I'm off to DYC with 5 of my yutes. Looking forward to it.
I need to update on the whole visit with the midwife on Monday. We did hear the heartbeat and that was truly amazing. i promise to put my thoughts into words when i get back. I've been procrastinating this morning, so I need to scoot my boot.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
I miss little kids
About 7 years ago one of my favorite things in the whole world to do on a weekend was drive to my sisters house in Lake Elsinore to visit my oldest niece, B. As I drove up to the house and parked my little Hyundai on the street, I would smile knowing what was about to take place in a matter of seconds. I would ring the door bell and stand in front of the big window next to my sisters front door (She usually left the blinds open if I was coming). As I stood there B would come RUNNING as fast as her 2 year old legs could run, screaming "AUNTIE KATIIIIIE'S HEEEEERE" Not long after that, my sister would open the door and hugs and kisses were immediately given and received.
A year later, I moved in with my sister and her family for a brief period and the same scene would ensue when I came home from work. Our afternoons were filled with Photo shoots down by the lake. Or a quick photo shoot took place when B "fell in" the potty and her "fanny got all wet". Talk about a hysterical moment.
When my niece M was born, I spent time getting to know her and love her, before my brother in law was transferred to a job in the South. The Saturday before they left CA, we all got together at my brothers house. I showed up after my sister and her family. B was playing in her cousins room and when she heard I was there she RAN out of the room "AUNTIE KAAAATTTTIIIIEEEE" and M went nuts reaching for me and smiling...so exited. (My brother was none too pleased as the girls had not reacted this way with him...what can I say....THE FAVORITE!!!! :) )
Then...they moved. Gone were my days of photo shoots and B and Auntie Katie days at Disneyland. Sure, I had my nephews, but they were in the beginning stages of "girls are yucky". I missed my babies.
While in the South, M grew and grew. When i saw her 1 year later...she was a bright, curly haired and silly 2 year old who looked like my mom. The bond of Auntie/Nieces grew even stronger. M got her long awaited nickname (all my nieces and nephews get a nickname from me.....) "Mishy Moo Moo head" , and we generally just had so much fun together.
I made sure to call and talk to my girls often so they would not ever feel that their Auntie Katie did not care or love them any less despite the 1800 or so miles that separated us. I was so happy to spend Christmas with them in 2005 (which I have blogged about), and help make Mishy Moo's cupcake bday cake "with Cinderella Blue frosting." It was the first bday I had ever spent with her. It was also the first time they met their future Uncle Derek. I knew Derek was the perfect match not only for me, but my family when Mishy Moo Climbed onto his back for a "horsey ride" within 5 minutes of our arrival on Christmas Eve.
9 days of fun with them and their new baby brother, made it difficult to leave them all and travel back to CA. I miss playing with them. I took for granted how close they were to me in CA. I wanted to come over every weekend and play.
I did not get to see my 3 angels until Nov 2006 when I traveled to meet my newest niece, S for the first time. Honestly, when I am with these kids, it's as if time never passes. We just click, laugh and have fun. Granted I think that is helped by the fact that I call them often and speak to them every time (unless they are not feeling well.) I can't wait to have the same bond with the 2 younger kids. My brother in law told me that Mishy Moo will play around the house with her toy phone and she will say "Hello? Auntie Katie?" Melt my heart out Kid!!!!!
I often feel bad that i am not closer to my older nephews. Granted, the younger of the two did walk me down the aisle at our wedding. It's hard to be close to them because they think that i will just buy them everything they want, and when I don't they do not want to give me the time of day. they never want to talk to me on the phone. I have tried, believe me. Perhaps as they grow older. But also maybe it's the fact that they have so many Aunts and Uncles that it's hard to really get close to all of us??? I don't know. But I do love them alot!!!!!
