So much more...

Alright, it is almost 10:30 and I just NOW finished going through all my entry alerts.  Man, you people have a lot on your minds....  

With the damage and chaos Katrina has caused, I can certainly understand why.  There are so many journals with links to help, I won't re do them all here.  I sure you guys know :)  Julie even has links to help the animals~she is so sweet.  

Wayne's parents are from Louisiana.  They have family in Boggsville and Shreveport.  Obviously, the Shreveport folks are okay, but the relatives in Boggsville lost everything.  They made their way up to Chicago to other family members on Sunday.  But they have nothing except what they brought with them.  No insurance (of course).  They are hoping for Federal assistance, as well as going to the Red Cross.    Thanks to everyone who has made any type of donation. 

I have gone through Grace's clothes, including all the shoes we've gotten from yardsales and friends.  I have gone through my clothes, my parents have given some.  Today at work, we went through all our 'extra' clothes at the center.  We gathered 3 bags from infant to size 6, boys and girls.  Not much, but I think anything will help.   

We have begun a toiletries drive for toothpaste, rubbing alcohol, q- tips, antibacterial hand cleanser, soap, shampoos, conditioners (because many residents are black), etc...  We are also collecting canned foods, as well as bleach (they have no way to boil water to sanitize) and Tylenol, cough medicines, stuff like that.  

Grace and I are going to take this weekend to take her wagon through the neighborhood and collect things, if I get any money (some people around here insist on giving money), I will go buy (depending on the amount) blankets, socks, baby bottles and whatever else I can think of to send there.  

At this point, I believe I may go down there next week, after Wednesday night at work.  Johnny (my buddy) is already in TN on vacation, so I'll hook up with him and go from there.  My work with the Salvation Army over the years has given me access to help them out when the need arises.  I say that need has arisen with a vengence.  

Grace starts school next Wednesday and has school on Friday, so I will be leaving her here.  Just as well with all the disease that is going to spring up from the standing water and the humid heat.  They really need to get everyone out of there until they figure out a way to rebuild the levvies and pump all that water out.  Since New Orleans is below sea level, that water is not going to leave on its own.  

Anyway, work today was not as bad as I thought.  Apparently, 'that' day happened yesterday when I was not there ;)  Mrs. Lead had a conversation with Asst #2 about her attitude.  It is a good move on Mrs. Lead's part, but it is #1 that is the problem.  #2 is a follower.  She jumps on anyone's bandwagon.  

So today, I just told #1 how it happened.  I told her #4 had talked to me about it and I said I would help.  She got permission from the people who needed to give it.  And it was done.  End of story.  I told her I understand being left out or not talked to, but the feeling was that you two would not want to help and only complain about what we suggested.   

She told me that was not how she heard it.  I told her that is how it is, though, no matter what she heard.  I also told her to ask #4 tomorrow because she is honest about it (and not afraid of her either ;)  This woman is a bully... to weaker women.  She is one who knows it all, or knows someone who does... lmao!   

But, this morning when I went in, another coworker from another room came and put her arm around me and said she was happy to know #4 and me :)  We have had nothing but kind remarks from staff and parents about how much brighter and bigger the room looks!  #1 can kiss my (censored).  

I work Friday this week 8-5 (woo-hoo! extra money!).  I told #4, I'd stay and help clean more.  We went to the Open house for Gracie's dance school on Sunday to get new shoes.   

I swear, the only thing growing on my child are her feet!  She has gone up one whole shoe size since January!  I'm beginning to worry because she is not getting any taller, or gaining weight.  Unless all her food is going to her feet....  She is not even 4 yet and wearing a 10.5-11....  

The poor girl.  

We had her school Open House tonight.  She is in the same room as last year, so that will be good.  Her teacher seems nice. I told her I'd be there for field trips and someone would be there for parties.  I also told her fo Grace's speech impediments and her 'colorful' word choices sometimes when she is mad.  I like to be upfront, so there are no surprises.  Hopefully, she won't say anything as she has not for a very long time now.  <knocking on wood>  

I had to catch a bat in here the other day.  They venture down from the attic every summer.   I usually have to capture two a year.  So far, there has only been one.  Now I am on bat patrol~ watching every shadow in the light, checking into every little noise.  I don't mind.  Bats are cool little creatures.  I don't necessarily like them in my house or flying a foot over my head... but I'm becoming quite the bat catching pro  :)  

Well, think that about wraps things up from Kitty's side of the world.  Hope you all have a good evening....  

Cat

The beat goes on....

Petty drama follows me.   

