tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82399278528447003142011-07-07T21:30:19.896-04:00Do you ever feel like you spend an inordinate amount of time chasing uncontrollable creatures and trying to tame all the stuff in your life? Me too. Welcome to my world.Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.comBlogger3011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-61231033809935135592009-06-05T19:26:00.001-04:002009-06-05T19:27:32.805-04:00

I know. It's been forever. I decided to start over with something new.Catch me over at my new blog: anothermomblog.wordpress.comSee you there.:)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-24886061957974040282009-02-03T13:10:00.002-05:002009-02-03T13:11:07.617-05:00

So...I can ignore my taxes this year (and a few years more) and then just say I'm sorry, and it's all good, right?;)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-54075945463896598102009-02-02T16:29:00.002-05:002009-02-02T16:36:39.481-05:00

I didn't get the sweater.There's a cardigan that's been calling my name at one of my favorite stores. A soft, comfy, relaxed, cotton cardigan. Last week, it went on sale (finally!) and the store sent me a coupon for $25 off any order. I planned to order today.But Saturday, the five-year-old came moping down the stairs with her music player. You remember--the CD player with two microphones we

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-35573809044328900042009-02-01T20:45:00.001-05:002009-02-01T20:45:16.279-05:00

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-32308562491079577052009-01-29T15:47:00.000-05:002009-01-29T15:48:26.832-05:00

Lil' Bill has zip to do with the cartoon. It's after Bill Clinton. Obama shook up Clinton's cabinet for his own, so I started calling him lil' Bill. See? Not horrible.But just for you, I'll call him Billama. OK?***smooch***

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-76858138980088451832009-01-28T17:06:00.002-05:002009-01-28T17:11:22.574-05:00

Dear Lil' Bill:You are cordially invited to come chip all the ice out of my driveway. Show me how big and bad you are, you manly Chicagoan! Pretty easy to throw 'round insults from a house that's totally cleared for you, isn't it? Pretty easy to dis the roads when you're all riding around in an armored, bionic limo with an escort of, what, 300 Suburbans?Seriously, dude. I'm with you that we're

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-80542444034172187672009-01-27T18:08:00.003-05:002009-01-27T18:20:29.807-05:00

I know. Bruce Almighty was a comedy. Got it.But there are some fantastic lessons in that movie, which is why it's one of my all-time favorites. One of the best scenes is a conversation between Bruce (Jim Carrey) and God (Morgan Freeman), shortly after Bruce parts a bowl of soup a la the Red Sea and declares that a miracle. God says:Parting your soup is not a miracle, Bruce. It's a magic trick. A

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-18737502547556132712009-01-21T18:22:00.002-05:002009-01-21T18:23:43.338-05:00

Last night's creations. A bracelet and a necklace. Both in warm brown gemstones and gold Celtic beads.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-78677301291912490202009-01-20T17:57:00.002-05:002009-01-20T18:04:41.942-05:00

A new president. I wish him all the best. I hope he really can deliver on the promises and turn things around. Truly, I do. Who wouldn't? Looking forward to a new start on that front. I'm also very glad nothing catastrophic happened during the ceremony today. With 2 million people and so many closed roads (so they were all relying on Metro), it was like fish in a barrel. I held my breath all day.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-12130078283684120332009-01-13T05:53:00.003-05:002009-01-13T06:02:25.251-05:00

We came up with a new game last night.We were watching Bear Grylls--that goofy British guy who eats all the gross stuff on Man vs Wild. I was laying on the floor playing with WDCL and DH was in a chair, actually, like, watching the show.Bear said, "I was hanging by my rucksack," and I popped up off the carpet. "He was hanging by his WHAT?" I didn't hear "rucksack." I heard another word. A potty

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-46822629021698356922009-01-11T15:30:00.002-05:002009-01-11T15:31:35.165-05:00

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-62789428975621555552009-01-09T11:15:00.004-05:002009-01-09T11:27:07.776-05:00

I'm just calling Barack "Lil' Bill" from here on out. Oh my GOD, man, have an original thought from time to time! You took Clinton's cabinet trading cards, shuffled them, and tossed them on a table to pick your team. You did!!So much for change. *snort*(ps--I also think Sarah Palin *really* needs to shut the hell up and crawl back under her frozen rock. Before anybody gets all partisan. We are

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-28006640322097885182009-01-07T09:34:00.003-05:002009-01-07T09:41:00.823-05:00

Day 3 of the healthy thing. Got up and hit my rower early this morning (I did the Hip Hop Abs video yesterday and both almost died and really had fun with it) and still eating pretty well, minus a handful of chocolate chips last night (damn those things!). The Weight Watchers recipe of Pad Thai we made last night was really good and a definite keeper. Even DS ate it. Rock on.Roland Burris reminds

