Daily Stuff: Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Oops!  Where did the time go?  If you know the answer to that one – please let me know!  Here’s What I Wore Today (thrift, thrift and more thrift store items) and some catching up…

::  Outfit  ::

Top  ::  (Thrift) red tank, (Thrift/Cathy Daniels) sweater

Bottom  ::  (Thrift/Ann Taylor) slacks

Shoes  ::  (Thrift/Cato)

Jewelry  ::  black beaded drop earrings, silver charm bracelet, silver XOXO watch

Exercise  ::  Absolutely Nothing! 

::

The past few days have been a blur!  Sunday I had my Downton Abbey Dinner here at the house.  We ended up having 10 altogether and stayed up w-a-y past our bedtime but so worth it.  The Menu:  baked ham, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, several desserts and red wine.

Monday:  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Hwy 1649 here in the county.

Catherine Staat, Representative Terry Mills, Governor Steve Beshear, Blaine Staat (Director of Liberty/Casey County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Authority) and Senator Vernie McGaha

I love being able to say to the Governor, “It is so nice to see you again!”    They are really nice guys to know and work with and I do look forward to seeing them again – especially the tallest guy!

I had a meeting with a client at the end of last week and have been working on that project since.  I STILL have a course to finish and test to take.  At least I passed my background check! 

Lilly’s boyfriend made it back to Germany today and we are making plans for the summer.  I think Lil will be flying over in June and then they will fly back together to the States in July.  We are looking forward to seeing him again.  I’m thinking my daughter more so than we are dontcha know!

I am back on Facebook again – a necessity with clients.  I won’t be as involved personally as I was before.  The saddest part was finding out that someone within the county created a fake profile in order to leave comments – not so much harassing me but you could tell there was an underlining…deceptive…round about…underhanded way of knocking me down.  I had my suspicions before as to who I thought it might be but never did I think it would have been this particular person.  Now…I know and although sad to find out…it is also a relief in knowing.  The next part:  understanding.  I am choosing to ignore it this go round and will keep the faker and what I call an Internet Troll’s  true identity to myself (my husband and my IT guy)…for now.

Ending on a positive note…I am back into my skirts!  Cutting my sugar down has been key.  I’m still enjoying them but in moderation.

That’s it for today!

xo Cat

Daily Stuff: Thursday

Refrigerator Soup!  It is what’s for dinner!

 

I love making this soup!  The recipe is simple and a great way to clean out the fridge.  Whatever you have that you think would make a good soup – throw it in the pot.    Today it was:  turkey, onion, carrots, celery, broccoli, rice, seasonings and about a handful of shredded cheese (added later).  Bring this to a boil and let it sit n’ simmer.  This soup is always best the next day but Blaine and I enjoyed it with a slice of homemade bread slathered in butter.  Yum!  Perfect for this cold January day.

::  Outfit  ::

Top  ::  basic tank, (Thrift/DCC) blouse

Bottom  ::  (Levi’s) jeans ♥

Shoes  ::  (5th Avenue) leopard print sling back heels

Jewelry  ::  (JCP) multicolored beaded necklace, crystal drop earrings, silver fork bracelet, silver heart charm bracelet & XOXO silver watch

And…

Coat  ::  (Target/Merona) classic trench

Exercise  ::  Stationary Bike – 40 minutes

::

I could not sleep worth nothing last night.  Ugh!  My mind was going 100 mph.  This happens when I start working on a project.  I have a very difficult time shutting things off.  They say if you keep a pad of paper and pencil next to your bed at night, where you can write your thoughts down should help.  This only makes me think even more.  If I have made the effort to get up, turn the light on and write something…I’m UP!  After tossing and turning all night, I finally “woke” around 5:30 am and started where I left off…more thinking.

Grrrr!

Needless to say, I got out of bed one cranky girl.  No need to talk to me – just hand over the coffee and no one will get hurt.  Really, it is much safer that way! 

Later In The Day…and after making the soup, I headed out to take pictures of the property we bought.  I want to document the before, during and after with photos.  The skies were clear blue and the sun shining…it was gorgeous!  You can’t stay grumpy for very long when you got that staring you in the face!

God has been so amazing with this whole process.  There have been confirmations left and right about our new little project.  Blaine and I are very excited.  It makes does my heart good to see my husband excited about doing something he is passionate about.  To me, that is all that matters!  With our children almost grown, this will be a great investment and a much-needed write off.

::

New Year’s Resolution:

I will spend a few hours each week learning something new.

