katie

yeah, yeah

2008-10-08T10:30:00.002-04:00

I know it's been forever. Since we last chatted so much has happened. M, C, my mom and I went to Ireland for 11 days and WHAT A BLAST! M danced everywhere, she even got to do a workshop with a Riverdance dancer and a former Riverdance dancer. How cool is that? Ireland is certainly a very beautiful county and it is true that you can experience all 4 seasons in one day! The castles (we stayed in one), the Cliffs of Mohr, the Belleck factory (OMG I could have spent a fortune there), Yeats' tomb, Dublin.... just amazing! C got to play a few rounds of golf, very interesting places for him to do so. OH, we got to see the Book of Kells- WOW!
Then we spent most of the summer in NC. Sad news, while we were there I had to put Oreo to sleep. It was so incredibly hard, her mind was there but her body was failing. J didn't go to NC with us so it was even harder for him as he picked her out with Dan when she was a puppy and he considered her his.
M and I then went to Savannah for a competition and she got her solo dress. NOT CHEAP- $850 for a used one. This one has gone to Nationals and Worlds so it does have good karma. We go to Tampa this weekend and then regionals in Dec. We are going to stay home for Thanksgiving this year so we are skipping the St Augustine competition since regionals are the next weekend. busy busy
C made the STA jr. varsity golf team and had a great season. They were undefeated! And they beat varsity in a match. Yahoo. He still plays 5,6,7 times a week. Again, my butt exactly matches the shape of my car seat! the miles I put on that car......
J is still trying to get his act together and get into the Navy. OMG the paperwork!!!!!
Everything was going well until last Friday. When I got home from taking M to school I found my BELOVED EDGAR ALLEN PUD dead in my neighbor's back yard. It appears he was murderded by a $%)_*^&^$*)(*_*)( coyote. Thank God that two of my neighbors were home and heard my shrieks and came to help me. I am still completely devestated and can't believe it. He was the sweetest boy ever and certainly didn't deserve this. Through her tears, the vet said that he was killed instantly and did not suffer. The wildlife guy came out and said if he catches it that he will let me know. My response is that the sound of a gunshot would suffice. My poor poor baby....I look for him still every day to come running up for love. ^$@)_*&)($& coyote.
My best friend took me out to lunch so we could "wake" him and the stupid place we always go to for fried green tomatoes was out of tomatoes! arghhhh not a good weekend, but their sweet tea and salad were divine.
okay, gotta go see Jenny. I am going to be in big trouble as although chocolate may ease (only slightly) the pain I had this weekend it certainly doesn't help with the weight loss. stupid &#&%%()&%*_)*_@# coyote.
RIP Edgar Allen Pud

"WHEW'

2008-05-21T09:06:00.002-04:00

I think this is an appropriately named title! Let's, see when I last posted we were just going to go to New Orleans. Well, since then C. M. and I went to see Dan's parents in Pa. We flew first class Useless Air and what a rip off!!!! It was supposed to be a treat, yeah , right. The bathroom was grand central station from coach, which may sound snobby but whenever we fly coach we can NEVER use that special bathroom upfront. They wanted us to move some of our overhead bags for those in coach who brought 3,4, and 5 carryons on the plane. So not happening. The flight attendents were slobs and not attentive at all. And the snacks were absolutely gross. And this was both ways. I did have a great seat partner on the way back. We almost peed our pants when the flight attendant said" The captain has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign as we may be hitting some turbulant". what???? Isn't the word turbulance? OMG, it was so funny. M loves "turbulant"!!! Not me! I hate to fly. It must be the control freak in me. If they would let me "drive" I would probably be okay. I don't do cruises either. Just give me a car with music, a/c and thousands of $$$ to fill it up and I'll drive any day of the week.
We are still going to New Orleans next weekend for another dance competition. We never get to see the cities since we go on Friday, danace on Saturday and fly home on Sunday. Well, except for Savannah. We are going to stay an extra day because WE ARE DRIVING and I love Savannah. I can already hear Lady and Sons calling my name. For those of you who don't know it that is Paula Dean's restaurant. Southern food is the best!Sweet tea, fried chicken, fried okra, bisquits....crap, now I have to wipe the drool off my computer.
It is less than a month until we take off for Ireland. I cannot wait. From the plans I have seen we are going to have such a wide variety of things to see and do while we are there. C is planning on playing golf a few times and of course, M will be dancing and doing some workshops. There are a few pub nights and what's even greater is that now Ireland is smoke free! Yahooooooo I wonder if I can fly the plane.....

