Hellooooo.

It’s so foggy out this morning. Kinda reflects the way my mind is today. I have a meeting this evening and I have yet to get anything together. I start and then I stop and am off to something else. Like this! I should not really be writing yall. Well I should, but I should be doing this other as well. Actually, I should have had this other done. It’s not like it’s going to take a really long time to put Team Parent packets together but I just can’t stay focused for some reason. So far this morning, I’ve gotten the kids up and off to school, my recycling out, dishwasher going, 2 loads of laundry going and some hung up.  I’ve eaten breakfast and am still sipping coffee.  I need to see if I can get into my doctor this morning or today. I think I may have a kidney infection. My back (on the left side especially) has been hurting for a few days. Paul went out and got me cranberry juice last night. I don’t have fever or anything but it reallllly hurts. V. uncomfy. I just hate taking time out to go run over to her office. I always have to wait a while. I have to pick up Micca (Monica’s second to the last) right before noon.  I also need to book the pizza place for Sarah’s birthday party for next month. Oh and write an email to a parent to ask her if she can put Grandparent’s day together for this year. If not, *sigh*, I really don’t want to do it. So I just hope she can/will.

Paul put together a “kitty birthing suite/nursery” last night:) We aren’t sure when they are going to come. We are thinking anytime within the next several days. Maybe 7 days? We aren’t sure. We are just counting from the day she found us. It would be 56 days today from the day she showed up (Jan 8). They say gestation for a cat is 64ish days.

Well, I got through to my doctor and I can’t get in to see her until 7 a.m. tomorrow:( So I went ahead and grabbed that one. After that, I think Monica and I are going to try to catch a WW meeting. We didn’t stay for the one yesterday because she was so tired. So lots of cranberry juice and water today I guess.

Oh my gosh, its already 10am. Where did the morning go?? Ok, I have to leave yall now and get another load of laundry changed over and my folders made up. Yall have a great day:)

take care,

~kat:)

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Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

Pennsylvania Dutch Cinnamon Fried Apples

Almond Chicken Stir-Fry

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Good morning:)
Just a very quick email. Monica and I went ot weigh in this morning. We usually weigh in on Thursdays but I was really nervous about how my week has gone, so we decided to do it this morning. Only a day early.  I picked her up at work (she worked the midnight shift) and went on over. I was so relieved to see -2 pounds:) Monica did really well too, she lost 4 for her first week:)  So YAY us!:) It feels so good to be losing again:)

I don’t know if I told yall or not, but a beautiful little snowshoe kitten found us last month. It was the day we were getting ready to go serve at the homeless shelter.  No one ever claimed her so shes been with us every since. All the sudden last week, she just poofed out. We thought she was just really eating well. After all, she is a kitten. Maybe 5 months old…or so we thought. I told Paul a few nights ago, I swear she looks pregnant. He’s like, noooooooo no way. I said oookay then. Well last night, she was up on our bed and I said, “Paul, I really think she’s pregnant” and I picked her up. I told him, put your hand on her tummy and see if you feel something moving. The look on his face was priceless:) At first, he tried to pass it off as good digestion:) LOL:) Then after actually seeing her tummy move… yeah we’re a bit on the shocked side. The kids are totally excited. Paul has never seen an animal give birth and was horrified at what he read about it:) LOL:) Bless his heart:) Stay tuned on this one:)

Ok, sending out a recipe or two today then I’m off to meet my lovely husband for lunch:) Hope yall have a wonderful day:)

take care,

~kat:)

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Simply Saucy Chicken

Stew’s Steak in a Bag Rug

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Happy Mardi Gras everyone:)

All of my friends and family from Louisiana have the day off today to celebrate. Here I am way up here in the Arctic Cirle called Chicagoland, wishing we were down there with the sun and fun. I had huge plans to make King Cakes this year seeing as we didn’t get one ordered from Ambrosia Bakery in Baton Rouge or Gambinos in New Orleans.  I still may get one done. Better late than never I guess:)

So how have the last couple of weeks been treating yall?  Weight Watchers has been going ok. I’m down 5.2 pounds as of last Thurs. It feels good to be losing again. I’m not really sure how well this weigh in will go on Thurs. I’ll be happy if I have just maintained. This week has included a HUGE Asian salad from Cheesecake Factory. It SUPPOSEDLY was only 14 pts but I’ll be shocked if that was right. It also included Bennigans on Thursday or Friday night. It had been a stressful day. That’s no excuse but boy did I feel better after that. Another place we went was Old Country Buffet. I had LOTS of salad. I also put a slice of turkey and ham on my salad. Just 1 thin slice each. I dipped my fork in my dressing so I didn’t use much at all. I have my fingers crossed on that as well. We’ll see what happens on Thurs I guess. Monica began going with me. She began working an 11pm-730am shift 3 nights a week now. She’s worried how she is going to cope or deal with her points. If any of!
you have any suggestions please send them to me so I can let her know.

