It is my first house, my first tree (since I moved out of my parents house 8 years ago), my first sofa, and my first Christmas without my family ...

Doesn't it look GREAT?!?

... and from the second floor ...

**just ignore the blue thing in the background - that is the old loveseat I was using as a couch before the new baby came to town on Tuesday. Oh, and ignore the oddly non-retro outdated coffee table - yet another loaner piece of furniture.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:51 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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I know, I know ... I said I'd be back Tuesday and I wasn't (goes to show what you guys know, I flew in Monday night :-P) ... But world peace is never going to happen and my hopes for semi-regional, transitive peace within my own personal space are quickly being dashed this season ... again ...

Lil Bro was of course an ass while on the trip ... albeit not a giant ass this time ... but still an ass

And I hadn't even made it back to DC yet before it dawned on me that my dad had probably gotten his head confused with his ass again. Last night it was confirmed and I'm beginning to think he's had his head permanently affixed up there. What compelled him to put his wife's name on the presents he mailed, I have no idea ... but I'm not opening them without a sincere apology and an understanding that she is in no way allowed in my life. Period. No exceptions. Done. No hablo ingles.

Then, I get an email that someone's in the hospital again. Nothing huge, just pneumonia (like every winter) but what a crappy time to get it.

So I am fuming and cooking, cooking and fuming ...

When I stop, I'll put up some pictures of the sofa that has finally arrived

Posted by: Princess Cat at 03:43 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 well it sounds like such a pleasant trip. Perhaps you could start thinking of scheduling some things with the others of us out there who care? Then again, you'll probably bring that whole shadow of death/pneumonia thing with you, but I can handle it.

Posted by: RSM at December 20, 2006 04:03 PM (IyNwh)

2 Hey! Merry Fucking Christmas!

Posted by: Buckethead at December 20, 2006 05:28 PM (t84LF)

3 Nice. Hey, if you need someone to come help you EAT that food...

Posted by: Ogre at December 21, 2006 10:15 AM (oifEm)

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It's not like I've legitimately blogged here since oh ... before Thanksgiving, maybe? But, I thought I'd let you all know I'm running away again.

This West Coast girl, living in the bizarre oddity they call the East Coast, is headed back to the Midwest (That makes the fifth or sixth trip this year ...) I don't know if I should count my lucky stars that for a least a few times a year I'm that much closer to home, or if I should be afraid that the Midwest has some kind of hidden vortex it is trying to suck me into.

Either way ... off I go ... to Illin-nowa (yes yes, Illinois ... go watch Strongbad once in a while people). Too bad I'm not hitting Chicago, that might be fun.

Be back Tuesday

Side note: I was once quite excited about this trip ... it is the chance to see the good family again ... but note I said WAS. I could deal when mom said she was coming, but now Lil Bro is coming too ... ugh! Does anyone remember what happened the last time we spent a holiday together in IL? Yeah, he decided he wasn't going to drive me to the airport because I wouldn't piss of the event bankroller and plan his graduation reception. Welcome to the mature part of the holiday ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:41 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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The sofa's coming today!
The sofa's coming today!
The sofa's coming today!

I can't wait!!

UPDATE:
No sofa ... the delivery company said it didn't come in on time so they can't bring it to me today. DAMN!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:21 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. - Bernard Bailey

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My cousin just emailed this to me ... and as I was laughing, I couldn't agree more (especially with #4 after my other cousin's wife made me make the mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving with skim milk ... eeck)

Holiday Eating Tips

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.


And always remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:22 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I should be a fairly good mood these days ... the trial is over, my family drama is over there instead of in my face, the house is painted, I get to see the good family again next weekend, there are red bows and blinky lights decorating the living room ...

But still, I'm struggling to keep out of this terrible funk

No word from the last interview ... that can't be good
The "ideal" roommate bailed out ... so back to square one on that front
No Christmas shopping done ... so going to end up screwing myself on this one
Leaky pipe in the bathroom
Leaky toilet in the other bathroom
Missing cabinet screw
More laundry than Macy's has clothes
A headache that just won't go away

It just feels like it never ends. One little thing can ruin my day entirely. Hell, when the roommate bailed yesterday I went for the carton of ice cream ... did I mention all the spoons were in the dishwasher that hasn't been run? So I sat on the couch trying not to cry eating straight out of the carton with a fork. Yes, a fork.

And I'm dreading Friday. A friend wants to go out dancing and all I can think of is, I'm broke, its cold, its windy, I don't have a trendy thing to wear in order to even attempt to compete with the skanky little bitches that will be there ... yeah, I'm real excited about the idea. Do we not recall I like jeans and boots kind of going out dancing?

All I'm asking for is for just one piece of the chaos to fall into place. Just one ... why is that so much to ask?

