Glowy Like Holiday Lights

Christmas dinner was Monday at mom's house. We did it the day before xmas because I worked Tuesday. Mom, Dad, Uncle John, Charlie, Katee, Aunt Dawn, her six children (Claire, Alyssa, Bentley, Melanie, Kellen, and Amethyst) and myself squeezed into her trailer. Auguste came by after his work and met the family.

A good time was had by all. The children didn't put their feet on the couch too much and mom's glass top coffee table survived. We are hoping the Claire and Alyssa can spend tomorrow night with us. Katee wants to spend some time with her cousins. They leave out for home early Saturday morning. (Kathryn)

The Anti-Antibiotics

Charlie has a yeast infection in his mouth (it's also called thrush). Could be from recent steriod or antibiotics he was prescribed. Anyway, the doctor wants him to take three weeks of antibiotics.

Before ingesting more evil antibiotics he's trying gargling with tea tree oil, eating yogurt, and taking garlic, vitamin C and acidophilus tablets. And we've radically changed our diets. Smoothie, anyone? (Kathryn)

Seeing Out

Our small bungalow in Highland shares a driveway with the neighboring house. That house's kitchen window faces the driveway. Our kitchen window is on the other side of the house. How much more practical would it have been to place the kitchens across from each other so the meal preparers could smile and shout recipe tips across the way?

Some say it was television that killed community, some say it was air conditioning that pulled us inside and halted interaction with neighbors. I say it was putting the kitchens on the wrong sides of the houses.

There a ton of notes on this picture. Click on it and you will see them. (Kathryn)

Tasty

We are not skinny people. Fattening things around our house get gobbled up. But not this cheesecake Charlie made from Philadelphia Ready to Eat Cheesecake filling. It died a slow death in the refrigerator.

I think we all had problems with the texture. When Katee found out it was the filling from the vat-o-cheesecake she informed us that the globby stuff was better eaten as a dip with little graham crackers shaped like teddy bears. Sleepover food she told us. Like cookie dough. Like popcorn with warmed cheese whiz slathered on top and eaten with a spoon.

On the healthy side, I baked spaghetti squash last night and ate it with homemade onion soup. Tasty. (Kathryn)

Pink Angel's Trumpet

In front of the Caddo Parish Courthouse there are bushes with pendulous trumpet-shaped flowers. I take pictures of them while waiting on my walking tours to begin. I can only dream about what I could do with a little bit better camera. In the meantime I'll just work on developing my eyes. (Kathryn)

Light Duty

Two weeks ago I worked in the American Towers building as a file clerk -- part of my week of light duty because of an on the job injury.



On Monday Katee and her betrothed, Auguste, picked me up after work.

At the end of the week I discovered the movie American Splendor. It was a fitting end to a week of toting hanging green files. And to imagine Harvey Pekar spent his work career as a clerk in Cleveland, Ohio.

Harvey even played around with blog back in 2003. (Kathryn)

That Boy

This is Auguste. The one Katee blogged about. He just got a new job at Pier 1 Imports.

Today when he came by to see her after work he was covered in glitter because he unloaded a truck of Christmas ornaments.

Ah, to be young and in love and covered in shiny particles. (Kathryn)

well, hello again, everyone.

So.

It's been a while.

Maybe you remember me? My name's Katee. I used to write in here a loooong time ago?

Yeah.

Too much has happened since I last updated on my life to write about it. I quit smoking. I started hanging around a bunch of people who were first class assholes, but thanks to them I met the absolute love of my life. I started school again. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out and I cried for days. I have an A in math. :D Life isn't too bad, really.

No, I still haven't gotten my license, but that's mostly out of laziness. I drive almost everyday now, so I know how to do it. I just haven't gotten around to going to the DMV and taking the test. I'm pretty much in love with my car, though.

But I fell in love with this boy. He's. . .not the kind of person I thought I'd end up with, honestly. For one, he's younger than me. He just graduated from high school in May and is turning 19 on October 1st. (!!) I know. And he's just so. . .sweet. His name's Auguste (Ah-goost). He's French. Not really French, but he might as well be. He bought me two engagement rings. Why? Because one was more traditional, and one had a big blue heart on it. Look, I don't know, he just does these things. And he's beautiful. I mean, my god. But yeah. . .so he's pretty amazing. He watches cartoons and is 20 kinds of charming.

