tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19217100978203245182024-03-13T08:17:28.754-07:00Delicious as PieThe Adventures of a Bibliophile, Domestic Goddess and Volunteer Extraordinaire!Delicious as Piehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195601914326160269noreply@blogger.comBlogger563125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-5963998985137358012012-01-08T21:46:00.000-08:002012-01-08T21:46:54.360-08:00Saying FarewellDelicious Readers, it's time for me to say good-bye. It may not be forever, but for the foreseeable future, I won't be posting on Delicious as Pie.<br />
<br />
The reasons are many, but the biggest reasons? I'm not seeing any return on investment, per se. I haven't gotten any new followers in months and reader comments are virtually non-existent. I average 20 readers a day, but after three years, I'd hoped for more.<br />
<br />
Delicious as Pie started out as a fun way to build a "platform". A "platform" is the current buzzword in the writing community that means you have a following. You can be famous. An world-renowned expert. Or a blogger with thousands of followers that will buy your book. Agents/editors can't afford to take a chance on a nobody; they want proof that your book will sell many, many copies.<br />
<br />
In the beginning, I dreamed that Delicious as Pie would take off and spread its wings across the world. Even through weeks and weeks of feeling like no one was reading, I kept typing away, hoping and praying that somehow my baby blog would be recognized. Then, when I finally finished my first novel, I could tell the book-buying powers-that-be that yes, my book would sell because I have 10,000 followers waiting with baited breath to buy multiple copies.<br />
<br />
That dream has dissipated with this morning's fog.<br />
<br />
I understand that my humor is a little wonky and that few (if any) of my posts are typo-free. Maybe these are off-putting to readers. Or maybe people just aren't interested in me and my writing. People are busy and my blog doesn't make the cut into their daily lives. And while I can't say the disappointment doesn't sting a little, it's okay. <br />
<br />
Honestly, the entire endeavor has become a chore, another thing on my to-do list to avoid. I find myself wondering why I should bother when my end goal never gets any closer. So it's time for a sabbatical.<br />
<br />
Thanks for sticking with me, Delicious Readers. I have<i> truly</i> appreciated each and every time you've visited.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-44361348954334372452011-12-31T20:08:00.000-08:002011-12-31T20:08:35.648-08:00A few photos to share...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYpdS7EsKhc/Tv_a5tqZ2tI/AAAAAAAACgc/yWSvXF56ss4/s1600/kate%2527s+bday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYpdS7EsKhc/Tv_a5tqZ2tI/AAAAAAAACgc/yWSvXF56ss4/s320/kate%2527s+bday1.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AouTL1h0_Ig/Tv_a723NM6I/AAAAAAAACgk/ZNqUklKEAbg/s1600/kates+bday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AouTL1h0_Ig/Tv_a723NM6I/AAAAAAAACgk/ZNqUklKEAbg/s320/kates+bday2.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh no he didn't!! Actually, he did. Hubby gave me a Kindle Fire!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xoG5Ma0QAQw/Tv_a97bzE7I/AAAAAAAACgs/xQYv34fsGyw/s1600/nye1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xoG5Ma0QAQw/Tv_a97bzE7I/AAAAAAAACgs/xQYv34fsGyw/s320/nye1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DcKOiBb9Ak/Tv_bAR8JHrI/AAAAAAAAChE/u4ZImmU34LE/s1600/sunset3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DcKOiBb9Ak/Tv_bAR8JHrI/AAAAAAAAChE/u4ZImmU34LE/s320/sunset3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the Pacific from Birch Aquarium</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mU6D7nkFX4I/Tv_a-qS2rnI/AAAAAAAACg0/eVyji2C8r38/s1600/sunset1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mU6D7nkFX4I/Tv_a-qS2rnI/AAAAAAAACg0/eVyji2C8r38/s320/sunset1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does it get any more gorgeous than this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yX6WPZmuAso/Tv_a_QWJcTI/AAAAAAAACg8/YJc0FNDkIyk/s1600/sunset2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yX6WPZmuAso/Tv_a_QWJcTI/AAAAAAAACg8/YJc0FNDkIyk/s320/sunset2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost gone....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_tCDSbWL-E/Tv_cDMLiyaI/AAAAAAAAChY/lI0cpfpNdMI/s1600/scott+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_tCDSbWL-E/Tv_cDMLiyaI/AAAAAAAAChY/lI0cpfpNdMI/s320/scott+bday.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott's birthday dessert at Black Angus. Note the other spoon sneaking into the photo. LOL</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-87951719058984237792011-12-31T19:52:00.000-08:002012-01-01T08:51:13.379-08:00I read 70 books this year!!!!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><br />
<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</div><br />
Holy cow, that's alotta books.<br />
<br />
Looking back over the ever-lengthening list in the right-hand side bar, I have to say that I enjoyed most of the books, but only truly loved a couple.<br />
<br />
What does it take for me to <i>love</i> a book? Truly amazing writing, unique and believable story line and characters that become real, honest-to-goodness people within the first two chapters.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F0tVkMM3L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="While We're Far Apart" border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F0tVkMM3L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a>Here's an example of great characterization: About half an hour ago, I finished reading <i>While We're Far Apart </i>by Lynn Austin. If I mention too many specifics right now, I'll give away something crucial, so forgive me for not being more verbose. But at one point, upon reading some wonderful news regarding a character, I actually said out loud, "Thank God!" Yes, I praised God for a fictional character. Now if that doesn't represent strong characterization, then I don't know what does.<br />
<br />
Okay, so <i>While We're Far Apart </i>is definitely one of my favorites for the year. How else do you explain reading 416 pages in about 32 hours? (Not that it took me 32 straight hours to read it, mind you. I did have to sleep and all. LOL)<br />
<br />
I also adore the <i>Rather</i> series by C.A. Belmond and had the pleasure of reading two of them for the first time this year.<br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51L3BAuAfyL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Love, Ruby Lavender" border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51L3BAuAfyL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a>As for children's books, one of my very favorites of all time is <i>Love, Ruby Lavender</i>. Seriously, how can you go wrong when the opening scene involves a daytime raid by a grandma and her nine year-old granddaughter on a nearby ranch to rescue three soon-to-be euthanized chickens? Talk about creativity in writing! I love it! (BTW, the author is Deborah Wiles.) Read all her books, you won't be sorry. In fact, you may end up joining me in a daytime raid on her house to demand more, more, more!!!<br />
<br />
I just glanced back through my list of Books Read and don't see any others that I feel compelled to write about. So there. Just wait till I get my own novel published. Then all of you Delicious Readers will feel your own deep compulsion to write about how wonderful it is! ROFLOL!<br />
<a href="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-89781845605159378172011-12-31T19:26:00.000-08:002011-12-31T19:26:07.203-08:00Our 2011 ABC list...If you've been reading Delicious as Pie for any length of time at all, you know that I inject creativity into just about everything I do. So when it comes to the annual Christmas letter, I can't just dash of a few paragraphs, can I?<br />
<br />
Nope.<br />
<br />
Instead I write the D___ Family's ABCs of 2011 (or whatever year we happen to be finishing). Now I can't take complete credit for the ABC's. I have to get the family involved so that if anything significant is forgotten, it's not my fault alone! (LOL)<br />
<br />
And so, Delicious Readers, here are the D___ family alphabetical highlights from 2011!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">A</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">warded! Scott received 2 Hustle Awards and a Regional Outstanding Engineer Award<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">B</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">ronze Award (Girl Scouts)—Emma made blankets for Project Linus to earn this award</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">C</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">onfirmed at church in May—Hayley <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">D</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">isney the Dog (a sheepadoodle) is our newest family member<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">E</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">mma made Honor Roll and ATC (Above the Crowd) in her first trimester of middle school!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">F</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">inding Truth</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"> is Kate’s first novel. She finished it in October and is now looking to publish it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">G</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">irl Scouts! Hayley and Emma are both in a multi-level troop which Kate leads.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">H</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">ayley started high school this year and loves it! She, too, made the Honor Roll!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">I</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">n July, Emma went to church camp for a week and Hayley went camping with friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 163.7pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"> J</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">anuary found Kate in Chicago visiting two of her BFFs for a few days</span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">K</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">ate manages the middle school student store<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">L</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">ong drive up north three times this year to spend time with Kate’s family to celebrate brother Will’s 40<sup>th</sup>, Matthew’s baptism and Thanksgiving <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">M</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">usic in the house—Hayley continues to delight us with her piano playing</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">N</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">ovember was National Novel Writers Month—Kate wrote 50K words and Hayley wrote 20K<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">O</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">h what joy to find a 100% hypoallergenic dog!</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">P</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">residential Award for Academic Excellence—Emma received this award last June</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Q</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">uite the trip—Hayley </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">spent 5 days in Philly, NYC and DC with her eighth grade class in April<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">R</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">egarding said trip, Hayley raised almost $800 with her card-making business to help pay for it</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">S</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">ea kayaking—Scott and Kate tried this in La Jolla Cove. So fun!</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">T</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">V-</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Emma made her TV debut while singing with her school choir this year<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">U</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">pgraded (for free) to the Presidential Suite at the Hollywood Marriott—3200 sq. feet of fancy!</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">V</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">isitors: Barbara, Ken, Will, Gillian, Sophia, Melanie and Gabrielle</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><b style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">W</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">icked—Hayley saw her first Broadway show in NYC</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 22.5pt 1.0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"> X</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">citing that Disney graduated from Puppy Training 1! (And he, too, made the Honor Roll(over)!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(Hahahaha!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;">Y</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">ear’s favorite book (according to Kate): <i>Love, Ruby Lavender</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;">Z</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">owie! We saved thousands of dollars this year by couponing</span></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-15295028533147444092011-12-31T19:13:00.001-08:002011-12-31T19:13:51.116-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!Can't believe the year is turning over already. Did it just do that like two months ago? LOL<br />
<br />
I hope all of you have a deliciously safe, happy and productive 2012!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-46368346749805441422011-12-23T22:52:00.000-08:002011-12-23T22:52:50.319-08:00My Girl Scouts ROCK!I am so gosh-darned proud of my Girl Scout troop!<br />
<br />
Last week, my scouts combed through their homes for any extra toiletries. With a big ol' tub full of goodies, they filled 20 stockings for the homeless.<br />
<br />
Then they spent a few hours at Barnes & Noble gift wrapping people's purchases and made $223!<br />
<br />
How awesome is the generous public, right?<br />
<br />
Well, I have to let you know how my scouts used their funding. They decided to donate goods to San Diego Youth Services. I took them to the dollar store and armed each of them with $20. My amazing girls bought clothing, toiletries, non-perishable foods, baby items, toys, art supplies and so much more!!<br />
<br />
We drove it down to SDYS and let me tell you, the director was so excited! All of the items my girls bought will so totally help all the youth they support.<br />
<br />
Take a look...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUF4Gh5jlLs/TvV1qe4tKSI/AAAAAAAACgQ/ih8NzdBHy4Y/s1600/sdys1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUF4Gh5jlLs/TvV1qe4tKSI/AAAAAAAACgQ/ih8NzdBHy4Y/s1600/sdys1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eyKtfx0eW0/TvV0iV3WlsI/AAAAAAAACfk/oqFnyfTpUzQ/s1600/GS+8841+at+Youth+Services.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eyKtfx0eW0/TvV0iV3WlsI/AAAAAAAACfk/oqFnyfTpUzQ/s320/GS+8841+at+Youth+Services.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezkbQ3hx4dg/TvV1p7JEYCI/AAAAAAAACgI/Kz7Xb_RnUsU/s1600/sdys2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezkbQ3hx4dg/TvV1p7JEYCI/AAAAAAAACgI/Kz7Xb_RnUsU/s1600/sdys2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Oh, and did I mention? My girl spent some time on Monday evening caroling at an assisted living facility.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkBNOB3rCzs/TvV0q1TKT_I/AAAAAAAACfs/idTz3kofc9g/s1600/gs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkBNOB3rCzs/TvV0q1TKT_I/AAAAAAAACfs/idTz3kofc9g/s320/gs1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now don't you agree? Aren't these girls just the best ever???<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-564757067963372582011-12-23T22:22:00.000-08:002011-12-23T22:22:38.174-08:00Christmas Carma!No, not a misspelling there. Just had to take a minute to show you evidence of my fantastic parking karma!<br />
<br />
First stop... Target. Got the first spot right after the handicapped spots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q_q8dvR7zU/TvVvTyWoojI/AAAAAAAACfQ/uPF6jfnF8cQ/s1600/karma1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q_q8dvR7zU/TvVvTyWoojI/AAAAAAAACfQ/uPF6jfnF8cQ/s1600/karma1.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Second stop... Albertson's. Again, right next to the handicapped spot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf7wkV2XNco/TvVvXnRqjWI/AAAAAAAACfY/Ov2hn-CjWWs/s1600/karma2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf7wkV2XNco/TvVvXnRqjWI/AAAAAAAACfY/Ov2hn-CjWWs/s1600/karma2.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Third (and final) stop... Barnes & Noble. Second spot two aisles over from the door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBUT8BsxVDQ/TvVvTpaLJaI/AAAAAAAACfI/RbgWJZI2Fz0/s1600/karma3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBUT8BsxVDQ/TvVvTpaLJaI/AAAAAAAACfI/RbgWJZI2Fz0/s1600/karma3.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Gotta love parking karma at Christmas!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-1795452641181901352011-12-19T21:36:00.000-08:002011-12-20T08:48:51.497-08:00Thank you, Christmas Spirit, for making yourself known!You'll remember that last week, I wasn't feeling the holiday hoo-ha.<br />
<br />
Well, it took a couple days, but the spirit found me and I've been hoo-ha-ing for Christmas ever since. I think it took a night out with Scott for dinner and some gift shopping to kick start the mood.<br />
<br />
Take a peek at the holiday joys of the past week...<br />
<br />
Emma sang "Silent Night" at with the church band. (The guy next to her playing the guitar is Billy. He was in our wedding.) <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">http://youtu.be/AqFvuNHyWH0</div><br />
Emma also sang in a concert at school. I won't upload the entire thing 'cause unless your her grandma you probably don't care to sit an watch it. (And quite possibly, she doesn't either! LOL) But here's a photo of Em and her "twin", Hannah.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R51ATYvz4oQ/TvATUIlzBPI/AAAAAAAACes/K60MNhhb92c/s1600/Emma+and+Hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R51ATYvz4oQ/TvATUIlzBPI/AAAAAAAACes/K60MNhhb92c/s320/Emma+and+Hannah.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>My Girl Scouts sang Christmas carols at an assisted living facility.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tVJFJ5VkuqA/TvARnyiV9NI/AAAAAAAACeU/ZSQW0Jz8onA/s1600/gs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tVJFJ5VkuqA/TvARnyiV9NI/AAAAAAAACeU/ZSQW0Jz8onA/s320/gs2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLR-KjMVPbM/TvAR2zRPOKI/AAAAAAAACec/Ma5nC5IlJII/s1600/gs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLR-KjMVPbM/TvAR2zRPOKI/AAAAAAAACec/Ma5nC5IlJII/s320/gs1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My Girls Scouts also raised money by gift-wrapping at Barnes & Noble. They're planning to use the money to buy supplies to donate to a local homeless shelter. They already donated a ton of toiletries from their own homes and divvied them up among 20 Christmas stockings that we're going to hand out this week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LW2KOeDVrrY/TvAR91LhNkI/AAAAAAAACek/7iSidkRWwmQ/s1600/wrapping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LW2KOeDVrrY/TvAR91LhNkI/AAAAAAAACek/7iSidkRWwmQ/s320/wrapping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6G9_YhLofg/TvAUp3eQJpI/AAAAAAAACe0/_heqPtSxi_s/s1600/stockings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6G9_YhLofg/TvAUp3eQJpI/AAAAAAAACe0/_heqPtSxi_s/s320/stockings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We hosted a cookie exchange today. As near as I can figure it, we had about 25 people and a table full of cookies. Naturally, it didn't occur to me to photograph the cookies (or the people-LOL), so I just snapped this one of some of the remaining cookies...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXbAkFyJNm0/TvAOXt39J3I/AAAAAAAACeM/MuqfnUUhTLs/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXbAkFyJNm0/TvAOXt39J3I/AAAAAAAACeM/MuqfnUUhTLs/s1600/cookies.JPG" /></a></div>Disney. Just Disney. He's so darned sweet and adorable that even when he makes me crazy, I love him to death. Today, Hayley was holding him as we were saying goodbye to some party guests and Disney looked over at me and REACHED FOR ME! I am not kidding about that. It was just like a baby reaching for his mama. And it was just about the cutest thing EVER!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJxWPB2GLaQ/TvAN-y49jhI/AAAAAAAACeE/5kpu52c10Tw/s1600/fam+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJxWPB2GLaQ/TvAN-y49jhI/AAAAAAAACeE/5kpu52c10Tw/s320/fam+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I hope that you are having a similarly auspicious beginning to Christmas! (And if you're Jewish, Happy Hanukkah!)<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-32415604378905522372011-12-12T21:58:00.000-08:002011-12-12T21:59:41.388-08:00Where art thou, oh Christmas spirit?I can't find my Christmas spirit anywhere.<br />
<br />
I've looked under the couch. I've looked behind the washing machine. I've peeked in among the stealthily hidden Christmas gifts and in the filled cookie tins and in the branches of the sweet-smelling and ornament-bedecked tree.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSf3HGt6qZM/TubpS_U0O-I/AAAAAAAACd4/cymDBids3T0/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSf3HGt6qZM/TubpS_U0O-I/AAAAAAAACd4/cymDBids3T0/s200/tree.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
No spirit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ_NA9BLfS4/TubjWUaYGiI/AAAAAAAACdo/BHl-e8c1bbc/s1600/tissue+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ_NA9BLfS4/TubjWUaYGiI/AAAAAAAACdo/BHl-e8c1bbc/s200/tissue+box.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>It's not dangling from the pretty lights around my desk. It's not hiding inside the cute triangular elf tissue box. It's not curled up inside giant rolls of candy cane wrapping paper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dm6jhA3vTuU/Tubju1qti-I/AAAAAAAACdw/UMC0fl0oOD8/s1600/wrapping+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dm6jhA3vTuU/Tubju1qti-I/AAAAAAAACdw/UMC0fl0oOD8/s200/wrapping+paper.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Christmas spirit, where are you? Only twelve short days remain before Jesus' birthday, yet you elude me. I can't find you, so please, please, please come find me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-73063288585250289682011-12-06T11:36:00.000-08:002011-12-06T11:37:30.087-08:00Lengthening the "Deliciously Read" columnI realized a couple weeks ago that I was behind on my reading for the year. Each year, I read right around 70 books and as of the end of November, I was only at 59.<br />
<br />
Time to get crackin'!!<br />
<br />
So I made a trip to the library to pick up some books, both regular and audio. My neighbor invited me to her book club and I needed that book, as well. (The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck.)<br />
<br />
Naturally, it wasn't on the shelf but I did find several books by Elizabeth Berg that I hadn't read before. Yay!<br />
<br />
Berg's story lines are, well, rather depressing. Grieving prevails in several of them, be it a death or something else. So I'm not wild about the stories, but Berg's writing is just so beautiful. Lyrical. Magical. She sees things in ways that I can only dream about and I love reading her books because it helps me looks at things in my own world with clarity and distinction.<br />
<br />
*sigh* I adore wonderful writing.<br />
<br />
Now flip that coin over, please. Let's talk Janet Evanovich.<br />
<br />
I adore her stories. They are hysterical and I laugh out loud throughout each of her books. And her characterization! Evanovich is a master!<br />
<br />
Her writing, though, is anything but lyrical. It's basic. Fluent, but basic. It's like stepping firmly across concrete, whereas Berg's style makes me feel like I'm gliding across smooth ice.<br />
<br />
<i>At any rate.... </i><br />
<br />
I've finished several books in the past week and am feeling more confident in achieving my 70(ish)-book goal.<br />
<br />
What book have you enjoyed most this year?<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-52188305832088254902011-11-29T19:14:00.000-08:002011-11-29T19:14:24.942-08:00Winna! Winna! Winna!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://files.content.lettersandlight.org/nano-2011/files/2011/11/Winner_180_180_white.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://files.content.lettersandlight.org/nano-2011/files/2011/11/Winner_180_180_white.png" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-43012344198097621012011-11-23T21:57:00.000-08:002011-11-23T21:57:24.443-08:00I am thankful for my Delicious Readers!Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers and if you're not from the good ol' US of A, then happy Thursday to you!<br />
<br />
Want to hear what I'm thankful for this year? Besides health and family and Delicious Readers ('cause those go without saying)?<br />
<br />
1. We're celebrating with my family. Seven adults, five kids, three dogs.<br />
2. Speaking of dogs, I'm thankful for our new puppy, Disney, even if he makes me insane sometimes.<br />
3. I always feel warm and comfy inside when I'm with my mom.<br />
4. My NaNo book is going swimmingly! (When I say swimmingly, I do not include the crawl stroke. I like to think that my plot is *not* crawling along. LOL)<br />
5. Scott is so, so, so, so happy with his job.<br />
6. We will have paid off two credit cards this year.<br />
7. And we are better off financially than we have been in YEARS!<br />
8. Creativity<br />
9. Brownies<br />
10. Patience<br />
<br />
What are you thankful for? Click on the word "comment" below and let me know!<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-74000958892827811602011-11-17T23:19:00.000-08:002011-11-17T23:19:02.639-08:00100 Things About Me1. I still have baby teeth.<br />
2. I adore crackers.<br />
3. Almost as much as I adore the color pink.<br />
4. But it has to be the right shade of pink. None of that rose shade for me. Ick.<br />
5. I'm addicted to my iPhone.<br />
6. And Angry Birds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlbyX4NTIFSAbPL3N8f9-DptSsMBW3w1Zomd0cQ-zPblmgmdg1pw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlbyX4NTIFSAbPL3N8f9-DptSsMBW3w1Zomd0cQ-zPblmgmdg1pw" width="200" /></a></div>7. I'm embarrassed about being addicted to Angry Birds.<br />
8. I'm trying really hard to become a dog person.<br />
9. Some days it works.<br />
10. Other days it doesn't.<br />
11. The verdict is still out on today.<br />
12. I have a Jane Austen action figure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/public/NdiCBUlix0QbhEO3rUh9b0jSZkBJ64XOvCDfZVwNh_IZmnQisGeS50JL-PHw3vsiLsAvSHFH31r41h8-cl-n3cqtq2wlk7a_uf7ObCgy3gaIy0rkPpf-a-f6y79pC7GTHpPDgKVc5S8f" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jane Austen Action Figure from Accoutrements" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/public/NdiCBUlix0QbhEO3rUh9b0jSZkBJ64XOvCDfZVwNh_IZmnQisGeS50JL-PHw3vsiLsAvSHFH31r41h8-cl-n3cqtq2wlk7a_uf7ObCgy3gaIy0rkPpf-a-f6y79pC7GTHpPDgKVc5S8f" width="200" /></a></div>13. Sometimes I play with her.<br />
14. I don't think 24 crackers is a big enough serving size for Special K Multi-Grain crackers.<br />
15. I am one of those insane mothers who volunteers way too much.<br />
16. I am manager of the middle school student store.<br />
17. I should be over there right now reordering Flamin' Hot Cheetos.<br />
18. I love plants, but hate watering them.<br />
19. I abhor the color orange.<br />
20. I have moved 16 times. I think.<br />
21. I wish laptops never ran out of battery power.<br />
22. For that matter, I wish dogs didn't chew through laptop power cords.<br />
23. I'm very good at avoidance.<br />
24. How else do you explain an exceedingly long blog post when I should be writing 1,667 words for NaNo?<br />
25. I used to not mind cooking.<br />
26. Now I abhor it almost as much as I abhor the color orange.<br />
27. Maybe even more.<br />
28. I love to look at the sidebar on my blog that says where my visitors are from.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">29. I don't know where a lot of those places are. Pardes Hanna, Hef<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a? Not a clue.</span></span></div>30. Google is one of my bestest bffs.<br />
31. My other bffs live all over the country.<br />
32. I don't have a bff here in San Diego.<br />
33. That makes me sad.<br />
34. And sometimes lonely.<br />
35. If I could take one food on a desert island, it would not be chocolate.<br />
36. I can see your mouth hanging open all the way from here because of that shocking statement.<br />
37. You should close it before you swallow a fly. You know, like the old lady in the nursery rhyme.<br />
38. Sometimes I recite Mother Goose because it's fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUSC9yvSjHxwQlOUTI-VdV0WclHpJaQZS8NsjDiLDaDgEo_m3c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUSC9yvSjHxwQlOUTI-VdV0WclHpJaQZS8NsjDiLDaDgEo_m3c" style="cursor: move;" width="174" /></a></div>39. Then my children tell me that I'm weird and to be quiet, please.<br />
40. I don't feel old enough to have a 14 year old.<br />
41. I think it's funny (and ironic) that I just noticed in #35 above that I typed "dessert" island.<br />
42. If I was stranded on a dessert island, I wouldn't have to bring chocolate, would I?<br />
43. I would like to be stranded on a dessert island.<br />
44. Can prime rib be considered a dessert?<br />
45. Because I would miss that.<br />
46. You know when you watch a movie and the THX surround sound logo comes on and makes that sound they think proves their superior sound?<br />
47. It embarrasses me.<br />
48. I don't know why.<br />
49. I always squirm in my seat when it comes on.<br />
50. I agree with you that that was a totally random thing to share.<br />
51. I agree with you that I should probably take a break here and work on those 1,667 NaNo words.<br />
52. Organizing is fun.<br />
53. Staying organized is not.<br />
54. My desk can attest to my lack of skills in staying organized.<br />
55. I think adverbs are under rated and under appreciated.<br />
56. I'm very persistent.<br />
57. Especially when it comes to Angry Birds.<br />
58. Because I'm addicted to Angry Birds<br />
59. Oh wait. I already said that.<br />
60. I must be running out of things to share.<br />
61. I'm currently craving a Walnut Chicken Salad sandwich from Paradise Bakery.<br />
62. I can't have one, though, because Paradise Bakery is in Vancouver, not San Diego.<br />
63. I just wrote 29 words on my NaNo novel.<br />
64. Yay, me!<br />
65. I'm resisting updating my word count on nano.com.<br />
66. I have a crush on Tom Selleck.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQx0mTj12HEyLxE2Mwdw0xsNZfF1BOI0yWu8DbONJy9ohFoAw9r" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQx0mTj12HEyLxE2Mwdw0xsNZfF1BOI0yWu8DbONJy9ohFoAw9r" width="131" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">67. And Pierce Brosnan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTLFx2s_Hvxk9_NEDczgKPkLMrtBLdiB9Rmq20is74YQQjxJWnEEQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTLFx2s_Hvxk9_NEDczgKPkLMrtBLdiB9Rmq20is74YQQjxJWnEEQ" width="134" /></a></div>68. And Scott D.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvvhD-dkkpM/TsYEvNMnQ1I/AAAAAAAACdU/oErrPdKzBnc/s1600/Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvvhD-dkkpM/TsYEvNMnQ1I/AAAAAAAACdU/oErrPdKzBnc/s1600/Scott.jpg" /></a></div>69. My biggest pet peeve is when people hang up without saying goodbye. What is that about???<br />
70. At Target today, I put a pair of thong panties on my head like an eye patch.<br />
71. I wanted Hayley to take a photo for all my Delicious Readers, but she refused.<br />
72. I did make her laugh, though.<br />
73. I have amazing carma.<br />
74. Not karma. Carma.<br />
75. That means I usually get amazing parking spots. Even at Target on Christmas Eve. Which is my birthday, btw.<br />
76. I'll be 38. Ouch.<br />
77. The dog verdict from numbers 8 through 10 is in.<br />
78. Today I am not a dog person. Disney the Dog is Can. Tank. Er. Ous.<br />
79. Slimy dog bones falling onto my laptop are not my favorite thing.<br />
80. I have spent the afternoon and evening writing 1,884 words on my NaNo novel.<br />
81. My favorite tv show of all time is Gilmore Girls. It makes me giggle.<br />
82. My goal in life is to amuse people.<br />
83. Sometimes I get confused, though, and annoy people instead.<br />
84. My children will eagerly attest to that.<br />
85. I read very, very, very, very, very fast.<br />
86. I have the weirdest dreams.<br />
87. Once I dreamed that an army of chocolate chip cookies carrying machine guns was marching down the street in front of my house.<br />
88. I am not making that up.<br />
89. I wish I was.<br />
90. Because I'm not sure what it says about my mental health.<br />
91. Three weeks after we started dating, I knew I was going to marry Scott.<br />
92. Apples make me hungry.<br />
93. I have been in over half of the United States.<br />
94. I started writing this post over twelve hours ago.<br />
95. My favorite book of all time is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.<br />
96. Come on, there have to be four more things about me I can share!<br />
97. But I'm getting really tired.<br />
98. My highest Scrabble score ever is 485.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREsEOH2nRNCsoQU4wz3zlr-ObmursTFib4Mnu0cMWs-kcd1cI4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREsEOH2nRNCsoQU4wz3zlr-ObmursTFib4Mnu0cMWs-kcd1cI4" width="200" /></a></div>99. I'm mighty proud of that fact.<br />
100. I scored a 5 (the highest score) on the AP English exam.<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-70145326929476903232011-11-16T23:13:00.000-08:002011-11-16T23:13:21.581-08:00"Yelp and the Plumbing Is Free" (A True Story by Kate)Once upon a time, a happy family of four moved to a new kingdom. And they smiled because no longer would they have to contend with water still struggling from the effects of a volcanic eruption 30 years before. But sadness enveloped the family bank account each month when they saw the effects of the new kingdom's hard water. Clothing wore out quickly. Glassware became etched by water minerals. Filters were needed to create the most basic of necessities--drinking water.<br />
<br />
So one day, the happy family called the royal plumber to come provide an estimate for installing a whole cottage water filter. The plumber came and told them it would cost several hundred dollars. That was much more than they expected and too much for their meager budget. When the master of the happy family said as much, the plumber shrugged and asked if he wanted a written estimate. "Yes, please," said the master. The plumber went to his wagon and scratched the cost onto a scroll of parchment.<br />
<br />
When he came back, he confessed that he made a mistake and that the actual cost was two hundred dollars less. This was still much more than the happy family thought it should be. The master also got the feeling that the plumber was taking advantage of them, so he sent him on his way.<br />
<br />
Now the mistress of the happy family was very disappointed because she had consulted the great wizard Yelp.com and found this particular plumbing company to be the best in the land. So deep was her sadness that she wrote a letter to Wizard Yelp.com telling him of their experience.<br />
<br />
Some months passed and the happy family had forgotten about the whole cottage water filter. Then one day, the mistress received a reply from the great wizard Yelp.com. The owner of the plumbing company had heard of her disappointment in his business and felt so badly that he wanted to do whatever it took to earn her good graces. The mistress planned to contact him, but before she got a chance to (for she was very busy with her royal volunteering duties), one of his employees stopped by their royal cottage with his two small children.<br />
<br />
The mistress and the gentleman had a lovely chat while all the children romped with the happy family's new puppy. She promised to have her husband call the owner the very next day.<br />
<br />
Soon the master and the royal plumber talked. How sorry and forlorn that plumber was at the horrible service his employee had provided the happy family! After explaining how he had hired two new plumbers to help expand his business only to find that they hindered it more than helped, he offered to install the whole cottage water filter free of charge!<br />
<br />
The happy family was delighted by the generosity and the strong morals of the royal plumber. The mistress couldn't wait until the water filter was installed so that she could write back to the great wizard Yelp.com and tell him how thrilled she is by the generosity and concern of the royal plumber. His high level of ethics proved to her that her happy family would live happily ever after in a hard water-free cottage.<br />
<br />
The End<br />
<br />
(P.S. This is an entirely true story. Courtesy Plumbing is installing the whole house water filter FREE OF CHARGE on Saturday!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-80373982860610971982011-11-14T22:43:00.000-08:002011-11-14T22:43:57.601-08:00Shhh... don't tell anyone that I took TWO naps today...I couldn't help it. Really. I tried not to fall asleep this morning while typing my NaNo novel.<br />
<br />
Yes, I actually did fall asleep while typing. Scott found me snoozing away, laptop warming my lap and dog warming my side. He closed the computer, moved it and THEN WOKE ME UP!<br />
<br />
Horrible man.<br />
<br />
No, I'm just kidding about that. He is amazing and I adore him and he was entirely right to wake me up because I had to leave the house ten minutes later. (I drove up to Anaheim to meet a wonderful friend for lunch.)<br />
<br />
So then I'm driving home from lunch and (imagine your eyes now following a trinket swaying back and forth in front of your face)... you are getting sleepy... you are getting sleepy...<br />
<br />
I was getting very sleepy, so I dug out my leftover chocolate mousse cheesecake (heaven!!!!) and ate that to stay awake. Got home, kissed the kids and said, "I'm going to take a nap."<br />
<br />
And I did. I slept for an hour before opening my computer to start playing word catch up. I stared at the last two sentences I typed wondering why they made so little sense. Then it occurred to me. "Ah, I wrote those while falling asleep." ROFLOL<br />
<br />
Too bad those sentences didn't really work. I could have used the word count since I've made so little progress this evening too. But it's not for lack of trying. The dog was being insane tonight and it's really hard to concentrate when you have to get up to let him out (and in) over and over and over again.<br />
<br />
I finally sent Hayley up to bed, turned off the TV and knocked out several hundred words. Progress!<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is mostly wide open so I will be writing (not sleeping!) and by the end of the day, I'll be 50% of the way through NaNo, both in word count and day. Yay!<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-18299165994878599562011-11-13T19:51:00.000-08:002011-11-13T19:51:57.348-08:00Happy Birthday, Hayley!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Birthday to you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Birthday to you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Birthday, dear Hayley!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Birthday to you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, technically, her birthday was yesterday, but we were celebrating so I couldn't really blog now, could I?<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cannot believe that my little angel is 14!!! She is such an unbelievable person, so compassionate, intelligent, kind-hearted, talented and gorgeous...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDPJXOOiqP4/TsCDFA5ru8I/AAAAAAAACdM/SMPAuF1iJ9A/s1600/Homecoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDPJXOOiqP4/TsCDFA5ru8I/AAAAAAAACdM/SMPAuF1iJ9A/s320/Homecoming.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's my girl last week just before the Homecoming Dance. She went with a group of friends since she's not allowed to date yet.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsNgjdQbGWo/TsCDAvJSK9I/AAAAAAAACc8/p3kcsQ2V4mw/s1600/Hayley+bday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsNgjdQbGWo/TsCDAvJSK9I/AAAAAAAACc8/p3kcsQ2V4mw/s320/Hayley+bday3.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening gifts on her birthday! Scott and I gave our avid reader girl a Nook.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BbWq7fwV08/TsCC8wP8fzI/AAAAAAAACcs/Mw6bE0CO6FQ/s1600/hayleyl+bday+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BbWq7fwV08/TsCC8wP8fzI/AAAAAAAACcs/Mw6bE0CO6FQ/s320/hayleyl+bday+6.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's that cake already??</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TfUXbbC8rJc/TsCC9tLNjFI/AAAAAAAACc0/9DatG-oRzk0/s1600/hayley+bday+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TfUXbbC8rJc/TsCC9tLNjFI/AAAAAAAACc0/9DatG-oRzk0/s320/hayley+bday+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins--white cake with rainbow sherbet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hayley couldn't decide what special activity we should do on her special day. Ice skating, bowling, browse around a cute town... She eventually decided that a movie was the best option given that the day was rainy and sodden. Let me just say that I was bored silly during "Puss in Boots". I tried desperately to fall asleep to relieve the agony of the boredom. Didn't work though. But the movie wasn't too long and we all went to the bookstore afterwards so Hayley could buy a cover for her Nook.<br />
<br />
A fun dinner at Macaroni Grill, then home for cake and xBoxing rounded out a super fun day!<br />
<br />
Happy birthday, again, Hayley! I love you!<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-19768427928847881162011-11-07T16:13:00.000-08:002011-11-07T16:13:25.721-08:00Scott has the BEST boss...The girls received a letter from Scott's boss today...<br />
<br />
"Hi Hayley and Emma,<br />
<br />
I hope all is well. I wanted to reach out to you personally and say what a wonderful pleasure it is having your dad, Scott, on our sales engineering team. He is bright and passionate about what he does. He is one of the most organized individuals I have ever worked with. And, he has the dedication of ten people with a never-ending tolerance for the crazy work we do. Our customers drive us to the edge of sanity but your dad always engages them with a smile. Your dad is indeed one of the *best* engineers on our team.<br />
<br />
Please give your dad a warm hug when you see him next. Also, tell your dad to take the entire family out for pizza and expense it to the company. My treat."<br />
<br />
How totally cool is that?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-79913828552641082162011-11-07T10:06:00.000-08:002011-11-07T10:07:41.907-08:00Extreme lap dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBwfGZR8jGg/TrgeX-SuFNI/AAAAAAAACb4/YKU2Xi5syPM/s1600/extreme+lapdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBwfGZR8jGg/TrgeX-SuFNI/AAAAAAAACb4/YKU2Xi5syPM/s320/extreme+lapdog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quite a difference from the lap dog in my last post!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Scott snapped this photo outside a Starbucks this morning.)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-29354422190811108262011-11-06T22:28:00.000-08:002011-11-06T22:28:08.321-08:00A baby...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8_FrBNZtnk/Trd6HwqPo0I/AAAAAAAACbo/zvZse0zvV3g/s1600/baby+disney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8_FrBNZtnk/Trd6HwqPo0I/AAAAAAAACbo/zvZse0zvV3g/s320/baby+disney.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I wanted to adopt a baby, but I love it nonetheless!!</div><br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-80639719409671753032011-11-06T14:25:00.000-08:002011-11-06T14:25:20.671-08:00A perfect rainy dayIt's a cold (53 degrees) and rainy Sunday in not-so-sunny California and I love it!!!<br />
<br />
It's the perfect day to curl up in bed with my laptop and tap, tap, tap away on my NaNo word count. I have a cup of Comfort and Joy tea steaming next to me and a shortbread cookie just waiting to be nibbled.<br />
<br />
I'm kind of sleepy, though, so I'm wondering if bed is not the smartest place to write. Guess I'll find out, won't I? LOL<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-27064022343535152702011-11-04T20:32:00.000-07:002011-11-04T20:33:30.739-07:00Has it seriously been over a week since I posted?I'm so sorry, Delicious Readers. I think about you every day and plan to jot down a post for your reading enjoyment. But........ then I get busy.<br />
<br />
Uber busy.<br />
<br />
Even now, as I try to pen this missive, I had to stop to:<br />
<br />
1. Get Tylenol for Emma's migraine (poor angel).<br />
2. Search for said Tylenol (which she must have finished 'cause I couldn't find the bottle)<br />
3. Mash up a tablet form of medicine and stir it in applesauce.<br />
4. Convince Em to actually eat the applesauce.<br />
5. Dry the dog off after he came in from the rain.<br />
6. Wipe down the kitchen counters (Hayley forgot after she did the dishes), and...<br />
7. Grant Emma a few candy corn for good behavior<br />
<br />
And that was just in the past four minutes.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo....<br />
<br />
So I mentioned in my last post about the book fair. It was a great success! We ended up grossing $4000 and earning over $1,200 in books for the library. Isn't that awesome?! The librarian wrote me the nicest thank you note and the assistant library confided to me that she sang my praises to the assistant superintendent. I feel so loved!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7BSv4_DEt2g/TrStbPeNh5I/AAAAAAAACbY/jZPsBr6RoB0/s1600/Mostly+companion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7BSv4_DEt2g/TrStbPeNh5I/AAAAAAAACbY/jZPsBr6RoB0/s320/Mostly+companion.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Disney helping me on Day One of NaNo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
November 1 started the annual pilgrimage of novel writers worldwide. We put our lives on hold and write, write, write, write, write until we reach 50,000 words. Oh yeah. It has to be finished within the month of November. And what's the carrot at the end of the stick? Nothing tangible, I'm afraid. Simply pride in our tenacity to wrestle all those words onto paper (or screen) as most of us do now.<br />
<br />
If you break it down, 50,000 words in 30 days equals 1,667 words a day.<br />
<br />
A. Lot. Of. Words.<br />
<br />
But what you want to know is if I'm on top of things, right? Is Blogger Kate on target or has she fallen behind after only four short days?<br />
<br />
I am on target, thank you very much. I have another four or five hundred more words to write today. I'm not concerned about them though. They come easily to me right now. (Say a prayer that they'll continue to!) I'm at 6,101 words thus far and my story is cracking me up. I love the random characters that come into the story completely unbidden. And the personalities and appearances of people I'd planned, but have changed because... well, because the characters develop themselves more than I develop them.<br />
<br />
I tell ya. If you're not a writer, you're missing out. It is SO. MUCH. FUN!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v1_hmmyxz08/TrStfA44zGI/AAAAAAAACbg/r_idrvvcIgY/s1600/Em2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v1_hmmyxz08/TrStfA44zGI/AAAAAAAACbg/r_idrvvcIgY/s320/Em2.jpg" width="240" /></a>I can't forget to write about Halloween. Tons of kids stopped by. I adore the little toddlers, barely old enough to walk, much less to eat candy. But their parents are so excited to initiate them into the traditions of trick-or-treating. I remember doing that very same thing with Hayley in her sweet little Hershey's Kiss costume. Emma, at only seven weeks on her first Halloween, wore the cutest pea pod costume! I'll have to find the photos and post them. But not right now. Right now, I just need to blog and post lest I get distracted again!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wc6aKeigH20/TrStVILDCSI/AAAAAAAACbI/FcQWl6C0XWw/s1600/em3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wc6aKeigH20/TrStVILDCSI/AAAAAAAACbI/FcQWl6C0XWw/s320/em3.jpg" width="142" /></a>This year, though, Hayley was a cute witch and Emma was a rock star/famous person. (I know I don't have a photo of Hayley here. She wasn't in her costume long enough for me to get a picture.)<br />
<br />
Disney has infiltrated our family and our hearts completely. He is so funny, making us laugh all the time. We love the way he bounds instead of runs, insists on crawling into our laps or between our feet and the way he cocks his head when he doesn't want to mind.<br />
<br />
We started puppy classes this week. He knows most of what is being taught and is really there more for socialization with other pups. He's a pretty shy fellow.<br />
<br />
We taught Disney how to roll over this week. He can also sit, lay down, "look at me", come, stay, wait, go to kennel (haha) and heel. He's getting the hang of "out" meaning "get out of the kitchen before you trip someone and send them flying into a pan of sizzling oil". He's also doing bee-you-tif-fully with potty training. The only couple accidents he's had this week were teeny little puddles and those were the effects of his excitement at seeing someone come home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThRHG9OK5Qc/TrStacX3HJI/AAAAAAAACbQ/EX8Z_wpzR0k/s1600/puppy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThRHG9OK5Qc/TrStacX3HJI/AAAAAAAACbQ/EX8Z_wpzR0k/s320/puppy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hayley sang in her first choir concert last week. Naturally, we couldn't distinguish her voice from all the others, but it was still fun to see her up there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpy0zWUAcpA/TrStS6Gs-pI/AAAAAAAACbA/7xxjGkbXPms/s1600/choir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpy0zWUAcpA/TrStS6Gs-pI/AAAAAAAACbA/7xxjGkbXPms/s320/choir.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that, Delicious Readers, is a super-fast snap shot of the past week in the Delicious household. I hope your weeks have been as entertaining and enjoyable!</div><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-53468869384846077072011-10-27T13:41:00.000-07:002011-10-27T13:42:22.721-07:00Brief Bookfair BreakI've been working like crazy at the middle school book fair all week. Right now, though, I've been granted a reprieve. Someone else is manning the registers and managing the kids so I could come home, eat some lunch and take a breather.<br />
<br />
Phew!<br />
<br />
Worked out perfectly today since Scott is out of town for the day and it's just not fair to kennel the puppers all day long.<br />
<br />
So how is the book fair going? I'm sure you're dying to know. LOL<br />
<br />
It is going super, amazingly awesome. In just three days, we've grossed $3000!!!!<br />
<br />
And in terms of profit, that means $900 in books for the school library. Do the happy dance with me, Delicious Readers, 'cause that is just plain awesome!<br />
<br />
The fair is open today and tomorrow, as well, and I'm hoping to break $5000. Imagine the beautiful damage to be done with $1500 worth of books. *happy sigh*<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-55840799269039063582011-10-22T20:23:00.000-07:002011-10-23T13:48:15.565-07:00Adorable Photos of Disney the DogI heard from a couple of you that the photos I posted earlier in the week didn't appear for you. Weird. All looked good on my end and since I don't have the knowledge or patience to figure out the issue, I took new photos.<br />
<br />
Of course I took new photos! I new puppy mama and I'm enamored (most of the time) with Disney.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Disney had his first haircut this morning and the sweet thing can actually see now! And hear, too, since he had so much hair in his ears that apparently doesn't need to be there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DD3avAslRhc/TqOCwi7VEgI/AAAAAAAACZ0/fgM7M4GG57o/s1600/Hairy+disney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DD3avAslRhc/TqOCwi7VEgI/AAAAAAAACZ0/fgM7M4GG57o/s320/Hairy+disney.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is what he looked like before!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ie0i57_rbY/TqOBpuR7hMI/AAAAAAAACZE/rsDzYxhDa5Y/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ie0i57_rbY/TqOBpuR7hMI/AAAAAAAACZE/rsDzYxhDa5Y/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And here are his beautiful black eyes!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0Ktg8EwqQ0/TqOBuKIoHEI/AAAAAAAACZM/DV4JENxN4gU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0Ktg8EwqQ0/TqOBuKIoHEI/AAAAAAAACZM/DV4JENxN4gU/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w6nGl77v7xU/TqOBw0_nTaI/AAAAAAAACZU/kSdWME9u0DI/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w6nGl77v7xU/TqOBw0_nTaI/AAAAAAAACZU/kSdWME9u0DI/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx2Xh26DMlM/TqOB2rVd7nI/AAAAAAAACZk/e8MZDspuazs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx2Xh26DMlM/TqOB2rVd7nI/AAAAAAAACZk/e8MZDspuazs/s320/1.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today marks exactly two weeks that he's been with us. I haven't laughed so much in a very long time! He cracks us up all the time with his funny puppy antics and most especially, his three-second attention span.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think we've all made a lot of progress in those two weeks... he now does his business outside instead of inside on potty pads. He sits and waits for permission to come inside, he comes when called (unless he's in trouble-haha), he's learning to lay on command and he's getting used to his leash. And car rides? He's amazing! Calm and perfectly happy. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having said all that, he likes to nip, jump up on people and steal the occasional piece of trash from my waste basket. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've signed up for puppy classes and a bonus for registering for two classes is a one hour private training session. Monday night, we are there! I can't wait to learn more about puppy psychology and learn how to nip bad behaviors in the bud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0tdnbSheDM/TqOIdp04l4I/AAAAAAAACaE/tW8IGy0xD5g/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0tdnbSheDM/TqOIdp04l4I/AAAAAAAACaE/tW8IGy0xD5g/s320/2.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-67726899396793404382011-10-20T23:10:00.001-07:002011-10-20T23:10:54.719-07:00I need this cake for my next birthday!<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/304142_10150353817754743_696094742_7812032_438183473_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Minus the "50th" of course. LOL<br />
<a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921710097820324518.post-17632249811390677232011-10-19T20:52:00.000-07:002011-10-19T20:52:41.495-07:00I finished my book!No, not a book I've been *reading*. The book I was *writing*!<br />
<br />
I finished it about 11:30pm on Sunday, just in time for Scott to take the first few chapters with him on his business trip.<br />
<br />
What a relief to have it done. A serious load off my shoulders, but only for another 11 days.<br />
<br />
What's in 11 days, you ask?<br />
<br />
National Novel Writer's Month!!!!!<br />
<br />
You know, where insane people like myself take it upon themselves to write a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November.<br />
<br />
Just in case you don't feel like doing the math, that's approximately 1,600 words per day.<br />
<br />
And that's a lot of words.<br />
<br />
And just a little, itty, bitty amount of time in a month that just happens to be a holiday month. Why? Why? Did the crazy creators of NaNo not realize that people (me) are traveling (driving) long distances (600 miles) to spend time with relatives (awesome)?<br />
<br />
Here's my question to you, Delicious Readers. (That last one was rhetoric. LOL)<br />
<br />
Who wants to be a beta reader?<br />
<br />
If you do, comment and leave your email addy. I'll email ya back with details!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/?action=view&current=sig2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a428/cagirls/sig2.png" /></a></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18021137420631523366noreply@blogger.com2