I lied~

Ok so I said that I was going to post some crafty pictures, and well.... I lied. Yup lied. So I figured I would leave you with one of my favorite pictures of all time.

Bye for now!

Blah Tuesday~

I have so many things to get done today. I just got up a little while ago, and did the usual. Clean up the dog mistake. Take the dog for a sleepy walk. Grab the paper. Feed the cats, and the dog. Clean the litter. Fix a cup of coffee. Try to sit... but no there goes the dog with my yarn! The yarn was in a cake and as fast as I was running, the darn thing was unraveling. Ugh. Finally sitting and drinking my coffee with the computer on my lap. How did I get up two hours ago, and get nothing done yet?? HA!



Oh yeah that study about the first borns... I am one! Surprise, surprise siblings.



Have a great day everyone. I have some pictures to post tomorrow. I promise. Really. I will. Honest.



Bye bye!

2 posts in one day!

Has anyone seen this yet? Click here! Although the store hasn't been doing well in my opinion, I didn't think that this would happen.

Over the river, and through the woods....

To Grandmother's house we went~

I haven't been able to post in a bit, just because my head has been foggy. Just to much stuff in there to think about I guess.

Anywho... a couple of weeks ago in an attempt to cheer up Mom we went off to see her Mom "Grand Mom". Grandma is 90 years young, and doing so good. She is so cheerful, and happy, and talkative, and crafty. I'm wondering if her water is better than mine. Hmmmm....

Grandma lives at the Jersey Shore in an adult community with my Aunt M. We haven't visited in quite a while because my Step dad was sick, and Mom couldn't go. She is much further down the shore than we usually travel. Ok... no excuses you gotta visit your Grandma when you are lucky to still have one at my age.

Pete and I had such a great time. I fully expected him to be a little bored. He really got a kick out of my family. My Grandmother revealed to us how as a young woman, she use to go to NYC with her girlfriends during Fleet week to hang out with all the Navy men. We were all quite shocked by this. Grandma you naughty girl! My mother accidentally said "Mom you didn't hang out with Army men!" To which Grandma said "that's right I said Navy men!" Oh how we laughed~

As I looked around Grandma's little apartment I noticed something immediately. It looked just like my own place. There were all kinds of books, and projects being worked on. There was a beautiful crocheted blanket in a basket being worked on. A big embroidery basket was right next to my Grandmother's chair. Then she showed me where she hid her stash. Oh what a laugh we had. My Pete quickly understood where this gene came from. She went on to tell my hubby how she remembered teaching me to embroider when I was about 8. She told him about me having my own little hoop, and what a joy it was to teach me... because I was so curious about everything. Some things never change.

Grandma said that she just hopes that her Dr. gives her the ok so that she can travel. A few years ago she visited my cousin in Oklahoma, and she wants to get on a plane again really soon because it was such fun. She carries oxygen with her, and had to fly first class. I guess that is why she is so exited about going again. I hope the Dr. says it ok. She deserves the best of everything that life can give her that is for sure.

We thought that Mom would have enjoyed herself a little, she was happy the entire week before we went, but she really didn't show any signs of enjoying anything that day. She was actually kind of quiet, and snippy at times. I just hope for the best, and that she can pull herself through this terrible time. I can't imagine my life without Pete, and don't want to. I know that I would be wrecked. Losing my Step dad has brought everything into perspective for all of us. I don't think that any of us thought it would be this bad.

I wish that I had some pictures to post of this very happy visit with my Grandma, but I didn't bring the camera. For obvious reasons I thought I would be sending out the wrong message to Grandma by bringing a camera, but dang I should have. She probably would have posed!

Till next time....

Ok so it looks a little different doesn't it? Well I upgraded to what was supposed to be easier editing, but I don't like it right now. With a little time I will figure it out. I am sure of that. This stuff is fun to me. Aggravating at times, but fun all the same.