I'm starting to get my creativity back, and losing trust in certain friends.

I guess it's just me growing up some more. I'll be 20 in, like, a month and it's kind of freaking me out. I have 4 weeks to use the excuse of, "But I'm just a teenager!" And then it just kind of gets annoying because no one will want to treat me like an adult but no one will expect me to act like anything but. Frustrating, but oh well. Honestly, I'm happy. Maybe I'll start writing again. Maybe not. It's just that I'm just now learning how to take life a little slower. It's something that I'm learning from Auguste. Did I mention I love him?

Now I'm going to go take this eye make up off, turn off the lights and TV, and crawl in bed with my beloved. Life really is amazing. :) (Katee)

Travel Size

Charlie and Katee headed south to New Orleans and Baton Rouge for Labor Day weekend. He saw his family and she saw boyfriend Auguste.

When Charlie unpacked he pulled out what I thought was a bag with fish. Turns out that's how he packed his dental partial. (Kathryn)

Vacation is Over

My nine days are up. I go back to work tonight.

Didn't get everything done I needed to do but I knocked out a good chunk.

Also started a new blog for the West Edge Artists' Co-op.

My mother made roast beef yesterday. Delicious. Then I bugged her while trying to get her picture. (Kathryn)

Pink Diamond

Charlie's redoing the front porch.

The platform I had him have his carpenter, Barney, build to elevate the new washer is now on the porch as a coffee table. After seeing how high it would make the washer top, I decided against using it in the laundry room.

So now he has a place for his radio, green leaf, pink diamond and coffee cup. It's looking like a regular living room out there. (Kathryn)

Elite

Meet the Kenmore Elite HE 5t Front Loading Washer.

Never one to miss a "myspace angle" photo opportunity, I shot a picture of Charlie and me reflected in the bubble front of our new time saving device before he and Auguste manhandled it into the house. (Kathryn)

New Washer

Charlie bought me a front loading washer.

What was the first thing I did? Not wash clothes. I covered the top with The Sunday Shreveport Times so I could paint this piece of art, Capulet Crown. It had to be ready by Tuesday for the WEACo show at Centenary College.

Now I have to read the manual so I can figure out how to run the washer the correct way. Good thing I have a week of vacation starting 6 AM Sunday. (Kathryn)

$40 Wal Mart Wardrobe

Five shirts, two pairs of shorts and two pairs of socks.

Buying your husband new clothes is almost as satisfying as playing with paper dolls. (Kathryn)

Hairs Cut

Still haven't gotten my haircut. Charlie went by himself yesterday while I tried catching up on laundry. I'm heading to the barber shop after I drink my orange juice.

Kay charges twelve dollars to cut my hair. No shampooing, no blowing, no upgrading to take more money outta my pocket.

I do leave a nice tip and I get a swell haircut. And it keeps me from attacking my head with scissors after I've had a couple of glasses of burgundy. (Kathryn)

Talking Trash

On the way to get our hair cut Charlie asks, "How many cans of tuna did you have? Did you empty the trash?"

"Four, if you mean the ones sitting on the counter and this is strange conversation."

"I might have thrown them away in the middle of the night."

This is not the first time he's done odd things in a medicated mid night blur.

Later he digs through the kitchen trash and finds only two unopened cans of tuna. Yes, we keep them and yes, I'm a bit steamed 'cause goddess knows where those other .68 cans are. (Kathryn)

Moroccan Furnishings

Charlie's painting the front of the house and redoing the porch and porch furniture.

Some folks travel and some folks make their homes into other worlds...

Katee took the nifty photos. (Kathryn)

The Great Bike Adventure

We huffed and puffed and rode our bikes for about thirty minutes today.

The most exciting part? Charlie zipping down a hill as he realized the brakes on Katee's new bike didn't work. "Good thing I was wearing tenny shoes," he said.

You gotta love a man who's secure enough to ride a pink girls bike. (Kathryn)

Dad

Jerry came over to spread dirt in a new flower bed in our front yard.

