Holy Jim, Batman!

We went hiking with the Stensons this morning. It was great. We picked them up in the topless jeep at 9am, drove into the local mountains, past O'Neil Park then turned onto the dirt road. After over 4 miles of bumps, ditches & Kaisara side-seat driving we made it to the parking area.

I really like this hike. I hiked it with Greg & the Dans a couple years ago. It's a there-&-back totalling 2.7 miles & it gains over 400 feet in altitude. Somehow my mind remembered it flatter. It wasn't to hard, don't get me wrong, I just told the others "Don't worry, it's really flat." Oops. It was a great morning for it and I was surprised there was actually some water falling down the water fall. I was expecting a trickle at best.

After Dana almost knocking herself out on a tree at the falls, we headed back down the trail much quicker than up. Then back onto to 4+ mile dirt road bumps, ditches, Kaisara's side-seat driving and all.

Yeah, Not That Kind of Biker Chick

I got a bike today! I'm so excited. I've been wanting one for a while now. Being a fatty, crazy high gas prices & a wanting to be more "green" all had a part in my wanting a bike. Kaisara got one too. They match. His is a large, mine's a medium (because I'm so petite, ya' know). They are '07 Schwin Sierra's. We both got dark red. Didn't much care for the tan. Can't wait to take out my new ride. It's gonna be awesome.

Kaisara & I rode bikes all the time when we started dating. Neither one of us was old enough to drive at the time so we rode our bikes all over the place. Mostly down to river bed to the beach. Spend all day at the beach & then ride home. Obviously we were both in better shape then. But we're headed back thera now, baby!

I'll close with an obvious quote from Napoleon Dynamite:

Napoleon Dynamite: Dang! You got shocks, pegs... lucky! You ever take it off any sweet jumps?



(and yes, Kaisara already bunny jumped his half-a-dozen times while test riding it)

My Mom's Better Than Your Mom!

Happy Mothers' Day, Mas Mer! I love you and am so grateful for the godly woman and mother you are.

To everyone else...na na nana na!

Tid-Bits

Here's a few items about me as of late. Not really in the mood nor the mind set for complete sentences:

-I'm crazy busy at work. We load out at the end of the day on Wednesday. There's no way I'll get it all done.

-I'm really looking forward to getting my web-store set up & running.

-I'm scared I won't sell anything on my web-store.

-I'm furious at myself that I've gained back all the weight I worked so hard to loose and then some. I'm the fattest I've ever been in my life. Gross.

-I want a bike. Not sure where I'd ride it. I'd have to go alone.

-I'm about to pick up another dead soldier project. I haven't actually ever started it so I'm not sure it's technically a dead soldier. Looking forward to getting it out of my closet though.

-Not sure I want to keep dying my hair pink. I love it but it's a hassle. And really, a fat, 33 year-old chick who doesn't even dress well with pink hair?

-I'm fired on June 8th. Looking forward to the time to crank out dead soldiers & items for the web-store.

-Got some turkey deli meat from Costco. It's super salty. Don't buy it.

-Painted my nails this weekend. Should do that more often. Work's not ruining them as quickly as I thought.

-Making salmon for dinner tomorrow. It's gonna be rad. OOOO maybe with roasted potatoes. Yeah, yeah, yeah...and salad of course.

-Super excited that Emma's sitting up on her own now. That's been a long time coming.

-Wish I could more effectively share my faith with others. Feeling totally inadequate in this area at the moment.

-Had a great fitting today. We all laughed the whole time & got stuff done. I love it when that happens.

-We're making progress on re-doing our master bathroom. It's slow but it's gonna be awesome.

-Made cheesecake from scratch last week. I think I like making them because not many people do it. I don't even really like them very much.

-I'm over 1/4 finished with my second list of 100 things. Perhaps I should add some of these items to it.

Lock & Load

I've got a name for my store. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. After discussing them & others with several different people, I've chosen my name. I've got my graphic artist on the case of designing my banner. You'll have to wait to find out the name until my store's open for business. Some of you out there already know the name so keep it hush-hush until my unveiling.

I know you're all dieing of anticipation.

Let the Creativity Flow!

I need some creative, witty assistance. "But Cate, you're so creative & witty on your own!" It's true, I know, but you can't possibly expect me to think it all up on my own can you? I know plenty of people that fit the witty & creative label & I'm counting on your ideas.