If anyone knows the html to make the page whole instead of kind of pushed in the middle I sure would appreciate it. I've always hated how that looks, but noticed it doesn't look that way on everybodies computer. Please feel free to email me with any suggestions: KCatz11@aol.com
I sure would greatly appreciate it.

Not much going on that I can spill about right now. Feeling crappy, and the rain outside isn't helping my mood. I do like the rain though. I have to admit that. Maybe I'll take a nap... that should fix things!

Stolen from Su

Stolen from Su, just because~

You are Betty Grable

The ulitmate girl next door You're the perfect girl for most guys Pretty yet approachable. Beautiful yet real.

What Famous Pinup Are You?

Hello out there..... (cricket sound)

Trust me... this is where I want to be right now. Instead I sit here and type, and methodically plan what the weekend is going to bring. I think that I will hang around and clean, and plant in the yard. I'll probably wind up at the beach whichever day is more quiet, and weather permitting~

Today I have to bring the Mom to the Dr. She is having a very bad melt down due to Step Dad's death. I am sure it is to be expected. She has broken out with Shingles once again. I spoke with the Drs. office the other day, and they confirmed what I thought. STRESS! So off we go today to try and convince Mom to take some anti-depressants for at least a few months. She has been up and down with the mood swings. One day she's fine, the next crying all day, and the next the "Screamer" comes out. The one that yells at anyone in her path. The last person is going to drive me to drink and not stop!

On the crochet/crafty front I have finally started organizing my stuff. I am hoping that I will be more productive now that I can find everything. It was funny because just when I thought that I found all the yarn that one person could possibly could buy in a life time... I found another huge storage box full. I know that I am not saying anything that anyone else has not encountered. It was so nice petting all of my yummy stuff. I just hope that it is ok up in the attic, cause it can get really hot up there.

Ok boys and girls I'm outta here. Have a great weekend. Please drive safely, and sober. :)

Friday!

TGIF to all! I hope that everyone has some nice plans for the weekend. The weather has started to get a lot better here in Jersey. I hope that it is that way where ever you may be.

My dog is having a relapse with behavior issues. I'm not checking because I think I posted about this already. She is pretty much driving me crazy. I think that she feels the stress that is probably oozing out of me. I met a man yesterday with a beautiful dog that suggested the obvious: "Obedience Training Classes". His dog was a huge New Foundland??? I hope I got that right. I'm sure that Chloe was only playing but she was acting like a maniac. This has to stop!! Yikes!! It's getting downright embarrassing taking a dog for a walk, that is actually walking me. Atleast I have gone down a size, and am making many neighbor friends.

I have to go to the court house with Mom today. She needs to get some legal papers to release accounts and stuff. I just hope this doesn't take all day. I'm really not in the mood today. I want to be as helpful as possible, but I have to be honest in saying that my smile is pretty fake these days. I just want to crawl into a room by myself for about a day or two. Of course with my computer! Geez what would I do without it.

Please look on the sidebar, and enter yourself in the Mother's Day contest. Great prizes are to be had!

Not doing so well...

I haven't really posted much about my Mom lately. That's because last week she was in a pretty bad state with depression setting in. She denied that she was depressed, but I saw the tell tale signs of shingles setting in again. It was a pretty busy week of phone calls, and errand running, but worth every minute. I think that it made me, and my brother feel like we could finally help her out. So it was off to the store, and helping with the garbage, cool cloths, and just being there. It felt good to help her out.

This week the mood swings aren't as bad. Anyone that has had shingles knows what I am talking about. This week she is going through the angry period. That is ok. We are giving her plenty of help, and also distance when she needs it.

We are currently not pushing about the living arrangements. We are now planning on possibly building a new home right here. I really would hate to give up my NYC view. That would suck. So many new homes are going up, and I have a great lot with a sucky house. So... perhaps very soon you will be hearing building details.

I will be posting some pictures that have been found in the next few days. I really am quite scattered when it comes to getting any one thing done lately. I'm sure this is normal as well.

Bye for now!

Bad Pet Day!

