Well, we have kittens!:) Friday morning, Angel had 5 of the sweetest little babies:) I thought it was weird that she was under Matthew and Jamie’s bunk beds. Then we heard her crying. Paul had to pull the bed out to get to her. He got her to the half bath where he had put a box for her, just in time! We have 2 black, 2 white/creamy, and one sweet little black and white one:) Angel is doing well. She’s a bit nervous but she’s a first time mommy.  She’s a very good mommy though:)I don’t know how we are going to part with any of them.

So did everyone have a good weekend? Our’s was good. Rained a lot though. Paul was off Friday. We had breakfast with Maria and did a little shopping. Thursday and Friday were absolutely gorgeous.  Saturday morning, Sarah, Monica and I had a ‘girls’ morning:) We picked Monica up and went to grab a coffee then it was off to get pedicures:) Sarah had a blast:) The place we went was really gorgeous. One wall was a waterfall. The ceilings were painted like the sky and they had beautiful chandeliers.  It was really very pretty and relaxing.  Sarah chose blue and I got Dutch Tulip:) She has a little flourish of black and I have pretty little flowers on her/my/our big toes:)  She saw a little friend there getting a mani-pedi:) So I am sure they will have a lot to talk about. Next time, maybe we’ll both do mani-pedis.  When we left the temp felt like it had dropped a good 20 degrees and it began to rain. It rained alllll night until yesterday afternoon. We even had tornado warnings out. Yesterday morning, I took Matthew, Jamie and 2 of Jamie’s friends to a Pokemon event. Then I took them to McDonald’s for lunch. The kids went to Aunt Kathy’s house to watch Mary Poppins yesterday afternoon. We picked them and Aunt Kathy up about 5 and we all went  to Bennigans for supper. So it was a very nice weekend:)

Today, I need to go run pick up things to make up treat bags for Math Bowl Team for tomorrow. They have their competition after school tomorrow. Jamie isn’t going to be on the panel. He’s missed to many practices because of migraines. He’s ok with that though. He’s just happy to be part of the team. He really enjoys Math Bowl. I’ve run the cleaning cycle on my washing machine and washed a couple of loads of clothes this morning; unloaded and loaded the dishwasher; tidied the front room/dining room and had my coffee. I need to keep the momentum going so I am off:)

Yall have a wonderful day!

take care,

~kat

RecipesUnlimited.com

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Sweet and Sour Green Beans

Slow Cooked Fiesta Corn

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The birds are just a singing singing singing this morning:) I’m hearing birds that I have not heard since last summer:)  We are up to about 54 atm (it’s 10:30 a.m. here).  Our high today should be in the 60’s:) It’s quite windy out though. Thankfully, it’s not making it colder. I sent Sarah to school in a dress with leggings under it and a sweater. Hope that’s going to work for her.  I called the school and asked them if they were going to send them out if they could put some rocks in her britches because the wind is gusting up to 35mph-she may blow away!

It’s so nice and peaceful atm.  But I’m sitting here looking at my tulips that Paul brought me. The white ones losing their petals unfortunately. The pink ones are still just a beautiful as they were. I think I may have to re-arrange today.

Oh! I lost 2 more pounds this last week *yay!*:) My total so far is -9.2 pounds:) *dances around so happy*:) I went and met Paul for lunch yesterday. We went to the Water Tower Place downtown. They have the downstairs that has Food for Life. I got this yummy Asian salad with almonds, walnuts, oranges, chicken, wonton crispies and plum dressing. Yum-O!. Not real sure how many points that was, but my weigh-in days are kind of a loose day for me. After we had lunch, we went to the American Girl place and picked up a birthday gift for one of Sarah’s little friends, Jackie.  Then it was off back home to pick up the kids. Sarah threw on her dance leotard and tights unde her clothes and it was a mad dash over to the party for an hour. Then we left here a bit early and made another mad dash to dance. Left there and raced over to church to Kids Club. By this time, Sarah was worn out and didn’t want to go so the boys stayed there and she came home with me. She never wants to miss Kids Club but I think she had just rushed rushed rushed and needed a break.

Well, I need to get up and get moving. Hope yall have a wonderful day:)

take care,

~kat:)

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Big Mouth Sandwich

Two Step Creamy Chicken and Pasta

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Hope everyone is well this sunny March morning:)  We still have no kittens to report. I’m not even sure Angel knows that she is going to be a mommy. She’s still jumping around, romping with the Ford and Arthur.

