Crazy In Shreveport

Holidays 2009

2009-11-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

It's November. Charlie was in the hospital last month with pneumonia. He was there for a week. Stopped smoking. Then he started smoking again. Needless to say I was not happy. I even threw things and broke them. I did not break my momma's red pyrex bowl.

Charlie's sister came to town for the weekend. Charlie took her to the Shreveport Fall Farmers' Market. I took her to the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival. She brought a nice bottle of wine from Baton Rouge and shared it with me and I taught her the delightful joys of boxed wine.

We Survived the Summer

2009-09-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Katee and her new hair. She's becoming quite the star on my Youtube channel. How to make art and work and take care of family. These are my struggles. So maybe I make art out of my family. Multi-task? (Kathryn)

Tender Popped

2009-05-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling tender popped and in need of a soft red sweater to hug my life...

Found the words "tender popped" on some trash blowing in the streets of Highland the other day while out walking the dogs. Took this self portrait at Sam's Town Casino earlier this year.

Katee finished the semester last week. Yay! Has a three week break before a big schedule of working at computer labs at school this summer. We're working on getting an art business up and going. (Kathryn)

The Small Green Vintage Suitcase Cradles Photos...

2009-04-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

... of our family and found pictures that are of other people's families. There are even some society pictures from the Shreveport Times.

I continue to work on my creative space. Most recently, I gathered up the six old suitcases I've purchased over the years. After thoroughly scrubbing each one, I'm now deciding what to store in them. (Kathryn)

I Need This Church...

2009-04-12T23:42:00.001-07:00

Creative

2009-04-05T15:47:00.001-07:00

Dead Squirrel

2009-03-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

I like walking Eko in the Greenwood Cemetery. We don't go very often and I'm sure he hates it because I walk him in a stop and start manner because I take pictures and collect flutters of fabric flower petals. He likes to gooooo!

We found this so-dead-he-looks-mummified squirrel when we were there in February. I took lots of snaps and then picked him up with one of Eko's poop sacks (clean!) and drove him to Deb's house. It was the hardest thing I've ever done because he would have looked so wicked on my shelf next to my taxidermied alligator head.

Not From Target

2009-02-13T12:21:00.001-08:00

We're painting the front room green. We found a discounted gallon ($5) at Lowes.

This is an organizer for mail and bills that I made from four wine boxes. I taped them together and covered them with fabric.

Why is Love so Hard to Do?

2009-01-13T12:21:00.001-08:00

Love my family and love my husband is my 2009 New Year's commitment. Trying to be nicer is hard. Maybe I need to go the the 24 Hour Church of Elvis. (Kathryn)

New Year's Day 09

2009-01-01T16:35:00.001-08:00

A trip to Lowe's is how we celebrated the day. (Kathryn)

Christmas Day 08

2008-12-29T00:50:00.000-08:00

I had to work Christmas Day but we had Christmas dinner earlier in the day at mom's house. I convinced my dad to let me take a picture of his boobie that might have to undergo a mammogram.

We all ate at the kitchen table, including John. We pushed the table towards the window and that gave more room for moving about. Katee was in Norway so it was just me, Charlie, my mom and dad and my brother.

Later in the day Auguste came by our house and delivered tasty divinity he had made. He stayed and talked with Charlie for an hour or so.

Norway Kate

2008-12-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

She's called twice and sent emails since arriving in Norway last Friday. I took this picture last Thursday morning when she was getting ready to have Auguste drive her to Dallas so she could catch her plane.

Finals Over!

2008-12-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Another college semester down for Katee. Some folks are on the four year plan. Some the five. Katee? We'll just celebrate each completed semester and tally them later.

And those glasses are so gone! Ask her about the day she spent at the eye doctor learning to poke her eyeball with her finger so she could get contacts. (Kathryn)

Back on Carbamazepine

2008-11-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

Charlie went to the doctor today. Doctor wanted to up the Carbamazepine. We looked at the bottle. Someone has not been taking it at all. At all. The last time it was filled was over a year ago at K-Mart.