Well I'm sure that all of you pet owners know what I mean when I say it is "A Bad Pet Day". When you wake up, the birds are singing... but there is pee there, and then poop there from the dog. Puke from the cats eating the plants in the middle of the night. But wait!...on top of that your husband gets up just a few minutes before you to point it out ever so loudly like he is training YOU... what an ass! LOL

Who is doing the cleaning HONEY PIE??? duhhh... Of course I see it, smell it, and feel it. Would you DARLING like to know the consistency as well??? ASS!!! All this and more before coffee!!As a group I think we need to go on strike as women, and men that have to put up with partners that don't realize we aren't morning people!!!

I edited this for bad spelling... but really laughed my ass off when re-reading it. LOL

"It's a new day!"

Have you every heard the saying "My dog ate my homework"? Well my cat just erased my entire post with just one button. When I tried to retrieve it, it just wasn't there.

Your not so lucky if you didn't read the short version. I got to start typing again so I added some things.

All went as expected. There were two family's, and so we were blended as it should be. My Step Dad's first wife, her husband, and my Step Dad's two of three successful sons were there. One is in college at Michigan State. He is becoming a lawyer against the bad guys. :) He would have been there had he known. He really loved his Dad the most. His Mother made the call that he not be told, that is up to her. We had no idea why she choose this decision.

They all really took it pretty hard, it was quite visable. I thought it was so classy of my Mom to treat them just like her three. We all felt as if we were one big family. It was so nice and comforting. We all shared stories about how we blended together as kids on their visitation weekends with their Dad. I remebered that we would drive my Mom nuts! She always got along with wife #1 as she lovingly called her, and we all consoled her as well. You could tell that she was hurting badly. As my Mother said, she was once in love with him as well. You never lose all the love. I will always remember her being this kind. Once again in my life I have learned something. I probably forgot to say in prior posts that wife #1 also visited the hospital a few days before he passed away from us.

There wasn't a dry eye on Saturday (funeral day) when we all gazed upon the headstone that he had paid for, and had placed when he had cancer years ago. My Mother didn't even know that he had written anything on the headstone. She only told me that when going through the grueling treatments for the cancer, it had made him want to prepare for certain things. Death was one of them.

On his headstone is the title of my post. If you knew him, you would understand this as his attempt at humor. He always wanted us to be optimistic, and make each day the best. This he taught to all of his children. The one's by blood as well as my brother, and myself. We understood his humor very well. Dry witted till the end, but leaving you pondering in the fact that it is true.

I should tell you that Saturday was the nicest day that we have had in Jersey this year so far. If you could call this weird weather "Spring"!! My Step Dad always waited for that one beautiful day because it meant the beginning of fishing season right around the corner. Getting on his boat, and fishing was all he wanted to do. He loved the beach, and everything about it. He was always tan. He also loved listening to "Bruce" all the time. We also listened to Cat Stevens continuously for weeks on end growing up, and now I know every Cat song by heart. When I think of my childhood, just like a movie I have that 60/70 era rock playing in my head. Hey I just got that myself. Cat? Ironic~ My Mom & Step Dad had 10 cats. He leaves behind a legacy of furry loved ones that miss laying with him in the bed. They don't know where their Dad is.

He also was a member of the Hudson River Fisherman's Association for a long time before he got sick. He did some great work in the fight to keep the river clean as well. He won a fancy award called "The Pete Barrett award". There was a splashy yearly fisherman dinner every year, and I just happened to be at this one when he won the award. It was nice.

Sleep well teacher, friend, hippy, intellectual and Dad~ You really did know everything!

Have a good day all! After all "It is a new day!"

Passed Away or Dead~

I remember reading about this topic on one of my former favorite boards. The topic was "What do you say when it happens?" I don't know if I replied to this topic when I read it that day. Unfortunately I have to say it today.

My Step Dad passed away at 5:15 this morning.

I like to think of passing slowly through the gates of heaven. Like passing into another place. Starting on a new passage of a new life.

