The Cathy Chronicles

SOMEone I KNOW

2010-11-07T19:30:00.003-05:00

...is in the hospital recovering from an explosion in their home.
...is having surgery tomorrow
...is getting a raise this week
...is maybe getting a new car
...wants to ride his dirtbike
...is learning to life without a boyfriend
...wants a Ipod touch for Christmas
...went hiking for the weekend
...is on a cruise this very minute
...is getting dressed to go out
...is helping out at church
...is at a funeral

If you

2010-11-07T13:04:00.003-05:00

...were to visit our house you would be greeted by our two puppies, Emma Sue and Macy Claire.

...were to wake up after sun rise at our house you would be there alone.

...look at our front door you would find muddy puppy dog toe marks.

...were to visit our house you would find our kitchen faucet is slightly broken.

... were to visit me at work you would see all the buttons and 7 computer monitors that I stare at all day.

...wanted a drink of milk you would have to decide between white 2%, organic vanilla soy, organic chocolate soy or regular chocolate.

...looked in our kitchen you would find a large aloe vera plant on the floor.

...you were to watch TV with G you would watch the history channel, sci-fi or weather channel.

...picked up our mail you would find several college flyers for monster 1.

...you sat in our dining room you would find it very peaceful compared to the rest of the house.

...you looked at our back patio you would see a fountain that we didn't even open this summer.

Thanks for viewing

Baseball

2010-10-31T19:00:00.003-04:00

One bright

and sunny

Saturday

I take some photos of a friend's son playing Fall Ball.

Baseball is so quiet
compared to
motocross.

I love the energy of the coach.

I had fun but still love the speed of my boys and their bikes.

m y d A y

2010-10-30T22:50:00.001-04:00

Today Brittany over at 4 little men and girly twins listed her daily events so I thought I do mine and see what I come up with. Even though we live in different states, different worlds we ALL do the same thing every day just a little not quite the same.
So here is my day... I am going to update this post as the day goes on.. pretty boring so far.
G and Monster1 left for Ohio State

Before I was out of bed. I saw the alarm panel flashing that the front door was open.. who could that be?

Monster2 and his two friends left to go ride (dirtbikes) So early? No breakfast?

Let the dogs out.

Look around the house for the disaster

Skim blogs and tell Baxter that he is a handsome little kitty

Text Monster2 to be careful and to wear his Leatt Brace

Turn Yahoo radio to Coffeehouse

Get Caffeine in my system

Get text back stating "I will"

Pick up left over smoothie glasses from last night

Start dishwasher and hand was a few glasses

Update this entry.. what's next?

Did a few more dishes by hand.

Looked up squash recipes.

Decided dinner meal/ pork chops and baked acorn and butternut squash.

So while looking for recipes Monster1 tells me that 10 girls are coming for dinner tomorrow night and to spend the night for Senior day.. Atleast she picked something easy.. Lasagna/ Salad and Bread.. I can handle that.

Okay off to do my list.. clean..clean.. clean frig.. make bread.. go to grocery..sweep..laundry.. gotto go.

Cleaned frig. shower.. flip laundry

Accidently used Clorox on Monster1's $60.00 shirt.. Why is she buying 60.00 shirts?

Lunch/ Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup and a glass of milk

Took the trash out

Made wheat bread

Clean frig

Cleaned downstairs bath

Swept and mopped entry

Went to grocery, saw 2 family members

Made dinner, salad, fruit salad, set table

Dishes

Laundry

Cleaned basement, swept pool table, moved weight bench

Changed cat pan

Gave Emma her heartworm pill

Picked up craft room

Let dogs in / out a thousand times

Watched a bit of Rain Man

Played a minute on Frontierville

Oh I think that's it.. I'm ready for bed

So tell me what's your day like.

Night all.

Just Because

2010-10-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted in a while and I decided today I would "just because."

Here are a few things about me that you might not know..

1. I love love love new socks.

2.I love clean sheets.

3. My first concert was .38 Special and Honeymoon Suite, my last AC/DC at age 40.. Oh, I'm such a party animal.

4. My favorite Jelly Bean is "Juicy Pear"

5. My favorite color is Black

6. I feel like a real person when I'm not working midnights.

7. I was born with Hip Dysplasia. And my xrays kind of look like this

8. I never had a dog while growing up.

9. A guy on a motorcycle told me today that my land yacht had a brake light out..G fixed it..

10. My hair is almost all gray at age 40 something.

My Sunday

2010-10-29T22:00:00.003-04:00

Last Sunday we drove to Pusheta Creek in Northern Ohio. We had never been there so it was a treat to find a great track. I took about 900 pictures so I thought I'd share a few with you. This was looking at the track from out parking spot. A great picture if I have to say so myself of a quad rider. I love this pic.

My baby boy jumping.

Drake takin a corner.

I love motocross. I don't think there is anywhere else in the world I'd rather be than watching my son ride.

Holiday Marshmellows

2010-10-29T19:30:00.002-04:00

Last weekend monster #3 went to a sleepover so her sister and I threw together a few chocolate covered marshmellos. I guess kids were grabbing them as she got out of the car.

Feedback was that they were a hit.. I guess drizzled chocolate and sprinkles on marshmellows are a keeper.

Scew stick or sucker sticks

Marshmellows

Melting waivers or chocolate bark

Sprinkles..

easy peasy..

Welcome Halloween Tablescape

2010-10-29T15:18:00.000-04:00

Well fall is among us and it's time for my tablescapes to come back to life. I had big plans on doing more this year but never got around to it so here is my first for the season.

HalloweenA friendly spider hanging out on a plate.

Jars of fire balls and eye ball gum.
I got these napkins rings last year at Kohl's they were like .74 cents each. I put them around black paper napkins beeecause.. years ago I threw out my black cloth napkins and just never replaced them.. I know I shouldn't throw stuff away.

I got these candles this year and had a few more than candle holders so I stuck them in some coffee beans and a small mason jar.

I bought this cheezy vinyl tablecloth at Big Lots for like 3.oo.. The kids like it.

Some popcorn balls

I found a bag of plastic bugs and put the rings on the stemware as wine glass charms.. every glass is different.

I had seen these spider candle holders somewhere before but found them on sale at Big Lots this year....

More napkins

That's it for this years Halloween tablescape.. I can't wait til mOnday when I can pull out the fall/ Thanksgiving stuff.

bOOoOoooo!!!!

autopost

Different Journey

2010-03-22T13:49:00.007-04:00

Lately I have been on a different journey. I felt terrible, I hurt (in my bones) and working midnights and sleeping during the day was draining me to no end. So we have been experimenting with natural, organic and whole foods. I even discovered that my favorite Apple Salsa is a raw food. Raw means (no cooking). A few weeks ago G and I stopped at Trader Joe's. What a neat little market. Everything is organic, natural and the Trader Joe's version of food had no chemicals, no preservatives and no MSG. We were surprised at the low cost of most items. We bought more than we expected to and today I went back for more. Here is my loot. 87.38 worth.. Now about 20 of that was for candy which I wouldn't have normally bought but with Easter fast approaching I thought I would make the monster's baskets with a little bit healthier junk than normal. I got these noodles for .99 and the sun flower seeds 1.49. I found that I like these Pure- organic Cherry Cashews bars they are a little pricey but I like them. 1.49 each. I bought Stevia for 6.99 for this big bottle. Stevia is a natural sweetener. This is not the organic cause it was more. I will use this in smoothies, tea and anything else that don't need a lot of sugar.

Bag of Limes (1.99) and a bag of Lemons (1,49)
Organic Kiwi 1.99

Organic bananas- .29 each and Organic baby carraots 1.69

D is loving the orgain Chocolate Brownie Clif bars.

I bought some cinnamon 1.99. All their spices are 1.99. Much cheaper than Krogers. Now they don't have a big selection but I have most of them now and love the Pink Himalayan Salt.

Oh and one of the girls showed me these cute little things. Chocolate covered sunflower seeds. Great for Easter Baskets. They were more and I won't buy them every time but for Easter I splurged. 3.49

And I got G some Peanut butter cookies cause he is having sweet withdrawl. A Kale green smoothie is just not getting if for him.

Carrots and Broccoli really cheap and organic.NICE

Organic Soy milk- throw some of this and bananas in a blender or smoothie machine and the kids love it. I also add Protein powder, Fiber and ground Flax seed. They request it.

Oh Oh the Very Green nasty looking crap.. I had asked the cashier where the candy was and as we were talking I mentioned that I tried to make a green smoothie and the kids would not try it.. She opened a bottle of this stuff and OMG.. it is so good. So I bought a bottle and when the oldest got home from school I gave my sales pitch. She later tried it and then walked off with a big glass of it. She even said she was afraid to drink too much cause the bottle was so little. I told her not to worry about it and drink it. It tastes like apple, banana, orange juice but it has so much more. Remember Spirulina (blue-green algae) that I mentioned before cause I add it to my smoothies.. Yep, it's in there. This bottle was like 3.49 for a IDK a pint. I would have to look. But it's good and it's good for you. It's a keeper.

Since I have been eating more fruits and veggies I haven't wanted anything sweet. But I bought the kids these gummy things and I bag for me. Now before I could have eaten the whole bag but I found that after about 3 I was all sugared out. I actually kind of felt sick.

I saw this toothpaste in their flyer last week and wanted to try it. It's a lot thicker than your normal Crest and the flavor.. straight up peppermint with a twist. I think I like it. And it was only 1.99 for a big tube. Thanks Trader Joe's.

I bought some organic butter to try and this honey yogurt. Now I'm not a big yogurt fan. I like textured and yogurt, pudding and jello just don't have it. I tried this Honey stuff and it's to die for. I love it.

Dried apricots to snack on.

I found a great no fry recipe for the Eggplant and I bought two new kids of milk. I like to keep box milk in the pantry for those days when I run out of regular.

And that's my trip. Have you ever been to Trader Joe's.. I love it. Does your family eat anything organic? Are you finding that it is more expensive in your area? In SW Ohio it's a good deal.

Lots Happening

2010-02-10T00:03:00.041-05:00

Hello Blogger Babes,

It's me Cathy and YES, I am still here. I had been posting a Four O'clock Foto everyday and it was a lot of fun to show you my life. But then a few weeks ago I hit a dry spell and thought maybe everyday was overkill. I needed a break..I was burnt out, I had nothing to post about so I took a unofficial pause in blogging. I have been popping in to read all your stories and enjoyed every minute but myself, I was lost. It has been forever since I did any real crafts and so I put down my blog and let my creative juices take over. Now let me say that my creative juices are always bigger in my head but I still try. I have been trying some new things and would like to share them with you.. Between work, kids, house, dance, dogs, a very needy cat {all of a sudden, may be due to new puppy} I have been sewing, baking bread, doing crafts and planning my garden. I have taken pictures which you will see IF you continue to read but I haven't been going overboard. Ya see, I take pictures of everything..EVERYTHing...The camera {Baby} doesn't go in her diaper bag..she sits around the house for all to grab and capture THAT moment. Let me just say we have moments of all kind around here. I am shocked sometimes when I download and see where Baby has been. Surprising enough we have never misplaced her..maybe cause she is used everyday several times a day. Anywhooooo, moving on.. here is what I have been up to lately..A Beta fish that the oldest bought.. This one lived approximately 1/2 day longer then the refund time.. Don't you love

Jack's Pet's

refund policy. I don't even think it had a name..If I had to guess it would be Alan..{from the Hangover} The kids love this movie..I know it's maybe not very appropriate but whatever. You can shelter your kids to the point that they can't interact in public or when they do get FREE.. college, a friends house, their own apartment or even in a car with the opposite sex that they have been so tied up that they go crazy and try to slam everything in they are not allowed to do ... That's when trouble starts. So I give a little here and there and they seem to be good kids so far.. They have not got caught by the cops, they are not getting caught in sexual activities, they are not stealing so things are going well. We have all the friends over to our house which can be a zoo at times but atleast I know what they are doing. We hang out with the kids and their friends in every room of the house, nothing is OFF limits for us.. If they are with their boy/girl friend in the living room, basement we are welcome to come and go.. Actually the oldest's boyfriend likes to hang with us in the kitchen, livingroom or play XBOx with G... it's my theory and rules and so far it's working. Enough of that.. D is now obsessed with the movie

Sixteen Candles. He watches it all the time.

