kateoverjoyed

2011-09-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

I'll be back soon....

Power of two...

2010-05-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing what two people can accomplish?

Some things you'd never be bold enough to do alone, all of a sudden becomes fun....an exciting challenge...something do-able?

Scott and I put in a garden. It's something I wanted to do this summer, but figured I wouldn't get to. Could not...would not have ever attempted it without him. The amount of weeds and crap (pardon my french...is crap really a french word? I don't think so...) back there was pretty overwhelming. I think we both got each other excited about the idea, and before you knew it...there was this cute little garden. There are 4 3'x3' (is that right sweetie?) beds. In one bed, we put in 7 different types of tomatoes, some the funky heirlooms I love! Accompanying the tomatoes are some leeks (never tried to grow these before), and a couple of flowers....one is this trailing pink thing...don't remember the name, and the other is a California poppy...although it is a much deeper orange that the typical poppy (so perhaps it isn't considered a California poppy then? Hey...can I pick them if they're in my own garden? Don't want to get busted :)

In another bed we put in 2 cucumbers that the rollie pollies find just delightful and delicious...we'll see how they do. :) The two zucchini are getting huge already, and will probably crowd out the cukes and the two flowering plants we put in. Both are yellow...one is like a pretty yellow daisy with a purple center...very happy!

The other is this unusually shaped dark yellow flower. In the third bed are lavender, red dianthus (carnation), bush beans, basil, dill, cilantro, and Italian parsley. In the last bed we got in two pumpkin plants, which are also going to get huge. Scott said we'll see if they turn out "great". Get it? hehe...I know....corny, but cute! :) There's also a trailing flower that's white, and this mixed flower that looks like someone ate a rainbow and threw it up. Tmi? Anyway...it's very colorful!

Oh yeah! And here's the best part! Scott designed a drip system for them. It is awesome! So I think the plants are going to be very happy.

Having someone to do this with has been such fun! The power of two...

Fun day in the city

2010-05-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

Hello again reading audience--(all two of you ;)

Had a great day in the city (San Francisco) on Monday. I monkeyed around with the GPS and plugged in a bunch of Guy Fieri's recommendations for future restaurants to try in the Bay Area. We tried to go to one of them for breakfast.....http://www.bubbas-diner.net/ in San Anselmo, but unfortunately, they appear to be closed on Mondays. Bummer! So, we picked another place on the the GPS, and it turned out great. Easy Street Cafe in San Anselmo. I remembered that I'd been there a few times before when I was living in San Rafael. It was very good, although a touch pricey. They opened up one of the walls, so it was like dining outside. We overheard the waitress say there was only about two weeks in the year that they could do that because of the weather and temperature. It was so nice!

Stop #2 was the Anchor Steam Brewery. We thought it would be fun to get a tour. We pulled up and were amazed at the overwhelming yeasty smell hanging heavy in the air. We climbed a couple flights of stairs and it spit us out into this office. I was thinking to myself that this didn't seem right, but one of the ladies asked us if she could help us. Scott said we wanted to get a tour and she asked us our names. Apparently, you can't just drop in...you have to get a reservation. They're booked until July. Too bad they don't make that more apparent on their website! Bummer #2. That's ok...we'll be back.

Next, we headed to Chinatown. I was excited to do this with Scott! He's so much fun to explore with, and he helps me be bold about trying new things. We seemed to go down the street that is mostly grocery and dim sum...bakeries. Pretty cool stuff....some pretty gnarly looking things too. Are there really people out there who pay $800+ for a lb of dried seafood? Have you smelled dried seafood? Yuckatoowie :P This one alley-like place was filled with these huge tanks of various fish, turtles, frogs...and cages and cages of birds piled up on top of each other. Smelly...blucko! PETA would not have been happy! Bought some rice crackers just because the packaging said "want want rice crackers" ( I love engrish, so I HAD to...it was necessary!). We also bought some goofy trinkets for Heather and Chris. Next time, we're going to eat there because the dim sum looked great...but our tummys were still full of breakfast. Oh...and we both towered over the locals...lol...

We found a Starbucks to rest in for a bit in Union Square, then went to Japantown. We went into a section Scott had not shown me before. Had some great shops in there. One was called Daiso. Apparently, this is like a Japanese version of a dollar store. I went nuts in there! And again...had to buy everything that was misspelled or goofy because I love random, and that's how I roll. They had installed these nice fountains and filled them with Koi fish, so we got a couple peach crepes and sat and watched the fishies. Scott kept swirling the water with his finger, so I reminded him that they pee in that water...then he had to go and say that all the water we drink was once someone's pee...serves me right! :P but dude....tmi...

On the way out of the city, we stopped by the Palace of Fine Arts and walked around a bit. Watched this mean swan chase the little baby ducks. Must have cheesed it off or something...? Then we went to Fort Point, which was closed, but we got some great shots of the setting sun streaming through the Golden Gate Bridge. We watched the sun set at the Marin Headlands, which was beautiful...

We were wiped, but it was a really great day!

California Academy of Sciences

2010-04-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit late with this post. Scott and I checked out the revamped California Academy of Sciences. We headed there on a Monday, thinking the crowds might be smaller. It was pretty packed, as it was. No school buses full of kiddies, but lots of parents with their tots in tow. Absolutely loved the aquarium stuff. The planetarium was cool, but if you're prone to motion sickness, perhaps this isn't the place for you. Of course it was full of the usual big bang stuff, and these astronomical dates I have no idea how they arrive at...but hey, it was narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, so that was cool. :D

The Amazon jungle was an interesting idea, but it wasn't as impressive as I'd hope it would be, especially after seeing the long lines to get into it. Kind of a letdown...no snakes hanging from trees (ok, ok...that's probably best), no sexy man in a loincloth swinging from above...what the??

The roof was really cool though. It was covered with vegetation, and looked like the set of Tellitubbies. Tinkiewinkie was a no-show though. :) It looked like plants native to the California landscape. Neat to see the bees buzzing around too!

We had lunch their at their cafe. Wow...it was huge! Great big cafeteria-style place with a little of every thing you could think of. Scott got pork tacos, and Vietnamese spring rolls. I got steamed pork buns, and chicken tamales. We shared. It was all yummy! :)

I'd go again just for the aquarium stuff though...Very cool things to see there!

2010-03-18T08:12:00.001-07:00

I want to go somewhere....!

2010-03-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

What a nice weekend. Spent Saturday with Chris. We went to "the mall". I put it this way, because if you know me at all, you know I hate malls...especially The Plaza here in Santa Rosa. Not sure why exactly. Is it the crowds? Is it the teenagers that are only there to check each other out? Is it the fact that I rarely have any money to spend? Probably a combination of all three. Chris needed a birthday present for his dad though, so I suggested some old school rock t-shirts, since Tim loves music so much. This meant Hot Topic. They had some good ones. Unfortunately, someone set off a stink bomb in there. We went from Macy's perfume department, which smelled lovely, to Hot Topic, which smelled like a...well...you get the idea. I'll wait for you outside, buddy....

The next morning, after a nice breakfast at Star, Scott and I headed out to the coast for the day. It was about a year ago that we went to Bodega Head on a whim, and were amazed that we could see whales passing our coast. Couldn't have timed it better if we tried. In fact, this time we did try, and nothing. It was very nice out there though. We spent a couple hours (just long enough for me to get a tiny burn on my face...ouch) just relaxing on a blanket there. When the wind kicked up, and cooled things down, we went over to The Tides and got a picnic table so we could have our lunch. Afterwards, we just drove, winding up in Tomales. We went into The William Tell House (I think that was the name), which claims to be Marin's oldest saloon. Felt like walking into a Stephen King movie to me, but it was cool. Tried Scott's Guinness. That was a first. Kind of like drinking liquid smoke...but you get a fun foam mustache. :D Actually, being in a bar like that...that was a first too. I'm such an innocent...amazing he puts up with me. I told him to surprise me with what I drank. He ordered an IPA. I was really surprised that this seemed stronger than his Guinness. It wasn't bad, but I think I like something a bit sweeter, or more mild at least. I'm getting an education, that's for sure.

Oh yeah, and on the way out to the coast, we stopped by this little nursery on the outskirts of Sebastopol....Rose and Thorns, Crown of Thorns? or something like that. They have pygmy goats, and very bizarre chickens. Loved watching patient Scott have a conversation with a goat, as it head-butted the fence in front of him repeatedly. Scott is so incredible with animals. What a gentle spirit this man has. He always amazes me.

It was a really nice day, and hopefully, a good omen (no, I'm not superstitious) of how this week off from school will be.

Spring Break 2010

2010-03-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

Wow...does that sound like a big event....Spring Breakapooluza? I have a week off. Although I'm appreciative of the time away from classes (although I should use it to get up to speed in Chemistry!), I usually find myself being bored as most of the people in my life continue with their day jobs, and lives. I'm hoping for a road trip somewhere in there, but we will see if that materializes. I'm thinking Tahoe...perhaps Monterey? Actually, San Francisco might be fun too. We'll see...

So this last week was midterms. Chemistry was tough. I think I did better than the first exam. Haven't received it back though, so we'll see. Algebra was also a difficult one. I wasn't too confident with that one either, although when I brought it up to Allyson (teacher), she looked it over and said I did really good. Do you think that is really good meaning a B...or really good meaning an A?

Have made some personal changes, so hopefully we'll all be seeing a healthier, happier Kate. Man, my butt and legs are sore!

2010-03-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

I saved a worm's life today. He was inching his little way across the driveway. I just couldn't run over the poor little guy. Life is precious. Have a good one!

Help!

2010-03-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

So here's the situation, because I'm sure you want to know. I'm sitting in one of the study rooms in the library at SRJC. My friend Jana and I decided that even though we don't have a class together this semester, we are still going to meet up here every week to study. So she studies physio and I study chemistry. Problem is, Jana overslept and she lives in Cloverdale. I'm in a study room that's supposed to be for two or more people, and I have to go potty! Is it gross that i just told you that? If I leave, the vultures lurking outside will swoop in and take my room. What to do, what to do?

2010-02-27T10:51:00.000-08:00

Good morning and happy Saturday :)

Once again, I'm sitting at my computer, with an incredible mess of chemistry books and papers spread out before me. Have to get through the end of the chapter examples. Have to...It's rainy today. I can see green buds on the tree outside my window, like a promise of Spring just around the corner. :) There's a break in the rain clouds, and sunshine is streaming in. Been trying to think of something fun to do with Chris today to balance my day of studying. A movie doesn't sound appealing. If I suggest shopping, this will mean the mall....yeah...THE MALL....(she says with more than just a hint of distain). Why do teenagers like places like Pacsun and Hot Topic anyway? Not my idea of fun. So, that makes me ask myself, what is your idea of fun Kate? Have I lost my ability to entertain myself? Hmm...and where do you suppose I might find it again?

2010-02-11T09:55:00.001-08:00

It's thursday. About to leave for algebra class. How do I feel about that? Meh...(Shoulder shrug). On the upside, Clif mountain bars rock...just sayin..:)

What? Can it be??

2010-02-08T14:39:00.000-08:00

Yeah...it's me...miss me? Didn't think so...lol... I think what I'm going to try to do is just give you snippets of what's going on with me when I can, instead of some long novel. I'll give it a try. Some days i may be feeling uber creative, and other days, well...you get my point.

So, currently, I'm taking a Chemistry 60 class, as well as Algebra 2. I did have a speech class, but I dropped it right away once I realized the load of the previous two classes. I think it was a smart move for me. I figured I could either do a crappy job in all three, or a semi-decent job in two of them.

Anyway...Algebra 2 is going very well. Although I hate the room we're in (cause it's quite...um..shall we say moist? primordial? health hazard?), I really like my teacher Allyson, even though she's a fast talker. Parking is back to it's usual hair-pulling craziness. I was 10 minutes late on my first day to class, and this was me being an hour early in the parking lot, doing the circling thing. People (me included) just hover at the end of the aisles like vultures, waiting for someone to pull out. So, I'm sitting there, growing older. There's an older gentleman waiting across the aisle from me in his truck. We see each other and nod. There's a code of conduct, don't you know... :) I'm first, and he knows it. Someone finally pulls their car out, and I have this rush of relief for a mere second as I watched in disbelief as this woman swoops in out of no where in her big old Cadillac and takes the spot I so desperately need. As I am a lady, I will refrain from using expletives here. Let's just say I was not a very happy woman at this point. The old guy in the truck got out and tore her a new one anyway. I just drove to a different lot, which made me walk across campus, causing me to be the 10 minutes late. I was in tears at that point, I must admit. Once I get to class, I stay toward the back, as it appears that all of the desks are taken. My teacher points to this old desk in the front of the room with a stool for a seat. So I sheepishly take my place, feeling on display, like I'm in the dunce chair. So lovely....and to cap it off, this loudmouth woman in my class says loudly enough for me to hear her as I pass by, "if you'd been here early enough, you could have found a better seat." If looks could kill, she'd have been lying on the floor. :P I'm doing pretty good in the class so far though. We took our first test last week and I got a 95%. She also allows us to correct our mistakes and turn them back in to re coop 25% of the points. Nice!