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-55598353314681057962009-01-06T11:17:00.003-05:002009-01-06T11:21:38.395-05:00

Day 2 of the resolution. Yesterday went pretty well, and today is going well too. I did a new exercise DVD this morning that kicked my abs, after walking/running yesterday. Looking forward to exercising outside more reliably when the weather changes.Two quick things I've learned: You can scramble an egg by whipping it up with milk or water in a cooking spray-coated mug and microwaving it for 30

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-31948481944643912412009-01-05T07:19:00.003-05:002009-01-05T07:23:19.065-05:00

Today is the day I celebrate the new year--everybody's going back to school and work after two weeks. Yee-ha! DD woke up at 5, all excited to see her friends and show them her loose tooth, and DS woke up when I dragged his tangled-up self out of the bottom bunk at 6:30, mourning seven hours apart from his love, the Wii. I'm looking forward to getting back to work myself. Today, there are dozens

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-76632508297371651122008-12-31T17:32:00.004-05:002008-12-31T18:40:12.436-05:00

New Year's Eve. Good goddamn riddance.It started off with a bang--I got to spend four or five glorious hours at my in laws' house. Fun times.Times were made all the more fun by the lack of electricity at their house. Not an unusual occurrence--the power goes out if you sneeze too hard there--but since they're on a well, it means no flushing and no running water, on top of no heat and no

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-36734027517955807172008-12-18T14:23:00.001-05:002008-12-18T14:24:09.253-05:00

Dear Obama:How's that honeymoon working out for you?*snort*XOXOKim

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-26973835659649615512008-12-10T16:50:00.004-05:002008-12-10T17:17:54.054-05:00

Sorry. It's been awhile. It's the most frantic time of year, made even more so by moving and renovating and volunteering and such. Today was my great-uncle's funeral. People I've told that have said they're sorry. I appreciate it, but really, he was 96 years old. Married for 67 years--my great aunt, who is in fantastic health, is 88. You don't get a much better run than 96 years. It's sad to see

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-17930996613171900132008-12-02T17:10:00.001-05:002008-12-02T17:11:48.121-05:00

Dear Ford, Chrysler, and GM:I'm about to bail you out. Ready?Stop building cars that suck.Voila.Love,Kimps--It's not about the salary, stupids. We all know with your annual six-figure bonuses, a dollar salary offer is meaningless. Try again.pps--I heart my Honda. Heh.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-31600479484288709802008-11-28T14:26:00.001-05:002008-11-28T14:27:08.190-05:00

Another Black Friday, another trampling at Wal Mart.Tis the season...every stinkin year!

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-11152997568154765502008-11-22T12:46:00.002-05:002008-11-22T12:48:26.428-05:00

With the Money Pit falling down around me and a DH who's seriously on the verge of a complete breakdown, I thought I'd share something positive. And that's dinner from last night.In a bowl, mix together two regular-size cans of cream of mushroom soup (condensed...I use the Healthy Choice kind), a third of a cup of white wine, and a 10 oz can of sliced mushrooms, drained.Put that into the crockpot

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-65886888870410676912008-11-18T19:43:00.000-05:002008-11-18T19:44:24.040-05:00

Just for fun (and cuz it's a teeny bit true *blush*)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-67899199933544275172008-11-18T16:53:00.001-05:002008-11-18T16:54:10.106-05:00

For my kids' teachers (there are four of them), should I get gift certificates for manicures at the Red Door Salon, or give handmade bracelets with natural stones and gold/silver beads and pretty clasps?Leave your vote in my comments section. I'm stumped.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-83420337155056811802008-11-17T14:13:00.002-05:002008-11-17T14:18:24.315-05:00

Dear House Gods:I can deal with the rotted wood underneath the upstairs window. I can handle the overflowing toilet, the crashing-from-the-ceiling plaster, the burner that doesn't light on the stove, and needing to leave the basement light on to run the dryer. I can also deal with the garbage can drawer that opens by itself since DH "fixed" it, the garage walls that crumble when we try to hang

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-32408623713518170752008-11-16T15:31:00.003-05:002008-11-16T15:39:49.539-05:00

Hear that? That's quiet. I'm all alone, save the WDCL. No pressure to be working. A little pressure to clean, but I've done a lot of that already. Just the hum of the refrigerator. It's nice.Between Friday and yesterday, I spent about 15 hours working at the school bazaar. My feet hurt and my butt hurts and I'm tired, but I have to say, it was a blast. And I am LOVING feeling part of something

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-25368866021672338112008-11-11T12:28:00.002-05:002008-11-11T12:30:34.982-05:00

Dear Sarah:For somebody without aspirations for 2012, you sure are out there this week. A media tour of your home? For real?Girlfriend, find a shadow and hang out there for awhile. You're not helping the cause. I'm your target audience and I think you need way more than four years to reappear on my ballot. And you're causing divisiveness. Vamoose. Pronto. Take your wardrobe with you.Love,

