New year....

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy 2008! 

 

Hope you all had a fun, safe evening...

 

Cat & Gracie

 

Tags: Happy New Year, 2008

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Greetings...

Well hello there!

 

It seems as though time has gotten away from us again.  I hope everyone is doing fine and preparing for the holiday season that is approaching quickly.

 

I am ready for the break, that's for sure!  For those who don't know, I decided to go back to school in September.  It was definitely a spur of the moment decision and depended on whether I received financial aid or not.  Happily, for the first time in my life, I qualified and am now pursuing a BA in business administration.

 

I'm doing it through the WED program at St Mary-of-the Woods College, in Terre Haute.  I've not taken distance learning programs like this one.  I've attended off-campus classes before, but there are no classes this time.  You get a curriculum and go home.  So, its taking more effort on my part to sit here and study, rather than do other things that need to get done.. lol.

 

My girl is fine.  Doing very well in kindergarten, other than not knowing when to stop talking...  I'm trying to get through to her that I had the same problem and if she doesn't get it under control, school will not get easier.  Hopefully something will get her in gear.

 

Work is going well.  I took the morning off because my throat was on fire when I awoke, so I go in at 2pm.  There's been a nasty bug of the spewing-from-either-end type going around at the daycare.  Took out a lot of kids and staff for a few weeks.  Luckily we are the germ-o-phobe room and we constantly wipe things down where the kids have been.  Our room avoided it for the most part, but did have 2 kids come down with it because they had siblings in the other rooms.  On the jobs hazards, ya know?

 

That's all from my neck of the woods.  We're expecting our first measurable snow fall tonight, only a couple inches predicting by tomorrow evening... nothing to keep me from going anywhere.

 

Stacy, I hope you're not swimming over there!  Wow. 

 

Take care all~

Kitty

Tags: Hello, checking in

No way! Already?

Guess who's turning 6 today?!

 

 

 

 

You got it...

 

 

Happy Birthday, Baby  :)

 

 

 

Love your guts~

 

Mom

Tags: Birthday wishes, Growing up too fast, time flies...

It's me again...

Two entries in a month, don't fall over... lol

 

Well, how's everybody been?  I'll be catching up on journals in a little while, I know I've missed some serious stuff from my friends, and I apologize for that...

 

I've also recently discovered a few of my fav journalers are back here now and I'll be resetting my alerts to stay on top of them now that they're relocated and writing again. 

 

I owed you this, so here my girl is in her uniform.  The picture didn't scan very well, after several attempts, this is as good as it gets.  Doesn't do her cuteness justice though  ;) 

  

                  

 

As you can see, she played for the Reds.  Yes, I sucked it up being that I'm part of a family of Yankee & Cub fans... lol.  To recap the season, she whined every practice and game time.  Refused to get dressed most of the time.  Laid on the ground and played with the grass when she played outfield.  Loved hitting the ball (and is a heavy hitter!!) AND~ She wants to play again next season....

 

All the hell this child put me through and she liked it?!  What am I gonna do when she really doesn't like something? 

 

LOL.  Kids.

 

So, this summer at work, we were supposed to have all this extra staff... and we don't.  I did, however, get a person in my room in the afternoon who actually wants to work!  WOW.  Do you have any idea how long I've been carrying the PMs by myself?  Probably since the last time I was writing here. (Another part of why I haven't written~it would all be complaints.  Haha)

 

My new assistant is 18, going into her senior year.. but she's a Godsend.  She's excellent with the kids.  She doesn't baby them or play favorites like ALOT of my other help did.  She's like a younger me, so I can't gripe.. lol.  She's fluent in sign language and plans to major in that in college. 

 

My boss is crazy.  She doesn't remember conversations anymore.  She's currently off after having her knee replaced (last Tues, 10th) and she's saying she'll be back on Monday!  Now, I've rehabbed many knee patients, and I don't see how she'll even be weight bearing enough to go back to work...  I don't know about you guys, but this Kitty doesn't return to normal activity til the good doc says so.  We'll see.

 

What else? What else?