We almost had to put Oreo to sleep last week on Tuesday. It was horrible. She probably has a tumor around her collar bone which did something to her neurological system and caused her limbs to fail. The vet gave her a 50/50 chance but she pulled through the massive steroid therapy and is walking! The vet called her a miracle dog. She may not be cured and is on a two week at home steroid therapy so we'll see. If, after the steroids are completed she fails again, well then we'll have to make a painful decision. Cross your fingers for her. She is a very good dog.

Today, I go to the dentist. YUCK! The good news is that I found the most wonderful dentist. He is so kind and gentle and HE DOES SEDATION! When I lived in Naples, we had a dental office in the school so we didn't miss time going to the dentist. I was in the medical/dental class and we assisted the dentist. I knew when I couldn't give the orange an injection without getting the heebie jeebies that this would not be my field in life! However, what was worse were the sounds and smells associated with the dental office. So now I avoid the dentist like the plague ( or maybe I should say like the plaque - haha) I take the kids but not me. I am having 4 teeth done-yikes. My friend is taking me and then J is picking me up. I hope he doesn't forget me. I wrote down the mileage on my car so hopefully he'll leave me some gas for tomorrow's drop offs at school in the morning.
Now for the really great news. NELMA AND ALBA ARE BACK!! Yes, my cleaning ladies went to their condo in Uraguay for 3 months and now are back. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! What a relief, it seems like the laundry rabbit that lives and multiplies the clothes in my laundry room went crazy while they were gone. Nelma will take mincemeat of him.
http://www.caringbridge.org/in/matthewk/
Above is Matthew's link again. He is back in the Cincinnati Children's Hospital with some issues. Please go to his guest book and send him some cheery messages. If anyone is in the area and has some connections, I guess the parent lounge there could use some TLC. Parents can not eat or drink in the child's room, they sleep in a sleep chair in the room at night. there is one bathroom and shower on the hall for all the parents to use (can't use the one in the room), one laundry.... All these rules are to keep the kids as healthy and germfree as possible but it takes it toll on the parents. Right now there are two families that have been in there for 6 months! yes, I said 6 months!!!! this means the mom (or dad) have been living away from the rest of their family and support system for what must feel like forever. Nancy, matthews's mom, is looking for some ideas to help make it easier on the families. Of course, while she is dealing with her own child's issues. Any ideas? These parents are certainly heroes in my book! This terrible rat bastard disease needs to be STOPPED!! :Let's all keep working to find a cure.
Well, gotta go take my happy pills and go to the fang man! Wish me luck.

Oh where have we been?

2008-04-24T09:44:00.002-04:00

EVERYWHERE!!! We have gone to competitions in Hutchinson Island and Dallas and are getting ready to go to New Orleans! M. is in the hunt to get a first, second or third in her Novice level single jog so she can qualify for a solo dress. A solo dress is a big thing for the girls as they get to individualize their new dress with colors and sparkles and sequins and all kinds of things. The final design and colors have to be approved but it appears the hunt is alot of fun. M has my sister's color taste OMG so this should be interesting. HAHA kellie!
We are also going to Ireland,then NC for 4 weeks and then to Savannah. I love Savannah. As of now we are driving up with some friends but realized we might get to go early and stay late since D and C will be in NC and can watch the stupid dogs and my very smart pud. That way I don't have to come all the way home and then go half way back up to Savannah. Cross your fingers that this works out. You know.. best laid plans...
C is playing golf 4-5 times a week and has hooked up with some guys from school to play with as well. He is also playing a lot of tournaments and getting ready for try outs for the school team in the fall. Keeps him busy and me on the road! He's got 3 tournaments while we are in NC.
J is still in school and working at Party City. He hates the pay $7-8 per hour and I'm thinking... helloooooo this is why you stay in school and do well. Hopefully, more education means more $$$ He mentioned the Navy again the other day and that's a good thing! Healthcare, job security, see the world, discipline.... Again, cross your fingers! He should finish school in Jan or Feb.
sorry such a quick update but I've got to get out of the house today. There's tons of work to do here but not today :)