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-86291727071016547772008-11-10T18:47:00.003-05:002008-11-10T18:55:04.451-05:00

Another case of pinkeye in my house. *sigh* We sure are susceptible to it. And yes, we wash our hands. A lot. Stupid bacteria.Had a really yummy salad for lunch today. You've never heard me say that. I'm not a huge salad fan, generally. But this was good--baby greens, walnuts, currants, green apples, chicken, and a vinaigrette. Must duplicate, I think, with Craisins.Turned around and had a

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-19247633896768943152008-11-06T16:30:00.001-05:002008-11-06T16:31:14.657-05:00

Dear Mr. Decker:Palms up. You always approach a dog with your hands palms up. Palms down is threatening.See?XOXOKim*giggle*

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-62463935489273914812008-11-05T08:26:00.005-05:002008-11-05T08:47:14.707-05:00

Yesterday was the day I fell apart.I hear it happens about four or five days after moving, so we were right on target. Yesterday was the day I couldn't find things in boxes (and the boxes were towering and overwhelming) and I kept flipping the wrong light switches and opening the wrong cabinets looking for things. By the end, I felt pretty lost in this house.Yesterday was the day we dug into a

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-72137905388128866382008-11-04T10:48:00.003-05:002008-11-04T10:56:31.832-05:00

We moved Saturday. And Sunday. And some every day for about three weeks before that. But everything's at the new (old) house and we're finding our way around. Missing a school uniform, but I hope it'll turn up soon. And I love my new house!I voted this morning. No line at all. Which was sort of unnerving--four years ago, I waited 90 minutes to vote. I had the kids all bribed up to behave in a

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-57317788278059211662008-10-27T14:20:00.002-04:002008-10-27T14:26:25.166-04:00

In the past five days, I have...-Packed, transported, and semi-unpacked about two dozen boxes of crap per day from the old house to the new one.-Crashed my car. Into another. His will be fixed; mine won't.-Played lunch angel to 27 hyper Catholic school kindergarteners on Pajama Day. Which is like cotton crack, apparently.-Battled with Lowes over my supposed carpet installation.-Burned two fingers

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-81066733322222332542008-10-24T12:12:00.002-04:002008-10-24T12:16:11.254-04:00

Dear John:You can lay out all the paths you want, my friend. Sadly, unless we find out the other guy really is a card-carrying socialist, it's just not happening.Didn't I tell you? Didn't I say on the day you announced your VP pick that it was a brilliant PR move and horrendous political strategy? That it was going to come back and bite you in the butt? That pretty and female made for terrific

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-53449911211559771772008-10-23T09:13:00.003-04:002008-10-23T09:15:34.665-04:00

DD's home from kindergarten with pinkeye today. It's a tough way to spend a sick day--she can't really go anywhere or see anyone, but she feels just fine.I should be working. Instead, we ran to the Redbox machine and picked up the new Ariel video for later, and we just spent 15 minutes on YouTube learning the Cha Cha Slide. My girl's going to be prepared for the Halloween dance this weekend!Later

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-89045741960870201912008-10-22T11:36:00.003-04:002008-10-22T11:38:33.373-04:00

It's been a really bad day so far. I'm taking great joy in a "whaddya know" moment.I came home from Great Badness to play with Facebook...cuz what else do you do when the world is closing in, right? A Facebook friend had joined a group called "Smalltimore," which is for people from Baltimore. The gist of this is that everybody in Baltimore has a connection to everybody else. As an old boss of

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-33076338121723551472008-10-21T10:34:00.002-04:002008-10-21T10:38:11.444-04:00

Our financial advisor emailed a week ago to tell us he's hosting a client appreciation dinner next month. DH has a business trip that week, so we politely declined.Last night, DH said the advisor called him. "Don't ask me any questions," he said, "but you have to go to that dinner."*sigh*"Is he going to embarrass me?" I asked. DH said no. But I can't think of a reason I have to be there that

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-14455917621551152032008-10-12T21:31:00.003-04:002008-10-12T21:35:49.315-04:00

Dear Numbnuts:I don't really care that you hit my car somewhere. Accidents happen. But thanks bunches for hitting my car, scraping up the fender and denting the wheel well, and leaving without even an apology. That rocks.I know it's just a minivan. I know it's not particularly new. I know it has a private school sticker on the rear windshield, and you probably assumed I'm made of money so screw

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-28436503753544583562008-10-05T17:01:00.002-04:002008-10-05T17:02:07.113-04:00

Foreclosure looming? Just shoot yourself. Problem solved.*shaking head*Oooooooorrrr...you could try living within your means (*gasp*) and not signing financial papers you don't understand. What have we all come to???