I was in such a funk yesterday. And day before yesterday. And the day before that. And the day before that…. You get the picture. My sweet husband brought me home these gorgeous hot pink tulips and cream tulips (some actually have some hot pink running through them:) Very gorgeous:) I’m going to leave the picture for yall:)It really cheered me up. Amazing what flowers will do for you:)

Today, I have to get that bulletin board at school done. I still have loads and loads of laundry to do. I didn’t get the cat box cleaned out yesterday. DEFINITELY have to do that TODAY. Yuck.  I can’t wait until the weather gets nicer to where I can open my windows and doors. I want to clean my oven.  Think I just might be getting Spring Fever! Well, whatever yall are doing today, have a great day and I’ll speak with yall tomorrow;)

take care,

~kat:)

RecipesUnlimited.com

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Beef Bonaparte

Hot Dog Slaw

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My pretty flowers :)

Welcome to March. A saying I’ve heard quite a bit since I moved up north is, “In like a lion out like a lamb”. I believe it. We had big winds and blustery temps and snow yesterday. Today is pretty calm but still cold. I am looking forward to the 50 degree temps that are supposed to be coming our way on Friday though:) I was surprised to see that so many people in the south were getting tons of snow. My friend Jenn in Baltimore said that they closed all the courts due to the weather (she’s an attorney). A friend of mine, Shannon, in Jackson, Mississippi said it was snowing there as well yesterday.  That’s crazy for March!

What did yall do this weekend? We didn’t do a whole lot. My back was still not in great shape this weekend but on Saturday, we took the kids to a candy factory that’s nearby. It wasn’t what it was made out to be on their website, but boy howdy did they have a lot of candy and cute little gifts.  I think our disappointment was that they weren’t producing any candy. After that we went Best Buy then to lunch. An outing would not be complete without out checking out the two Circuit City stores in the area either. 6 more days until they close for good. It will be a sad day for Paul (and I’m sure many other men).  I wanted to go to Target but my back was really hurting bad by this time so we came on home. Yesterday, I washed clothes and then we made a run to Target.  I made a beef roast and roast potatoes for lunch. We used to love chuck roasts but anymore I can not stomach them. I love the sirloin tip or the top/bottom round. That’s what Momma used to make and it always smells SO delicious. Leftovers last night for supper as well.

I need to go decorate the bulliten board at school today. I have my clovers and letters done out.  I just need to print out the events this month.  The kids actually ate breakfast at home this morning and were not even late for school! How crazy is that? I do, however, have to make their lunches and take them up there in a bit.  I don’t have ham, but I thought I’d make them cheeseburgers for lunch. They should all three like that. I’m sure Jamie will take 2 or 3 bites of it and throw it away. He does that with whatever I send or whatever he buys.  Anyway, I better get moving. Cat boxes to clean, clothes to wash, lunches to fix, bulletin boards to decorate and wishing I had more time to get it all done. Yall have a great day:)

take care,

~kat:)

RecipesUnlimited.com

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Gleason’s Irish Cream

Blueberry Bars

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It’s so foggy out this morning. Kinda reflects the way my mind is today. I have a meeting this evening and I have yet to get anything together. I start and then I stop and am off to something else. Like this! I should not really be writing yall. Well I should, but I should be doing this other as well. Actually, I should have had this other done. It’s not like it’s going to take a really long time to put Team Parent packets together but I just can’t stay focused for some reason. So far this morning, I’ve gotten the kids up and off to school, my recycling out, dishwasher going, 2 loads of laundry going and some hung up.  I’ve eaten breakfast and am still sipping coffee.  I need to see if I can get into my doctor this morning or today. I think I may have a kidney infection. My back (on the left side especially) has been hurting for a few days. Paul went out and got me cranberry juice last night. I don’t have fever or anything but it reallllly hurts. V. uncomfy. I just hate taking time out to go run over to her office. I always have to wait a while. I have to pick up Micca (Monica’s second to the last) right before noon.  I also need to book the pizza place for Sarah’s birthday party for next month. Oh and write an email to a parent to ask her if she can put Grandparent’s day together for this year. If not, *sigh*, I really don’t want to do it. So I just hope she can/will.