*******Ear Infection*******

In previous posts I mentioned that I had a terrible ear infection. Well last Friday I went to see a ENT {Ear, Nose and Throat} Doctor and he sucked a bunch of stuff out and said I ruptured my ear drum. I feel so much better. It didn't hurt unless I touched my ear but I couldn't hear and the white noise.. I was about to go crazy with the non-stop ringing.

Well anyways we tried Ear Candles. Very odd but it worked. Well it didn't clear the infection but if did take the stuff out. I won't show you pics of that cause mine was really nasty due to the puss pocket.. yeah.. I'll save them for another time.

******Garden Time******

You see I am tired of the snow.. I want to walk barefoot in the fresh green grass and smell the flowers {cause I don't have roses} So I got antsy and had a vision. I read where you don't want to water directly on the seeds so I came up with this idea that I would recycle the milk jugs by cutting them in half.
Then I would water down the handle. Brilliant or what? I know...the What!!

I sat them on a towel on the vent for warmth and let them go. .. This was January 30th. I told G the other day that they were sprouting and he asked what we were going to do with a 4ft tomato plant til May.. Silly man.. I have no idea but I will figure it out as I go.. I'm not a green thumb so for this plant to make it til then will be a miracle in itself. Of course when I put the "planter" down Baxter the inspector had to come check it out. Well that also brought Emma and Macy in too. ...
Baxter and Macy have only met a few times as you can see on her face and this was one of those times. Baxter had decided since there are now 2 Bitches in the house that he will live in our bathroom. I went in the other night to see him yawning and stretching.. I'm not sure if he came out of the armour door or from behind the toilet.. Either way, he watches when he comes downstairs for the rat.

^^^^^^^******MACY claire******^^^^^^^^

Now moving on to the rat-

For those of you that don't know I am a grandma..that's right. The oldest was given a puppy for Valentines Day..

She is supposed to be a

Silky Terrier

but the Vet says she is an

Australian Terrier.

Either way she is a sweet little thing and has a deeper bark than Emma. I was so afraid she would have a ear piercing squeal but she's gonna be fine.

When we first got her she didn't or couldn't go up the stairs so Emma and Baxter sat at the top out of reach.. Well D spent the whole day babysitting her while we were at a dance competition. She snoozed while

he read his Navy Seal

book for a report and then taught her to go UP the stairs.. Emma taught her to go down..kind of.. She lays her legs out like skiis and slides down using her front paws.

They have their moments.

She sure does love the sun coming in on the den couch. That's her daytime spot.

She fits in well and once she gets over puppy mode she will be a good dog.

*******
Homemade Bread
*******

I have been reading this awesome blog by Aura. She is a 27 year old with wisdom beyond her time. She cooks, {which I might steal some ideas from her cause I need healthier food.} she sews, she has awesome hair and makeup, she loves music and even listens to Jack Johnson.. I wish at 41 I could be that in tune with my body and life as she is at 27. I love reading all of her stories and seeing the pictures of her life. She has inspired me to try a few new things and making homemade bread is one of them. ..speaking of bread.. I may take a break here and get some started. It's so easy and the only real time it takes it to let it rise which you or I don't have to do anything.

I guess I didn't realize how easy bread was to make. I thought it took hours and work and hours and work. Now the first one I made did take a little longer for the braiding but other than that it's easy peasy.. I say this cause I can't BAKE... I can't make a decent cookie to save my life but for some reason along with my side kick G which I am now calling my

SExy Bread MaCHine

we did okay and was happy with the results.

Okay the first one we made was inspired by Aura. She mentioned that she eats this bread all the time and it's so good. It looked good and then when her mom made it for her I thought I would try it too. It is

Challah Bread (Hallah),

it's a Jewish Egg bread. We made Honey Challah. At first I didn't think we put enough honey in but when it was done it was dElish..

This recipe ended up making 4 loaves. I put Cinnamon / Sugar on one, it would be awesome for breakfast. Then I put Poppy Seeds on one, Sesame Seeds on another and left one plain. I was really excited cause I never thought I could make bread but I Or WE did and it felt so good to create something. I had no idea it was this easy.. Watch my cooking blog {No Chef Required} for the recipe..

*******************Granola********************

Well I like Granola.. I never buy it, it just seems too expensive. I like a crunch in my yogurt so last week when I served yogurt and blueberries I craved the crunch so I pulled out a pan and went to town. Now by the time I got done was this really going to be good for me?Probably not, but over all it's a great snack and better than a handful of Skittles.. MAYBE..

First I grabbed G's Fiber One ceral and a Kroger Natural Cereal and Cheerios.

I then added

Raisins, Craisins

A few Butterscotch Chips,

Coconut

Pecans

Peanut Butter

Honey

Apple Butter

Salt, Raw Sugar and

Poppy and Sesame SEEDs

I just mixed it all, spread on Greased cookie sheets {lined with foil} and warmed in the oven til the Butterscotch melted.

It turned out so so so so gooooodd.. I even had to make another batch a few days later. This time..well I forgot the Honey but added just a few Chocolate Chips.. this didn't work too well cause they burnt in the oven. I also sprinkled fiber and protein powder on top.. yummo. My creative juices were flowing then and G really likes it. I grab a handful passing through the kitchen. I put it on cereal last night. I take a bag to work...it's a keeper.

%%%%%%% Lunch Bagels %%%%%%%

G and I needed a quick lunch one day because we were going to venture off on another bread making session. I took Tyson Boneless Buffalo nuggets and threw them on a bagel with some ranch dressing, bacon, {spinach on mine} and some cheese. I have to admit, they were the best but with some tweaking they would be okay.

#########

French Bread

###########

Next G and I made French Bread. A lot easier than the Challah. It only takes 2 hours to rise and then another hour.. But the mixing part is a breeze.

I asked G to take pictures and this is what I got.. My pajama pants.. and then a bowl covered with plastic bag so the

yeast

/dough could rise.

My phone after the flying flour trick. I kind of made a mess but that's okay.

While the dough was rising I made a pork roast for dinner. We had left over sauerkraut from the Reuben's the night before so I make this, Mashed Taters, Asparagus and cake. I am not a pork eater but I pulled some meat and added barbque sauce and made a sandwich...I choked it down but didn't go back for more. Here is the finished product. Nice, warm, crusty French Bread.. It turned out..I'm surprised.

I made one loaf and the others I made into bread bowls shapes. This would be great for soup bowls. I made try some in a cupcake pan and see how it does. I just made another batch and it or I was neater this time. I used unbleached and whole wheat flour.. I don't know if "french bread" comes in whole wheat but around my house we are going to try it. Mr. C and Mr. E came to hang out and spend the night with D Saturday. They tore into my new creation. Mr. C loved it. I put butter on some and Strawberry Jam.. yeahhh.I also made a pineapple upside-down cake. I hate this pan, It's too shallow, it doesn't cook well and I should throw it out but I think {and this just hit me} I may mod podge it and put Valentine Suckers in it for the monsters.. I am so creative {SOME TIMES}. I always use the Pineapple juice as the water for the batter. I had almost a whole other cake pan of batter left so I poured it in and made jus a plain cake. Well the little monster {our taste tester} does like Pineapple and she picked up it straight away.. I tried to slide it past her but it didn't work. Random picture of Bananas.. I don't know.. I just sit around and take pics of STUFF..I have found a new creation.. G made me a brownie with Peppermint Stick ice cream and a cherry on top.. OMG it was so good. The girls tried a bowl the other night and liked it too. I don't have pictures of myself, nor do I like pictures of myself but as I was walking in the foyer I noticed my hair is getting longer so I snapped this.. I know it doesn't look long but for me it is.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SEWING>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have been on a crafty kick lately so I broke out my old sewing machine. I think I blogged about it a few weeks ago. Well the metal bobbin thing with the little lever broke so I gave up. I still had a few things ie. cloth napkins, pillows that I wanted to finish but let it set and dreamed of getting them done. Well Saturday as the little one walked into the kitchen I saw a pair a pajama pants fly in the direction of my sewing pile.. She said the but busted out and that I could make something with them.. Cooooool. But I didn't have a sewing machine.

Pillow

So Super Bowl Sunday G and I went out and had a few beers, played Gin Rummy and watched the game.. GoSaints.. I love Mardi Gras and New Orleans but that's another story. After the game I ran to Walmart and bought myself a new little Singer Sewing Machine. Nothing fancy but it does the job. I have made several things since and will display them here for all of you to see my beginner sewing talents.

Tooth pillow and little bag for secret girl things. Oh yes that is coming for the little one..oh joy to us.. I told her to put a supply in her lunch box just in case. She doesn't carry a purse although she has some cutes ones including a Vera that I would like to get my hands on.

Another random picture. My kitchen sink.. My dish soap in a oil bottle and vinegar in the spray bottle. I use vinegar a lot to clean the sink and countertops.More sewing. We have these bath towels that have lost their shape, the end edges are gone and I am tired of getting out of the tub to find I grabbed an ancient towel that I couldn't dry my hair with. I know we need to break down and buy new ones but I don't. It would take a small fortune to buy enough towels for this household. Anyways.. moving on. I cut the old ones up and sewed them together making dish rags. The work great.. not too thick, not too thin.. I like them. If I run out of dish rags I always grab a dish towel to wipe.. they are just too big or long for this purpose.. so these little guys work wonders. My new invention for the house.

Back to the diningroom garden.. It's February 10th and I have sprouts to my tomato plants.. Yeah I don't really know what I am going to do when they get big but I will let ya know. Okay so moving on.. Uses for my french bread. Sunday morning I made French toast..awesome!!! Tuesday I made garlic bread.. awesome!!!

I know this may be a small thing to some but I am really proud of myself that I could make and have a loaf of French bread setting on my counter for use in so many things..

I put some garlic in butter and spread it on.Then I topped with cheese and waaalaaaa.. Garlic bread. If I had grown the garlic and made the butter I could truly call this homemade..

MOVING ON!!!!!

I bought scarf in 1998 on the one and only cruise that I have ever been on. I bought it to wear as a shaw with my "cocktail" dress. It's been in my closet ever since and this year when the oldest received a few big scarves for Christmas I pulled it off my scarf rack and have worn it since. It's been great to wrap my ears up since I had this nasty ear infection.

Emma Sue and Macy Claire were watching G shovel the snow. I couldn't get a good pic for the glare of the snow.

Speaking of snow.. See all of the

Yellow

snow.. They didn't get too far out the door to do their business.

It's now covered again with about the same amount.. Spring where are YoU?

Cold, lifeless branches.

ma went out for 3.5 minutes and this is what she looked like.. she is a snow bunny at heart. I did make her wear her coat with the collar up.. I'm sure glad I let her get a little shaggy this winter..she has sure needed it this last week. another random photo.. my pin cushion..that I made..yes I did..

Oh and here is the big craft of the week. I made the little one an apron..

Isn't that calling Little House on the Praire or what..

Well that's it for these last few weeks..well actually I have some other pics but that will be for another post considering this one took ForEVER to blog..

