Thursday, September 23, 2010

Ratdog


Large rat…or small dog? You be the judge.

I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that Duncandog is rather pissed at me for his latest hairstyle…skinned ratdog. I tried to tell him that it was all the fashion rage on the dog runways in Canine, France…and that his new style shows off his legs...but he wasn’t buying it.

Duncandog hadn’t been to the groomer in a dog’s age, so I instructed Terri the-commando-groomer…to take it all off. Not Terri…I don’t need to see her sans clothing. I’m talking Duncandog….sans hair.

I tried to explain to Dunks…that it was what he needed at this time, and that he would look great…in about 3 weeks. But he kept turning his back on me. Apparently he would rather sit in the room and face the wall than face the Kat. The other day he protested with three loud barks while facing the south wall. I know what he was saying to me, “Screw Off, Kat.”

It’s my own fault that I’m in big do-do with Duncandog. I should never have let him watch The View last week. But I gave in, because he was begging so hard to watch Barbara Walters.

Posh Spice…aka Victoria Married-to-Hunky-Six-Pack-Soccer-Star Beckham...happened to be the guest that day on The View. And don’t ya know…she showed a picture of her Bulldog, Coco. The audience went crazy over Coco…because bulldogs are UGLY adorable…PLUS she had Coco’s toe nails painted hot pink. I’m guessing Coco has all the Labs and Rottweilers this side of Fifth Ave, chasing after her.

Anywhoooooooooo……

After Duncandog saw Coco’s flashy toe nails…and how Posh gives Coco the royal treatment…he was furious with me for turning him into such a bow-wow.

I guess I owe Dundcandog an apology, “Rorry, RuncanRog.
Rease, Rorrive, Re.”

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Bedbugs Bite


“Sleep tight ...don’t let the bedbugs bite.” Nothing like sending little ones off to Slumberland with visions of bugs gnawing on their skin.

I never used to give the little buggers a second thought. I thought the phrase was a harmless old saying from the Colonial Period. But it seems, bedbugs are tired of sleeping around. They want to take a more prominent place in the world.

Bedbugs have found their way to hotels, movie theatres, and retail stores. It seems even Victoria Secret has been bitten by the bug. After all these years...now we learn her little secret...Victoria has bugs.

Anywhooooooooooooo..............

Here are a couple of bedbug precautions to take with you while you’re traveling.

Get a good look at what is in your hotel bed by turning on the lights and pulling back all the bedding. Make sure you’re not sleeping with the enemy.

Bedbugs are not microscopic, so if they are present...you’ll see them. They are easily spotted with the naked eye. Just make sure to keep your naked body out of the sheets before checking.

Another tip....put your suitcase on the luggage rack instead of the bed. You don’t want to bring bugs home with you in your luggage. It will give new meaning to “Hey kids, look what I brought home for you.”

Being the informative Kat that I am, I did a little research for you...which has left me with a creepy crawly feeling.

Bedbugs are hardy little devils that can survive a wide range of temperatures. Below 61°F they enter semi-hibernation and can survive for at least five days at 14 °F. Their thermal death point is 113 °F. Bedbugs apparently cannot survive high concentrations of carbon dioxide for very long. Natural enemies of the bedbug include cockroaches, ants, spiders and centipedes.

So a remedy appears easy: Set your thermastat at temperatures below 14 F or above 113 F, release carbon dioxide into your ventilating system, or invite colonies of ants, spiders, and cockroaches into your home. Those bedbugs are as good as dead, should you still be around to notice.

So the next time you venture out...be VERY careful you don't pick up bedbugs that are hitching a ride. No matter how much they offer to give you for gas.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Different Strokes for Different Folks





It seems that if you are a celeb or someone with political clout…the rules that apply to us common folk…don’t apply to the rich and famous. To borrow a line from Arnold, I call it “Different strokes for different folks.” What’cha talking about Willis?

Well, Willis…I’m talking about people like Lindsay Lippy Lawbreaker Lohan and Paris Pouty Pampered Hilton. “The girls” get in and out of trouble faster than my car can get an in and out of a Jiffy Lube.

The latest celeb to find trouble is Justin Beiber. (Oh, Baby…say it isn’t so.) Justin threw a water balloon at a state trooper before his show at the Maryland State Fair. Maybe Justin couldn’t help himself from horsing around at the State Fair…because there was so many equine around. And maybe it was all just a prank...but WHO gets away with throwing ANYTHING at a state trooper?

Actually...The Beib threw 2 water balloons at 2 different cops. One balloon broke on a trooper’s gun belt making a splash…and the other one bounced off a trooper’s belly. I guess that trooper has all those jelly donuts to thank for sparing him a wet front.

Anywhoooooooooooo……….

The Beib appears to get special dispensation for his actions because of his haircut...you know, that Nike Just-do-it swoosh haircut he sports. But Willis, it just doesn’t seem fair to the rest of us that there are different strokes...for different haircuts.