I really don't know what to think about Chemistry yet. It seems so much mellower than anatomy was. I'm hoping that's not lulling me into a false sense of comfort. I have very nice teachers. My lecture teacher Saif Hassam is this mild-mannered older woman. She's easy to take notes from, which is a first for me! My lab instructor should have been a comedian. I get so wrapped up in his shtick (I don't think I've ever written that word before :) that I forget to pay attention to what I'm doing. Probably not a good thing when you're dealing with chemicals and fire. No one was harmed in my first attempt to light my Bunsen burner. If you see me, and I've lost my eyebrows, you can put two-and-two together. Just smile at me, and move on. I'll try not to do this....
or this...

The text book is so incredibly dry. Every time I attempt to sit down and read a nice chunk of it, it ends in frustration. I either don't comprehend what I've read, so I do the read and reread thing, or I get sleepy. Not sure how to help myself here....Do they have to make textbooks so boring? Something very wrong with that. Or is it just my brain?

So, what else? Hmm...well...the holidays were pretty good this year, which is a nice change! Scott and I went and saw the comedian Brian Regan at the Wells Fargo Center for his birthday. He was funny, but I must admit, I wanted to hear his old stuff. This was mostly new material (at least new to us), which was funny, but not quite on the same level. The man could read a grocery list out loud and it would be funny though. His body movement and mannerisms are genius! His brother (forget his name, Scott thinks maybe Dennis, but he can't remember names to save his life, so i wouldn't put money on it! God bless him though! :) opened up for him. Runs in the family. He was good! Been so long since I've actually done something nice for myself like that. It was special to have Scott with me too! :)

Chris is good! He's enjoying his first year of high school at Maria Carrillo High School. Getting very tall and grown up...man, don't I sound like an old mom....jeez. Proud of my kid, what can I say. That's the news for now. Hmm....that was longer than I planned...lol....

2009-10-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

Hello reading audience. I'm sitting here staring at this blank screen trying to decide what to do here. This blog has been a good therapy tool for me over the last couple of years. It's helped me clear my head and unburden myself. I've gotten to write a bit, and be creative...which has been good fun. Oh yes, I've complained (mostly about school!)...probably a lot, but overall, it's revealed to me the blessings in my life. I really do have great family, fantastic friends, a very special guy...

Been thinking about deleting the blog though. Not sure if anyone is reading it, and I have a hard time keeping it fresh and interesting. I mean really, how many times do you want to read about all the disgusting adventures the girl is having in anatomy class? Very Silence of the Lambs. Clarieece....I ate his liver with some fava beans...and a nice Chanti. Ewwww.....

If you're out there, and you'd like to voice an opinion, I'd love to hear from you!

OOOPS!

2009-09-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Nothing wakes you up like accidentally walking into the men's bathroom with a guy utilizing the urinal. I am embarrassed. Hope he didn't see me!

Totally busted too. The women's bathroom is right across from it, and a lady was coming out as I was making my hasty retreat. She burst into laughter and said "You go girl!" What does that mean anyway??

Anatomy Exam #1

2009-09-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

It's over!!!!! And...I think I did pretty well. The questions I wasn't 100% sure about, I tried to make my best educated guesses based on how the words sounded....you know...the Latin and Greek derivatives? May have screwed the pooch there, but at least I tried. The one essay question was this--compare and contrast pseudostatified columnar epithelial tissue with areolar connective tissue. Luckily for me...I knew plenty about both. Whoa! Am I turning into a nerd? I couldn't figure out the compare and contrast part of it though, so I just listed everything I knew about them. What they look like, what their function is, what the characteristics of them are, and where you can find them. Sound good? Hope Dr. Wilson agrees...

Wow, am I burnt! What a relief though....I'm a much happier girl! Now to learn the skeletal system...

Wanted: Chicken Soup

2009-08-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

As much as I don't want to admit it, I give in. I have a cold. It's not allergies...it's a full blown cold. I'm sitting here missing someone, and trying to cram in all the anatomy information into my brain for what's shaping up to be a brutal exam and lab practical. Problem is--the info is duking it out with the mucus. I know...not a pretty picture. Who will win? Stay tuned...

The upside, if there is one, is I'm looking out my bedroom window here on the second floor and I'm noticing it's that magical time. You know, the time when that beautiful golden light streams in through the trees right before dusk. It's soooo pretty! No one should be alone when it's like this! Makes me miss him more...get a grip girl...

thought you'd want to know...

2009-08-26T14:29:00.001-07:00

Did you know that everything that we see visually on a person is dead except for their eyes? Never heard it put that way until today. Interesting...

2009-08-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

I made it through week one. It wasn't so bad. I think we begin dissection this week. Yikes. I've got my lab coat and rubber gloves standing by.

I found a great, albeit expensive, rolling backpack at Sports Authority. I dragged Chris around one evening to several different stores on the hunt for one. They seem to have two kinds. Cheap ones made for children--poor quality, kind of small, and with a very short handle. Then there are the really expensive, but great quality ones like the ones I found at Sports Authority and REI. I chose the black Jansport one from Sports Authority. It has a huge capacity to store stuff, and the handle is not only sturdy, but it locks into place. The thing cost me $80, but I think it's going to be worth it. Now...does my coolness quotient go down with the use of this handy item? I submit that it does not.

Day four...

2009-08-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Lab #2 today. We looked at slides under the microscope. Deudenium...stomach...trachea....kidney...They ALL looked like bacon! Lol!

I really like my lab partners--Tonya, Jana, and Victoria. Very nice ladies. Gave myself a headache today by having the light resolution up too high on my scope. Sometimes I learn the hard way. :) We're learning so much info, so fast. I'm really going to have to stay on top of the memorization stuff. Algebra is cool, cause I get to do my homework online, and I don't have to turn any in. Honor system...because of Arnie's budget cuts. No more aides to grade math papers apparently. Stupid of you not to do the homework though....that'll bite you in the you-know-what. With my math bundle, came an online code for this website called MyMathLab. Sandy (my adorable latina teacher...hmmm....interesting....why are all the teachers at the JC either hispanic or granola?) has it all set up for us, so we can do the problems on the computer. The nicest part is it gives examples of similar problems in case we need extra help. We can also take practice tests there.

Had to drop my speech class because it conflicted with my anatomy class. Anatomy is #1 priority this semester. May have to take that next summer.

Chris seems to be loving high school. Especially the abundance of pretty girls! A lot of fish in this pond. I was hoping this would be a great academic year for him. Oh geez....

Day two...

2009-08-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Happy to report today was better than yesterday. Today was my first anatomy lab. 7:30am. Parking is better at that hour. :) Yesterday I had to park in Petaluma. Ok....a slight fabrication. Felt like it though. I wasn't late, but all the seats were taken by the time I got to class, so I got to stand for the first class. I'm liking the feel of the lab better than lecture. It's a much smaller group of people, which is less intimidating. Our lab instructor, Nick, seems like a really cool guy! So does Pete, his teacher's aide. Nick was way more positive than Dr. Wilson the day before. She gives the lectures. I felt really discouraged after her talk. What a negative woman! Made me question whether I'm going into the right field or not. Who is she to harsh my mellow? rain on my parade? hmmm...out of cliches..............

In the lab, there are 6 lab stations. Mine was with 3 other women...all super nice! We exchanged info with each other so we can study together. Nice to make some connections. It's going to be a lot of work, but I'm determined to do well!

My complaint of the day is my back and shoulders. I'm carrying so much book weight in my backpack, that it's taking a toll. Actually broke some skin on my shoulder. I WILL be buying a backpack with roller wheels. Either that, or I'm rigging Chris's skateboard up. Think he'd go for it? I can hear him....Mom, you are sooo weird!

I decided that I would spend my afternoons in the Doyle library and do my homework in there. It's quiet. It has free wifi. The tutorial center is right there. Only problem with it that I've noticed is it's so quiet, I get sleepy. Oh yeah...iced coffee on level 2. :D Problem solved! I have this awesome new netbook now, so I can stay connected to you know who. So cool!

I like my algebra instructor. She's adorable. Couldn't be more than 25. She has a very different teaching style from my last teacher, so I'm hopeful this time. She also says that she calls on us, so that will keep me focused. Let's face it, I'm never going to be a math teacher. That would be disastrous for everyone involved. I just want to understand it better before I move forward with Chemistry. Oh yeah....and that kid over in the corner glaring at me?...that's Aaron. I'm not high on his list of favorite people....ever since I made him lose his recess time in 6th grade. Haven't got a clue what he did either....must have been bad if I went that far. Maybe I'll torture him tomorrow and plunk myself down right next to him...good idea?? Thought so...

Summer's over??

2009-08-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

I'm just going to say it. Back to school blows...

This summer flew by! Thanks to Scott, I got to have a lot of new and fun experiences. I can't speak for him, but I really had a great summer. Hope he did too. I am so grateful!

This semester of SRJC starts on Monday. I'm taking Anatomy, Algebra (again), Communications 7 (world speech), and Counseling 60 (what the heck is it?). Dreading the early classes, but I know I'll adapt fast. Probably feel like I'm working again. I hope. I'm sure my coffee intake will increase exponentially. Hope I can handle the load....small sigh....

And in other news....my baby starts high school on Monday too. Big sigh...

Reflection

2009-08-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

About to enter my fifth decade. Wow! How do I feel about that? It's a very mixed bag really. Getting older naturally makes me think of the past, as well as the future. I've said it before. Didn't expect life to look like this. A year ago, things looked so bleak that I just couldn't even allow my thoughts to go beyond that day. What a difference a year makes! I'm getting closer in my education goals, which feels great! (school starts in a week! Yikes!). My family and friends are doing well. Scott. Scott is a big change. I now have Scott. What a blessing he is to me, each and every day. Never know what life's got planned for us, do we? Since I don't know what God's got in the works for tomorrow, I'm not going to worry about it. I am a happy girl. What an amazing feeling!

Ok...anyone care to place a bet on how long it will take mom to remind me that Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson Family today? Ah....birthday traditions!

Stuff that happened 40 years ago:

The first man landed on the moon. It was the Apollo 11 mission. Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the face of the moon. Armstrong flubbed his line of "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." and famously said "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Richard Nixon became president of the United States.

The RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 came into service.

Golda Mier of Milwaukee became the Prime Minister of Israel.

Public Broadcasting Service was established (PBS)

The first US military troop withdrawl of Vietnam began.

Senator Edward Kennedy drove his car into a pond. A female passenger was found dead on the scene. This was named the Chappaquiddick Affair.

Manson family gruesomely murder 5 people.

Wal-Mart incorporates into the Wal-Mart stores, Inc.

Charles De Gaulle resigns as President of France.

The death penalty is abolished in the UK.

Woodstock attracts more that 350,000 rock and roll fans.

The first transplant of a human eye.

Seiko sells the first quartz watch.

The first ATM machine is installed in the US.

The Boeing 747 jumbo jet makes it's debut. It carries 191 people, mostly reporters and photographers, from Seattle to New York City.

UNIX is invented. That one's for you sweetie!

The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is introduced.

A free concert by the Rolling Stones is held in Livermore, CA. The Hells Angels are hired as security, resulting in numerous deaths.

Sesame Street makes it's debut on PBS.

The Beatles last public performance is held on the roof of Apple Records.

Popular films:

Funny Girl
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Love Bug
True Grit
The Midnight Cowboy
Easy Rider
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Stats:

Tangerines--29 cents a dozen
Skippy peanut butter--85 cents
a dozen eggs--49 cents
Average price of a house--$15,550
Rent--$135
Average cost of a car--$3,270
Gas per gallon--35 cents a gallon

Famous people born in 1969:

Jack Black
Kate Blanchett
Jennifer Aniston
Matthew Perry
Gwen Stefani
Renee Zellwegger
Ice Cube

2009-08-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

Chris scared me awake at 4 am this morning. He used to be quite the sleep-walker, but as he's gotten older, he's almost stopped. This morning I heard loud rustling coming my way, complete with my bedroom door being thrown open...and Chris flopping himself down on top of my bed. What scared me the most was that my dad (insomniac that he is) was already up downstairs, and was apparently opening the front door at the same time to check and see if the newspaper had come. I thought it was Chris going outside. He did something similar when we lived at Spring Creek. Scared the living **** out of me! I got a shot of adrenaline so big...let me tell ya! I was relieved to see him when he threw open that door. Getting him to go back to bed in his room was not easy! Probably going to be mad at me...if he remembers at all...which is usually not likely. I tried to go back to bed after that, but apparently adrenaline and sleep are not good bed buddies. Finally gave it up at 5. Since I don't seem to make the time to blog much these days, I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to get some thoughts down. I seem to be quite lucid. We'll see...

Let me see...Well, day camp is over for the summer again. Seemed to be a tiny little camp this year. Don't know what that means for next year. The JC is about to start again on August 17th. This semester this lucky girl gets to take Anatomy. Complete with a cadaver. Oh joy! I also decided to take algebra again. I hated the fact that I didn't do well, and I really want to understand it. I'll need it for my chemistry class when I take that also, so here I go again. Hopefully, I'll discover some brilliant part of my brain, and it will all click! Yeah...right! Another class I'm taking is called Communications 7. Something about world speech. I dunno. All I know is it involved public speaking...gulp! Helps to have done a bit of subbing at RVC I guess. Whatever...maybe I'll try picturing people naked. Does that really work? And you're not supposed to laugh, right? Lastly, I needed 1 more unit, so I'm taking an online class. I don't even remember what it is at the moment. Doesn't start until November anyway.

