Trick-or-Treating in Our Old "Haunt"

Rob suggested to me that we take Cassi to our old "haunt." Before moving into Elyria, we lived in a rented house in Grafton. There was a small housing development, where we would take her. This area served us well again this year.

First off, we found two or three police cars driving in the area, which they have also done in the past. What is so cool is that the police enjoy getting involved with the whole trick-or-treating "thing" too. So, not only are they driving around, making sure everyone behaves and doesn't get hurt, but you'll also find them passing out candy. They stopped us TWICE to give Cassi candy. I SURE DO miss Grafton, but we rented ourselves out of that area when we decided to buy a house.

Then, there's this one house we remembered, in a cul-de-sac that had carved pumpkins. We found the house again, which appeared to have about three dozen pumpkins carved. They had a whole table with carvings themed toward the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies. They had SpongeBob SquarePants, Scooby Doo, Tweetie Bird, witches and such, and other AWESEOME, carved pumpkins. You can just imagine the amount of time and patience it took to carve them.

Again, the pictures are on my camera. Check back tomorrow for the pictures.

But, we ended up walking about two miles, which was REALLY good for me since the only walking I've been doing has been around school. Even though I do about two miles at school, I'm trying to do more. (maybe this is why I slept like such a rock)

We spent about an hour in Grafton. Trick-or-treating around here is an hour and a half. After we got done, we stopped at McD's (yep, the BAD food) and had din-din. The crowd seemed to have followed us because the place was packed when we left.

So, we came home. Rob reviewed all the candy and goodies, which appeared to be just fine. Cassi called Pa and Nana to let them know how good her "haul" was. Not bad. There were a lot of houses that used to do stuff, but just didn't this year. There were a number of houses who "used to" go all out with decorations and such for Halloween, but not this year.

Oh well!

We still enjoyed ourselves.

With that, I'm going to close for now. I'm exhausted from today at school and Cassi has homework (and so do I).

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Cassi as a Cute Witch

Cassi was SOOOO very cute last night. Nana bought for her a witch's costume. Sorry, Marie, no Tinkerbell this year. But, we was still cute. Even the people who saw her thought she was cute.

I've got the pictures still on my camera, but will upload them here tomorrow. Check back about this time then.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

What I Did on Halloween (day & night)

I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO busy on Halloween. First, Rob and I went and had a quick bite to eat after taking Cassi to school, which, by the way, was pajama party day. Everyone got to wear pajamas to school! How cool!

Then, we popped into the grocery store to pick up some juice for school, eggs, flour, and sugar (hmm! a loaf of bread, a container of milk, and some butter - from Sesame Street). We came home and Rob went to bed.

While I was baking upstairs, I had laundry washing and drying in the basement. Wonder what I was baking? Well:

6 mini pumpkin breads from fresh pumpkins I cut up, cooked, and mashed to resemble "canned pumpkin" (and VERY easy to do)
24 pumpkin muffins
2 apple pies (after I peeled, cored and cut up the apples to make the home-made pie filling)
and
a half gallon plus home-made apple cider (made in my very own Jack LaLane juicer - the small one)

I started by making the breads and muffins. Then, the apple pie filling. Once it was ready, I had to take a break. Being the "room parent" for Cassi's class, I had to make my appearance at school to help with the party. The party went very well. I'm glad I kept those brown lunch bags I bought last year from kindergarten. They came in very handy, when I named everyone's bags so they could take their stashes home with them. Plus, from the baking I had 3 extra pumpkin breads I handed out at school. Hope they liked them.

Once we got home, I preped and baked the 2 pies. Then, we took Cassi into Grafton, where we used to live for trick-or-treating.

I'll get into the trick-or-treating and what we saw in other posts. But, we got home, sorted the candy and crashed for the evening in the bedroom (maybe we'll get that darned TV back today). But, I ended up back on the computer for a while and then to bed at 10:30. I decided to watch my last half hour of "General Hospital" on the boob tube. But, gotta love Rob. He was already sleeping and snoring VERY loudly. Every time I turned up the TV, it seemed he knew it and snored louder.

I turned the TV off about 11pm and feel fast asleep. I don't recall moving ONCE until 5am, when Rob had to get up to go to class today for work. Then, the last 2.5 hours of sleep SUCKED. Today was very tiring as all that baking (minus the one apple pie) was for a fundraiser we were having at school for my new association. I just happened to join at the RIGHT time. I'm now an official member of the Society of Professional Journalists. We'll see how it goes over the next year.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Oil Changes Work Wonders

We hadn't figured out until last night how much the oil change in our Focus would help with the gas. Typically, we try to check as soon as the oil change is done to see how the gas lasts longer in the car. Also, the majority of my trips in the car is back and forth from Elyria to Cleveland, OH. ??? Don't know where that is? We're about a half hour to 40 minutes drive outside of Cleveland.

Friday, I purchased gas and filled up the tank (hadn't been able to do it right after change about 2 weeks ago). So, Friday, I had to take 2 trips back and forth from home to Cleveland. We did a little driving around Elyria Friday and Saturday. Then, Rob worked this weekend and took the car back and forth to the Cleveland Clinic (which is further than my drive to CSU). Yesterday, I drove one more trip back and forth, but also picked Cassi up from Pa's.

By the time I got back into Lorain County, my gas was just about gone. I stopped at my favorite place, which at this time is a Murphy Gas, which is the gas stations for Sam's Club/Wal-Mart. Their gas is ALWAYS lower than everyone in our area. I pulled up to the pump, with:

287.0 miles on my car!

To fill up, it took $22.50 (at 2.08 a gallon) and put almost 11 gallons into my tank. I would say with all that driving back and forth, the oil change worked wonders to keep my gas in the tank longer.

So, the moral of the story is: even if you don't have your oil changed every 3000 miles, make sure you get it changed.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Why can't I be a poll worker?

(my news story for class next week)

Here is the story that is the main downfall to my day yesterday. Thought everyone would like to read it as I backed off (thanks to Blaine all those years ago as my supervisor), regrouped, and am killing them with the logic of wanting to know why I can't be a poll worker?

So, here goes. It's a news column that I think is really good. Whether it gets published or not, I think it is a good story. At least it will be out here for everyone to read.

Why can't I be a poll worker?

By Cathy (removed)

This year, students are getting their opportunity to help the political process, and earn some money along the way. CSU and the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections have a program that recruits CSU students to be poll workers.

But, just because someone is a CSU student doesn’t qualify them of having an opportunity in the political process.

I decided I was interested in helping with the process, and would be an excellent candidate to help constituents have a smooth process in voting on Nov. 7. I picked up the paperwork in Career Services and proceeded to call the phone number listed. I felt I didn’t want to waste their time and my own by applying, only to be turned down because of time constraints.

A woman answered the phone and spoke to me in a very unprofessional tone of voice. I asked her if they were still in need of poll workers and that I would like to apply.

The first thing this woman asks me is if I am Democrat or Republican because they had filled all the spots for the Democrats and were only looking to hire Republican poll workers.

What does that have anything to do with the fact that I wanted to work? I explained that I was an independent person. I will vote for the person who I feel is most qualified for the job, based on the information I have read and heard.

Then, she asked me if I lived in Cuyahoga County, which I do not. Finally, she asked if I was a registered voter, for which I am currently not. All of these questions seemed to be inconsequential at the time, especially when you’ve got someone who wants to work.

So, I did a little research on the board of elections Web site. There are a few different brochures regarding the hiring of poll workers. The general brochure only stated that you needed to be registered as a voter in Ohio. Hmm, seems to me that one of her questions was inappropriate.

Then, there was a brochure regarding student poll workers, which meant high school workers. For those workers under 17, special forms need to be on file with the elections office for those people to be employed. Again, seems to me that the question regarding whether I was registered or not was inappropriate as well.

I decided I wanted to look into the numbers of students at CSU, who are not residents of Cuyahoga County. It seems that this process was missing a large majority of the students who might want to be part of this process.

This opportunity would be give students “networking opportunities,” “job experience,” and “possible extra credit for a class,” according to the application taken from Career Services.

How can someone get this experience if they are stopped even before attempting to start the application process?

According to the institutional research Web site for CSU, in fall 2004, there were over 15,000 students. The Book of Trends 2005 stated that there were 11,721 students from Cuyahoga County, but there were almost 4,000 students for everywhere outside of Cuyahoga County. That means that 25% of the student population at CSU doesn’t even have a chance to serve for the board of elections.

That seems very unfair to have a program like this, but to stop people who want to apply because they don’t live in Cuyahoga County or are not a registered voter. I just decided to late that I wanted to be involved in the voting process to register.

The bottom line is 1. Any student should be able to qualify for this opportunity when a program available at a college that admits students from all over; 2. Always remember to get the person’s name on the other end of the line; and 3. Ask questions.

These brochures can be found at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Web site at: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us. Institutional research can be found at Web site: www.csuohio.edu/iraa.

My Day to Vent...

Yesterday was just my day to vent. I couldn't believe all the CRAP that was going on. The kicker off of the day started with the Cuayhoga County Board of Elections. They are running a program to recruit students from CSU to work as poll workers on Election day. I called, asking if they were still looking for poll workers. Need the extra cash, and thought it would be a good way to be part of the process.

First off, the woman on the phone was nasty. She was very short with her language, etc. Then, she says, "Are you a Republican? All the democratic positions have been filled?"

Huh?

I say, "No, I'm an independent." Sorry, Marie, you're going to hate me for this, but I'm independent because I believe, when I vote, I will have an informed decision based on the information from the candidates, not just Joe Schmoe is a Democrat or Republican. Everyone needs to think this way.

