The Cat Eye

Did Obama ask if we wanted change??

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:26:00 +0000

Well, I think McCain answered with a VP pick that makes Obama's pick of Biden look like self-destruction.

Sarah Palin adds a dimension to this election year like nothing we have EVER seen before. Here is an average working class woman who saw that something was wrong and actually did something about it. She IS the REAL AMERICA. None of the candidates up there can say they understand ME and truly mean it, except for her. She stood up to special interest and fought it. She stood up to an incumbent in her OWN party and won. She is a pioneer in the world of politics and not because she is a woman - but because she is the embodiment of "Mr. Smith" going to Washington. The little guy CAN make a difference!

I could care less about the fact that she is a woman. That is NOT the reason I am so excited to see her get the VP pick. I am excited about her stances on guns and the sanctity of life. I am excited that she is not part of the old school Washington insiders. She is a breath of fresh air to the McCain campaign. She has nothing to hide, nothing to lose, and EVERYTHING to gain.

And for the record - I am happy with America. I really don't want it to change. There are some issues that could be worked on and adjusted, but I do not want this country to change. I think too many people are looking for a way out of the consequences that come about in their lives from their own poor choices and bad judgment.

I for one am not in favor of having the people whose homes are in foreclosure coming to knock on my door and ask for money, when they bought a house they couldn't afford. I am not in favor of someone knocking on my door asking me to pay for their kid's health care. I am not in favor of someone knocking on my door asking if I can pay for Joe Schmo to go to college. This country doesn't work that way. The next time you begin to think that big expensive bureaucratic social programs are the way to go - imagine knocking on your neighbor's door and asking for more of their money. It is the government providing a service - but the government is not paying for it. It is your friends and neighbors and family. I have plenty of friends who make a lot more money than we do. We do not expect them to help us pay for anything one bit.

Let's not tax businesses more. Do we think the employment situation is bad now? If we taxed big corporations more - what do you think would be the FIRST thing to happen? Even more job losses!

Why do we not drill for more oil NOW? Because someone plays the sad polar bear card and our hearts melt when we gaze into its sad little eyes. It's ridiculous. Drill for oil, do it now - and in the meantime continue the research and development of all energy sources - that includes oil, natural gas, nuclear, coal (we have THE largest coal deposits in the WORLD! Why don't we do to coal what the Middle East did with OIL??), wind, solar, hydro... Let's stop sending our money to the Middle East - to the people that hate us. Let's make our government stop DEPRIVING its citizens of its own abundant natural resources! Our government is taking enough of my money already.

And how on earth can anyone say that Iran is not a threat? How can anyone say that Iraq wasn't even a threat? I agree the timing was bad, but I also think the timing would never have been perfect. It's better though that we ousted Saddam sooner rather than later. And why don't we hear the news outlets discussing the laundering of all sorts of weaponry/bombs/nuclear materials out of Iraq. The IAEA knew this stuff was there BEFORE we invaded in 2003 - but still did nothing about it. Check out this story: http://www.nysun.com/editorials/iraqs-yellowcake/81328/

Look at what we are left with after the Clinton era...
What has NAFTA done for us? It sent our jobs elsewhere.
Bill didn't go after Bin Laden. What did it cost us? Well - I won't even begin to try to count all the lives and money we have paid for that.

Washington is in need of an overhaul, and with Palin on the ticket - I have hope that it can be done. It certainly isn't going to happen with a one term senator and the hard @$$ 37 year Washington insider schmuck Biden.

Our country was founded on the ideals of personal property, personal rights, and the ability to live life to the fullest - however full you want it to be. I'm afraid that if this country elects Barack Obama and his policies are implemented, we will be headed down a very dangerous path.

The Glass Menagerie

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:25:00 +0000

OK - so it's been almost a year since I updated this blog... I just had to type this out somewhere!

OK - did anyone else think that the spectacle last night was just over the top, complete waste of money???? WOW!! Talk about an EGO! How ironic 45 years to the day after MLK's speech BO accepts his party's nomination for president. Was it REALLY a coincidence?

It just made my blood boil, sitting there watching the charade of feel good politics. And then I think about the expense of it all? The DNC could've made an even bigger statement against the economic issues at hand... by maybe paying off some people's houses?? Paying for someone's medical bills?? ANYTHING other than the grandiose circus of last night.

Yeah his speech was good. Yeah he is charasmatic. Yeah it even made me feel all giddy when all the confetti started pouring out and the fireworks went off.... but GOLLY it was a SHOW!!! Politics of emotions get us no where. Look where it got Germany in the 1930's.

