometimes I let my knowledge of medical situations override my mouth and my compassion!  

Asst #2 and I kind of got into it a little today.... over homeschooling, of all things.  She said her sister had to take a test to teach homeschool here.  But I have done research on this state's homeschool policies... and there are no state regulations or tests for parents who wish to do so. 

I told her that and she reverted to a 12-year-old... "Uh-huh, there is so a test, my sister had to take it so she could teach hers." I asked her if her sister had a college education and she said no, so I said maybe that's why she needed a test.  Thinking I ticked her off with that one.....  

I'm not going to argue about something I know to be true.  I told her the only regulations we have is that homeschooled children have the right to participate in sports at the school in their district, even if they don't attend school there.  I just shut up about it.  She'd argue about the color of the sky if you challenged her.....  

I had 5 kids left tonight at 5:45.  I leave at 6.  The last kids are supposed to be taken to the office at 5:55.  I had way too many to even think about that.  But then... all the parents showed up at 5:50... at the same time  :)  Even my 6 o'clocker!  And one of the new kids, Aidan, leaves that late, too... bum deal.  

Tomorrow, it is supposed to be 67F here and sunny.  Mel and I are thinking about taking Gracie to the zoo.  But I'm not sure if the animals will be out.  I went last April, paid full price... and only the elephants were outside.   We can still see the 'Amazon Rain Forest' animals and the water animals, but not sure if we'll be able to feed the birds or the giraffe... or even see the monkeys.  We'll see....  

Was thinking of the Children's Museum, but Gracie has a class field trip there next month, but it would be alot (I mean ALOT!) cheaper.  I'll figure it out when I see the mood G is in tomorrow  :)  

k, that's all from me tonight.......  

Hope everyone had a great day!  

Cat                                      

Saturday, March 26, 2005

It's temporary....

                       **Lyrics are not suited for children**

This song is for Brian : )  

And yes, it's temporary until I get the one I want to put  in here loaded ~ dial-up is a bitch....  

Sorry if it offends anyone~this song always makes me laugh ; )  

It's the one we used to play when we were kids, full volume, and sing at the tops of our lungs out the living room windows.......  

Enjoy for now~  

Cat  

You choose...

So, I am going through my music.... trying to decide what to put in here next.  

I can't pick.... so I'm going to let you do it for me ; )  

Fast, Mellow, or Sad and Slow?  

You've got precious little time...... so tell me!  

Cat

The Saturday Six.....

Brought to us by Patrick's place.....  

1. Do you believe that Terri Schiavo should be allowed to die or that she should be kept alive?   I think had she not wanted this, it should've never been done in the first place.

2. Has the Schiavo case made you take any action towards creating a living will of your own?  I have had a living will and advanced medical directive since I turned 18.  My parents are aware and will fully comply with my wishes, even if I didn't have these documents. 

3. Let's forget what we know -- or more likely, what we think we know-- about Schiavo's condition.  If you suffered a brain injury thatwould leave you in a non-responsive vegetative state (whether Schiavois in this state or not) and your doctors said that there was so muchbrain damage that there would be no hope of recovery, would you want tobe kept alive no matter what?  Absolutely not.  The financial burden to my family isn't worth it, not to mention~I don't feel that  is living. 

4. Has anyone outside of your immediate family ever asked you to be their "personal representative" to make such a decision on their behalf if they ever suffer a severe injury?   Yes.

Do you think you could really make the decision? Yes.  I have been involved with too many patients not to be aware of long term effects. 

And for the record~I think organ donation should be automatic-unless stated otherwise by the individual.

5. Do you have a special outfit ready for Easter Sunday?  Um.. no.
Does your family have any special Easter traditions?  We go to my Uncle's for a feast.

6. What room of your house is the absolute messiest?   That would be my bedroom. 

Would you ever let a house guest see it? Usually not.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

It's the Easter Beagle...

Another short one.... just to sum up Grace's class party and post pics, since I know I'll be asked where they are  :)

Picture from Hometown 

                                  The room~Pre kids  :)  

It was a lot of fun for everyone.... the kids got to decorate construction paper eggs using glue sticks and confetti.  A tad messy, but fun just the same.  They had an egg hunt in their room for candy or money (2 pennies) filled eggs.   