Matthew's Day

2008-01-24T13:02:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!
This is a short update as we are leaving in the am for Raleigh and another competition!!
The reason for the update is that at 3AM tonight/tomorrow Matthew will be getting his bone marrow transplant. Please send your best wishes, hopes and prayers his way. This 15 year old has been through so much and it's time for a change! Please also send the same to his donor who is having her marrow harvested today. C'mon Matthew BEAT THE BEAST!

We're off

2008-01-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

to see the wizard! No, not really. Just going to Orlando as M has a dance competition. There are 29 going from our school so this should be a lot of fun!

The checks for the "pounding down cancer for kevin" are coming in so fast. A big THANKS to everyone! I'll give you a total once everything is in. The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. is super! 90 cents of every $1 goes to research! .90--isn't that amazing. They only have one paid staff and the rest are volunteers. The President and founder is 83 years young and still going strong. They have given out over $26 million to research. Is that awesome or what???
Matthew (one of those brave cancer warriors) is getting closer to his transplant and MANY months of isolation. If you want to leave him an encouraging note- here is his website. http://www.caringbridge.org/in/matthewk/

Okay, on the lighter side.... You know how the girls in beauty pageants use Preparation H under their eyes and stuff to tighten up the wrinkles? You didn't know this? Welp, they do. Anyhow, I was wondering.. I have lost some weight you know and I have this turkey neck thing going on,so I was wondering if I put preparation H on my neck would it tighten up or... would one of the side effects be the puckering up of the lips? Picture that! haha Pretty gross. Maybe I'll just have a turkey neck!

The weather here is crazy. This week we had the fire because it was a bit chilly and now today we are supposed to have a record high of 85. Mother Nature must be pretty ticked off at the world- what do you think?
Gotta go and drive to the big "O". Check for an update on the competition Monday and then we are off to Raleigh next weekend for another. This really is alot of fun!
katie

Happy New Year!

2008-01-08T09:17:00.000-05:00

Did that year go fast or what? For those of you supporting me in the "Pounding down cancer for Kevin" we have a final number......30 pounds or $30!!! December was tougher than usual with gaining losing gaining losing..... but 30 pounds is 30 pounds! I will email all of you so you can get a check out and I can make sure you get a tax deduction letter for your donation. If anyone out there wants to jump in at the end but doesn't know what's going on- check out my blog dated 10/11.
This isn't the end of the weight loss saga, just the fundraising part. We are still going to Ireland in June and I want to be THIN!!!!
December was a busy month- duh- and I am so glad to report that as of today everyone is back in school. YAHOOOOOO. M's dancing is in full swing with moving up to the next level in three of her dances, 2 competitions, try outs for the performance troupe and practices for the Ren fest. If you are in S Fla next month come check out the Ren fest! It's lots of fun and they dance EVERY WEEKEND! They are truly awesome to watch.
C racked up in the golfing department and played almost every day of Christmas vacation. He loves the salmon teryaki (or however you spell it) at the club so sometimes I wonder if it is the fish or golf he likes better. He is quite the sushi kid and would eat it every day. YUCK
J got alot of his automotive tools. OMG are they expensive!!!!!! Thankfully if you are in an accredited program at a tech school you get a BIG discount. He was very happpy. He bought another car for $400 and it is a piece of junk. Within a few hours of buying it the tire came off or something like that, helloooooo $400 what are you thinking? I guess he wants to work on it afterschool. I am sort of okay with it because the busier you are the less likely you will find trouble!
We had one of our coldest nights on record last week so we had a fire!!!!! We had a fire, we had a fire..(imagine me singing this while dancing like an idiot) I LOVE FIRES! I can't get D to agreee to turn the air on really really cold so we can have a fire. Silly boys.... Of course the next night it was really great because our stupid heat wouldn't work on MY side of the house, the kids' side was toasty and mine I swear you could see your breath! I had to sleep in the guest room with my pud, Edgar, because I was freezing. Speaking Ed, my poor pud got attacked by a filthy, dirty rotten raccoon. He's okay now just minus all the fur they had to shave off and the 4 wound marks. Those stupid coons are gonna pay!!
well, gotta go take a shower. I already did my walk and my cool down was to get a quick update to all of you! Again, Happy New Year.
and a PS to Arlene.. I am so glad we have reconnected after 33 years! Ethiopia was a long time ago but still fresh in my mind!
xo katie