I never had to help with funeral arrangements until today. I have learned alot, and I am feeling kinda numb from the experience. I'm just glad that I was there with my Mom, and sister. I guess that is normal. I still need to pick out flowers, clothes, and some time to remember some happy times.

The wake is set for Friday, and the Funeral is on Saturday. I'm really worried about my Mom. She broke down a few times today, and I hate that she is now alone. I really want her with us, but she is refusing for the moment. I'm not pushing real hard for the time being, she is young. I will keep a close eye on her until the time is right to insist in a couple of months. If anyone has advice for me I'd appreciate any. We are all in a fog right now.

Sorry I've been posting sad shit. I think it has been theraputic. Once again, thank you all for the prayers and nice emails. They have been very helpful. I don't have many/any real time friends except my husband, and my family. So it really feels nice when someone reaches out with the keyboard.

Thank you!

Opening my email today I was surprised that so many of you would check in on me, and leave a comment. Me & my family thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers. At this time my Step Dad is still in a coma. They checked his brainwaves yesterday, and said that no one is home. He is however responding to his family when we talk to him, or play his favorite "Bruce" music. Who knows? Only God at this point. I feel bad for my little sister because she is taking this very hard and refuses to go home. I'm off to the hospital now, but please keep my SD in your thoughts. Maybe I'll report a miracle.

Thanks again all you hookers! LOL

Hi Friends!

Well I haven't posted lately. That isn't any news to anyone that might check in on me occasionally. I just wanted to say hi, and let you all in on my stress filled life at the moment.

My step Dad has been in the hospital for the past couple of weeks. Last Wednesday he had triple by-pass surgery against my input. He wanted to have it done though, because the doctors told him there was no other choice. He is a very sick man, and honestly everything that they have done so far has made him worse. He had the by-pass, and as is common was on the ventilator for a day or two. On Friday they had him off the vent, sitting up, and drinking some fluids. My Mom went up to visit that day. She said it was a pretty nice visit. He was talking and complaining about sitting up. When she left, he said that he loved everyone, and to tell us all to continue praying. Well... that night he had a heart attack, followed by him getting CPR, and being put back on life support, and a feeding tube. To skip all the details that I'm still fuzzy about he is now in a coma.

I visited yesterday, along with husband, sister, brother, and Mom. Every time I talked he would make some sort of movement with his eyebrows. I asked yes, and no questions and he would make movements. He also squeezed my sister's hand at one point. The nurse said that it was just reflexes most likely, but there was no way to know for sure. All I know is that I felt special because only my voice brought reaction. When I told him that I loved him his eyebrows went crazy. I know someone is in there, but I don't want him to suffer anymore.

Last night when Pete, and I left the Dr. came in to talk to my Mom about making "The" decision. My little sister isn't dealing with it very well at all. Understandably.

My bio Dad died on the 15th of April 3 years ago, so I think my Mom knew that yesterday was a very touchy day for me. It was.

I have been an old soul from the day I was born, so I know that I have to take on the brunt of the responsibility. I'm ok with that, and so is Pete. I'm just praying that everything goes very smoothly, and quick. My sister was already on the phone this morning talking to my answering machine for a good 10 minutes complaining. She thinks I should have a talk with my Mom on how to be more emotional. Ehhh... I know that everything is going to start to get crazy right now. I have been mentally preparing for it.

If anyone prays out there. Please say a prayer that he isn't feeling any pain right now.

Thanks to all!

Ummm where's my valium again?

Hello out there! (ECHO)

Hi all! I just realized that I haven't blogged about anything in a few weeks now. I don't want to start becoming a bad blogger again.

You have all been so busy creating such beautiful things. I'm envious that you are all good girls, and boys. I better get on the ball myself.

I'm happy to report that Chloe is doing well. She has gotten the whole house training thing down quickly. It just had me running out the door every time the dog looked at me funny. I think that we finally have our signals down now. When I don't... she lets me know... thats for sure.

