The Tour de France...

My good friend Ylenia, who is M.I.A. at times, hint, hint...is married to a cyclist for Team Mobile. I usually follow the races as much as I can. I have been slipping this year. Don't ask me why...just busy I guess. Anyway, he's not doing as well as he has in the past. It makes me wonder what is different this year, was he in a pile up, is he just tired because of the heat over there, has he been used as work horse for team mates that have a better chance of winning? I have know idea, Check out Daniele Nardello. Send him some positive energy.

Whew!

I think its going to be another hot day. It was 96 degrees yesterday and that wouldn't be so bad, except it was humid. We have the air conditioners on right now, so it isn't that bad but it was so warm in my bedroom that I finally got up and slept on the sofa in the basementm right next to the air conditioner. I still feel hot but not as nausious as last night.

I think I'm going to need more money if Cliff is going to stay home from work when Sam is away at camp. I have been trying to keep the house picked up, frankly, I have plenty to keep me busy and he keeps finding other things to give me to do. He is more work than Sam, I swear! I'm taking a little morning break and then I am heading our to get some paper for the surprise diamond wedding anniversary invitation that Cliff is planning a party for. I some how got suckered into doing invitations. I know, why i said, OK. Nancy is stressed to the max and I just want to take a little pressure off of her. I am such a sucker. Anyway, I had a good time with Cliff at the grocery store yesterday. We stopped in to get some supplies for salads because it was too hot to eat anything that was warm. He was like a kid in the candy store. I think the thing that made him the most happy was that the store had re-stocked its shelves with the Jeff's diet chocolate soda that Cliff had run out of. Last week I had gone to 3 other stores that I knew carried that crap, but they were out too. He was so sad when he discovered that I had returned empty handed. We cleared the shelves of that chocolate soda and I think Cliff was happy with the idea that some other poor soul would miss out on his favorite drink.

If Cliff can stay off the phone today for more than 5 minutes, I need to call Raine. I was supposed to hook up with her and Sampson but yesterday was the shits. I got up late, my cell phone died over night, I had to rush to catch the train. I really need to memorize phone numbers. If I had her work # or even Chris' cell # memorized I could have still met up with her. I couldn't even remember the street address for her work. I'm thinking 83rd or 84th street, but then again, I'm not sure. Perhaps that is Penny's building. After I got home at 2 PM, I charged my phone and Raine's phone messages finally came through to me at around 6:15. I heard the phone beep when I was driving Cliff home from tennis. After my cousins visit is over, I am going to work on memorizing peoples phone numbers. It wouldn't be so bad, but sometimes I take my Palm out of my pocketbook because the thing always weighs a ton. Every time I do that, I need it. Figures, huh!

Ok, I know my high school typing teacher would have a fit if he saw how I blog. It could account for all of my typos....nah, dyslexia and lack of patience when it comes to proof reading is the real cause. I love cordless keyboards and cordless mice...hehehe, they are better than sliced bread. This picture was taken very late, or very early in the morning, however you want to look at it. I was comfy....just comfy...and who cares if my toe ring was crooked and my legs had not been shaved in several days but I don't think you can tell that. Atleast I had a pedicure the week before. I'm just a laid back kind of gal, what can I say. 

As I was sitting at the table eating breakfast, my friend Sherry said,"Is that a deer?" I said, "Where? Oh yeah, look at that. Let me get my camera." Ta Da! There it is. Cute little devil, huh. Everyonce and a while, he'd start chewing on the leaves around him. He was still there as we ran out the door so I could catch the next train.

Ok,sometimes you just have to put a digital self portrait on your blog. What do you do when you are waiting for your friends train to arrive so you can go to dinner. Well, if you have your Cannon PowerShot S410, you click a number of strange pictures of the closest person....and in this case it was me.Now everyone that didn't know better, will realize that my icon is not a picture of me....lol, its some random photo that I came across and liked. My hair actually looks reddish, doesn't it. Note to self: A little make-up couldn't hurt, just lip gloss doesn't cut it anymore. Holy crap, does my nose always look that big? Oh, and by the way, it was humid so my hair went flat in two seconds flat. Welcome to my world! 

That's my Katie!

Most people have the standard boring away messages on their Instant messengers. Well, if you think that Miss Kaitlin would be put in that category, you have another thing coming to you. I love seeing her online but let me tell you, I enjoy seeing that little stack of papers next to her name that symbolizes that she is busy with something else. I can't wait to click on her screen name to see what she has set as her away message. Earlier today she had this:

Auto response from Katies1sexymofo [3:39 PM]: I was in my laboratory creating what I thought was, well, something great for the world: A two-headed cat. You can pet one kitties head, and pet the other kitties head. But little did I know the power of atomic energy would create a two-headed man-eating monster!!!