I came across a really neat link (from a commenter on another person’s blog) about learning online for free.  Here is the link:  Open Learn University.  I will use my laptop or my daughter’s iPod Touch (when I go to the gym).  What a great way to make the time go by.  I will be exercising my body along with my brain.  I know!   I can’t help it.  Multitasking is one of those challenges I will just have to accept!

::

I still have a course to go through and test to take for a program I will be doing.  I am assuming my background check came back fine or they would not have sent me the test link. 

I am being purposeful about the things I put on my plate these days.  After my mil’s death, my dad and just recently, my aunt…I have had more than a shift going on in my life.  It has seemed more like an earthquake.  Despite waking up a bit groggy this morning…I love it.  My enthusiasm is back but with more punch than before.

That is about it for me today.

Blaine is baking something downstairs that is smelling incredible.  Dare I investigate?  O.0

xo Cat

Daily Stuff: Wednesday

::  Outfit  ::

Top  ::  basic black tank, basic charcoal gray pullover

Bottom  ::  (Pink) yoga pants

Shoes  ::  (Avia) runners

Jewelry  ::  diamond solitaire studs

Exercise  ::  Stationary Bike (40 minutes)

::

Another pull your hair back get to work kinda day!

I spent most of the morning & afternoon working on a the first stages of a website.  I got so involved this morning that I forgot to eat breakfast.  I don’t recommend doing that but once I sink my teeth into a project…you won’t see me for hours.  I get blissfully lost in what I’m doing.    Thank goodness Blaine came home for lunch or I would have kept right on.  Eventually, around 4 ish, I would wonder why my stomach was growling. 

After lunch, I hopped on the bike in hopes of clearing my head a bit, showered and went right back at it.  That is just how I am.

I did manage to get all the Christmas decorations boxed up and put away as well.  Did I mention I like to multitask?

Yep!

Planning a Downton Abbey Party here on Sunday.  Just a few close girlfriends, lots of yummy food and 2 hours of Downton!  I saw a tweet on Twitter the other day where someone asked what was Downton Abbey.  Not sure if they were kidding or not but surely they have heard of the show?  Right?!  O.0

Speaking of tweets.  I noticed that a lot of them have been about new year resolutions:  bucket lists, ideas of what to do and some non-resolutions resolutions.  One person mentioned that it was too much pressure and would rather just show the results.  I like that idea but I also like listing or speaking out my intentions for 2013.  Some things I will accomplish and some I won’t – and that’s okay.  The one or two that don’t get checked off the list may start a discovery or journey into something completely different.  Gotta love that!

That is pretty much it for this day.

xo Cat

Daily Stuff: Monday

I hope that everyone had a fantastic holiday!  We had a busy one that went by way too fast.

Blaine has been busy baking in the kitchen today.  He made cinnamon rolls (we apparently needed more sweets dontcha know) and white bread.  The bread finished baking just in time for dinner – green pea soup with ham!  Mmm mmm!  Is there anything better than bread right out of the oven?  Just add some butter and you have yourself a slice of heaven right there!

::  Outfit  ::

Top  ::  (Forever 21) tank, (Danskin) jersey

Bottom  ::  (Target/Mossimo) yoga pants

Jewelry  ::  diamond stud earrings, silver heart charm bracelet, (Claire’s) watch

::

Today was a definitely a casual day.  I spent most of the morning locating the Christmas decorations around the house and collecting them on the dining room table.  I am hoping we can do the same with the tree later on.  Traditionally, one is supposed to wait until the day after Epiphany but this girl is ready to clean up and get the new year started!

Despite all of the goodies we had this past week (2 apple pies, 2 pumpkin pies, 1 lemon cream pie (gift from a neighbor) and 1 Black Forest Cake) along with the turkey, ham and all the sides – I enjoyed everything but in moderation.  When I hopped on the scale this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had lost 1 pound since last week.

This inspired me to go for a walk by the river and take the dogs – much more fun that way.  Ellie went first and then Otis and Anna together.  It is near impossible to take all 3 at the same time.  All training they had goes right out the window.  All in all, I walked 2 1/2 miles – brisk pace with some light jogging.

Anyone thinking about their new year resolutions?  Do you have a list started? 

Working on mine and will share on the sidebar later on.

I pray that everyone has a year filled with blessings!

Happy New Year!

xo Cat

Daily Stuff: Friday

 I’m here!  Just busy as a little bee! 