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:03 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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The Living Room ...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The Dining Room ...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And there are more pics to come! It was a very busy weekend...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:54 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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The headline reads: Drunk Driver Found Guilty in Death of 84-Year-Old Woman

... convicted of involuntary manslaughter in a collision that killed an 84-year-old woman.

He* was also was convicted today of leaving the scene of the February 18th accident. Prosecutors say he* was drunk when he caused the head-on collision.

Prosecutors say his* blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit after he was arrested.

He* faces up to 15 years in prison on the involuntary manslaughter charge and four years in prison for leaving the scene of the accident.

*Name removed

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:10 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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1 this is great news, cat. justice is served, finally.

Posted by: shoe at November 29, 2006 07:41 AM (bZCDX)

2 I hope he gets raped repeatedly in prison. Is that wrong?

Posted by: Dorothy at November 29, 2006 04:23 PM (pqJMZ)

3 Small comfort, but it's a start.

Posted by: Ted at November 29, 2006 04:25 PM (+OVgL)

4 I hope they give the guy the max...

Posted by: That 1 Guy at November 30, 2006 08:54 AM (Hn1Gg)

5 Glad they found him guilty, 15 years for taking a life...does not seem long enough.

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at November 30, 2006 10:49 AM (4V65g)

6 You're right, it doesn't bring her back but it does bring a bit of closure. But 15 years just doens't sound long enough....

Posted by: Tammi at December 02, 2006 08:14 AM (3UQTn)

7 Tammi - it'll be a LONG 15 years. A lot of guys in prison have grandmothers.

Posted by: Harvey at December 03, 2006 01:12 PM (L7a63)

8 I guess many people wouldn't drive when they are drunk and would be more careful if they know that they may get to the prison for 15 years...I hope this case will stop the others.

Posted by: Rob at December 03, 2006 08:25 PM (wMSNf)

9 There we go. you created a interesting work Someone here was want to read about formazione milano Corsi presenti eventi formazione sviluppo di con o informazioni campania comunicazione pratici per hoc visualizzare preparazione skills. Hm.. I was not able to pickup complete resources of http://oss-corsi.italy-school.com/ - oss corsi I conjecture, We surf badly ....

Posted by: corsiingleseijn at June 03, 2007 01:34 PM (lrJhW)

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I think I did more damage to my kitchen by 8am today than most people do all week.

2 apple breads, 3 pies, 2 casseroles ... all in various stages of done-ness

Oh, and have I mentioned I'm not packed yet?

I'm leaving town this afternoon to see the good family and off to see the bad family on Saturday (ugh) for the trial that starts Monday.

Be back in a week. Be good (Santa's watching)

Posted by: Princess Cat at 08:46 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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I had no idea it was this late in the year. Last time I looked it was July. How did this happen?

I don't have anything purchased for Christmas. Hell, I don't have a clue on what to purchase, let alone gone to look for it - online or otherwise. Doesn't look like there's much time to do handmade gifts, unless I'm going to bake stuff.

I don't have my plane tickets for the extended family pre-Christmas Christmas (as opposed to their usual post-Christmas Christmas)

I don't have a thing to make my house look like Christmas - except for a Santa skating across a block of ice that someone bought for me from Cracker Barrel - and I have no idea where I'm going to find the money to make it feel like Christmas.

Looks like time to get a move on

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:38 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Cooking and baking - my personal little escape-from-hell therapy

In the past couple of days I have done:

-chicken pot pie stew
-peanut butter cookies
-pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
-pumpkin bars
-pumpkin walnut roll

Next week, a bunch of Thanksgiving cooking and baking!

I'm not sure if it really ends up being cheaper than therapy, but it is definitely a lot more fun. Even with the dreaded cleaning that it requires.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:44 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Why is it that Google is telling me the current weather is "light rain" when it has been a downpour off and on all afternoon, I've heard thunder, seen lightening, and the national weather service is telling me about flood and tornado warnings?

I think someone is trying to piss on my shoe and tell me its raining

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I am exhausted

I haven't slept well in two days and tonight just happened to be one of the most awesome chats with dad.

It was one of those chats that starts out as a simple exchange of opinions, no harm, no foul ... but by the end I've broken ... and I end up sobbing tears of frustration, hurt, and anger

Grandma's trial is coming up in less than two weeks and suddenly, the wicked witch of the East wants to tag along. All summer long the family was assured she would not be coming and now, she's decided she wants to. How fucking convenient ...