Just want to shout up to heaven, and say Top' O the day to you Dad! Hope your having a beer at the pub, and perhaps a smoke. I'm sure the Lord wouldn't mind today. Especially since today (the first day of spring) was your birthday. So Happy Birthday Daddy~ I missed you in life, as much as I do now. I'm glad that such a funny guy as you ever existed in the first place. It's where I get my sarcasm from... that no one else ever gets.

Bye for now~

Finally some pictures!!!

Here is the newest, and last addition to our humble little home. Chloe! Although the house training is coming along a little slowly I'm happy to say that I have no carpeting in my house.
(All pictures are clickable)


Fun in the snow!


Both of my babies (Chris & Chloe)


Eclipse day at the beach

Glass trees

Bird lady at the inlet.

Fishing boat coming in to dock.

Here it is... the picture you've been waiting for~ LOL sure

Me & Chloe!

Miss Chloe

What kind of owners would we be if we didn't let our little one in on the fun of our favorite place? It is ok to take her on the regular beach until April. Also it wasn't terribly cold that day (just regular cold). I'm very overly protective! There is a doggy beach there as well, and we took her there also. She was fascinated that there were other dogs in the world. Of course she only liked the biggest ones. :) That's our Chloe~

BTW - the brain dead woman who originally bought her as an arm decoration wanted to have Chloe destroyed. She contracted mange and the woman didn't want to deal with the expense. My daughter Chris gave her two dips before even letting me know about her. Apparently she was in bad shape because the vet can't believe how great she looks now.
I am happy to report that after her 4th dip which was yesterday (Thurs.) she is doing great. I have a funny feeling that the f---er who exchanged her for a brand new puppy never trained her to go outside... thus the problems I am having. If you look at the smile on my face you can tell that I am very happy to have saved her life, and perhaps she has saved me as well. I now have so much to do! lol

We finally got her papers, and we found out what we suspected. She is older than predicted. Just for the record she is 10 months old now. Not really a puppy, but not an adult either. We don't really care, but it is nice to know where she came from, and her actual birthday.

(Warning Speech!)

Many people don't realize cats and dogs are not knick knacks to display. They are actually living beings with feelings. A furry being should never be dumped, killed, or exchanged for another size. In the hallway of the vets office yesterday morning someone left a beautiful cat that is fully declawed. If anyone here in Bergen County NJ would like to know more about the kitty please let me know. I know that the vet wants to get the poor thing a new home. He is a great Dr. that hates to kill any animal that does not need to be destroyed. He actually has two other cats in his office that someone just left there months ago.

Thanks to all for the advice. Please email me anytime you think something might interest me! Hugs to all~

Snowing!

Compared to the rest of the country that has been getting slammed with the snow we really can't complain. I hope I don't get anyone mad but I think it is kinda pretty.

Our 23rd anniversary was last week, and we had a really good time. I'm kinda going backward here since this was a few days before our new family member (Chloe) came to live with us.

Of all the places to go on your anniversary... my husband surprised me with a leisure drive to the beach. (If you read this blog you'll know that we are there all the time in the summer months) I was very delighted by the mystery drive even though I quickly figured out where we were going. It's not all that tough when winter gear is laying on the bed when you get out of the shower. Nice guy... huh? He always does stuff like that. :)

Of course we started our celebration in town where we munched in our favorite deli "The Center Market". We had huge sandwiches in baskets with the best potato salad on earth. Once we were stuffed... we were ready to freeze our butts off. We drove to the inlet to watch the boats come in. Then eventially we ventured out of the car to walk on the beach. I might add that it was a very short walk because we had no hats on, or ear protection. Once we got back in the car we warmed up by making out like teenagers. It was alot of fun to say the least.

After warming up we went back to the deli, and ate my favorite dessert since last summer. Rice pudding. We also left with some steaming cups of coffee for the road.