Picture from Hometown Jenny  

They had chocolate, white, and yellow cupcakes... which they mostly only ate the icing.  Why can't adults do that?  Why do we feel it would be wrong for us to only lick off the precious sweetness and toss the cake away?  Sometimes it sucks to be grown up...... bet lots of people do it when no one is looking ; )  

Picture from Hometown  

                        Kids waiting for cupcakes....  

I brought some lemonade which was almost gone by the time we left.  Someone brought pretzels in, but with all the candy from the eggs and the icing... who wants those?  Grace did eat some, though...            

             Picture from Hometown                        Nikki and Ashley (Grace's 'best' friend)  

They played some games and ate some more junk.  I'd say it was perfect :)  We did talk some about the field trip to the Children's Museum next month.  I volunteered to drive (because I just like driving) and to take some kids with me and Gracie.  It'll be a blast!  

                                               Picture from Hometown

                                                  Jacob~isn't he the cutest?    

Tomorrow we're coloring eggs.... yea!  I love dying eggs, always have.  That and Christmas cookies are my favorite holiday traditions :)  Last year when we colored eggs, Grace had to dip each egg into all of the colors... this year, I'm wondering how she'll be  :)

  Picture from Hometown

Kailee~I love the look she's giving me here... like another one?  

I couldn't get a good picture of Grace today... there was so much going on~it was hard to get good shots of any of the kids.  But on a funny note~ she did put her white furry rabbit ear headband on her favorite stuffed dog and told me he ate the Easter Bunny, so now it's the Easter Doggy..... she's got an imagination.... I thought of you, too, Julie~ hence my title ; )  

 

 

                                    Picture from Hometown

                   Grace eating candy :) ~ sorry it's so blurry...    

Today was warmer out, about 55F.... and sunny!!  Tomorrow is saying rain, but it's okay~I saw the sun :)  

Happy Good Friday to everyone.....  

Cat

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

A quickie..... kind of....

Short entry... I'm tired....  

Throat hurts..... damn it.  Darn kids.... it better not get worse!  

Speaking of kids~we're losing 3 of our best and cutest kids to the 2's class.  We've gotten 3 new kids from the early toddlers and 1 more starting next week.  We've had 2 already leave us for the 2's.  For those I've lost with my backwards math~we're short one kid in the exchange :)  No complaints from me.....  

But I can see where it's going to be hard to see them go... and why their 'old' teachers always come into our rooms to see them.  

~Moving on~  

It's friggin cold outside!  Where's the rain?!  The daffodils and tulips?  My neighbors Cherry Blossoms?  Where's the heat?!  

Remind me I said that in August when I'm whining about the heat ; )  

Gracie's class Easter Party tomorrow~ charging camera batteries, and got them lemonade... in hopes of warmer weather :)  

Thankfully, she hasn't said she was going to kill anyone this week.   

She's now moved on to volcanoes and earthquakes...... She asks me to 'read' (meaning tell) her a story 'bout that.  I get the pleasure of making up tales about mother nature on 3-year-old terms  ; )  

Happy news for Jennifer (aka Pickle).... she got to hold Zach (it had been a week)!  He's off the respirator and eating from a bottle instead of an NG tube :)   

He's had a few episodes of SVT that quickly subsided, so its just a matter of balancing out his medications.  She sounded so happy!

You can read her email at Lisa's place.   Thanks to everyone who went by her place with prayers and well wishes.  It means a lot to me, and to her I'm sure!! 

Now go and share some love and keep the prayers coming  :)  

Have a great night!  

Cat

Monday, March 21, 2005

I'm giving in only for a moment....

Alright, I have skirted and skated around this issue... because there are many opinions... all believing their way is right.  And because I have my opinion, too.... and yeah, I also believe I'm right.  

So, in the case of Terri Schiavo.....  All I am going to say is this:  

For the love of God, if we learn anything from this case other than hatred and bitterness towards other's opinions, it is this....  

1.  Tell your loved ones of your wishes right now, while you are healthy!   

2.  Put that in writing, get it notarized (because it has to be legal).  

3. And tell everyone who may have an opinion for your care, should you be in a similar situation.  

This thing has gone way too far out-of-hand!  

And that's all I've got to say about that...  

Cat  

PS~ For an update on Zach, go here....

My Most Outrageous Fairytale....well not 'most' but within TOS..