Thanks for visiting and hope you come back. If you have any questions about any of my artistic {NOT} ability please leave me a comment.. I really love comments but don't get that many cause.. I know.. I am BORING>>...!!! But thanks for taking the time to look into my crazy life.. NOw off to knead bread..

2010-02-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

And more to come

Ayyy? What ya say?

2010-02-05T01:13:00.008-05:00

Hello girls, I'm still here.. .. I'm still in a funk..

I don't have anything to blog about..or maybe I just don't feel like it.

I have only taken a few pictures of my newest masterpieces, creations

{be afraid.. be very afraid}

so maybe this weekend during our white death I will get to posting them.

I have read all your updates but I just don't seem to have anything worthy to add to the mix.. not that anything I say is worthy but ya know... anywho tomorrow..

Tomorrow

I am going to see a ENT {Ears, Nose and Throat Dr.}

Yes I am still messing around with this annoying ear infection... Okay so I thought ear infections hurt really bad, made you dizzy beyond Buzz Lightyear and drained like a flash flood.. and maybe they do but mine is not like that.

It started around Christmas with this

odd tickle.

I had my mom look in it with a scope and there was nothing there.

It would do this

popping trickle

thing once in a while but nothing big.

Then about 12 days ago the whole side of my head stopped up and I have this constant white noise hissing ring..

Now that's kind of gets to me but whatever... So I went to the Dr. and he gave me an antibiotic.. Well Sunday I notice it was draining.. I thought that was a good thing but apparently not.. I called the doctor today and they think my ear drum may have ruptured..I don't know maybe, I wouldn't really worry about it but I still have the white noise and I can't quite hear out it very well. G is getting tired of repeating himself.. I can't hear a dang thing..He looked in or tried to look in and he said my

ear was swollen shut..

Ooopppps. I would say that's not a good thing.

Soooooooo. tomorrow during our white death party

I am going to trek down the road and see what they say.. I'm sure I will get a nice tug on sore ear, a little scraping around and a

special little pinch in the hip

{shot, bing bing, large needle full of screaming stinging medicine}

and get sent home to slam some sleep, feed the kids, work all night and watch the blizzard of snow fall..

They are forecasting 4-6 inches of snow..which means 2 inches cause we never get more than 4-5...and they are never right. If it's going to send the grocery stores and gas stations into a tizzy we could atleast get a good 12 inches to make it worthy. Will we go to the store? YES....cause we need to and there is nothing to eat.. Will I go fill up my land yacht...NO...cause I'm really not that worried about it.. Will I dig out my snow shovel...? NO...what's the use... I am really trying to jinx myself here.. As long as it snows after 8 am on Saturday morning I dont' care what it does..

Anyways.. that's what's going on with me.. See ya girls tomorrow..maybe I'll be able to hear ya..

Breakfast

2010-01-30T10:43:00.003-05:00

I created two more breakfast casseroles this morning.. For pics and as Ree would say Cast of Charactors read my cooking blog....NO Chef Required Now we are off to dance competiton...We or she is up against her old team from last year.. .I'll let ya know how she does..

Cindy Lou Who?

2010-01-29T12:24:00.001-05:00

Meet Macy Claire- aka Macy LouI just want to strap antlers to her.

Macy Lou

Chicken Bacon Spinach Roll

2010-01-28T09:56:00.002-05:00

Find out about my new concoction over at my cooking blog NO Chef Required..

Without work...

2010-01-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

I would be a happy person.

I try to be a happy person all the time but life gets in the way and makes me a NON happy person.

I do love my job, I just have a bizillion other things that I would rather be doing and work just gets in the way..

I have a thousand crafts started

..but

.. not

.. finished.

I started sewing cloth napkins and my sewing maching started acting up. I called in reinforcements {my mom.} She came down and had a few choice words with it.

Then I started sewing a table runner and I had a few choice words with it myself. The oldest walked through the kitchen and said she was going to forward the

"I have conversations with inanimate objects"

group on FACeBooK... geeEEEE thanks.

I am making a new bright orange tobacco worm scarf so I can wear it to dance competitions and show my colors.

I found the old craft of

Mod Podgeor decopodge..

gonna try some new things with it.

Tablescapes..still!!

Sunday morning I told the little one the plan for the day {which did not include buying a dog} and I asked her if she just wanted to eat breakfast so we could get going or did she want a fancy table.. she said "Fancy Table!!!!"

I made Kendall's Blueberry Breakfast which turned awesomely.. is awesomely a word? G even liked it. We had that with cheesy eggs on bagels. The kids drank OJ out of wine glasses and we had fun. I didn't get any pics cause we threw it together just as the food was ready so there was no time in between. I think I should start setting the breakfast table Saturday night but this weekend I was so tired and could only think about bed.

I need to restring my Amber bracelet into a necklace so it's close to my neck, ears and head.. It's supposed to be good for ear troubles and I could have used it this past week.

I need to clean and organize my house. I noticed that the hat, scarf, glove bins in the coat closest are overflowing with mismatched gloves. The beach towel cabinet is a mess too. The little one and friends have got their swim on at the Y.

G and I went to Wal-Mart yesterday and stocked up some much needed stuff. We found several frozen things we make a lot cheaper up there then at Krogers.

I can see the light at the tunnel when the seasonal stuff turns into

Gardening

products. Yeeeaaah.. I bought organic seed starter soil and some seeds. Last year we didn't have a garden and I missed it. I have to admit..I plant the seeds all pretty and then they are on their own. I don't weed everyday.. I don't fuss over them..but ya know what? They still grow veggies out the wazooo.. But it's sad to report that while I type this post it's snowing outside and the schools are delayed 2 hours. So in all reality spring is not that close and the seeds will have to wait. I will embrase this crazy snow thing cause I know that the Earth needs it to feed the grass and make it bright and green to run our toes through this spring when I am planting my GARDEN.

Did I mention my ear. ..? I know enough of the ear story. A guy at work told my about ear candling. We tried them and let me report it's much scarier being on the outside and in charge of cutting the ash than it is lying your head on the table with fire coming out of your ear. I have pics..yes I do.. I will try to get them posted for all to see..I know ya want to see.

Needless to say that since I do have this ringing and pain that my candle was a little yucky. Odd since I didn't have any wax that we could see. I must have a reserve tunnel with a stockpile.. maybe I will not show you .. Ear things are just gross in itself..

Do you ever listen to Yahoo radio or XM radio on your satellite or car? If so what is your favorite station. Mine is the Coffeehouse... when I listen to it I am so peaceful.. I think the TV is too busy and the up and down on levels drives me crazy.. I am at peace with my coffeehouse. If you have never listen to XM /satellite click here to check it out. Coffehouse

In-houses

2010-01-27T04:31:00.003-05:00

On my old blog I ran across some posts that I hid away. I reposted them and now linking for all so see.. Visit..As the World Flops

Macy

2010-01-27T02:32:00.004-05:00

Since I slept most of the day I didn't get any new pics of the New Macy but G did take her for her vet visit..

Now picture this.. G taking the 2 lbs baby in her red corduroy winter jacket and pink collar to the vet. He is such a good grandpa.

So he took her for her checkup and the verdict

the doc thinks she is an

Australian Terrier

and could get to 10-12 lbs.

She is in good shape and said she is an excellent dog.

She got some of her baby shots so she wasn't feeling so well.

He doesn't think she is going to get fluffy but that's okay as long as she doesn't shed which I have pulled around and nothing comes off.

So that's the poop scoop.. I guess she's a keeper so watch for photo updates of the little thing-ette.

No sleep and new addition

2010-01-26T02:36:00.016-05:00

This last week I have been in a funk..

bad mood...

uninterested...

whatever you want to call it.

I haven't blogged, don't care to blog and to be honest... it was kind of nice.

I have so much to do and so little time. I think part of it is my work shift {midnight to 8am} and then my little ear infection that doesn't really hurt but the ringing white noise is getting on my last nerve. I try to get to sleep but the noise just keeps going.. I am just in a mood and hope to jump out of it soon.

I have such big plans for things around the house and just never seem to get to them. We need to paint the laundry room but when I get in the mood it's so darn cold out and I'm afraid the paint will never dry. I have 15 different crafts going{another tobacco worm} and can't get nothing done. I never get a moment to set down and spend some real time doing what I love.

Dance is starting and motocross is picking up and I just want to sleep. Midnights is turning me into a not nasty but a zombie. I just wonder around the house and say..tomorrow... I'll get it tomorrow. Well after 2 years of tomorrow my house and my energy is running on empty to even get moving each day. I need peace, I need organization...I need a break.. A break without anyone is the house for 2 whole weeks.. Which in my world is not going to happen and that's okay too. If I could just have 2 or 3 days to myself then everyone could come back and tear it up.. My house is not a show house..it's lived in.. lived in by 2 adults, 3 kids and numerous friends running around having a good time. See more pics here of what it could look like

In addition to the adults, kids and friend we have fish {easy care} a turtle, cat {Baxter} and dog {Emma} aka..furrrrbabies

However as of this past Sunday we have a new addition..

I am a grandma..

{sort of}

The oldest and her boyfriend has been visiting the pet stores for months now.. Every Friday and Saturday I get a pic message of yet another dog that they are in love with. Well they found this one the other day and so her dad and I agreed to go take a look. The agreement..the boyfriend would buy it for her for Valentine's day.. oh yeah..for us.. We took Emma to the pet store to check out the options. I was and am not thrilled by this choice.. she will turn out to be a good dog {I HOPE} but I just can't make the connection like I have with My EMma SUE but I guess that's okay.. I am only grandma.

I'm sure she will grow on me but it will take time.

So with half crooked smile

please help me welcome

Macy

to the family.

I know to some she is cute as a bug in a rug..to me since she is a NOT.. She is cute in her own way but I am not a dog person to start with and I usually lean towards the soft, fluffy sort not the wirey, short haired ones. She is supposed to a

Silky Terrier

..but I think she is more of a

Rat Terrier

with the coloring of Miss Emma Sue's Yorkie.. I do believe if Emma was shaved down she would look like her minus the big rat ears. .. more pictures to come.

I had thought about this and then G said it.. What if she was a real baby that wasn't quite the cutest..would you not love her for the looks.. I know..I know.. I will try to love her but my Emma will be my first love and she knows it.

They are all doing well. Emma is showing her dominent status and Macy came face to face with Baxter and he only hissed at her and didn't slap the crap out of her like he does Emm.. then Baxter woke me up in the middle of the night biting and pulling at my fingers trying to get me up cause Macy was crying in her cage. Even though he is the big bad cat brother he does have a heart..

and so should I..

I guess blogging is therapy..After I wrote the above I started thinking about how she has been acting. When I took her out the first time she jumped around like a little deer. I don't think she had ever been outside. She was digging her nose in the ground looking for creatures and with our bad dose of moles this year she probably was on to something.

She did lay down with me on the couch and dosed off.

She doesn't seem to like the light and covers her eyes or moves next to a pillow or your arm to shield it away.

She lets me rub her paws which is a good sign to future nail trimming. Emma on the other had is a total Biotch about this.

She took a bath with no problems and let me blow her hair dry.

She wore an old dress of Emm's and did okay and a jacket to go outside..

I guess she will be a okay dog and I know will turn out to a sweet little girl..

G is taking her to the vet tomorrow so I will report later on what breed she actually might be and how big or not big she will get. ..

So let's try this again.. with a big warm smile...Please welcome my new grandbaby.. Macy

I think most of my attitude is because a doggy is not just a little thing.. it's work..it's money and a big commitment for years to come.

I'm just going with the tude...

What's one more in the zoo.

I'm not sure is that is a question or a statement but I'm going with it.