We had so many plans for things that we wanted to do that night, but the cold air really wore us forty somethings out. When we got home all we wanted to do was get in the bed and take a nice snuggly nap. Thats exactly what we did. Later on we went out again to our favorite steak house, and upon coming home I drank a bottle of wine. The rest is hush! :) hehehe

As you can tell I am in a great mood now besides all the puppy training with Chloe. If anyone has any suggestions besides hitting when the accidents happen please pass them along. I'm not expecting much since she just got here, but cleaning the floor all the time is becoming a pain in the ass. I do realize that it comes along with the job, and I am enjoying her with all of my heart. She is sooo sweet, and calm. I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world!

Gotta run... hugs to all!

My Secret!

Well no actual picture right now... but she is next to me in the little cartoon image of me in the sidebar. :)

She is actually a Yorkie like her cartoon, and I've named her Chloe, and she is the sunshine in this cold weather that we are having. She was a rescue from my daughter's job. I can't say much more right now because I'm pressed for time with my husband hovering over me. I can say that she has really lightened my stress load, and I have only had her for a few days now.

Bye all, and thanks for checking in on me. The emails have been great as well. Hugs all around!

Crossing my fingers!

I just switched over to the "New" blogger as there was no other way to sign in. I'm hoping that I don't experience the same problems that other's have recently. Thus the title "Crossing my fingers"!

I've been following the Anna Nicole case a little to closely. I kinda like court room stuff, and I probably would have made a great attorney... but that is something in the past.

Many people feel that she was a silly, stupid girl who stepped in shit. That's pretty much true. My feeling has always been that things happen to people for a reason. "What comes around... goes around". I am not however saying that in a mean way. My opinion is that she has lived a life of destruction. It could only end that way.

Honestly I feel very bad for the way her life has ended. My daughter is close in age to that of her late son Daniel, and I know that I would not be able to breath without her. If people that are supposed to care about me compound that hurt... the stress alone would kill me. What I am saying is that I don't care what the medical examiners report says. This woman died of a broken heart. Yes drugs probably played the entire part, but I would do the same thing. I know that I would with the conditions in which she had to live.

I just wish that her mother would let her rest in peace. Anna is with her son, now her mother should let her lay next to him where he lays now. To speak of excavating this boy is a sin in my mind. It's disgusting, and immoral. One would have to wonder what her motives are. I truly wonder just what Anna did run from in that family. It's a shame, and it's sad. I think that when Howard loses the baby he will be with her again.

I have great news to share but will tease you into looking for it, or writing to me to ask. :) Till then have a great weekend everyone!

I'm sorta back

If anyone still checks in on me occasionally you will know that I have not been around much. Sometimes I just don't feel like blogging or checking in on my favorite clubs/sites and whatnot. Sometimes I actually work on this thing! LOL I'm sure that a lot of you do the same... so I'm not telling you anything new.

I've been in touch with old friends in real life, and it has been a nice change of pace. I forgot that I actually did have people in my life at one time that always stood by my side. I literally cut many people out of my life in hopes of reducing stress, and I think that I am ready to find the flowers that were once in my life. Many factors lead me to not bother with people as well as family. As long as my friends realize why I have been so forgetful with them... then I know they are real friends. A few years back I had many problems in my life, and the only way that I could over come those stressful situations was to shut down. Unfortunately I had to close up shop to personal relationships with family and friends as well.

Honestly I am not trying to be evasive about what my stress concerned. I'm just trying to say that I am grateful for certain people that I have been lucky enough to meet in life that haven't judged me. The other's ... well I'm glad they are no longer around. They only added ingredients to what I didn't need in my recipe for life. (Ramble...Ramble...Ramble)... lol

Not saying that I don't love all of my friends online, or anything. Just that I am a bit of a loner by choice, and really always have been. My friends, family, and online pals have usually had to be the pursuers to get near me and I truly feel bad for that now. Now that I am feeling better I hope that I can be a better person to these dear people that now need me to make them smile.

Ok... Husband is calling me now so I will sign off for now. Geez he needs his pretzels!!! Love to all.... Kelly~