Do you see why I want to run away? I'm never gonna get to be a super star or a super hero. Stoopid families. (Kathryn)

P.S. The video of Charlie having jerking movements is on May 23, 2008. I haven't processed it. It was a result of him taking Seroquel.

Trust You R Self

2008-11-11T01:33:00.001-08:00

...because I can't trust Katee's car because it keeps breaking. Charlie pushes on to figure out why it's being funky. Katee is counting the days she will fly to Norway. She'll be gone for Christmas. I'm just not sure how I feel about that. Happy for her. Sad for me. Happy for her. (Kathryn)

Obama Mama

2008-11-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

How can a college student not want to back a man who wants to make higher education more affordable? Katee is living in this shirt. (Kathryn)

Worship

2008-10-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

Goddess bless New Zealand! I need to go to a church like this. (Kathryn)

21 Katee

2008-10-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Katee is 21. We are celebrating for days... Here's a video of a man who turned 100. Not that when your 21 you worry about that but when you're the momma of a 21er the notion begins to enter your brains. Please no bent over in a wheelchair future for me...(Kathryn)

Fall Fall Fall

2008-10-16T11:54:00.001-07:00

Katee crawled in to bed with me today. She's not feeling well (brain). We may have to see about getting her meds adjusted. She's taking four classes at LSUS. In a week she will be 21.

Watched Graduating Peter this weekend. An HBO documentary about a teenager with Downs Syndrome. There were things he did well like bowling. And other things he struggled with like tying his shoes (why the hell didn't they just get him shoes with Velcro?).

And why the hell did they make him at age 15 start working at boring ass jobs -- sweeping out city buses, washing dishes and washing clothes. No wonder he was depressed. If I thought all I could do was crap jobs like that for the rest of my life, I'd be depressed. Crap jobs are okay if you are older and have to pay rent and put food on the table but one hopes you've got a plan to move into something you like eventually. But how do you know what you like if at age 15 you are never given the chance to discover your passion. Having mental retardation doesn't mean you can't have passion. Like riding on a city bus or something else.

Peter should have had the time to explore and develop interests. He reacted with typical teen boredom when forced to do what he didn't like. Who wouldn't? There are so many interesting things to do in the world why shut down his options like that? (Kathryn)

Secret Crush

2008-10-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

I had to struggle to get through the first episode I saw because the accents are so off. But... then somehow this thing has grown to be a favorite right up there with Pushing Daisies. Those are two shows Katee and I are enjoying together. DVRing lights up my bleak life.

How could I not watch it? The thing is set in a fictional town one hour north of Shreveport (Kathryn)

I'm Thinking About Doing the Etsy Jig

2008-09-26T12:00:00.001-07:00

Our Lady

2008-09-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

Before Hurricane Gustav sprinkled its way up here I spent $7.71 on hurricane supplies. We were advised to stock up on bottled water and food supplies that could be eaten out of a can.

Our limited funds meant we would have to risk it. We did have a manual can opener on hand so whatever was in the pantry could be opened.

I did end up going to the Family Dollar store and getting two white Lady of Guadalupe candles and two packages of tea light candles. I guess that means we are as stocked up as we are going to get. Now it's just wait and see what path Hurricane Ike is going to take.

P.S. I'm proud to say we've got six cans of tuna waiting as storm riding nibbles.

Hurricane Gustav Didn't Stop the Pick-Up

2008-09-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

...the rains are here from Gustav and our recycling just got picked up. That's dedication!

I'm not the only one who loves their new blue can. Darrell Rebouche and Robert Trudeau like'em also. This month another part of Shreveport will get roll their recyclables to the curb.

I Am So Sorry

2008-08-30T13:07:00.000-07:00

This is not my house.

My hoarding is not set to music.

I wish I just had a bowl for rice. I would eat with my fingers. And wear a ysaffron robe. (Kathryn)

Yipes!