In the Dec of Independence, our forefathers wanted to promise us a country where certain unalienable rights were extended to all. They promised life, liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness - not happiness - but the PURSUIT of it. This is a nation where hard work pays off! I don't want to be just another worker of the society for the government to help out. I want to break the glass ceiling.

CHANGE is NOT always good folks.

Off my soapbox...

The Fall Update

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:49:00 +0000

So I guess now I will start doing seasonal updates to my blog. LOL!!! Though if you check out my business blog, you will see I've been busy with that side of my life - personal blogging has taken a back seat.

We are getting ready to head to New York for a week, to visit a friend and make a day trip to New York City. We've never been to the northeast in the fall, so we are looking forward to this trip! I hope the colors are still nice when we get there. We leave Wednesday and will return the following Wednesday or Thursday.

OK - the Aiden update. He's turning into a little person! Yesterday he made a great little friend at a park playground. He played with this little girl for about an hour. They were so cute together. He is talking more and more everyday, and some of the thoughts that make their way to his mouth are quite impressive. I am pleased to announce also that Aiden is fully potty trained now, at least in the day time. He's had #1 down for a long time, and #2 came together over the past month! Thank goodness!! I was tired of 3 year old poopy!! He doesn't wake up in the night to take himself potty, so we end up with wet pj's about every other night. But that will come in due time just as everything else has.

Only 2 months until Christmas! I need to work on a 'wish list' for Aiden. He's already been telling me that Santa is bringing him a Snow Plow to put on his Thomas engine. :)

Until next time...

Bad Blogger

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:29:00 +0000

I've been a bad blogger - life gets busy and my computer time is spent working instead of typing out some random thoughts from life. Maybe in the winter when things slow down a bit I can get back to blogging more.

We've had a nice summer - aside from being sick a decent chunk of July, but we are all healthy and alive - we can't really complain. :) Matt and I took a trip to Baltimore - Matt worked, I hung around. Most of the entertainment on that trip was paid for by the company hosting the event, which was nice. We went to an Orioles game, we were fed well - Matt and I only paid for about 3 meals while we were there. We took advantage of our Aiden-free time (he was with Gramma and Poppa) and went to see Transformers - that took me back to my childhood (Autobots! Roll out!!). LOL!!!

Other than that - I've been busy with photosessions the last part of July and most of this month. And I'm getting more and more inquiries. I guess the fall/holiday rush is beginning. I can't wait for it to cool off and do some comfortable outdoor sessions. It's just too hot to do anything outside right now.

I hear Aiden calling me from his room, so I better see what is up. Hopefully I won't go so long before posting an update here.

Until next time!

And June 2007 is almost history

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:51:00 +0000

I've been the worst blogger lately - mainly because I've been busy with other web related activities. I've updated my photography website and built a 'studio' blog. Other non-internet related activities that have kept me busy have been a weekend trip back home to the mountains (for some family time and photography fun), Aiden's birthday, MY birthday, several photography sessions, and other things that I won't bore you with the details.

Aiden's birthday was very small and subdued this year. Matt had been busy with work so we just didn't plan anything for the weekend before his birthday. So, for Aiden's birthday, we took him to Monkey Joe's for some bouncing fun, and then to CiCi's for pizza. He had a fun time bouncing once he got used to all the noise in the place. If you have a Monkey Joe's near you, I suggest you look into taking your kids there. It's a fun place to let your kids bounce themselves to exhaustion. They even had special toddler areas for bouncing, away from the crazy big kids!

I turned 29 the other week. I feel too young to be closing in on 30. When I think of someone being 30, I think of someone who is grown up and has it all together... Deep down, I still feel like a little girl - it's hard to explain with words (I'm so not good with words!). Anyway... it's too early for me to wax poetic about my feelings on being 'almost 30.'

Let's see, is there any other big news? Not really. Matt and I will be going on a getaway to Baltimore the middle of July (and leaving Aiden with the grandparents). Matt has a work thing up there that he was told to go to. It will be nice to have a few days away, even if Matt will be 'working.' The best part is, it's a mini-vacation for not a lot of money.

Until next time...

The Big THREE

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:09:00 +0000

Happy 3rd Birthday,
Aiden!!!