Then, I say, "What does that have to do with working as a poll worker?" Personally, it shouldn't matter. Poll workers SHOULD be bi-partisan and neutral through the elections. My goal as a worker would be to make sure everyone is checked in correctly and they can vote. My political designation should have nothing to do with it.

Next problem: I am currently not a registered voter. I don't think I made it in time to register. That shouldn't matter either. I'm helping other people to vote.

So, I did a MAJOR vent to Cliff. And, I'm going to do my second story based on this. I've got conflicting information from their Web site about this.

But, the rest of the day was just a major VENT. But, don't want to get into it right now.

Gotta go. This weekend: 2 papers, 1 news story, 1 page layout (thanks Jason for the help), 1 chapter to read and define terms, baking for fund raiser next week for SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists), and goodies to get together for Tuesday's party in Cassi's class.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

P.S. It's 1pm and I've got to get dressed.

"R" Rated post for language...

If you haven't read: http://cathyasmom.blogspot.com/2006/10/my-civic-duty.html, you'll want to start here FIRST, before reading this post.

To continue with my last post on Thursday, the bottom line: my parents ROCK and his parents SUCK!

In the afternoon on Thursday, we received a call that the officials arrested said brother. Okay. Rob decided to call his father. Cassi had gotten a Halloween card from them, with a "credit card" from McDonald's for $5. Whoo Hoo! I thought that was rather unnecessary, since they tend to not do for her like they do their other 3 grandchildren. But, Rob figured she needed to call and thank them for the card.

Rob called. Cassi was put on the phone immediately. She says to him, "Thank you for my card."

Dad says, "Is this Austin?" (fyi, Austin is said brother's son.)

I was floored. So was Rob. I said in the background, "Don't they even know their own grandchild?" Obviously not.

But, she says to him, rather loudly, "This is CASSI!" (almost yelling)

Then, they talked with her a few minutes and she left the room. Then, the bullets started flying. Dad accused Rob of lying to him to get said brother's address information. That he should have just told dad that the officials were here and wanted Michael, even though officials didn't want dad to know because dad could then call said brother and tip him off they were looking for him and would get away.

Then, they started yelling at Rob, with me in the background hearing everything from speaker phone what he is saying. Bottom line: It is all my fault their family was broken apart. (R language coming) That I'm a BITCH and not just a BITCH, but a vindictive BITCH. Hey, I can handle that. Never been called a "bad girl" before. Sounds kinda nice!

Also, we don't do for them like we do for my parents. Agreed, we don't. Not when we purchase a brand new car every 2 years, WITH CASH. Not when they gut and renovate an entire kitchen when mom doesn't like the way the stove looks next to the fridge (also with all BRAND NEW appliances). But, according to them, I've purchased a mink coat for my mom. Mom? Did you find that coat yet? I know we, I purchased for them winter coats. That was when we first got married and I was working. It was MY money that paid for 2 winter coats for them from WAL-MART. Hmmm? Where's the mink in that coat? Then, they said we purchased a lawn mower for my grandfather. First off, it wasn't us who purchased the mower. Rob went with MY DAD, to find a mower and dad paid for it. BESIDES, the lawn that was the "cut-ee" of said mower was smaller than my side yard. One swipe and DONE!

Then, they got into how they were continually called by Rob's friends in Washington state, that he was drunk all the time. Huuuuuhhhhh???? Before my time. I was with someone else at that time. (my love affair)

And, then, they threw the "you're grandmother's been crying all day because of you" into the call. Because she just had major surgery, she has been staying with them, to be cared for. Not sure if I believe it. Then, Rob was hung up on.

Rob called back. Mom answered and plainly said, "Your wife is a BITCH. You can defend her if you want, she's your wife. She's BITCH!" They talked for a little while. Then, she threw the "grandmother" card down too. "She's sitting right next to me and has heard everything we said. She knows how much you lie!"

Huuuhhhh??? The only time I've heard Rob LIE to them was that morning, for a good reason. But, dad was bound and determined to make Rob out to be a liar. He demanded to know officer's phone number, which Rob gave. He didn't believe Rob when Rob told him there were 5 marshalls in my house.

Of course, officer can't tell him what's going on because of an on-going investigation, but did tell dad that not only were there 5 marshalls IN THE HOUSE, there were 20 total surrounding my house. Dad didn't believe Rob that it would take that many people to bring him down. Well, they were in full riot gear, bullet-proof vests ablazing.

Have you ever watched "Cops" before? If you have, then you understand that it CAN take LOADS of officers to take one person down. And, as my sister told me, they didn't know if said brother had a gun, had other people to bring down from the house, etc. They didn't know what would be going on in the house.

Then, last night, we get this email, basically trying to guilt trip us that said brother's son did nothing but cry because he got nothing for his birthday and didn't have dad to cry to because there was a fire and lost everything.

Sorry. Not my fault. If he had been doing his job to begin with, no officers would have come to my house. And, yes, call me a stoolie, but when 5 officers come into your house in full riot gear, you give them any information they want.

For those of you wondering, Cassi is doing just fine from all of this. She thought the whole thing was cool. When they were here, she walked around them, looking at the stuff on their waists. No, she didn't touch, she just looked. So, I've stopped asking her because she's not saying anything. I've even asked teacher, who said she hasn't said anything about police being at the house.

And, Rob has said, and I agree 100% with him, we would do it again in a heart beat.

With that, these are my final thoughts on this subject. Okay, so Rob has severed his ties with his parents. My parents are more his parents than his are!

Conclusion:

MY PARENTS ROCK!

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

My Civic Duty...

Okay, before I get to my first news story to write up (due tomorrow) and finish studying for my exam (also tomorrow), I've got to write about my experience this morning.

I DID MY CIVIC DUTY (to get scum off the street)!

About 8:15 this morning, I was in my office, working on my desktop, Rob was finishing his shower, and Cassi was ready for school and watching TV in her room (remember, still no TV in the living room). I hear this strong, knock/pound on the front door.

Rob says, "Who the heck is that?"

I told him I thought it was Alyssa coming over to ask about riding with us. This is the little girl across the street who is in the same school with Cassi.

So, I go to the front door and open it. There standing at the front door are 4 (YES FOUR) Sheriff's. They ask me if Michael is here. For those of you who don't know, Michael is Rob's brother and a "bad seed."

I tell the main man, "No! He isn't here and we haven't seen him since July." At that point, he asks if they can come in. Of course. I'm not going to be a "bad hostess" and leave the police standing outside.

So, in come 4-5 sheriff's. They expalin they are looking for Michael because they have a warrant out for his arrest.

Rob shouts, "Who's at the door?" I tell him it's the police. "Oh, I'll be right out." In which I tell the police that's my husband just getting out of the shower.

They're asking me where they might be able to find Michael. I started thinking about all the places where he's lived and has been working currently. By that point, Rob comes out. He starts telling them the same thing about where he might find said brother. They ask who Rob is and the relation. It appears that Michael has been using our mailing address and this is how the police came to my door this morning. As we look out the side of our house, which is where the main street of our address comes from, I see a large Suburban sitting there.

Then, Rob says, "I know. Let me call someone who will have his address and phone number." In which he calls their dad. Because we have some stuff stored here of Michael's, Rob tells dad he wants to know Michael's address to deliver the stuff. Plus, he lost his cell phone number. As this conversation is going on, a few of the men had to leave the house because they had the walkie-talkies on that were pretty loud. They (and we) didn't want their dad to know the police were here.

In the end, the main man asks for our phone number and names. He didn't have a business card, but wrote down his name and cell phone for us. As I'm walking outside, because my Wall Street Journal is still sitting on the ground, in front of my door, I hear one of the men say, "Anyone coming out?"

I said, "No, just me getting my newspaper." I think they were disappointed at no catch here. But, we did our civic duty. Since Michael has been into drugs in the past and has been in jail in the past, we know something is up. Especially, since the main man, who gave us his information, says to us he is a US Marshall.

OK, there's federal issues going on here. We told him that Michael just won't learn until he goes away to jail for a long time. As the conversation was going on with dad, he says (because he's on speaker phone for the police to hear), Michael should be home now because Austin is in school. Okay, this should be a catch.

I bring in my newspaper and realize, "My house is an absolute mess!" My great room, living room/dining room combo has ALL KINDS OF CRAP strewn about. Because of Cassi's school papers, my school stuff as I got home late last night, our recent soda purchase, all a HUGE mess. But, we live here. I just realized how a stranger might see my house. Gotta CLEAN!

After this, I took Cassi down the street to school. I came back to get Rob because we were going over to Wal-Mart to get some sweaters and winter shirts for Cassi, who now had none because of her growth spurts. I picked up Rob and said, "Are we rolling by?"

He said, "Of course, but we'll just drive in the area, not on the street he lives." But, after we got by the street, we could see no SUV and went to the next street to double-back. No SUV, so not sure. On the way back up West Avenue, this is where the Elyria Police Station lives. We drive by very slowly, when I tell Rob, "Hey, I see their truck in the front of the building." Sure enough, after going behind the building, Rob saw it too.

So, we believe they "got him." Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! Can't wait to find out what happened. And, Rob wants to call his dad, but I told him not to until later. You see, their dad has always favored Michael, who, by chance is Rob's half-brother (2 different dads). My parents have always thought of Rob as their kid and have supported us when his parents haven't.

Okay, Marie, don't tell mom & dad about this yet. I want to be the one to tell them. Let me have the joy of telling them.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

P.S. Will let everyone know what happens as we find out.