Paul put together a “kitty birthing suite/nursery” last night:) We aren’t sure when they are going to come. We are thinking anytime within the next several days. Maybe 7 days? We aren’t sure. We are just counting from the day she found us. It would be 56 days today from the day she showed up (Jan 8). They say gestation for a cat is 64ish days.

Well, I got through to my doctor and I can’t get in to see her until 7 a.m. tomorrow:( So I went ahead and grabbed that one. After that, I think Monica and I are going to try to catch a WW meeting. We didn’t stay for the one yesterday because she was so tired. So lots of cranberry juice and water today I guess.

Oh my gosh, its already 10am. Where did the morning go?? Ok, I have to leave yall now and get another load of laundry changed over and my folders made up. Yall have a great day:)

take care,

~kat:)

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Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

Pennsylvania Dutch Cinnamon Fried Apples

Almond Chicken Stir-Fry

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I don’t know if I told yall or not, but a beautiful little snowshoe kitten found us last month. It was the day we were getting ready to go serve at the homeless shelter.  No one ever claimed her so shes been with us every since. All the sudden last week, she just poofed out. We thought she was just really eating well. After all, she is a kitten. Maybe 5 months old…or so we thought. I told Paul a few nights ago, I swear she looks pregnant. He’s like, noooooooo no way. I said oookay then. Well last night, she was up on our bed and I said, “Paul, I really think she’s pregnant” and I picked her up. I told him, put your hand on her tummy and see if you feel something moving. The look on his face was priceless:) At first, he tried to pass it off as good digestion:) LOL:) Then after actually seeing her tummy move… yeah we’re a bit on the shocked side. The kids are totally excited. Paul has never seen an animal give birth and was horrified at what he read about it:) LOL:) Bless his heart:) Stay tuned on this one:)

Ok, sending out a recipe or two today then I’m off to meet my lovely husband for lunch:) Hope yall have a wonderful day:)

take care,

~kat:)

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Simply Saucy Chicken

Stew’s Steak in a Bag Rug

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All of my friends and family from Louisiana have the day off today to celebrate. Here I am way up here in the Arctic Cirle called Chicagoland, wishing we were down there with the sun and fun. I had huge plans to make King Cakes this year seeing as we didn’t get one ordered from Ambrosia Bakery in Baton Rouge or Gambinos in New Orleans.  I still may get one done. Better late than never I guess:)

So how have the last couple of weeks been treating yall?  Weight Watchers has been going ok. I’m down 5.2 pounds as of last Thurs. It feels good to be losing again. I’m not really sure how well this weigh in will go on Thurs. I’ll be happy if I have just maintained. This week has included a HUGE Asian salad from Cheesecake Factory. It SUPPOSEDLY was only 14 pts but I’ll be shocked if that was right. It also included Bennigans on Thursday or Friday night. It had been a stressful day. That’s no excuse but boy did I feel better after that. Another place we went was Old Country Buffet. I had LOTS of salad. I also put a slice of turkey and ham on my salad. Just 1 thin slice each. I dipped my fork in my dressing so I didn’t use much at all. I have my fingers crossed on that as well. We’ll see what happens on Thurs I guess. Monica began going with me. She began working an 11pm-730am shift 3 nights a week now. She’s worried how she is going to cope or deal with her points. If any of!
you have any suggestions please send them to me so I can let her know.

I keep hearing a Mourning Dove outside:) It makes me want Spring to hurry up and get here! I love listening to them.  About a week or so ago (maybe a bit more), we had a day that hit 60 degrees and the little birds were so happy. They were out justa siiiiiiiiinging singing:) I wish we were heading to Destin next month for Spring Break. Somewhere warm. Sunny and warm. Flip-flop weather. Flip-flop weather with purdy painted toes weather:) *sigh* I guess it’ll get here eventually. Just seems like this winter has been here forever.

Anyway, the kids get out in about an hour and 15 minutes, so I gotta get a move on:)  I’m leaving yall a couple of recipes and some pictures from this weekend when we went to the Chicago Auto Show:) Other than my poor husband running 104 degree fever (bless his heart) we enjoyed it. Motrin is a miracle drug.