There is just no legitimate reason for this evil, insecure, gold digging piece of trash to be at my grandmother's trial. Isn't it bad enough that we all have to sit there in the courtroom and listen to the defense try to say he didn't do it? That we might even hear them try to say it was her fault? Isn't the torture of the loss enough? Why should I have to endure the salt that she is? She wants me to sit in the very same courtroom and pretend that I believe she is there to support my father? I haven't seen one ounce of genuine emotion out of that thing in the seven years I've known her - what makes today so GD different? I don't care what anyone says, I saw it with my own eyes, my grandmother did not like this tramp and now she thinks she has a right to sleep in my grandmother's bed like she owns the place?

I'm putting my foot down. I'm not sharing a house with her. I will not appease her demands. It will hurt my father, but sometimes tough love is the only thing that works.

I am done. There are no more chances. Am I going to get back the years of my relationship with my dad that she has stolen? No. And what is she going to do about the other things that no one can change? The last holiday meal I shared with my grandmother was at a shitty Italian restaurant, with no service, and no menu (what Italian restaurant doesn't have pasta with meat sauce?) because we were trying to appease the evil one and accommodate her - I can't get back that holiday and I don't get another chance. Where's the accommodation of how I feel? The last time I saw my grandmother alive was that same Christmas, in the front seat of my dad's car, because the whore was such a bitch about other people in her house that our family did Christmas in a hotel room and my dad was taking my grandmother back to his house afterward. She didn't care about any of us then and she doesn't care about any of us now. So her feigned emotion now is rather transparent ... and I'm calling bullshit.

Karma's got her number and some day, it'll come up.

So, after a night like this, I am exhausted ... and still I can't sleep

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:14 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Please see yesterday's post for more information

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I'm not sure if I am officially back on my insomnia kick, but last night was a struggle. This morning has been even worse.

I tried going to bed well before midnight but I'm not sure how many hours went by before I actually fell asleep. At 12:45 I was getting up to turn the heat down because I was just too hot under the blanket.

I tossed and turned all night long, unable to get comfortable. I could not let go of being awake - mentally, physically - my body and mind wanted to be awake. I do not feel like I dozed for more than 30-40 minutes at a time.

At 5:30 the terrible headache and frustration were just too much. I gave up on sleep and have been watching TV in the living room ever since.

I feel unrested, achey, tense, and frustrated ... and I still have the headache. I sure hope this isn't an indication of how my day is going to go ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:30 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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I got into a bit of an argument this weekend ... imagine that ... against a Hispanic, gay man that I found to be an annoyingly vocal hypocrite.

We were at brunch with a group of friends, celebrating his return from a Caribbean cruise, and generally enjoying each other's company after not having been together for a while.

... enter his politics ...

He is openly gay and opposes bans on his rights as a gay man.
He is fanatically anti-tobacco and supports all tobacco bans.

Ordinarily, I suppose I would have let this go ... but not this weekend. And especially not after hearing him discuss his cruise and say, "Oh, they knew we were there. We took over that ship..." We being the group of approximately 300 gay men on board.

So ... let me see if I understand ...

It is completely and totally ok for you to intentionally and purposefully interrupt daily lives and shove in the face of others that you are gay (when you could easily just live your life like a normal person without having to bring attention to your sexual preference every five seconds), but it isn't ok for someone else to choose to smoke in an area that you can easily remove yourself from?

Don't get me wrong - I could care less that you are gay, but do you really expect me to treat you the same when you insist on telling me that you're different? And do you really expect me to support your "equal rights" when you are so actively campaigning to take away the freedom of others, molding the world they way you think it should be? What happened to personal responsibility and the choice to walk away?

I am just so caught on this - It is wrong to take away your right to marry another man, but it is right to take away a smokers right to choose his own behavior because it might bother you?

Fuck you, Man! more...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:20 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Grandpa,

This is the first Veterans Day in decades that you've had your lovely bride with you. We miss her everyday but it feels good to know that you're not alone anymore. I can't come visit you both today but I will be there soon.

I hope that you are watching down and know just how proud both our family and your Army family are of the service you two gave to our nation, all those years.

Thank you and thank your friends, thank all Vets today.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:23 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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For 231 years, America has depended on you to keep her safe. Today we are counting on your sacrifice and dedication to bring us through one of the scariest challenges I think we have ever faced. We don't say thank you or pick up the tab at the bar nearly enough for what we ask of you.

Today, I hope that everyone will go out and buy a Marine a beer to say thanks. Happy Birthday, Marines!

GO TEAM MARINE!

Today is your last day to bring these hotties into the lead (or at least keep em ahead of these Army guys issuing "challenges")

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:51 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Does anyone else find it ironic that I had to spend part of the afternoon cleaning an appliance meant to clean other things?

Check out the disgusting blue goo in my washing machine

Apparently the people that lived here before me were unfamiliar with the concept of an automatic fabric softener dispenser ... or the manual for the machine ...

Just disgusting

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:23 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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