various mutterings....

2007-12-01T13:55:00.000-05:00

The picture is of our house in NC. Next picture is of D trying to get cell phone service. Nextel is horrid up there. The leaves were so pretty. The weather was nice until the last morning when it was 39 degrees. Oh, I don't think so - we are outta here! Off to St. Augustine where M took 4 1st place medals and 2 3rd place medals. The World Golf Resort, where we stayed, was very nice! We had a good time. After the competition was over we went downtown and took the Holly Jolly Trolley Tour. For $6 (m was $3) you drive around looking at old St Augustine all lit up for Christmas (and yes, I said CHRISTMAS! haha) listening to Christmas carols with a stop for hot cider and cookies. Very fun! We met up with a quite cute pirate and the girls took a a picture with him. Then we had dinner at a most excellent hole in the wall pizza place, the best we've had in years (still not as good as UNO'S though).

On Tuesday the Irish dance moms were treated to a concert by ANUNA, an Irish singing group. I don't know how to categorize them, they sing many traditional songs a capella with occasional harp, violin or low whistle accompanists. WOW doesn't even begin to say how phenomenal they are. It was mesmerizing. Afterwards we got to hang out with them for a while, get autographs, chit chat....If you can ever see them -DO IT! It was worth the 3hour round trip. Of course since we got to ride in a pimped out limo there and back....filled with champagne...great munchies...cool driver with ultra cool little doggie... Claire working the sound system inside..NOT she got fired haha! Ronnie was excellent at keeping Dante (the driver) on his toes..Thank You Maureen; it was bitching! Can't tell you guys any more than that because "what happens in the limo, stays in the limo!"

And then last night....I won $15 for high game at bunco! WoHoooo. Once again a great time was had by all and Darlene was chef extraordinaire! Good Eats! Which leads me to ....

A jenny update! Okay, so I haven't weighed in in 3 weeks because sick , out of town..blah, blah, blah. So in preparation I made sure my hair was completely dry, lighter shoes, same clothes I always wear( who cares if I look like a bag lady 'cause they are now too big) and I even cut my fingernails. Man, I was sweating it, even though I stayed the course for the most part. I did have a really crappy, ugly looking, tasteless, grossly colored piece of pumpkin mousse cheesecake in St Augustine at the dinner buffet (and man oh man was it hard not going back for seconds, do you think anyone noticed the finger smear down the backside of the cake?) and I did have the chili cheese with onions and sweet tea at the Beacon (last time I can do that as I thought the Jenny god had come to take revenge on my innards for that one!)So I go in... pee one more time.... get on the scale and SHUT UP!!!!! I lost another 3.2 pounds. Debbie, my consultant, and I are screaming like flippin' idiots. Rachel, the director, comes back to see what's going on and she starts squealing as well. Then another person waiting for her appointment yells out she doesn't know what's going on but it sounds good so she'll scream to. Probably scared the crap out of the chiropractor's patients next door. Who cares! I met my next goal of getting below 30 pounds. The credit card flips to a new statement on Monday and I am going shopping. For Christmas and for ME!!! yahooo...