Here's the deal: I'm opening an on-line store for my wares. Baubles, purses, perhaps some baby quilts, whatever. I need a store name. I don't want anything with "Cate". I'm not opposed to using Catherine or Esera but if it wasn't one of my names at all that'd be stellar. "Stitch in the Ditch" is taken as are "Sew What", "Bits and Pieces" and a number of other lame-o ideas I came up with. I'm putting a bit of thought into this since once the store is named I can't change it without re-inventing the store all over again & that would confuse the hundreds of customers I'm sure I'll have by the time I think of a great name on my own.

What do you guys think? Please comment with any and all ideas you may have.

Great Weekend

I got to sleep in yesterday. I love sleeping in. It's delicious. My Dad doesn't sleep in. His sleeping in is 7:30. Yikes! Needless to say it was 10 days of early mornings.

So I slept in yesterday. Worked on a couple of purses I've been making. Went bowling with Kaisara & Daryl. I did awesome! Probably near to my best score ever. Ready? I got 95!!!! Sweet.

We then went to The Corner Broiler for dinner. DE-LISH-SHUS! It's so great. If you've never been there you should go. It's not cheap the the food's great. It's a tiny place but the staff does a great job & the owner Chris is very cool. The band is playing there next month on the 7th. Stop by for dinner or maybe just dessert. I had the brownie a la mode & Daryl had the crem bru le. Yum!

Today we got to sleep in a bit since Kaisara didn't play at church so we didn't have to leave ultra early. We headed to Home Depot for some trim for our bathroom we've been working (rather, not working on). Then we walked over to Lucille's BBQ for lunch. So good! Came home worked on my Bible study homework a bit, took a nap, cleaned the house some then went on a walk with the best dog ever.

It's been a good couple of days. I'm so blessed!

Photos Up

I've put up some of the pictures from my trip with Dad. Take a look if you're interested using the photo album link on the left.

After These Messages...We'll Be Right Back

Dad & I are home safely. I'm exhausted. We were up at the equivalent of midnight this morning after only 4 hours of lousy sleep. I'm trying to stay up 'til bed time tonight to get back on Pacific Standard Time ASAP. Laundry's done & put away, now I'm starting dinner.

I'll fill you in with details & photos when I'm back among the living.

How Yooz Doin'?

We're leaving Chicago this morning & heading over to Des Moines. We went up 103 floors in the Sears Tower on Sunday & I had dinner with Julia last night. It was great to see her. It's beautiful here & crazy flat, just like Manetoba, Canada. Not a hill to be seen. Even from the top of Sears Tower. Yes, the deep dish pizza is delicious (and nothing like BJ's Brewery "Chicago Pizza".

Not sure when I'll have a computer again so I'll fill "yooz guys" in when I can. Chow!

I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Many of you know this but others don't so I figured I'd keep you all informed. I know you're all waiting with baited breath to hear of my goings-ons.

I'm leaving for Chicago tomorrow with my Dad. Just him & me. We're flying to Chicago to visit his buddy, Tony, from Vietnam. We'll be staying at Tony's house for a few days, including Easter dinner with his large Italian family. I'm so very much looking forward to eating a delicious meal with a family of 25+ people. I'm sure there'll be people watching & food galore. I'm also looking forward to seeing Julia. I let her know that I'd be in the area (albeit an hour from her place) and we're going to get together sometime on Monday. I've never been to Illinois. I'm looking forward to it, even if tomorrow's forcast is something crazy like 28 degrees.

After a few day in Chicago we set off driving to Des Moines, Iowa to visit my Dad's sister, Neva, & other family members. My sister, Dad & I were in Des Moines in 1984 to bury my great-grandmother but I'm looking forward to seeing it & my relatives as an adult. We'll fly home from Des Moines on Monday, April 16th.

I'm really looking forward to this trip though I'm already feeling those excited/nervous jitters before any trip. I'll try to post while I'm gone but who knows what sort of connection/computer I'll have access to.

See you soon.

Dead Soldier Resurection

I started this project at least 5 years ago. When I began, I began with the notion that every good quilter has a 20-year quilt. I never heard that said but it just seemed to be the case from quilters I knew at the time. A quilt they started 20 years ago & never got around to finishing. This was going to be mine. I got the block pattern from Janice, Cat's mom. It's a Mariners' Star.