Just as I was adjusting to life in NC and wanting to spend quality time with my new nieces (Derek's brother's kids), they had to move due to their dad's job transfer. Only 6 hours away, but I found myself so saddened by the news. Happy for my brother in law, but a bit selfish in wanting the kids to be close. Is that bad? Derek's nieces are so fun and awesome (2 of them are older, one is 4).....we laugh, we talk girl talk (K was telling me on our last visit in Feb that there is a boy she likes. It took forever for her to tell me his name), we play (in the snow and get bruises LOL). and we just have fun together. One of my favorite moments has been when we are watching TV and A just lays her head on my shoulder. Or the time they all stayed the night and K had to stay in my room with me (A was having a bad allergic reaction to the cat fur, so she had to go to the extra room with R) and Cordelia, our cat, started to "cough" I patted her back and somehow a piece of poop came out of her. K said "Uh Aunt Katie, Cordy pooped a little." We still laugh about that!!!!!
I just miss my little kids. I know, they are not ALL little, but they will always be "little" to me no matter what. I love being and Auntie. It's really a blessing and one fo the best things that has happened to me. It's made me a better person. It has helped me to see what kind of mom I want to be to my child, it has given Derek and I alot of training in how to handle little ones. Thank God for that!!!!!!
I will be a mom in 7 months. I will love my child more than life itself. I hope I never loose sight of being an great (and favorite) Auntie though. Without my nieces and nephews, i would not be as great of a mom, as I can be.
I love you A,J,B,B,M,r,A,and S...with all of my heart
Love always,
Auntie Katie
A year later, I moved in with my sister and her family for a brief period and the same scene would ensue when I came home from work. Our afternoons were filled with Photo shoots down by the lake. Or a quick photo shoot took place when B "fell in" the potty and her "fanny got all wet". Talk about a hysterical moment.
When my niece M was born, I spent time getting to know her and love her, before my brother in law was transferred to a job in the South. The Saturday before they left CA, we all got together at my brothers house. I showed up after my sister and her family. B was playing in her cousins room and when she heard I was there she RAN out of the room "AUNTIE KAAAATTTTIIIIEEEE" and M went nuts reaching for me and smiling...so exited. (My brother was none too pleased as the girls had not reacted this way with him...what can I say....THE FAVORITE!!!! :) )
Then...they moved. Gone were my days of photo shoots and B and Auntie Katie days at Disneyland. Sure, I had my nephews, but they were in the beginning stages of "girls are yucky". I missed my babies.
While in the South, M grew and grew. When i saw her 1 year later...she was a bright, curly haired and silly 2 year old who looked like my mom. The bond of Auntie/Nieces grew even stronger. M got her long awaited nickname (all my nieces and nephews get a nickname from me.....) "Mishy Moo Moo head" , and we generally just had so much fun together.
I made sure to call and talk to my girls often so they would not ever feel that their Auntie Katie did not care or love them any less despite the 1800 or so miles that separated us. I was so happy to spend Christmas with them in 2005 (which I have blogged about), and help make Mishy Moo's cupcake bday cake "with Cinderella Blue frosting." It was the first bday I had ever spent with her. It was also the first time they met their future Uncle Derek. I knew Derek was the perfect match not only for me, but my family when Mishy Moo Climbed onto his back for a "horsey ride" within 5 minutes of our arrival on Christmas Eve.
9 days of fun with them and their new baby brother, made it difficult to leave them all and travel back to CA. I miss playing with them. I took for granted how close they were to me in CA. I wanted to come over every weekend and play.
I did not get to see my 3 angels until Nov 2006 when I traveled to meet my newest niece, S for the first time. Honestly, when I am with these kids, it's as if time never passes. We just click, laugh and have fun. Granted I think that is helped by the fact that I call them often and speak to them every time (unless they are not feeling well.) I can't wait to have the same bond with the 2 younger kids. My brother in law told me that Mishy Moo will play around the house with her toy phone and she will say "Hello? Auntie Katie?" Melt my heart out Kid!!!!!
I often feel bad that i am not closer to my older nephews. Granted, the younger of the two did walk me down the aisle at our wedding. It's hard to be close to them because they think that i will just buy them everything they want, and when I don't they do not want to give me the time of day. they never want to talk to me on the phone. I have tried, believe me. Perhaps as they grow older. But also maybe it's the fact that they have so many Aunts and Uncles that it's hard to really get close to all of us??? I don't know. But I do love them alot!!!!!