Hey, why don't you email me your favorite recipe for the holidays and add a note as to how you know me... for my next project. You can send more than one recipe.
hohohoho...
katie

helloooooooo? anybody there?

2007-11-16T16:28:00.001-05:00

I bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth. Trust me, there are days when that would be a welcome trip to take!
Just dropping by for a sec. M and I are leaving early for NC and then to St Augustine for another feis.
Looking forward to relaxing a bit so have a HAPPPY THANKSGIVING!

oops, thanks

2007-10-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

Just a belated thanks for listening to my rant about blockheadbuster. We handled it- cancelled the account! haha

We're baaaaaack!

2007-10-25T12:03:00.000-04:00

M got 2 firsts and 3 seconds this weekend in Charlotte. We had a great time and guess what??? I lugged that stupid camera around and took NO pictures. My mom, sister and aunt got to come see M dance, which made M very proud of herself to dance in front on them. It was even better because she did so well. On Friday while practicing she fell and hurt her ankle so the drama began. On Saturday morning it was still aching and she wasn't sure she was going to dance. Oh yes she was!!! After airline tickets, hotel, entrance fees and all that she was dancing even if she was dancing on a crutch- haha! It's Monday and her foot is still bothering her so we'll have to see about practice tonight. The problem is that this is our last practice before her performance Sat at Dolphin stadium (or whatever it's name is now)

AND HOW ABOUT THOSE BOSOX!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOO!!! Poor stankee fans. Can't hang with the big boys.

And for all you Jenny losers (and that's a good thing) you can't take your Jenny food as a carry on. They made me throw out my sealed food because it is more than 3 ozs. I wanted to give it to the security lady so it wasn't wasted but thought she might be insulted as if I meant she needed to lose weight. Actually she could have used it but I didn't want to cause a ruckus! Applesauce is a deadly weapon. If I had packed it in my suitcase it would have just gotten soaked like all the clothes in my luggage since they left the suitcases out on the tarmac during the torrential downpour! Can you believe that? wet underwear, yup, would enjoy wearing that!!

Here is a fun game. I am going to try to make this a link you just click on but not sure if it will work.

http://dedge.com/flash/hangman/hangman.swf?a=300

47 to go!!!!

2007-10-25T08:41:00.000-04:00

Yup, you read it right and you read it right here!!! Down 2.6 more, of course this is really only 1.6 to cancel out the 1 lb gain of last week. Which brings up another point.....AVOID STARBUCKS!!!! I don't drink coffee (barf barf) but I love the Pumpkin Spice Latte they have this time of year. I had 2 last week. Each one without sugar is 550 calories!! 550!!! OMG now add 4=5 sugars (see why I don't drink coffee?) and it's at least 600 calories, now multiply by 2 and it's over 1200! That is a whole day's worth of calories!! One extra day of food! I could have had one small m&m bag for 10 nights straight for those calories. I would not have had to freeze them, sort them or eat them one at a time. I could have eaten 4 bags of M&Ms the day I drank one drink!!! Don't get Starbucks.....eat m&ms!!!!

Have you seen the new Jeep commercial? Click here it is so funny.
http://www.splendad.com/ads/show/1512-Jeep-Liberty-Pouring-In