2008-08-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a disturbing movie. My dad worked with many of these guys during his days at Mid South Wrestling.

I recorded the movie Monday. Now to find the time to watch it.

We are dreaming in SB Land

2008-08-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Haynesville Shale promise of riches has everyone buzzing. The New York Times covered it and there are rumors that the BBC is in town.

Fire on Prospect

2008-08-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

There was a devastating fire in the 400 block of Prospect on Monday. All the local media covered it. KSLA. Shreveport Times. KTBS.

No one was injured but the house was completely destroyed.

White Trash Green

2008-07-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Four screws from home, cotton rope and wooden clothes pins from Family Dollar. For about $3.50 we have a clothes line on the back porch.

Every little bit helps not to heat up the house. And save the earth. Oh. Yeah. That. Too.

Double Decker Bike

2008-07-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

I might need one of these. Found it on Sherri Talley's blog. (Kathryn)

Movies

2008-07-14T00:20:00.000-07:00

I finally erased these from the dvr:
Tiernery Gearon: The Mother Project Sundance
Tina Barney: Social Studies Sundance
I Always Do My Collars First KLTS
Peter Beard Sundance
Helmut Newton Sundance
Height of Sky Sundance
Iconoclast Eddy Vedder & Laird Hamilton
Making Waves: Louisiana's Radio Story KLTS
Summer Camp Sundance
Blue Vinyl Sundance
Yves Saint Sundance
Tom & Viv
The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros

The above pic, 70th Street Babe, has nothing to do with those movies. However she would fit in nicely with some scenes in The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros.

I Need to Live in this World

2008-07-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

There was an event today I wanted to go to but it was at a loud noisy place like my place of work. I just couldn't bring myself to go there. I feel all cracky. (Kathryn)

I haz the blahz

2008-06-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Feeling disconnected to everything. What is life? What is the purpose of being here. I seemed to remember knowing purpose when I was four. Somewhere along the way I've misplaced it. Could it be in my white Easter purse from 1967? (Kathryn)

so it's not just louisiana, then.

2008-05-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, it's Katee, writing my once a year post apparently. I felt the need to share this little nugget of information with as many people as possible, and I figured this would be the place to do it.

Before I write anything, read this article:

Kindergarten teacher makes class vote special needs child out of classroom

Holy shit. Really?

You know, I thought I had it bad in school. I always had these bitchy, angry, menopausal teachers who hated me and made sure my life was a living hell, but at least none of them ever had my peers tell me exactly why they hated me and oh, hey, you should leave the classroom now because you're annoying. I don't know when kindergarten classes became a democracy, either. Call me old fashioned, but I was under the assumption that the responsible adult was the one in charge of what happens in the classroom, but I suppose you have to get all Lord of the Flies on us when a classroom lacks a responsible adult.

In my opinion, the proper punishment would be for the teacher to be placed in front of a crowd and have all the people who don't like her tell exactly what's wrong with her and why they hate her and see how this bitch feels. What kind of god-awful human being subjects a five-year-old kid to something like that? Kudos to the mom for keeping her cool, man. Had that woman admitted to me -- completely unashamed, mind you -- that she put my baby through something that awful, I'm pretty sure I would have punched her in the face.

And as for all the people arguing that one kid with special needs shouldn't disrupt learning for all the "normal" students: fuck you, dude. I'm willing to bet 99% of the people with this opinion are upper middle class douche bags who don't want their kids exposed to anything out of the ordinary. Let me let you in on a little secret, though. If your kid grew up being around a more diverse peer group the world would probably be a better place because they would be familiar with people who are, you know, different. Ignorance creates fear and fear creates prejudice, so the next time Johnny says, "This kid Bobby in my class in being loud and annoying and I think he's retarded," maybe it would be a better idea to sit him down and explain that "retarded" is not the proper term and that Bobby has feelings, too, rather than calling and complaining about your little boy being exposed to somebody who is different.