Doing the "RIGHT" thing

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Fri, 25 May 2007 23:16:00 +0000

Since when did doing the right thing turn into meaning we should do what we need to do to make people like us? Those are games for high school drama queens, not for making political policies. Since when has doing the right thing EVER been the popular thing to do? Since when has doing the RIGHT thing ever been the easy road to take? I get sick and tired of hearing the excuse that we need to change our policies because the world hates us. WHO CARES??? We, our administration in government, is/are doing what we feel is the right thing. Could we as a country do things better? OF COURSE. We, the United States of America, are the scapegoat for the world's dirty work and we are the ones who get labeled as the bad guy. It is beyond ridiculous now. And I'm so sorry to inform all of the Bush Bashers about this, but there was corruption in government long before Bush1 or Bush2 ever got there. And yes, it didn't come with Bill Clinton either. It has been there for many many years. George W. Bush is the bad guy now because he is where the buck stops.

I stand by my statement that too many people have opened their minds so much their brains have fallen out. It is popular to bash the president. Everyone is doing it, that means it must be right.

Mmm, yeah OK!

Spicy Sour Cream and Chicken Enchiladas

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 21 May 2007 18:19:00 +0000

OK - Someone posted this recipe on a PHOTOGRAPHY board (of all places, right?) a while back, and I just now got around to making it. I haven't tasted it yet, but it just finished cooking in the oven, and it smells über yummy!

1 8oz container sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (I used monterey jack)
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 large pack of corn tortillas (I used flour - it was what was on hand)
2 serrano peppers (mmmm NO! I used ONE jalapeno)
1 bunch of cilantro (I just eyeballed how much to use. I had a HUGE bunch!)
4 cloves garlic
1 small onion

Boil chicken breasts in water until cooked thoroughly. Set aside and allow to cool. (I boiled the chicken the day before)

In a blender, chop all dry ingredients. Add soup, chicken broth, and sour cream to blender and mix well.
Shred your cooled chicken with a fork or pick apart by hand.
To roll enchiladas: put a little vegetable oil on a small plate. Soak both sides of each tortilla in the oil to soften for rolling.
Pour a small amount of blended sauce on bottom of a 9x13 baking pan.
For each enchilada add chicken and mozzarella cheese, roll, and place in pan. After all the enchiladas are rolled, pour sauce over the top of all enchiladas. Top with remaning mozzarella cheese and bake in preheated 350° oven for 20-30 minutes or until sauce is bubbling.

**I made the full recipe, but I have enough sauce, chicken, and cheese left over to do this again. I just need more tortillas.

*****UPDATE UPDATE!!! I made this again the next night and instead used corn tortillas and it turned to MUSH!!! I suggest cutting the recipe in half, or plan on eating it a couple nights in a row, and to use the flour tortillas instead of corn. Bleh!!!

Song of the moment

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Sat, 19 May 2007 04:04:00 +0000

I've listened to it all evening, and it's just after midnight and I'm still listening to it.

I love Rob Thomas. I didn't like his first solo release - I have purged that song from my memory, but his song "Little Wonders," I adore. The addictive melody, the words...

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don’t you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and i don’t mind
if it’s me you need to turn to
we’ll get by,
it’s the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

all of my regret
will wash away some how
but i can not forget
the way i feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away
but these small hours
these little wonders still remain

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:18:00 +0000

I got the best Mother's Day present today. And before I get started, let me warn you - poopoo and a 2 year old are involved!

Problems are going on at my husband's work, so that has required him to work this weekend, and of course to work on Mother's Day. So, Aiden and I are spending this Sunday like we would most days of the week, just the two of us. Anyway, during one of his typical two year old temper tantrums I told him to go into his room if he wanted to scream like that. He willingly ran to his room and slammed the door. Where on earth did he get that?

He pitched his little fit which was probably over in about 60 seconds, and then he started to play with his toys in his room. After a few minutes of quiet playing, he emerges from the room and he TELLS ME that he NEEDS TO POOP! This is coming from the boy who has avoided pooping on the toilet for the most part over our potty training experiences. And get this... he sat on the toilet and he DID IT!!! I am so proud of him. I really can't say I've done anything to 'potty train' him as he has done it all himself. I'm hoping that this little incident that falls in the "WIN" column on the potty training score card is noting the end of the pooping debacle.

So, for the rest of my Mother's Day, I am planning on going out to my mother in law's house to spend the afternoon, let Aiden play and do fun things that he doesn't get to do here, and I am going to enjoy my afternoon documenting his experiences with my trusty Canon 30D!

Happy Mother's Day to all my momma friends! :o)

Idol!