Okay, now my new gripe. Blockbuster/new privacy act. For a few weeks my account with them has been screwed up. I got a phone call saying I was going to be charged for my overdue movies. What?? I have the 3 movie pass where you can keep the movies for as long as you want. This is perfect for us because we take forever to watch and return movies. I called to say I have this plan and the answer was...get this... "we cancelled your plan because you haven't used it lately" again...What?? I still have the movies out so it's being used And when were you going to tell me you cancelled this?
Well, that's why we are charging you for the movies. This is your notice.
But I don't want the plan cancelled.
Okay, we'll reinstate it.
I returned those movies and got 3 more. A week later I get another phone call to say we are charging you for your movies. They are late.
I call again. First person I speak to - oh we don't have a 3 movie plan any more so you'll have to get a 2 movie plan.
This changed from last week? When were you going to tell me?
Oh, anyone who has the 3 movie plan is grandfathered in.
Well, I have had this plan since you put it into place so shouldn't I be grandfathered in?
dead silence
um, yeah, I guess so. Let's just double check your account. We will have someone get back to you in 3-5 business days.
today- store manager tells me the credit card denied the transaction.
call visa- there have been no denials on your account.
call block head backs. oh yeah no denial the charge for the 3 movie plan went through yesterday when you rented the movies. And the charge for the movie you never returned also went through.
Okay, I rented those movies 2 weeks ago not yesterday and I checked in the store and my account was accurate and I have nothing outstanding. What movie did I get charged for?
I can't tell you what movie because of the new privacy laws. You'll have to go into the store and check>
Wait you can charge my account for something but can't tell what the charge covers?
Am I speaking to the corporate location?
Yes, but we can't help you with the movie title, it's private information.
to end story..called visa- please deny all charges for this dumb ass company and at 10am I am giving them my cut up card and movies. They can stuff it. They have no customer service and after 10 years with them I no longer have to worry about this because I am no longer a customer.
Wish M luck. We are leaving to go to Charlotte tomorrow for a competition. Dance a jig for her!

Wow!

2007-10-18T20:30:00.000-04:00

http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm
This is a very powerful video/song. Please view and pass it on. All I can say is
WOW!
Just call me a very proud American Navy brat!

okay, so now it's 50

2007-10-18T11:01:00.001-04:00

Okay, so instead of losing, I gained 1 pound. What a rip off! How could this have happened? Is the scale a liar? I think it needs to be re calibrated! I mean geez, I took my hair clip out, took my shoes off, made sure my hair was completely dry (water weighs alot), and even wore my most threadbare clothes. AND I completely followed the m & m rule. You know... I froze them, separated them by color, ate one at a time- completely finished each one before picking up the next one. So "what the...???" Is this something I should report to snopes.com? Is this a hoax? It's not true? If you follow the rules it's a calorie free treat, right? Friggin' liars. I bet the 3 musketeers rule is a lie too! hmmmm
Check out the picture of M and her friend with Elvis. Not only is he alive but he was at our church Friday night. What a blast! He was a little worried about performing in a church but both priests were there in case they were needed! He handed out sweaty scarves (gross) and the older (much older i should add)ladies were shameless in their pursuit to get the scarves! haha
oh well gonna go eat my lunch ( oh please oh please let it be some kind of calorie free chocolate on the menu for today)

CANCER SUCKS

2007-10-11T17:10:00.000-04:00

Cancer just sucks! Here is one more reason to help "pound down cancer". This just isn't fair! Please visit Matthew's site and offer some words of comfort. Even better- get registered on the bone marrow registry , You could save someone's life.
Matthew's site www.caringbridge.org/in/matthewk
Thanks

pounding down cancer for Kevin

2007-10-11T10:44:00.000-04:00

I did it!!! I figured out how to cut and paste the original letter I sent out to my friends regarding this fundraiser. Please consider jumping on board.