I took advantage of the situation to get a picture of his new hair. He usually gets a perm and has funky do-do hair. I like the short cut. However his head is shaped like his grandfather's, my Great-Grandfather Whitener. (Kathryn)

Zombie Boy

So I come home around 5 AMish one morning last week to find Zombie Boy, otherwise known as Charlie, stumbling around in the kitchen. I checked to make sure the glass pot was under the maker in case he was in the middle of making a brew... can't tell you how many towels are stained because Zombie Boy forgot to put the carafe back in... the pot was there but just before I could sigh easily, I watched him wobble around like a butterfly trying new wings as he tried to wake up from his night medicine. He was leaning over a sandwich on the counter trying to eat it. Things were dripping from the bread.

With his eyes closed and his jaws chewing he said, "I thought I was putting jelly on my peanut butter but it turned out to be chocolate syrup." (Kathryn)

We've Bloomed!

Our last post was back in February. Between forgetting our password and working on our other blogs, starting a business, working at a full time job and trying to make art, things have been pretty busy around here. Not that I'm making excuses, just explaining what's been going on.

The photo is of our first grape tomatoes just before we plucked them from the vine. They are growing in pots on our back porch. Charlie waters them. Although with all the rain we've had it hasn't been a tough job to keep them soaked.

Here are our blogs:
www.crazyinshreveport.blogspot.com
www.kathrynandkateebipolarjournal.blogspot.com

Here are our business blogs:
www.tourdeshreveport.com
www.shreveportbooks.blogspot.com

Here's where some of my photos show up from time to time:
www.shreveportfaces.blogspot.com

Here's my art blog (have yet to find that password)...:
www.bottletreeart.blogspot.com

And will soon be working on a blog for the West Edge Artists' Co-op. (Kathryn)

Men Peein'

Skye and Eko and I were walking down Olive Street when I heard a voice say "look at the men peein'."

Disgusting! I look around for the dudes doing public urination (and damn it Mardi Gras is over! Piss in your own house!) and spot the talker. He's kind of red neck looking in a car with an spreddy out H on it (Honda? or Hyundai?).

Well, slap me with a big ol' solar light blub! He said "look at that Min Pin" but with his regional accent and slow Deputy Dog drawl speed it came out "Men Pee-in." (Kathryn)

Cotton Socks

My black cotton work socks are shot. They do that uncomfortable slide-into-your-shoes move. After searching thirty minutes at the red-circle-dot store and not finding any black socks with any more than 80% cotton, I've run out of time because Katee has to get to work.

Then the sock fairy directs me to a display that shows hanging organic blend cotton socks. They even have the soothing mantra of "Simplify" knitted into them. The label reads "Finding the union between mind, body and spirit brings you closer to your true well-being. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY no chemicals, no pesticides, mild dyes..." I've found what I need. Then I see the fiber content is 85% cotton/12% polyester/ 3% spandex. I won't even tell you what the cuff of these organic socks are made of. I buy one pair at $2.99 and will wear them tonight.

Why do I think I need 100% cotton? It's about control. I stand on my feet at work, which means I have no cubicle, which means I have no input over my work environment or my polyester uniform. If you're wrapping me in mandated crappy fibers I'll spend time going natural on the rest. I'll shop for hours looking for 100% cotton pants with pockets (but not too many pockets because a dealer could stuff money or chips into them).

The job forces me to rebel anyway I can.

I get radical by waiting for until the last minute to button the top button of my shirt (I do tuck it in before leaving the house--I'm not for anarchy).

I'm not wild enough to take my cell phone into the pit, even with the ringer off. But then again I don't have a cell phone...

I have gone nearly off the deep end by slipping a notebook and pen into my pocket. A couple of months ago at a "huddle" (that's casino speak for pre-shift meeting) we were told no paper, pens or purses allowed on the casino floor.

All I want is natural fibers next to me as much as possible. So I'll give these impure sock a try. It's a good thing it's winter. It think even with this little bit of polyester in the new socks my toes will get roasty. Even with the all cotton socks there are some nights towards the end of my shift I have to go outside and take my shoes off and cool my feet on the freezy metal floor of our boat. I do this while the smokers are huddled together, wrapped in blankets, puffing away. (Kathryn)

maybe i think too much.