Each star block is 48 pieces so I knew this was going to be my 20 year-quilt. I made great progress to start then put it away not working on it again for a year or so. I pulled it out again only to run out of one of the fabrics so put it away again, not know how to finish. After some great advice from my boss at SCR I pulled this dead soldier out of the closet one last time.

In total, the quilt is 511 pieces. Only after viewing these pictures did I notice two of the blocks should have been switched. Dang! I can't believe I did that. Oh well, there's no going back now. SHOOT! MAN!

Any way, should you wonder who's going to be the recipient of this quilt & knowing that I've never kept a quilt that I've made, I'll close with a quote from Finding Nemo,

Seagulls: Mine. Mine.

Oh, Crap

By looking at my March walking total & this photo, I don't think I need to keep typing. Enough said.

Happy Birthday Bro'

Today's Tony's birthday. He'll never see this but I wanted to post it anyway. His Dad took him & Kaisara out last night to Ruth's Chris for fancy-dancy steak dinner. I heard it was delicious! Happy Birthday, Tony!

btw: He's still's got that same smile.

The Power of the Tax Right Off

A few years ago I worked for the month of December at Crap-Ann's. It had to be done. I didn't have work & December's a great month for temp. retail work. Anyway, I survived & so did they.

While there I got a super great Rowenta iron. Normally 90 bucks, I got it for like $25 or something with employee discount & coupons, etc. Rowenta's are great irons. A great iron is an important thing for someone like me. It cracks me up that most of my friends don't even own one. ANYwho...Zelda bumped my ironing board & the thing came crashing down 1 too many times (yes, it happened more than once). About a month or so after the last crash-landing the bloody thing started leaking. NOT acceptable when working on silk & the like. I figured the thing broke 'cause of my dumb dog & it's been over a year since the purchase date so, whatever. I have a spray bottle that mists well. That was at least 6 months ago. I've not worked on certain things several times due to the lack of a steaming iron. How can I be so cheap & in my line of work not to just go out & buy a new one? I amaze even me with my cheap-ness. Wow, this is a long post about a dumb iron. Anyway. I remembered today that I can write off the cost of a new one. Sweet! I headed to Bed, Bath & Beyond armed with my 20% off coupon. And what's this? A left over gift card from Christmas with $6-ish on it? Yeah! SO, I got a new Rowenta normally $49.99 for $36.18. Did I mention it came with a rebate for a $15 Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card?
Awesome! I've got steaming capabilities againAND mad bargain shopping skills.

A Little Update-y Matey

Well, here it is. I want to jab my eyes out. There you go. Read it & weep. Out they come.

Since my gig at UCI ended early I called my office work gal, Vera. She was thrilled. She sent me to an on-site office that no one has been there filing for a year. Scary. The property manager was told that I knew the ropes & would take care of everything. Scary. I get there & there's 8 file drawers & 3 cubicles filed with garbage-ito. Scary. One problem (of several) is that this lady's managing at least 5 buildings that all have several names. "Which name do want printed on your file labels?", I ask. Insert her blank stare here... She gave me a 1"x 1 1/2" post-it note with four little things written on it. Insert my blank stare here... An hour later, I ask if I can have a pen. She gives me a (meaning one, singular) writing implement. Another hour later (& I'm really getting reved up by now) I hold up my little piece of post-it note & ask if I can have something larger to write on as I'm trying to get a grasp of this 5 buildings each with 4 different names thing. I kid you not. She gets up & hands me a, (meaning one, singular) piece of paper. Sure glad she didn't throw her back out. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Who is this lady?!?!?! Finally at about 3pm I ask "Where's the restroom?" Come on!! I shiver at the thought of her having house guests. She probably doesn't even feed them. Is she for real? I didn't have a computer, printer nothin'. Okay lady, I'll get right on this. Insert me giving a big ol', righteous, raspberry here.

It's not that it's office work & not sewing. I like to organize. I'm good at it. I get things done. Burn some rubber, ya' know? You want your crap organized? BAM! There you go. It's just this office itself. No one talks to one another. I am utterly convinced that most of the people there don't even no the names of most of the other people there. And this lady! I think I've gotten a dozen words out of her. And each one she makes me feel guilty for. And they're all work related! I'm really holding myself back in there! You know me! I'm a talkter! Oi! But I digress, I'll continue..