 

I finally got a new car, er, new to me anyway.  A 2000 Taurus wagon that takes E85.  Even having a car payment, I'm saving $1.50 a gal in gas... somehow I'd like to believe it equals out ;)  I love it, though.  I still like my old Lincoln and she's currently parked, undercover, getting some well deserved rest.  But this car is lovely :)

 

The family's well.  Dad's foot healed fine, though itswelled up a couple days after.. just enough to make us worry for a day.  Gracie starts all day Kindergarten Aug 14th.  I took off of work for the first two days of school, just in case.  Not for Grace.. for me!  Her first day of preschool, I was throwing up and panicky (sorry about the graphic details, but no nice way of telling you that).

 

Other than that, things remain the same with me.  We're heading on vacation Sunday, going to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, in Santa Claus, IN.  First time to a water park for the girl, who has become a fish (who is still afraid of swimming lessons) in the past two summers.  I'm sure she'll have a great time... thinking I'll be worn out .. lol

 

Anyone ever use the disposable cameras that are waterproof  Was planning on taking one with me, but not if they don't take decent pictures.

 

That's a wrap for me for now.  Hopefully, I'll be back sooner rather than later!

 

Love ya'll...

 

Cat~

Helloooooo, and Happy 4th....

Hello my friends  :)

 

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!  We just got back from my brother's, where we essentially had a block party. 

 

It was a very good time, despite a firework gone crazy... while it was shooting sparks in the air, it somehow fell over and shot a couple rounds out into the crowd, one hitting a neighbor in the chin (leaving an instant swollen bruise and very distinct impression of itself) and then it ricocheted into my Dad's moccasin, leaving a nicely self cauterized hole in the first layer and half of skin.  Being that Dad is diabetic, well... we'll keep an eye on it.

 

Other than that (which did happen right before we were leaving), it was a really good time.  I hope (and pray) that you all have as good of a time, minus the accident.

 

So, some have asked where I have been and, well, I've been here... lol.  Just don't have the time to write right now.  Hopefully, by month's end, I won't be so busy.... But here's some pictures showing part of why I haven't been around often these days.... She also played T-ball this year, but my scanner isn't cooperating at the moment~so I owe ya that one ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

      Ballet routine~ 'I will go sailing no more'  from Toy Story  :)        

 

 

Take care, Loveys...

 

Kitty~

Tags: Busy, Busy, Happy 4th!

Important Notice...

Hi guys!

 

I know its been awhile... and I have no real explanation why, other than life gets a little busy sometimes :)

 

Now, I am only popping in for a second to let you know of a recall that's not really being publicized much~

 

Listerine is recalling ALL bottles of its Agent Cool Blue, both Glacier Mint and Bubble Mint flavors, immediately.  Every bottle, since its launch in 2006, could have microorganisms contaminating it.  There have been no documented cases of illnesses to date, but the company is offering full refunds and saying to discard the products.

 

Click here for the Company's information.

 

Click here to obtain the refund form.  (In Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format)

 

Okay, that's all from me, for now....  Hope you are all doing well, enjoying life, and I'll be by to read you all soon :)

 

Love ya's...

 

Kitty~

Tags: Recall, Listerine, Agent Cool Blue

Oh, what a feeling...

What a game!  I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time.  Peyton was off to a slow start, but wow, did he manage to warm up fast! 

 

First of all, I love sloppy games!  And the rain fell, making for an interesting time on field  :) 

 

From the sounds of the stadium, there are a whole lotta Colts fans, too!  A good thing to know, since the sports media usually bashes them to no end...

 

So, I know Bernie is probably gonna be hoarse tomorrow along with me... anyone else?

 

The Indianapolis Colts are the

Superbowl XLI Stallions tonight   :)

 

I have to BE  AT work at 6:30 am!  If you know me, you know I do not do mornings....  I tried to take the day off, but my Lead teacher, Laura, beat me to it.  Its okay though, she never takes time off and deserves it  :)   And I get off at 2:30, which is always better than my usual 6:00 time.

 

All is well, and as it should be...

 

 

Kitty~

 

PS to Ms Sara~American football, Love  ;)

Tags: Superbowl Champs, Indianapolis Colts, Its about time

Ooooo... IT IS ON, NOW!

 

 

Pack your bags, Babies!