My brother and his wife will be arriving here tomorrow evening and my daughter and her boyfriend on Monday.  I have been cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning.  Nothing like having company to get your house in order! 

I woke up this morning sore all over which tells me I need to get my hind end in the gym.  I have lost 4 pounds since cutting back on my sugar and plan on working off the giggly bits with more than just a 40 minute bike ride – after the holidays.

We are still going back and forth to Carolyn’s place.  Last week I pulled a muscle in my back while pulling stuff out of her attic.  Eww-wee  that just makes me so mad.  I don’t have time for this!  I got things to do!

I think part of it was a bit of stress.  Not with my family visiting but with another situation we are dealing with.  I’m not sure how much I want to go into it just yet.  It is still a bit too close to the surface and wish to keep my comments forward moving.  But…I gotta tell ya!

These people are not helping!

It’s about all I can to do not to bite my tongue clear off.  While “the situation” was there with us, saying and doing things, I had to walk away and hide out in the barn for a few minutes to cool my jets so that I would not say something I would later regret.

It is almost to the point of it being necessary and when I say it, it will be direct and very much to the point and there will be no misunderstanding when I get through.  My mother used to tell me, “Catherine, you are about as subtle as a meat grinder!”

For now, it is best to walk away, keep my cool and remember grace despite how one is behaving.

On a more positive note…we bought a piece of property this week!  We submitted an offer, there was a counter offer (to be expected) and we accepted.  The closing should be mid January.  Then…the fun part begins.  Lots of renovations to the building and some pretty cool future plans.  More on that later.

::  Outfit  ::

Top  ::  (Thrift/Gap) sweater (Thrift/Mark Alan) leather jacket

Bottom  ::  (Local/Levi’s) jeans

Shoes  ::  (Target/Merona) mules

Accessories  ::  (Thrift) belt, (Thrift/Cashmink/V.Fraas) scarf

Jewelry  ::  (JCP) silver hoop earrings, (JCP) XOXO watch, silver heart charm bracelet, (Local) silver forks bracelet

Fragrance  ::  Chanel No. 5

::

For the next few days I will be hanging out with my family!  Y’all have a Very Merry Christmas!  I will try and post on Twitter (https://twitter.com/athomewithcat) or Instagram (instagram.com/catherinestaat) or both.  If you are on either one, let me know and I will be sure to follow you!

Much Love, Cat

Daily Stuff: Monday

How do I wear black and white?

 

With a little bit of red! 

My favorite colors to wear are black, white, red, gray, turquoise – winter colors.  When I go shopping (thrift/consignment) I look specifically for those colors first then the cut or style.  Wherever I am, it has to catch my eye or I move on.  You have to do that when faced with a l-o-n-g rack of clothes.

With the cool weather we are having, I get to pull out sweaters I haven’t seen since last year.  It’s like getting a new wardrobe!

::  Outfit  ::

Top  ::  (Thrift) sweater

Bottom  ::  (Local/Levi’s) jeans

Shoes  ::  (Thrift/Cato) shoes

Accessories  ::  (Wal-mart) scarf

Jewelry  ::  black/silver stud earrings, silver heart charm bracelet, (XOXO) watch

::

Otis, my cute little bug, and me.  He wears his black and white with a little bit of brown. 

Leftovers was on the lunch menu today.  Last night I made a ham and broccoli tart using leftovers from the week – simple Sunday supper turned into Monday’s lunch.  Making our meals bounce over here.

 

Lunch time is one of my favorite things.  Blaine joins us if he doesn’t have a meeting and/or if he does, we wait until he can get home.  We catch up on each other’s morning and the news and whatever else comes to mind.  It is our time.

 

On the days the kids and I have something planned, we try to make sure we have lunch together even if it means eating earlier (or later) than we normally do.

This is one of those things I am so very thankful for.  Sometimes it truly is the simple things that mean so very much.

xo Cat

Drunk Moose Meatballs | It’s a #SundaySupper Holiday Event

Reblogged from The Foodie Army Wife:

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This time of year is a special time for families, friends and loved ones to gather together. For some, it is the only time each year that they get to do this. They come together, laugh, share, remember, cry and hold on to memories of past years and holidays gone by. Part of the mission for the Sunday Supper group, is bringing back that family dinner time.

Read more… 1,300 more words

If you have not met Conni, The Foodie Army Wife, you are in for a treat! And I mean that literally! Her cooking is unpretentious and she helps you with step-by-step instructions and pictures that make you want to dive right in. Enjoy!