Just as I was adjusting to life in NC and wanting to spend quality time with my new nieces (Derek's brother's kids), they had to move due to their dad's job transfer. Only 6 hours away, but I found myself so saddened by the news. Happy for my brother in law, but a bit selfish in wanting the kids to be close. Is that bad? Derek's nieces are so fun and awesome (2 of them are older, one is 4).....we laugh, we talk girl talk (K was telling me on our last visit in Feb that there is a boy she likes. It took forever for her to tell me his name), we play (in the snow and get bruises LOL). and we just have fun together. One of my favorite moments has been when we are watching TV and A just lays her head on my shoulder. Or the time they all stayed the night and K had to stay in my room with me (A was having a bad allergic reaction to the cat fur, so she had to go to the extra room with R) and Cordelia, our cat, started to "cough" I patted her back and somehow a piece of poop came out of her. K said "Uh Aunt Katie, Cordy pooped a little." We still laugh about that!!!!!
I just miss my little kids. I know, they are not ALL little, but they will always be "little" to me no matter what. I love being and Auntie. It's really a blessing and one fo the best things that has happened to me. It's made me a better person. It has helped me to see what kind of mom I want to be to my child, it has given Derek and I alot of training in how to handle little ones. Thank God for that!!!!!!
I will be a mom in 7 months. I will love my child more than life itself. I hope I never loose sight of being an great (and favorite) Auntie though. Without my nieces and nephews, i would not be as great of a mom, as I can be.
I love you A,J,B,B,M,r,A,and S...with all of my heart
Love always,
Auntie Katie
Monday, April 09, 2007
In the last week I have.....
.....Gotten really ticked off over the abortion issue. Ok ticked off is a bit harsh. I should say I defended my personal stance on abortion and proved how Planned Parenthood generally lies to women. Now, I realize there are people who will read this and roll their eyes at "Katie being a Catholic." While I realize we will not all agree, I do feel I have the right to voice my opinion on the issue, just as any pro-choice advocate would.
.....been told that the Disney Company ALWAYS makes good business decisions. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....it would take me almost an hour to type out what my respnse was, so excuse me while I just copy and paste (I am sure my Disney geek friends will have numerous corrections to my rant:
What was said: "I must say that I am in full support of Disney (from a business perspective). Disney has done everything right in terms of growing their company. They expand their markets every year. Their prices are perfect and low enough to ensure a high volume of people, but high enough to ensure profit. Also, every one of their rides are backed by private funding--not entrance fees......And, working at a travel agency, I see first hand the elaborate steps that they take to ensure a tremendous vacation and safe family experience."
My response: "I hate to be the party pooper, but before you say things like this please look at actual statistics. In CA Disneyland is suffering,. They pay their employees just above minimum wages (new hires come in at $8/hr, barely enough to survive on in Southern CA). They have one of the highest employee turnover rates, they also have upper snobby management who threw temper tantrums 2 summers ago when their now former president (Matt Ouimet), insisted they "get their hands dirty" and work out in the parks as opposed to being stuck behind their posh desks when the employee shortage (which still plagues them), was at an all time high in the summer of 2005. Don't get me started on Disney's California Adventure. It opened in 2001 which was built on the cheap, and is now having to be "made over" to fix the crap problems that Paul Pressler was too cheap to do right in the first place. What does that mean? Let's see, DCA is supposed to average about 30,000 people a day on a busy day. It's a "good day" if they reach 12,000-15.000. rides and restaurants that were there opening day, a mere 6 years ago closed within the first year. Robert Mondavi had quite the establishment within the confines of DCA, and pulled out because business was so poor. There are buildings that have stood empty for YEARS because Paul Pressler thought that cheap paint and poor concepts would attract thousands of visitors to the park. He was wrong. I can count only 3 rides that keep that place going (Tower of Terror, Soaring over California, and California Screaming), the rest are "C" or "D" ticket rides, that are lucky to get people to ride them. Golden Zephyr is such a terrible ride, that even the slightest winds will force it into closure on a summer day......SUMMER.
