I'm Back!

Hello Catty-Wampuses!
The Lizzy is back. We had a real good trip to the south-land. Some highlights:
It was hotter than Hades and I perspired in places I didn't know you could sweat. We stayed in a gutted-out, non-air conditioned school (thanks to looters) and was tempted to sleep in the nude but didn't want to traumatize any of our teenagers.

I worked harder physically than I ever have in my life. I weed-whacked, mowed, shoveled, pulled down and bagged insulation, cleaned toilets and passed out water to some homeless dudes.

I ate craw fish and gumbo, steered clear of the tasteless sections of Bourbon street in the French Quarter and saw a cross-dresser named Ashley (who took it upon herself/himself to direct our young and naive group away from 'Gay City'--many thanks to Ashely).

I'm covered in mosquito bites, have a little poison ivy on my arms but thankfully didn't get burnt--let's hear it for SPF 50!

I developed some deeper relationships, met some interesting people I could learn a lot from and got to explore a new city with my husband. And I only started to miss the Squeezers on Thursday.

I saw many abandoned, gutted and overgrown houses, deserted neighborhoods and blocks upon blocks of razed home sites. But--the people we encountered were ever so thankful for the help.
I have loads of laundry and things to catch up on from being gone for a week but over all I had a really great time and enjoyed being away from my daily grind.

Hope all are well. There are some more pics on facebook.
Lizz

oh, yes...and Molly graduated

Have I successfully made you all feel old?

Lookout Mountain

I just realized that I can now add pics!!! This is from last week when Daniel came down and we took him to Lookout Mountain and also canoeing. He and Eric were on the front and back of the canoe rowing and I saw sitting like the queen in the middle in a lawn chair...with an umbrella of course! We looked pretty funny...and even funnier when Eric jumped in, hooked a bungee from the tip of the canoe to his trunks and pulled us for a while. I guess he wanted a workout!

Cake Baking

Cats -

So I'm embarking on a new interest tonight...I'll be making a teddy bear cake for my friend Steph's baby shower. My grandma always made us our cakes and she left me all her cake decorating stuff when she passed away and I have just now dug it out. I'm so excited about it because I don't normally get to do these sorts of things!! I'll send you a pic.

As we speak, V and Scott are probably loading up the truck to head to Carmi. Eric and I so wanted to go over and help you guys load up but just couldn't make it work in the schedule. I hope Scott rounded up some guys to move furniture!!!

Got my haircut and dyed yesterday - I actually have a hairdresser now that I can call 'my hairdresser' or 'hair girl' or whatever! She has this fun little place called 'the french quarters' in downtown chattanooga and I feel so chic when I go down there. I get to sip on a coke and read magazines while my hair gets beautiful. it's more money than i thought i'd ever spend on my hair...but it was time to get beyond the $16 supercuts haircuts since I was getting what I was paying for. Plus, I figure I'd better have decent hair since I'm in the 'beauty industry' now. :) just writing that makes me giggle.

Lizzie, have fun in New Orleans...It cracks me up that you call your kids 'the squeezers'. :)

and bets, what's this about lake erie catching on fire once??

Au Revoir

Kitties...I'm headin' south to the land of craw fish, levees and beads. We said our goodbyes to the Squeezers this afternoon. I had a good cry and dwelt on all my morbid thoughts of orphaned children for about 10 minutes and then I was in working order again. It's bittersweet to leave your children for any length of time--as I'm sure you all know.

Well, I don't have much more to say. I'll think of you guys as I eat some gumbo and listen to jazz--oh, and as I build some houses too!
Liz

pictorial documentation of the Lake Erie Fiasco

As promised...some pictures from our infamous trip to Lake Erie. Just imagine trying to get the sand off of a twisty wiggling baby! Wish you all could have been present.

To Thee Oh Johnson...

Hello My Dear Kitties...
Well, it's 11:05 pm. Eli is held up at work and rather than tend to the mounds of dirty laundry in my room I decided to roast a marshmallow over one of my oven burners and make a s'more (or two!). As I was eating my s'more I read CCU 514--Cincinnati Christian University's equivalent to the Blue and White (we are now on their mailing list for some obscure reason). Anyway--CCU puts out a nice publication but I didn't know anyone in it and that got me to thinkin' how I miss the people of my alma mater. You must all be busy, like I myself seem to be, since no one has posted for awhile.