Got my books a couple of days ago. All used...$280! Ouch! Could be worse I guess. Look at me being all positive! :) Chris is also starting a new school. We made the really tough decision to enroll him at Maria Carrillo High School. It has been really difficult for me to cope with. I had always had a dream that he'd go the full ride at RVC. The tuition became too much. I think this change may have had something to do with Chris's sleepwalking adventure this morning. Stress seems to be a trigger for him. He's going to do great, but it is a really big change. I'm sure the fear of the unknown is what he's worried about. Me too for that matter...We meet his counselor and get him plugged into his classes next week.

Scott and I took another trip to Redding a couple of weeks ago. Had a really nice time visiting with some of his family. His wonderful cousin's Kim and Bill hosted us again. The only down side was the tremendous heat. I think, at one point, it was around 115 degrees. You just can't even really go out in it for more than a few minutes at a time. But it's a dry heat!! So is my blow dryer, but I don't want to walk around all day with it blowing in my face. How does anything get done around there? I felt like a sloth. We did manage to go visit a neat old museum. It was the old courthouse/jail/bakery/general store for Shasta. Got some neat pictures, which I will post. We also visited the Sundial Bridge again. Last time, we saw it during the day. When I got home, I looked it up and found out it's all lit up at night. What the pictures didn't show was how the entire bridge is covered in those huge garden spiders. Yuck! My flesh was crawling the entire time. Scott thought it was amusing to pretend to throw one at me too! Isn't he a prince?! Pretty sure that's my last visit to the Sundial Bridge, thank you very much!

Turning 40 in two days. Naturally, I'm feeling a bit reflective. My life is sure different from what I thought it would be like. I was driving through San Rafael on the way back home the other day. I got slammed in the face by a huge rush of emotions, and the tears started. Not sure why exactly. I guess some old dreams that will never be, or something like that. Letting go of them, piece by piece. My hometown kind of reminded me of some of those, I suppose. I'm enjoying my life right now, and I have found a wonderful person who wants to share it with me..and he makes a lovely addition to the friends and family I'm already blessed with. This is a really good time in my life. So why does the number 40 sound so foreign to me?? Come on! I feel like I'm still 18. Aren't I supposed to be flowing with wisdom and maturity? Dignity and grace? Have you seen me in the morning? Oh well...I'm me. I guess that's good :)

2009-06-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

Man, I'm bad about being consistent with this blog stuff. Sorry about that!

Chris had his first concert with Destroying the Evil. Actually, he's become a band of one I guess, as the other guys have slowing fallen out, or gotten grounded, or whatever teenage boys do. Fatt Matt got Chris a guitarist/lead singer and a bass player to jam with(jam! Look at me trying to be the cool mommy!), so he did get to perform. The venue was the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma (looks like a crack den), and the cause was a benefit concert for the new Christian radio station, Broken FM. Chris's band was one of many that played that evening. I'd never gotten to hear Chris play the drums other than in chapel at school, so I was amazed at his skill level! He was awesome! I was (am) so impressed with my kid!! Scott and Judy went with me. I think we all had a good time. Thank goodness for those foamy ear protector thingys cause it was super loud in there! Am I getting old, or what?!

Scott and I recently spent the day in SF. Turned out to be a really nice day! We made another attempt at the Marin Headlands, since the first time had tornado-force winds (ok...perhaps a slight exaggeration!). This time the weather cooperated for us. We walked down to the Point Bonita Lighthouse, and walked over that rickety bridge. So glad it wasn't windy! Even then, we could feel it moving. We also got to see the Nike missiles. We were able to go underground and check them out. Very cool! A lot of nukes, pretty close to home. Scary!

After lunch at Tommy's Joint (yum!), we headed to the Japanese Tea Gardens. I hadn't been there since I was a kid. It really was like I'd remembered. Tranquil and beautiful. Scott, being his very sweet self, bought me this lovely paper lantern painted with cherry blossoms as a momento of our day. It now adorns a special corner of my bedroom. :)

Our last stop for the day was Japantown. I've driven by it a multitude of times, but had never stopped before. We went down into this underground shopping mall. It was filled with all things Japanese (duh!), like a couple of Japanese video stores, lots of anime stuff, a huge Hello Kitty/Sanrio store that we passed by (the little girl in me wanted to go in, but I didn't want to subject my tour guide to it!), an equally huge two-story Japanese book store (too bad I couldn't read a word of any of them!), and just about any kind of Japanese food you'd ever want to eat. We did stop at a candy store because I was thinking it might be fun to get some for Chris, but I couldn't find anything that he wouldn't find suspicious. We also stopped at a crepe place. I got a strawberry tapioca drink. It was really good, and really odd. It had these black round tapioca pearls at the bottom that get sucked up in the huge straw they give you. They were very chewy like a gummy candy, but good. Not sure I've had a drink I had to chew before! Scott got a crepe. I think it was filled with green tea ice cream. Seemed to have some fruit, and red bean paste. The best part was that the person who made it turned it into this fun monster face, complete with beety little chocolate chip eyes, red bean paste hair, and a strawberry lizard tongue. It was so cool!

A very, very good day!

Brian Regan....

Summertime!

2009-05-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

Is it really here again?! I don't feel as prepared for it this year! I just wrapped up the hardest semester I've had yet. Looking forward to recharging in the next couple of months. I'll be doing the day camp thing again this summer.

Scott and I just got back from a trip to Redding to meet his family. The Aldrich clan is pretty large...and this wasn't all of them. Such lovely people. I felt at ease with them immediately. We drove with Scott's sweet daughter Cassie, and her equally wonderful husband Noah. We stayed with Kim and Bill. Kim is Scott's dear cousin. He says she's like a little sister to him. The stories she must have! Note to self...talk more to Kim. Sweet to see how much they care about each other! Scott's brother Keith, his wife Dee, and their son Nathan were down, visiting from Oregon. I also got to meet Scott's brother Bob, his wife Julie, their daughter Melissa, her husband Tav, and their precious baby girl, Petra. Tav is apparently working toward being an RN too. It was neat to talk to him about his goals. Kim's son Daniel was present to provide comic relief...sounds like he's all about pyrotechnics and appears to be an uber fan of that wholesome restaurant chain, Hooters. Far be it from me to disparage his depth of character in any way! Nice guy though! Just don't call him Dan :)

That afternoon, after we'd had a chance to rest for a bit, we drove to see Sundial Bridge. What an incredible site. Why Redding though? The modern structure should have been in Japan or someplace like that. Scott and I were looking down on it and wondering if it lit up somehow. When I got home, I found out that it does, but we missed seeing that. Too bad we weren't there after dark. It was pretty warm, so we sought some shelter inside and got a snack while the rest of the family got a sunburn. :)

Scott's Aunt Sharon came for the bbq Friday evening with her friend and companion Rod. Sharon is such a sweet woman. She makes me feel like family. Hard to believe she had just had surgery a week before. She looked awesome! She is Scott's champion and holds a very special spot in his heart. After a lovely meal of barbecued steak (thank you for grilling Noah!), potatoes, and salad, we played Apples to Apples well into the evening out on their patio. Fun to hear the brothers talk about the various ways they used to torture each other. Unfortunately, Keith looks like he may have gotten the worst of it! Poor guy! Snake pits, falling knives, dart impalement, caterpillar trauma. Amazing he survived! And their poor mom, God bless her! The food bills...the countless trips to the emergency room...the stitches...

Sunday, after Kim and Bill filled us with pancakes and eggs, we loaded everyone up and headed to a park. I don't know what the name of it was, and Scott and I were trying to guess as to whether the body of water it was next to was Lake Shasta or not. It was beautiful,nevertheless, wherever it was. (Note--later found out it was Whiskeyville Lake) We had a nice picnic lunch, and played more games. I'd brought Mexican train with us, thinking we'd teach them how to play. Many of them already knew it though. Scott's mother joined us at the park. She'd driven over from Susanville with a friend. It was nice to meet her, although we didn't really seize the opportunity to talk with each other. I don't think she was expecting me. :)

On the way home, the car was all about technology. Scott and Noah were both watching movies on their ipods, while I just listened to music on mine. Scott even got me to watch Rambo with him on the way to Redding! I'll do anything for that man! Somehow, even Rambo is romantic when you're curled up in your boyfriend's arms sharing a splicer. Pretty sure he owes me a chick flick! And no falling asleep this time! The car was nice and air conditioned. Got a refreshing beverage at the drive-thru Starbucks. What an amazing world we live in! I think we left around 3pm and got back home around 8ish. It was a really fun trip, and I felt privileged to be included.

Jim Gaffigan......

Brian Regan......

She survived to see another day...

2009-05-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

We made it back! Bandcon Lalapalooza Fest 2009! Wow...were we wiped! It turned out to be an interesting experience. Got some great girl time with a couple of dear friends, and some quality time with Chris. I missed Scott, but I'm glad I went. The bus wasn't even that bad...had my Ipod...my cellphone for those ever-essential texting purposes....my buds Liz and Patty. All in all...not much to complain about. They even gave everyone a goodie bag as we got on. In it was a band t-shirt that all of the women found uncomfortable. We dramatically improved them by performing surgery with scissors. Good idea Patty!

We stayed at The Residence Inn by Marriot in Sunnyvale. I was so impressed by this place. I highly recommend. Wish I could have tried the hot tub, but there was zero time. I roomed with another mom named Kate. :) After we got to the motel...ate some Subway....chilled for something like 20 minutes (you think I kid?), we loaded the fancied up (think tuxedos and gowns) kids back on the bus and headed to Milpitas High School. The men's and the ladies ensemble choirs performed for the judges. It was so interesting to watch these judges. They both talked through the songs into a recording device. I guess their ears are tuned to hear what they're looking for. The rest of us thought it seemed rude. The day was filled with a lot of standing around and waiting. I'm not sure how many other schools participated, but it seemed like 8 or so. After the choirs, the instrumental band got to perform a couple pieces.

Once we were finished at the high school, we loaded back up and went to Home Town Buffet for dinner. Wonder who picked this place? It appeared that several of the other schools had the same idea. It was packed with scads of impeccably dressed young people.....filling their tummies with chicken a la king and 10 different types of jello. I must say....this place....not so good. We were hoping to get some decompression time after we got back, but we were running late. Only got half an hour before lights out. I was assigned a room full of girls to look after. I got a couple of panicked phone calls at lights out time regarding important stuff like manicures and french braiding.

The next morning was an early one. We were supposed to be cleared out of our rooms and ready for breakfast by 6am. Chris's chaperone Tom came to me and said Chris was the first one up....got himself showered without any reminder. He was so impressed! So am I! When did he grow up? Later, Chris confessed that his room played video games until 2am. Smart boys...real smart. After breakfast, we did the bus thing again, only with full marching band uniforms (polyester....toasty!) The band marched in front of Milpitas High for what...30 seconds? With a police escort no less. Our tax dollars at work. Then....a bunch more standing around until the jazz band performed their 3 songs. They sounded great! I'm such a proud mama!

Once the kids changed, it was off to Great America for the day. I haven't been there since I was probably 18? It felt pretty much the same. The junior high kids had to have adult chaperones (which they were not too pleased about!), so Patty, Liz, and I spent the day together with 8 of the precious darlings. Some were more enjoyable than others. (Code for...man, these kids are being bratty!) Chris has never been much of a ride rider. The anticipation of it makes his stomach hurt. I don't push him. I must say, he was so great that day. He never complained...at least not to me. The only thing he wanted was a funnel cake. By the time we tried to get him one, the line must have had 50+ people. I felt so bad. He shrugged it off, and said he'd wait for the fair. Such a great kid I have!

At 5:30 we all met up at the Nick Theater for the award ceremony. RVCS received 5 trophies...all first place...all categories! It was awesome! It says so much about the music program at our school, and especially the leadership of Jim Humphreys. He really gets these kids to give there best! I was so proud of them!

It was time to go at 8pm. We were exhausted from not only two jam-packed days, but from all of the whining. It was a pretty quiet bus ride home. I think Liz was the first one asleep. You should have seen Chris all curled up in a fetal position on that little bench. Me? I texted my honey the whole ride home, as I was starved for his attention. Something tells me that's what Miss Patty was up to too....Alan :)

2009-05-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

I think I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. This semester has been intense! Remind me why I'm doing this again? Oh yeah...so I can get my scrubs and make a difference in world...and being a homeless person doesn't sound all that appealing. I like regular showers. I still have three weeks in front of me. This means essays, and final exams. The only class I wanted this summer turned out to be on the Petaluma campus...4 days a week....at 7:30am. Consequently, the girls taking the summer off. Going to work at His Image again though. This time I'm not the arts and crafts director. After so many years of that, I'm going to enjoy a break. Maybe my creative side will have a chance to come back. I have been cooking however, as I now have a special someone to cook for. That has been fun...and I think he appreciates it!

Chris and I leave on the band trip to Great America this Friday. I think he's excited because his "girl" friend is going too. So Mom gets to be the spy this weekend! :) Oh...and get this....someone thought it would be a good idea for Mrs. Brown to ride the bus with the kids! Doesn't that sound delightful? I do realize how fast my boy is growing up, so I'm going to concentrate on having fun with him this weekend..and taking lots of pictures. I will post them when I get home.

More Brian Regan....

2009-04-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

I'm a little more than half way into this semester already. Started out with seven classes....four remain. I feel like I've made some decent progress. I find myself struggling along in algebra and history. History is my Achilles heal this term. I don't enjoy my professor's style of teaching, his strange and manic personality (I know...imagine that...Kate thinks her teacher is odd...do we see a pattern? Maybe it's just me?! You'd tell me wouldn't you?). The text is so incredibly dry that it lulls me to sleep....and after I wake up with the book stuck to my face, I wonder...is there a better way? Has to be... It's a pity, because I normally enjoy history. So I'll continue to plug away at it in spite of these feelings. No one said this would be an easy process. Truth be told, the hardest part is in front of me now. I need to stay focused on just getting through today's stuff.