Over in Disneyland we had a ride that was 15 years overdue for repairs, but Paul Pressler was too cheap to fix it properly. Space Mountain was an accident waiting to happen, as evident by the 3 year closure that took place to replace the ENTIRE track. Meanwhile the merchandise in the stores, even now (years after Pressler and his "partner in crime", Cynthia Harris have left), carry the same merchandise through out the park. Gone are the days of unique items in themed stores (Cowboy hats and Davy Crockett hats in Frontierland). Food for one person alone runs anywhere from $10-$15 for one meal and it leaves ALOT to be desired. When Matt Ouimet took over right before the 50th birthday he started to take care of the park which Pressler and Harriss had turned into nothing but a strip mall with poorly cared for rides, chipping paint throughout the park. In fact Disneyland had not seen a new ride, that didn't close shortly after opening, since 1995 (Indiana Jones) and Ouimet took care of that by revitalizing a bit of Tomorrowland by bringing to the park Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters, and began to set into motion the clean up of the crappy job Pressler's crew did on Tomorrowland 1998....FLOP. Rocket Rods replaced the once popular People mover, and were closed by 2001(after having been closed in Sept 2000 initially)...a mere 3 years after the grand opening of the "new improved land" (poor planning and placing the ride vehicles on a track that was not intended for the speed they were accelerated to.....i.e. done on the cheap.) All the while the park was in desparate need of repair.
Today, Disneyland Resort in CA is finally getting the attention it needs, while prices to the park are jacked up little by little. There is Midway mania replacing the GOD AWFUL circus type games that were built under California screaming, The submarines are finally going to be reopened (Pressler refused to fix a leak that was causing trouble in the dated , yet always full attraction) This time....a Finding nemo theme (which will probably ave to be redone in a number of years.)Where the terribly thought out "SuperStar Limo" once stood (seriously WHO CAME UP WITH THIS RIDE???) there is now a really cute Monsters Inc ride in DCA, an amazing fireworks show, plans for a Cars themed roller coaster, and unfortunately, re-doing Tom Sawyers Island with a Pirates theme.
So What i would like to know. While the park was falling apart and there was "no money" to do anything extensive...where was all this money going???? It wasn't to employees, it wasn't to make the Disney experience more enjoyable (which Walt was probably turning over in his urn about I am sure). Annual pass priced increased from 1992 (I paid $199 for a premium passport) to 2001 (I paid $249 for a Southern CA passport that limited me to certain days in the park). But yet, what did we have in return? Rides that closed, a new park that wasn't worth spending more than 4 hours in, a park that was falling apart but no one wanted to take care of. Where was this money going to? The pockets of:
Michael Eisner (oh he was good when he first came....but greed and pride took over eventually. Not to mention he couldn't get along with Roy Disney at all)
Paul Pressler (He works for the Gap...or used to at least)
and
Cynthia Harriss.
Very little, if any went into improving the Park and what they thought were improvements were nothing more than cheap, ill thought out plans that made guests upset.
Now, Team Disney Anaheim has this bright idea of building a park...a boutique park where prices are jacked up so high that no one will be able to afford to get in, and they will only allow 5000 visitors a day......I dunno, sounds kind of like Disney has their sights on something that they will only end up regretting and having to re-do....just like DCA."
Harsh? Possibly....but please. Don't try and show me a pink rose and tell me it's purple. I KNOW the difference.
Oh and 2 things today; I went to work when I didn't need to. I don't know how I missed the memo saying we had today off, but I did. Got to work....office closed. Went in, did a few things that needed to be done, and left. Came home, ate lunch and Derek and i went out driving around our lovely city looking at homes for sale. Found a nice one 4br, 2ba.....$115,000. Need to ask C a few questions before we talk to the 'rents' about this one.