Let's see...what's been going on...Oh, Kleppy and I had a delightful time visiting the Politte fam. Jenney, Kenna, Duncan and I arrived to find a cute and preggy Fulty with her two bitty babies. It was a sight to see Anderson, Adeline and Duncan all rolling around on the floor together. Our visit was pretty typical for us Cats. I learned what 'bilabial fricatives' are from Fulty and got a facial from Klep. We supped together at various restaurants, stayed up late talking and even had a horrid, yet hilariously memorable, visit to the Lake Erie beach. Let's just say that babies and sand do not go together. Hopefully Klep can provide our group picture that a reluctant lifeguard took of our sorry selves. The kids and I also got to enjoy time spent with the Klepper clan. Mrs. Klepper graciously hosted us, helped with my children and introduced us to the family Chinchilla.

In just a few days Eli and I will be heading to New Orleans. I have a good book set aside and my grandma taught me this little quilting piece that I can work on--I'm now set for the 15 hour drive...yikes! It should be fun and I'm eager to have a break from the kids.

Well, Eli's still not home but I think I will retire to my bed to read.
Hope everyone is well
Love Lizzy

Heartbeat

We had our ultrasound today and we got to see a tiny heartbeat. It is amazing that something the size of a grain of rice can have a heartbeat! There is also just one baby in there so that was a relief- not that twins would have been bad- just a higher pregnancy risk and I figure I have enough risks going on. I will go see my regular OB probably next week. The doctor said my due date would be around Feb. 1. We are excited and praying for an uneventful pregnancy!

babies and weirdness

Girls are wonderful! Fulty-Camilla has always been a favorite of mine and I know Mandy has always like that name! Bets-so happy things are going well with your pregnancy! Well we are heading North, to the land of corn and coal around June 26 or 27! Lizzie, I will only be about 3 hours away!! I hope to see more of you! Scott and I went to South Beach Miami last week without our children! It was wonderful, yet difficult at times to spend so much concentrated time with my spouse, definitely not used to having sex more than once a week! I saw lots of beautiful naked women and partially naked men, met very few people who spoke English, and looked everywhere for the CSI Miami crime unit! We did spend a day in Key Largo, which was beautiful and went to the Everglades! I saw several alligators, which was terrifying! For the kitties nearby, we are having a birthday party for Gabe Monday, June 16, at around 6:30! You are all invited! Well gotta go for now! Take care!
V

Liz is Wierd.

Enough said.

Meow.
Mandycat

How 'bout 'Gypsy'?

Congrats on the girl a remember, you can always use the name 'Gypsy'. Gypsy Politte has a nice ring to it! Can't wait to see you guys on Monday. I'm eager to see your little neck of the woods.
s
Well, the fam and I just got back from Fort Wayne to visit my sister and Heath. It was a good visit. They are currently living with Heath's dad and step-mom at a lake house until they find a home of their own. Heath graduates from chiropractic school next week and is already working in a practice with his brother. It's nice to have them nearby again. I really want my kids to grow up near their aunt, uncle and future cousins.

Needless to say we spent much time out on the lake with Amy and Heath. Heath's brother has a stand-up jet ski and I rode on it. It's a lot harder than it sounds! But I decided that it was something that I was going to master and I did!

Well, Duncan is being a complete fuss-pot so I better see what he wants.
liz

Names...

Or Lacie (Lacey, Lacy). Ughh. I don't know. -Fulty

Good news

I had more blood drawn today and the doctor called back and said the number was around 4000. She said she had to check it twice because she was expecting it to be around 2000. Her next words (which were a relief) were that it doesn't mean twins just that the placenta is working real well which is good. I am going on Tuesday to have an ultrasound with the specialist and if everything looks good from there I will start seeing my regular OB again.

Congrats Fulty on the girl! Cute names too. Have fun with Klepper and Liz.

Fulty's News...

We had our ultrasound this morning, kitties. It's a girl! We haven't decided on a name, yet. We are tossing around Cali or Noel. Who knows?

Also, I am very excited to report that I will finally be receiving a Cat visit! Klepper and Lizzie are coming to my house next week and I am overjoyed!

Love to all!
-Fulty