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-89268701784440203812008-10-03T16:05:00.003-04:002008-10-03T16:06:18.304-04:00

Weeks and weeks of packing and organizing and painting and lugging stuff. Weeks more to come. Ugh.The lady who is selling us her house moves out Monday.Today...today...I remembered to call the water, gas, and electric companies to switch the accounts over and avoid being plunged into dry, cold darkness.Rock on, me...

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-9840497748983873562008-10-01T17:05:00.003-04:002008-10-01T17:13:12.674-04:00

A couple of y'all have asked for this, soo...Crockpot Chicken Chili3 chicken boobs, cut into bites1 green bell pepper, chunked up1 red bell pepper, chunked up1 sweet onion, diced2 cloves garlic, diced2 small cans tomato paste2 regular or 1 large can of diced tomatoes, drained1 or 2 cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed2-4 tbsp chili powder1 tbsp ground cumin1 bay leafPlop it all in the

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-58534300559019912142008-10-01T07:34:00.002-04:002008-10-01T07:35:16.381-04:00

Lookie what my mommy gave me for my dirtday!!

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-51705175451889492212008-09-30T09:24:00.000-04:002008-09-30T09:25:17.031-04:00

You would have been 70 today, Dad. Happy birthday. We miss you.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-8516897875031219482008-09-28T21:06:00.002-04:002008-09-28T21:13:17.237-04:00

Dear World:This whole sending-out-good-karma thing? This whole be-nice-to-others-and-get-it-back deal?I'm calling bullshit.And you know what? I'm done. I'm finished with making sure everyone is included and feels welcome. I'm done with marking every birthday of every person I know with a card or little gift. I'm finished lending out tools and baking supplies and books and God knows what else to

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-62804303745357018532008-09-27T09:55:00.003-04:002008-09-27T09:56:22.854-04:00

We got two inches of rain last night. Everything is soaked and muddy and disgusting. More rain is forecast for later today.CYO is saying today's soccer game is on. Do I take the boy? Or skip it? Do I go to Mommy Hell for that?

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-62341394352762761892008-09-25T07:12:00.002-04:002008-09-25T07:22:08.458-04:00

Issue all the headlines you want. Nobody in this house is getting a flu shot.First, no "vaccine" should be doled out like M&Ms at the grocery store. And no other supposed vaccination is. You can't just stroll in off the parking lot and get a measles shot if you want one. That speaks volumes to me about what may or may not be in the vial of flu vaccine. If it was really good stuff, it would be

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-81713687455820491212008-09-24T11:39:00.001-04:002008-09-24T11:40:07.207-04:00

David Blaine is full of crap.I really don't like that guy.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-87038849297285966202008-09-24T09:37:00.001-04:002008-09-24T09:39:05.051-04:00

I started a new blog this morning (this one will keep going for all my random thoughts). So many people have asked me about "getting things" from companies and not getting ripped off, that I thought I'd write about that every few days.The new blog is: thecommonsenseconsumer.blogspot.comHope you'll check it out! :)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-77028188930595967332008-09-24T08:51:00.002-04:002008-09-24T08:59:44.893-04:00

Alien tagged me.The "rules" of the game are as follows:Post the rules on your blog.Write 6 random things about yourself.Tag 6 people at the end of your post.If you're tagged. DO IT and pass on the tag.Okie dokie, then. My 6 random things:I am hopelessly uncoordinated. Can't catch a ball. Can't throw a Frisbee. Can barely walk without injuring myself. It was so bad in grade school that after about

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-71852197554631059192008-09-23T10:39:00.001-04:002008-09-23T10:40:37.904-04:00

Time to rock and roll, ladies and gentlemen.I know the supposed bailout is a tough call. Lots to think about. But let's hop-to. If we're bailing, grab a bucket and have at it.The uncertainty is worse than a decision. Any decision. Seriously. We're Americans, you know? We don't do well with the unknown. Pick a path and go that way. Today. thanks.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-72579941707783153852008-09-22T12:39:00.002-04:002008-09-22T12:43:59.817-04:00

EAT something, scary skeletor woman! *shudder* (Note to California CVB: Lots of pretty people live in your state. Pick another one. Oy.)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-42974837079530513212008-09-22T06:40:00.003-04:002008-09-22T06:51:48.578-04:00

This was SO good. It's a recipe I doctored up from AllRecipes--I ditched a silly amount of shortening, reduced the fat by half overall, cut the sugar significantly, cut the salt, and messed with the flour. Everybody devoured a slice last night. :)Dutch Apple Cake1/4 cup butter1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce3/4 cup sugar1 egg1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla extract1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup white

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-48600590679347255822008-09-21T15:09:00.004-04:002008-09-21T15:21:09.221-04:00