.....been told that the Disney Company ALWAYS makes good business decisions. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....it would take me almost an hour to type out what my respnse was, so excuse me while I just copy and paste (I am sure my Disney geek friends will have numerous corrections to my rant:
What was said: "I must say that I am in full support of Disney (from a business perspective). Disney has done everything right in terms of growing their company. They expand their markets every year. Their prices are perfect and low enough to ensure a high volume of people, but high enough to ensure profit. Also, every one of their rides are backed by private funding--not entrance fees......And, working at a travel agency, I see first hand the elaborate steps that they take to ensure a tremendous vacation and safe family experience."
My response: "I hate to be the party pooper, but before you say things like this please look at actual statistics. In CA Disneyland is suffering,. They pay their employees just above minimum wages (new hires come in at $8/hr, barely enough to survive on in Southern CA). They have one of the highest employee turnover rates, they also have upper snobby management who threw temper tantrums 2 summers ago when their now former president (Matt Ouimet), insisted they "get their hands dirty" and work out in the parks as opposed to being stuck behind their posh desks when the employee shortage (which still plagues them), was at an all time high in the summer of 2005. Don't get me started on Disney's California Adventure. It opened in 2001 which was built on the cheap, and is now having to be "made over" to fix the crap problems that Paul Pressler was too cheap to do right in the first place. What does that mean? Let's see, DCA is supposed to average about 30,000 people a day on a busy day. It's a "good day" if they reach 12,000-15.000. rides and restaurants that were there opening day, a mere 6 years ago closed within the first year. Robert Mondavi had quite the establishment within the confines of DCA, and pulled out because business was so poor. There are buildings that have stood empty for YEARS because Paul Pressler thought that cheap paint and poor concepts would attract thousands of visitors to the park. He was wrong. I can count only 3 rides that keep that place going (Tower of Terror, Soaring over California, and California Screaming), the rest are "C" or "D" ticket rides, that are lucky to get people to ride them. Golden Zephyr is such a terrible ride, that even the slightest winds will force it into closure on a summer day......SUMMER.
Over in Disneyland we had a ride that was 15 years overdue for repairs, but Paul Pressler was too cheap to fix it properly. Space Mountain was an accident waiting to happen, as evident by the 3 year closure that took place to replace the ENTIRE track. Meanwhile the merchandise in the stores, even now (years after Pressler and his "partner in crime", Cynthia Harris have left), carry the same merchandise through out the park. Gone are the days of unique items in themed stores (Cowboy hats and Davy Crockett hats in Frontierland). Food for one person alone runs anywhere from $10-$15 for one meal and it leaves ALOT to be desired. When Matt Ouimet took over right before the 50th birthday he started to take care of the park which Pressler and Harriss had turned into nothing but a strip mall with poorly cared for rides, chipping paint throughout the park. In fact Disneyland had not seen a new ride, that didn't close shortly after opening, since 1995 (Indiana Jones) and Ouimet took care of that by revitalizing a bit of Tomorrowland by bringing to the park Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters, and began to set into motion the clean up of the crappy job Pressler's crew did on Tomorrowland 1998....FLOP. Rocket Rods replaced the once popular People mover, and were closed by 2001(after having been closed in Sept 2000 initially)...a mere 3 years after the grand opening of the "new improved land" (poor planning and placing the ride vehicles on a track that was not intended for the speed they were accelerated to.....i.e. done on the cheap.) All the while the park was in desparate need of repair.
Today, Disneyland Resort in CA is finally getting the attention it needs, while prices to the park are jacked up little by little. There is Midway mania replacing the GOD AWFUL circus type games that were built under California screaming, The submarines are finally going to be reopened (Pressler refused to fix a leak that was causing trouble in the dated , yet always full attraction) This time....a Finding nemo theme (which will probably ave to be redone in a number of years.)Where the terribly thought out "SuperStar Limo" once stood (seriously WHO CAME UP WITH THIS RIDE???) there is now a really cute Monsters Inc ride in DCA, an amazing fireworks show, plans for a Cars themed roller coaster, and unfortunately, re-doing Tom Sawyers Island with a Pirates theme.