Everything else is pretty great. And that's all she wrote........

2009-03-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

OK all you Kate fans out there (Hi Alicia...Patty...Jude! :)....yes, she's reporting in. I'm off this week. It's what the JC is calling winter break. Too bad it doesn't coincide with RVCS's Easter break. So, what am I doing with myself? Out of my boredom, I'm working on getting ahead with school stuff. This is all going to hit the fan if I don't. I have an essay to crank out, a project about myself written in comic book form (should be interesting!), and the very dreaded History midterm. Can she do it? I'll get back to you on that one!

Isn't it interesting how God puts people in your path when you least expect it? I've met someone who is occupying a tremendous amount of my head space...which is scary and exhilarating at the same time. So is this what happy feels like? I didn't know....cool!

2009-02-27T18:06:00.001-08:00

Just sitting here trying to think of what is newsworthy. School is keeping me busy right now. I felt concern about taking this many units at once. Wasn't sure I could accomplish it and keep an A average. Semester's half over, and guess what? I'm doing it...who woulda thunk it? I got the first part of my Pell Grant finally too! God is really providing for me....us. Thank you so much for all the prayers coming our way. He's clearly hearing them!

I'm meeting new people and having some fun for a change. It's amazing how that will improve ones perspective.

I could go into more details about my Mongolian project, or the looming algebra test.....but who wants to know about that stuff?! Perhaps another dose of Brian Regan is in order?

Just loafing around......

2009-02-01T20:02:00.000-08:00

I know! I stun myself at my brilliance!! Some days my humor just seems so...well....is inspired the word? Inspired...yes...

Today was the first of my two classes on yeast bread. Boy, did I get the times off! I thought today's class was 9am to 12:15pm. I thought it was kind of odd that a class on a time consuming art like bread making could be accomplished in a little over 3 hours, but you never know! That JC and its mysterious ways! It turned out that 12:15pm was the lunch break. Kate--you dummy! The class was supposed to go to 5:30pm. Our adorable little teacher let us go by 4:30 though, so that was nice! I was really surprised at the male/female ratio in the class. Way more men! Weird! We learned how to make a poolish (pronounced "pooh-leesh"). It is apparently the wet starter for most yeast breads. We made 2 baguettes, 9 dinner roles, 1 loaf of rustic Kalamata olive and rosemary ciabatta bread, and brioche dough that we froze until next weeks class. It actually was a lot of fun, although I really missed my Sunday School class! I met some really nice people too, so that was a bonus! I'm really glad now that I took the class. When I got home, I cut a piece of the Kalamata bread for mom. She took one bite, and handed it back to me, while making a rather pinched up and unpleasant face! Thanks a bunch mom! She coulda humored me don't you think? Where's the love?? I'm not surprised though...mom likes plain old Oroweat white bread....so what does she know anyway? Hummph!

Homework? Sourdough starter.......with pineapple juice no less...

Have you ever noticed how much I enjoy the "...?" I use it a lot.....................

2009-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

I had an interesting thing happen to me. About a month ago (maybe even a month an a half) I was contacted by this woman named Corrine who had apparently seen my blog. She said she wasn't spam, and she worked for Turner Publishing Company. She said they were putting out a book on the history of Sonoma County, and would I be interested in having one and reviewing it for her on my humble little site? I thought this sounded like an amazing opportunity, so I agreed, sceptically wondering to myself if it was legit.

Well...I surely did receive a book in the mail. How about that, I thought, as I slipped off the business card she'd attached confirming that it was from Turner Publishing Company. Historic Photos of Sonoma County. It's a big, beautiful coffee table book, with amazing old black and white photos of our lovely county and how it grew into what it is today. I combed through it several times hoping I'd see a relative, as my family has quite a history in this area. Although I didn't recognize anyone, I certainly saw very familiar names and sites. It was wonderful to see what downtown Santa Rosa used to look like. I remember listening to my Aunt Ada talk about going to Rosenberg's to shop for clothing and yarn to make make her trademark slippers. Man, did those slippers hurt your feet...but that is beside the point.

The book doesn't just center on Santa Rosa. Every area of our fair county is touched upon. The text is written by Less Torliatt, a former teacher at Santa Rosa and Piner High Schools. He was also an editor and writer for not only The Press Democrat, and the Petaluma Argus-Courier, but also The San Francisco Chronicle. Torliatt discusses the span of time beginning with the 1850's, taking us through the devastation of the 1906 earthquake, the prohibition years, the prosperous times Sonoma County enjoyed after the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge, and ends with a discussion of how the county was affected by the war years.

I loved the photos! There's a great photo of Luther Burbank in there, with none other than Helen Kellor! Seems like we've welcomed many famous faces over the years. I thought the book was very interesting, and did a great job showing the true spirit of Sonoma County. I highly recommend it, and it is now out in book stores, so go check it out! With distressing news everywhere we turn, it was nice to be transported to a simpler time. It was also encouraging to see that although Sonoma County has weathered hard times before, we do press on in a way that shows our local pride and a hope for the future!

Thank you for thinking of me Corrine!

The Scoop......

2009-01-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

Once again....my poor blog goes neglected! I've been busy. I'm full-time school now with a lot more homework. Sometimes it makes me feel really overwhelmed...and frankly, kind of old. Why, oh why didn't I do this when I was younger? I frustrate myself! I doubt I would have taken it so seriously back then. Most kids appear to feel like they don't have much to lose. Well...this time around, I know the gravity of my situation. I think that is a large part of why it overwhelms me. It's up to me. I have no wing man. No...that's incorrect. Okay...God is my wing man! Better?

Somehow, I've wound up with 7 classes this semester. I was hoping to get into Communications 66, but the teacher didn't have enough room to add me. Her class appeared to be filled with the football team. This sent me scrambling to get three extra units so I would keep my full-time status for the sake of scholarships. I replaced Comm 66 with a couple small online courses......and yeast bread. Yes....bread making. It is obviously not a nursing prerequisite, and probably something I personally should avoid, but it was an easy unit. The class only meets two times....both on Sundays. Chris is excited that I'm going to learn how to make good pizza dough. Teenage boys often think with their stomachs! So my schedule has me on campus two days a week. The rest is online. I feel like I'm burning a lot of gas going back and forth though, not to mention the constant circling for a parking spot! Don't get me started on JC parking! Aaarrgg!! I have two classes each of those two days. Algebra at noon, and History 17.2 (after the Civil War) at 7pm on Mondays, and Algebra again at noon, and Humanities 5 (world cultures) at 7pm on Wednesdays. Besides the algebra teacher, I clearly am the oldest in the math class. That is a bit weird. I thought to myself at first, well...maybe they'll see me as some sort of wise mentor or something. Um....Wrong!! They're right out of high school, and don't need the help of rusty old me! Oh well! I've only had the history class once, because of Martin Luther King Day. I hope it gets better. My teacher is going to wear a hole in the carpet with his pacing back and forth. He may eventually poke someones eye out with all the hand flailing. Better sit a couple rows back. I felt exhausted after watching him for a couple hours. He took an immediate liking to one of the men in the class, and they proceeded to have a long discussion about politics. The rest of us could have left the classroom and gone home. I don't think he would have noticed. Fun times ahead for me! Somewhere in here I should probably put in a paragraph, so I'm going to do so right now....

Although the subject matter is quite interesting, my humanities teacher is, shall we say--unusual? She's quite granola (as are many instructors at the JC I'm finding), complete with homemade clothing and an all roads lead to God mentality. Can't you just smell the patchouli? She had us move the desks in a circle so that no one is elevated above another, herself included. Although she said she hates the idea of grading, she sure has assigned a butt load (please excuse my crudeness!) of stuff for us to do! When you speak to her, her face changes, eyes to the heavens, like she's processing your words in some internal computer and formulating the correct response. Quite a stoic gal! I guess the deal at the jc is that you must meet some weirdness quotient in order to teach there. She assigned us four different books for the semester--one she wrote (it cost $60 bucks!), one is called "Persepolis," about a girl growing up in Iran during the reign of the Shaw (did I mention it's in comic book style?), one is about what people eat in other countries, complete with a recipe for boiled goat head soup (Yum!), and one is called "We are Everywhere, the irresistible rise of global anti capitalism." Now, doesn't that sound like a page turner?! Two of my classmates got into a rather heated debate regarding how Americans should feel about how we repressed other cultures in our quest for world domination. I thought one of them was going to pop a blood vessel! My teacher just sat there looking nonplussed and rather scared! Going to be quite a semester! Here's another paragraph......

The other three classes are punctuation online (for me, easy peasy---yes, I am that ana..uh...retentive!), how to take an online course (I already know how to do that, but like the bread class--easy unit!), and information literacy, which helps the student develop better researching habits. I also have the task of making sure I've applied to every scholarship I qualify for, because I'm hoping to be a full-time student instead of a worker bee. This way, I will get to the nursing program before my son is done with college. Pray for me! I'm going to need miracles this semester!

So...what's new with you?

Happiest of New Years!

2008-12-31T15:14:00.000-08:00

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

I'm really excited about this new year. I feel change in the air. It is tangible. Life sure is different from the way I'd imagined it would be. I'm not letting the tough stuff taint the good. I choose to count my blessings instead. God's not random. He controls the smallest of details, so I know his plans for me are under control. Just a small sample of what I'm am thankful for: God loves me each and every moment of my life...I'm in pretty good health, although I need to lose some weight (Um...duh! I'll probably be blogging a lot about that issue later!)...I have the bestest kid...he is happy and healthy too...Mom and Dad are still plugging away even in their eighties, and although I grumble about the lack of privacy sometimes, I really do enjoy being with them...I have a great and talented sister who loves me in spite of our differences...Chris and I have not only a roof over our heads, but a cozy and lovely one at that...I have the most wonderful friends...and I love school (who the heck knew that would happen?!)! God has big things in store for me I think! I'm excited to get on with this new chapter. Gonna make a lot of lemonade this year!

I wish all of you a fantastic year, and thanks for letting me be a small part of your lives! You rock!

Stupid Japanese games shows....they're the best!!

Prayer please!

2008-12-27T13:53:00.000-08:00

I need some prayer warriors! I think I've decided to try school full-time and put job hunting aside. I can't seem to find a good one, and at this rate of schooling I won't be an official nurse until I'm 60 (perhaps a slight exaggeration). I could only do this with financial aid. I'm so afraid of making a mistake here. This is big stuff, especially financially speaking. I have to be able to keep Chris at RVC. What if my car doesn't want to get with the program? What about health benefits, especially for Chris?? Do I try to get him on the county plan? What other questions can I write to express my angst??

I need some sound advice please! Do you think this is a mistake, or a good plan?

2008-12-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TO ALL

AND TO ALL

A GOOD NIGHT!

Breathing room.........

2008-12-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

I did it again. I get bored of the blog background. I thought this one was cute, and it was free. Kinda looks like fabric, which I like. The only thing I can't figure out is how to center the body. I used to have a sidebar too, but now it's at the bottom of the blog. What the heck? I also found this music wigget thingy. I'm not very technical. However, I am impressed with myself that I've figured out how to do as much as I have. I need to bug my sister. She's amazing at technical stuff! OOHHH JUDE????????

School wrapped up last Wednesday, I just received an email from my English teacher saying I got an A in her class. I'm so happy about that! I checked SRJC's website to see if Tom posted my Nutrition and Diet Therapy grade, but he hasn't yet. I'm hoping I got an A in that one too! It is nice to have some time off from school.

Thursday night Chris was feeling funny and complaining about back and neck pain. I felt his forehead, and sure enough....fever. 101.6 to be exact. The next day we went to the doctor. I feared he might have pneumonia, since the cough from his last illness seemed to be hanging on. The doctor though it might either be mono or strep throat, so he took a throat culture. It's strep. Poor kid! He's really responded well to the antibiotics. The doctor said he'd stop being contagious after 24 hours on the medicine. He also said if he had mono, Chris would probably break out in a rash in response to the antibiotics. They told me I may have it too. In my brain I'm picturing the can of diet Pepsi we shared a couple nights ago. Lovely! Sometimes I just don't listen to my inner germaphobe. I do feel tired, but not really sick tired. I think it's just from all the brain-strain the last few weeks of school have induced. I guess we will see. Mom was feeling crummy too, so I encouraged her to call her doctor. She really dug in her heals, but I told her that it's Friday and you don't want to be sick all weekend without medicine. She gets pneumonia every year. Turns out she was boarder-line, so she came home with antibiotics too. Too make matters worse, Friday was Dad's 84th birthday. We will make it up to him!

I found a really easy toffee recipe that used saltine crackers. You make a caramelly syrup and pour it over the saltines you've layed out in a jelly roll pan. You bake it and then take it out to cool for 5 minutes or so. Then you pour a bag of chocolate chips on top, let it melt, then spread the melty goodness across. Sounds good right? Not so good if you use jalapeno flavored saltines. That's right.....I was curious about the green flecks...but not curious enough to bother my sick mommy, or even taste one ahead of time. I think they would have been awesome.....minus the spiciness. Silly girl! I'll make some more when I get the right kind of cracker.