There was a hearse behind me at the car wash this morning. I don't know why it struck me as really odd--it's not like funeral homes have their own car bays or something. But it creeped me out. I'm having fear-of-death issues lately anyway (hello, mid-life crisis!) and didn't need that thing behind me under the spray. Bleyuck.We picked a ton of apples yesterday morning. It seemed like a really

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-81460531345567815472008-09-20T07:45:00.002-04:002008-09-20T07:52:12.326-04:00

I just ordered a kit of Bare Minerals eyeshadows and brushes from Sephora, to combat the eczema I get on my eyes after using any other brand (except Physicians Formula, which is getting increasingly difficult to find).Yesterday, I ordered a super-cute political sticker for my car. Express delivery, please.I'm watching for sales on Kenmore HE washers and dryers...DH says (how 1950s does that sound

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-59783422314095984472008-09-18T12:16:00.003-04:002008-09-18T12:27:38.343-04:00

Do you have one?I do, and somebody pounced on it yesterday. I'm afraid I didn't react very well, either.We were at coffee yesterday morning, some neighbors and I, and one of the girls told a story that I swear I've sat through four times now. It has to do with a community that I'm part of--I had nothing to do with The Incident directly, but every time this same tale is dragged out, I sit there

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-70806296820731339092008-09-17T06:55:00.003-04:002008-09-17T07:05:41.020-04:00

I've missed you, my pretties!! What's it been, two weeks? Wow. Sorry. Here's the recap.DS started second grade and DD started kindergarten. Everyone's liking school--no tears yet. As DD's teacher said at back to school night, "It's been a successful start to the year. Nobody's vomited." Rock on.We settled on the new house. The ex-owners are renting back until Oct. 6, and then the craziness of

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-19147329776697796842008-09-09T20:36:00.003-04:002008-09-09T20:38:31.127-04:00

Dear Lance:That's not retirement.Retirement is the point at which you're done doing whatever it is you do. Finished. The end. On to pina coladas and walks in the rain and all that good stuff.What you've been doing is "taking a break." Sabbatical, if you need a big word (I'm not into big words, but whatever floats your boat, dude).Spread the word, wouldja? Tell Cher. Barbra Streisand. Joe Gibbs.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-63520294552250480262008-09-09T17:30:00.001-04:002008-09-09T17:31:21.241-04:00

Tomorrow, I am having the phone surgically attached to the side of my face.Think of all the time I'll save, not having to pick up, hang up, and hold it there when it rings ten thousand times.Sweet.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-3291082729532680562008-09-03T17:05:00.000-04:002008-09-03T17:06:14.354-04:00

I snagged this today while waiting for my watch battery to be changed at the mall. Cute, no?It's the little things...

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-9955909253317367922008-09-02T13:40:00.004-04:002008-09-02T14:01:14.825-04:00

DS started school today. DD did not. For some reason, kindergarten goes back to school a week later than everyone else. It's going to be a long week for moi. *sigh* But DS seemed to have a great, fun day. He told me at pick-up this afternoon that he thinks second grade is going to be his best year yet. You rock on, little man!Just to clarify: My issue with Sarah Palin (my latest issue) is not

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-26379709395436164512008-08-29T11:42:00.001-04:002008-08-29T11:42:39.155-04:00

Dear John:When I said ixnay on the old white guy...THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!!!!!You all are killing me. *sigh*

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-8349803984840061362008-08-27T14:04:00.002-04:002008-08-27T14:13:32.565-04:00

Dear John:May I call you John? Thanks.Look, John, I'm going to be frank with you. There are certain facts that most people--particularly those who control things like the armed forces and a rumored red button in a briefcase--are expected to know. Top of the head, off the cuff kind of stuff.  Your name, for example, and place and date of birth. Your wife's name. Your birthday, her birthday, and

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-14648902729324190582008-08-26T14:21:00.002-04:002008-08-26T14:23:23.243-04:00

My five year old thinks "Obama" is the funniest name she's ever heard. It sends her into fits of giggles. Every. Time.Obama. BAA HAAAA HAAAAAAA!Obama. TEE HEE HEEEEE!Today, in a fit of "all the other kids went back to school and I'm still stuck in this stinkin' house with my stinkin' mother for the love of Pete," she started calling me Obama.It's not a nickname I'm amused with.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-59082709857563924622008-08-25T18:51:00.001-04:002008-08-25T18:52:05.640-04:00

House deal is ON, baybee!!!***Smooches*** guys. Thanks for hanging in there with me!!