Silly, Bizarre Holidays

2010-01-22T03:55:00.003-05:00

Today Friday, January 22nd is National Answer Your Cat's Question Day.. Oh I can't wait to see what questions Baxter comes up with.

Week of 20th-24 is No Name Calling Week..

January 24th-

National Compliment day

- I think I may have the kids play this one.

Sunday Scramble

2010-01-22T00:33:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the 1st Sunday Scramble brought to you by the one and only Justine. After reading about my scramble of a week jump on over to her blog and visit others. Sunday Scramble

First off-

I haven't made a post is a week or so.. I know I was going so strong and then wham..brick wall. I had nothing to post about. So tonight when I am creating this post I don't have all my little options for font size, style, center, non centering, etc..... I don't know if it's just me or if blogger has changed something but we will see.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A few weeks ago I had this tickle in my right ear. I have cleaned and cleaned my ears. Actually G said I clean them too much.. Can you clean them too much? Is there a medical term or condition for cleaning your ears TOO much..? Should I see a therapist over my ear cleaning ritual? In my world {which is one of it's own I have to admit} I would rather have clean ears than nasty dirty ears. I have taken pictures of certain family members or the kid's friends at school and when I go to look at the pictures all I see is nasty wax in their ears.. NASTY... Do I dare use the pic? No, I don't.
ANYWHO moving on.. now the tickle is gone but I have white noise ringing in that ear. It doesn't hurt which is my reasoning that I don't have to go to the doctor but it is getting annoying. I guess I will break down and go next week.

Now wasn't that just damn exciting to read about it?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

3. I work midnights at our local police department dispatching police and fire. This week I don't know if I am coming or going. Usually I crawl into bed at 8:05 and sleep til around 1:30-2pm then at 8:30 I take a cat nap.. Well this week I can't sleep. I toss and turn til 11am and am sleeping til 6pm.. This is not working for me. My body is like a zombie walking around the house and by 830 I am tired again.. So these last two days I have been up for 2.5-3 hours a day to get things done and the rest has been trying to get to sleep, sleeping, doing what I could, napping, working. I told myself tonight that I have 2 more days and then days off.. Hopefully I will get my old schedule back.

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That's all I have for this week.. Thanks Justine for being such a fine host.

What do you think?

2010-01-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

The other night I had to run to the store. I took the back way which is a narrow, dark, river road with a bunch of curves. As I was driving I saw this..

I slowed down,

looked,

backed up,

looked again

and said NO?!!!

Click on the "read more" to continue

I drove on in to the store cause I wanted my brain to process what I thought I just saw. I knew I had to be crazy and why no one else noticed this I didn't know. I ran in and out of the store and went back down the road. This time I couldn't see over the side of my car, down the hill. So I turned around and there it was. I went really slow and almost went crossed eyed trying to look. I then turned around. From this angle it did look a bit thin but who could tell. I then turned around and drove past it again. On my last trip back I called G. He said that it couldn't be and to come on home. Well he spread the word to the kids that I was crazy, driving down a dark road and thought I saw this.. By the time I got home the kids were getting ready to go..they wanted to see. I kind of wanted to confirm with other human eyes what I thought I was seeing was really what I was seeing so I threw them in the car and off we went. G followed in his car because he was going on to bowling. He actually stopped and got out to look and really couldn't tell. I on the other hand had moved on up the road to stop and look at these pics.

So what do you think it looks like?

What could it be?

Was I seeing things?

As I zoomed in I saw this.{above pic}.Was I looking at a dead body?..dead body of a small teen or older man setting next to a tree? I thought it looked like someone on his right hip with right shoulder against the tree and one or both legs out to his left side. Then when I saw this pic I thought it was a teal wool scarf wrapped around and hanging on his left shoulder. {click on pic to make it bigger}

Do you see what I see?

The kids sure did, but could it be?

We ran through all the possiblities of what could happen. The little one even said it looked like he hung himself and fell. MOrbiD ...too much CSI. But that's exactly what it looked like. Maybe that's why no one saw him cause he hung for awhile and just now fell. {I know I'm gross but I work for a police dept and ran squad for years.. Nothing surprises me, well to a point} Or could someone have been walking in the snow,{which he was dressed for} and fainted, died, felt sick and just never got up. Even G said that he would have picked a bigger tree..but you know what. You don't die in the most posed position like seen on TV..you die in strange, bad positions. If you plan to die then you could pose but most people don't quite plan IT!!!

It was getting dark so I told them I would call tomorrow. Sounds harsh but really, if it was, it would still be there . But then on the other hand if it was it would be one less day that their mother, father or family would have to wonder where could they be. So I called the Sheriff's office.. then I knew I would be crazy but would feel better. I knew if I didn't have someone check then I would think about it all night. Now I would have got closer but because of the road there was no where to park.. I couldn't leave the kids in the car, flashers on sitting in the middle of the dark road.. I did assure them that they would not get out of the car nor would they see anything.. and I mean ANYTHING..

By then it was dark and a deputy arrived. I told him it looked like a small person with a Carhartt suit {maybe gray, dk blue} with a scarf.

He flashed his flashlight and looked,

then he walked down the hill to the river/creek and looked.

Then he walked across the creek, and looked.

BY then I was like..OMG maybe it is.. he keeps walking, or he isn't even sure so I don't feel SO bad for calling him out..But if it was I wouldn't have felt bad..this little guy needed to be found.

Then he walked up the hill and looked.

Then he came back across the creek {which he stepped both feet up to his shins in cold water}and said

It WAS a Piece OF METAL...

Yep, I'm crazy.. but I feel so much better.

I'm glas it wasn't for the sake of a person's life and for that I can be a little crazy.. cause how many times do you see something that just isn't right? It's those people that see it and do something are the ones that solve crimes.

So next time you see a dead piece of metal in the woods.. call the police..it may be someone's child..and don't feel stupid. You were there and saw it for a reason and if your wrong then it just makes it a better day for everyone.

Comment section

2010-01-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

My Comment section will not move down to the bottom of my post..
I have been into the layout and the post section and it shows that it's back down at the bottom but it won't move.

What do I do? I have turned off comments, logged out and logged back in and moved it and nothing.

Dinner, Dinnerware and Pasta Bowls

2010-01-15T05:07:00.009-05:00

My last post I mentioned that I found these great little salad plates at Krogers for a whopping $.31..that's right.. my type of find.. 31 cents. I had bought 6 big plates and bowls around Christmas for $1.00 each and never put too much thought into the salad plate but when I found these I bought 6.. to see what over things I

found and a new

kid friendly

recipe click on the read more link.

Here are the bowls that go with the new salad plates. They have a white holly design on them but not too Christmas-y. I like them and plan to use them a lot.. !

On the same sale shelf as the white plates were these drink glasses.. also .31. I didn't buy them at that time cause I can't go over board with this dinnerware stuff but I did want them and for only .$31.. why not, but I didn't. The next night G had to run in and he bought 12 glasses and 6 more plates. What I guy..he loves me and I think he likes my new obsession.. He even found his blade scraper so I could take off the sticky tags and then I ran into my finger but..I'M OKAY... So for $20.00 we got 6 big dinner plates, 6 bowls, 12 salad plates and 12 holly glasses for a beautiful Christmas table.

After finding the holly plates I made my way around the

Kroger

store I ran across these cute little birdhouse plates. {$.50 each}

Now I need to concentrate on table cloth, napkins and place mats...oh and

Flatware..I need some cute matching flatware.

Moving on to another part of the kitchen. A year or so ago I took a picture of the kitchen.

You can view it here at Kitchen I have this old shelf that I have used as a spice rack for years.

I cleaned out all of my

Mason Jars

and put new "stuff" in them. Chocolate chips, lentils, small flower shaped pasta, barley and our new supply of

votive candles

from Ikea.

Last night lying in bed I came up with an idea.. I would make

pasta bread bowls and that's exactly what I did.

I placed pizza crust in several diffent casserole dishes. I should have used 1 big one but I wanted to add onion and pepperoni to one.

I placed cook pasta, spaghetti sauce, cheese, a little garlic and parsley. I threw them in the oven on 350 degrees til golden and presto.. Pasta Bowls

Here is the finished product.

Everyone liked them.. Kid tested and approved.

I then set the table with a few fancy plates and pulled out chocolate covered pretzels and buckeyes.

Since I cooked too much pasta I used the left over to make a pasta salad..also kid approved.

Cooked pasta

Pepperoni, Black Olives

Cucumber, Onions

Parmesan Cheese and Spicy Italian Dressing.

Oopps another view of my pasta.. these dang pics keep moving around.

As I was searching through my crafty stuff I found these basket ruffles.. I don't know if that's what they are called but I'm calling them Basket Ruffles.

I was trying to get a picture of my hair. I had wrapped my scarf around my head trying to keep my hair back and it looked really cute but I couldn't get a pic.. This is what I get when I try to take a pic of myself. Nice double chin..huh?

Baxtet the cat is having cabin fever.. He is driving us crazy cause he wants to go out and roll arond in the sun and well..there is no sun. The temps actually did get up in the 40's today.. heat wave.. And speaking up Baxter...he is being blamed for a terrible smell around our house. Ya see The other night someone (not me, I was sleeping) put a KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)

box in my trash can at my desk.. I sat the whole trash can on the island when I went to work. The next day I noticed the box was on the floor..hmmmm? Now who can jump ....hmmm? That would be a Baxter...but who is the biggest pig in the house.. Miss Emma Sue. That night Miss Emma Sue threw up all over the oldest one's bed.. That was Tuesday night, tonight Thursday she is still having these terrible KFC gas clouds that plop out when she walks.. Wow, she smells... but she is okay. I figure he knocked it down, she ate it before he could get to it and now she is sick and he is just fine.

For our Pasta Bowl lunch I sat the table with matching dinnerware. It was nothing fancy and that's how most of my tables will be.

I used red paper napkins {50 pack at Ikea for $1.59}cause for a lunch I don't see getting cloth ones dirty.

Large white holly plates

Small blue {salad} snowmen plates- bought at Kohl's years ago at a after Christmas sale

New Dollar Store stemware

You get an idea

See how I set the table in the above pic.. Now see how the monster's moved to "their" spots. G and D set at each end, me and the girls move around.

Below is another shot at my baskets ruffles.

Oh and I almost forgot. We found these cute little lady bug glasses at the Doller Tree. 6/ $1.00 each

And these hefty stemware 6/$.00 each. I really like these.. cheap, heavy and I think there were other colors.. Maybe a coke bottle color.. great for spring and St. Patrick's day. I know I seem to be going over board but this is fun. pretty tables, matching things and the kids love it. I try to get things cheap and double duty.

New gals

2010-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while I visit your friends to find myself some new friends..

I have found 3 new gals that make my eyes, and mind zing.. I love new ideas. Please visit them for yourself and see what ya think.

http://sweetup-northmornings.blogspot.com/-- She had the best up close, bright photos and very cute tablescapes.

Lisa at Odom: Party of Five- She has Mr. personality aka Mr. Bubbles and three gorgeous girls that keeps her life very busy.

http://www.tarafrey.com/bella_pink_postcards_from/- Great crafts and adorable rag quilts.

Enjoy reading.. I know I will..

Thanks for visitng- Cathy

Goodbye 4'Oclock Foto

2010-01-12T19:41:00.002-05:00

For the past month or so I have done this Four O'clock Foto. I always had one or two photos that just didn't go with any other post but they had their own story. So I started posting them{auto post} at 4pm everyday. It was fun but it took up time in the middle of my day that I could post about other things. So I have decided to go slow on the Four O'clock Foto.. If I have a special pic I need to brag about I will add it..but not everyday. So goodbye Four O'clock and on to other things.

Tonight I made two

chicken dinners

with one big pack of chicken and we had a great meal. To see what we had and other ramblings click on the read more link...