Here's the recipe if you'd like it.....I suggest plain saltines........

Terribly Terrific Toffee

1 cup unsalted butter (no margarine allowed), 1 cup brown sugar, 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 40-50 saltine crackers.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Lay a flat layer of crackers out on the foil. Melt the sugar and butter until a boil is reached. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5-6 minutes or until mixture is thickened and sugar is completely dissolved. Pour this mixture over the crackers and spread to coat evenly. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until the toffee becomes bubbly. After removing the pan from the oven, let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle on the chocolate chips, let them soften and melt, and then spread them into an even layer. (You can add nuts, cracker crumbs, or whatever else floats your boat at this point.) Let cool and, if desired for expediting purposes, refrigerate until hardened. Break into pieces the size of your choice. I personally prefer a hand-sized chunk.

One more class!

2008-12-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

As I was cramming more facts into my brain this afternoon, I began to reflect on this last semester. I really did enjoy myself! My English class helped me discover that I can write pretty well. It was stressful at times, but I didn't have to be committed to a facility. I made it through. It was weird having an online class. I don't know whether it was just my teacher or what, but I was frustrated that she didn't communicate with me more. I think that would have made the class even better. Nevertheless, I really learned a lot.

I'm really going to miss FDNT 62 (that's diet and nutrition therapy for those of you that are not in the know!). I won't miss the smelly classroom, or the freezing bathroom with the window that never closed. I will however miss April. Her friendship was a nice surprise. The fact that she knew me as a kid, but hadn't known me as an adult never seemed to be a problem. She was my very first boss when I worked out at Mount Gilead in high school. She wants us to have a Bible study together, just the two of us. We've endured some similiar things over the years. She has such an amazing perspective on life, and God, and marriage. It's always nice to know a familiar face when you walk into a new class.

Then there's Tom. Croc-wearing, shirt untucked, belly hangin' over the pants that are about to fall down, hairy as Robin Williams Tom. You were the most mellow teacher I've ever encountered, which was nice, and also very, very frustrating. I wish you'd yelled at those stupid blond twits who talked through your lecture each and every week....but you didn't. You had to wait for one of us to finally explode about it. Is it because you need hearing aids Tom? Maybe it was your confession last week about your pot-smoking habits? I don't know...explains a lot though! You blinded me with science you weird, weird man. I'll miss you anyways.

Tomorrow night is my last class of the semester. The final exam. Arthritis...diabetes....polypeptides...liver cirrhosis........Wow, I've learned so much! Hope it all stays in the brain...at least until tomorrow night!

Anytime I want to make my child lose his mind, I torture him with this song. Man, this video is bad...love the song though. Takes me right back to high school!

It's beginning to look a lot like.....spring??

2008-12-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

It is officially the Christmas season, but it sure doesn't feel like it to me! It's like spring out there people! I want cold weather....soup weather....smell the fireplaces in the neighborhood weather....wear a scarf weather! I can't get with the program! I've tried to force it. I've watched A Christmas Story, my personal favorite, at least three times. Nope....nothing. Driven around looking at the lights. Nada! The fact that I have zero...I repeat zero dollars to spend on presents does not help my festive mood...or lack thereof! Bummer! AND...still no job. Ya'all are gonna faint on the floor when I finally do get one, aren't ya?! Be prepared...cause it's gonna happen! It's gonna....

I have two more weeks of school before fall semester is over. I think I'm going to get A's in both classes....pretty sure at least. I'm still waiting on word from my teacher on my latest essay on bioengineering. She takes forever to give us our grades! I took exam #2 last Wednesday in Nutrition and Diet Therapy, and I'm confident I got an A. It was easy peasy lemon squeezy! I owe it all to acrostics. Acrostics really work! Trudy Nudy never needs Nancy O'Blancy eating gooseberry jam. Can Roger clean Fido's cruddy dog dish if Ida Irwin is in Raft River, Idaho? Nancy Jonas always eats fish, but Patty eats a hamburger hurriedly every Monday. I know!! Cleaver girl! What does it mean? Don't ask...I don't remember. I remember the acrostics, but not the things the acrostics represented. One of them is the clinical symptoms of liver cirrossis. I remembered long enough to take the test though, so....at least there's that! I've worked really hard on both classes. If I'd known I wouldn't be working by now, I would have taken more of them...but what ya gonna do? In spite of accidentally sleeping through my priority registration (WHOOPS!), I was able to get the classes I wanted for the spring semester. My priority was from 7-9am. Think I woke up at 9:05. I don't usually sleep that late anymore either! When I tried at 9:10, they'd locked me out of registration until 7pm that night. I was sure I would never get the classes I wanted.....another opportunity for me to trust God. I get a lot of those! I'll be taking a history class, and a humanities class. What the heck is humanities? The study of humans? Humans and manatees? I really don't know. The humanities class is a two-fer, so it will count for two classes on my record. That's really cool!

I've been busy knitting, crocheting, and other crafting-type business. Not very satisfied with the knitting and crocheting though....guess I'm a bit of a yarn snob. No...I am positively certain I'm a yarn snob. The stuff at Michael's and Joann's doesn't do it for me. I wind up pulling it all out cause it looks cheap. I'm getting some good practice though. I finally made the strawberry pincushion. Holy cow, it was cute!!! I gave it to Mom so she could take it as a gift to her small quilting group's Christmas party this week. She was so appreciative! Made me feel good to do something for her for a change. The pictures I took of it really doesn't do it justice. I need a new camera. It is a deeper, richer red, kinda like a cranberry. The stitching detail really doesn't show up well in the photos either. Now that I've made one, it will not be my last. Got to get my hands on some more velvet. I am also currently working on some adorable baby booties. I'd like to get good enough to have my own ETSY account and sell something I make. I've tried this pattern before, and wound up with something that looks custom-made for a deformed baby's foot. Oh...sad....deformed baby feet. Anyway, I'm not going to let the pattern get the best of me! I'll keep you posted! Hey...that's funny! Get it? Posted.....on my blog?? Ok...that was random! Man, am I tired!

Thinking about all of you, especially this time of year, and just praising God that he's given me such wonderful friends and family!

Here's a bit of my favorite comic Brian Regan....

And it just wouldn't be Christmas without the soft glow of electric *bleep* glowing in the window....

Lastly....The Manualist plays "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"..........

Interviewin' and booklearnin' and such....

2008-11-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

I guess the good side is I'm getting some interview practice. Nope...I didn't get this job either. I didn't want it anyway....so there! On the bright side, school is going really well! I'm especially enjoying my nutrition class, and am always learning interesting little tidbits, like why our poop is brown (dead red blood cells silly...I thought EVERYBODY knew that!). Yes...of course I have to share it with you! Don't you know me at all?? Registration for the Spring semester is almost here. I can't believe it! I'm pretty sure one of the classes I'm going to take is Anthropology. I know...it's all about evolution, but I have the self-control to keep my mouth shut right?.......RIGHT?? :P The other class is still undecided. I wanted to take a math class, but I'd have to have an assessment test first, and I think I've waited too long to get that done. The other one I wanted is Communication 5 or 7. It's like speech, though you don't have to get up in front of the class I'm told. Problem is they don't seem to offer this one in the evening.

My head is swimming with Christmas craft ideas. I find this time of year to be a mix of intense inspiration, and intense pressure. I usually get some of the stuff I want to do done, but often it leaves me asking "Why Kate? Why?" I've never been good at finding a happy medium. I've been knitting for months now, but I have very little to show for my efforts. Let's blame it all on Chris shall we?! He distracts me, I get my count off, then I have to pull it all out. It's happened a bagillion times now! Chris Brown!!! You stinka! I don't have a short attention span, what are you talking about? What was I saying?

I do think I'm officially suffering from some depression. I suppose I've earned the right at this point. Gray days like today don't help! I have wonderful friends though, and you guys keep me sane. By the way, did you know that a rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair? Well...now you do!

More funny videos.......

Happy Veteran's Day!

2008-11-11T15:19:00.000-08:00

I salute you Sergeant James C. Ford, without whom I would not exist! You're an honorable man, and I'm proud you are my father.

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away! I've decided I want to cook this year. Last year I wasn't having any of it. I'm going to mix it up and try some new things. I've been compiling new recipes, like a new sweet potato casserole, and a baked cauliflower gratin with Gruyere cheese. I'm thinking my Swedish apple pie, and a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Just what my thighs need right?! You trying anything new this year? I found a great website called Tastespotting, if you'd like to be inspired. Just don't go there if you're hungry. A major snack attack will ensue. Being full, however, ain't gonna cut it either. Things look yucky when you're full. Find a happy medium.

So Christmas is just around the corner. Ever year I think to myself, I'm going to make my friends and family this or that. I've started knitting a gajillion times, only to lose my count and have to pull it out! I'm so anal!! You'll be lucky if you get a Christmas card! I'm gonna keep trying though....maybe by summer? I really want to find ways to make this Christmas more meaningful. We're all hurting for money! Every store you go into is cramming Christmas down our throats. It shouldn't be about another pair of Isotoner gloves...it's about Jesus! Anyone have any ideas? Fellowship with you is what I want for Christmas! Game nights are fun, and cheap if anyone is up for it! I'll bring the dip!?

Anyway, I'll leave you with these random videos....um...what can I say about the second one? I live with a teenage boy? Stuff rubs off...enjoy!

Stindberg & Helium...

Real Men of Genius... (fyi..that's the lead singer of Survivor singing)

Don't worry...be happy!

2008-10-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

Normally on a day like today, I'd be loving the gray fall skies, and the crisp air. There's a but in here. The house finally sold. I signed the final papers yesterday, and Tim is moving out as I write this. I know, because he called to see if Chris could help him move his things into storage. So now I'm feeling sorry for myself. Lost my husband...lost my job....lost my house. I'll try to count my blessings in a minute, but indulge me a minute to feel lousy ok? This isn't how I'd pictured my life going. I think that's actually part of the problem. I didn't picture my life much at all. I was just blindly living it, innocent, stupid me. I fully trusted the people in my life (no names here) and look was happened. I don't want to turn into a hard, cynical person....but I sure can see how that happens to people. I think I need a good dose of light therapy right now....or lots of color....no, chocolate...where's the chocolate?

The county called me on Monday and informed me I didn't get the position. I had a feeling that was going to happen, after the person conducting the interview told me she was concerned I might be too nice for the job. Big red flag....The same day I got a call from a friend who told me her husband's company was looking for someone full time in an accounts receivable positon. The pay is bad, and the benefits don't sound great either. I sent in my resume, but I'm not sure I want the job. I REALLY wanted to work for the county. What to do...what to do...?

Ok.....enough self-pity! I thought I'd pee my pants the first time I saw this! Enjoy!

Swedish Apple Pie

2008-10-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here I go with another recipe. Vicki over at Turkey Feathers (see the link at the right) was so kind to site my blog in hers. Mine pales in comparison! She is the creative person I have aspirations of being! I had sent her my recipe for Swedish apple pie. She made it, liked it, and mentioned it on her site. I almost feel famous! Tee-hee! She also took a gorgeous photo of it, if you want to see it. I figured I'd better post the recipe so folks could give it a try. It is easy and it is wonderful...especially served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Let me know what you think!?

Swedish Apple Pie

4 cups sliced, peeled apples
2 Tabl. Brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ cup softened butter
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 egg
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions: Fill a 9” pie pan with apple slices. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon and toss to mix. Mix the butter, sugar, and egg. Cream together with the flour, salt, and nuts. Spread on top of apples (I use my hands to cover evenly). Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes. I like to serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. I have also doubled the recipe and baked it in a 9 x 13” Pyrex pan. You have to increase the baking time a bit. Makes 6 servings.

WHOO-HOO!!!!!

2008-10-09T15:52:00.001-07:00

I got the interview with the county!! So now I can start worrying about that!!

Ode to candy corn...

2008-10-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

Either you love them or you hate them.

This sickening sweet confection has been been around for a long, long time. Over 100 years in fact. I used to like to eat them in layers....heck...I still do. They're a little too sweet for adult Kate though. I find myself mindlessly eat through half a bag....then the sugar hits your stomach like a brick and makes you feel like "uughh...what'd I do that for?" Not too mention, they kinda look like human canine teeth from someone with really bad oral habits. The British perhaps? The ingredients seem relatively basic, but I bet if you got them to the right temperature, you'd wind up with a fiberglass speedboat or a swimming noodle or something. They also are coated with carnuba wax. Isn't my car coated with carnuba wax?? Someone told me recently that they used to like them until they heard of someone's house burning down and the only remaining thing was a perfectly intact and untouched bowl of candy corn. Makes you think....

I don't know...the jury's still out on this one. I think I liked them better when I was a kid. I was in Target a week ago, and they have candy corn soda, from the good folks at Jones Soda Company. Chris and I tried it last year and it is a vile concoction! Don't do it! Just don't do it... But I digress....Here is some interesting, or perhaps not-so-interesting trivia on the legendary candy:

**Candy corn has been around for more than 100 years. George Renninger, an employee of the Wunderlee Candy Company, invented the popular confection in the 1880s and Wunderlee became the first to produce the candy. The Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly Candy Company) started producing the confection in 1900 and still produces candy corn today.

**Originally, candy corn was made of sugar, corn syrup (not HFCS), fondant and marshmallow, among other things, and the hot mixture was poured into cornstarch molds, where it set up. This original mixture is probably where the name of the candy corn-like Mellocreme Pumpkins comes from. The recipe changed slightly over time and there are probably a few variations in recipes between candy companies, but the use of a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, gelatin and vanilla (as well as honey, in some brands) is the standard.