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-86662710201970230262008-08-25T18:40:00.003-04:002008-08-25T18:42:26.728-04:00

There is not an experience in the world like getting into your dork husband's car, asking which CD in his changer is Kid Rock, punching in #2 as he says, and instead of hearing Bawtidaba, having your eardrums torn out and mangled by one of the many movie theme songs of Kenny Loggins.Trust me on this one.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-48913158599464084772008-08-24T18:26:00.002-04:002008-08-24T18:32:37.136-04:00

Its about 6:30 on Sunday.There's a very good chance this house deal is going to fall through. Not of our doing. Half of my life is in boxes. My back hurts. My shoulder hurts. I'm exhausted. And we may not be moving. Oh yeah, and we already told the neighbors we were going. So that'll be fun...living on a very protective (that's the best way I can put it) block after outing ourselves for house

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-66350185157522151532008-08-18T14:05:00.003-04:002008-08-18T14:15:29.301-04:00

For those who haven't heard (sha, right), we bought a house.Not any house. Pretty much my dream house. The house I've been searching for lo these many months. The garage, the big kitchen, the arched doorways, the slate roof, the leaded glass, the gabled windows. The House.Want to know the funny part? It's six houses away from where I live now. *snort*So here's the deal. This is a house I have

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-48156162976243849622008-08-14T16:02:00.003-04:002008-08-14T16:13:00.506-04:00

I caught 30 Minute Meals today at lunchtime. I don't get to do that very often, but DS isn't feeling well and DD was busy torturing him with her five-year-old gnat dance, so my lunch and my laptop and I parked ourselves in the living room and flipped on Food Network.First of all, holy tight painted-on jeans on television, Batman! Wow, girlfriend. All that money you're bringing in? The word is "

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-44465329051009842372008-08-13T14:48:00.002-04:002008-08-13T15:09:52.211-04:00

A new bed for DD fell in our laps this weekend, so we spent part of Sunday afternoon shopping for a mattress set. Not far from our house is "mattress mile," which is a one-mile stretch of a large road with at least 6 or 8 mattress stores on it. It's eerie, really.One of the stores is a mattress "outet." We like outlets, so we started there. Mr Fancysuit met us at the door with a huge smile. DH

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-30344996037764118542008-08-12T14:28:00.002-04:002008-08-12T14:29:05.470-04:00

This has me laughing so hard, I can hardly breathe. Oh man, I wish I'd thought of this!Verizon Wireless Surprises Customer - Watch more free videos

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-81706110738082102902008-08-12T11:23:00.003-04:002008-08-12T11:34:44.229-04:00

It is so stinkin' beautiful outside...and all the kids are downstairs playing. *sigh* I'll kick them out with force after lunch. It's too cold out for the pool--that'd get them running for the yard. Very strange for DC in August. I'll take it!I updated my photoblog, after, what, years away? Sorry. I'll try my hardest to do better with that.Did you guys hear that the little girl who sang at the

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-9166760394049430482008-08-11T15:54:00.001-04:002008-08-11T15:55:38.533-04:00

Dear Mark Spitz:Stop being a jackass and let Phelps have his moment, OK? It's not about you.Love,The World(and Kim, who eagerly anticipates closing ceremonies and life getting back to post-Olympics-hysteria normal).

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-67250756605694562082008-08-09T08:18:00.003-04:002008-08-09T08:26:15.813-04:00

Sorry, sorry, sorry.The stovetop mac n cheese recipe is here. I left out the mustard and the salt but left in the hot sauce, and you really can't taste it per se. I also used regular lowfat milk instead of the canned ick, and I substituted monterey jack for half the cheddar. The kids gobbled it up. Don't try this with lowfat cheese, by the way. BTDT. It gets grainy. This freezes beautifully.For

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-20979502148595686992008-08-06T21:38:00.003-04:002008-08-06T21:45:14.503-04:00

I am beat.Went swimming at the retirement community with the kids and my mom this morning. I flippin *hate* putting on a swimsuit. Then we went to lunch at the retirement community restaurant. Always an adventure. After that, I left the kids with my mom for a sleepover, went to the vet to pick up the WDCL's very expensive thyroid meds, came home to walk her and make some work calls, and cleaned

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-31471542986579229442008-08-05T18:43:00.002-04:002008-08-05T18:45:22.147-04:00

Homemade and then frozen French Toast Sticks: Huge success.Homemade and then frozen chicken tenders: So-so success.Homemade mac n cheese (Alton Brown's stovetop recipe minus the mustard): Tremendous success.Homemade and frozen pizza dough: Always a big hit.Homemade marinara sauce: "This is so yummy, Mommy!!!"Healthy eating totally rocks, my friends. :)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-78863007180829178502008-08-04T13:34:00.001-04:002008-08-04T13:34:42.631-04:00

I can't explain it, but this cracks me up every stinkin time. :)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-41399620870050627102008-08-03T16:09:00.002-04:002008-08-03T16:14:53.379-04:00

This label-reading business...it's not for the faint of heart. Once you start reading labels for high-frutcose corn syrup (I still can't spell it), you start seeing other things. Like sodium, fat, and all kinds of wacky preservatives.I, um, don't really want my kids eating that crap as a habit. The occasional treat is fine, you know? But day to day? Not so much.Today, DH took the kids to the ILs