Tonight I made

Cowboy Sandwiches and Buffalo Chicken Soup

First I started with a pack of chicken strips or chicken breast. I cut them up into smaller strips and threw them in a skillet to brown.

I added Mrs. Dash, Lemon Pepper and some Marjoram. This is an idea from

Ree the Pioneer Woman

recipes of MM's 2nd favorite sandwich- read about it here on Ree's site.

The kids love this sandwich.

Tonight I used precook bacon and I didn't toast the buns but they were still edible.

The I added some of the cooked chicken to a pot to warming chicken broth and green onions. Usually I saute celery and onions first but ya see. I found my

bag of celery on the pantry shelf..

That's right, not the in the frig but in the pantry. The oldest monster made vegetable soup the other day while I was sleeping and somehow put it in the pantry.. Right where it belongs, right?

The I added some Velveeta and sour cream and milk (or whipping cream) and let that cook for a bit.

Next I added the Frank's Buffalo sauce to give it theat Buffaloy kick. The kids love this too. I would usually serve with a side of celery but once again since the celery made it to the pantry and not the frig I could not do that tonight.

So here is our table, kind of set with my winter holly dinnerware

and a bowl of grapes.

Read Amanda's post here about her bowl of grapes.

I got these cute napkins at

Ikea

for like $1.29 a 50 pack. They worked well with the white dinnerware. Below is a picture of our MM sandwich. Chicken, cheese, bacon and some mustard, barbq sauce or mayo.. Easy peasy meal that everyone will eat.

Soup, Salad and and Sandwich for the family.

Oh, see the little salad plate.. I had bought the dinner plate and bowl around Christmas at Kroger for $1.00 each. Well last night I ran into Kroger and they had the

small plates marked down to .$31

...so I bought six..

G just had to run into town so he was going to stop and get the holly glasses that go with the plates, also .$31.. I'll let ya know what he comes home with.. As I was cooking dinner I asked him to get the plates out. He got into the cabinet and said "where did all of this come from?" My reply..

"Oh, I don't know, here and there..

but the plates were only $.31 how could I pass that up."

I have to tell ya something else...

If ya haven't already noticed that I am crazy I'm sure you'll think so after I say this.

The other night I was washing my face. I have this patch of dry skin on my cheek and I have tried everthing to flake it off. See my everything here

So I grabbed a new toothbrush and brushed my face. OH Yes I DID!!!!

I know this may not be good for your skin but come on.. I am no super model nor will I have be on TV or in a trash magazine so who cares. It's better than flakes...Right? Well G got into bed and I told him this and he said

"Honey where in the Hell do come up with stuff, why haven't you invented something by now." Then he said you have some weird things.. " Like, can I have sour cream for my eggs."

So what meals do you make that everyone likes?

What do you use to wash your face?

Do you have any fancy cheap dinner plates you use on fancy chicken night?

Oh G is walking in the door...let me go see what he got me. I will report later..

Toodles, Cathy

Found interview

2010-01-12T04:06:00.052-05:00

I was cleaning out my {collect all} notepad in my purse where I scribble ideas, lists and more lists.. I came across a interview I did with my G from maybe August or September. For his answers and what he thinks of me read on.

Me- What makes you {G}laugh about me? {Cathy}
G- Your perverted sense of humor

Me- What is something I always say to you?
G- You never listen to me.

I do say this because I can say monster so and so is going to so and so's house and then to the mall.. we need to take him/her at 6pm. At 6 when I get ready to walk out the door or the kids say come on dad let's go he gets mad cause he doesn't know what they are talking about.. Hence- HE DOESN'T LISTEN TO ME.

Me- What makes me happy?
G- ha ha ha..money and getting away.

I say it's money so we CAN get away..

Me- How is my driving?
G- {big eyes like he doesn't know which way to go with this} answer- OKaY {safe}

Me- What is my favorite thing to do?
G- Sleeping

Me- If I become famous what will it be for?
G- I'm gonna say, house design.

I am always redesigning my dream home.. the steps, rooms, laundry, everything have to be in the right place.

Me- What is my favorite color?
G- Black- No hesitation about that answer.

Me- What is my favorite food?
G- Guacamole and Pica De Gallo {He's right}

Me- What is the best meal I make?
G- Meatloaf

Me- If I was an animal what kind would it be?
G- Black Cat

Odd Shot

2010-01-11T10:00:00.004-05:00

This was at the Sushi Bar at the Great Wolf Lodge on New Years Eve.. They had these guys lying on a brick of ice.. NASTY...

Breakfast, Branches and Big Chill

2010-01-11T01:02:00.004-05:00

First off let me say I am sorry.. I hate this new editor, I actually said that before and then thought I would give it another try and here we are. I can't seem to get the pictures to stay together and with almost 25 pictures I am going with it.

Here's what's been going on around my chill zone.

Well we have been having a deep freeze. Because I work midnights and slept until 4pm yesterday I was up all night..Yes that's right ALL night. I finally laid down around 1 pm and slept for 2 hours. So in that time I organized things around the house. The only problem is the more quiet I try to be the more noise I make. However since I was up I watched the fog roll in and the trees start to freeze. I hope the neighbor didn't mind me outside at 5am taking pics. I'm sure they didn't even notice.

I wish I could capture the beautiful ice and flakes on the branches. Miss Emma Sue got her hair put in pig tails today. Then got her picture taken. She was wearing her "Bite ME" Gingerbread shirt. She is such a diva..

The girls went outside to play in the snow yesterday. Man was it cold but they were okay.. Layers..ya know. This was the fog rolling in early morning. During breakfast with our fancy tablescape I took a picture of my milk glass..only problem is I didn't take the lens protector {pink can coozy} off and so this is what I got.

After my nap and rearranging my livingroom I sat down in what G calls "Camp Cathy" and took some pics. of my hairy legs and feet. Sexy Huh?

G gave Baxter some Kitty nip.. he was high as a kite rolling around on the floor.

Now on to breakfast. I made a small egg casserole cause I knew no one would eat it.

I added eggs, milk, minced onion, bacon, salt, pepper and parsley.

Threw it in the oven for a while and presto..

Last night as I was looking for some dishes I have stashed I found these blue ones and silver chargers. (seen Below)

I thought it was good.. I loved the onion in it..

Silver chargers. Years ago when D was 6 or 7 we went to Target Christmas shopping. I saw these chargers and said I would like to have them.. not really meaning that I would like to have them but I would.. As we walked around the store D started asking me how he was going to buy me something if I had to take him. My mom usually got me something or took him and then he would give it to me so I wasn't sure what he was getting at. I then told him that one day I could take him and give him some money and he get me something and I wouldn't look. He asked if he could have the money now. Ok.. So I asked the clerk if she could walk to the other isle with him {out of my sight} and help him. So she took him. I followed behind but not too close but wasn't just going to let her walk off with him even though it was my idea. Then they made their way to the cashier. As I was standing there looking but trying not to look another clerk looked at me funny. I then explained that he had money and was buying them for me but he didn't want me to see. She wrapped them with an extra bag so I couldn't see and helped him with the money. I teared up.. I am tearing up now. That was the most precious thing he could have done. He was so scared to hand her the money and didn't really know what to do but they helped and he was so proud when I opened them on Christmas morning and he surprised me. I hung a couple on the walls, but a candle on one and sat the other around the house. He loved it cause he bought them for ME... What a sweetheart. That was one of the best gifts I ever got.. It didn't cost much. They aren't name brand or anything but it was the thought.. His thought.. More pictures of the Big Chill and pretty branches. Once again sorry about the terrible pic positions.. but thanks for visiting and come back any time. ~Cathy

Monochrome Monday

2010-01-10T20:00:00.000-05:00

Antler chandalier at Great Wolf Lodge.. okay, I don't know why this pic is rotated. Visit more Monochrome photos here at the Monochrome Weekly

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-10T16:00:00.003-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

Last week I found this shelf at Ikea.. I played around with it and this is how I junked it up.. The pic is not that good. I could not get the right light..but ya get the idea.

Mix and Match

2010-01-10T01:17:00.002-05:00

I decided to try a tablescape tonight for tomorrow's breakfast. This is my problem. I either have a whole set of dishes or I just a few of this and a few of that. I tried to mix and match tonight and well it's bland.. I put my Idea amber plates as a charger cause they are so big and it's not Thanksgiving. I added my good ole' Corelware for the plate. I have these cute little amber I think depression stemware and one of my two sets of orange juice glasses with pitcher. I still need a lot of work on this tablescape thing..

I found these cute little

pizza plates at Michael's for $1.00 a piece.

They are plastic but does pizza really need to be eaten on good China? I don't think so.

{I am also trying to new editor so well...I don't think I'm gonna like it..}

Any tips on getting the pics to move and STAY where ya want them?

These red plates I found at Hobby Lobby. I only bought 2 plates and 2 salad plates.. I don't know why just becasue I did. I love the bumping texture to them. I spent $2.04 each for the salad plate and $5.10 for the dinner plates. I love them.

Next I bought these two animal skin design stemware for the G and I .. kids hands off.. I am drinking a Bloddy Mary out of them now.. I know..not quite the Bloody Mary glass but I had to try them. They were also on sale. $4.76 each compared to original $13.99..wowza..

We ate dinner on these guys last night. It is a country farm winter scene.I have 4 dinner and 4 salad.. {I had these in my cabinet, know clue where they came from} and I also added this winter scene stemware. I think these may have been from Kroger one Christmas but not sure.. I have to say we lost one of these tonight while I was wiping off the counter..I hit it and flew off and hit the floor..then when I yelled Emma came running and walked right through the glass. I hurried and put them back in the cabinet..Guess what..it was an extra anyways.. Now I am at a even number 12.. all is good. That's why ya buy one extra anyways, right? Right.!!!I then traveled down to the basement where I found more plates and charges.. I really didn't realize I had this much stuff. I know we have a whole box of China somewhere. I have looked, G has looked. I also have a few other plates and things that I just can't find.. I think it's time to clean out these darn closets and find some stuff.

Do you have any tips for a beginner tablescaper?

How many sets of things do you buy?

What do you do when you only have 4 of one thing and have to set the table for 6?

How many sets of flatware do you have?

What are the rules for tablescapes?

Do you set the table everytime you have a meal?

Okay forget this.. I can't get this pic to move up..back to the old editor..

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-09T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

One night we had this pasta dish and some garlic bread..

I threw some and ham and cheese on a few pieces

and had a nice little {but think} sandwich.

A new staple for the hungry crew.

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-08T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

I wasn't drinking..I swear.. but I sure do look like it.. maybe it was all thee excitement... My phone was blowing up about then with twitters from Norad..the Santa tracker...

Snow, Shells, Soup, Scarf equals

2010-01-07T19:40:00.004-05:00

a very excited mom on a snow day...

Ya see I don't know who gets more excited me or the kids..probably the kids but I get pretty darn excited about bad weather, snow, bad roads and no school. However today I had to work til 8am and then went to sleep til my normal 1:19 PM.. I woke up and the house had been in full swing but I still got to enjoy a little of it. Baxter slept most of the day on his bankie..not blanket..bankie, G and the kids made snow ice cream.

I love the thought of sledding,

playing in the snow,

hot chocolate and

nasty frozen towels at the front door

full of outdoor wear.

I know.. you all must think I'm crazy..that's okay... cause I am.. I love this stuff.