This is for Judith's Artsy Essay Contest.  Please click to go to her place for the rules, though the contest ENDS Tomorrow, so hurry if you want to participate.  That being stated, as it is part of the rules, and.... well, just plain considerate to link to those we mention, anyway... on with my tale.

 

The Real Sleeping Beauty....

 

Once upon a time.... No scratch that.....In present day Manhattan, there is a lovely young Princess.  Her father, the King, rules over the land and his people from his corner office in a penthouse on Wall Street.  The Princess wants for nothing.  She has everything her heart desires handed to her on a silver platter.  She is treated more as a Queen than a Princess

The Princess treats people bad, is rude, talks to them as if they are dirt, and has no conscience that speaks to her when she does such things.  This Princess makes Paris Hilton look like Mother Teresa.... well, maybe more like Princess Di.  The girl is spoiled as all get out.  This is her story....

One day last year, the King met a fair maiden who worked on his staff.  He wanted to make this maiden his Queen.  He asked (well decreed, he is King after all) for her hand and the maiden accepted, because one cannot refuse the King.  The Princess, however, did not like the idea one iota.  She could not imagine her father lavishing his time and money on a new wife instead of her.  

The Princess called on her most trusted handmaiden to seek out an evil witch for a way to stop the matrimonial ceremony.  The servant went as fast as possible, taking a non-stop, red-eye flight to the witch's lair.  Once she arrived, she met quickly with the witch and hurriedly returned to the Princess with the witch's brew to curtail her father's plans.  

The Princess read the instructions the evil witch had carefully laid out for herShe sent the handmaiden to fetch an apple--not just any old apple mind you, but the most shiny, unblemished red apple in all the kingdom.  The servant returned with a nice juicy Red Delicious and the Princess injected the witch's brew into it.   

The servant fetched the soon to be Queen to the Princess' room, and the Princess gave the apple as a present to her new almost Step-mother as a gift.  Not wanting to disappoint the Princess, the almost Queen graciously accepted the gift.  The Princess expected, and was prompting her to eat it. but the soon-to-be Queen informed her she had duties to attend to, and she left without savoring even a bite.  

Little did the Princess know, her almost Step-mom is deathly allergic to apples.  So when the Princess was out in the Kingdom galavanting with all the young peasant boys, the future Queen returned the beautiful apple to the fruit bowl in the Princess' room, for she felt it was much too beautiful to let rot.  

When the Princess returnedto the castle, she was famished.  It was too late to go to the kitchen as the staff was asleep.  So, the Princess grabbed the shiny apple that seemed to call out to her 'Eat me!, EAT ME !!'  The Princess took a bite and then devoured it.  It was the best tasting apple she'd ever eaten.  

When she finished, she tossed the core away.  She began to feel very strange.  As she was slipping away to sleep, she realized she had eaten the tainted apple.  Her last thought was that the woman knew what she had done and she had tricked her 

The next morning, the handmaiden found the Princess lying on the duvet, not to be awoken no matter what she tried.  She quickly fetched the King, who sent for the very best specialists to treat his daughter.  None of them could.  The King asked the Princess' servant if she knew what happened.  Being afraid to betray the loyalty of the sleeping Princess, she simply answered no.  

Weeks passed and the Princess did not recover from her sickness.  The King had postponed his nuptials, but finally decided to carry them out.  He married the fair maiden and made her Queen.  The King whisked his bride off to a magical honeymoon, leaving his daughter's care to several new caregivers.  They work for the King in one of his lush downtown offices.   They had some expertise and knowledge of the Princess' demise, so they set about trying to cure her

The King informed them they were his last effort in saving his little girl.  The little men scurried about retrieving various objects to assist in saving her highness' life.  The King emailed them incessantly inquiring of her condition.  Their reply was always the same, 'No change, Your Majesty.'  

One day, the King and Queen returned to the kingdom so he could handle some urgent business that required his presence.  He and his new wife still had some time left for their holiday and he knew he had to spend time with his 'sleeping' daughter, so he held the meeting there, in her rooms.  

A handsome young naive in attendance at the meeting, stayed behind with the King when the gathering ended.  He inquired of the Princess and how she came to be in this state.  After the King explained, the lad told him how the Princess was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.  He asked the King if he could give his stricken daughter a kiss and the King obliged his wishes.  