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:41:00 +0000

I watched my Tivo'd episode of AI this morning. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good show. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Sally Struthers to come out on stage and bring tears to my eyes with that incredibly thin, shaky voice she has. The songs were pretty good. Jordin amazed me with her song choice. I was surprised that a 17-year-old girl would even know who Rodgers and Hammerstein were, and even more surprised that she would sing a song of theirs! She's my favorite Idol of the moment.

April is almost gone!

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:22:00 +0000

And I've realized I've been such a slacker this month with my blog. Such is my blogging life; it seems to ebb and flow. ;-)

We had a nice trip to Chattanooga. Aiden had a blast going on the little train ride and climbing all over the engines and cars they had out. We went to the aquarium too and saw way too many fish. It was fun, but we tried to do the aquarium in only a couple hours, and that was just too many fish in too small of a time period. Aiden enjoyed it for the most part. We visited Lookout Mountain, which Aiden seemed to love for some reason, because we really didn't do anything there. I think he just liked saying "Lookout Mountain." And we spent a few days wandering around the battlefield at Chickamauga. I always knew there was a Civil War battle that occurred there, but I never really knew much about it at all. I enjoy history, and especially learning about it. I hope Aiden grows up with a love of history as well.

I had my first photo session of 2007 last Friday. It was with an adorable TINY little newborn. I had a lot of fun. It was fun to be taking pictures of someone other than Aiden for a change. I have another session this afternoon with a family of eight! It's actually two families that are doing this for one of the mothers for Mother's Day.

We've done really well with potty training. Aiden did fairly well on the trip, and ever since he has rarely had an accident. He sometimes is a little wet in the mornings, but that is just because I can't convince him to come out of his room on his own in the mornings to come get me to take him to the potty. We'll work on that. Oh, and pooping isn't going so hot. We're about 50% on successes with that. But, I'm really not complaining. I'm so proud of him doing so well with everything.

I must close and finish my internet rounds while I still have some coffee to drink. I'll also update the photoblog. If you check out my flickr site, you can see our pictures from the Chattanooga trip.

Happy Monday!

Potty Successes!

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 22:03:00 +0000

So, it seems like all of a sudden Aiden is getting the hang of this potty thing. He is basically figuring it all out on his own, much like I anticipated he would, once he got the little kick in the hiney that he needed to get him started. He has peed on the potty every day for over a week, and usually a couple times a day. Yesterday he peed on the toilet 5 times. Today, aside from nap time, he has been in underwear all day long! Aside from some poopoo accidents, which I really can't blame at all on him since he has been having some nasty poo belly for the past several days, he had absolutely no accidents at all today! He is growing up so fast. He is in his big boy bed now, and he stays put in the mornings until I come in to get him. He is sleeping without his pacifier now. "Sunrise, sunset." My baby is turning into a kid. It's a bittersweet thing. I'm sad to see the baby days go, but I'm excited to get to know my child even more as he grows up.

:)

A big boy...

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:03:00 +0000

We finally took the side rail off Aiden's crib this past weekend. He has been sleeping in his 'big boy bed' like a champ ever since. We had bought one of those safety rails, but with the way his bed is made, there isn't a good way to attach one, so he's been sleeping with pillows beside his bed in case he rolls into the floor. So far, at least as far as we know, there have been no issues. The cutest thing is, he still won't get out of his bed on his own in the morning when he wakes up. He waits for me to come in and tell him it's time to get up. How nice is that?

Last night when Matt and I put him to bed, we got him all settled, and he actually forgot to ask for his pacifier. I try to not offer it at all, and had only been giving it to him if he asked for it. Well, he's closing in on 3 years old. There is no need for him to be sucking on anything anymore... So, last night, I made it out the door before he could ask to have it. Within a minute or so of me closing his door, I hear crying. :o( I didn't give in, and he ended up going to sleep with out it. I heard him wake up once this morning fussing, and I tried my best to tune it out and he ended up going to back to sleep. I hope this is the end of the pacifier. Next big tackle... no more diapers! I've taken Aiden's lead and backed off a bit on potty training. He peed on the potty the last two nights before bed time. We'll see where this small successes lead us.

Now, I'm going to get a cup of coffee and sit down and watch AI from last night. I heard that Sanjaya gave quite an interesting performance...

Ah-ah-aahhhh CHOOOOOOOOOOOO

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:41:00 +0000

Sneezing is all I'm doing this morning! GAAH! Spring is in full force and my body is in full force reacting to it. I'll be glad when I'm over this part of spring!