Last night I went to work and I dug out my green scarf.. Now this scarf has history.. I made it myself and I love it. Years ago I wore it to work and our Asst. Chief asked what the hell it was. Someone mentioned that it looked like a tobacco worm.. I know.. I know.. how could they say that about my gorgeous scarf.. Well one day a little piece fell off and I went in and put it around one of his Police figurines in his office.. I told him that since he was so jealous that he could have one too. He thanked me..then looked at me like I was crazy.. which I am. He asked if it ever dies and I said yes.. it actually unraveled and I had to re-loop it. It's alive, it will never die.. Well last night he came in and was in his office.. I called his name and then flipped in the door of his office.. he laughed like.

OMG another winter with the worm.

There ya go, now ya know the story of my tobacco worm.

Now to the soup part-

I decided last night {at work} I would make the kids potato soup today..

This is a combo of my mom's and a Weight Watcher recipe.

Warm, hearty, easy and quick..

First I cut up potatoes...imagine that... potatoes in potato soup..unheard of..

I boil them in some water and chicken broth, a little onion, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil and when potatoes are tender

mix 1 packet peppered gravy mix with some milk and add to the boiling pot. I then threw in some Velveeta cheese and a spoonful of butter.. Remember I don't measure anything so just wing it.. trust me..you can do this.

My theory..

if it's too dry add more liquid..

if it's too wet add more dry.. Now this is the "my mom part"

Mix Bisquick, egg and milk into a sticky wet paste...

yummy huh? Then drop it in the boiling pot by the spoonful.. this makes little dumplings..

{the best part} Let them cook a few minutes and serve.. Easy peasy potato soup.

Other events of the day.. I put a recycle label on one {we have two for the crew} of the trash cans in the kitchen. Love my label maker.

While my soup cooked I snapped a pic out the kitchen window.. how dreary looking, at least it isn't so terribly cold out today. Then I ventured out the front door where I took some pictures of the dormant, peaceful snow covered plants. I love how the snow piles up on things.. Emma is a snow bunny at heart..she loves to dig into the snow with her face.. I only got this pic cause I yelled Cheeeeeeeeese. The little monster was outside with a friend sledding down D's skateboard ramps. He was off tromping through the woods and the oldest was snowmobiling with her man.

I guess the weather is getting to the oldest.. she cleaned her room..I mean REALLY cleaned it and then came down with shells from Myrtle Beach that she collected like 3 years ago.. She is having sun with drawl. She washed the shells where they found a crab pincher {which was thrown into the recycle can..} What? She is going to put these around her room. She is needing the beach.

The girls at dance the other night asked her if she was sick.. I didn't want to say that yes in fact she was getting a little pale.

If I would I would have got the tanning bed argument again..

So with snow on the ground I have shells on my island, what a combo.

Well it was 4pm and D had been wondering through the woods with friends since I got up. They made it over to Cousin D's house {a little over a mile}so I went to get them. His aunt said they were warm but their clothing was frozen and I couldn't stand to make them walk back. So I ventured out in my winter boots.. Sexy huh?

I wasn't going to take my camera and sure glad I did..I came back with about 75 new pics that I just couldn't live without.. Hi my names is Cathy and I am addicted to my camera.

Well I pulled up to get 4 boys and there was Mr. C.., Cousin D was plowing the drive.

So I threw the boys in the Land Yacht and took off to slip and slide {on purpose} down the road. I tell ya.. they kept saying hit the brakes and my traction control took over..bummer.. I did take it out of 4 wheel drive in Mr. E's drive and well I couldn't go anywhere.. I put it back in and took off.. I think she {Mr. E named her Honey} likes 4 wheel drive. Now some people buy SUV and never use it.. Oh I use it...I bought the land yacht {Honey} cause I am always hauling 3-6 wet, frozen, stinky, muddy, kids around with all their junk {snowboards, air soft guns, motocross, dance, dirt bikes} My car is not a pretty, clean all the time thing.. it's dirty, used, kid tested and lived in... I just crank up the heat and turn on some music, they put their seat belts on and carry on with their stupid little jokes, farts, burps and we whip down the road. I handed D the camera and had him get a pic of this car that slid down a hill.. I would have taken it myself but the poor soul was standing along the road with the tow truck and I didn't want to do the same while trying to capture their misfortune.

Our road..not bad..still slick.

Black and white looking in my side mirror.

Mr. E in his fashionable Carhartts. He was posing. He is such a funny kid.

Mr. E's mom has a horse farm so I stopped, jumped out and ran over to take some pics.This guy like my camera.. He almost nosed my lens..

This is Mr. E's drive.. it's pretty long but my good ole' Honey trotted right down the lane with no problems.

Well I hear the dryer beeping over Jack Johnson on XM radio {where I am dreaming of sand, more shells and sun} and I need to get new dry towels on the floor for the second round and do dishes from the mess today. I just took snow bunny out and the walk is covered..at 5 G had it cleaned off {it's 7:37 now} So much for the quick storm..it has snowed since 8am.. Looking like we are having snow day #2 tomorrow.. I am so excited, but I also have to work tonight at midnight..this is when I wish I didn't have Honey loving her 4 wheel drive. I could totally stay home tonight but I can't...9-1-1 will still ring..I have to be there.

My 2 Year Old

2010-01-07T19:00:00.003-05:00

This is Baxter Bean..

my two year old..

really his is going to be 7 in March but he doesn't know that. Everytime I go into the downstairs outhouse

I hear a knock at the door,

then a meow,

the a paw blindly grabbing for anything under the door.

Then he comes in and walks around and sometimes we have Mamaw bathroom time... That's where I hold him like a baby and

he squeals to me and puts his paw on my mouth..

he is a toucher.. always touching.

Tonight I was trying to take a picture of my Carnelian bracelet that I got for Christmas. He jumped up and took it from me..

I put it back on the counter and he snatched it again..little twerp.
I never did get the pic.
I had restrung it to make it a bit bigger and I guess I need to cut the excess elastic string off.

Read the benefits of Carnelian here...right here

I also got a Amber bracelet..but I don't notice it working.. I don't have patience.

Give me that bow

2010-01-07T16:00:00.001-05:00

As soon as the kids start unwrapping presents G's grandma says "give me that bow" Jenny {G's SIL - in purple}and I just laugh..then I stick them on Jenny's head.. We laugh the whole night about things they come up with. When his grandma wants to go to the boat the world stops or she throws a fit. AWwww..til next year.

More stuff

2010-01-06T20:00:00.001-05:00

Wednesday night before the "big" storm I had to run to get milk, bread, cheese and eggs so instead of going to the boring store I ran to Target. Found these little tins for $1.00
and these pink plastic hearts for $2.50. Now how darn cute will they look on

my Valentines table.

I also got this storage thingy for my table clothes. $2.50

Check out Phyllis at Around the House {my new friend, follower and hero} tablescape storage.. I was in awwww...
She also has an awesome collection of fake fruit, veggies, cocktails and a great danish selection.. I want to be like Phyllis when I grow up. Oh and a great big collection of dinnerware and all kinds of things that go with it..

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-06T16:00:00.000-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

This is another exciting thing we deal with on Christmas Eve.. G's mom has this puppy.. she is a pain in the butt.. As soon as you walk in she tinkles all over and yips all night.. I guess I caught her after G's grandma gave her some turkey...I cringe when I walk in, she drives us nuts.

Lost photos from Thanksgiving past..

2010-01-06T10:00:00.004-05:00

We always have so may kids for dinner during the weekend.

We throw the silverware on the island .

We dig mismatched plates out of the cabinet or dishwasher and

we serve food for an army.

So around Thanksgiving my parents came down and

I wanted to do something

fancy with the table.

I have a set of china{ see it here } in the china cabinet and

another pattern in a box in the closet

{which we have never ever used}

So my mom and I ran into town and grabbed up a few bargains.

That night I went home and began my

new adventure in tablescapes.

In this pic below I used some green plates and bowls I had in my cabinet

{I don't know what kind of glass this is but I know it's old} I was messing around with different things I had.

I bought these wine glasses at the Odd Lots..

that way if they get broken I won't care..

well I'll care but not as much as the nice ones I have.We found these plates and bowls for a $1.00 each.. I got a 6 place setting.

I love them..

1st cause my mom bought them for me,

2. she understands my obsession with things and

always supports me

3. cause I can use them for Christmas, Valentines and even 4th of July. I also found these cute little ice cube things in red and green

{Christmas, Valentines and St. Patricks Day}this is the kids table sat for Thanksgiving..

I know it's decorated for Christmas but I couldn't wait to try every thing out..

D even said he likes a set table..makes it feel specialI'm still learning the ropes of tablescapes.. we decided to gather what we could this year and then starting next Thanksgiving start with full tables...

I got these cute green martini glasses at the dollar store. Maybe one day I will work towards the expensive stuff but with teens still in the house I'm sure something is going to get broken here and there.Here is a close up of the plates and new cloth napkins.

That's it.. any dishes you'd like to pass along to me.. I will find room. I have already talked to

G about making our {UNUSED} laundry room closet into tablescape storage..

Okay so you are probably asking why I named this post "Lost photos".. I had set to post about my new finds and just never did.. tonight as I was telling a co-worker about my "red" plates I couldn't find the post.. so I jumped on and found them and here they are..

Thanks for visiting

Watery Wednesday

2010-01-06T00:01:00.002-05:00

Watery Wednesday

My first time playing... I don't usually have that many pics of water so it's hard to enter..but as soon as I saw this one I knew where I was putting it..

The Great Wolf Lodge on New Year's Eve night right at closing.. the calm after the storm.

New Shelf

2010-01-05T20:34:00.003-05:00

First I threw a bunch of stuff in our candle basket..

pine cones,

greenery,

bells,

cinnamon sticks

and new springy green candles

but now I'm thinkin....

It's almost time to decorate for

Valentines..

now I'm going back to red, silvers, whites and no pine cones. The other day I got a new 10ft shelf at Ikea.. I love it.

I told the kids that I was looking for a shelf and I set my price limit..

$30.00 maybe $60.00 for a big one..

I found this 10 ft guy for the low price of $29.999999..

right on..

I snagged him up in a heartbeat.

G stopped for one minute so I could get a pic..

I tried to twitter during the process but he was like

"put that damn thing down and hold this" grrrrrr.

That was after I held up the stud finder to him..and it didn't beep...

I would have died if it did..

I think it hurt his feelings a bit.

Well I junked it up with a bunch of stuff I had around..

look how beautifus my new lantern looks.

but again..

it's almost Valentine's time..

See the candle in the middle.. ?
One day it I went to pick it up and it was in 2 pieces..
Of course no one in the house knew what happened.
So G got out his fancy glue gun and fixed it for me...
bless his little puppy dog heart..
then I used craft paint on it and wawwwla...all better..

I have always wanted something like a mantle to decorate and now I have it..

Next week- Valentine decor.. {maybe}

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-05T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock Foto
Look at the surprise on cousin N's face.. and yes they are 11 and 5 and still dress the same. I can see getting our 11 year old to dress like a 5 year old.. RIiii!!!GHT!!!!

My World- Christmas Morning

2010-01-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Christmas morning is a sea of wrapping papers and boxes..

Check out other's worlds at My World

Four O'clock Foto- D

2010-01-04T16:00:00.001-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

D on Christmas Eve

Do you have a photo with a story.. post it at 4:00PM everyday or whenever you want and then leave me a comment so others can come and check it out.

Odd Shot Monday

2010-01-04T13:25:00.000-05:00

Odd Shots

As I was trying to get some Christmas photos of the furrrrrbabies I snapped this one of Emma's slipper that she chews on..
Visit more add shots here and check out the photos from their trip to Mt. Rainier...awesome clouds on top of the mountain.

Ikea is my friend

2010-01-04T00:01:00.004-05:00

We traveled to Ikea today..

I found a 10ft bench like shelf for behind the couch

and I found these plates on sale.

I bought 8 plates {.$75 each} and 8 bowls {$.60 each} I love them.