Hi guys,
Okay, this is the deal. It’s actually a “twofer” (you know, two for the price of one!).
Part 1:
Over the past few years the gods of the voluptuous have been blessing me greatly with a body that would make those of yesteryear, in the era of ruebenesque (is that a word?) women, drool with envy. Alas, I was born too late for them to appreciate me!!! So I have made a new friend named Craig, .Jenny Craig that is. “She” and I have been working together for the last 6 weeks and I have lost 16.5 pounds. Yahoo!
Part 2:
I have a very good friend from high school (go wildcats, Naples, Italy) who has two wonderful boys. The oldest recently graduated from college and is also an ALL cancer survivor. He has been in remission for over 5 years and is considered cured! She has a soon to be 14 year old who has been in remission since January from his SECOND battle with this terrible disease. Go Kev!
This is where YOU come in! Every year we (my kids and I) try to do something for childhood cancer awareness. Three different times we have had an electronics drive and collected videos, gameboys, game consoles, games, chargers…etc for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. The overflow goes to the Ronald McDonald house. This is a great service project for your kids to do and it is SO appreciated by the children receiving treatment, the parents, staff and the sometimes forgotten about siblings (cancer affects them too!).
However, the best thing to happen would be to find a cure. It takes money!!! So… this is where the twofer is… I am asking everyone to support me in this effort to become less of a person mass-wise and more of a person heart- wise. This campaign is called “Pounding down cancer for Kevin.” For every pound I lose between now and Dec 31 2007 you can donate $1. This is painless (for you at least ) since the average weight loss is 1-3 pounds a week. Every week (or month) I will update you on the loss and you put the $1 per pound in an envelope. At the end of the year exchange the cash for a check and send it to me. The checks would be made out to “Childhood Cancer Foundation”. I will tabulate the total and forward them on with a complete list of names and addresses to the foundation so that you will get a tax receipt for your records.
But wait if you order now… I mean if you sign up now ...the first 17 pounds are on me. Okay, so they are really OFF me and I rounded up! I am not going to hound anyone to do this; this will be the only email/letter you receive. I will only update those people who email me back and say “YES, I WANT TO HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER!” Please indicate if you want a weekly or monthly update. I am going to try to get a website going but hey, it took three days and many eye rolls from my kids to teach me how to do the ipod! OMG that is the coolest thing ever! I can’t exercise with out it now.
Please take a minute and think of just how easy it is to do this! Email me back and let me know that you want to help. What if your dollar was the last dollar needed because a cure was found? Way cool, huh?!
Thanks,
Katie

49 to go!

2007-10-04T09:58:00.000-04:00

YES!!!!! 26 pounds down and 49 to go!!! Over 1/3 of the way to the final goal!!!!!!!! I am pushing for close to 50lbs by the end of the year. We'll see!
A few people have emailed asking what "pounding down cancer for Kevin" means. Well, I am trying to either create a link to my original email or repost it here for you. Cross your fingers.
Once you read it please consider jumping on board. If you start now it would only be $24 to donate if I hit the big 50!
The picture is of my new pud! He can't fill the HUGE hole in my heart left by Zeus but he helps.
His name is Edgar Allen Pud, we call him ed or edgar. He loves water and plays in the toilets, the dogs' water dish, the tub ( with kids in it), anything with water. It's fine by me except at 3 in the morning when I am dead asleep and "fwak" two extremely soaked paws are not so gently whacking my face! My only hope is that since Dan evidently didn't close the toilet lid in the middle of the night that at least he flushed!Please oh please!
This is just a quick update and I'll leave you with a "funny"

"After starting a new diet I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery. I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning, and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed ... "Lord, it's up to you, if you want> me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery." And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block , there it was! God is so Good!"

kate

sausages and meatballs

2007-09-29T12:20:00.000-04:00

There are things you notice about yourself when you are done doing an exercise type walk....you are thirsty, hot and sweaty, ready to start the day and.....what used to be 2 thumbs and 8 fingers are now 2 meatballs and 8 sausages. This drives me nuts!!! I feel like my hands belong on the Michelin man. You couldn't make a fist if you had to. Sure mr. mugger take whatever you want but you'll have to take it off because my fingers are so damn fat right now that I can't move them. argggghhhhhh

We had stuffed tomatoes tonight. Very simple to make, cut top off tom, scoop out pulp, remove seeds, mix with some parsely, chopped green onion, breadcrumbs, little olive oil, crumbled feta cheese. Stuff toms, bake 350 for 15 minutes. very good. mmm I ate two but hey they are vegetables! I am hoping that eating those will counter eating that new 3 Musketeers mint candy bar. OMG are they good. I swear if C brings me one more of those stupid things......>>I will probably eat it!!!!!