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-21979767943904030372008-08-02T19:58:00.002-04:002008-08-02T20:24:31.508-04:00

DH had an errand to run this morning and we had stuff to do later this afternoon, so we broke one of the cardinal rules governing living in D.C. in the summer.If you must visit the Smithsonian on a hot, sticky summer day when it's supposed to rain, visit first thing in the morning and get out before lunchtime.Because of DH's Very Important Thing To Do, we didn't get to the Natural History Museum

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-4566083018909254172008-07-31T21:05:00.002-04:002008-07-31T21:13:09.694-04:00

That's me. Tired. Wiped out. Finis.It's been a heck of a week. DH has been traveling, which means that instead of plopping in front of the television after dinner, I've been doing stuff around the house. Which, if I do say so myself, looks darned nice. The basement is organized. My office is spotless. Shiny things are gleaming. Even the baseboards got a once-over with the Magic Eraser. I've also

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-63674654029354077832008-07-29T20:22:00.003-04:002008-07-29T20:32:27.832-04:00

I stole this from Mary.The Big Read estimates that the average person has only read 6 of the 100 greatest books ever printed.Copy and paste to your blog and play along! Bold books you've read, and italics books you love.1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte4 The Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling Just need to read the last one still5

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-69113836622580042622008-07-29T11:11:00.003-04:002008-07-29T11:16:53.777-04:00

My kids are in God Camp this week (Vacation Bible School, but it's easier to say God Camp), and today, I remembered to go to the bank and get 10 gold dollar coins.I then did a mini-jig outside the bank.I haven't been inside a bank in years. It's ATM all the way, baby. But DH and I started a Very Stupid Thing when DS lost his first tooth last December. We "helped" the tooth fairy leave him a shiny

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-63151508217743554052008-07-26T07:26:00.001-04:002008-07-26T07:27:36.470-04:00

americastestkitchen.com. That's a great site.(But don't ever subscribe to Cook's Illustrated. Holy lots-of-junk-mail and lots-of-solicitation-phone-calls!!)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-8201379607920170772008-07-25T17:59:00.002-04:002008-07-25T18:10:41.256-04:00

Here you go...my favorite cookbooks.Happy in the Kitchen, Michel Richard (mine's signed...*swoon*)Better Homes & Gardens New CookbookBarefoot Contessa Family Style, Ina GartenChesapeake Bay Cooking, John ShieldsTide & Thyme, Annapolis Junior LeagueBarefoot Contessa Parties, Ina GartenCooking Light Complete CookbookThe Congressional Club CookbookWeight Watchers New Complete Recipes (seriously...

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-53841401333069366792008-07-24T08:37:00.002-04:002008-07-24T08:44:24.400-04:00

Two things--I'm swamped with work.First, I bought bath towels from Lands End maybe three or four years ago. Lately, I noticed they were fading. And last night, one tore across a seam as I hung it up. So I called Lands End this morning and told them I was disappointed in the towels and surprised they hadn't held up better over a relatively short period of time (our old towels were a good 7 years

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-59512842981315459352008-07-21T10:29:00.005-04:002008-07-21T11:01:56.354-04:00

We're on about day five of trying to eat more natural foods and less processed crap. I'm seeing a bid difference in DS already, which is encouraging. I'm also, however, starting to wonder if we're not also dealing with some mild sensory issues. And whether that's worth a call to the pediatrician or not, being that he's seven. He claps his hands over his ears whenever a car or truck goes by,

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-47169964910329957802008-07-19T13:35:00.002-04:002008-07-19T13:38:18.811-04:00

The house thing...I'm over it. I just needed a few days to be mad. What will be will be, yes? Let go and let God and all like that.Despite the past week, I am a pretty even-keeled person. Most of the time. With lots that makes me happy: my kids, mint chip ice cream, a good book, my daily perusal of people.com, the WDCL, baking something yummy and warm, and the article in tomorrow's Post magazine

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-65142821502020921512008-07-17T19:34:00.005-04:002008-07-17T19:47:55.320-04:00

DH thinks I'm having anger issues.I'll admit, this house thing has me a teensy bit fired up. I'm an old house person, same way I'm a dog person, and the thought that Douchebag could sell his family home--the one they bought in the 1950s--to some developer to tear down is kind of pissing me off.(I'm also having pottymouth issues. Apologies all around. But it wouldn't be much of a blog if I didn't

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-79114069060990377972008-07-16T21:35:00.005-04:002008-07-16T21:54:30.525-04:00

So I spent the morning shopping around for a wi-fi signal booster. Our FIOS modem is in our basement, and my new office is in an addition to our house. That means the signal has to go upstairs, and through a wall with three layers--plaster atop cinder blocks atop brick--to get to my computer. And that doesn't work so well. But I found this site and made its cardboard-and-foil booster and plopped