Sometimes her little messages make me laugh, sometimes they make me wonder what goes through that girls mind. She is a creative cookie, that is for sure. If you are ever lucky enough to get one of her homemade birthday cards, you know she must like you. She puts a lot of work into those pups and they always crack me up. Today she told me she was whitewashing a fence. I asked what fence she was talking about. LOL...she said it wasn't a real fence, it was one she made and she was white washing it with White-Out correction fluid. It was for Jaime's birthday card.....I'm telling you, the girl cracks me up.

Kaster's Chat and Chew

Cindy and I are in co-hoots. Is that even a real word? Who cares, anyway, we created a recipe site for everyone to enjoy. If you are a Kaster and want in on it...let us know. We can add you to the mix, so you can post "good eats" too. Later!

Yes, once I was a redhead....

I was a redhead, I really was. This picture was taken in 1974. I was a cute 4 year old, wasn't I? Tisha was 9 1/2 months old. She kind of looks like a doll. Maybe its just her little hands that remind me of a doll I once had. Oh wait, maybe it was Tisha...my little living doll. I used to put her in my little doll baby buggy and push her around the house. sometimes I would miss the opening in the door and hit the door way. Her eyes would get soooo HUGE! Ah, good times.

Gotta get yah one....

I know you want one. I'll order it for you for Christmas.

A glimpse into Ground Zero, aka the Wold Trade Center site. This picture was taken from Nancy's office window earlier in the year. Note the snow patches. Sometimes its hard to believe what this site has been through. With everything happening in London, I've been thinking about 9-11 and the weeks that followed.  

Rain, rain....

go away, come again another day. It's friggin raining. It has been all day. Enough! It's also very chilly out right now. Summer my ass. My plans for tonight? I long hot bath and curling up in bed...early...with a good book. Eveyone will be gone tonight...call me as late as you like.

It made my day...

I must have written to a pal of mine that I was a wall flower at heart.
The reply I got back was this...."Honey, who are you kidding, you are a wildflower not a wall flower!"
I'm still smiling over that response.

Ok, I'm back again...

I know that I shouldn't blog at night....especially late at night. Raine, you know I have a difficult time following the rules. I'm working on that. I was just sitting her thinking about how funny the last few years have been. I'm friends with someone I thought I would never see again and I don't see several people that I thought I would always be friends with. Funny how life works. I can't say I have changed that much. I'm still that same nut I always was, but something is different. I'm happier. Maybe that is it. Could it be that simple?

I know I have worked through most of my aggravation with certain people. I can't say I am angry at anyone anymore. Would I want to sit in a room with them for an hour? Hell NO. However, I would help them if they needed a hand. I know a few months ago I would not have gone along with that statement. I was reading an article that talked about how holding grudges shortens your life. What the?! I'm going to squeeze ever drop of life out of this body....so I sat down and wrote down all of my issues with people. Then I decided which issues I wanted to work on letting go of. I noticed after a few weeks that I was feeling better about the list and I had made my peace with several events. I've only got a few left and I think that in time I can easily let those go too.

Time is a magical thing...with both good and bad points. When most people are freaking out about gray hair and age spots, i am putting memories to each new age line. Oh sure I don't like it when my knee and hip pot and crack like Rice Krispies, sure my hands get stiff sometimes but over all, I'm not in that bad of shape. I don't have high blood pressure, highly fat levels clogging my veins or wacky blood sugar issues. Sure in 35 more years I will be twice as old, at least twice as stiff and twice as forgetful but it is going to be a fun ride. I'm going to make sure of that. Whose coming along for the ride?

its after midnight...again.

I had a filthy conversation with a friend earlier. Gosh, do I love the dirty stuff. It always peps me right up, grabs my attention and keeps my idle mind humming. I know there are people that think I am some innocent gal, but let me tell you, those that know me well, know that I am terrible. If I said everything I thought, I would be in so much trouble. I'm evil, just pure evil, and I love every minute of it. Oh, don't act so surprised. I know secrets about you too.....or atleast I could make up some whoppers. Mwahahahaha!

Which wise quote are you?

Your wise quote is: "Be kind to unkind people,
they probably need it the most" by
Ashleigh Brilliant.
You try to look beyond apperance, try to give
people second chances and are probably very
kind. Understanding is your biggest personality
trait, and thoose you can see through should be
grateful. If they aren't already. You detest
narrow minded people, because they can't see
what's really there. Facades is not your thing
and you strive to always be who you really are.

What wise quote fits you?(pics) UPDATED
brought to you by

Once again....

Terror has struck another large city. My heart goes out for the family and friends of those killed or injured in the attack on Londons travel system. I was talking to a few friends and we all agreed that it brought back some of those same feelings that we had after 9-11. Especially for us, because we are in the tri-state area and it impacted us all. I've met several people from that area and I hope they are safe right now. I should call Christopher and make sure his people are safe. Just remember, they win, if you live your life in fear. Bless you all.

Postal bombardment.....

OK, here is your mission.