**More than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. That equates to nearly 9 billion pieces, which is enough to circle the moon nearly 21 times if laid end-to-end. That alotta corn....

**A serving of candy corn has about 22 pieces and contains 140 calories, no fat.

Just thought you'd like to know......

Ready for a dramatic rant?

2008-10-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Don't you wish this was real? I'm sorry I've neglected you for so long! English and nutrition and diet therapy have taken my life over this week. Not only do I have a 1,500 word essay to accomplish on the realities of home in comparision with television families (I know....should be fun I think! LOOOSY....I'm home!!), but I've got my first big exam on Wednesday night. My head is swimming with info on fat-soluble vitamins and peptide bonds! The good news is my English professor liked my last essay and gave me an A! Whoo-hoo! I'm really enjoying essay writing, and I think I'm good at it too! Should I dump nursing and be a writer? Do they make money? I don't want to be a Danielle Steele or something....her books make my flesh crawl with her descriptions of male anatomy in action....if you get my drift! Book editor sounds really interesting, but I have no idea what that would involve. Would you be an English major then?

Anywho, last week I wasn't feeling well. Conditions were just right for a "perfect storm" scenario. My body was saying---Kate, you stupid, stupid girl! I know how to take care of myself, but do I do it? Part laziness, part busyness, and part hopelessness. Obviously if I was more active, I wouldn't weigh what I currently do. If I wasn't so busy with class and job hunting, and juggling Chris's stuff, maybe I would take the time to cook nutritious meals. I think I'm looking for excuses though. In reality, I punish myself. On a subconscious level, and even more scary--a conscious one. As much as I try to push out the crap that's been stacking up in my life, it creeps in. I miss Tim, and I'm dreaming about him all the time. I worry that I'm never going to get another chance with him, or anyone else. I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life. Pain is always there...it never leaves me. I've got tears running down my face as I type this. Why should I take care of this worthless person? I tell myself--do it for Chris, Kate....but someday he's going to make his own way and I'm what will remain. Wow...am I hormonal or what!! Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer! Shake it off Kate...shake it off! As I was saying, I wasn't feeling well. I was very sick 10 years ago when I ruptured a hole in my colon. I'll spare you an image of diverticula (although for a brief moment I considered it...but I want you to come back to my blog!) I healed from my surgeries beautifully, and I really have not had many issues in the last decade. Last week, however, I felt the telltale pinch. I remember it well. Right before I lost my medical benefits due to my current unemployed state, I saw my dear, sweet doctor--Stacy Nuccion at Kaiser. Love her!! She is so awesome! She told me if I needed her for any reason to call, whether I had benefits or not. I got her office on the phone and explained that I knew the necessity of getting on antibiotics right away, so she called them into Walmart for me, and told me to go to bed for a couple of days. Now, normally the idea of being in bed like that sounds kinda appealing....read a good book....some magazines.....television.....but when you're in pain? Not so much fun... And have you seen daytime television?? Do they really think we're idiots?! No thank you! Somewhere in here I should probably put in a paragraph. Another precursor to this flare-up was the fact that Tim's grandma got me all upset. We had a garage sale with his grandparents. They live in a mobile home park in Calistoga, so garage sales aren't very successful for them. When they heard we were going to have one, they asked if they could join in. No problem. Well....the topic, as grandma and I were sitting there, of Tim and I came up. At the time, I successfully changed the subject. But......she called me a couple days later and said "You know what Katy...have you ever though of just talking to Tim and seeing why he wants this divorce?" You have got to be KIDDING ME!!!? I told her I've begged...I've pleaded....I've groveled...I've humilated myself...I've cried a buttload ( I didn't say that to her....but you can picture me doing it can't you?!) of tears. Nothing. He won't go to a counselor...Christian or otherwise....he wouldn't see my pastor who was so willing to help us in any way he could (he even offered to pay for a weekend away for a Christian couples retreat!)....nothing. He's just done. Stubborn, stupid man!! Aarrgh!! Her answer was "oh....well....we'll just keep praying then." I know she loves me, and thinks of me as her granddaughter, but gosh that woman stirred me up! And of course.....what happens next? That's right....I get my period! Of course!! Nuf said. The perfect storm! And Dude!! Do antibiotics give you heartburn or what?? I gotta take better care of myself. Just have to....

I continue to hunt for a job...so far...unsuccessfully. It's very discouraging, and I worry that my family is thinking I'm sitting up here on the second floor with my feet up watching tv and eating chocolate bonbons. I'm not....at least not the tv part. I eat to feel numb...I've said that.....Chris's birthday is at the end of the month....Christmas is going to be here before we know it! I'm glad God's in control cause I don't seem to be! Wish he'd clue me in a little...

Goodness.....I've gone on...and on...and on....Thanks for reading my rant.....what's new with you?

Yum!

2008-09-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well....nothing very interesting going on around here, so how about a recipe to put you in a fall frame of mind?

Apple-Walnut Cake With Cider Sauce

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 cup apple cider

3 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp each cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups flour

2 large Granny Smith apples (3 1/2 cups), peeled, cored and chopped in small chunks

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Cider Sauce ingredients:

2 cups apple cider

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 10" tube pan with removable tube insert (Note: ok....who in the heck has this? I used a bundt pan and it worked perfectly. A 9 x 13 glass Pyrex would probably suffice as well) with nonstick spray.

Whisk sugar, oil, apple cider, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt in a large bowl until blended.

Stir in flour until blended. Stir in apples and walnuts.

Scrape mixture into prepared pan. Bake 1 hour and 10 to 20 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool in pan on wire rack for 1 hour. Remove from pan and let cool on rack.

Cider Sauce: I must confess....I made this cider sauce, and it never thickened up. It tasted great, but I didn't serve it...you may wish to just skip it, or experiment with more cornstarch...who knows!? Whisk cider, brown sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan until blended. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Boil 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla; stir until butter melts. Let cool to warm or refrigerate until serving.

It was really yummy! I refrigerated the cake after we'd had a piece, so it didn't start growing fur.....cause it's preservative free don't ya know.....

So cute!

2008-09-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

My Heather Bailey strawberry pincushion kit finally came! I can't wait to make it! Isn't it adorable? It doesn't take much to excite me I guess!

Graffiti and swimsuits.....

2008-09-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

The bands are taking a trip to Santa Clara at the end of this school year. They are going to perform at Great America. Chris has to earn money in order to pay for his trip. Close to $300. I'd like to go, so double this number. Chris and I had the opportunity to earn some cash for his music account today by participating in graffiti removal. So we go to school early in the morning and meet up with the other kids and parents. We get the equipment, and off we drive to some various bridges in Santa Rosa. We climb down some rocky hills, careful to avoid the poison oak and blackberry vines along the way. Today I guess there wasn't as much graffiti and trash as usual. Saw a couple crack spoons and some napkins smeared with blood or poop. Eeewww! We just left those....I did enjoy catching up with my friend Cherry, who accompanied Chris and I. Poor Cherry though....after all his hard work, Chris took off his gloves to put in the garbage bag she was holding. Problem was he had sweat profusely in them, and proceeded in the act of removing them to flick sweat all over her! Bless her heart! She politely said with a smile "It's ok Chris." Climbing back up the rocky hill proved to be more difficult than getting down. A blackberry vine grabbed skin on my ankle while my son accidentally goosed me by pushing his mother's tushie as she struggled to gain footing. Thanks Chris! Such a good helper...... ;)

When I got home I made plans with my friend Alicia to find her a new swimsuit, since her's spontaneous combusted earlier in the week. Hehe....she knows what I mean! Anyway, we went to a bunch of stores and finally found some shorts to go with a swimtop she already had. It was on sale for like $1.50! Big score! Now watch it turn the water black or dissolve or something! Anybody know any good swimsuit sales?

I've been wasting way to much time and having so much fun on this Facebook thing! If you're not on, get with the program people! It is a hoot! I was on earlier this evening with one of the 7th grade girls from RVCS. She asked to chat with me cause she needed boy advice. Me?? Boy advice?? Um.....don't have a very good track record here. Real adorable of her to ask though! I think she was hoping I'd tell her to go ahead and confess her undying affection for him, but I did just the opposite. I told her junior high boys (sorry Chris!) are just kinda stupid at this age. Now watch her go to school and tell the boys what Mrs. Brown said! Me and my big mouth! I told her to hold back her confession. Better to wait until she's older.....like after she's grown....out of college maybe....has a career...am I wrong? Do I sound bitter? Me??

Anyway, that was my adventures for the day. You?

Pretty in....plaid?

2008-09-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well....what do you think? I wanted a change from the brown, and we all know it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind right? I can always go back!

Well....another week went by without word from the county. Feeling discouraged. I applied at a few other places to, but no call backs yet.

So far school is going well...I think. English is a lot of work, and despite her claims to the contrary, am finding my teacher not to be on top of her correspondence. She always takes a week to get back to me and I do not like that! She had each of us in the class make a blog specifically to respond to the different assignments we're doing. She wants us to respond to each other's blogs as well. I've looked at all 30 of them, and the only time someone has left a comment it is from.....you guessed it....me! No one else has responded yet. Am I missing something, or am I the only diligent student? Frustrating. Have to write a summary of "The Monument and the Bungalow" today. That should be fun....not!

The nutrition class is interesting in spite of my teacher. He is really difficult to take notes from. Luckily I record him on my little Sony recorder. I'm not sure if that will help or not. The only homework we've had with him is reading. He assigns 2 chapters to read every week. This is about 60 pages. Luckily I like to read and I like the subject matter.

I wanted to share a recipe with y'all (not southern, but I'd make a good one I think...although I don't like heat!):

Corn and radish salad

4 ears of corn

6 radishes, halved and thinly sliced

1/4 red onion, sliced thinly

1/2 to 1 whole jalapeno, seeded and minced finely

2 Tabl. fresh lime juice

2 Tabl. extra virgin olive oil

sea salt & freshly ground pepper

Cook the corn on the cob in a large pot of salted water for 12 minutes. Drain and cool. When cool, slice the kernels off the cob and put into a medium bowl. Add radish, onion, and jalapeno to taste. In a small bowl, mix the lime juice and olive oil together and pour over the salad. Salt and pepper to taste.

I have added a touch of soy, and some sugar to this as well, so if you feel you'd like to, be free to experiment. It is a nice summer salad. Cool and refreshing. I like it cold....

Nutrition and Diet Therapy....

2008-08-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

My classes started this week. My online English class is going to be a challenge I think. I don't mind a challenge. In fact, bring it on in most cases. I hope I can be disciplined enough to do the work on the computer and not monkey around ( have found so many awesome crafting blogs lately!) The first passage the teacher has us reading is so dry. I've taken to reading it out loud to myself so I can absorb it better. Feel like a big dufus! I'm concerned!

Last night was the FDNT class, which stands for nutrition and diet therapy. How come it isn't NTDT then? Just wondering...Anyway, my teacher is a nutritionist at Sutter. Nice mellow fellow. He doesn't care if we eat....he doesn't care if we drink....we can sit in the back and text on our cellphones if we want...he doesn't care. Do I need to come to class at all then?? Oh, and another thing, Mr. Nutritionist is a big ol' fat guy. Kind of hurts his credibility when it comes to this subject doesn't it? Guess he REALLY enjoys nutrition. So far I think it's going to be easy peasy...

Here's a coincidence for you. My very first boss...I'm talking high school at Mount Gilead...she's taking the class too. It was really nice to see her. We kind of recognized each other at the same time. It will be nice to know someone in the class.

Anywho....not much happening on the job front. I was warned that I may not get called about an interview with the county until September because the Governator can't get a budget passed. I spent a very long time exploring the Kaiser job listings. Apparently the only thing I have a shot at there is in the cafeteria. I'm bummed about that! I also was contacted by a company that wants me to be an insurance salesman to the elderly. Uh....no thank you! The hunt continues!

I have been having really bizarre dreams lately. I told a couple of you, but I'll tell the rest... I dreamt that I was in the bathroom next to the school office of the small elementary school I went to as a kid. Mom was the school secretary. I spent many a summer being bored out of my skull there. I know that place like the back of my hand (which, by the way, is a really weird thing to say! Do people really spend a lot of time staring at the back of their hands??....getting off the subject....). Anyway, so I go into the bathroom and go into one of the stalls. Then I notice that all around me are loaves of bread....different kinds.....and huge sizes. Then Greg Seeger (one of the teachers at RVCS, the school I have worked at for the last 8 years) comes in and gets in the stall next to me. We proceed to have a conversation about the unusually large slices of bread that surround us. I'm not disturbed by a man being in the stall next to me. He is completely at ease as well. Weird! That's my dream....no...really...that's it.....anyone care to take a crack at translating it?

I'm unusual....I realize....

Have an awesome day!

Inquiring minds want to know..

2008-08-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

1. Why do they sterilize needles before lethal injections?

2. Whose cruel idea was it to have an s in the word lisp?

3. If Fed Ex and UPS combined...would they become Fed UP?

4. If someone owns a piece of land, do they own it all the way to the center of the Earth?

5. Why is it said that an alarm clock is going off when it is really going on?

6. Why did Sally sell seashells on the seashore when you can just pick them up anyway?

7. Why are both of Spongebob's parents round like sea sponges while he is square like a kitchen sponge?

8. Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

9. Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

I passed!!