Remember how I told you guys that there is tension (tons of it) between my Lead teacher and two of the other assistants?  Let me paint you a picture of my work day.....  

I walk in at 9:00 am, smiling and saying hi to all my babies.  Yeah, I know I complain about them, but in the morning they have not gotten on my nerves yet ;)  

Anyway, I say hi to Mrs. Lead, hi to Assts 1 & 2.  All say hi back.  I noticed things have been kind of rearranged (decorations on the wall, clutter on the fridge door, etc).  I said "Hey, someone's been cleaning!" (Thinking~ it is about time! Clutter, clutter, everywhere)  

Asst #1 begins to rant about how 'EVERYTHING' has been moved around.  Asst #2 starts opening drawers and cabinets telling me how the pictures are even put in a drawer, etc.  Mrs. Lead didn't say a word, she just smiled at me.  

You see, we get a lot of college students that return to work in the summer here.  Most have worked there since high school.  Well, I love one of the girls, we get along great, and she has taken the place of Asst #4 in our room (she works daily 2-6 pm). 

So, she, Mrs. Lead, and myself have taken to straightening and organizing things in our room over the last week.  Without telling #s 1 & 2 (because they do not want to help, only complain)  

I knew Asst #4 was going to do this.  She had Mrs. Lead's permission, as well as our Director's.  We were in the clear.  Until this morning, when the wrathful rants and stares of Assts 1 & 2 rained down on us.   

Asst #1 left within an hour of my arrival.  Asst #2 moped around, acting all down.  #2 told Mrs. Lead that she was so upset that things had been moved around.   

Now, I can fully understand feeling left out.  I can appreciate being upset that the room was not the same as it had been when you left on Friday.  I can even get why one would be hurt that pictures (of kids not even in our room anymore) were put in a drawer.  

But what I do not get is why one is so ticked off because the room is clean?!  And UN-Cluttered!  Clutter-free!!  Did I mention NO CLUTTER?!  

No more toys shoved into already overflowing cabinets.  No more multiple cabinets for art supplies to be tossed into.  We do not have anything ~ nothing ~ nada ~ zilch on the ledge by the window now (which we always get written up for by the Board of Health because it is in violation!)   But they are mad! 

They have each worked here for at least 5 years.  They had the chance to change it.  They never did.  Sure they would re- arrange artwork, but that was the extent of it....  

Wonder what they'll think when they walk in tomorrow?   ;)  

I love my job....  

Cat

Because I am in the mood....

IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES.

THEREFORE SEPT 10TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT TO THEM  DAY" AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY.  THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU TELL AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT.

WAITING ON THIS ADMINISTRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN (Bush and Cheney are OIL MEN, for crying out loud!) 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?

REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC.  

WHO PAYS IN THE END?      WE DO!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD.

How you like them apples?

Well, I have yet to receive anything other that automated responses, still, from AOL.  I will get answers somehow, some way!   

However, I have learned that private journals are also restricted by AOL's TOS!  Ain't that a load of turkey poo?  Here, most of us who own private blogs, do so because we think it may exempt us... but we are sooo wrong!  

If you have a PJ, best make sure it has no more than a PG~13 rating ;)  

I find this a total crock....   What is the point of a private journal then?  Just to choose readers I guess. 

But instead of bombarding Joe and John with my questions, I am waiting patiently for AOL to explain that to me.  

Thanks to my informant for the help and the answers~ YOU so rock!  

Til next time~  

Cat

Automated mail....

I am still awaiting word from AOL as to how a private journal can be removed for TOS violations in the first place.  I thought the whole reasoning behind being private was so no one would be able to complain.  They were very quick to give it back to me, though  :)  

The person I think reported me has never read Cat House.  They are not an added reader.  Not even a friend of mine.  Someone either told this person or copied/pasted an entry of mine to them.   

Of course, I'm told I cannot get names from AOL (lmao!)... but I'll just wait until Monday when my best friend goes back to work to scan the weekend logs for me....  I hope the person responsible is ready to play a game with me.  We'll call it 'Where can you run and hide in J~Land?'  ;)  

So, if any of you with private Js who publish what I did in mine~be aware!!  Be very aware that you are not safe there, either.  

The person who (I believe) did it has a TOS-happy-trigger finger anyway.  This person was willing to TOS anyone over comments made in even another person's journal.  In fact, this person rallied the troops to TOS the commentor.   

It is all about jealousy and insecurity.  I guess some people can not stand the fact that they can't control other people.  I will not name names.  The people who know of this past situation, know who I am talking about.  That is enough.  

