Somethings that made me feel good...

Volunteering: Husband and I volunteered for a local shelter to serve Thanksgiving dinner. We really had a great time, despite my trying to pimp out my cranberries, sweet potato casserole and candied yams. No dice for the most part, which was a little disheartening. But Mr. Catman was popular with his stuffing (dressing) and green bean casserole.

Sharing information: Was chatting it up with some colleagues about random things about Chicago, since they weren't from here. And lo and behold, I shared some very useful information about a couple of Michigan Avenue stores: Bloomingdale's and Sephora. See, I guess non-locals are not aware that any makeup counters in this area will do a free makeover. And one of these colleagues was interested in trying new makeup, to help cover a large birthmark on her face, about which she was understandably self-conscience. So I passed along that she could just stop by a makeup counter and try the makeup before purchasing. It's not much, but I'm hoping it made a positive difference in her life. And helping do that made me feel good.

Good day and good idea?

Finished Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. AWESOME book!!!

Worked extra time this past week, so I had today off.

• Slept in


• Raked some leaves


• Went to the library


• Shopped downtown Naperville


• Bought some Penzey's spices


• Bought new running shoes


• Bought a peppermint mocha from Starbucks


• Had a nice dinner with the hubby

Also thought I had a real good name for a daughter (if we have kids). Ready?

Kitten Catman. Mr. Catman laughed out loud at me and told me to ask my mom what she thought. I guess I'll sleep on it, considering we haven't decided if and when we're having kids.

Two words...

soy 'nog! Woo hoo!!!

Kitchen Madness!

What did happen this weekend?


1. Made homemade unsweetened applesauce.
2. Made apple butter in the crock pot.
3. Canned the apple butter in 12-8oz jars.
4. Made a peach pie. (Apple would have been more chopping than I was interested in.
5. Used leftover pie crust to make little 'pies'. Filled some with leftover apple butter. Filled others with a chopped almond, honey, vanilla filling. Baked for 18 minutes at 375 degrees.
6. Prepared and currently baking a bone-in, ribeye roast.
7. Prepared and currently baking red potatoes, chopped green pepper and onion.

Appliances used:
Canning pot, mini chopper, mixer w/ juicer attachment, dishwasher, stove, both baby and momma ovens, stock pots, mini cuppy caker pan, roasting pan, numerous utensils, etc.

Trying to decipher to whom to gift the apple butter to for Christmas. Trying to decipher if I'm going to make some homemade applesauce whilst the bags of apples are so cheap. Trying to remember what I was going to hunt the Internet for...

Coppers and Choppers

Sat. afternoon.

Ding-Dong.

MC: (opens door) Good afternoon.
Officer: Hello. Could you tell me if this is where Mr. Catman lives? And is he home?
MC: Yes, he does, but you just missed. He has been helping his friend move all day.
Officer: Does he drive a black car?
MC: Yes.
Officer: Does his friend drive a silver car?
MC: Yes. What is this about?
Officer: Oh, he's not in trouble. I would just like to speak with him. Here's my card. If you could just have him call me either today or tomorrow, I would appreciate it. And you are related to him, how?
MC: (stammers)
Officer: His wife? Sister? Mother?
MC: No, I'm his wife.
Officer: Okay. If you could just have him call me, I'd appreciate it.
MC: Sure thing, no problem.
MC:

My mom loves birds...

Childhood songs:

"There was a little bird and he had a yellow bill.
I lured him in on my windowsill.
I fed him with,
crumbs of bread...
.
.
.
.
.
.
Then I SMASHED his little head."

"Turkeys trotting down the lane
down the lane
down the lane
Turkeys trotting down the lane
Watch out Thanksgiving day.

Don't go near the house today
house today
house today
Don't go near the house today
Oh turkey, run away!"

Rearranged the office today. Got some stuff done. Painted another picture. Ran out of canvas. Also groomed my husband. See, he had this hair, at least an inch long, coming out of his forehead, near his eyebrows. I couldn't take it any longer. Bye, bye hair, just like Mom's birdies...

Oh yes, and the range arrived today. I don't know what I think about it. It's just so...clean, black and menacing--like it's waiting to mess up my cookies or something.

Oh yes, and husband got his berry pie last night from his mom. He's so spoiled.

Depression vs. Stress--What I learned from my EAP

I learned a lot from using my EAP tonight. I learned that all of my crying is more to do with STRESS than it is with DEPRESSION. This is good news, as I was afraid I was in need of medication or something.