1. Got to the grocery store and pick up a bag of large Marshmallows.
2. Find a package or mailing envelope that is large enough to hold the Marshmallow bag. place Marshmallows in the package.
3. Address the package to my Father. (If you need the address, just email me at asknetter1970@aol.com). Seal the package.
4. Mail package....no rush delivery is necessary.
5. Imagine the smile on his face as he tries to figure out how everyone knew to mail those damn things to him.

OK, it's a long story. Dad went camping with some family members. It started to rain so he decided to crawl into his tent, strip down to his shorts and take a nap. Kelsie and her little friend started throwing marshmallows into his tent. They were waiting for him to put on his pants and chase them. When that didn't happen...they put peanut butter on the marshmallows and threw them. No response. Then Billy threw a smoke bomb in there and said there was an electrical fire in Dad's tent. No response. He just let the tent fill up with marshmallows and smoke. If it was me throwing crap, he would have chased my ass down. Fact....so I think he needs a lot of marshmallows to reward him for his patience. LOL. Send them!

OK...you want prizes.....try this one on for size. Email me with the artist that created this painting. I'm not giving you any hints like the title of the painting. I need the first and last name of the artist.You may get a bonus if you tell me the correct nationality of the artist as well as the country that the artist lived when this painting was created. Whew, that was hard....I almost gave several things away. By the way, this lady use to give me the creeps but after 6 years with her hanging in my bedroom, I ended up missing her when I left the Leach house. No cheating by calling or emailing Jean....I'll find out! 

Late night phone calls from drunken relatives...

YOU know who you are! Were you drunk when you left those messages on my cell phone, freak! You sounded funny, kind of like you use to sound when I visited you at your college. LOL, remember that 11:30PM, your time, is 12:30AM, my time. I was curled up in bed enjoying the peace that comes after they light off all the fireworks at Jones Beach. I thought I heard my phone ringing in my purse...but I didn't have the strength to get up, walk into the other room and see who was calling. Then you called AGAIN...but all I could hear was noise, no talking. Did you accidently re-dial? Thank goodness you didn't call the house and wake everyone up. I would have died. I hope you had a lovely 4th of July. It sounded like you must of enjoyed yourself. Goof!

Happy 4th of July! Click on the link to create your own New York Harbor firework display.

Tisha's MRI

Ok, so, I talked to my Mother today and found out that Tisha got the results back from her MRI. She is going to see a specialist on Tuesday morning. There is something on the MRI that is not normal so its time to check it out. It has to do with the base of her brain and I'm not up to date on all the details but there is an 8mm shift in her cerebellem tonsils....whatever that means. I have to go do a little research. More to come when details are passed down to me.

Of the top winners in the Kutztown Festival Quilt show, I was in love with this quilt. It looked even more striking in person.  

Just a small section of the quilts on display and for sale at the Kutztown Festival.  

Kutztown of bust....

I just returned from my roadtrip with Jean. We left on friday night and attended the Kutztown Pennsylvania German Festival. It is one of America's premier folklife festivals. Check out the link above to see all the fun events and activities there are. I got sun burnt and ended up having a terrible allergy attack. Thanks to a dose of Benadryl...and sleeping from 9:30PM to almost 9AM, I am feeling very good today. Today we drove through Lancaster County and saw a few Amish folk on their way home from Sunday services. Most of the stores were closed so we drove past Kaitlins college, Franklin and Marshall, in downtown Lancaster. Then we cut across some farm country that looked a lot like Nebraska, except there were more trees. We stopped for lunch on the New Jersey Turnpike and then I took over driving for Jean. We hit some traffic but overall, it wasn't that bad. We went home via the outer Bridge Crossing, Staten Island Expressway, Verresano Bridge, Belt Parkway....It's always good to see JFK Airport. Then you know you are almost home. Once we were at Jim and Jeans, I helped Jim prime the walls in Chris' bedroom, then Jim grilled while I watched Spiderman 2 with the sick Katie. She felt better later...she must have because she was shaking her butt for us. LOL, seriously, she was singing a song and shaking her butt at us. Jean and I just laughed....that Katie is a goof and that is why I love her. She also told me that she has a penis. Yes, and it grows about 2 inches a day. It is also invisible. She uses her invisible penis as a conversation piece. I told her that the next time I tripped, I was going to blame it on her really long, invisible penis. She seemed OK with that. Katie is one creative kid. There is a ton of other things that I could write about...but I thought I would give you a short highlight list. Anything else you want to know about, you will have to ask me directly about. I'm off to bed.

July 1st...you know what that means?

It's Dewey and Tisha's wedding anniversary. Yes, my little Sister and her goofball, bear buying ,husband are celebrating another Anniversary. Don't ask how many. I know its under 10 and over 7. Does that help narrow it down. I know, I suck. It will come to me later and I don't have the time to look it up right now. I've got crap to do so I can get out of here by noon. It's my Pennsylvania road trip, people....no time to loaf. I'll be back late on the third of July. So, if you need to get a hold of me....I'll have the cell on. I added some pictures for you to comment about while I am gone. Get'r done!