Yall have a wonderful day:)

take care,

~kat:)

RecipesUnlimited.com

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Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

Fred’s World Famous Bean Dip

WW Huevos Rancheros (6pts)

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Kids at the Auto Show in back of Bumble Bee - Transformers

Off to School this morning:)

I went into school this morning to get the last three pictures of Sarah’s classmates (and teacher) so we can finish her Valentines. I wish I’d taken a picture of the ones I made for Maria, Monica and Elizabeth. They turned out pretty good, even if I say so myself:) I am making other ones, smaller ones, for the kids’ teachers and then I am making them for Aunt Kathy and Martha.  I think I’m going to have to make another trip to Joann Fabrics though to get more embellishments.

The kids are having movie day after school today. Sarah said she doesn’t want to go. I’m not sure why. She’s been kind of clingy lately. As soon as I pick the boys up though, I have to rush off to ballet with Sarah from 5-6. Then at 6:15 the kids have Kids Club and I have a PTC meeting at 6:30! How’s that for rush rush rush this evening.  I have Weight Watchers tomorrow morning. I think I’ve done ok this week.  I mean, I DID splurge and have Bennigans last night, but I haven’t used my extra points this week. I don’t really ever use them though. So we’ll see how it turns out.  I feel better about myself, that’s for sure:)

Here are some really great recipes that are perfect for Valentine’s Day:) I hope you enjoy them:)

take care,

~kat

RecipesUnlimited.com

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Homemade Turtles

No-Cook Rocky Road Fudge

Fortune Cookies

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I’ve been super busy today and I have to go run get the kids in a few minutes (4 minutes exactly!) Anyway, hope yall’s day is going well:)  I don’t weigh in until tomorrow but I was so excited that I got into a size smaller jeans this morning!! Can I tell you what that did for me?:) I think that’s why I’ve been so on the go today:) I will tell yall one shocking thing I found out today! You know those wraps (just the wraps no fillings) from Subway? Well, can you believe they are SIX AND A HALF POINTS?? Yeah. You saw right. A normal 6 inch sub roll from there is 4 points. The wrap has like 1g of fiber and 100 calories more than a sub roll! Shocked! I have been visiting DWLZ.com and came across that. Ack. Anyway, my alarm to go get the kids is going off so I have to scoot:) Yall have a wonderful day!

take care,

~kat:)

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Francine’s Creamy Lemon Bars

Easy Fried Pie

WW 2pt Milk Shake

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I see that the last post was way back on the 22nd of Jan. We’ve been through boughts of flu AGAIN. It’s been ridiculous. I hope everyone has had a better run than us:)

Guess what I did? I started Weight Watchers again on last Friday. I’ve been trying to find my WW Rhythm that I had before.  I did really well on Saturday and Sunday. I slipped yesterday. Not like HUGELY bad. My extra weeks points will cover it but I never did like using those.  Oh, and I found a couple of things that really have worked for me:)  My new favorite thing is the Weight Watchers Mexican cheese (2 points for 1/3 cup). Make a quesadilla with a 2 point wrap:) Put it in the skillet with a little butter flavored Pam till alllll melty:) MMmmmMMMMmmMMMmmmMMMMMMmmmm:) Also, bacon, egg and provolone sandwich:) 1/2 sandwich kept me full for 6 points thru til the afternoon. Also, Smoothie King has a 5.5 point Pineapple Surf:) Anyway, if anyone has any other suggestions:) I will weigh in on Thursdays. I’m sick of the way I feel about myself. I feel so frump-a-lump.  So many things are reflecting the way I feel about myself.  Hopefully this time it will stick:) Anyway:)

We are supposed to be getting A LOT of snow today.  Probably will only turn out a couple of inches. Can I tell you how sick I am of cold and snow. I know all of my family and friends in the UK are loving all their snow:)  I’ve seen the pictures and it really is beautiful:) Paul said he remembers when snow in England was fun but the snow in Chicago is a pain.  It does seem like we’ve had a never ending winter.

So what is everyone up to today?  I have to pick up Micca (Monica’s second to the youngest).  She’s having some issues with her car so I am helping her out.  Speaking of issues with cars, hopefully we’ll be getting our Durango rear-end fixed this week. Yesterday, Paul noticed a shudder and so I took it by Auto Zone, they told me I had a mis-fire in the fifth cylinder. *blinks* . Yeah…. I guess that needs to be looked into… I also need to make something to take to Mikey’s family for tonight. Anyway, so it’ll be a busy day:)  I hope yall have a great day:) Talk to yall soon:)

take care,

~kat:)

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WW Pintos and Cheese

Heavenly Fettuccine

Coke Roast

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