 

We're going to the

 

SuperBowl!!!!!

 

~Colts vs Bears~

 

    Miami- Feb 4th, 2007

 

Yeah, Baby!

 

Go, Peyton!  It's your birthday.

We're gonna party like it's your birthday!  :) 

 

C~

Tags: Colts, Superbowl bound, It's about time

Somebody's messin with the gene pool...

 

 

 

 

I have nothing against the city of Seattle....

 

But if you are watching American Idol, then you'll get why I want to know~

 

-------->    How much cousin lovin' is going on in that town?

 

;)  LMAO

 

Kitty go poof~

On opposite sides....

You'll rarely find me doing this.....

 

 

Come on, New England!!!

 

 

 

Beat the Chargers so we can play YOU at the Dome  :)

 

 

             Go COLTS!

 

Kitty Out~

 

 

10 minutes later:   YEA!!  Colts play at home next week...

Tags: Go Colts, Patriots suck, We can take you

Note to self...

You know, we all have this inner voice in our heads. 

 

The one that tells us to be reasonable.  Or tries talking sense to us, makes us rationalize our fears, tells us we're making a mistake.  The voice that some call our conscience. 

 

It can make you or break you in an instant.

 

Lately, my inner voice is a deafening roar.  I continue to fight what it says I should do, despite my knowing that the voice speaks the truth.  In some ways, it is trying to save my life.  Or extend it anyway...

 

My ignoring this voice is selfish and childish.  Yet I continue to do so.  I don't know why.  Do you do it, too? 

 

If you don't ignore the voice in your head, what makes you listen to yourself?

 

End note :)

 

Cat~

I'll be home for Christmas...

Just poppin by to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

 

Bernie, Chris, & Pey~ I hope Baby makes his appearance soon!  We cannot wait to see him :)

 

Julie, Jim, & Josh~ I hope you get to enjoy some time together this holiday....  And maybe are still thinking about that new puppy ;)

 

Sam & Paulette~ I hope Sam's guitar has an extended term this Christmas, making more holiday memories!

 

Stacy, Darrell, & kids~ I hope things get better for you guys this year, starting with this latest situation going away!  I love you guys and only want the best for you  :)

 

Vernae, Bill, & kids~I miss you around here, Vernae.  This place is lacking some serious humor...  Anyway, I hope you are happy and this Christmas, you get lots of wanted presents....

 

Sara and Jelly and Spud Bud~I hope this year brings plenty of happy days, and fun times together :)

 

Krissy & John~I hope this year finds you spending less time at Hershey and more time enjoying being together  :)

 

Val~ I hope this year brings you lots of visits from that beautiful baby boy!

 

To all my JLand family and friends,

 

       ~Merry Christmas~

 

Love and warm wishes!

 

Cat

Still alive and kicking....

Nae was right.  It is rather dusty in here :)

 

Not my intentions to leave for this long... just busy doing other things.

 

Everything is fine and dandy in Kitty's world.  Hard to believe Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away... time is still flying by.

 

If I don't have your address, email it to me.  Almost time to start doing the Christmas cards and goodies.  Sorry, I know some of you don't want to be reminded....

 

Just stopping in to say hi.  I'll leave you with some of the famoous signs from Casa D'Ice in Pittsburgh....  gotta love freedom of speech  ;)

 

       

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to read more?  Go here:

http://www.casadice.com/outside_sign.htm

 

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

 

Cat~

Growing up....

What a blur the last couple of days have been! 

 

It is official:  My baby is not a baby anymore...

  

 

Friday, after dance class, Gracie and I hit the mall to celebrate her 5th birthday in style... as only mommys and daughters can  :)

 

We spent over two hours wandering around.  I have not been to the mall, other than going in Lane Bryant for bras and back out again, in at least ten years.  I am not kidding.  And honestly, I still don't like it...

 

But it wasn't about me at all.  It was about my big 5 year old, so I put my feelings aside ;) 

 

First stop was Universi-Tees because she wanted the yellow sweatshirt she saw in the window display.  Luckily for her, it was a Purdue one so I went for it.