I don't know why the teacher thought this was appropriate, but I really and truly hope she is banned from working with kids ever again, and God forbid she ever have a child with any type of special needs. I shudder to think what she would do if her kid had autism or anything of the sort because I wouldn't be surprised if she tied it up in the back yard or something.

Foam Head

2008-05-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

We've been working on sealing up air leaks in our almost hundred year old home. Bought a piece of styrofoam insuluation at Lowe's yesterday. Had to wedge it in on top of my head in the van to get it home. It made me miss the truck.

We're gonna create a box that goes in the attic and covers the opening of the attic pull-down stairs. Bought insulated curtains for Katee's room last week.

All a Twitter

2008-05-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

The good news is Katee has finished another semester of college. She made the Dean's list and I finally paid the last payment of the semester to the school.

Charlie took Seroquel this week. It made his body go all wonky. Captured it on video. Will post it later. He's not taking that anymore.

Discovered Twitter. Made a video on it and started a twitter.com account.

Cherub and Angel

2008-05-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

What lovely young people Katee and Auguste are. They spent Saturday and Sunday with their mommas and other family members.

Katee bought me a radio alarm clock. It's a much needed Mother's Day present since I broke mine a couple of months ago.

The other part of my present included the two of them taking me to church. They went to church with Auguste's momma Saturday night. (Kathryn)

My Brains Hurts

2008-05-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

I has hurted my brains by trying to learn to put together TV stories.

Think lighting, think good framing of shot, think of the story, think WWWWWH, think don't get shaky video, think, think, think think... (Kathryn)

My Spacing it Up

2008-04-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

I won a video camera from KTBS. It was in the house less than 10 minutes and Katee had to start taking pictures with it.

I could complain but since I bought her a camera a couple of years ago and have completely stolen it from her, I will not utter a word. Just blog a post on it... (Kathryn)

Eggs

2008-04-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

These egg cartons go back to my mother in Haughton. She's found a farm couple who sells eggs with the richest colored egg yolks you've ever seen.

We're living on hard boiled eggs around here. Now if I could perfect my egg poaching skills.

To learn more about Kitti and recycling click here. (Kathryn)

Wristcutters and Dirtfoot

2008-04-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Katee's semester will be over in a couple of weeks. She was an English major but I think she's switching to history.

We had a good weekend. Watched Juno and Wristcutters. Is it just me or does the music from Wristcutters sound like the kinda of music the Shreveport band Dirtfoot plays? (Kathryn)

How I Entertain Myself at Work

2008-04-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

I pulled this out of my lunch box. That's why it's got a little folds in the paper. (Kathryn)

Threads

2008-04-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

Vacation ended Tuesday night at 8 PM. That's when my work week started. I'm reading Jill Fredston's Rowing to Latitude:Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge and I think I'm finding some new ideas on dealing with a draining job even though the book really has nothing to do with that.

I'm intrigued by the trailers for the new Jackie Chan and Jet Li movie The Forbidden Kingdom. There's a lot of swirling fabric in it. I might not wait for DVD on this one. The last movie I saw, Fido, came courtesy Katee and Netflix. (Kathryn)

Silent Film of Our Bottle Garden

2008-04-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Experimenting with the camera on movie mode. The bottle garden grows in the front yard of our house on Dalzell Street.(Kathryn)

Recycling?

2008-04-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

Ms Peachez has found a better use for one of those red Family Dollar carts. I discovered this fun Shreveport character about a year ago.

Vacation time means playing around with You Tube and contemplating making my own movies.(Kathryn)

Vacation Middle

2008-04-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

Day five of a nine day vacation. I've cleaned a little. Haven't taken many pictures. Went to the doctor with Katee today. Now I'm washing dog beds and contemplating washing dogs. Did wash Bebe the Maltese a couple of days ago. (Kathryn)

Dog Fat

2008-04-09T01:35:00.000-07:00

The best way to pass the time while waiting in line to pay for groceries is to read magazines. It's amazing the things you can learn such as: if your dog is obese, help has arrived.