Life has been ok. I haven't had much to say as not much has been going on recently. Matt is working at night, so my days are sort of weird right now. I think most of the cold weather is behind us, at least for the foreseeable future, so hopefully we'll be spending more time outside. I really need to work on weeding some of the flower beds and also planting some stuff.

Aiden has LOVED having all of this train stuff. I swear, it is pretty much all he plays with. He loves building the track and he has it running all through the living room. It's so fun watching him build things. It amazes me too how good of a job he does with it too!

Must close for now and get back to my laundry. Just wanted to give a little update to my millions of blog readers out there! :)

(If any of my friends in RALEIGH are reading this... We'll be there this Friday (we think!!) just for the day as Matt needs to be at work around 11 that night... I know coming in the week is stupid if I want to visit people, but it's easiest for us, especially right now with Matt working all the time... bleh!)

Four minutes to midnight

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 03:56:00 +0000

And I'm finally feeling tired! The time change throws me off SOOO much.

Anyway, I listed my blog at 5 Minutes for Mom and my interview is up for folks to read. Click on the graphic below to go to my interview. Maybe you will learn something about me. :)

I don't like Time Changes...

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:41:00 +0000

It throws off my sleep, my daily schedule... It's 8:40 and I'm finally rolling out of bed. Maybe that has to do with the fact that I didn't go to bed until 2am. BUT, how can I go to bed at a 'normal' time when my body thinks it's an hour behind?! GAAH!! I wonder how the grand experiment of starting DST early is going to end up. I think, just for kicks and giggles, next year, we shouldn't even change the clocks. See what THAT does to our energy consumption. I don't like these people playing with my sleep schedule. Aren't there places in Indiana and Arizona that ignore the time change? I'm going there!!! Seriously though, I guess the one bright point of this daylight savings time thing is that it is after 8:30am and Aiden is still asleep, and he even went to bed between 8 and 8:30 last night. He had been waking up earlier and earlier until today. He's sawing logs in his crib right now. :o)

Spring is springing in NC this week. Our high yesterday was in the 70's and this week we are forecast to hit 80! How crazy is that?! Trees are budding, daffodils are past their peak, and my plants are starting to poke their heads out of the soil. I weeded my front flower bed this weekend because they got incredibly out of hand with this warm weather we've had.

I never got to comment on American Idol this week. Oh wow, what a shocker!! I cannot believe that Sanjaya is staying. He has a nice voice, but he is BORING. And I love happy people, but goodness, this guy smiles ALL THE TIME, well except when he's waiting for the results to be read. Then he himself is incredibly surprised that he made it through to the next round. He's overcome with such amazement that even he can't even smile. I'm glad Antonella is gone. She just didn't do very well at all. Her voice in the lower register... nuh uh. She couldn't hit them. I'm quite shocked that she made it as far as she did. And Sabrina going home... while I think she was the better singer over Haley, I'm not surprised in the least. And to be perfectly honest... I VOTED FOR HALEY. I don't know what it was about Sabrina. I just didn't see STAR when she was up on stage. I saw a singing machine, a robot with a good, well trained voice, but she lacked charisma. Now did Haley have that much more personality? No, but for some reason I just liked her more. And her voice isn't bad. I'm eager to see what she does in the coming weeks.

OK, there is my update. And it sounds like I've finished just in time as I hear Aiden singing from his room. :o)

Happy Monday!

Wordless Wednesday #2

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:15:00 +0000

This is the story of our lives the past few days... Aiden pushing TRAINS...

View more wordless blog entries at www.wordlesswednesday.com

The Name Game

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 23:38:00 +0000

I saw this on someone else's blog and thought this would be fun, especially since not much thought is involved. I've been on the couch basically since Wednesday afternoon, and I'm finally feeling better today.

Anyway, here's MY name game:

The Name Game

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Catherine Elisabeth

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first three letters of your name, plus izzle): Cat-izzle

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three of your last): C-Kee (ok?)

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav color and fav animal): Yellow Cat (sounds like an illness you'd catch in the swamp or something, lol)

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, Street you live on): Elisabeth Foxberry (now that sounds like a real soap opera name doesn't it??)

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom’s maiden name): Keecast

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (favorite color, favorite drink): Yellow Sweet Tea (I guess I'm superhero that sends her enemies into a diabetic coma with my super sugary sweet iced tea!)

8. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of your dad’s middle name, 1st letter of a sibling’s first name, last letter of your moms middle name): Aestfpn - ok that isn't even pronouncable... much like the Iranian president's name... ahmadinejad... I mean Presiden Tom.