But, you know what?  I am a much bigger person (literally and figuratively) and I do love a good challenge.  This wasjust the inspiration I needed to write newer, hotter stories for you all  :)  

Though, it does change my mind on playing 'You show me your's and I'll show you mine' over at Ms. Kitty's Place  ;)  Damn, that would have been fun, too....   

So, thank you to this person.  You did me a huge favor and gave me even greater motivation.....  

Even when others think I lose, I always prevail  :)  

Kitty~

What a fool believes....

I have not had a good morning, other than being able to sleep in peacefully.  

I wasn't going to make this public knowledge, because I'm sure the party (parties) involved still read here.  And they'll probably go whining and crying, like my babies I work with, over to the powers that be now.  

But, oh well, they can kiss my huge white butt.  Go ahead, fools, TOS me again~I love the fact that I get under your skin.  

What you do not know is, I know folks at AOL~who have kindly reinstated my journal for me (being as it was private).   

So, hahahahaha to the blokes that tried~the joke is on you.....  

Those of you who are Cat House readers, try your links and if they do not work, write me and I'll add you back in.  

Nice try, idiots....   

Now grow the 'F' up  :)  

Cat

Monday's guts...

Well, I just got rid of all my email and it is 11:15.  Guess this may be a short entry :)  

I attended the J~Land Anniversary chat last night (Thanks, Kelly!)  I discovered that I lurked at almost every Journal whose owner was there at that time...  It was a nice.  

I took Gracie to see her other grandparents yesterday.  Wayne went with us, which I always appreciate.  Now, his Mom is slowly recovering the 2nd knee replacement on the same knee, so she isn't that active.  His Dad was out mowing people's yards and didn't come home until we had already been there a few hours.  

But I have a dilemma... or actually a trust issue evolving with him.  See, the first time we went over there he asked Grace if she wanted to go down to the basement (it's a family room).  Wayne's Mom can't really go downstairs, so I asked Wayne if he would go down there to make sure Grace didn't get out of hand.  He went with them, and they all played and had a good time.  

This time, Wayne's Dad told Grace that he would take her to the park the next trip, and that just they would go and then they'd get ice cream.  Maybe I am really that untrusting, but I got a chill when he said that.  I really do not want him alone with my daughter.  I hate being so overprotective... but it seems (to me, at least) that he wants to get Grace alone.  And something about that just doesn't sit right in my gut.  Ya'll know I'm a big believer in trusting guts ;)  

Am I being too paranoid?  I do not know this man.  Hell, Wayne does not even know his father that well.  And his family never (I mean NEVER) talks to each other about anything.  Also, his Mom said to me "Robert (Wayne's Dad) likes kids.  He's good with them, especially girls."   

Wayne's oldest, Kim, is the only grandchild to spend time there and I have no idea if she was ever molested... or Wayne's sister for that matter.  Though I think his sister may have spoken up, she's pretty vocal.   My solution is to ask Wayne to go with them to the park.  If he says no, I'm screwed and I'll go or invite them to come over here and let them go to a park close to home.    I just don't want my little girl (baby) violated... by anyone!  

Anyway~   I walked into my room at work today to 4 toddlers.  We had 9 on the schedule.  We had 8 show up.  You know I got a bunch of kids who didn't leave until 6:00.   

We had 2 that did nothing but cry.... all day.  2 that kept taking toys away from the other tots... all day.  1 that kept pushing kids down all day.  1 that was sick and just laid around the whole day.  2 that I wish I could clone and replace the others with....  

Got talked to like I was 5 by a pissy father of a newbie in our room.  I bit my tongue as long as I could!  I was never out of line, really.  I just kept repeating my answer when he kept asking me the same question (3 times... in a row!!).  

He wanted to know why I couldn't just give his daughter Orajel.  I told him it wasn't written on the medication sheet and to check with the office because I was told if it is not written down, it is not given.  He asked me that again, twice.  Just repeated it again... then again.  I answered him twice, exact phrase.... slower each time ;)   I get that it is Orajel and sold over the counter, but rules are rules. (And I do not make them, just enforce them)  

Told the manager and apologized to her.  She said he didn't mention anything to her, so not to worry.  But I told her I wanted to make sure she knew just in case.  She said I was right not to just give it to her, so that's good....  

It is so cool outside right now, I'm almost scared to say I am cold!  How I have missed being cold :)  The signs of Fall are slowly creeping upon us....  About time, too!!  

K, think I'm hitting the sheets now.....  

I'll leave you with one last question:  Why would someone, after almost 4 years now, lie to an ex about having a date?  Just curious what you guys think....  

See you tomorrow~  

Cat