I feel like I never have any time. I'm not even going to school this semester, and somehow I never have time to do what I need to do. I'd really just like to take some time off from hanging out with my friends and getting some stuff done. Our house is a mess because no one cleans because we don't have time. My cat misses me because I'm never here. My body is exhausted. I just need, you know, time to myself I think.

The seventh Harry Potter book comes out on July 21st. I'm really excited, but also kind of sad. It's just. . .the end. But it seems kind of appropriate, too, in my case. I discovered Harry Potter when I was 13, the beginning of my teen years, and now it's ending when I'm 19, at the end of it all. Just seems kind of poetic. You know, in a really nerdy way.

I'm going to try and write in here more. I've been on like a two month hiatus pretty much, so I'm going to try to write maybe three times a week. I'd also like to join a gym or something. And maybe work less. There's a lot of stuff I'd like to do.

Excuse my ramblings. It's almost 2 in the morning and I just got off work about an hour and a half ago. I'm tired. But I'll be okay. I always am. :) (Katee)

Super

We watched the Super Bowl but only after hitting the Goodwill 50 percent off sale. And then calling the gas company because we smelled gas outside when we arrived home. I apologized for calling him out (Katee actually called) during the game. He said his teams didn't make it.

After probing the ground with a long rod like thing and checking in the house he declared us safe. He said we were probably smelling a gas leak that belonged to someone else and it was wafting over. I had no idea "gas the stuff that heats your house" would do that but it makes sense since it is a gas.

By the time we got to watch the game we had to rewind the DVR and fast forward through the actual playing of football so we could watch the commercials. I didn't see them all but my favorites are: FedEx: Don't Judge, GM Stripping guys to wash your car, Bud Light English lessons, Bud Light Gorillas, CareerBuilder: Office Jungle Fight, Taco Bell Lions, American Heart Association, Frito-Lay Enjoy the Game, Meet the Robinsons ("I have a big head and little arms) and Budweiser Beer-Stealing Crabs. (Kathryn)

Damn TV

I had to take Katee to Willis Knighton Quick Care yesterday because she seems susceptible to growing strep throat.

Two things about modern life:

1. While hospitals are set at a nice icy 50 degrees QC was baking in heat. I had to keep going outside because it was so hot in there. It was either that or take my shoes and socks off 'cause when my feet get hot, I'm toast.

2. There was a TV blasting in the waiting room. Why? I'm a major remote flipper but there are some places you shouldn't be forced to watch television. What's wrong with nice and quiet? Or even elevator music? However, since this is Louisiana, all ours should be Cajun zydeco.

No strep for Katee. We just had to buy some nice cough medicine with codeine. Only ten bucks. I can't complain about that price. (Kathryn)

Will This Party Never End?

Who doesn't love those goofy paper party hats Brits wear? I've been remaking some long duster vest things and have an abundance of sleeves scattered about. I took them to mom's house Sunday and made everyone wear them while we ate chocolate cake and danced for four minutes to the song Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright from the Shrek soundtrack. This was the only photo that didn't have Katee's picture and she said the only way I could take a picture was if I didn't post one with her in it.

I then regaled them with my Samuel L. Jackson story:

On my birthday I was in the high limit blackjack pit on a fifty dollar table. I was shuffling the cards when a black man wearing a cozy hat approached my table. He didn't make eye contact. I said hi (in my friendly casino employee voice). It was after greeting him that I realized it was Samuel L. Jackson.

He switched directions after seeing the minimum bet was fifty and went to the twenty-five dollar table. I only had two players. The quarter table was loaded. Mr. Jackson came in with a white man and a white woman. The woman juggled a notebook. Both stood around while he settled down to play.

Seconds later there was shrieking and then the general yahoos started scrambling in from the regular part of the casino. The black man and black woman on my table agreed with me that there was no reason to act like you were raised in a barn and resort to hysterics when you spotted a celebrity. Finally, security was dispatched and Mr. Jackson was able to play a couple of shoes with a little bit of peace. I went on break and when I came back twenty minutes later Mr. Jackson had vamoosed. (Kathryn)

Not A Bad Birthday

This is what I woke up to on Thursday. I promised the person with the purpled out eyes I would not publish this picture but I apparently lied so I gave her a little bit of space by keeping her anonymous (I think it's okay that I lied because this was all a part of my birthday celebration).