UPDATE: About 3:45pm, Officer Siler, US Marshall, called us, letting us know that said brother was apprehended. There's a whole other story that came after this. I'll blab about it tomorrow or later. I still haven't done my homework for tomorrow. Ack!

Missing....

Okay, here I go again with that "something's missing" feelings again. True, I do know what the "missing" things are, but some of them, I just can't fix, no matter what I do. So, here are things "missing" from my life right now:

1. the all-important Bachelor's Degree (which will come 2 years from now)
2. the all-MAJORLY important good job (that will come after the Bachelor's Degree comes)
3. communicating with an old friend (Haven't heard from him in a while, I know it's going to be tough, but darnit, send me a message every once in a while. Also, the only way to relieve this "missing" issue is time with said friend because I'm such a people person.)
4. my creativity seems to have left, much like the pleasant fall we were having since it appears we are now in WINTER!
5. my TV in the living room seems to have left me too (but, I'll get that back soon, I hope).

With that, I'm going to close for now. I guess we all get the BLAHS!

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

One Week........

Okay, guys. I've got one week until my big presentation/training. I'm SOOOO excited. But, first, I've got to get through two term papers, one exam, and two news stories this week alone. I can't believe how busy this week is going to be.

We just got finished din-din. I ran out to Sam's club and picked up a couple HUGE pizza's. I know what I'll be eating as left-overs tomorrow. We always like to buy one pizza that's cheese only (for Cassi) and one for us (in this case, we bought a meat pizza). After hauling the monstrosities home, we got the oven ready and turned on. Because the pizzas were so large, we ended up foiling the racks and put the pizzas right on the racks. Okay, you're probably wondering how HUGE these pizzas actually were. Well, if anyone shops at Sam's Club, you can imagine INDUSTRIAL-SIZED. They were 16 inches diameter pizzas.

And, of course, my wonderful child decides she is only eatine ONE SLICE! That's why I know what I'll be eating tomorrow. So, Cassi asks why I'm going to eat her pizza. I tell her if I don't, it will live in the fridge 5 years! Next time, we'll buy the big pizza for us and the small Digorno's for her. We can cook one small pizza, so there's not as much left over.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Quiet in the Household...

Yep, I know "Ugly Betty" is on right now. My ABSOLUTE, all-time favorite show (even though it is brand new).

It's VERY quiet this evening. Cassi is playing on one of her three favorite Web sites: pbs.org, playhousedisney.com, or noggin.com. Or, she's playing Spider Solitaire. I always love playing it when I need a quick, not thinking, moment. She's learning how to play it on her own.

Hubby is sleeping. He is working over this evening. No, he won't get any OT, but he won't need to use any vacation time. Over the next 5 weeks, he is in a Wednesday all-day class for IV Therapy certification. Since the class is during the day, he'll be working 2 12-hour shifts and 1 8-hour shift. So, by working this evening, he won't have to take the vacation time he thought he would have time. But, on the positive side, he'll have 40 hours for the week, instead of 36.

So, everyone watch out! Once he's certified, he'll be able to stick people with needles and start IVs, etc.

But, the title of this post has NOTHING to do with what I just blabbed. The whole reason it's so quiet is that our WONDERFUL, NEW TV decided it just didn't want to turn on this morning. It worked last night before we went to bed. But, deadsville! So, hubby started looking for the receipt THAT WE BOUGHT IN MAY! He decided to get mad at me, because it always seems to be my fault that I throw ALL receipts away. But, luckily for both of us, the receipt was kept, just living in a box (until he decides to finish my office closet). Without the receipt, we were dead in the water to get it fixed. So, we hauled the box over to a place, which happens to be a "key" repair center, a whole half hour away in Parma. (Yes, if you've ever seen older Drew Carey shows, this is the same Parma he talks about in the theme song, "Moon Over Parma.") We get there, give them all the necessary info, and the man says,

"Now, becuase there will be no charge since this is covered under your one year warranty. It will take 10-14 days to finish."

And, I'm thinking to myself, "Are you f-ing crazy!????? 14 DAYS!!!!!"

So, on the way home, I tell hubby, "Don't worry about bringing out the TV from the bedroom. If Cassi wants to watch TV, she can go to her room. If you're sleeping, it will just give me more time to do homework or work on my computer."

You see, I've got so much stuff I can do on my computer, I could live on it for 3 years and still not have it done. So, I guess I'm one pretty busy chick!

So, at least for the next 2 weeks, being TV-less in the living room will be kida nice and quiet.

Oh, and I can read my Wall Street Journals that I got for free from my old Continental Rewards points.

With that, I'm going to close for now. Hubby gets up soon and Cassi will be going to bed soon.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

A Word Snafoo...

Okay, this one will make everyone LAUGH!

Yesterday, Cassi and I went through some of her clothes to determine which ones were too small. Since her friend is just around the corner and also has a little sister, and the family as a whole is "working" just like us, I figured I would send the good clothes on to them.

Well, this morning, as we were leaving the yard, bound for school, Cassi talks about how she has to get her hangers back from off the dress I'm giving them.

"I need me hookers back," she says.

"No, they are not hookers, they are hangers," I told her back.

"No, I like hookers better," she replies.

Okay, so we debate on why they should be called hangers and the fact it's okay for them to get the 2 hangars. Then, we pulled out and left.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Local Company Endorsement and Today

Okay, today was REALLY busy for me. At work, I was scheduled for 6am-3pm. Yep, I started waking up at 4am, with the kittens laying on me and next to me for heat.

So, I finally got up, showered, dressed, and went to work. On the way to work, I needed to visit the bank.

I figured I would be ABSOLUTELY exhausted when I got done work, but I was wrong. Over the course of the day, I worked outside in the garden department. All of my customers asked if I was cold, which I replied, absolutely NOT. Even with the lake effect snow (just mentioned on the news), rain, and sleet, it was okay.

But, on the way home, I called hubby, who was off this evening.

"Are we going anywhere?"

"Yep. Just get home."

I got home, pottied, and off we went. After last week, when hubby and Cassi brought home a bushel of apples, only about 1/3 was left, which is still ALOT of apples. But, not enough for pies, more juice, apple sauce (maybe), apple dumplings, basically BAKE.

So, we went off, back to the same u-pick place.

Company Endoresement: Grebe's Country Fruit Farm

It's located on Rt. 113, somewhere between South Amherst and Vermillion. We had a very nice visit out in the orchard. After paying for the bags, we drove the car out to the field to pick. BOY DID I PICK! I was in HEAVEN, picking any good looking apple I could find.

Plus, we met the owner (the hubby side), who was up in a "cherry picker" picking apples himself. His wife and daughter were running a small shop at the front of the property. The property is so awesome.

At this time of year, you can go there to pick about a half dozen different apples, large and small pumpkins. During other times of the year, they have u-pick peaches, grapes. The man was so nice. It is a family run farm. The owner, Steve Grebe, was so very nice to us. Very down-to-earth.

He explained the farm was his fathers and that he helped dad plant the trees that we were picking from, when he was a kid. The trees are HUGE. They are exactly like the trees I remember when I was a kid, picking with Marie and our mom. But, he said people just don't want to keep up trees of that size because everyone wants the smaller trees. But, since he helped plant all those trees, which live on 2 acres by themselves, he was keeping up the tradition.

I agree!

Then, after filling 2 bags, we decided we wanted 2 more because hubby's co-worker needed apples. So, we went back up to buy 2 more bags. After filling these bags, we stopped back up to the front, asking about their hours. The wife couldn't believe how quickly I picked the apples. Hubby's friend and brother are going to meet hubby at our house in the morning to go back out so they can pick even more. YES, there are so many apples left at the farm. The wife explained how they just planted 100 more apple trees in the last 4 years. They'll be ready soon for fruit.

This evening, I carved one of my 6 pie pumpkins and cooked it to make "canned pumpkin."

Simple recipe:

1. take a pie pumpkin (the little ones)
2. cut it up, de-seed it, and peel it (yes, takes a little umph to peel it)
3. boil it like you would boil potatoes on the stove top
4. once fork tender, drain any water and return the pumpkin to the pot
5. mash and add pumpkin pie spice
6. let cool
7. bag and use immediately or freeze in freezer bags for later use

The one pumpkin I did tonight is the equivalent of 2 cans of canned pumpkin, but 100% fresh. When I'm ready to make pie, this pumpkin will replace where the recipe says "canned pumpkin" and workes EXACTLY the same.

Yes, I'm 100% surburan and love to bake.

Then, this evening, we were trying to find a good apple pie filling recipe. After finding one, we went out to the stores, looking for a clearjel starch (didn't find) and an apple peeler. Got the peeler at Target. This is one of those that hooks onto a table or something and you rotate to peel easily. It cores and slices. All I have to do is cut in half and it will be ready for the pot. EASY!

At the same time, I found a better recipe that doesn't call for the special starch.

So, come Tuesday, we'll be baking apple pie filling.

With that, I've DEFINITELY got to go. Tomorrow, work is 8-5, but I get to sleep until 6:45 in the morning. It's now 10:33pm East Coast Time, and I've now been up since 4, so I need to go to sleep.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

In Pain...

Well, not really. Yesterday, while picking Cassi up from school, I noticed she had an extra lisp when talking. When I looked at her mouth, I noticed that there was an extra "bit" of white behind her bottom row teeth. So, we stopped, and I tell her to open her mouth. For the past month, she has had a loose tooth in the same area, but none dropping out.

It appeared that her two bottom, front teeth had her adult teeth growing behind her first teeth.