She was only there for 2 days then off to vacation for a week in Maui (poor baby). Sweet. Now I can really do my thing. During that time I got the 8 file drawers dealt with (all sorted, color coded & labeled beautifully). As well as made a huge dent in the cubicles. I'm talking papers dating back to 1989 people! She comes back today. Guess her response...wait for it...here it comes...a big fat NADA! Now, I know I need more positive affirmation than the next guy but I wasn't expecting that, let alone looking for it from this girl. But come on! Not a, "Wow! This looks great!",or a "It's really coming along.", or "Thanks for all of this.", or even a "Kiss my a**!" She didn't even say good morning. I finally did and asked her how her trip was. She says, and I quote, "Awesome. It sucks to be back." I just smiled & said, "Well that's a great way to look at it!" and continued my task. I can't wait to go back tomorrow!

It's Your Birthday, Thanks for the Gift

Happy Birthday to my best friend, Cat. Sure her birthday's almost over as it's 10:30 at night but it's still her birthday. I just came home from Sewing Circle at which absolutely no sewing was done. We just sat around, chatted, had birthday goodies & enjoyed each other's company. Oh yeah, and Cat gave me my birthday/Christmas present. It rocks. I got a page-a-day calendar (calendars are our traditional Christmas gift) & Fung "Shoe" book & last but not least, a blue velvet cape in which she hand embroidered my super hero name: The Amazing Catherine. It's sweet. And it's interchangeable between me, Kathy & Cat. Handy!

Happy Birthday, Friend! I love my presents

They Can't Be Trusted

Twice now I've used a pedometer to track my walking when Google's pedometer would have been too difficult. The first time was when we went to Magic Mountain. It read 7.8 miles. Really? Okay, but it didn't seem that far. Must have been 'cause I was having such a great time I didn't realize my feet should have been tired. Today I took a group of girls to the garment district. I wore the pedometer again. In fact I wore 2. One on each hip. After walking around the area for a bit we headed home. One pedometer read over three miles (doubtful), the other read .05 miles. Okay, now I KNOW that's wrong. These are even ones that you enter your stride length & weight & stuff. Still obvisously totally inaccurate. ANYHOOO, I did some more shopping & stuff today so I kept the higher reading one on (hey, I'm no fool). All in all it says I walked 6.8 miles. Again, doubtful. I'm going to be generous to my self though & only round down to 6 miles for the day (to make up for all the little bit's here & there that I do during the day just as part of life but don't calculate into my 2007 goal). This gets my weekly total to 15 miles. I finished February on target & March is starting out great!

Yahoo! You're 2!

Happy Birthday to my godson Elijah. He's a wonderful little boy and a great big brother to new comer Miles. Happy birthday kiddo!

No Much Going On

I've been working some overtime at UCI this week so there hasn't been much to blog about nor the time to blog it. Here's an update or sorts:

I ended February with 4.4 miles over my 10 miles per week goal. This is due to going to Magic Mountain last weekend and carpooling with Kaisara to work. Depending on the time in the morning, he drops me off at different points and I walk the rest of the way to the costume shop. Only once have we been early enough for me to walk from the 405. That's 2.9 miles but sure seems like it should be further. Kaisara offers to drop me off at the door but I try to get in my miles this way. We're also saving on me paying for parking at work. UCI doesn't pay for their employees' parking. $44 per month. I think not. That's almost 2 1/2 hours of work just to park. It's better for me, our bank account, and the environment by the way, for me to walk. So walk I shall.

My gig at UCI has been great. The manager, Vera, is awesome. She LOVES her job. She lets us know when we need to put our heads down & crank stuff out and she later lets us know how great we did & how much she appreciates our work. There is an opening for full-time employment there but I've decided not to apply. I don't think I could handle working with cynical grad students and all of their angst on a permanent basis. Bummer, the money's good and the benefits would be to die for. I'll enjoy my freelancing some more.

Of course, I am so good I've sewed myself out of work. We were supposed to work today after working late all this week. But no, we're done until after the first dress (Monday night). So I've sewed myself out of overtime today & there's no need for me to go in Monday since we won't have any notes by then. It really is a curse being so gifted. HaHaHaHaHa!

Vera's said she has work for me through Friday, March 9th but after that's an unknown. I'm not back at SCR 'til April 17th. Yikes! over a month with no pay. Again, the joys of freelancing. Not worried though. God will provide. He always does.

Well rather than working today & making the big bucks at time-and-a-half, I'm off to do a ton of laundry & perhaps work some on my dead soldier. It's getting nearer to completion.