By the way, I've always noticed fat people have skinny dogs and skinny people have fat dogs. (Kathryn)

Monday: Waiting for the Trash Man

2008-04-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

Bird watching from the front porch, contemplating cleaning out the litter box, pounding thighs for Chicken Parmesan... it's been an exciting start to my 9 day vacation. (Kathryn)

Surgery Boy

2008-04-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

I wasn't on top of what Charlie was doing with himself (medically) so he had surgery two Fridays ago. Surgery on both feet that will probably do more damage than the original condition. But if you say "take a pill or cut on you" he's ready! He's a true American Hero because of all the money he's donated to area doctors and hospitals. (Kathryn, dripping with sarcasm and one day away from vacation).

Pretty Babies

2008-04-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Some of my nieces and nephews are in town because their mother (my sister-in-law) is sick and she is staying with her mother. I've not spent much time with the kids because of work and my wacky schedule -- working nights I'm awake when everyone else is asleep. Next week is my vacation. I'm ready. Maybe I can play with the babies then. (Kathryn)

Pinked

2008-03-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Almost three hundred dollars. That's how much we paid to fix the pink Honda two weeks ago.

Then this week in the parking lot of the Salvation Army on Stoner Street it wouldn't start again. I called Charlie. He came because the AAA membership is in his name.

I went home for coffee and water for him. He stayed under the hood jiggling wires. Just as the tow truck was seconds away from arriving he found a loose wire and attached it. Tinkerbell started. We canceled the tow and headed home to find black electrical tape.

He's my hero because I hate car trouble but with two vehicles that both have over two hundred thousand miles, it happens. (Kathryn)

Hammered Copper

2008-03-27T11:39:00.001-07:00

Charlie's kitchen remodel continues.
This is the "new" countertop, which is the old one sprayed with Krylon Fusion for Plastic Paint Hammered Finish in copper.
See the old yellow laminate ones here . (Kathryn)

First Mow

2008-03-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

Charlie cut all the fresh spring weeds down today. Everytime I see these mini hills of green I think of my youth in Oklahoma's Green Country. How convenient for Easter egg hiding after these tender leaves mound up. (Kathryn)

Gas Face

2008-03-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

$3.15 a gallon for a gas at Circle K in southeast Shreveport on Saturday morning. I'm suffering from a severe case of "Gas Face." Priceless! Was in the hoity-toity section of SB Land to take care of nieces and nephews. Shot some lovely pictures of them. Yay for getting my creative on! (Kathryn)

Bye Hy

2008-03-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

I penned a ode to Hytop. This economical brand is leaving the shelves of the local market:
Oh great cheap brand of premium quality. You of great strength and value with added savings to my Thank You Card, who will take your place to help me feed my family so I can save enough to put $4 gasoline into my mini van?

On the bright side I have tasted the new brand's no-salt canned corn. Food Club tastes good. By the way what's up with canned corn? Regular not only has salt but sugar added. To get non-sweetened corn you have to go the no-salt route. Food Club apparently also has organic items in its line. (Kathryn)

Spring Clean

2008-03-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Charlie's been cleaning. Moving couches and firing up the attachments to the vacuum. It's the sap rising and him not taking any carbamazepine.

Spring seems to be the time when he's most manic. In past years he's gone several months without sleep. For the last several years he has had a good psychiatrist watching over him. But Dr. B quit practicing in November. Charlie finally got in to see a new psychiatrist yesterday. In the meantime juices are flowing, deep cleaning continues along with Dollar Tree kitchen remodel. (Kathryn)

Blizzard-o

2008-03-07T03:42:00.000-08:00

Snow is in the forecast for SB Land. We have no provisions. It is the day before pay day. Pray for our souls.

Meanwhile... Charlie's min pin Skye is tucked under the electric heating pad awaiting the blizzard. (Kathryn)

Return

2008-03-03T12:19:00.001-08:00

I work at a riverboat casino in the Shreveport Bossier area. This is our busy time of the year. It's because folks are spending their returns with us. Is it better to spend it with us or buy some more junk? Modern day life confounds me.