The boy bent down and kissed her lips, and suddenly the Princess awoke from her slumber.  The King was so estatic at this, he told the naive he could have anything he desired.  Of course, the boy desired to marry the Princess and take her to his home.  The King stood by his word and the Princess became his bride and he became a Prince......   

.......And he lived happily ever after with his Princess on his pig farm inKentucky.    

 

The moral of the story:   

If you have enough already, do not want for more~ you usually end up with nothing....  

~and~  

If you treat people like crap, you will end up knee deep in it......                                       

                                        Picture from Hometown    

Hope you enjoyed this version of  "Cat's-a-piece Theatre"  : )  

Cat

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Prayers needed....

A fellow J~Lander needs some love and support from us.  

Jennifer's baby boy, Zachary, is in the hospital with ventricular tachycardia.  He is doing better on medication, but is currently on a respirator and she anticipates a 3 week hospital stay.  

Please send her well wishes for her baby's speedy and full recovery....  

 Picture from Hometown  

Thanks so much~ you guys are the most caring group of people I know.......  

email to Perkysgrl, if you wish to keep private.....  

Cat

Thanks to Snoop Dogg....**AC**

OMG!! This is too funny!  I just translated one of my entries in the 'Shizzolator'.  I found it through Heather's place........

Check this out:

When putting her bed, that shiznit is customary fo' me rock her n' shit.   It is in these times I don't want put her down, know what I'm sayin'?   I just want hold her 'n feel her close me, know what I'm sayin'?   Our conversation:  

Me:  I love holding yo' ass, know what I'm sayin'?  

Grace:  I want go bed n' shit.  

Me:  But I don't want put yo' ass down n' shit.  

Grace:  Well, I'll still be here in da morning Momma."    

 

Then there are da times when brizzle wants get her own way, 'n throws a fit prove how  'big ass' brizzle is n' shit. .....  

Me:  Grace, I be like no n' shit.  

Grace:  But Mom, I am a big ass brizzle now n' shit.  

Me:  Yes, yo' ass are a big ass brizzle now, but yo' ass are not big ass 'nuff do that, know what I'm sayin'?  

Grace:  Well, one dayI'm gonna be bigger than yo' ass, then I'll be da boss, 'n I'm not gonna let yo' ass do that shiznit, know what I'm sayin'?    

 

Of course, there are always da times brizzle tries escape punishment n' shit.  

Me:  Grace, why did yo' ass throw yo' food?  

Her:  It wuz an accident, know what I'm sayin'?  

Me:  Grace, know what I'm sayin'?   Food does not end up on da other siiiiide of da room if that shiznit wuz an accident n' shit.  

Her:  I gave some Tip-stick (one of izzle dogs~tha dude's actual name is Tipster) 'n tha dude didn't like that shiznit, so tha dude spit that shiznit out n' shit.  

Me:  Hmmm, so how did that shiznit end up that shiznit on da wall?  

Her:  Well, I threw that shiznit tha dude's ass 'n tha dude put that shiznit in tha dude's mouth n' shit.   Then tha dude didn't like that shiznit, so tha dude spit that shiznit out on da wall n' shit.  

Me:  Tha dude spit that shiznit out 'n that shiznit hit da wall 'n stuck there?  

Her:  Uh-huh, then I gave some Cubby (da other d-o-g), 'n some Kitty 'n Forrest (cats), too, know what I'm sayin'?   But they didn't like that shiznit either."   See Mommy, yo' ass need cook something else fo' us eat." .... none of yo' animals liked that shiznit n' shit.  

 

That's my brizzle

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Saturday Night's Alright.......

This entry is going to take a long time for me to put in here..... AOL being what it is, I have to save after completing each paragraph.  I'm sure I won't remember exactly what I wrote on my first attempts... but I hope it doesn't lose much flavor in the process....  

It's not so bad... practice makes perfect and all   ; )  If anything, it teaches me not to rely so heavily on technology... not to become too accustomed to it being around.. so easily.  And I still know how to start a mean fire with sticks and a stone    :::winks:::  

So, Bailey came over at 9am.  Grace had been awake for 3 hours already.  They had a great time together.... at first, they  ran around like they were crazy little children.  Bailey's house is really small and not open like ours inside. 