How do you know you are stressed? My symptoms include:
-hunched shoulders
-neck, back pain
-lower energy
-trying to finish other people's sentences
-the urge or ability to cry often
-inability to focus
-taking on extra work
-working early, late hours

The good news is that I can change my life--the bad news is that I have to sit down and chat with my boss about it. I have fears of being looked as like I am a failure or that I'm a pansy. I also need to recognize that peoples' lives changing around me is a good thing--but that my want for changing is more just to avoid the stressors that I face. I need to deal with my current stressors in order to become more successful at what I do, not run away or add to them.

What is also helpful is that Mr.Catman has agreed that he has seen the symptoms too.

Also--getting the new range tomorrow evening. I'm hoping to see it all set up by the time I get home...happy, happy, joy, joy.

Ding, Dong the Range is Dead

It is broken. It's about 20 years old. We figure it's time to buy a new one. What do you think of this?


Photo Courtesy of HowStuffWorks.com

P.S. Best quote today: "Happy Wife, Happy Life."

A Catching Up Post

We're back from Italy. It was awesome. We went to Amalfi Coast, Ravello, Capri, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Naples, Florence, Rome.

We had a 1-day cooking class outside of Rome. Learned how to make pumpkin lasagna, gnocchi, veal scaloppini...deeelish.

Saw the most beautiful sights, ate delicious food (especially in Florence), enjoyed the world's best made wine, etc. Just breathed in a lot of life's adventures...

Since then, we've been back, trying to recooperate. I went to Omaha for a conference for 4 days and am now trying to catch up on all of the things that were put off for the past month and a half.

Stress is coming too often and am searching for things to relieve it. Perhaps slapping plants?

Don't know. Just know that stress is bad and makes me cry at no particular times. I have been keeping myself in outside of work, only because I feel completely volatile right now. As long as I can find an outlet for the stress, all is well.

We're going to my cousin's wedding next weekend. I hope that'll help me destress....

Had a wonderful day with Cristi and Bummie today. We just did some shopping, but we had a great time. Today is Cristi's birthday and Kevin and Di's anniverary. We think they're back from their vacation, but we're giving them some space. Hopefully, we'll all get to catch up soon.

Good morning, Firenze...

Fancy Mia

Snapped this while on a tour in AnaCapri. We're in the Gardens.

My Husband's Photography has been published!

http://signatureweddingaislerunners.com/blog/7-mistakes-to-avoid-when-planning-a-wedding/

Yeah, man. Wow. Interesting things to be 'famous' for, ya know?

In other news: Getting ready for the big 'ol trip...taking tomorrow off just to ease up from the big week we've had. I'm going out to din-din with friends tonight as well. I can't wait to see them all!

Seriously, this might be the way to go...

I had some issues with things at work. Some of it was my fault. My only rightful punishment is this: Force-feeding me cake.

What do you think?

Is this a movie?

Either a movie or a dream, I am coming out of my 'high school', am finding a truck with a bald-headed, goateed man. He moves from the driver's side to the passenger's side. The first day, a blonde jumps in the truck and starts passionately kissing him (they seem to know each other.) (The second day it is a black-haired chick.) They drive over to a sushi/Chinese food place. I follow them. They are eating at the buffet and I never will because I don't know how long the food has been there. They laugh, chat, eat, etc. I follow them back to the next place. It is at this point that I realize I have no friends to share this with, no friends to pretend to eat Chinese food with, nothing. I feel mortified how alone I am.

Now that I have writeen this out, I'm guessing the answer to the title is no.

5 positive things...

about today.

1. Donated to NPR.
2. They said, "Rebecca and Kenneth Caton" on the air this morning because of our donation. Kewl.
3. Learned a new management skill when talking about reviews with people.
4. Did not eat all of my fries at dinner.
5. Booked some major parts of our trip to Italy!

*dancing* Yeah, baby, yeah!

6. Found a cool website, trashthedress.com
7. Went for a 'date' with hubby in his loaner Z4.
8. Summer solstice
9. Didn't watch television today
10. Got home early. :)

Into the moonlight...the serious moonlight

"Let's Dance"

Stuck in my head.

While shifting around the hospital today, I saw a family walk in. Dad and Mom looked about 35-40, son looked about 8-9, daughter looked about 10 or 12. Someone else was with them, but I didn't get a glimpse. Perhaps grandma?

Anyways, I noticed the daughter because, well, I thought she was a bit pudgier than the rest, and she wasn't standing up straight so her gut stuck out. As I passed them, I heard her dad talking about her ultrasound and realized that she was pregnant!

Additionally, on my way home, I didn't let a car out the parking lot in front of me because the traffic was moving. I thought the person behind me was talking with his hands at me a lot, and I kept thinking, "You're not getting your slow car in front of me, buddy." Well, after waiting at a stoplight further ahead, I realized he wasn't gesturing towards me, he was gesturing towards his passenger. They were signing to each other!