More SB Land casino adventures here here here here here. (Kathryn)

Money Draw House

2008-02-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to squeeze in making more art. These photos are from a new piece called Money Draw House. The photos are of the little palm sized book attached to the fabric strips of the house.

I'm feeling a renewed urge to produce after hearing about Shreveport artist Frances Drew passing away. Four of my pieces will possibly be a part of the exhibit called The Money Show at artspace in March.

I'm trying to convince Charlie to team up with me to submit ideas for the Katfish4Kids project. He knows finishes and loves to paint. (Kathryn)

Forgetting Sickness

2008-02-25T11:19:00.001-08:00

How would it be to wake up one day and not have bipolar illness and the costs that come with it in our lives? Sometimes this thing is heavy to drag around and other days it's barely there but it is always lurking.

At least I'm not in denial. My brother was supposed to come here and get help with his alcoholism (but my family of origin (FOO) won't even call it this). Maybe treatment. Instead he's job hunting and has found one where he has to commute two hours a day even though he doesn't have a car. And even though the reason his wife kicked him out was because he was driving drunk with her kids in the car. My parents would have to let him drive one of their vehicles. And FOO people are thinking this is a good idea. (Kathryn)

Sugary Treats

2008-02-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

Lately, the only reason I pull into a Southern Maid parking lot is to take pictures, not buy hot pastries. I'm trying to eat healthier and that means donuts are no longer one of my main food groups. Not that I miss them. Although my favorite Southern Maids are the chocolates with cream cheese filling.

This location is in Bossier City near Bossier Parish Community College. I have a crush on Highway 80. I want to write a screenplay that centers around The Strip. (Kathryn)

Discuss

2008-02-18T08:59:00.001-08:00

There is a young man in Baton Rouge we are worried about. He's been arrested for arguing with the police after drinking, drugging and driving.

While Charlie and Katee discussed the grief this fella is causing his family I spied and snapped pictures. And while I share their concern, I stood inside the house being thankful. (Kathryn)

Words

2008-02-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

We've been writing notes to each other this week. Charlie's (pictured on the left) tend to be nicer than mine. I'm pretty hateful. Katee even wrote me a tender missive and left it on my pillow.

In this time of text messaging and voice mail it was ironic that a chunk of our chosen form of communication involved paper. How retro were are. But still out of touch. Charlie needed stamps today and even though I had them I couldn't tell him what the current rate is for first class post. So we stuck two 33 cent stamps on the front and clipped the the letter to our mailbox.

Negotiations are underway for a nicer version of my note to go on the thermostat. (Kathryn)

Kitchen Update

2008-02-10T22:45:00.001-08:00

My brother came over to help paint the kitchen ceiling. He and Charlie used a paint that starts out purple and then becomes white when it dries. I was disappointed because it was a pale, pale purple. I guess I wanted Jolly Rancher Grape.

From the cheap remodel department: Charlie is redoing the floor with tiles he's purchasing from Dollar Tree. I promise pictures this week of the frugal floor. Who needs a $50,000 makeover when you can shop the everything's a buck store? Only the best over here at white trash central. (Kathryn)

Puffy Chair

2008-02-04T01:42:00.000-08:00

My new favorite movie -- The Puffy Chair. How can you not love a movie with it has its own myspace page? The makers of the flick grew up in New Orleans.

Besides that movie chair looks like it could be related to a chair we used to own. (Kathryn)

The picture above is not the movie chair. It's just curbside trash in my 'hood.

Gone

2008-01-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

People with bipolar disorder are at great risk for suicide if they are not getting treatment. The National Mental Health Association reports that 30%-70% of suicide victims have suffered from a form of depression. Men commit almost 75% of suicides, even though twice as many women attempt it.

It's not that I dwell on those facts. It's just that they hover over my thoughts daily while I struggle to keep my family well.