Chocolate cake and Hy-top ice cream.

Ya-hoo. What more could a gal ask for?

Oh wait I forgot ...Samuel L. Jackson spent part of my special day with me.

The end. (Kathryn)

The End

News reports stated that Monday was the dreariest day of the year. It just punctuated what we've been feeling the last ten days or so. For Charlie the highpoint of sadness came when the tow truck carted away the Blazer last week after the insurance company declared it totaled.

A moment of silence for the music he lost...

While he did remove the stereo from the vehicle he forgot to remove the CDs from over the visor. The next day when he went to where ever they had towed it the CDs were gone. (Kathryn)

adulthood.

When did I grow up?

Somewhere between the mood swings and heart breaks and joy and tears, I grew up. I only say this because I've figured out how to be responsible. I guess it dawned on me last night when my manager from Blockbuster called to ask if I knew how to get a hold of Ken who hadn't shown up, I volunteered to go in. It was my night off and I was going to go in and close, when I had to open today.

I don't know why. I guess it's because I don't want to let people down. I don't want to look like a brat because I'm not. I've been thinking too much about this lately. There's so much that comes with being an adult. It's scaring me a little. I'd love to go back to being 14 again. :
I have too much on my mind to even begin to write down. (Katee)

Not a Military Family

We are not a military family. My father served stateside in the Korean war. None of my siblings served in the military. There was a point where my husband thought it would be a good idea if Katee wanted to enlisted. I nixed that idea. We are not lucky people. We do not win lotteries. But I have a feeling we would be "lucky" when it came to body bags.

The one family memory I have of the military is when a cousin came back from Vietnam with severe facial and brain damage. "He's just different now," was the only thing my mother's family would say.

On KTBS last night there was a story of a Shreveport mother who served in Vietnam and was now proud that her two sons were heading off to war. I watched the young man in the story and saw fear. The mother went on to say "I knew the day they enlisted, that they would face the reality of being in Baghdad." The youngest kid is a senior at Byrd and will be leaving for basic in May.

Faiza Al-Arji is a Baghdad mom who blogs. When bombs started raining down in her city in March 2003 she went to the flower shop to buy roses because she wanted to be happy in the last moment of her life. Al-Arji says the meaning of "Marine" in Iraq is murderer.

What's the chance that these two mothers of sons will ever sit down and chat over a cup of tea? I say this in my most radical feminist voice isn't that what being a woman is all about?

B-12

I forget how good B-12 makes me feel. I've slipped into the habit of only taking two droppers a day when I do better taking five.

This afternoon before Katee and I ride out to run errands, I slick the orange liquid under my tongue and then do it again before 4 p.m. I can feel the quiet in me and enjoy sitting on the porch knowing the litter box needs my attention but for a few minutes I'm connected to the world and not wrestling against it. (Kathryn)

Quick-Mix Concrete for Fortification

I know this is not timely but maybe if I jot this down I'll use it at the end of 2007.

It seems to me that the last two weeks of the year and a zombie attack have a lot in common. Brain dead folks running around in both situations! Especially near malls and big super stores.

My plan is to load up on supplies (food, crafts, kitty litter...) and hole up in a big secure compound 'til the thing blows over. I'll only go out for movies but then in this situation I might turn to movies on demand through my cable provider.

I thought up this plan when my brother and his family came to town to spend Christmas at his in-laws big compound in south Shreveport. They spent a lot of time schlepping supplies back from Wal-Mart. Surely there's got to be some place on the internet where Hot Pockets can be ordered?

I gloated over my brilliant idea of hunkering down for the last part of the year until that lady ran into Charlie on Wednesday -- well into the first week of the new year and proof that brain dead folks are out all the time. (Kathryn)

Goodbye Blazer?

A moment of silence for the little 1988 Chevy Blazer. Charlie was in an accident yesterday while on his way to work in Bossier City. A lady rear ended him and he slammed into another car.

The front and rear ends were damaged. Who knows if it will be totaled. It had 150,000 miles on it and wasn't worth much. Charlie is just sore and missing his little car.

It's been an exciting year for the Blazer. It was stolen and recovered in July. Now we'll have to see if it will survive its latest ordeal. (Kathryn)