They are so fall feeling. We had dinner on them tonight and we all noticed that they are much BIGGER than a normal plate.. we have deemed them our Thanksgiving plates. I also got this lantern {$6.99} and a new green apple candle {$.99}

Then I ventured off to Kohl's where I have been eyeing these cloth napkins.
They were on sale too. $1.19 each...

wooooohooooo!!!

My Thanksgiving table for next year is almost set.. I need to find some red and green things for the upcoming

Valentine's and St. Patricks day.. oh then Easter.

I'm going back to Ikea tomorrow to look once again for more bargains.. I

may just have to get these plates in purple or green.. Oh. green would cover, St Patricks day, Easter and Christmas.. A triple threat..so worth the few more cents for them.. right.?.agree with me...

Photo Hunt- Lick

2010-01-03T22:11:00.004-05:00

Photo Hunt- Lick

I gave Baxter some kitty nip {cat nip} tonight and then noticed he was licking the floor.. I told him to hang on and went to get my camera.. Perfect for this weeks photo hunt. What a crazy kitty he is... he was loopy after this..

To play along visit tnchick.com

Monochrome Monday

2010-01-03T19:30:00.002-05:00

Monochrome MondayAs I sat at the kitchen table talking with the

kids about eating cranberries (read it here)

I grabbed my camera and took a few of this big guy..

I love the angle.

For more black and white photos from other folks check this out...

I always take a picture of something then turn the camera up and down to get something different.

Do you like this angle?

Do you have any photography tips

that you would like to share?

Please share?!!!....

Thanks for visiting and please come back..

I post a random photo everyday at 4:00 PM.. I call it Four O'clock Foto.. If you'd like to join please post your photo and leave me a comment for others to come view.

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-03T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

I don't make turkey and I don't really eat it

so we have it at G's mom's house on Christmas Eve.

Every year he whips out the electric knife and goes to town.

I just watch and snap pics.. he loves it.

I have a thing for bird.. well most any meat.. I hate cooking meat.. it just grosses me out.. especially bird... I went years without eating turkey or chicken..Nasty..

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-02T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

Me (with my Gene Simmons hair- it really looked better than this in person, although sometimes I strive to look like him-he could be my brother) and my main man D on Christmas Eve. See he doesn't look like me.. Everyone says..oh he looks just like you... they must be on drugs. Oh,, he hates that camera

Color Carnival

2010-01-02T13:22:00.000-05:00

Color Carnival has returned from taking a break over the holidays.. Join in.. blog about your photo and then link it here at The Color Carnival..

Life jackets at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Place to visit again

2010-01-01T17:34:00.008-05:00

New Years Eve
G and I were asked to have New Year's Eve dinner at the Great Wolf Lodge. We had never been there but always thought about visiting. The kids have been there before for parties and sleepovers but we had never stepped foot inside. I actually got this pic when the crowd cleared out. You would not believe how many people were there.. The place was packed.
I love the cabin or lodge feel.
I have always been drawn to snow shoes..
Don't ask me why it's just on of those Cathy things.

I had to turn my flash on for this guy and I still didn't make it up

over the roof of the front desk.

As I was walking in it started to snow.. During dinner it snowed so I

ran out into the lobby for pics.

G was handed the camera to take pics.. this is what he got.

I had to snap a pic of the shrimp.. The friends we went with were discussing

the eating of raw shrimp.. she just couldn't do it.. they were not

deveined.. then she said..

I hate when you bite into them and crunch down on sand..

Is it really sand or is it just poooooop?

Here is showing his

outdoor influence

with a

bird.

Then I got our friend.. he loves my camera too.

Then we took a tour of the water park.

I guess it's okay if you were a kid.. not my kind of thing but

I would gladly set at the bar and have a Bloody Mary.

We ate at the buffet and they had all kinds of things. Right behind us was the

Sushi bar.. I took pics of the fish eggs..and other things. I tried to get

G and friends to try some but they weren't having it.

Her is the Sushi chef's creative side.. how cute.

My plate with my California roll..ohhhh yummo

Here are more of the snow.. it was so pretty..

you would not believe how many people gathered.

When I first walked in the door (with Baby) that night so many families were taking photos..
I was asked to take group shots.

The one girl even said.

. oh look you have a fancy camera,

we wanted a family photo so I told my husband to look for someone with a big camera..they will know what they are doing.

Is that what $1000.00 or so camera gets me.. I know what I'm doing.. ?

I think she may have received wrong info..

I then took their pic with their little point and shoot..

(which I am not against..cause I want one I can stick in my bra and take everywhere)

I then asked if they wanted to turn the flash off and they looked at my like I was crazy.

Nevermind.. I don't use flash if I don't have to..

They had all kind of decor to celebrate the new year.

Moving on with our tour-

As I looked in the ballroom I spotted who else.. the family...

Cousin D's mom and dad were there with the other side of the family.. All the family spends 2 or 3 nights there on New Years.. I think we may try this next year..

Yes, the one pointing at me is the one that made fun my water supply.

I sent here a text earlier in the day saying:

Happy New Year. I am proud to report that I have water and supplies stored for y210. I am ready to support your butt when the lights go off..

I then ran up to the dance floor to get a few pics of the girls..wow were they toasty..

We found Cousin D in the pizza lobby.. watching for girls..

That's it of our tour...

It looked like everyone was having a good time.. I then went to work at midnight to

ring in the new year..

Four O'clock Foto

2010-01-01T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

Our veggie pizza that I made the other night.. yummo. Spinach, Black olives..

If was really weird typing 2010 in the autopost section.. guess I better get used to it.

A Major Award

2010-01-01T12:01:00.000-05:00

As I was scanning pictures I found these that I took off the TV of A Christmas Story. Then I started thinking about all of the friends I have made through blogging and how they would never let me out in the cold with my tongue stuck to a flag pole

and thought..

ya know these gals need an award. They take time out of their days to read my stupid stories of my life and then even comment.. you just don't know how excited I get when I get comments.

So for some old friends and some new I have an award for you.. and it's a Major award..
Taaaadaaaaa.... to my friends, may we meet in person one day.. Copy and paste this pic in your side bar and remember that I will bring water when your tongue is stuck..

I would love to travel around and visit everyone I met these last few years.
Anyone up for a road trip?

Here's to my friends. Jump on over to their blogs..I think they are real weiners..

Cathy at TCKK
Cathy at Latte for Me
Lissa at Whoo's that Girl it's funny cause when I get a twitter..D goes..is that Lissa Joy
Brandy at Not an Average Soccer Mom

Justine at Stupid is as Sister Does
Sara at Photogablog
Anita at Far above Rubies

Thank you all and for all the over visitors.. I truly do love comments..
I feel special.. and I like to feel
sPeCiaL...!!!!

2004 recap

2010-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

2004

2004 Him (the a$$hole I dated back then) and I went down to Norris Lake with my parents. We spent most of the time of this dock fishing. I love fishing.. We took D and Cousin D to play putt putt. Look how little they are...D and his best friend (at the time) on his 10th birthday.

Since then D dated a girl for over a year..

his best friend was always around..

then one day D and the said girl broke up..

Wyatt his best friend moved in.

D was relieved cause she was a ...well.. strange girl..I'll leave it at that..

Now said girl and best friend have broke up..

We spent a lot of time hanging at the pit with the extended family. I love this place.

In 2004 we got Fraynk the Turtle.. actually we got Claynk first but he died after 6 days..

so we moved on to Fraynk which is still living peacefully in D's room. We did a lot of fishing this year. I caught a big nasty turtle and a softball size clam or shell..they were both nasty.
D still let me in the bathroom with him... and he actually didn't mind the camera back then.

Baxter the Bean waiting for the water to be turned on.
This was Baxter's favorite spot to sleep..right on me.. now a days Emma has taken over that spot.

Fall of 2004

As I was planning on moving into a bigger house so we (him, his kids, D and I) would have more room to move around something happened.

We took one of his son's friends home after football practice..

The friend's parents were going through a divorce. He said that the

wife was a "bitch"

his words not mine..

On October 30 I moved and he left after helping..

he never came back.

1 year later he married that "bitch"

Yeah....

She can have him..

sO mOving on...

This is where we moved.We put up Christmas lights..oh they were pretty. D, Wyatt and I went to the Christmas Parade like normal.D finally had a tree to climb in.. He loved this place.. In 2005 things took a turn.. a turn in all different directions..

Find out tomorrow what happened in my life.. and I should have kept the name..

As the World Flops..

it suits me to a T...

See ya tomorrow for 2005 and whirlwind...

Happy New Year

Four O'clock Foto- snowman

2009-12-31T16:00:00.003-05:00

Four O'clock FotoThis little guy sat on our kitchen table during the holidays.. I got a few pics of him.. he is much cuter in photos. read on down for my first part of the decade..

Goodbye single digits..hello 2010

2009-12-31T13:39:00.008-05:00

Looking back I had to share some never before seen photos of my life. Before I got my digital camera I took hundreds of photos but they are not saved on the computer and probably never will be.. maybe when I retire in 12 years I will do that.. I should but just don't have time. Anywho.. here is a breif recap of my life from 2000 til the end of 2003.

2000-

I remember being semi Y2K ready..

I had 2 liter bottles of water saved in the garage. along with powdered milk and canned goods, batteries, candles and God know what else.

I was at my SIL's when the ball dropped. Everyone yelled..

Happy New Year" and then

they all turned to me to see

if I was still breathing..

and ya know what?

They could actually still see me cause...ya know what..

the lights stayed on...

It's a miracle I say,, A miracle!!!!

All that hype almost gave me a heart attack..

They still kid me about saving water and I'm sure today, tonight or tomorrow one family member will call and ask if I have my water saved...they love me..they truly do..

2001

2001 was uneventful til that terrible day in NYC. 911 was on a Tuesday, by Thursday night we had a plan to pack and take off NYC.. On Oct 1st we did just that along with 6 friends and tons of supplies.. Read about it here.

2002

Here goes the twist.... yes I have to admit it is a twist but Whatever..with a capital WWWW... you wouldn't understand unless ya lived it so no Judging...

(before 2002)A girl that I worked with started dating a fellow married coworker.

I had worked with him for 11 years.

They never got along, she had both of us go with her to a benefit and then named all the guys she had slept with right in front of us..

"this is so and so...I had sex with him"

I actually started marking spots in my cigarette pack

there were so many.

We (him, her and myselft) were 3 of the 6 that went to NYC after 9-11.

I remember walking down the street of Times Squre in front of Elton John looking out the windows of Mtv and she told him to grab my hand as we crossed the street..

I thought that was the oddest thing cause he didn't not belong to me..

I was very uncomfortable.

In the winter of 2002 some issues came up with her children.Him, myself and another from work was trying to work on the problem

(whole nother story)

Well they broke up, he got divorced and well yess, him and I started dating.

There I said it..

I knew it was stupid then and even more stupid now. So we dated for the next few years and you can read that in the next few posts... Anyways. moving on... I have no pictures of 2002 on so I will move on to 2003...

2003

March of 2003 Baxter the bean was born to his mother Lili Mae Hurricane.. We found her during Hurricane Lili so hence the name. It's he a little sweetie...?

July 2003 We (him, myself, D, and his 3 boys went to Disney World for two weeks for baseball tournaments and a long needed vaca...

D and I lived here.. our little duplex that I didn't really love but it worked.. I was actually afraid of the woods behind the place. I started selling Mary Kay in August of 2003 and here are pictures of my spread during a winter open house. The other view of the kitchen with my mom's boobs on the left hand side.. My neice after applying every sample of makeup in the place. She was going for the floozzzy look. Here I am at my SIL's house on New Years Eve.. they were probably telling the Y2K story again.. My little D on Christmas morning 2003.. look how short his hair is.. and the watch.. he wore that watch for years.. he lived night and day with his watch.. also see Baxter's butt on the right side.