They ran around all the rooms, chasing each other.  They played hide and seek.  Wait until she's older and finds all the places my brother and I used to hide in~it's such a great house for being a kid in.

 Picture from Hometown  

They played music with Grace's recorder (: just like the ones you played in grade school :) and her harmonica and drum (Bailey played those).  Nobody wanted the keyboard, so I played it~very, VERY, quietly.  I was having too much fun to take pictures... next time, I'll let them play so I can.  

I had to go take the last survey this year for the class I took.  Mom stayed with the girls (she works with Bailey's mom).  They ate lunch and when I got back home they were both lying on the couch watching 'Lion King 2'.  It was so cute.....  

Bailey left about 1:30 and Grace was more than ready for a nap.... though she didn't think so.  But I finally got her to sleep.  My brother came by and checked his bids on Ebay~car parts...  He loves his cars... Old Classics.  She woke up around 3:30 and played with him for awhile before he left.    

Karen came over, we ate dinner, and I gave Grace a bath.  I love the way her hair looks when it's wet.... Picture from Hometown  

Picture from Hometown  

but if I leave it down and it dries... look out!  Her hair is beyond the natural curl I have   (: you too, Nae :)  I use 'The Conditioner' on it.... but it doesn't do much to tame it.  And I don't feel comfortable using chemicals on her hair.... so I usually keep it braided.... Picture from Hometown  

Picture from Hometown  

While we were in there, Kitty took her usual place on the edge of the tub... the cat has a thing for fishing~she's fallen in twice.  She was eyeballing one of Gracie's 'fish', so Grace decided to help her out.... I couldn't resist taking these   : )  

Picture from Hometown       

                        Picture from Hometown     

                        Picture from Hometown   

Ok, I need to confess something here.... I'm psyched to watch the 'Little House on the Prairie' Movie from Disney next Saturday.  Yeah, I'm a <whatever name you just said> 

But I still watch reruns of it when I can.    I still have the set of books from Laura Ingalls Wilder... I even own a cookbook her daughter, Rose, published,  

I admit I wanted to be alive at the time when she was... until I think if all the things that probably would've killed me first... but I can't wait until next weekend...  

That's my Saturday, hope your's was a pleasant one.....  

Cat

Friday, March 18, 2005

Friday Day...

I took the child to Sharkie's today to eat some pizza and play some games.  We were the only ones in the place (I happen to love that~you feel rich... in a 'they close the store to everyone but you' sort of way  ; )  

She was okay, insisted on climbing on the games~she's into hiding places now.... and the basketball shooting game made the perfect one.  Though she climbed on every one of them just to be sure.  I told her nicely, more than once (I know, you're all shocked).... then we just had to leave.  

She did eat some pizza and breadsticks- without a fight- before we left.  Well, she would take a bite, run into the playroom to climb more, come back for another bite and so on....   

I got her a stuffed bunny from the machine with all the toys and the grabby thing that drops down.... you know which one I mean.  After two attempts to get her the dog that she wanted, that is.  It was wedged down (or tied down as my ex would tell me).   

I played Galaga and Ms. PacMan a few times.  Made me feel old that it had a sticker reading Retro-game~20th anniversary...... I swear it was just a few years ago!  Grace was pounding away on the button with me (it was a button that didn't interfere with my game.. lol) helping to 'kill all the bad guys'.   

She's been really into death and killing here lately... so I'm thinking she's absorbing adult TV when we think she's not paying attention.  ER, West Wing, Charmed (yep~she's vanquished some demons....... aka her dinosaur collection).   

Dad watches the old cowboy movies and just old movies and we both watch The History Channel.  So, I know she's heard the terms.  What's the normal age kids start talking about it while playing?  It's an aggressive sort, too.  I'm not liking it at all.   

I know she's got my temper.... that I got from my Dad..... it's much fun with the 3 of us get going at each other.  And she puts up a fight and stands her ground, which I think will come in useful at some point in her life, but not at 3 1/2........  

We stopped for ice cream on the way home (Ritter's frozen custard~yum).  I was already bad eating pizza, why not just go all out... I'll just have to workout a little longer tomorrow.  Today was 58 F outside and sunny... and I even saw some blooms of purple : )  Tomorrow it is calling for rain.... maybe, just maybe Spring has finally sprung.....  