So, today, I had to work extra hard to get a new dentist. Her regular dentist, in my opinion, is getting ready to retire. I didn't call yesterday because I always remembered the hours being half day on Wednesday. Well, was I wrong! Her office is closed on Thursdays.

But, we found a new dentist for her. And a GOOD ONE at that! But, I was not happy at all. You see, I've got a BAD history with dentists. All but 2 (two) of my teeth have been pulled out.

So, when Rob got home this morning from work, he stayed up and helped me find a dentist. Then, he got up at noon to go with us, knowing he knows my history with dentists. Even though he was working tonight, he was willing to get no sleep to be with Cassi.

According to the dentist and assistant, they both said her teeth were ready to come out anyway, just about. So, she extracted the teeth. She told us she works a lot with kids, which I agree because she was so good with Cassi. I wish I had had a dentist like her when I was growing up!

When I had teeth removed, I ALWAYS saw the needle before they entered my mouth. So, even though it was for her, I got nervous. So, they brought us the bill, which I went and paid. What they did with Cassi was have her shut her eyes and keep the needle out of sight. They kept telling her the pink jelly (the stuff that starts to turn your lips into jelly). The dentist told her her teeth would go to sleep when the jelly and the water that was being put into her mouth would turn her bottom lip big and would go to sleep.

So, as she had her eyes shut, and the water was going in, the needle went in too. It was classic. But, I knew Cassi knew it was not the water that was her pain. She cried a little, but they kept putting extra water in her mouth to make her think the pain was from her teeth "going to sleep" and the water was too cold to cause the pain.

But, as they were getting ready for the extraction, I was too nervous. I went out and paid the bill. Once I got back, they were done! It was that easy.

So, we went home and her gums were done bleeding by the time we got home, which was about a half hour total. She laid down on the couch and watched a little TV. Because she was SO VERY HUNGRY, and the fact that she could only eat soft foods, I made her instant smashed potoates. We get these AWESOME potoates from Sam's Club and the ONLY instants I'll make and eat. She ate them and she loved it. Then, she watched a little more TV and took a nap.

This evening, we went to the mall, where she got some ice cream and got to play with some little kids.

Now, I'm finishing watching my new TV show "Ugly Betty." I think the show is AWESOME. It gives me hope for getting a good job, even though I'm not the best looking. But, I'm striving for more than just an administrative assistant.

With that, I've got some other blogs to review before going to bed with Cassi. I'm going to let her sleep with me tonight.

Oh, and by the way. While she was napping, the "tooth fairy" decided to show up and give her $4 in golden dollars. She told Pa all he had to do to get the money was get his teeth pulled with the puller the dentist used on her teeth. He said he should get Nana's teeth pulled and come to our house to get money!

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

My Chance to Teach...

Congratulate me guys. As you've read in my blog, I've got an online portfolio, where I showcase all my different writing styles to prospective employers and anyone who wants to know the "techy" side of me.

So, when I started the site last March, my career counselor says to me, how would you like to teach a class on online portfolios at our next career fair. I say, "Sure, sounds like fun."

Well, it's coming to fruition. At the end of the month, October 30 to November 3, Cleveland State is having it's Fall Career Week. AND, I am teaching a class, "Developing Your Online Portfolio." It's basically going to show everyone who attends that they too can develop they own portfolios, it doesn't have to be just for education majors or English majors. Anyone can have an online portfolio that represents what they are doing in school, employment, life, etc.

It should be a fun and informative session. I told them if it was well-taken, I would do it again in the spring.

My class is on October 30 at 3pm. If anyone happens to be in the neighborhood, it's open to ANYONE! Also, my online portfolio site is: http://eportfolio.cathyhennes.com.

You'll probably find some weird stuff being added over the next few weeks that will only be there for the class, like art files, sound bytes, etc.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

This Weekend for Cassi and Hubby - a third person story

Because my job decided to change my working time, but decidedly, not choose to ask if it was okay, I ended up working 12-9 on Saturday. Obviously, they don't care if I have a life or not. So, I don't get the opportunity to go with hubby and Cassi on their outting. They went with Roz (Rob's nurse co-worker) and family to the east side, Chesterland to be exact to a farm for pumpkins and apples. Cassi really enjoyed herself. They went mainly so that Cassi to be around other kids. I heard all the stories about the day. Roz couldn't believe how comfortable Cassi got at her house and her brother's house. Well, she's a very independent kinda girl. Also, she knows when she's comfortable at someone's house to just relax. But, they ended up not getting any pumpkins. They were 35 cents a pound. Come on now. The pumpkins are only going to be carved and thrown away. No need. Plus, the bag of apples hubby got, I counted only 6 (yep six) in the bag were $4. Outlandish indeed!

But, on Sunday, of course a work day again at 8-5, hubby takes Cassi to a place just west of here between South Amherst and Vermillion. I think I know where they went because we went to a farm in Vermillion last year that was just down the street from where they went.

Anyway, they were able to pick apples right off the tree. I've been looking for a place like this for 13 years, since we moved here from Jersey. They got two bags to fill for apples. The man told them that one bag was about a half bushel. Each bag cost $8 each. Okay, so one bag was about five times as much apples as the bag they purchased the day before for twice as much. We've already gone through almost all of the apples, and no apple pie filling yet. I guess I'll just have to go back.

Cassi and I had a mom-daughter night last night. We took MANY of the apples, cored them and juiced them.

Product Endorsement: If you ever decide you want fresh juice, get a Jack LaLane juicer. I've got the smaller one, which cost us about $100 from Home Shopping Center. I've made all kinds of juices fresh from the fruit. Yes, it does take a lot of fruit to make fresh juice, but it's well worth it. First, it's 100% fresh. Second, there are no preservatives, sugar, or anything artificial in it. I've made fruit juices and veggie juices as well. I've made home made V8 without all the extra salt. Of course, there's a salty taste to the juice, but it comes from the tomatoes you squeeze.

Cassi really enjoyed helping me put the fruit into the juicer. I cored the apples myself. On occasion, I cut the apples in half. I let her drop the piece into the top of the juicer, where I put the pusher into the hole and made juice. I've got a HUGE bag of pulp left, the solid pieces of the apple that couldn't be juiced. Probably Thursday, I'm going to make apple bread from my recipe for Zucchini bread, just replacing the zucchini with apples.

So, I just finished my paper for class tomorrow. I'll print it out at school tomorrow or email it to her. I have to interview one more person for my news column for next week's edition of the paper. Plus, I have one more story, that I'm going to do next week.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

This is SCRUMPTIOUS

Okay, so my kid has been watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory a little too much lately. It was on the last two nights on ABC Family. Not sure if it's on tonight too.

But, tonight, before Cassi goes to bed, she says to me, I'm still hungry, can I have something else to eat. My daughter is also a "garbage can." She can eat and eat and eat. But, she's still skinny (didn't get those genes from ME!).

Anyway, this past week, we decided to pick up a box of Fruit Loops that have giant eyeball marshmallows in it. She says to me, "It is scrumptious, even without milk."

It's hilarious, especially since she probably doesn't even know what the word means!

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

New Template

As my friends now see, I am using a new template for this blog. I think I like it and will keep it for a while to see how things go. It seems brighter and easier to read.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Good Exercise Day...

Well, I FINALLY decided to wear my digiwalker to school today. Of course, Monday's and Wednesday's are my walks from BFE to class. Both of my classes are in the same building, but I have to walk from no man's land to get there. Today, I was lucky enough to be about a block closer. But, I still walked almost 2 miles from the time I left the house to drop Cassi off at school and when I returned home, after picking her up.

Luckily today, I was able to get my page approved for this week's edition. For this week, I am formatting page 5. The print editions of our newspaper has 8 pages. Two weeks ago, I did page 4. But, this time, I was supposed to be working with someone to put the page together. But, as usual, I get to school by 10 so that any news stuff, I can get done before my first class. The first story was ready. I started to place it. Once I got to class, the girl I was working with, sat there. Of course, as everyone can remember, I am a take charge kinda girl. So, I just took the mouse and started placing stuff. I also took over and made the necessary graphics updates for the photo we used with the story. Then, Cliff got our second story ready. By that time, my co-worker left for her job, which I completely understand. But, because of myh timing issues with Wednesday, I wanted to stay as long as possible to get it done today. I can safely stay until 2pm and still make it back to Elyria in time for Cassi. So, I got it finished, had Cliff review, then, I spell-checked the story, printed it twice, and put on the board the page was approved.

So, all in all, today was an interesting day. I got, probably, three miles walked total.

This afternoon, I started getting my cooking needs satisfied. Because hubby worked 12 hours overtime this evening, I needed to make sure I cooked dinner for him. Out of three days, I had to cook at least once. The last two nights, I just couldn't because of working. But, today, I could.

I made baked chicken in the oven, with a little poultry seasoning and chicken soup base. I also made home made corn chowder. It was AWESOME! It's a recipe from our Waktins business. (Oh, yeah! I need to talk about our home-based business about the Watkins products we sell.) But, it started helping me with my need to cook. Yep, Marie, I guess I'm REALLY suburban, and now must have been for the past seven years, but, mostly the last three since starting this business. Even though I COMPLETELY am wanting my career back, I'm also enjoying my cooking and baking. So, tomorrow, I'll probably make the banana bread. Since Wednesday is press day at the news room, I'll bake it and bring it in for the gang. And, I'll look at bringing in stuff for tea.

Okay, with that, I'm trying the show everyone's been talking about on the blogs, Studio 60.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

P.S. So far, it looks really good! And, I'm recording so I can do a review tomorrow or the next day.