2008-08-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

Whoo-Hoo!

Got an email from the county regarding my examination. I got a 90%, which places me 5th out of those 40 some-odd people. I'm pleased with myself, but I really have to give God the credit because I prayed throughout the entire examination. The email said they would send a separate email if they wanted to interview me. So more waiting I guess.....but I got a 90%!! Who woulda thunk it!

Had a good birthday. My sister, my boy and I headed to Stinson Beach for the day. Must be the wrong time of year to find shells... we saw a bunch of jellyfish though...which we poked with our flip-flops. Jiggly! Told Chris he'd have to pee on me if I got stung, which I will admit I learned from an episode of Friends. TV......our most important teacher! Not sure he took me seriously...

When we got home we had a lovely meal at Flavor with Mom and Dad. Mom must have mention to Charles (he's the chef) that it was my birthday, cause they really spoiled us! After that Judy, Chris, and I went to the movies and saw The Mummy. Entertaining I guess....but I can't say I'd recommend it. It was pretty out there....like the last two mummy movies were realistic right?!

Got to do some very badly needed clothes shopping with birthday money the next day! That was fun! My sweetie-pie son got me season 3 of The Office....a show we both love! All in all it was pretty fun! 39....and holding...............................................................

Can't believe school is about to start again. Poor Chris is going to be walking around like a zombie that first week! He's been sleeping in sooooo late this summer....teenage hormones I suppose.... I'll be back at the JC too. One online class in English and one on diet and nutrition......I think I'm going to enjoy both! I just hope I still get to have time for swimming!

Not aimed at anyone in particular....:)

2008-08-11T19:50:00.001-07:00

stop worrying!

2008-08-11T19:26:00.001-07:00

More stalling....and a fear of Staff infection....

2008-08-06T19:32:00.000-07:00

Good evening!

I'm finding it difficult to blog these days, mostly because I feel like I'm boring! Yes...I still need to find myself a new job. No, I have not heard from the county about my test yet. I hope I did well, but the reality is that even if I did pass, there were 40+ other men and women who may have passed as well. I've been told those who do pass are ranked by how well they did, and then offered positions accordingly...as they come up.

I've emotionally worked myself up so much about getting another job, that I'm having a difficult time tackling it. My dear sister whom I love and I know loves me (Hi Jude!) comes over and shows me all of these places to apply and post my resume...etc. It so much easier when you're on the other side of it isn't it? I just want to hide under my covers! Why am I like this? No one is going to call me and say "Hi Kate, I have this position that I think would be perfect for you! Would you please do me a favor and come work for me??" Not reality! Just tv.......

I will say that I did sign up with Monster.com and they've been sending me positions. One looked really good until I realized it was in Sausalito. Not gonna happen!

I tried to give myself a birthday present tonight by getting my 2nd hole in my left ear repierced. I let it heal years ago. Chris and I were in the Santa Rosa Plaza (I HATE that mall! Why does my son love it so much??) and I saw a jewelry store. Something triggered the desire to have this done, but none of the jewelry stores will do it. They kept telling me to go to some kiosk in the mall called the "Piercing Pagoda". How scary does that sound? I really don't want to contract an infection for my birthday! So, anyway, we tracked it down and I inquired about having it repierced, but the teenager manning the kiosk was not comfortable repiercing. Needless to say, I wasn't comfortable either. Anybody know where I can have it done safely? Do I really have to go to someplace like Claire's??

Whoops!

2008-07-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

Guess I hit "off" instead of "snooze" this morning. I woke up about 10 minutes after church started. I always feel so guilty when I miss it! Anyway, guilt isn't what I want to feel today.....I'll try to redeem the day for myself!

I spent much of yesterday studying a book about civil service exams. Took a few of the practice tests. I understand now why they want you to take the official exam first thing in the morning. The first one was easy-peasy.....but as the day progressed, fatigue influenced my scores. I will take the math one today. This is the one I worry about most. Hey, at least I know I can do math through a sixth grade level. That sounds kinda pathetic doesn't it?

Today is Tim's grandparents 65th wedding anniversary party. 65th!! Amazing! I'm so sad I'm not allowed to be there. My son is there...I'm not. It's times like these that remind me of what a tremendous loss I'm suffering. So sad. I did manage to send them a card, which they received because I called grandma to ask her for her fried green tomato recipe. They're southern, and she makes the best ones ever! At least they don't treat me like I'm the enemy. It also reminds me that I never will have an anniversary like this one. Our 18th anniversary just passed. Wish I could have celebrated it with him instead of trying to distract myself all day.

Lost a few pounds this week. When I saw my doctor the last time, she suggested that I have an entire glass of water each time before I eat to trick my mind into feeling a sense of fullness. I think it's helping. I didn't go to the pool at all last week. I've really been feeling tired. I think mostly because I opened daycamp for Russ twice last week, so that meant waking up at 5am. I guess I'm just not used to it. May have to get used to it when I get my new job......

What's up with you?

Hello all..........

2008-07-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

How are we today? I am good. Not great, but certainly not bad....just good. That's ok. Some of you know that I applied for a office job with the county. Well, they email me back with a "Based on your application, you have qualified for testing.....yada...yada.." So next Wednesday, I have to go to Petaluma for said testing. 8:30am. I was feeling really excited about it until a friend of my son's, who's parents both work for the county told me that it took 5 months from testing for his mom to secure her job there. I truly hope that is not the case for me! I can't wait 5 months! I have a kid in private school! Pray for me please!!!

I realize I need to not put all of my eggs in one basket, however, so I will be venturing out more to do so. It's been hard with day camp and all. I'm starting with Kaiser. I visited my doctor last week to have her check under the hood before I lose my benefits. I told her my current circumstances....my current pain in my left shoulder blade....my hair loss....etc. She said "You're stressed out!" Thank you Captain Obvious! No...I didn't actually say that....cause I like the woman! She is so awesome! I thought about it though! Anyway, she told me where to go to get to the Kaiser business office, and was very encouraging about it. So...I will try. I realize I should be moving faster, but I can only cope with small steps I'm afraid. It will be ok......

On another note, did you know that there are 18 different animal shapes in the Animal Crackers cookie box? Just thought you'd want to know.....

Thirdly, (I know....brilliant segway Kate) my garden is doing well, in spite of our odd weather this summer. Is it going to be hot? Is it going to be cold? Who the heck knows!? Yes, I realize it is slightly sad that my photography these days revolve around vegetables, but they are so neato! And I grew them myself! I made the most awesome tomato basil soup with my basil and zucchini. I know! Rachel Ray watch out! Let me know if you'd like the recipe....

Have a wonderful evening! I'm on vacation for two days! Whoo-Hoo!

2008-07-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday everybody! My sister sent me these wise, wise words.......

None of that Sissy Crap

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good,

but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.

You will see no cutesy little

Smiley faces on this card-

Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off.

9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask -- because you are my FRIEND!

Friendship is like

peeing your pants,

everyone can see it,

but only you can feel the true warmth.

Happy Fourth of July!

2008-07-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

We have no plans to see fireworks tonight, as we went to the field at Montgomery High School last night to watch them go off at the fairgrounds. It is a perfect place to do so, and you don't have to fight any crowds...especially in the parking lot. Chris and I took Mom with us. She froze! Note for next year...blankets! blankets! blankets! It was really nice though...we all had a great time! Tonight we're playing Lord of the Rings Monopoly! I am sooo going to win! Chris thinks he's winning....yeah right!

I actually cooked today! I know....what's up with that!? I made homemade tomato basil soup, with basil from my own garden no less. It was amazing! Not a Weight Watcher recipe....it had heavy cream in it. I also had a head of cabbage, so I made coleslaw from the KFC recipe I found online. It was exactly like theirs. To finish the meal, I made Swedish apple pie. Haven't had it yet, because we're all full of soup and foccacia bread, but I think it's a winner too! I'm so impressed with myself!

Hope your holiday is going swimmingly! That's my word for the day......

He's home!

2008-06-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Chris is home! I picked him up this morning. He was tired, and a tad ripe, but he seemed to have had a jam-packed week of fun....boy flatulence...girl's passing notes...mud pit wrestling....4 in the morning pranks....etc. All in all, sounded like your typical week of camp!

Yesterday I decided to split the kids into two teams for craft time. I gave each team a roll of aluminum foil, told them to pick one team member, and fashion that person into the Statue of Liberty. The winning team got some cool prizes! I even brought candy for the losing team. Now...is it me, or does it seem like people are not teaching their children how to have good manners anymore? Not one of them thanked me afterwards, and the second place team even complained that they didn't like the candy they received. How frustrating is that? I didn't have to get them anything! Unfortunately, I've been doing this long enough to know that this is the typical response. It's really sad.....What's even worse is when I've spent literally hours preparing a project, and they immediately come in complaining that they aren't going to like it. Seems like the younger ones are better than the older kids. Am I really asking for too much? Just common manners and respect!? Perhaps it's this privileged area we live in?

On a lighter subject, a group of my friends and I went to Coldwater Creek Spa for pedicures yesterday afternoon. What an amazing experience! My nails are pretty...no?

What's up with you?

Cab withdrawal, Uncle Sam, and baby veggies....

2008-06-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

What do these things have in common? This has been the stuff my week has been made of. Half the week is over, and I'm missing Chris terribly. I know he's having fun though, and I saw a picture with him in the background on the Mount Gilead website, so that made me feel better. Looked like he was going swimmin'! I sent him a care package with a really stupid note attached....of course in hopes that they'd make him open it and read it in front of everyone. I've heard they've been known to do this! Am I a mean mommy or what?!

The Uncle Sam pictured to the right is one of the crafts I'm going to have the kids do tomorrow. I think he's pretty cute. I didn't pick identical googly eyes however, so it looks like Uncle Sam on crack. Uncle Sam after a visit to the eye doctor to get his eyes dilated? You be the judge. The younger kids are going to have a choice of three crafts. He's one of the choices. The other two are a patriotic dog tag (thank goodness for Oriental Trading!), or an American flag safety pin. I decided I'd let the older kids do something different. I'm going to have them separate into two teams, and pick one person per team to envelop in aluminum foil. Their goal is to make that person into the Statue of Liberty. I even have a cardboard cone they can fashion into the torch. Hopefully no blood will be shed! The winning team will get disciple dollars, candy, and a glow wand. Not too shabby! I think it's going to be hysterical. I'm bringing the camera, so I'll post some pictures.

I've felt really funky this week! I think part of it is this horrible smoke in our California air! Hope the fires get contained soon! I can't believe how bad it is, and we aren't even very close to them! The poor people who are! That last night of our recent camping trip, we were awakened by thunder, and downpours of rain. Didn't see any lightning, but I guess there must have been a lot....now our state's on fire! I'm hoping that since Chris is closer to the coast, perhaps it's better where he is!

Ok, so on another note, my veggies are starting to pop out. I'm so skilled at switching topics! I've got a bunch of zucchini, a couple of peppers, and a smattering...yes, you heard me....a smattering of tomatoes. Fun! There so cute and little that I want to name them. Bob the tomato? No Larry the cucumber yet. I do have Raul and Ramon the bell peppers. They had to have a rather Latin, spicy name... What's a good name for a zucchini? Must be pretty darn tired to be naming my vegetables. How about Zelda? Zelda zucchini? Zachary? Can't think of any other Z names right now.....Perhaps we will visit this on another day....

Oh...yes....looks like we have a buyer for the Spring Creek house. The realtor jokingly said that it was so quick because he's such a great agent. I know the truth! It's God. I've been praying for a buyer...He provided one. Hope it goes through! Still a short sale, and I don't completely know all the legal, or tax ramifications, but I'm just gonna pray about that too.....

Now I need a job....

How was your week?

My baby's at camp....boo hoo!

2008-06-22T19:09:00.001-07:00

I miss him already! I know it's only a week....and he's gonna have an awesome time....but....but...ok... I guess I'll be fine....sniffle.....

Chris's cabin is full of his friends from church. This week's theme for junior high camp is "Uncle Gil's Barnyard Fiasco". It will be interesting to hear how this entertained kids of this somewhat, shall we dare say jaded?, age. When we drove into Mount Gilead's long frontage road there was a group of young adults in barnyard costumes waving at the parents and their campers. Pigs, sheep, cows. Dude! It was pretty cute! Hope it's an awesome, life-changing week! I warned Chris's youth pastor about his sleepwalking...just in case.

Chris and I just got back from a camping trip to Manchester Beach. We had a great time, in spite of Chris having a juicy cold. We got thunder and lightning, as well as a touch of rain on the last night. Glad we opted for the cabin instead of a tent!

We saw a movie at the Arena Theater in Point Arena. What a great theater! It's been remodeled to be art deco inside and out. We were greeted by an older woman in the tiny ticket booth....escorted into the building by an equally elderly woman.....and purchased our consession snacks from what had to be a married couple. At least they bickered like one! Too funny! Wish we'd known about this place before! It was so neat! Oh...by the way...we saw "Get Smart" with Steve Carrell. Pretty good! We love Steve Carrell!

It was a fun trip! I had to quickly wash Chris's clothes and repack him for camp today, then make the drive out to Mount Gilead. I'm pooped! I need a vacation from my vacation!

I know I haven't been very good about writing lately. I didn't want this blog to just sound negative all the time. I will be honest. Life has really been tough lately. I'm trying to walk the line of what is healthy for me to get out of my system, and what you, as my reading audience, would enjoy reading. The only person who seems to write back to me is my sister though....so maybe I don't have an audience after all.