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-15838258133332389822008-07-15T15:04:00.000-04:002008-07-15T15:05:26.492-04:00

And not just because I like the new Pilot.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-24391864836992310832008-07-09T13:38:00.003-04:002008-07-09T13:52:59.700-04:00

You woke up at 5:30 this morning. At least, that's when you came crashing into my room and bounding into bed with me, all smiles and shrieks. I can't really blame you, though. You don't turn five every day. That kind of excitement seems appropriate.With your curly hair, blue eyes, and chalk-white perfectly square teeth, you have the classic beauty of the Gerber baby. Rare is the day we go out

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-48798239571665810582008-07-09T08:53:00.001-04:002008-07-09T08:54:20.957-04:00

I ordered the below way-cool bag here.  Happy shopping! :)

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-13120574836083858202008-07-08T14:57:00.003-04:002008-07-08T15:03:29.010-04:00

I will freely admit to being handbag obsessed. Twice or three times a year, I must have a new one. Must.I just found my bag for fall. Thanks to Allison, I have a healthy (maybe) addition to Etsy.com, and I found a fantastic designer who's making me a great bag.It's this bag:In this fabric:Don't even ask me why Blogger won't let me place the pictures where I want them. Dammit. But you get the idea

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-25062711786905594462008-07-07T13:34:00.003-04:002008-07-07T13:45:56.345-04:00

Didja ever have one of those days where finding a place to even start talking about it was overwhelming?Yeah.We'll start with the good stuff: vacation rocked. Despite semi-crappy weather, we all had a blast at the lake. The kids learned to kayak and water tube (under strict supervision...no need to get all custody-battle with me) and I had a great time tubing myself. DH enjoyed his new/old boat,

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-12873574349433332912008-06-29T09:26:00.001-04:002008-06-29T09:30:09.260-04:00

I have to admit, I wasn't thrilled by the concept of this movie before yesterday. But it rained all day so we went to see it.It is FANTASTIC. Go see it. On the big screen. With or without kids. And watch the credits. Trust me.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-57925640308129191822008-06-27T19:06:00.002-04:002008-06-27T19:08:20.856-04:00

I have got to figure out a way to spend the whole summer here...

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-42906606795206286182008-06-26T21:31:00.001-04:002008-06-26T21:34:30.540-04:00

Contemplating...

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-67947167791613182682008-06-25T12:05:00.003-04:002008-06-25T12:14:29.223-04:00

The kids spent two nights at my mom's this week, giving me one whole, glorious day of alone-ness. I love my children more than life, but I also love the occasional break.Life being as exciting as it is in one's late 30s, I used the morning of my one glorious day to run errands. The morning was beautiful and I opened the sunroof to let the sun stream across my shoulders, and then opened the rear

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-22193520401897274372008-06-23T06:48:00.000-04:002008-06-23T06:49:24.370-04:00

George Carlin was one of the very few people in the world I classify as truly funny. He was a make-you-think kind of comedian, and there aren't many left.I'm sad to hear he passed away last night, and grateful for his thoughts and work.RIP, funny man.

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-23569309007470435942008-06-19T13:13:00.002-04:002008-06-19T13:21:44.319-04:00

We Catholics have taken a lot of crap over the past five or six years. And yes, it ticks me off. I'm fond of telling people to repeat something they've just said about Catholics while substituting "Jewish" in the sentence. They realize they'd have never, ever uttered the thought that way. But it's OK as long as the maligned group is Catholic. *shaking head*I could go on about this. I could tell

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-72731255457890212342008-06-18T20:22:00.002-04:002008-06-18T20:35:08.337-04:00

Dear Bill Gates:My new Macbook arrived yesterday and you can kiss my lily-white ass, old buddy. No software mumbo-jumbo. No CDs to mess with. No drivers to load. Plug and play, right out of the box. Built-in calendar. Super email program. Outstanding photo editing program. No viruses. Couldn't. Be. Easier. And I am in loooooooooooove. Tell your buddy Mr. Dell he can have a smooch too. Tech

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-73922839078977087502008-06-15T21:52:00.002-04:002008-06-15T21:56:01.133-04:00

Today we had pancakes with whipped cream and sprinkles for breakfast, with chocolate milk. The waitress gave us all huge chocolate chip cookies too, to take home for later.We played mini-golf. We had Happy Meals for lunch, followed by Hershey Special Dark nuggets.When we got home, we put together a Snap Circuits remote controlled rover and ran it up and down the street. We hung a tire swing and

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239927852844700314.post-33209751279223524802008-06-13T10:44:00.001-04:002008-06-13T10:44:48.130-04:00

It's 10:44 a.m. and I just picked DS up from his last day of first grade.Happy summer, everyone!

Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.com2