The STRANGEST dream...

Some time in the middle of the night, I had this dream. As a matter of fact, the dream seemed to replay three times. I think it started because I watched Paula Dean's "Cooking Class" show in the Food Network Saturday night. And, last night before bed, I was doing stuff for school.

Okay, for some reason, in my dream, I am taking a cooking class at college. It was a Thursday, and Paula Dean, who is my professor, tells me, "Tomorrow, you're having your cooking midterm. Do you have something at home you want to or need to bake. You have to make what you are making from scratch."

Well, I tell her, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am in need of baking some banana breads." I actually do because I have some smashed bananas out from the freezer to use in the bread. Nope, I haven't made them yet.

She says, "Good. Bring EVERYTHING you need to school tomorrow to make the breads."

Then I say, "Well, I also want to make an apple pie. But, I'll have to make the crust from scratch. I did pick up some pre-made crust to make the pie. I guess I can't use it if the pie has to be 100% from scratch."

"Yes, and, is the pie filling also from scratch."

"Of course. I always make my apple pie filling from scratch, peeling, cutting, and cooking the apples on my stove."

"Good, I'll see you tomorrow."

VERY WEIRD dream. It replayed at least three times, that I remember. I even remember waking up, thinking, I've got to make that bread and make that pie. But, it did not make me hungry, thinking about all those goodies.

What a strange way to incorporate Paula Dean and school together. I would just LOVE to meet her.

That's it for now.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

I Like to Chat...

This thought just ran through my brain. I got off work at 6pm today. As I was closing down my register, by counting out, my sister called. I'm so glad no one was around. During lunch, I turned the sound back on because I took a 10 minute nap and used the alarm clock so I would remember when to go back inside.

Anyway, Marie called, which I had to tell her I had to call her back. I called mom and dad on the way out the door. "Elvis has left the building." This was to let them know I was on my way home and they could bring pipsqueak home. Then, I called hubby. Since he was on his way to work and I on my way home, there was no way we could ACTUALLY SEE each other. So, my next phone call was to him. We chatted a few minutes, then I called Marie back.

At this point, I can't believe how tired I am. I got home, played with my movie DVDs and waiting for shorty to get home. As I decided to get up and go get jammies on, they walk through the door. All this time, I didn't even eat dinner. Just wasn't hungry, and I had a lot I wanted to do before they got home.

So, I did: 1. put my crap together for the morning, 2. put her stuff together for the morning. In the morning, I'll still have to take the garbage out, make her lunch, move her stuff to a NEW rolling backpack they got her this weekend, make myself some lunch, which I think I'll take some leftover chili, take her to school, and go to school myself. Just to do everything all over again.

Luckily, hubby is working OT tomorrow night. One of the ladies he works with was scheduled for OT, but, doesn't want to work. Good for us! I'm not doing anything important. I'll just cook chicken and make the home-made corn chowder when I get home from school.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

News Stories Ready

Even though I had three stories ready for the first print edition at school, only two of them made the actual print. They are posted on my online writing sample, portfolio site.

You can find it at: http://eporfolio.cathyhennes.com.

The third story will be making it to the print edition this upcoming week. Plus, I've completed three news stories for this edition. So far, two of them will make the actual print edition.

All of my stories can be found online at: http://www.csuohio.edu/clevelandstater.

I hope everyone enjoys my writing samples. Plus, all of my other writing samples are included here, except my published poetry. Back in 1992 and 1993, two of my poems were published in anthology books. I've got them scanned, but haven't created the pages on my site yet. Will let you know as soon as I'm done.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

The Cranky Clevelander

I've decided I'm not going to devote just a day to the Cranky Clevelander. I'm going to gripe when I need to and immediately.

So, gripes will be ongoing.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Tiring Weekend...But Good!

Well, this weekend was good at work, but tiring. Last night, I came home and washed 2 loads of laundry. While that was going on, I got to watch the Lindsay Lohan movie, "Mean Girls." It's one of the movies we're watching in my Gender in Comm class. A really interesting moving. I had never seen it before. But, since Cassi was gone and Rob was at work, it was just me at the cats. They pretty much left me alone. After the movie, I watched, for the upteen-millionth time, "Dirty Dancing." I can never get over the dance at the end. I would REALLY love to learn how to dance like that. Maybe some day soon. I was asleep at 9:30pm and slept until 7:30 this morning. Luckily, I didn't have to be to work until 9 this morning.

Well, this is my fourth weekend at the job. Yesterday, I learned A LOT of new things that I had never come across before. Today was pretty quiet, except that I got to be outside in the garden area. Don't think the guys liked me much because everyone was stopping to ask me questions that I just couldn't answer. So, I made LOTS of phone calls for help.

But, even with working weekends, it appears that I'm doing MUCH more walking than I thought. So much so that I just checked my weight. Yep, even at night, after eating lunch and drinking sodas (yep, the bubbly will always be SODA to me), I am down to 290! So, it appears that my weight loss has been kick-started again.

AND, there's this VERY NICE guy who works with me. He works in the "lot" where he helps keep the carts cleaned, helps put stuff in cars, etc. Like me, he also works just on weekends because he is in school. And he's SO CUTE! Believe me, if I wasn't married! Ooh, too bad I'm past the mid-life crisis part. Anyway, we've chatted a lot about our school work, what we're doing etc. If I had been able to just talk to him this afternoon. Of course, I thought about it too late. I would have interviewed him for my news story that is going to press this week.

Oh, well!

So, Cassi is home. I setup her tee-pee in her room to play. Pa and Nana bought her new jeans. The girl must be going through a growth spurt. Five pairs of pants, three of them jeans became too small or too short. So, her friend, Jo got them, along with a pair of sneakers. Even though they are in the same grade, Jo is just a bean pole compared to my pipsqueak. She's filled out more since going to Pa's every weekend while I work.

The weather was beautiful here today. At work, I wore my jacket outside for all of about 10 minutes this morning.

With that, I'm going to close. I want to scan my last newspaper before I go to bed. Plus, I want to get my sidebar story ready, with the graphics and the new lead for my feature story that's going on page 1!

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Brain Cramps

My mom emailed this to me. I just HAD to share. There were photos with it. I will work on adding them.

(On September 17, 1994, Alabama's Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.) Question: If you could live forever, would you and why? Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever," --Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest .
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"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." --Mariah Carey
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"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life," --Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign. &nbs p;
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"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body," --Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.
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"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country," --Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC .
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"That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it," --A congressional candidate in Texas .
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"Half this game is ninety percent mental." --Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
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"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." --Al Gore, Vice President
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"I love California . I practically grew up in Phoenix ." -- Dan Quayle
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"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need ?" --Lee Iacocca
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"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." --Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback & sports analyst. ````````````````````````````````````````````
"We don't necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people." --Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Instrutor.
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"Traditionally, most of Australia 's imports come from overseas." --Keppel Enderbery
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"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances." --Department of Social Services, Greenville , South Ca rolina
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"If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there'll be a record." --Mark S. Fowler, FCC Chairman
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Feeling smarter yet?

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Halloween Project

This evening, Cassi, Daddy, and I worked on a craft project for Halloween. I found the project on crayola.com, making pumpkins out of brown bag lunch bags. At first, it was working great. We were all working together. Then, Cassi decided she wanted to do her own thing. She was cutting paper, that I asked her not to do, TWICE. So, I yelled, and daddy decided he was finished becasue I was getting mad.

In the end, everyone left but me. I finished Cassi's pumpkin. Cassi came back and helped me finish my pumpkin. The pumpkins look cute. Her's is rainbow colored with black eyes, nose, and mouth. My pumpkin is all orange, with red eyes, black nose, and red mouth. My is evil looking.

But, it was fun, in the end.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Today Was a Resting Day!

Of course, I had so much work to do for school. But, the body said, "I've had enough!" It was a break day. I had one news story that just needed some quotes for finishing. But, I've got 2 news stories to write from the beginning. They are both due on Thursday, but I'm going to have to convince Cliff that Friday they'll be there.

I just needed to sleep. And sleep I did. I got up and got Cassi ready for school. Now, mind you I didn't even get dressed to take her down the street to school. Dropped her off and came back home, only to sleep for 3 more hours on the recliner. Boy did I need it! I must still be shaking off this cold I had last week. Plus, with finally working on the floor at the job, retail drains you mentally and physically.

I did, however, walk down to school to pick up Cassi this afternoon. A good mile walk helped me wake up. We invited Jo and her sister Hayley over for Thursday after school. We'll do a movie and popcorn or something for an hour or 2. Then, we got home and I made pumpkin bread. It's actually the Zucchini Bread recipe noted earlier in a recipe share. I just substituted canned pumpkin for the zucchini. I've done this before with good results. I'm going to try for the first time to make the bread with bananas tomorrow. I froze some bananas when they got over ripe. We'll see how it works. Will let you know after I try it.

I also did one load of laundry, folded a few loads of laundry, and washed one load of dishes. Now, Cassi is looking for the garage remote to play outside. I also need to make din-din for hubby who works tonight.

Then, later, I've got last minute studying to do for an exam tomorrow. AND, we're going to the store to look at ice skating prices for Cassi. We're going to keep her busy in Nov and Dec with skating lessons.

That's it for now. I'll probably add more later as I think of it.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Work = Good for Weight Loss

Okay. I've decided to add my weight loss blog into this blog. No need to go there anymore. Right now, I'm cooking dinner, in my jammie because I had a LONG day at work. I was on my feet for 8 hours, and sweated the entire time. I ran the self-check cash registers, being in charge of 4 self-checks, along with a regular register. I was continually walking around to all 4 registers.