For 2004 and on visit me tomorrow for more.

7 hundred what?

2009-12-31T00:01:00.002-05:00

The little one came home from school a few days before Christmas break

and said that her little boyfriend

{that she won't talk to but they are "dating"}

got her a Christmas present. ...

okay.. so we ran out and got him a $9.00 box of football cards..

great gift for a 11-12 year old boy, right,

Right?

So she takes his to school but comes home and says that he couldn't bring her present to school cause it cost too much.. What.. ?

Then she hears through the grapevine of friends that it cost

$750.00 worth..

WHAT!!!!!?????

So tonight I ask her if she ever got her present and she said yes..

as she was going to get it I told

G that if it's a 700 hundred dollar necklace then in

about 8-9 years

I'm gonna become a cougar..

I then told him I would still keep him around...he just laughed.

She showed it to us and I thought it was going to be a cheapy ole' bubble gum thingy..

Oh hell no.. it's nice.. looks like

white and chocolate diamond dust ...

I then nudged him and said

Defiantly cougar material.....!!!

Just kiddin folks..I'm not gonna take the preteen's boy toy from her

but she needs to hang on to him.. or atleast start talking to him..

Stockings

2009-12-30T20:12:00.003-05:00

This is what our livingroom looks like early Christmas morning.. and it only gets worse. I do go a little over on the stocking stuffers... I usually have thing lying on the floor next to them... G just rolls his eyes and then says.."you think you got enough"... OMG they are only kids once...

I jazzed up this photo with Picnik.. www.picnik.com

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-30T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock FotoThe Baxter Bean lounging...again.. that's all he does..all the time..

Four O'clock Foto-Cranberries

2009-12-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

I had cranberries in the frig so I threw some in a bowl

and covered them with raw sugar.

I think D was going to kill me..

he took one bite then started to

spit and spatter..

I think he ALMOST threw up in the bathroom.

He then took a big drink of water and spit that out and headed downstairs

where I heard him say..

"Hey guys try these, they are REALLY goooood.!!!!"

That little shitbird.. the he laughed the whole way upstairs.

All the kids tried them and didn't care for them but atleast they tried.

The rest of the bowl is sitting on the table waiting to go to the birds..

Itsy Bitsy

2009-12-28T21:04:00.003-05:00

SPIDER....

!!!! MY BUTT!!!!

Saturday night G came to bed and I asked him if he has seen Emma.

He said NO...

so I got up to check on her.

I had on my comfy organic pants and as I walked down the hall to the kids room

I grabbed my leg and said,

"omg, something bit me"

The next fine morning I woke up and was trying to find the coffee for the girls when all of a sudden and

I mean SUDDDDDDEN...

I got sick to my stomach and felt like I was going to pass out..

I took a deep breath and went upstairs and slid onto the floor and woke G up.

I tried to get sick once and then I was okay..

I got back into bed and slept for 3 more hours.

Once I got up again I didn't feel RIGHT.

I then asked my mom, dad and G to look at my leg..

G decided I needed to go to urgent care.

My mom drove down with me where they told me to take Benadryl

and if it didn't get worse like puss coming out of them then I would be okay..

I had two bites on my thigh (top pic) and about 4 on my knee (bottom pic).

They don't itch real bad but I was concerned with th fainting thingy...

I guess that little thing liked my comfy pants... I hope he's dead somewhere cause

I don't like passing out.
Someone ate good that night..

4 O'clock Foto- China

2009-12-28T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock FotoChina in our dining room

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

After we made a mess with the styrofoam from 50 thousand Christmas Village houses and fake snow I gave Baxter his tub of Catnip or Kitty nip as we call it. He was flying high as a kite.

Here is making out with the empty tub...

I walked through the livingroom and said

Get a ROOM!!!!

Color Carnival

2009-12-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Smoothie straws
Click here for more Color Carnival

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

The whole family at

The Cathy Chronicles

would like to wish everyone a very

Merry Christmas

For the past few years I have received different parts of the Willow Tree Nativity Scene. I just love these figurines. This year I displayed them on a wardrobe in the kitchen where they were kid safe..or at least I hope they are.

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-23T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock Foto Christmas candle collection in our living room to make those cold night just a little warmer.

Where is Santa? Find out here....

2009-12-23T00:01:00.002-05:00

Where is Santa?

Starting Christmas Eve you can track

Santa

yourself on your computer..

great way to get the kids in bed.

I will also be working at midnight Thursday night..

so I will tracking his travels too.

check it out- Norad Santa Tracker- check it out..

Merry Christmas all.!!!

Wine Glass Charms

2009-12-22T20:00:00.002-05:00

Wine Glass Charms

Or should be called "stemware" charms cause we don't really drink wine..especially the kids..lol They drink water, rootbeer or my Coke...

I got tired of the plastic cups and Sharpie marker so last week when I visited my parents we made (or my mom made most) wine glass charms.

Saturday night when we had a bunch of kids over to make buckeyes I handed out the "rootbeer" glasses and had them pick a charm. At first they thought I was crazy but then went with it and had fun. As I was showing the girls my charms they wanted to make a bracelet so we scattered beads everywhere and made a few.

Over the years and different crafts and crap I have been into I have collected a selection of beads for future needs.. I have more craft junk..actually a whole room but that's another story.

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-22T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock FotoEmma was so thrilled to get her piggy in..NOT.. then have a camera in her face with a really bright flash.. she was not a happy girl

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-21T16:00:00.003-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

Calling Santa

Baxter + Laser Pointer = Baxter the red nosed kitty cat

after this picture he took off flying around the house in preparation for the Christmas Eve flight.

Buckeyes O-H I-O

2009-12-21T00:00:00.004-05:00

Saturday night the kids had a few friends over for dinner and a Buckeye Party. Couple of the little ones chose to go skating so the other 6 were left to roll peanut butter balls.

As D was in the living room signing Mr. E yelled "get in here, it's a family affair" They all have fun hanging at our house.. They play pool and Xbox in the basement.. They slide down the steps in a slick sleeping bag and they wrestle and watch movies upstairs.. Even though it's a lot of work and they eat us out of house and home I know where they are... They are not out driving around, drinking or getting into trouble. So for the price of chocolate chips, powered sugar and a jar of peanut butter we hosted a fun party and they all learned something. I don't think a couple had ever made Buckeyes and one had never tried Cheese ball so we had a good time. I even had them drink out of wine glasses during dinner and thought that was fun. Cousin D said "you want me to drink root beer out of a wine glass?" I said "sure, why not!!" We made about 10 dozen Buckeyes and chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles.

Is your house the teenage hangout?

Monochrome Monday

2009-12-20T18:12:00.000-05:00

Monochrome MondayMy son in his first motocross race 2008 Visit Monochrome Monday

Four O'clock Foto- Emma

2009-12-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

While we were putting together our

St. Nicholas Square Christmas Village

Emma found herself a spot in the middle of the fluffy snow.

Smellin' Good

2009-12-19T23:00:00.001-05:00

Man o' man...

I'm telling ya..

this candle from Bath and Body Works- Slatkin and Co is AWESOME..

I have it on a burner in the downstairs outhouse next to my dish of lye soap and O' Yummo... I love it.

If ya need a quick last minute gift grab a few of these...

Bath and Body Works had them on SALE for 2/$20.00 ..

I wish I would have bought more... O' Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin... My new favorite.
The oldest keeps shutting the outhouse door so the smell stays in.. I keep opening it so the smell comes out. I have never had a burner before and I really like it.. I don't have to worry about the flame of a candle.. I plan on buying more for the other outhouses in the house.

Shadow Shot Sunday

2009-12-19T21:30:00.000-05:00

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more great shadow photos.

Probably 17 years ago I painted these carolers by hand.

I have painted ceramics since I was wee little in Blue Birds.

Color Carnival

2009-12-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas Visit more Color Carnivals here

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

Four O'clock Foto

Running Christmas lights

Bloody Mary and Christmas lights

2009-12-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

Earlier this week I went to my parents house for a few days.

Tuesday night my dad and I had a few drinks at the local restaurant/bar

and then had mom drive my land yacht around town to look at lights.

Between the stopping and going I did get a few pics.These two neighbors were having a light war..

I don't think anyone else on the street had a single light out.. This Santa was catching fish in the light pond.This is a covered bridge at the town park. Most of my pics look like this. My mom the lead foot.

We had fun.

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-17T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock FotoJoin me! Post a photo at 4pm every day or every other day and leave me a comment.

Photos by my dad

2009-12-17T08:00:00.003-05:00

Monday night I headed for my parents house for a few days. As I was driving out to see mom's display of flowers I handed my dad {below} the camera and told him.. "take some pictures, you have about 1000 or so available" Very soon he got comfortable with my camera and starting shooting away. Here is our jouney...over the river and through the woods.

We stopped at the footprint rock but since it was like 26 degrees we decided that the adventure into the woods would have to wait til spring.

Farm land...as far as the eye could see.

That was our trip, hope you enjoyed my dad's new photography skills.

Brandy Snifter for the whole neighborhood

2009-12-16T23:00:00.002-05:00

Mom my gave me an early Christmas Gift.

It's a large, VERY LaRGE Brandy Snifter.. We guess it would hold about 3 gallons..
I just love it..

I really can't wait til after Christmas when I can move it around from room to room.

I might put it on my tub and lights some candles for a relaxing bath.

I couldn't wait to get it home..

I stuck some berry garland and a string of lights

in it and placed on the wardrobe in our kitchen.

I also put a MOM MADE bow around the base.

I told mom that I could put it on the coffee table and get long tubing and

we could ALL sit on the couch and drink from it..

It's HUGE!!!!!Here's how huge... I placed a Coke can next to it just to show it's size.

Look at that baby....

Now ...not to break it... Let's see it I have it next year.

Flowes and bows

2009-12-16T19:19:00.004-05:00

My mom the master bow maker is at it again. She has been making grave stone flowers for my cousin's monument business. They have a big booth at a trader's market.

Way to go mom...your artistic ability is shining through.

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-16T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock FotoThe wreath on our front door. Another bow my mom made.

Do you have a picture that has a story? Post it at 4PM every day and leave me a comment for others to come visit.

Sepia Scenes- Homework

2009-12-15T20:00:00.003-05:00

Sepia ScenesHomework

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-15T16:00:00.001-05:00

Four O'clock FotoEmma loves when I go down in the basement to my "ghetto studio" She loves to have her picture taken.. I did two gals senior pictures and she was right there at their feet wanting the spot light.
She is such a silly girl.

Houston...we have a problem

2009-12-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

{His name is G and he is addicted}

St. Nicholas Square- Christmas Village

G has an obsession...he is obsessed with St. Nicholas Square Christmas Village. He loves to buy these things. He buys them during the Christmas Holiday and then after. There were two more in the basement and the Dockers box is full of figurines, trees and a road. Our plan or my plan is when the kids are older and the grand kids are too small to play pool we are going to make a whole village on the pool table. Until then they we have two different villages going. One in the living room and one in the dining room.

Watch for town pictures coming soon right here at

The Cathy Chronicles

where I live with an addict..

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-14T16:00:00.002-05:00

Four O'clock FotoThe kids playing around on Thanksgiving..

Monochrome Monday

2009-12-13T20:00:00.001-05:00

Twine Visit other entries to Monochrome Monday here

Four O'clock Foto

2009-12-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

Four O'clock Foto
Join me in my daily adventure- Four O'clock Foto- Just post a picture at 4pm everyday and leave me comment so others can come visit.