I am still looking into pilates classes but haven't gotten very far. Any hints on what makes a good class? instructor? Hit the comment button and let me know.

Gonna get going, I have a baby shower and pampered chef party to go to , have to take a shower since I just finished my walk and have to make the manicotti for tonite's dinner, I already have the sausages and meatballs!!!!

Throw those fat pants away!

2007-09-19T12:20:00.000-04:00

Okay, so today I did it! I gave my fat pants to Nelma (the laundry lady). They are waaaay too big - pause for cheer here......- and even though they are so very comfortable, I don't want them hanging around. I want that safety net gone. The next size down ( and NO I am not telling you the size they are ) is starting to be big on me. Not big enough yet, but still alittle big.

Did you know that it is 15 weeks until the new year? Did you know that if one loses 1-2 pounds per week that it could mean 15-30 YES 30! pounds gone by the new year? OMG baby steps could mean a HUGE difference in weight. I am not worried about gaining over the holidays as that's not my downfall but as we were chatting while sitting around at Jenny's today (yeah, that Jenny, as in Craig) we came up with some observations. People will flood the gyms and weight loss places at the beginning of the year because everyone waits until after the holidays 'cause they know they are going to pig out and gain 5-10 pounds. But wait, then you have more to lose and it's a wash at first 'cause you are only losing what you didn't need to gain. So our thought is to start NOW and you could be 15-30 pounds lighter at the start of the new year already. Man, are we brain surgeons or what?

I am looking for a pilates class now as someone said it's a great way to get in shape as you lose weight. Has anyone done one of these classes? I've heard of yoga and hot yoga, is there a hot pilates? I am sort of like a cat, I like the heat and sun. I hate being cold and the snow unless it's just for Christmas day. One day that's it!

Everyone is back in school and settled down so now I should be able to get back on track myself. I should be losing more but have plateaued a bit. This is the YEAR OF THE MOM so I am not the room mom, the GS leader, baseball mom or anything else. I am on the God Squad at school (haha what were they thinking???) which isn't too busy and the membership chair for the women's club at the church (again what were they thinking?). I am getting alot more done around the house and maybe this year I will decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas earlier instead of the day before each holiday. At 7:30 the last kid is dropped off and I can go for my walk and get my day started.

I posted a picture of J in his mechanic clothes that he wears for school. He is in an automotive tech program at a vocational technical school and is working at a restaurant at night. This should give him minimal free time for trouble. CROSS YOUR FINGERS! We are waiting for the first report card. He seems to really like school.

I will update again, now that I have time.

savannah feis

2007-08-07T00:53:00.000-04:00

Well, we are back from Savannah. M placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. We saw the Treble Reel for the first time and it is awesome. I guess it is the last dance of the feis (what an Irish step dance competition is called) and for a higher level of dancer. They all ring the edge of the stage and each dancer , in turn, steps out and performs one step. As soon as the last dancer finishes , the whole group does one step all together. They are wearing "hard shoes" so the noise is incredible! The dancers whoop and clap - it is a very lively dance. We had a great time and met a lot of new people from other schools across the country. Someone even came from Alaska!
Saturday evening a group of 23 of us went to Paula Dean's restaurant , Lady and Son's. It is very very good southern food. Good sweet tea, too! Which made it VERY hard to keep with the Jenny Craig program. Didn't stray too bad but boy is it tempting when you are out on vacation!
My friend, Lisa, her husband , Wendell and son , Kevin are going to be in Florida next week! Kevin is the inspiration for "Pounding down cancer for Kevin".This is so cool. Although Lisa and I have been friends for 30 years, I have never met her family so this is wonderful. I will give you an update on our visit.
k

first time for everything

2007-07-28T17:10:00.001-04:00

Hi All
This is going to be an attempt to start a "blog" for you guys to follow progress on the "Pounding down cancer for Kevin". Maybe I can get pictures uploaded (if I can figure it out). Tell me if you can read this and get to it easily.