 

With my brother~the bigger Purdue fan! (And Alumni)

 

Then a 30 minute pause for the cause: the mall playground :)

 

On our way to our first ever Build-a-Bear trip, we went by a store just for girls.  I think it was called Libby Lu?  Anyway, everything in this store is pink and glitterized... perfect way to draw a girl's attention... and grab my girl's it did.  There was a sign by the door and she asked me to tell her what it said.  I did.

 

The next words out of her mouth were "can I do that?"  I said I'm okay with it, if she really wants it.  After I explained the whole process, she was still game... so, she got her ears pierced!

 

 

She was so brave... and being there was only one person qualified to do it, she had to get them done one at a time!  I was so proud of her.  A little reluctant after the first one was done.. she tried to escape, but sat back down and had the other done!

 

 

Now she just keeps marveling how she can't believe she got her ears pierced :)

 

We stopped at the Croc store for new Crocs.  She picked out 'Uncle Charlie's car yellow'.  That's how she asked for them at the store... LOL

See why:

 

With my brother's baby~his '64 Ford Fairlane covertible he restored :)

 

We finally made it to Build-a-Bear, where she chose a dog she named Iloveyoudoggie... LOL... who she says is a boy, but came away sporting a pink jeweled t shirt, a pink skirt, pink striped panties, and pink tennis shoes.  ;)   She loved the place, no doubt.  She wanted to go back today.  I told her next year on her birthday.

 

By then, it was time for lunch.  Where did she choose?  Anyone care to guess?  Ah, I won't make you strain your brains~ Bob Evans, of course.  Her most favorite place to eat.  She even turned down Applebee's, which happened to be right by the mall playground and smelled so friggin good...

 

After that venture, we headed home where I assembled the first of two cakes for her party today.

 

Which cake won thebirthday battle?

 

The cake I made last year, with a slight variation...

 

I really don't have an official name for this cake yet, so I am going to make you work a little.  It's modeled after an 'inside out cake' I saw, but totally different ingredients from that one, only the shape and the assembly are the same.  This one consists of: pound cake, chocolate mousse, ice cream (we had one vanilla and one chocolate), and chocolate ganache on top of it all.  Here's a picture:

 

Should it be called 1) Chocolate Mountain or 2) Dirty Igloo?  You choose :)  Majority wins...

 

The party today was really good.  Gracie was so wound up, she was bouncing off walls.  But, she kept in check for the most part.  Her Grandma Carter came!  The first time my parents met her, too.  She got to meet my whole family... LOL.   Mr. Carter had things to do, so he couldn't come.  Neither could Grace's Dad, which I expected, but he hasn't called her either... so I'm a little disappointed, but there's always tomorrow.

With her grandmas

 

More pictures from today.  Enjoy :)

 

Tree hugger... LOL

 

Reading cards with Poppy (my dad)

 

 

Gracie fairy

 

And just in case you're not entertained enough, here's some from a couple of weeks ago.  She found the phone at a yard sale.....

When I asked who she was calling she told me her boyfriend....

When I asked why, she said she was making....

A booty call!   

Don't ya just love the things your kids pick up from their classmates.  But, I laughed once she wasn't looking  ;)

 

Cat

A rarity anymore...

Ahhhh....

 

A rare day off!  Why, you ask? Because my Mommy is off at a Euchre tournament until tomorrow  :)  So, with her being away, I have to stay here for Gracie.  She's just too much for Dad to handle all day, so here I am writing a journal entry, in the morning, through the week!  A rare occurrence anymore...

 

The girl is in school until 11:30, then she has Speech Therapy at 1:30.  In between that time, we're running to the party supply store to get things for her birthday this Friday (party on Saturday).  She's taking treats to her preschool and dance class friends and she's very excited about it all.

 

I can say this is the first birthday she's been off the wall about!  She's been bugging me for a week to get her party things and not to forget her presents!  Like I could forget...

 

She's put in at least five cake requests by this point.  Not sure which I'll be making yet, but she'll be happy no matter which one it is.  She'll be making a trip to Toys R Us on Friday, as well.  Her Grandma Carter (her Daddy's Mom) gave her $50.00 last week, half of which I deposited in her savings account, so she'll have $25 to spend on herself.  More than enough, if you ask me.