So What i would like to know. While the park was falling apart and there was "no money" to do anything extensive...where was all this money going???? It wasn't to employees, it wasn't to make the Disney experience more enjoyable (which Walt was probably turning over in his urn about I am sure). Annual pass priced increased from 1992 (I paid $199 for a premium passport) to 2001 (I paid $249 for a Southern CA passport that limited me to certain days in the park). But yet, what did we have in return? Rides that closed, a new park that wasn't worth spending more than 4 hours in, a park that was falling apart but no one wanted to take care of. Where was this money going to? The pockets of:
Michael Eisner (oh he was good when he first came....but greed and pride took over eventually. Not to mention he couldn't get along with Roy Disney at all)
Paul Pressler (He works for the Gap...or used to at least)
and
Cynthia Harriss.
Very little, if any went into improving the Park and what they thought were improvements were nothing more than cheap, ill thought out plans that made guests upset.
Now, Team Disney Anaheim has this bright idea of building a park...a boutique park where prices are jacked up so high that no one will be able to afford to get in, and they will only allow 5000 visitors a day......I dunno, sounds kind of like Disney has their sights on something that they will only end up regretting and having to re-do....just like DCA."
Harsh? Possibly....but please. Don't try and show me a pink rose and tell me it's purple. I KNOW the difference.
Oh and 2 things today; I went to work when I didn't need to. I don't know how I missed the memo saying we had today off, but I did. Got to work....office closed. Went in, did a few things that needed to be done, and left. Came home, ate lunch and Derek and i went out driving around our lovely city looking at homes for sale. Found a nice one 4br, 2ba.....$115,000. Need to ask C a few questions before we talk to the 'rents' about this one.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Hey good looking....whatcha got cookin?
The advantages of being pregnant:
A baby is coming!!!!
I get to give in easily to food cravings
A BABY IS COMING
Disadvantages:
When I am making a homemade chocolate chip cheesecake and the beaters are right there in front of me just waiting to be "cleaned off"...I realize raw eggs in the filling= no licking of the beaters for the pregnant momma.
Such a tragedy!!!!!
A baby is coming!!!!
I get to give in easily to food cravings
A BABY IS COMING
Disadvantages:
When I am making a homemade chocolate chip cheesecake and the beaters are right there in front of me just waiting to be "cleaned off"...I realize raw eggs in the filling= no licking of the beaters for the pregnant momma.
Such a tragedy!!!!!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
I love having ideas
Recently I posed an idea to my boss here at church. I suggested that we help our local pregnancy center in town (we actually have 2, but we helped on in Sept, so it's time to focus energies on the other one). Said Pregnancy Center had something in our church bulletin about needing items donated for the mom's and babies that they help. Common, everyday items (baby food, formula, diapers, shampoo, etc) and some more pricey items (high chairs, changing tables, car seats and the like). I was struck with an idea that I had toyed with in the past at my former church.A Baby Shower!!!!The idea is, we host a baby shower at church and in the weeks leading up to it, ask parishoners to donate items on the day of the shower. We'll decorate the room like a shower, have some light snacks, favors, and even send thank you cards. I am working on designing a brochure with info on the center we will be helping, the purpose of the shower and ways in which people can help. One way is to buy a gift card from Wal-Mart so the center can purchase baby food for their daycare facility. Or go to our Wal Mart and Target registry and purchase items we have offered as "suggestions" to purchase. When I presented everything to my boss, sans the budget as I am going to work that out with the two people whom I plan to work with on this project tomorrow, he was thrilled. He said he liked the idea of involving the entire parish in a pro-life project. It made me happy!!!!! One of the things I told him when I interviewed was I wanted to get the youth more involved in the life of the parish and more visible in the church. Plus this will open all sorts of windows of opportunity for parents to discuss things with their kids at home and for me to discuss with the kids at youth group.Not only that but we will be giving so much to these women and their children. It's totally a win-win situation.
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