I think Justin Beiber should have to face some form of punishment for pummeling a state trooper with a water weapon. I’ve got an idea. At Justin’s next concert…people should be allowed to throw tomatoes at him…just for fun.


Or maybe just give him a haircut.


Baby, baby, baby, ooo...Baby, baby, baby, oooo

Friday, September 17, 2010

Losing Face2Face Time


With all the advances in technology over the years, we have lost...face2face time. There are fewer and fewer reasons for us to look each other in the eye. A person could easily become a hermit and never step foot from their house.

Anywhooooo……......

I hear you challening me about the notion of never having to leave the house, so you ask…”What about.........?”

Work? With a computer and cell phone, you could work from home in your bathrobe ...just keep it closed, por favor.

Food? Grocery stores deliver…just order online and the truck dumps it at your front door. No one will know how big your sweet tooth has grown.

Entertainment? Watch concerts and movies on television. Order DVDs through Netflix. Besides...video stores are becoming obsolete...which brings the upside: You won’t have to worry about running into irritating Ina.

Banking? Automatically deposit your check and do your banking online. Never run the risk of meeting a bank robber face2scary mask.

Post Office? Get your stamps and shipping boxes online. No worries about someone going postal on you.

Pictures? Print your pics at home and digitally enhance your appearance.

Shopping? Buy anything you want online….gizmos, Elmos, or ammo...they got it all.

Music? Download digital music...especially the band, Dear Havanah on iTunes or at DearHavanah.com. Record stores are old school and closing all around us.

Books? Order a Kindle and download books and magazines...keep it clean.

Friendships? Stay in touch with old friends online, the cell phone, or texting. Make new friends online through social networking sites. Stay away from Craigslist...you could meet the Grim Reaper.

Education? Take classes online…and get an online degree. You won’t have to sit through a 4 hour graduation ceremony.

Exercise? Move your butt to exercise routines on TV, DVD, or Wii games. Nothing like a little Wii golf to throw your back out.

So there you have it...no reason for face time.

Wait…just thought of one. If you throw your back out...you’ll need to see a doctor. Darn docs don’t make house calls anymore.
Wat up wit dat, Doc?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Season Four


Anywhooooo..................

It’s the middle of September which brings a new season of television. Must See-TV. Oooo yea. The pilot season promises a new line-up of shows...cop shows, sit-coms, contrived reality shows, dramas...and a new CSI city...CSI Simsbury, CT.

But lucky for YOU…September also brings a new season of Kat’s Blog...Season Four. Yahoo...Mountain Dew. And like the TV shows that ended last spring with cliffhangers...and intriguing storylines designed to keep you coming back for more...my blog will be no exception.

I have a great line up of blogs planned for you this year. It will be a blog year full of surprises and give-aways. Think Oprah giving away those all-expense paid 8-day trips to Australia. Then think....No Way. Never Happen.

Okay, I don’t exactly have the bucks of a Ms. Winfrey. Wait, just realized why Oprah is the “Queen of Give-Aways.” It’s her last name....Win Free. It’s only natural that people on her show win free stuff. Plus...she’s loaded...in a monetary way.

Well, I’m loaded too. And it’s only 9 am. I’m loaded with ideas for blogs that will entertain slash irritate you. And most importantly, I’ll answer the provocative and burning questions from where I left off. The cliffhangers to entice you to tune in............

Did Duncandog pack his rubber toys and leave home, because of consistently constant undogable living conditions?
Did PaulA get a hole-in-one, or was it ONLY in his dreams?
Did Wishy, Colinboy, and Big C miss Kat so much they moved back home, or was it ONLY in her dreams?

This will be a season of Must-Read Blog Entry. Trust Me...you won’t want to miss a minute of it.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Happy Blog Anniversary To Me





Today marks the THIRD anniversary of when I first started writing this blog. 3 Years, folks! That’s a long time in dog years...let alone Kat years. So today I am reprinting the VERY FIRST blog that I wrote on September 13, 2007.


Anywhoooooooooo..........it went like this:


What to do…….Well, let’s see….My “To-Do” list has lots on it...Stop and Shop, clean bathrooms, (why did I want more than one?), laundry...but I don’t want to tackle my list. I find all those chores irritating, I guess that’s why they call them chores, eh? So here I sit thinking, “Hmmm, maybe I’ll start a blog and avoid doing chores for a little while. Then maybe later I’ll feel inspired and get busy. There’s always hope!”


For some reason, I like writing online. I have three children...and the two that are away at college have said that I am much more fun to talk to when I’m online. We’ll see if anyone out there agrees…..............


One thing I do when I write online is use dot, dot, dot, like this………… It’s a good segway …..so that I can change subjects…..and think while I write. It’s almost like a written “ummmmm”….. and it gives people a chance to take a breath when they are reading. (You breathe when you read, don’t you?)