By doing this, I did ALOT of walking. I just knew I should have used my digiwalker. I must have used at least 2 miles today. After getting home, I went right to the shower and into my jammies.

I know I'll definitely lose more weight because of working on the weekends.

Conclusion, Work = Good for Weight Loss!

Downside, I've got sore feet because they haven't been on concrete like that in years, probably since I worked for the post office in NJ.

Gotta go. Need to check din-din.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

My First Paycheck

I'm now a tax-paying citizen again. I just got my first paycheck from work. Not a bad pull for only working 2 days a week. Luckily, I started working at the beginning of a work period. Plus, they are willing to schedule me for 8-hour shifts.

Today, after finishing my LAST computer training, I went to the floor to shadow. We ended up in the self-check out section of town, which has only been available two days. I immediately went up to the customers to help them check out and answer any questions they had. I was a pro. We got two questions answered today. Both of us didn't know how specific things worked on the new machines. Cool! The woman who is the head cashier (yep, there were two today) liked the fact that I'm a go-getter to be on my own quickly. So, I work again tomorrow morning 8-5. Most likely, I'll be there again. We'll see. I can shadow as well. Whatever they want me to do. I think come tomorrow, instead of shadowing, I'll run the register and ask questions where needed.

Oh, an interesting meeting happened today. A nice, older gentleman came over to where I was doing my computer training, and he was doing the same. Come to find out we have a contact in common. When I made the comment about working just weekends because of school and then mentioned E&Y. He asked me if I knew, "so and so." Which I ABSOLUTELY did. So, he's going to put me in contact with her. I can't wait to catch up with her. I haven't seen her since I was laid off (6 years ago). He named people I used to work with, who he is now working with on business ventures. So, it turned out to be a VERY nice day at work.

Even though it is a warmer night here in dreary Northeast Ohio, I decided to make myself a cup of chai tea. Okay, I actually made a pot. Because the tea comes loose-leaf type, I made a pot. The business that hubby and I run, selling Watkins products, makes an OUTSTANDING chai. We had a customer where we used to live who bought it all the time. She taught me about chai and how to prepare it, etc. Plus, "Good Eats" on Food TV also showed me about tea in general.

So, I'm now on my second cup for the evening. Since walking through the door, I did: laundry, dishes, cooked dinner, made my tea. Now, I've got laundry to fold and laundry to get into the dryer. If I don't I won't have jeans to wear to work tomorrow.

Oh, when I went to see Jason, hubby and I stopped into the Lane Bryant outlet store. I tried on jeans, as I have been too concerned about wearing jeans and my looks since having Cassi. Yes, folks, it has been almost 7 years since I was REALLY able to wear jeans. Now, I've got two pairs. Our camper friends, Bob and Betty, well, Betty said that I look thinner with the jeans. Well, I am losing weight still too. Of course I would look GREAT. But, the compliment helped. And, with all this walking I'm doing at school, DEFINITELY helps. So, I am off to the basement to get the laundry in the dryer.

With that, I'm going to close for the night. I might do an email before I go to bed. When I go to bed, I've got a movie to watch and laundry to fold on the bed.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

My Week - School

Okay. This week has been VERY rough. At school, we got our first newspaper published. As part of my Capstone class, which is COM426, we produce a newspaper every two weeks, after the initial four to get things rolling. We just had the first issue published, but we already have to have our news stories ready for the next deadline, which just happens to be next Wednesday. That's okay. I've got a few story leads, plus my feature/column I'm writing. For this upcoming issue, I'm writing a feature/column about older-Americans going back to school. Then, I'm interviewing some people at the Cleveland Marshall Law School about the upcoming renovations/construction to their building. Then, I took over the job of doing an interview about the new PC repair shop. Quite an impressive amount of stories that have to be completed by Wednesday. But, I can handle it!

Oh, if you want to see my stories online, our newspaper also has the stories being posted. The Web site address is: http://www.csuohio.edu/clevelandstater. This week, I will have the paper edition of my news stories available for viewing on my eportfolio site. Not only did I have 2 of the 3 stories I wrote in the print edition, I also formatted page 4, finished page 2, and helped with page 3. AND, I got a half page advertisement that landed on page 8. Then, I went to the State of the University address by President Schwartz and took photos. Busy week for the newspaper girl. Then, once the paper was printed, I was tasked to walk about campus, delivering copies where needed. I had 5 places to go. AND, after working all day Thursday with Rob to put in a new front door (another story), I got my exercising in with carrying 100 newspapers to five locations, of which I was able to find four!

I'm REALLY trying to get back to my creative writing, but it appears I have writer's block again. Also, it might be from the newspaper writing I've been doing. I'm writing, but a different type of writing.

So, my motto is, what news stories can I come up with for the next edition. Low and behold, here, in the goold ole' state of OH, they have a holiday coming up on 10/21 that's called Sweetest Day. I never heard of it before coming to Ohio. Someone said to me it was just a holiday created for American Greetings to sell more cards. Ohio, and Cleveland especially, just happens to be home to American Greetings.

For our edition, coming out on October 20, I am doing a funny column about love and the internet. As most of you have read, I met hubby through the internet. The short-short version: 1. We met just after Valentine's day in 1997, 2. We dated for 3 weeks, 3. We got married on 3/14/1997, 4. We've now been married for almost 10 years (2007 will be the 10-year anniversary).

So, part of my research is looking for anyone who has gotten married after meeting their significant other through the net. I WOULD LOVE to interview you for my story. I might also submit my story to the Plain Dealer (in Cleveland) and my local papers out here in Lorain County. Would be neat to see it published professionally.

Now, with all this going on this week, we also finished watching "Mona Lisa Smile" in the Gender in Communication class. We have a paper due on Monday. It's not your typical, "looks like an English paper"-type paper. Specifically, it is to answer 3 questions, dealing with the issues we are looking at in class. In this case, about the women's movements. For the next paper, we're watching "He Said, She Said." So, I've got Netflix all ready for the movies to rent and watch at home. For each paper, they are extra credit, allowing me up to 5 extra credit points for my final grade. With over 10 movies to watch over the semester (maybe), I could get a pretty good grade. Plus, next Wednesday, we've got our first exam (of three). And who said I'm not in classes full-time. Even though I'm only in two classes, I work like I'm in three.

Plus, an idea came to me. With the knowledge that I've got nine classes left, I'll be in classes full-time for the last three semesters of college. This will allow me to graduate in Spring 2008. WHOO! HOO! Right now, my GPA is 3.57, which I'm hoping to get up to a 3.75. I'm going to apply this week to see if I'm eligible for the Honors Program. Worst they can say is I'm not qualified enough. Because I'm a transfer student, I have to be at least a Junior-level student. Okay, according to the college, I'm a Senior. I initially qualify. We'll take it from there. Will let you know if I am accepted. This would mean free tuition and books. We can only hope. It also typically means free room and board, but I don't need the room part. Board would be good because I could get lunch while I'm at school.

Okay. That's it for now about school. I've got other stuff I want to talk about too. I'm supposed to be watching my movie because I've got work tomorrow morning. But, oh well.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

The Cranky Clevelander

Issue 3, September 18, 2006

Okay, here goes. I've got some training-related gripes this week. And, as you can tell, Monday is now the day for my issues.

1. Web-based training versus hands-on training. Okay, this REALLY gripes my ass. I'm in this training class because it is REQUIRED to allow me to do what I have to do for working. But, when you go to the training on the computer, things that you are supposed to do as part of the process get bypassed. Well, we'll just forget steps 1-20 because you've already done them, or you already know how to do them. How does this DAMNED computer know I know these steps, just because I passed the earlier trainings does not mean I KNOW how to do these steps. Not once did I see a complete process from start to end. I know I won't have a problem when I do it LIVE, but I want to see a complete process from start to end.

2. Web-based training SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. Okay, this is a second problem with certain web-based trainings. They are too old. The trainings are more than 2 years old. When a video says one thing about a process and the web-based training says another, which way is correct? Get your trainings on the same page! Plus, with each of the web-based trainings, make sure you have TRUE subject matter experts to review the assessments. Because these assessments require the test-taker to make 100%, any missed questions are repeated with other questions CLOSE TO the original question. But, make sure the answers for the original questions are CORRECT. I was asked a question, which I knew the answer and knew I was correct. The WBT says that I am wrong, but asks me a follow-up question. The question is basically the same as the first, which I get right. There is NO REASON to have trainings like this. No wonder why turnaround is so bad. Get the training RIGHT the first time. If it's WRONG, spend the money to get it RIGHT. Maybe you'll keep the employees who want to stay. With all the profit that is being made, SPEND some of the money to make the training correct. AND, when trainings are updated, update everything that needs to be updated.

3. Being sick. Short and to the point, if you are sick, stay home! I don't care if you lose money or time from school. When you are sick, you are sharing you sicky bugs with everyone you come in contact with, especially when you have to share computers. For some reason, sicky bugs zero in on me and decide to become GIANT mutant bugs that want to zap the life out of me. STAY HOME! I will because I am a caring, not-wanting-to-share-my-bugs adult.

4. Unpaid Internships: What the HELL is the problem with companies? For some people who want to get into your industry, an unpaid internship is completely out of the question. Especially for those people who are 35, going to college because of need to get a better degree, but also have a family, a home, and bills. Internships should be based on past experience, along with school experience. Then, a monetary amount should be considered. Example: not naming names: A woman, who is 35 years old, is in college for her Bachelor's Degree in English, but also has over 10 years experience in the working world, specifically working for a Big 4 Professional Services firm. This example person should be able to get an internship with pay based on the past experience and the fact that said person also has an Associate's Degree in Communications.