About the picture: I do not know Elvin Smith. I took the picture of his memorial wreath at the entry way of a local Wal-Mart. I suppose his co-workers displayed the marker to remember him. It seemed strange to see this in a place so all about consuming and exchanging and daily life. While I took this photo the alarm went off when someone exited the store with a high dollar item and the little security thing hadn't been deactivated. Chaos. And there was Elvin looking surprised. (Kathryn)

Paints

2008-01-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

Charlie is painting the kitchen. We're not getting rid of the fish theme. Just toning it down a bit. It's a good winter project. Except when the day he paints the back door turns out to be the coldest of the year and we have to turn the heat off while the door stands wide open to dry.

It's a good thing he's doing the work because this is the perfect project I'd start and never finish. Wee, for having handy boys around the house. (Kathryn)

$hopping

2008-01-20T21:35:00.001-08:00

I'm spending way too much money at Wal-Mart. I went there yesterday and again today. Funny thing is we don't buy any drugs there. Those we get from K-Mart, Walgreens, QVL and sometimes CVS.

The scary part of today's trip was I thought we were going for enchilada fixin's but Katee had a list. A Katee list. She requires more beauty products in a year than I've gotten in my entire life. I had one Flicker razor that my mom made me shave with for the entire time I was in high school.

When we tally up the order it's over a hundred dollars. Katee pops up and says "I've got twenty."

"Where'd that come from?"

"Gas. Money. You gave me."

"You better keep that for gas."

"Just thought I'd offer."

We did go to the Family Dollar store and buy dog pee pads. Share my wealth with everyone is my motto. (Kathryn)

Please?

2008-01-11T19:01:00.000-08:00

Miss Kitty now has to nibble at the center island since we have a new kitchen table and we are actually eating at it. The old table just used to house clutter and Miss Kitty's feeding station.

Orange tabby is not happy about the change. But then when she first came to live with us, she stayed in the back room for over a year before she decided to come out and explore the rest of the house. (Kathryn)

Work and School

2008-01-10T11:48:00.001-08:00

House Hunters on HGTV last night had the story of a young woman who was getting ready to buy her first place. She was looking for a condo in the city where she had gotten her first job. During the course of the show it was revealed she was thirty years old and this would be the first paycheck she'd ever earned.

Granted, she was a medical doctor but this makes me rethink how much we're expecting of folks with bipolar disorder. If a "normal" person made it all the way through school and was never required to work, why do we demand a bipolar person get a job? Are we pushing them to be our definition of normal? Are we expecting too much?

Katee starts at LSUS this semester after completing a couple of semesters at BPCC. BPCC is also where she got her GED. The GED program there with Becky Turberville is awesome. All the work is done on computers and she loved that. (Kathryn)

Totally

2008-01-07T21:33:00.000-08:00

When Charlie was in a coma in 1993 he got bedsores on his feet that completely ate away the back of his heels. The left foot patched itself up. The right foot has always had an open wound festering on it.

His new doctor has decided to put him into a "total contact cast" to see if that will cause the open parts of the foot to close. The cast helps sores heal because it protects the skin and prevents pressure from being put on the sore.

He gets a new cast every week and has been wearing one for six weeks. When he goes back Friday to have this one removed the therapist says he might have progressed enough and won't need a another one. (Kathryn)

Glowy Like Holiday Lights

2007-12-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-04T12:09:00.001-08:00

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

2007-10-31T10:55:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-16T08:00:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-08T07:34:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-09-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-10T07:02:00.002-07:00

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

2007-08-28T10:27:00.001-07:00

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

2007-08-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-21T09:11:00.001-07:00

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

2007-08-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-02T13:47:00.001-07:00

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

2007-07-30T09:28:00.001-07:00

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

2007-07-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-17T11:12:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-07-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

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'

2007-02-23T13:05:00.001-08:00

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

2007-02-16T14:30:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-02-08T23:42:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-06T12:49:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-01-29T20:55:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-01-15T21:14:00.000-08:00

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)