Speaking of tomorrow, Grace's friend, Bailey, is coming over to play with her.... that should be fun.  Bailey is 6, and watches over Grace like a big sister... or a little mom  :)  She's an only child, too... nice for them both to have a friend with something in common....  

Then the church where Grace attends preschool is having their Easter Egg Hunt from 2-4, but I don't know what will happen if it's raining.  Maybe they'll move it indoor, there is room.... who knows.... we may not go at all.  It'll depend on when Bailey leaves and if Grace takes a nap.  

Picture from Hometown

That about wraps up my day..... hope yours was a good one, too.....  

Cat

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Weekend Assignment #51......

The task this weekend is to write a............ Spring Haiku   :)  

A haiku has three lines.  The first and third have five syllables, the second has seven,

 

Spring is springing soon

Flowers blooming, trees budding

Smell it in the air  

 

Give it a shot, then link your's to Scalzi's place.....  

Cat

Gracie-isms.....

When putting her to bed, it is customary for me to rock her.  It is in these times I don't want to put her down.  I just want to hold her and feel her close to me.  Our conversation:  

Me:  I love holding you.  

Grace:  I want to go to bed.  

Me:  But I don't want to put you down.  

Grace:  Well, I'll still be here in the morning Momma.    

 

Then there are the times when she wants to get her own way, and throws a fit to prove how  'big' she is......  

Me:  Grace, I said no.  

Grace:  But Mom, I am a big girl now.  

Me:  Yes, you are a big girl now, but you are not big enough to do that.  

Grace:  Well, one day I'm gonna be bigger than you, then I'll be the boss, and I'm not gonna let you do it.    

 

Of course, there are always the times she tries to escape punishment.  

Me:  Grace, why did you throw your food?  

Her:  It was an accident.  

Me:  Grace.  Food does not end up on the other side of the room if it was an accident.  

Her:  I gave some to Tip-stick (one of our dogs~his actual name is Tipster) and he didn't like it, so he spit it out.  

Me:  Hmmm, so how did it end up it on the wall?  

Her:  Well, I threw it to him and he put it in his mouth.  Then he didn't like it, so he spit it out on the wall.  

Me:  He spit it out and it hit the wall and stuck there?  

Her:  Uh-huh, then I gave some to Cubby (the other dog), and some to Kitty and Forrest (cats), too.  But they didn't like it either.  See Mommy, you need to cook something else for us to eat..... none of your animals liked it.  

 

That's my girl~   Picture from Hometown Sometimes, it's just too hard to get mad, isn't it?   

Cat

I'm Chromium.....

I found this at Kelly's place and at Dona's.......  

What chemical element are you?  

                                    Cr...Chromium

(Ooooooo....... Chromium...............)

You scored 31 Mass, 7 Electronegativity, 64 Metal, and 10 Radioactivity! 

Ooooooo....... shiny! (I love shiny) You probably have an incredibly stable and well-maintained group of friends... that probably also don't get out much either (Uhhhh, nope.... they don't). You're not one to get bogged down by a problem (not for long, if I do). Of course, I'm basing this upon Chromium's ultra-low water-exchange constant and it 's corrosion-resistant properties, and I wouldn't be too surprised if the analogy doesn't even apply. (Actually, quiz-making person, I'd say it's on the money :)

                                                        

How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 23% on Mass (much higher in mass in reality  :) 

You scored higher than 4% on Electroneg (because I'm not a negative person...lol) 

You scored higher than 82% on Metal (explains why I'm so f'in heavy  :) 

You scored higher than 64% on Radioactivity (yeah, I am very infectious to others..... lmao) 

 

Take the test for yourself here.......  

Cat  :)      

                                    leprechaun  

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.....

I know many military families have journals here.   

I wonder how many of them know what the party who put their loved ones in harm's way is doing behind their backs?  

Below is an amendment that was shot down by the republicans.   

So, my opinion is Bush & Company were bold enough to put our military into action unnecessarily, and now they are not willing to pay the costs of those service men and women wounded, some permanently.   

The Democrats, as you can see by the list, were in full support of spending more for Veterans..... not one voted against.   

Anyone care to change their opinion now?  And just in case someone may think I've played with the numbers-here's the site, check for yourself.  