I keep hearing a Mourning Dove outside:) It makes me want Spring to hurry up and get here! I love listening to them.  About a week or so ago (maybe a bit more), we had a day that hit 60 degrees and the little birds were so happy. They were out justa siiiiiiiiinging singing:) I wish we were heading to Destin next month for Spring Break. Somewhere warm. Sunny and warm. Flip-flop weather. Flip-flop weather with purdy painted toes weather:) *sigh* I guess it’ll get here eventually. Just seems like this winter has been here forever.

Anyway, the kids get out in about an hour and 15 minutes, so I gotta get a move on:)  I’m leaving yall a couple of recipes and some pictures from this weekend when we went to the Chicago Auto Show:) Other than my poor husband running 104 degree fever (bless his heart) we enjoyed it. Motrin is a miracle drug.

Yall have a wonderful day:)

take care,

~kat:)

RecipesUnlimited.com

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Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

Fred’s World Famous Bean Dip

WW Huevos Rancheros (6pts)

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Kids at the Auto Show in back of Bumble Bee - Transformers

Off to School this morning:)

Good morning:) I’m sitting here listening to the rain:) RAIN! I love rain. I know this is just a brief (far to brief) glimpse into Spring but I am ready! Yesterday was gorgeous. It got up to 65 degrees:) It was nice to be able to just wear my t-shirt and capri pants. Then, last night, I ran out to get Paul and my supper. I opened up my sunroof and wasn’t even cold:) They said it was going to be cooler today but this morning, when I stepped out, it’s just beautiful. It’s damp and overcast and more rain is on the way, but it feels like a cool English morning:) The birds are singing. They are just so happy. Our [not so] little opossum was busy digging in our trash cans:) I think everyone and everything is just ready for this long, cold, snowy winter to be over! Right now, I can hear the church bells ringing because I have my doors open. I love church bells. On the BBC website, I used to listen to the “Bells on Sunday”. I don’t know if they do them anymore, but they would feature the bells from different churches around England. I should really go see if it’s still there.

I went into school this morning to get the last three pictures of Sarah’s classmates (and teacher) so we can finish her Valentines. I wish I’d taken a picture of the ones I made for Maria, Monica and Elizabeth. They turned out pretty good, even if I say so myself:) I am making other ones, smaller ones, for the kids’ teachers and then I am making them for Aunt Kathy and Martha.  I think I’m going to have to make another trip to Joann Fabrics though to get more embellishments.

The kids are having movie day after school today. Sarah said she doesn’t want to go. I’m not sure why. She’s been kind of clingy lately. As soon as I pick the boys up though, I have to rush off to ballet with Sarah from 5-6. Then at 6:15 the kids have Kids Club and I have a PTC meeting at 6:30! How’s that for rush rush rush this evening.  I have Weight Watchers tomorrow morning. I think I’ve done ok this week.  I mean, I DID splurge and have Bennigans last night, but I haven’t used my extra points this week. I don’t really ever use them though. So we’ll see how it turns out.  I feel better about myself, that’s for sure:)

Here are some really great recipes that are perfect for Valentine’s Day:) I hope you enjoy them:)

take care,

~kat

RecipesUnlimited.com

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Homemade Turtles

No-Cook Rocky Road Fudge

Fortune Cookies

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1 tbl. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
1 cup Arborio rice
2 cups chicken broth (or stock)
1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups rinsed and chopped fresh spinach leaves
1/2 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
1-1/2 tsps. zest and juice from 1 lemon
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Grated Parmesan for garnish, if desired

1. In large skillet, sauté onion in olive oil and cook until onion is tender. Add rice and stir until rice is thoroughly coated with oil.

2. Add chicken broth or stock, salt, chopped spinach and cut asparagus.

3. Add lemon zest and juice. Simmer until heated through.

4. Stir in 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese and spoon into 1-quart baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick coating. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over the top. Using the back of a spoon, gently smooth the top of the rice mixture, lightly pressing it into the liquid. Cover with lid (or tightly with foil).

5. Bake, covered, in preheated 400-degree oven for about 35 minutes or until almost all of the liquid is absorbed. You do want it moist but not soupy.

6. Sprinkle extra Parmesan over the top if desired when serving.
Serves 4-6.