So not only am I calling the pregnant girl fat, but I'm being pissy towards the persons with disabilities. I need to get my act together. Sheesh!

I'm such a jerk today.

Additionally...

Page colors have changed in honor of my new pink flowered RAZR phone.

Dream a little dream with me...

What an odd dream I had last night.

A couple of students that we see everyday in the library (they are studying for their boards) were being seen at every locale we were at on vacation. Which was strange, because well, it was. So I woke up in the middle of the night (still a dream) to realize they were stalking us and were planning to abduct me. Why? Because we have money in our checking account. (huh?)

Add in car chase scene.

Add in narrow escapes into weird, dumpy parts of town and local dives.

And you have yourself another dream.

Mr. Catman says to me this morning:
"By the way, our first date was yesterday." *dreamysigh*

Chappy's Back

And what a chatterbox!

I picked him up from O'Hare yesterday evening. First thing he said, "I LIKE your HAIR!" *heart* *blush* Thanks, Dad. :)

Bummie's B-Day/Chappy's Welcome Home party is Sunday in Utica. We're having a Luau...

A coworker of ours fell yesterday and it was not pretty. She could not get herself back up. Security, Fire Dept and Paramedics were here. Oh wow. I won't say much else on here, but will say she fell last Friday too. But some staff members helped her back up. I'm certainly concerned that she is not being properly taken care of, as she has asked me to help her put her right arm in her sleeve because she can't put her own jacket on... I think that's all I will write for now.

Arthritis Foundation Walk at the Riverwalk is tomorrow morning. Bummie, Mom, Di and I will be walking a 5K. Should be fun. :)

It's Friday, it's 9:30AM, it's time to Par-tay!!!!

Taaaaa-Daaaaa!!!!

Hair choppy...

In your Easter bonnet...

Had a nice time off for Easter. Mamaw has a couple of masses more than what was originally thought. This weighs heavily on my mind.

We did have a nice Easter/Birthday parties yesterday. It was a frog-themed event. Pretty cute, I thought. Although I got lots of jokes for being old. *sigh*

I did have a dream this morning. Basically, I was in class with Prince (before he was famous). In his report he mentioned how well I had helped him search for the information he needed (that he read aloud in class.) After class he asked if we could go to the movies. I said, "sure." Well, apparently, in Prince's mind, going to the movies is going back to his dorm room where he can grope you. *Shock* I went back to my dorm room where, of course, I had only underwear and a see-through sweater on because Prince had just molested me. And, of course, he had the keys to my dorm room, so I had to hang out in the lobby, where all the Chitties were having a 3:00AM brunch because one of the Chitties, Rachel (don't know her), had died. I cried out terribly for her, even though I didn't know who she was.

Life Updates...

1. We are supposed to be getting a new roof tomorrow. Not sure about the weather if this, in fact, will take place.

2. Played tennis this morning with my husband. *heart* It was so much fun to DO something active together. Walks don't count, since all he does is complain about them. We had a good time just volleying the ball back 'n forth. We only played 1 game/pt each, seeing as that our serves were sucking ass. But I certainly took the time and thought about how great it was to be out and enjoying some fresh air with the hubby.

3. Am getting used to the new boss. Thus far, I am so happy she is here. :)

4. Am the "Matron of Honor" for Rae-Rae's wedding next August. (Bummie is "Maid of Honor".)

5. Dad is in New Orleans helping with Katrina effort. He will be there until the end of May. He's an independent contractor for the gov't. I think he's having a good time doing something completely different. He's some kind of quality control guy.

6. Mamaw had a mastectomy a week ago. She is doing ok, but is bummed that she cannot dress herself. She also keeps bitching about the fact we gave her a new shirt to wear but didn't wash it yet. Oh yes, and when Bummie, Mom and I were leaving from visiting her in the hospital, Bummie promptly mooned the entire wing of the hospital, just in case Mamaw was looking. :)

7. Going to AZ Palm Sunday - Holy Thursday to visit our staff out there. Also to make sure the boss is comfortable with everything out there. This will be our only joint visit. After that, she will probably be doing most of the traveling.

Ta-ta for now. Must find some good books to read. We still do not know if we are doing a big vacation this year or what...

He's my favorite honkey...

King Tut


& he gave his life for tourism...

A picture of you...

What kind of pictures would you put together in order to create a collage that really describes you? Just curious, as I am having to do this for a work-fun project.

I married a city slicker...

So, we spotted a mouse in our house tonight. And Mr.Catman thinks it is a good idea to catch it in a box. I made a pictorial story of our happenings thus far...

Click on the picture below for the full pictorial story...