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 1st Session

as compiled through SenateLIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

Vote Summary

Question: On the Amendment (Akaka Amdt. No. 149 )

Vote Number: 55

Vote Date: March 16, 2005, 04:38 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2

Vote Result: Amendment Rejected

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 149 to to S.Con.Res. 18 (Appropriations resolution FY2006, Budget )

Statement of Purpose: To increase veterans medical care by $2.8 billion in 2006.

Vote Counts: YEAs 47 NAYs 53

  **********************************

Grouped by Home State

Alabama: Sessions (R-AL), Nay Shelby (R-AL), Nay

Alaska: Murkowski (R-AK), Nay Stevens (R-AK), Nay

Arizona: Kyl (R-AZ), Nay McCain (R-AZ), Nay

Arkansas: Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Yea

California: Boxer (D-CA), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Yea

Colorado: Allard (R-CO), Nay Salazar (D-CO), Yea

Connecticut: Dodd (D-CT), Yea Lieberman (D-CT), Yea

Delaware: Biden (D-DE), Yea Carper (D-DE), Yea

Florida: Martinez (R-FL), Nay Nelson (D-FL), Yea

Georgia: Chambliss (R-GA), Nay Isakson (R-GA), Nay

Hawaii: Akaka (D-HI), Yea Inouye (D-HI), Yea

Idaho: Craig (R-ID), Nay Crapo (R-ID), Nay

Illinois: Durbin (D-IL), Yea Obama (D-IL), Yea

Indiana: Bayh (D-IN), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Nay

Iowa: Grassley (R-IA), Nay Harkin (D-IA), Yea

Kansas: Brownback(R-KS), Nay Roberts (R-KS), Nay Kentucky 

 Kentucky: Bunning (R-KY), Nay McConnell (R-KY), Nay

Louisiana: Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Vitter (R-LA), Nay

Maine: Collins (R-ME), Nay Snowe (R-ME), Nay

Maryland: Mikulski (D-MD), Yea Sarbanes (D-MD), Yea

Massachusetts: Kennedy (D-MA), Yea Kerry (D-MA), Yea

Michigan: Levin (D-MI), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Yea

Minnesota: Coleman (R-MN), Yea Dayton (D-MN), Yea

Mississippi: Cochran (R-MS), Nay Lott (R-MS), Nay

Missouri: Bond (R-MO), Nay Talent (R-MO), Nay

Montana: Baucus (D-MT), Yea Burns (R-MT), Nay

Nebraska: Hagel (R-NE), Nay Nelson (D-NE), Yea

Nevada: Ensign (R-NV), Nay Reid (D-NV), Yea New

Hampshire: Gregg (R-NH), Nay Sununu (R-NH), Nay

New Jersey: Corzine (D-NJ), Yea Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea

New Mexico: Bingaman (D-NM), Yea Domenici (R-NM), Nay

New York: Clinton (D-NY), Yea Schumer (D-NY), Yea

North Carolina: Burr (R-NC), Nay Dole (R-NC), Nay

North Dakota: Conrad (D-ND), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Yea

Ohio: DeWine (R-OH), Nay Voinovich (R-OH), Nay

Oklahoma: Coburn (R-OK), Nay Inhofe (R-OK), Nay

Oregon: Smith (R-OR), Nay Wyden (D-OR), Yea

Pennsylvania: Santorum (R-PA), Nay Specter (R-PA), Nay

Rhode Island: Chafee (R-RI), Yea Reed (D-RI), Yea

South Carolina: DeMint (R-SC), Nay Graham (R-SC), Nay

South Dakota: Johnson (D-SD), Yea Thune (R-SD), Nay

Tennessee: Alexander (R-TN), Nay Frist (R-TN), Nay

Texas: Cornyn (R-TX), Nay Hutchison (R-TX), Nay

Utah: Bennett (R-UT), Nay Hatch (R-UT), Nay

Vermont: Jeffords (I-VT), Yea Leahy (D-VT), Yea

Virginia: Allen (R-VA), Nay Warner (R-VA), Nay

Washington: Cantwell (D-WA), Yea Murray (D-WA), Yea

West Virginia: Byrd (D-WV), Yea Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea

Wisconsin: Feingold (D-WI), Yea Kohl (D-WI), Yea

Wyoming: Enzi (R-WY), Nay Thomas (R-WY), Nay  

I can't stand hypocrites.........  

Cat