Okay, that's enough for gripes for this week. Had some good ones come up on me yesterday, which allowed me to go where this issue needed to go. It feels very therapeutic.

With gripes galore,
The Cranky Clevelander
(AKA Cathy 8^ )

Product Endorsement: Dove Intense Frizz Control

As most of you know, I've got a 6-year-old daughter. Before I had her, my hair grew and GREW and GREW! I typically had to get my hair cut every four weeks. Not anymore. Since having her, my hair hasn't been growing longer, it has been growing OUT!

As I've jokingly told people, "it's my FRO!"

Over this past summer, I came across an AWESOME product, Dove Intense Frizz Control. I put it on whether my hair is wet or dry. It helps keep my hair un-FRO looking. It's all because my hair is so thick.

As my girlfriend, Jacci's, daughter has told me, "I thought there was some black in you." Hilarious. Just hilarious because Jacci is black, and we think of her and her family as our extended family. Cassi's hair is equally as thick, but, haven't needed to use this stuff on her hair yet.

If you've got the FRO-looking hair, poofy and big, like it doesn't want to grow long, but out, try this. I don't think you will be disappointed.

With that, gotta go.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Eye of GOD!

Thought I would share the forward my mom sent me today. I just couldn't believe the photo when I opened it. Here is the text from the email:


Dear All: This photo is a very rare one, taken by NASA. This kind of event occurs once in 3000 years. This photo has done miracles in many lives. Make a wish ... you have looked at the eye of God. Surely you will see the changes in your life within a day. Whether you believe it or not, don't keep this mail with you. Pass this at least to 7 persons. This is a picture NASA took with the Hubbell telescope. Called "The Eye of God." During the next 60 seconds, Stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity.

(Literally it is only One minute!) Just send this to people and see what happens.


Whether or not the photo is true, it is an amazine graphic. Of course, I haven't looked it up on snopes.com yet, not tried to find it on NASA's Web site. But, after I upload, I'll look into it.

So,

Without further interruption,

Here,

Is,

The,

Picture:

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

FYI...The REAL information on this photo per www.snopes.com.

The above-displayed image is a real photograph of the Helix Nebula, although it's technically not a single photograph but rather a composite image formed from several photographs taken by NASA's orbiting Hubble Space Telescope and a land-based telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. This image was NASA's "Astronomy Picture of the Day" for 10 May 2003.

The Helix Nebula does not naturally appear with the colors shown above, however; the tinting of the image is artificial. The picture's "Eye of God" appellation is a title coined by an admirer of the photo due to the nebula's resemblance to a human eye, not something designated by NASA, and the nebula is also visible all the time, not merely "once in 3000 years." Last updated: 5 July 2006

Great News from my Transfer Advisor!

And hubby didn't think I should come to school today. I had my meeting with my transfer advisor. It has been 11 months since I met with him last. At the last time, we were waiting on confirmation of foreign language taken in high school. Even though my Spanish I was not on my high school transcript, Spanish II and Spanish III were. That was all he needed to validate those two classes.

Ok, so that means I have 2 less classes I have to take.

Next, I have been .7 (point 7) credits short in transferring in my math class. At the first meeting, I was told I would need to take one math class. I started to take it and withdrew because the class really SUCKED. I was going to petition for the credits. At today's meeting, I was told all credits that had partials (5.3) would get rounded up to the next credit. So, I now have 6 credits required for gen ed in Math.

Ok, so that means I have 3 less classes I have to take.

WHOO! HOO!

This means if I buckle down hard for the next three (3) semesters, I can graduate in Spring 2008. I will have to take full-time classes for the last 3 semesters. But, if everyone helps me out, I can graduate in Spring 08 instead of Fall 08. That's 7 months ahead of schedule for a job. So, if I wanted to, I could take classes this summer and be done in Fall 07, but I think that would be too much to take 3 classes on a shorter 12-week schedule. But, my goal is to get a job in my degree for the summer.

So, I'm still trying for the 3.75 GPA this semester. That will DEFINITELY help me toward scholarships. Maybe I'll stop at Campus 411 (information desk) to ask about upcoming scholarship opportunities.

So, in conclusion, I will have my Bachelor's Degree in English, along with a certificate for Professional Writing as I have been doing both at the same time.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Missed Communications?

How do you try to tell your spouse/significant other how important it is for you to get the best possible grades in your classes? Even if it means being at school during your off-days?

My goal this semester is 2 A's. I'm taking 2 classes this semester: Gender in Communication and Lab Newspaper I. If I can get the A's, I believe my GPA will shoot up from 3.57 to 3.75. I want to get as high as possible.

Plus, for this first printing of the newspaper, I had to sell ad space. Luckily, the contact I worked with, for Today's Bride Magazine, they are purchasing half page ad space for 2 editions. My minimum ad space goal was 2 editions, whether it be with one customer or two. But, I also have another contact who will get back in touch with me over the next week or so to determine if she is advertising in the paper too. So, maybe I'll get extra brownie points for it.

I'm continuing to look at opportunities for scholarships. I'm also going to make sure I apply for the school-based scholarships this spring for next week.

An interesting tid-bit. I'm scheduled to meet with my transfer advisor tomorrow. When I went to make the appointment, the girls at the desk told me that I am considered a Senior this year. Wow! I didn't realize that. I figured since I've still got 2 years left of actual study, I would considered a Junior. But, must be because I have the Associate's Degree.

So, I've completed two of my news stories. The third story, which was my final from my Media Writing class back in spring will make three. Because they had no one for the print edition for the "Perspectives" page, he decided to put my story there. Also, I mentioned to my advisor how I had the "hang up" call from hubby. He told me I needed to go because he didn't want to see me get divorced, but I was getting ready anyway. But, I told him not to worry because hubby's got too much invested in me and that come March, we'll be married 10 years. Then, I told him how we met through the net. Here's the short of it: we met through the net and got married after 3 weeks. He thinks this story would be a great news column for the next edition. I'm very excited because I may get to be a main person who writes the columns for the paper.

For those of you who know newspaper columnists, I'm taking after Dick Feagler. He's a news columnist for The Plain Dealer and has an English Degree. My role model!

Okay. I'm going to go for now. I've got some reading to do for Gender class. We get to watch Mona Lisa Smile in class Friday and possibly a test next week.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

I just learned something about Blogger.com.

Back in July, I created a post based on someone else's post, talking about how this guy got fired because of HIS blog. One of the comments on my post was this:

"The guide for most blogs is that if there is anything that you don't want everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - to read and react to, then you shouldn't put it into a blog. Just as a note, some employers also do Google searches of potential employees searching for stuff, so it is more than just badmouthing your employer."

While researching their beta blogger site, as they are coming up with upgrades to the site, I was reading about the new sites. To upgrade to a new blogger site, you need to have a Google account. Also, as I was skimming through the "terms and policies" piece, there were links galore to Google Web pages. It appears that Google owns Blogger.

So, if you're wondering WHY when you do a search on Google your name, and it comes up for your Blogger site, this is why. Google must catalog the blog sites to the search engine, allowing for potential employers to find you.

As I've said before, don't openly badmouth past, current, or future employers.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

The Cranky Clevelander
Issue 2, September 11, 2006

In issue 2, I'll be talking about a few things. I've been keeping a list, which has actually gotten quite large. So, I'll keep the griping down to two or three items. Remember, these are MY gripes. If you don't like them, fine! If you do like them, fine!

First off, most of you know that I am now working part-time on the weekends. This main issue raises multiple gripes. 1. Yes, I know I HAVE to work. But, with going to school, there should be something out there to help me be able to pay bills, live, etc., that would allow me to not have to work. 2. I had orientation this past weekend. Because I have done training like the woman who lead the training, I knew what she was doing. Basically, orientation SUCKED! I was so bored. Becasue of the fact I was in business, I have a business frame of mind. There were so many times that this one participant continued asking the same questions. The trainer should have said to her, table the questions until the end of class. We can discuss them one-on-one. Also, there were a few times when the trainer wasn't able to answer the questions that the students asked. But, I did. Like travel time and mileage. My past, with my traveling, etc., I knew what she was talking about. My store is a main training site. So, my training was at home base. I didn't qualify for travel and mileage. NO PROB. But, for those coming for orientation from other stores, they had no concept of the differences and the time they would earn for the time it took them to travel to the story. Example: It typically takes you 15 minutes to get from your house to work at your regular store, but it took you a half hour to get from home to orientation. You would get paid for the 15 minute difference in time for travel. That's very no nonsense. She couldn't explain it how I just explained it. The same for mileage. 3. Discounts. Yes, I will be working in a retail establishment, to remain nameless. When I was hired, there was no mention of discount. But, everyone I told about the job all said, "Oh, so you'll be able to get a discount!" Which is what I thought. Someone at orientation asked about our discount. "There is no discount. Because if we gave you a discount, you would bring in everyone you know to get your discount. So, no one gets it." What a JIP! I'm so turned off. That was a point that should have been brought out in the interview. Everyone assumes that you get a discount when you work at a retail establishment. WRONG!

So, the bottom line is, I'm not happy working at this job. If a better job becomes available, I'll probably take it. If the job is in retail, it should have a discount.