To introduce myself....My name is Kathy-Anne or like my husband and friends call me, Kat. Before I was married my initials were K.A.T.…so Kat makes a fitting nickname. I am still not sure why my parents gave me a double first name. We were not from the south, unless you consider that the state of Vermont is south of Canada. Then there is the enigma of a missing middle name...which gets confusing on applications and registrations. Sometimes I throw them a bone and give them “Anne” if they must insist.


I like the name, Kat although I do not have a cat. I don’t dislike cats, but I just don’t have one….I own a dog. Oh, and his name is Duncan. He’s a Portuguese Water Dog. I don’t know how fitting the name Duncan is for a Portuguese Water Dog, but he’s stuck with it. My sister-in-law's family got a dog like ours and named him Magellan. A Portuguese explorer is a very fitting name for a Portuguese Water Dog. Why weren’t we that clever?

So it’s September and the kids are back at school. And I’m at home...on the brink of an empty nest. I‘m so thankful that I have 3 kids that are spaced out over 5 and a half years... (Wait, they are not spaced out kids)...this way my nest doesn’t get dumped all at once. I honestly do not know how moms of twins or triplets do it.


My oldest child, Chelsea, is a senior in college and not excited about graduating in May and joining the Real World….unless it’s the reality TV show. She likes to think of herself as the boss of the kids…and the other two let her think she is. She has earned the name “Big C” given to her by her brother and his friends. She has also commented on how she’s been the guinea pig kid child. She may have a point. We are hoping to have it right the third time around.

Colin is a sophomore in college. I call him Colinboy and not really sure why, but it’s just one of those family things that happens and you forget why. He’s been referred to as “Six Degrees of Colin"...like Kevin Bacon. He just seems to know many different people from many different circles, and if you don’t know him, he knows you….does that make any sense???


Okay, quickie Colinboy story to give you an example. We were at a Red Sox game and I saw a man eating an enormous piece of meat, that looked like turkey or chicken. I’m talking the whole animal and it was very gross. There was food falling from his mouth and grease dripping from his face, that he didn’t even bother to wipe off. So being the immature mom that I can be…I said to Colin, “Hey, check out that man eating animal to your left!” He looks over and says, “Oh, I know that man!” I said, “Come on Colin, how is that possible?” Colinboy watched the game for a few minutes and then said to me, “I remember now, I’ve seen him at the Y….he goes to the same YMCA I do.” There you have it, enough said about Colinboy.

Then last, but not least is Brianna. First of all, she does not like it when I either say or write “Chelsea, Colin and Brianna”…she insists I take the “and” out. I guess it makes her feel like an afterthought, but I explain to her that it really distinguishes her and gives her the spotlight that she so deserves! Our nickname for Brianna, other than Bri…..is Wish, Wishy, Sweet Wish, Wish Queen, or Wish Queen of America! Okay, it’s a little corny, but when she was really little, I would sing the Disney song “A dream is a wish your heart makes,” along with the musical score from Les Miserables (jk)…and then whisper good night “Sweet Wish”. Awwwww. Anyway, Wishy is a junior in High School and I am desperately holding onto her before she also leaves for college...and leaves me to me!!

So that’s the rundown on my 3 kids and 1 dog...nicknames and all. I do have 1 hunky husband named Paul. I don’t have any cutesy nicknames for him like love bug, babe, or honeybunch. I call him Pauly or PaulA. It totally cracks me up that his credit card and airline tickets print his middle initial “A” right next to Paul so it looks like PaulA. Even flight attendants like to tease him that he doesn’t look like a Paula. There are other times when he’s traveling for business, I like to call him “Willy”……you know, Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman. PaulA’s a great guy who works hard for the family. After all, he’s got 3 kids and a wife who hates to do chores, to feed!

I should end now. I plan on sharing stories...some personal...some public, but all with a Kat’s brown eye view of life. No major life issues will be solved here.


So I’m warning you...I’ll be back………katOUT

Saturday, September 11, 2010

The Mourning of September 11th


I remember the morning of September 11th nine years ago…stepping outside and looking up at the sky and thinking it was going to be a Top 10 Day. Summer was turning into Fall. The sky was the bluest of blue…no rain clouds in sight. The air was cool and crisp…the sun's rays were warm. At 8:45 am… Tranquility turned to Devastation. It was a day of contrasts.

Today marks the ninth anniversary of the September 11th attacks and we remember all who lost their lives that day. We remember the 2,974 innocent men, women, and children who were going about their daily lives that beautiful September morning…to have it all suddenly taken away.

We remember the heroes that sacrificed their lives to save others. We honor the firefighters, the police, and emergency workers who worked to save lives. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those who were lost that day.

However you decide to commemorate September 11th is your choice. Whether it's through a special ceremony, moment of silence, prayer, or flag flown…it’s your choice. We are fortunate to live in this great country where we have the freedom of personal choice. We honor those men and women in the Armed Forces who work to defend and protect our freedoms.
September 11th…Just remember….Never forget.