 

I'm still trying to comprehend that she's 5!  It doesn't seem that long ago I was bringing her home from the hospital... and yes, part of me is missing having a baby around.  Not that I'm gonna go and do anything about that... just missing it, that's all...

 

 

What else?

 

I've been playing the Goldrush game here on AOL.  I like those kind of things.  I don't play to win the big prize, just to play...  if I happen to get lucky enough to be a finalist, that'd be a bonus.  Though I doubt my boss would let me off work to go compete for it... but oh well, someone out there needs it more than I do :)

 

Work is going okay.  We got a new bunch of kids in the class in August and they're still not adapted to the rules of our room.  Makes the day kind of hectic, but it goes by fast.  The troublemakers in the room leave fairly early, so I don't have to deal with them in the afternoon. 

 

One boy makes me want to beat his bottom on a daily basis.  I'd love to video him so you guys can see, but obviously, I can't do that.  He's okay one on one, but get him in a group and he HAS to have all the attention.  He will not cooperate at circle time, and is constantly having to be redirected or put in timeout.  Drives me and my Lead teacher crazy....  If he doesn't come around, its gonna be a long year.

 

Everything else around here is pretty much as always.  My brother is buying our friend's house because it went into foreclosure.  He's been living there for a couple of years now, so he won't have to move anything :)  Except for that, everything else is the same.. which I'm happy about...

 

Have a great week, if I don't get back here before it ends!

 

Cat

 

   ^  ^

>(*^*)<

 (       )~~~

Curiosity. It kills me...

I'm being nosy...

 

Tell me what grocery stores you have in your area and which ones you like most :)

 

We have:

 

Kroger

Meijer

Lo Bills (formerly Marsh)

Safeway

WalMart

Target

Aldi's (forgot them!  Very low end, but great for snacky type items :)

 

My favorite is Meijer.  The original 'one-stop' shop in these parts.  Until WalMart started breaking out the Supercenters....

 

Price wise, WalMart may be (a little) cheaper than Meijer... but its a bitch to park, so I avoid that place like the plague.

 

Just a curious Kitty today  :)

 

Cat

Remembering differently...

Well, its upon us once again.  The 5th year since the World Trade center was demolished.  While skeptics still argue over the facts, and ABC is still airing the movie based on the 9/11 Commission Report starting tonight (which was still being edited as of last night to please the powers that be), most of those who lost loved ones, are still mourning.  I think our nation is still mourning. 

 

Still trying to place blame and maintain that they made no mistakes.  Still trying to convince us that Iraq was to blame, despite the facts that have been aired again and again, stating otherwise.

 

Why haven't we found and captured Osama bin Laden yet?  If you've been reading me awhile, then you know why I believe Osama roams free today.  Here's a refresher:  I KNOW that our intelligence agencies know where he is.  If our beloved dumbass of a President wasn't sucking Osama's Daddy's ass, I think Osama would have been killed 4 1/2 years ago. 

 

Remember that Daddy bin Laden is a billionaire, and being that they live in (and own most of) Saudi Arabia, one of the places we get large quantities of oil from, well Bushy-boy isn't gonna shoot that relationship down any time soon.... not by killing the man that did this to us

 

But that isn't where my heart and head lie today.  Me~I'm mourning for different reasons....

 

It was four years ago today, that my Grams died.  Here, in my house.  It seems like yesterday she fell off the commode, after having a fatal stroke.  On the bright side, she died where she spent most of her last months-in the bathroom.  She was obsessed with the bathroom, going in there at least 25 times a day, "just to make sure."  Being wheelchair bound didn't slow her down.

 

She died in the house she was born in, where her mother had passed so many years before, while Grams was a teenager.  She died with her family present, in a loving environment where she was still allowed to smoke her cigarettes at will.  She died after she got almost a whole year with her first and only great granddaughter, who seemed the only bright spot in my Grams' demented mind.  The only time she smiled is when Gracie was around, chasing her wheelchair  :)

 

I loved that lady.  Though, the last few years were hard to love her because she had become so hateful and bitter.  I think this was because her life had not turned out the way she thought it would. 