#2 Cell phones and driving! Okay, this is a good one. For those of you unfamiliar with this area, I live about a half hour west of downtown Cleveland, OH. To get there, you have to travel over the highway to get there. Last week, I was coming home from school. I think it was Wednesday. As I was getting off the off-ramp, there was this young-looking, female driver in front of me. You can clearly see that she is on the phone. I come to find out that she is fumbling with her phone because, right there on the off-ramp, she slams on her brakes, she drives into the burm on both sides of the road. She is basically not watching the road, but is more concerned with the phone. As I come up behind her at the end of the off-ramp, we're getting onto a 4-lane road. I pushed the petal down and roared my car past her. I can't believe people can be so insensitive to other drivers. Also, this driver was VERY dangerous. I agree that cell phones should not be used when driving. I know that I do use my cell phone when I am driving. But, when I do, I am overly sensitive about it and react. I am making sure that my cell phone doesn't get in the way of my driving. If it ever does, I tell the person I'm talking to that I'm driving and I've got to get off.

Finally, PEOPLE BE SENSITIVE TO OTHERS! You could kill yourself and others.

Okay, that's it for now. I've got more, but will keep them until next week. Remember, if you've got a gripe you want to share, just let me know.

Signing off,
Cathy
The Cranky Clevelander

The Anti-Blogger

Yep, folks. I've been the anti-blogger for the past week. It has been VERY crazy for me. I'm still working on finishing my 5 news stories for my Lab News class. I've got 1 done, 1 almost, 1 tonight (piano and violin concert). Then, I've got 2 to do and finish. My goal is to get them done by Thursday. The one I've got finished and the one tonight are going into the first published edition of the paper. The others, plus the 2 for the published edition will all go out onto the newspaper's Web site.

So, I've been very anti-, but have been commenting on my blog friend's sites.

A sad day for me yesterday. Our first kitten has gone to his new home. Rob's friend from work came over with her kids yesterday. The first thing they saw was "Popeye" who will now be renamed by them. This was the orange kitten. They wanted him immediately. Luckily, I had a litter pan, which made it easier for her to get him started in his new home. They, of course, had to stop on the way home for litter and food. But, since we'll be visiting their house, we'll still get to see him as he grows up. So, not a complete loss. As we visit, I'll keep updating with more photos.

So, my dilemna, I've got mom and fluffy girl to adopt out. I'm trying to get them adopted this week. But, if they don't get adopted, I'll end up having to take them to a shelter. We are keeping the two, boy and girl, who appear to be the runts of the litter. We'll take them to get fixed and shots, etc. In the end, we'll end up with three cats, one adult and two kittens (who won't be kittens for long). If ANYONE knows of anyone wanting a kitten or adult, both females, they are up for adoption. The kitten IS litter trained. (psst. Marie, try to talk mom and dad into taking mom!)

Okay. I've got The Cranky Clevelander to post. It's late, but that's okay. It's my news blog anyway!

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

The Cranky Clevelander

Issue 1, September 3, 2006

Yes, this issue is being brought to you on MONDAY, September 4, 2006. I just got this idea from my adopted little sister, Vegas Princess. So, this is my opening issue. I just wanted to thank Princess for this idea. She called her Gripes of the Week. I like the Cranky Clevelander, myself.

So, as time and activities will allow, I will be posting my gripes every Sunday for your enjoyment. Agreed, I will not experience all of the Gripes that Cleveland has to offer. By all means, if you have a gripe, please share with the crowd. Also, if you are in another town, I may decide to add: Gripes from Other Cities in the issues. I will take your suggestion into consideration and add it to the next issue.

Until Sunday, I'll have my GripePad out, taking notes!

Cathy
8^ (
(good icon for being cranky)

Zucchini Bread - Recipe Share

This recipe comes strait from Grandma Rizor's files (Rob's grandma).

Ingredients:

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup oil
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups zucchini - grated (do not peel)
3 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 TBS cinnamon
1/2 cup nuts (optional and whatever you want to add)

Directions:

1. Blend together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil.
2. Add to the mixture the sour cream.
3. Then, add the zucchini.
4. Finally, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Add the nuts, optional choice.

Bake the mixture in 2 loaf pans for 1 hour and 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Again, this recipe makes 2 (two) 9x5x3 breads. Based on the stove you are using, I would suggest to check the breads after an hour to determine if they are done, so as to not over cook them. Use the "toothpick" in the bread to determine if they are done. You can know if the toothpick comes out clean.

Good luck!

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

TODAY!

Today is going to be a day from crazy's-ville. I've got lots to do and little time to do it in. Here's my list:

1. fold laundry (done)
2. wash laundy (done, but needs to be folded. Yep, more laundry!)
3. take dishes out of dish washer (done)
4. put dirty dishes in dish washer (done and started)
(hmm! Now, where have I seen this list before?)

5. Bake some zucchini breads for home and work (done and sent to work)
6. Stuff the peppers and get them in the oven for 45 minutes. (done and sent to work)

I promised that this evening, the gang would get stuffed peppers for dinner, along with zucchini bread. I told Rob he would have to take it with when he goes to work because I'm not driving down there again at 10pm. Oh, we figured out the traffic issues: a. air show, b. Taste of Cleveland, c. drinkers, d. all of the above. Since it's a holiday weekend, that's where we figured the traffice came from. So, no driving downtown this evening.

7. Do homework (working on it)
8. Fit a nap into here somewhere (of course, done at noon)
9. (needs its own number), do research for my 4-5 news stories that need to be done this week. I want them as completed as possible as I will be getting my InDesign Page to format with news stories. (working on it)

Our first issue has to be completed, written, photos, and formatted by 9/20. The newspaper hits the streets on 9/22. I'll add the stories that go into the newspaper on my creative writing blog, but the scanned version of the newspaper will live on my eportfolio Web site. (gotta remember to try to keep using AP Style writing EVERYWHERE.)

With this, I've got some emails to do, look at job prospects (for spring and summer internships), determine who I want to work for and write up some emails to query the contacts.

Wish me luck,
Cathy
8^ )

KLUTZ!

Okay, everyone can laugh at me. I know Rob will yell and scream. Last night, before going to bed, I had to "use it." So, I went. The toilet roll became empty, and I prepared to replace the roll. Do-do me, I was standing in front of the toilet, while flushing and trying to put the roll on the holder. All of a sudden, the holder fell out of my hand and into the toilet, WHILE IT WAS FLUSHING. So, I tried desperately to get the holder out of the toilet.

Nope! It's now stuck in the toilet. I think the best way to get it out will be to rip the toilet off the floor (after emptying it of water) and snake the thing back out. To do this, though, I will need to pick up a new sealer ring to put under the toilet to seal it to the floor. Yucky stuff!

Note to self: ALWAYS shut the lid when trying to multi-task in the bathroom!

8^ (

Just an hour later, at 9:37 am, Rob has come home, heard me rant as I am already dressed and ready to head to Lowe's, and snakes the toilet to get the holder out. Plus, he is also already in bed.

What a MAN! Because the darned thing was plastic, it didn't get very far in the snake of the back end of the toilet. But, luckily, because he was so tired, he didn't yell at me.

But, he did bring the adoration of all his co-workers because I cooked. They want the recipe from me. Well, the recipe for the alfredo sauce lives here on my blog. Here is the link to that specific blog story:

http://cathyasmom.blogspot.com/2006/08/receipe-share-have-you-ever-wanted-to.html

The Freeway SUCKS!

I Gotta REMEMBER, Saturday night on the freeway coming out of downtown Cleveland is just like coming home on Friday afternoons.

Just got home from doing my wifely duties. Rob is working this evening. For dinner, I cooked Chicken Alfredo. I offered to make enough to bring to work. But, the nice co-worker who has been stealing food out of fridge is on the clock this evening. So, I offered to bring it to him. For his dinner, to share with his girlfriends, I made the chicken alfredo and banana pudding.

So, got to his work about 10:15pm. Of course, as usual, when I drop him off stuff, he typically isn't downstairs immediately when I arrive. The timing thing. As I stop to wait, who happens to drive past but the hospital's police. So, I get nervous that Rob's not out quickly enough.

He couldn't believe how much stuff was in the bag. When I had a Tupperware business, they gave us these HUGE bags to carry our supplies to parties. I still have a few of those bags and used one to carry all his stuff. He called and told me that someone asked him what was in the bag. He told them it was his dinner. I brought extra stuff in the bag for him to give to his friend, Roz.

Okay. I'm good this evening. But, coming home was a BEAR! I can't believe how many people were downtown. So, when Rob called, I asked him if there was a Browns game this evening. He wasn't sure, but guessed all the traffic was from the bars and stuff downtown, and an area called "The Flats." An area just outside of downtown Cleveland, on the west side of downtown, that has bars up and down on each side of the Cuyahoga River. Gosh, I haven't been down there in ages!

So, as Marie would say, I'm being suburban. Ever since we started this Watkins business, I really enjoy cooking and baking. Tomorrow night, I'm sending with him stuffed peppers. I've got the "stuffed" part finished. I made it the other night, 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound bulk sausage, 1 can tomato sauce, and all kinds of Italian seasonings, along with 2 cups uncooked rice that I pre-cooked in a rice cooker. I just needed to pick up more peppers, which we did today while out riding around.

With that, it's about 11:30pm on the East Coast (oh, yeah, I'm actually in Ohio, not on the East Coast like I used to). I'm watching a little TV and will be going to bed soon.

I can't believe how cold it is here this evening. Not really cold enough for the heater yet, YEAH! But, cold enough to close the windows. I know we'll have our Indian Summer soon, but, hope it's later than sooner. That's all I need is to have Cassi get sick.

Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )