Today was the Japanese Gardens. It was my mom's birthday, we were celebrating Violet's birthday with my folks, Mr. Incredible and I are celebrating our anniversary on Tuesday, and it was the anniversary of my mom's cat moving in with her. We made a day of it.
Quick side note for those of you who didn't know me then. Three years ago on August 30th Hurricane Katrina slammed in to my mom's hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi and the surrounding area. We still have a lot of family there including my mom's sister (her only surviving sibling) and cousins. Violet and I were at my parent's house (here in the North in case I'm getting confusing) watching CNN and the Weather Channel all day. Watching the Gulf Coast wash away. Seeing what didn't wash away get blown away. Unable to contact any family. Wondering if any family would still be there.
Suddenly we heard a meowing from outside. They don't have a cat. We went out and there was this small, scrawny, black and white cat. She immediately went to my mom and started rubbing on her. A quick call to the vet, a trip to have her checked out, a stop for a litter box and food, and Katrina the Cat had moved in, all before dinner time. On my mom's 63rd birthday. It was nearly a week before we heard from family. Katrina sat on my mom's lap purring the whole time.
Family was fine. Everyone had extensive property damage, but no one was hurt. Katrina is now a beautiful black and white cat, healthy, happy and still sitting on my mom's lap purring. She washed in with the storm and stayed.
Okay, maybe that wasn't a quick story, but it is important to see why her anniversary date is as important to our family as any birthday.
The five of us (Mom, Dad, Violet, Mr. Incredible and I) went to the Japanese Gardens for the day. We had lunch in their restaurant and walked through the gardens. We browsed the gift shop and Violet chose a couple of Momiji dolls for her belated birthday present. Lunch was great, the restaurant was lovely and the food delicious. The gardens were beautiful. We went back to my folks house afterward and had cupcakes. We got my mom a couple of field guides and a pair of sock monkey slippers. Katrina got a new package of mousie toys. It was really a nice day.
Now we have a few days off to relax and hang out. And watch Gustav. My mom is hoping he doesn't result in another cat for her.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
What a day!
It was raining when we headed out to Six Flags yesterday. Luckily it slowed to a sprinkle by the time we got there and stopped altogether by lunch. It was pretty warm and the sun was even hot in the afternoon. We had a good time. Ran into some good friends there. It was a nice size crowd. Practically no lines. Only a few rides we would have liked to have gone on weren't running. Every year there are a few not running, but you get that any day of the season.
The bad part was how high the allergen counts were. Have I mentioned that Violet has bad allergies? Especially to mold and weed, both of which were registering high yesterday. She had a scratchy throat and a headache before she even went on a single ride. She did pretty good all day, but skipped some of the wilder ones that she normally likes.
We got home, and 5 minutes later I was out the door again. We had our fancy dinner/training for Girl Scouts fall product sales. This is the training for all the fall product chairs who then go out and train the leaders (who are then supposed to train the girls, but in reality if anything they just send the order forms home with them). I'm on the product sales committee so I had been helping plan this thing and was to introduce all the incentives and review proceed procedures. It was a high energy evening and I was beat by the end of it.
Did you know if you volunteer for things beyond the troop leader level, you get lots of cool free stuff as thank yous? I had no idea. I started getting these things about a year ago and they just keep getting better! Last night I came home with 3 containers of the candy/nuts the girls will be selling (one gummi berries, one cashews, and one cranberry nut mix) plus a pewter compact mirror with the Girl Scout promise engraved on the back. I've gotten other cookies and candies, votive holders, bookmarks, travel mugs. It is awesome! I had no idea.
Today was mostly spent recovering. In the afternoon Violet had her dental checkup, no cavities! We stopped in the grocery store on the way home and stocked up for the weekend. Tomorrow we're off to the Japanese Gardens. Good thing we haven't started school yet. We're too busy.
The bad part was how high the allergen counts were. Have I mentioned that Violet has bad allergies? Especially to mold and weed, both of which were registering high yesterday. She had a scratchy throat and a headache before she even went on a single ride. She did pretty good all day, but skipped some of the wilder ones that she normally likes.
We got home, and 5 minutes later I was out the door again. We had our fancy dinner/training for Girl Scouts fall product sales. This is the training for all the fall product chairs who then go out and train the leaders (who are then supposed to train the girls, but in reality if anything they just send the order forms home with them). I'm on the product sales committee so I had been helping plan this thing and was to introduce all the incentives and review proceed procedures. It was a high energy evening and I was beat by the end of it.
Did you know if you volunteer for things beyond the troop leader level, you get lots of cool free stuff as thank yous? I had no idea. I started getting these things about a year ago and they just keep getting better! Last night I came home with 3 containers of the candy/nuts the girls will be selling (one gummi berries, one cashews, and one cranberry nut mix) plus a pewter compact mirror with the Girl Scout promise engraved on the back. I've gotten other cookies and candies, votive holders, bookmarks, travel mugs. It is awesome! I had no idea.
Today was mostly spent recovering. In the afternoon Violet had her dental checkup, no cavities! We stopped in the grocery store on the way home and stocked up for the weekend. Tomorrow we're off to the Japanese Gardens. Good thing we haven't started school yet. We're too busy.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Back to school
Violet and I have set our back to school date: September 8th. We are both looking forward to it, but still not in a rush to start. She's chosen "The Tale of Despereaux" as her first literature read. I'm thinking I'll buy her a copy rather than just get it from the library. Most will be checked out.
Tomorrow is Homeschool Day at Six Flags and we have tickets. Mr. Incredible has the day off to go with us. They are calling for possible thunderstorms. Blech. The advertising for it this year was really bad. They didn't mail out brochures until after the deadline for early bird pricing and left less than a week to get tickets at all. But lucky for us, I'm a hyper nut job who started watching for it on their website back in May and called for tickets as soon as it was posted.
Next week Mr. Incredible is off. We are going to Madison one day. We are going to check out the zoo. I've heard it is really nice. We are also doing a bunch of repair work around the house. The window guy was here yesterday to measure the cracked windows. And Violet is getting her room snazzied up with new blinds (her current ones barely block the sun in the mornings so she has to have sheet hanging over it to keep the light out) and bookshelves. Yippee!!
Public schools started on Monday. The teachers are working without a contract. They say they won't strike this week. I'm afraid to start enjoying the kids being gone because they could be back any time. It makes me crazy. The latest offer of 5.5% raises was overwhelmingly voted down. What planet do these teachers live on? They must be so brainwashed by the union leaders.
Violet has started a new service project for Girl Scouts. She is collecting used blankets, towels and pillows for a not-for-profit organization that rescues and finds homes for retired and injured racing greyhounds. She's worked with them before and plans to do her Bronze Award with them also. I helped her with a flier and she got the approval to put it in the mailboxes for the troops in our area to see if any of them would like to help out.
We are having a nice quiet day today. No errands. No work. Just bumming around the house. This is the life.
Tomorrow is Homeschool Day at Six Flags and we have tickets. Mr. Incredible has the day off to go with us. They are calling for possible thunderstorms. Blech. The advertising for it this year was really bad. They didn't mail out brochures until after the deadline for early bird pricing and left less than a week to get tickets at all. But lucky for us, I'm a hyper nut job who started watching for it on their website back in May and called for tickets as soon as it was posted.
Next week Mr. Incredible is off. We are going to Madison one day. We are going to check out the zoo. I've heard it is really nice. We are also doing a bunch of repair work around the house. The window guy was here yesterday to measure the cracked windows. And Violet is getting her room snazzied up with new blinds (her current ones barely block the sun in the mornings so she has to have sheet hanging over it to keep the light out) and bookshelves. Yippee!!
Public schools started on Monday. The teachers are working without a contract. They say they won't strike this week. I'm afraid to start enjoying the kids being gone because they could be back any time. It makes me crazy. The latest offer of 5.5% raises was overwhelmingly voted down. What planet do these teachers live on? They must be so brainwashed by the union leaders.
Violet has started a new service project for Girl Scouts. She is collecting used blankets, towels and pillows for a not-for-profit organization that rescues and finds homes for retired and injured racing greyhounds. She's worked with them before and plans to do her Bronze Award with them also. I helped her with a flier and she got the approval to put it in the mailboxes for the troops in our area to see if any of them would like to help out.
We are having a nice quiet day today. No errands. No work. Just bumming around the house. This is the life.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
What my cats do all day
Here is how the 3 felines that live in the Incredible Household seem to spend their time:
60% = Sleeping
20% = Staring at the wall
8% = Playing, fighting and knocking things over
5% = Scratching the furniture and carpeting
4% = Eating
3% = Throwing up
Can anyone tell me why no one has made pet food that doesn't stain the carpeting when the pet throws it back up? Stop trying to tell me your pet food won't make my cat have hairballs. Cats puke. A lot. Sell me something I can get out of rug.
60% = Sleeping
20% = Staring at the wall
8% = Playing, fighting and knocking things over
5% = Scratching the furniture and carpeting
4% = Eating
3% = Throwing up
Can anyone tell me why no one has made pet food that doesn't stain the carpeting when the pet throws it back up? Stop trying to tell me your pet food won't make my cat have hairballs. Cats puke. A lot. Sell me something I can get out of rug.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Camp Time
At long last, I am posting pictures from our second camp adventure this summer. I don't have as many pictures, I'm thinking that means we had too good of a time to stop and photograph things.
This is a good one of Violet at the pool. Their pool wasn't heated like the first camp, but was quite nice none the less.
Here we both are together. It was taken by some of friends we've met at camp. They were at both of our sessions this year, plus at camp with us last year. It is nice to know we aren't the only crazy "campies" who camp hop all summer long! (Like the goofy name tags?)
I don't have many good pictures in the cabin. Here's Violet waking up in the morning:
An absolute favorite camp activity: creek stomping! Yes, Violet is as wet as she looks. The creek water was really cold, at first she was complaining about it. Next thing I knew she was splashing and stomping and "falling" accidentally to get really wet!
And more creek stomping:
Crafts were big at this camp. Here she is the art cabin working on some wind chimes:
And sitting under a tree working on a lanyard during some downtime:
I forgot to get the camera out until we were done canoeing and she had taken the life vest off. So I made her pose quickly with the canoe:
Here's the bridge in the center of camp. It leads over the creek.
And Violet on the steps of our cabin as we were packing up to go home:
It was definitely a fun time. I didn't think she'd make it through that first night when she got herself so worked up and couldn't fall asleep. Then she did great at all the activities. I am so glad she wants me to go with again next summer, I love camp!
This is a good one of Violet at the pool. Their pool wasn't heated like the first camp, but was quite nice none the less.
Here we both are together. It was taken by some of friends we've met at camp. They were at both of our sessions this year, plus at camp with us last year. It is nice to know we aren't the only crazy "campies" who camp hop all summer long! (Like the goofy name tags?)
I don't have many good pictures in the cabin. Here's Violet waking up in the morning:
An absolute favorite camp activity: creek stomping! Yes, Violet is as wet as she looks. The creek water was really cold, at first she was complaining about it. Next thing I knew she was splashing and stomping and "falling" accidentally to get really wet!
And more creek stomping:
Crafts were big at this camp. Here she is the art cabin working on some wind chimes:
And sitting under a tree working on a lanyard during some downtime:
I forgot to get the camera out until we were done canoeing and she had taken the life vest off. So I made her pose quickly with the canoe:
Here's the bridge in the center of camp. It leads over the creek.
And Violet on the steps of our cabin as we were packing up to go home:
It was definitely a fun time. I didn't think she'd make it through that first night when she got herself so worked up and couldn't fall asleep. Then she did great at all the activities. I am so glad she wants me to go with again next summer, I love camp!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Still here
I haven't posted in a couple of days. I've been busy watching the Olympics and painting our extra room/homeschool room. Remember when Hissy and Missy the cats from next door stayed in there? I had moved so much stuff out before they moved in I decided it would be the perfect time to paint that room. I've been wanting to get it done for 4 years with no cooperation from the peanut gallery. I gave the peanuts an ultimatum to choose a color and promised I'd do all the work. They chose. I painted. Now the Mr. is in the process of redoing part of it that he wasn't happy with. You can guess how happy I am about that.
We are waiting news from his company. Their by far biggest client is up for renewal. They don't think they are getting the work again. This could be really bad.
Meanwhile the local teachers voted not to take the school board's "best and last offer" for a contract. Guaranteed them an average of 5.5% pay increases, health insurance and one less work day a year. The union president said they disagreed with "pretty much a lot of the contract." I'm hoping she doesn't teach English in her day job. They have submitted a counter proposal and authorized a strike. I want to throw up.
The teachers claim they could make a lot more money in nearby school districts. So what is stopping them? Oh yeah, they don't want to commute and like the convenience of working 5 minutes from home. I know people who spend $10-20 per day commuting. The train, the tolls, the gas, the parking, it adds up quickly.Factor that into your contract negotiations teachers and stick it (censored).
Meanwhile, Violet has been enjoying the week. She's been playing with Red a lot and next week is going to Tinkerbell's house one day. She's been reading a lot again, and of course watching all the Olympics she can. I finally got the camp pictures off my camera, so I'll post them soon! That will cheer me up!
We are waiting news from his company. Their by far biggest client is up for renewal. They don't think they are getting the work again. This could be really bad.
Meanwhile the local teachers voted not to take the school board's "best and last offer" for a contract. Guaranteed them an average of 5.5% pay increases, health insurance and one less work day a year. The union president said they disagreed with "pretty much a lot of the contract." I'm hoping she doesn't teach English in her day job. They have submitted a counter proposal and authorized a strike. I want to throw up.
The teachers claim they could make a lot more money in nearby school districts. So what is stopping them? Oh yeah, they don't want to commute and like the convenience of working 5 minutes from home. I know people who spend $10-20 per day commuting. The train, the tolls, the gas, the parking, it adds up quickly.Factor that into your contract negotiations teachers and stick it (censored).
Meanwhile, Violet has been enjoying the week. She's been playing with Red a lot and next week is going to Tinkerbell's house one day. She's been reading a lot again, and of course watching all the Olympics she can. I finally got the camp pictures off my camera, so I'll post them soon! That will cheer me up!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
I love a good quiz
This one was fun.
"You are a health conscious person, both your health and the health of others. You know all about the health benefits and dangers of the world around you."
Well, my Bachelor's is in Community Health Education. (I know what you are saying, "What kind of degree is that?" That's what all the people I interviewed with said as they didn't give me a job. It apparently qualifies you to work in a Hallmark store for minimum wage. I think that explains why I went back to school to become an accountant.)
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"You are a health conscious person, both your health and the health of others. You know all about the health benefits and dangers of the world around you."
Well, my Bachelor's is in Community Health Education. (I know what you are saying, "What kind of degree is that?" That's what all the people I interviewed with said as they didn't give me a job. It apparently qualifies you to work in a Hallmark store for minimum wage. I think that explains why I went back to school to become an accountant.)
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