I still don't have a resume put together. I will admit to stalling. Partly because my crappy self esteem says I don't have any skills that would land me a GOOD job, partly because I can't face leaving my old job and moving on, partly something else that I haven't figured out yet. What am I to do with myself?

On another note....I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to have the kids do for craft at daycamp tomorrow! Yikes! Ideas? Anyone? Jude?

School's out...now what?!

2008-06-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Such duality to my feelings right now! I've been looking forward to school being out, but I'm also filled with a sense of dread. I spent much of my last week in tears. Everyone kept coming up to me asking how I was, and what my plans were. I know they meant well, but my emotions where constantly being stirred up! I've run out of excuses. Now I have to put the resume together, and actually find that job! I'm working at day camp for the next two months, then I'm out of money and benefits. Really scary! To add to the heap, I had to get a root canal last Friday. $1,475!! I also have to get a post and crown this week. More $$. How's the saying go? When it rains it pours....I'm feeling a bit persecuted to say the least. I think God's preparing me for something.....just wish He'd clue me in!

My baby...

2008-05-26T21:01:00.001-07:00

I forgot to mention the Spring Concert at school. Chris did such a great job! I was so proud of him! He was actually the only boy you could hear clearly in the 7th grade boys choir. Who knew he could sing?! He received two music awards during chapel (nobody thought to go get me so I could actually watch!). And will you stop telling me what a lady killer he's going to be? Much too scary for me to think about! He does clean up well though...I will admit!

Seeds of change....

2008-05-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

After much wallowing in self-pity soup, I decided I needed to do something fun and constructive at the same time. Today I planted a vegetable garden! I'm so tired, but it felt really good to have this distraction! Hope you like tomatoes...chances are you'll be getting some this summer. I planted 5 varieties of heirlooms...the weirder the better! I also planted eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, 2 heirloom cucumbers, something called a chocolate bell pepper, basil (gonna make pesto!), lemon thyme (mostly for rubbing between my fingers and smelling!), and rosemary to attract the bees! A blue scrub jay was very interested in the goings on! He got so close to me. Probably planning where he was going to store his seeds! We will see about that!

Now how do I keep the neighborhood kitties from using the beds as their own personal potty? As much as I hate to admit it, my Dad's habit of using chicken wire may have to be the answer, unattractive as it may be. Anyone have ideas? Tried cayenne pepper and orange peel...didn't work for me in the past. Don't even suggest deer pee! Not gonna buy a dog either!

Saturday, my sis Jude and I hopped in her car and drove West. It was gloomy, but we didn't care. Breakfast was first on the agenda. We went to this little hole in the wall on the way out to the coast. I think it was still considered to be Sebastopol. I've driven by the structure many times, but never stopped. It recently changed hands, and is now called "St. Rose". If they had posted the menu on the outside, we probably would have moved on...but they didn't, so we went in. A neat, eccentric little place. Pricey, but with a neat sense of whimsy! The table was set so nicely, with cloth napkins, silver place settings, and these pretty glasses filled with cucumber and mint water. It was really refreshing! Gonna try it at home! The menu was quirky....with things like "Satan's breakfast", which consisted of Lucky Charms and half and half. This was $6 by itself, so don't go if you're thrifty. I had polenta, with country ham and roasted asparagus. Jude had potato chip omelet with avocado crema and pimenton (turns out this is a fancy way of saying paprika...but that would have been boring!). Both were really good! I must say, I really enjoyed their bathroom as well! Sophisticated and cute at the same time! It doesn't take much to excite me does it?! They had a lot of fresh flowers throughout. Neat place! I'd go back again. Because of the location, it probably won't last though. Too bad! Hmm....career as a food critic?? Probably not good for the waistline!

After breakfast, we drove a short bit down the road to Rose & Thorn nursery and gift shop. This too was a bit pricey, but they had beautiful plants! I bought several. They also have Pygmy goats! Judy arranged for them to consign her cards. Her website is : http://kaleidoskapesbyjude.com/.
She uses photos that she's taken, and turns them into these really cool kaleidoscope pictures. Mostly from picture from Hawaii, and Sonoma. They're really cool! Check her out!

We then headed down the road a bit further to a farm stand. I think it belonged to someone named Bob. Nice variety of organic fruit and veggies. I bought vegetarian jerky. I know...I know....what was I thinking? One word....yuck! Next time I'll pass!

When we got back home, Mom needed to head out to Kaiser to pick up some medication. I talked her into going to Home Depot afterwards. It was raining, so we used my huge IKEA umbrella. Not a good idea to have someone under 5' hold the umbrella. I got it in the eye a few times.....stupid me! I did load up on the veggies for my little garden though. Fun!

Chris and I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie on Sunday. He liked it a lot! I didn't, but I will reserve my opinion as to not ruin it for you!

All in all, a pretty full weekend! I'm getting good at forcing out the stuff I don't want to think about. Job hunting! Double yuck!

So how are you?

Again....it is what it is....

2008-05-10T13:23:00.001-07:00

I had a feeling...deep down in my gut. I didn't want to face it. I kept telling myself not to go there. As of the end of the month, I guess I am no longer an RVCS employee. Even with my suspicions, I am devastated. I love my job....I'm good at my job. The economy is taking a tremendous toll on our precious little school.

So now what? I need to force myself out of my fear and figure this out. Another job? Where? A part-time job, and part-time school scenario? What about benefits? My son is 13. He needs benefits! School full-time so I can finish quicker? How do I pay for it? Again...what about benefits? What to do...what to do? My job was one of a very few stabilizing factors in my life right now. Not what I needed, that's for certain.

I didn't handle the news well in regards to Weight Watchers either. I pretty much blew it for the last two days. I don't understand why change sends me off the edge. Then I start the cycle of self-abuse all over again. Frustrating!

In other news....who new face-painting was soooo exhausting?! I was wiped out!

So how was your week?

Busy...busy...busy...

2008-05-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

This time of year things always start to heat up. Some good...some bad. What an overwhelming week it has been. I have two more weeks of biology class. I have to write two more papers, and start studying for the final exam. Looks like a tough one! I had to pass on swimming Tuesday night because it was Chris's spring concert at RVCS. What a wonderful concert it was though! I'm so proud of my son! He is awesome! I'm also passing on swimming tonight in order to hopefully accomplish at least half of one of my papers, which I'm bummed about because I love it so much! I also need to track down some face paint. Tomorrow is the math fair at school, and I guess I'm the face painter. Our supplies don't look sufficient however, so I need to find some more. Any idea where I can find this? Too bad it's not Halloween....

There are only two and a half more weeks of RVCS as well. Chris has projects and finals looming too. Looks like we're going to flip a coin to see who gets the computer this weekend...

Good news! I did get my online class I was hoping to get for the summer. Reading and composition. Hope I like it!

The economy is taking it's toll on our wonderful school. Today I find out if I have a job next year. I'm just going to trust whatever God has planned for me. At least....I'm really going to try to!

What to get Mom for Mother's Day? That's a tough one too! Ideas anyone?

Ok! Most of you know that I have the kindergarteners at lunch time every day. It's my Lunchbunch! As is often the case, they say amazing things! I've changed the names to protect the innocent (tee-hee!)--

Johnny: Mrs. Brown?
Kate: Yes Johnny?
Johnny: I think there's a mother flea on my lunchbag.
Kate: Oh really? How do you know it's a mother flea?
Johnny: Well....because it has 6 legs.
Kate: Do father fleas have more or less?
Johnny: Oh! Many more!

Separate conversation overheard--
Joey: You love your brother don't you Janie?
Janie: If you're in love with your brother, that's called "incest"!
Kate: (quickly trying to dodge a bullet...) So...who likes cookies?

After lunch I'm in with the third grade class.
Here's a conversation in there--
Arthur: Mrs. Brown?
Kate: Yes Arthur?
Arthur: My back hurts...right here....(he points)
Kate: Well Arthur...I did see you pick up Wendell during recess. Maybe you pulled something when you did that? You shouldn't pick him up...he's the same size you are. You have to protect your back.
Arthur: My dad picks up weights all the time.
Kate: Does your dad wear a weight belt when he does that?
Arthur: Yes...
(He pauses.....thinking loudly to himself)
Arthur: Tomorrow I'll bring a weight belt.

Have a wonderful day!

Sure 'nuf

2008-04-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

Did I tell you or what? Up .5.... About what I figured. Not going to let it derail me in anyway. I've had two really good days. I'm doing the broccoli & potsticker thing again as I write. Stuck in a bit of a rut Kate? I want to get the digestion going before Alicia and I head to swimming class. I need....NEED...to write 4 summaries for biology this week. How am I ever going to do it? How I ask?

Off the subject...and completely random....did you know that not everyone can smell asparagus pee? You require a particular chromosome in order to detect it. Weird huh? Or maybe it's just me? Have a great evening!

Wiped out!

2008-04-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

Its almost 10pm. I just finished my paper on coronary heart disease. What a page turner this one is! Just a bit of sarcasm there.... I can't believe I finished the paper! I was really starting to panic about getting it finished. I'm so tired! I wish I could have accomplished 1 more this weekend.

Chris and I emptied out our storage unit this morning, then we celebrated my sister Judy's birthday ( I won't say the number Jude!) Don't feel sorry for her....she's leaving for Hawaii in a couple of days....without her sister, I might add. Aloha Jude!

I don't think I'm going to have a very good loss on the scale tomorrow morning. I ate out like 4 times this week. I tried to make good choices, however. I did have a piece of my sister's ice cream cake today. Also having my period. I'm just full of excuses aren't I!? I'll keep you posted...pardon the pun! Night!

Some extra protein....

2008-04-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the average person will ingest up to 8 spiders during sleeping in their lifetime? I know...I know....I didn't want to know it either!

The results are in....

2008-04-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

So I didn't tank the exam exactly....got a 78%. High C I'm thinking. Not exactly an A, but I knew that wasn't happening anyway. Last night we had our first lab quiz. Joe, my teacher, set up 20 stations around the lab. Each had a question. Most were slides of different things we've seen under the microscope before. Some models like the heart, brain, and skin. I think I aced it. Now I have to write 2 summaries this weekend, and somehow get the rest of my boxes out of storage before the $70 price goes up to $130. Not sure how I'm going to accomplish both.

Going swimming again tonight if anyone wants to join Alicia and me! You should have seen us on Monday. How dedicated are we? It poured on us, and was rather cold. We did it though! Good for us!

Have a wonderful day!

2008-04-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

It's raining...and it's cold, but we're going swimmin' anyway! You should join us! It's just the best! I seem to be using a lot of exclamation points!!!

It is what it is....

2008-04-21T22:25:00.001-07:00

Ok. Biology exam #3 is over. My whole body aches. We went to the anatomy lab for a "field trip" afterwards. I thought I could handle it, and perhaps it's because I'm so tired, but that was awful! I can't believe I have to take that class. How do I take that class? I still have the smell in my nose....and the image...gonna haunt me in my sleep! Can I really be a nurse? Really? Do I want to be? Deep questions....fueled by fatigue. Night! Going to bed!

Holy cow!

2008-04-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

I lost 5.6 lbs this week! I can't believe it! That's awesome! I was really on track this week. It really works if you do it properly I guess! Way to start out my Monday! I have a ginormous biology exam tonight. I don't feel as prepared as I'd like....We have to go see the cadaver (spelling?) after the exam. Yuck! Have a great day!

Dinner is served....

2008-04-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

Chicken potstickers and garlic broccoli for dinner. Yum! 4.5 points for 7 of them puppies! Thank you Trader Joe's! I had enough points to have 11, upping the anty to a tiny bit under 7. They were sooo good! I was hungry after taxing my brain all day with facts about mucous membranes and stuff! Now I enter the danger zone. The late night munchies. Please or please be good to yourself Kate! Any of you have some ideas?

2008-04-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Random fact of the day: Did you know that your skin varies from .5 to 6 millimeters in thickness, depending on what part of your body it is? Just thought you'd want to know....

French bulletin board

2008-04-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

My son Chris and I recently moved into a new space. I had seen some French bulletin boards in catalogs before, but they were majorly expensive! I knew I could make it myself....so I did. What do you think? It was fun! I also took some antique buttons and made them into tacks to use on it. I'm happy with how it turned out. Gave my blue walls a shot of color.

Don't you love Fridays?

2008-04-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Went on a fieldtrip with the 3rd graders today. We went to a local place called Luther Burbank Gardens. I had just written a paper on him for my biology class, and when I learned they were going there, I asked if I could tag along. I aide for this class, so it was no problem. I thought it was going to be boring, but it was actually a rather interesting place. He sure did amazing things for our world!

I should be studying right now for a biology test I have on Monday night, but I'm so fried from the week. I'd rather relax. Going to kick myself for it tomorrow I'm certain!

Weight Watchers is going well. I think I've had a pretty good week. I did have pizza for dinner, but only half of a personal size, and it was a margherita pizza. Hope it was a good choice! I really have to stop weighing daily. I know it's a bad idea, but I love seeing when the number goes down! I wore a pair of jeans I've had in my closet for two years. Never worn them before today...cause they never fit before. Yeah for me! After dinner is my hard time, because I get the munchies for something salty, or sweet. I weighed and bagged all my food the last time I shopped though, so I have some good choices in the kitchen. Just got to be careful that I don't grab to many at a time!