 

The daughter of a well-off Accountant turned very successful candy maker (wonder where I get it from.. LOL), Grams married my Grandfather, a college grad ,turned professional ball player.  I think Grams thought she married a rich man.  Such was not the case.  Grandpa came with his own issues, including drug addiction and alcoholism.

 

He played college basketball for Butler University and led them to a Championship (or two), before giving up basketball for baseball.  He played in Cincinnati for a while, which led him to be traded to the Yankees, back in the glory days of The Babe, Lou Gherig, Joe Dimaggio, etc etc.  Grandpa played beside the best.  But, if you've ever seen the movies about ball players in the 30's, then you know where he ended ~morphined up or on some other type of injectable drugs... and boozing.

 

Yes, I believe my Grams was unhappy for most of her life.  She and Grandpa got divorced in the late 70's.  He died seven years later, and my Grams moved back into their home. (She left and lived with the gay couple she worked for at the time) 

 

She had a great time then, socializing with her friends.  Tossing back her Southern Comfort Manhattans or Bloody Marys, with her freshly painted red nails gleaming.  My friends thought I had the coolest Grandmother ever!  And I would have to agree.  She was the life of the party.  The Belle of the ball!  Always had her nails and hair done, always speaking what she thought... and telling people off when they deserved it.

 

This is the woman I remember.  This is the way she should be remembered.  Regardless of how her last years with us on Earth were, our perceptions of her then... I'll always remember that I had the best Grandmother ever!

 

Rest in peace and love, Grams....

 

I love you~

Catherine

Knock three times...

Hello!  And Happy Labor Day to you all :)

 

Not much going on around here, as usual.  I'm not complaining by any means... I've come to learn that hum-drum can be good....

 

I have some new videos of the girl, but my camera batteries died, so those will have to wait until I recharge them.  The song she sang in the last vid, she learned from 'Danger Rangers'... and she 'memorized' that last one after only watching it twice.

 

If you have On Demand, look under Kids, then Tot Spot and you'll find them there. 

 

The next vids are all about Safety Rules.  That seems to be where her interests lie these days  :)  Okay by me...  Hopefully, I'll get them posted soon.

 

She starts Pre-K tomorrow :)  Then Dance and Speech Class start Friday!  So, we'll be back to a routine... finally!  I love Fall  ;)

 

On another note, she turns 5 at the end of the month!  Wow.  My baby is already half a decade old.  I might cry.

 

Yes, folks, that's right.  Birthday and holiday season are upon me. 

 

For those who don't know, Grace's b-day is 9/29, followed by mine on 10/6, Mom's on 10/8, Aunt L's on 10/16, Dad's is 10/23, my bmf is on 10/30, then Halloween... and onto Mom and Dad's Anniversary (43 years! on 11/9), Thanksgiving, then Christmas.

 

I save 1/3 of my paychecks just for this time of year.  Believe me, its very busy... and expensive :)

 

Well, I'm off to discuss birthday cakes with the girl.  She's already asked me to make her a black and white cake... which I'm okay with, except we have different ideas on what that may be... LOL

 

See, I just made a chocolate bundt cake with choc. icing between the layers, and vanilla icing on the outside.  Usually for her birthday, I do a more elaborate type thing, using ganache instead of regular icing... I get pretty creative with them.  I was thinking of an inside-out cake this year... but we'll see.

 

Okay, now that I have most of you craving cake, my job here is done ;)

 

Hoping it won't take me another two weeks (or longer) to get back here!

 

Have a great day....

 

Kitty~

Fixed it?

I reloaded the video in the previous entry... hopefully it'll work for you now :) 

 

Yesterday's recap later on....

 

 

Sign of things to come... 2nd time around.

Good Lord~look at the size of the cobwebs in here!

 

Not much has been going on.  Nothing new, which isn't necessarily bad...

 

Going to the State Fair today.  It's the 150th Birthday :)  Just found out not all states still have State Fairs...  It seems it is unusual they keep going that long. 

 

I thought everybody had one.  But after thinking about it, I guess it would be impossible for some States to have one, due to the sizes and populations... duh.

 

So, here's something to keep you guys entertained  :)  Lemme know if it still doesn't play!

 

Have a great day!

 

Cat