9. YOUR STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/body spray): Pink

10. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother & father’s middle name): Ann Fern

If you've read this, you're tagged! Post it on your blog and then leave a note in comments! Thanks for playing! :o)

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:33:00 +0000

Just writing something to say I've posted something today...

I felt under the weather today with a headache, fever, chills... I had the same thing a week ago and it was gone by the next day. I hope that's the same story this week. I'm going to bed in a few minutes, to watch American Idol and fall asleep. I had thought of some great tidbits to post about the AI show last night, but my brain just isn't functioning tonight. I'm lucky to be here at the computer. As soon as my tea is finished, I'm hitting the sack!

The train table came today, along with another set of track. The box the track set came in wasn't covered or anything, so Aiden saw exactly what it was. He got all excited, squealing and waving his arms, when he saw it. He was good about us not opening it until later. Matt and I are going to try to get it put together tomorrow night. I'll need to break out the video camera to capture Aiden's reaction to having a full fledged train table with all sorts of friends of Thomas. :o)

Closing to go sip tea and sit on the couch and finish watching Shepard Smith...

Chicken/Shrimp/Pork/Beef Fried Rice

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:42:00 +0000

Wonderland Fried Rice © Copyright 2007 Kikkoman International Inc. All Rights Reserved

2 bags Success® White or Brown rice (boil-in-bag)
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 C chopped onion
2 eggs, beaten
1 C chooked shrimp or chopped cooked chicken, pork or beef
1 C frozen peas, thawed
1 C diced red bell pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
3 Tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce
2 tsp toasted sesame oil, optional

Prepare rice according to package directions; drain. Heat vegetable oil in large skillet or wok. Add onion; sauté 1 minute. Add eggs; scramble. Stir in shrimp, chicken, pork, or beef, peas , bell pepper, garlic powder, rice, soy sauce and sesame oil; heat through.

**I wish I had had some toasted sesame oil. I think it would've been a nice finishing touch, and it would've added more moisture to my rice that was drying out fast in the pan. I also had to guess-timate on the amount of rice as I was using some cooked leftover rice I had (I cooked WAAAAY too much the other day!). Otherwise, YUMMY! Aiden even ate it! I also suggest buying or making some shrimp sauce to go with it. After visiting too many Japanese restaurants, I need the shrimp sauce!!!**

The Week of the Train Table...

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:44:00 +0000

We're assuming most of the train table stuff will be coming this week, at least we hope so. Today, we received the second of a number of sets we've won off of Ebay.

The newest friends of Thomas to come to our house are Edward, Lady, Percy, Frank, Wilbert, Bertie, Clarabel, Terance, Toad, Gordon, Henry, Donald, Annie and Clarabel, Daisy, and Harold, along with a number of cars for all of these engines to pull.

We had one potty success this morning! Woohoo!!! Aiden told me he needed to poop, so we went to the bathroom. He peed instead of pooping, but I don't care... after a literal DRY SPELL on the toilet, I was happy to see any type of progress. Of course later in the morning, I caught him in the pooping act and asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty. Bribery, often called a no-no in parenting, I feel, is perfectly acceptable in the realm of potty training, especially if it means I'm not going to be changing yucky diapers anymore. Too bad bribery doesn't usually work with Aiden, as was the case this morning. Promises of treats and stickers didn't influence his pooping location, and he proceeded to poop in his diaper. Of course, after the deed is done, he comes to me BEGGING to sit on the potty. When I tell him he's too late for the potty, he is very sad and protests getting his diaper changed. I see a REALLY long TTT (the toilet training tunnel) ahead of us.

A Jewelry Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 02:18:00 +0000

Hop on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and enter the contest to win this adorable little girl's Easter bracelet from Our 2 Peas in a Pod. They have some super cute designs!!

Just follow the directions for registering for the contest **here**

Thursday Thirteen #12

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:29:00 +0000

This is the final official TT! I'm a little bummed to see it go, but many thanks to Leanne for keeping this going for so many weeks... 81 to be exact. Wow that's a long time!!!!

Thirteen Ways to say Goodbye

1. See ya
2. Auf wiedersehen
3. Ciao
4. Despedida
5. Adieu
6. Sayonara
7. Salaam
8. Cheerio
9. Shalom
10. Tot ziens
11. Do svidaniya
12. Ha det
13. Tata

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Cat) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:27:00 +0000

Oh, the places finger paint ends up!

View more Wordless Wednesday participants at www.wordlesswednesday.com