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February 28, 2008
Cre8Buzz
I was invited to cre8buzz by RealWorldMom and within 24 hours, I had a bunch of new frieds! How cool is that? Here's my ranking...
Not bad for a newbie, eh?
Posted by Cate at 07:39 AM | Comments (5)
Today's The Day
I"m working today!!! Hooray!!
In fact, I am working tomorrow too, as a substitute secretary at one of the schools. Wish me luck and I'll let you know how my day was when I get back later today!!
Wheeeeeeeeee!
Posted by Cate at 07:00 AM | Comments (2)
February 26, 2008
Budget Speech
Our "esteemed" Governor will be making his budget speech in about 5 minutes - you can watch or listen live on NJ101.5 or on NJ News 12.
I can't wait to hear this load of crap.
UPDATE
Man - I am so glad I am not the Governor - I actually felt sorry for him having to deliver that speech. I hope this tax plan works. Read the budget here or check out some of the details:
HISTORY _ The proposal seeks the second-largest spending cut of any budget in New Jersey history and would mark only the fourth time since 1951 that the budget will be smaller from the previous year.
PROPERTY TAXES _ Property tax rebates for households that earn more than $150,000 would be eliminated. They would be cut by a third for households earning between $100,000 and $150,000 and sliced for renters.
OTHER TAXES _ No new or increased taxes proposed.
SOCIAL SERVICES _ A co-payment for Medicaid is proposed, and the state's FamilyCare program that provides health care for low-income workers faces funding cuts.
HEALTH CARE _ Hospitals face cuts in aid.
SCHOOLS _ Would get a $550 million increase in state aid. The state has been giving schools about $11 billion per year.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS _ Municipalities face cuts in state aid, which municipal officials contend could mean higher property taxes and police and firefighter layoffs.
STATE GOVERNMENT _ Proposes cutting about 5,000 jobs through early retirements and layoffs for state workers. The agriculture, commerce and personnel departments would be eliminated.
LESS SERVICES _ State parks and motor vehicle agencies would see reduced hours.
HIGHER EDUCATION _ State colleges and universities face aid cuts
FINISH LINE _ Nothing is official until the Legislature adopts a plan and Corzine signs it. A plan must be approved by July 1.
TOLLS _ Corzine also seeks to increase highway tolls to pay state and fund transportation, though that plan is separate from the budget.
NEXT YEAR _ A $1.7 billion budget deficit is projected for 2009.
Posted by Cate at 11:46 AM | Comments (1)
February 25, 2008
Like They're In Prison...
Of course you all remember Sarah Silverman and her infamous video dedicated to her boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel where she confesses she's f*cking Matt Damon, right? Well, it seems that Jimmy Kimmel also has a confession to make....
SO not safe for work!
Posted by Cate at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2008
Attention Jersey Bloggers!
Where will you be on April 5th?
Hopefully attending the SPRING BLOG FEST EAST.
Fausta and Jim have arranged another Jersey blogmeet. There will be good peeps and, if it's half as fun as the last blogmeet, you can damn well bet it will be a good time.
Posted by Cate at 04:57 PM | Comments (2)
February 22, 2008
Finally!
Well - we got some snow - about 2-3 inches - this morning. People around here were going *nuts*. I swear to God, don't these people remember the snow blizzard we had 11 years ago? Now that was some crazy snow! The Governor closed the roads and no one was allowed to drive.
Husband and I were renting in a really cute duplex in Asbury Park. Yeah, I know Asbury is a dump but the one section where we lived was pretty decent. Husband's car was, at one point, completely buried under the snow. I think I have a picture of him standing on the snow drift that was covering the car. To add more fun to the critical weather conditions, I was 4 1/2 months pregnant. I had no balance to begin with so add some ice and I was slipping and sliding everywhere.
Here's a few pics from a different snowstorm in 2004:
In this picture, Husband had to go out the back door because we were unable to open the front door due to serious snow drifts. He ended up hopping over our 6ft stockade fence because he was unable to open it due to the massive amount of snow piled in front of and behind the gate.
We paid this guy $20 to shovel out all the snow from the end of our driveway and the road. He did it in 10 minutes. If we shovelled it all out ourselves, it would have taken 3 hours. Seriously.
I decided - at 7am - to cancel Eldest's afternoon Girl Scout meeting. It was snowing and looked like it could be a potentially messy situation later today. Of course now, as I glanced out my bedroom window, it's not snowing at all. ::sigh:: Maybe that's not a bad thing as I can just relax at home and work on laundry. Ewww - laundry.
Stay warm people. Enjopy the snow!
Posted by Cate at 10:30 AM | Comments (1)
February 19, 2008
Officially - I'm Official!
I am now a proud badge carrying school aid substitute! All I need now is, well, a job. I can't work any days the rest of this week so hopefully I will get some calls for next week.
Youngest got a set of two spacers put in today. They look like tiny blue Cheerios. See?
She's not entirely happy they were stuck in between her teeth but so far, two hours in, she's being a good sport. Methinks there will be a dose of Motrin in her future.
My house smells delicious - tomato sauce and sausages - bubbling away nicely in my crockpot. I am also going to make some raviolis for the kids. Husband, on the other hand, will be feasting on sausage sandwiches. Since I am on WW, I will be fasting feasting on lasagna florentine!
I've been good with drinking my water, especially since a lot of the prepared meals have so much sodium. So, between water and decafe tea with sweet and low, I've been using the facilities quite a bit!
Ok - off to make a giant salad. Ciao!
Posted by Cate at 04:33 PM | Comments (3)
Shoe Leather
Earlier this morning, I bought a package of turkey bacon. It was hard to decide which package to purchase - ready made or a full pound of uncooked. I decided on the ready made. Since I am attempting to lose some weight, I have been following my WW points and drinking a ton of water.
'Scuse me whilst I run to the bathroom
While preparing the family's dinner tonight of sausage and sauce (I'm eating a WW meal and a salad), I figured what the hell and nuked up 2 pieces of turkey bacon. Two slices are only one Weight Watchers point.
Taking a bite, I chewed and waited. I came to this conclusion. Turkey bacon tastes a lot like I think shoe leather would taste if I ever decided to eat shoe leather. Awful doesn't begin to describe the taste or the texture. It was just bad.
::sigh::
I wonder...how many points would it be for just the shoe leather?
Posted by Cate at 01:08 PM | Comments (5)
February 18, 2008
More pics
Posted by Cate at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)
Hey there - anyone reading this old mess?
Geez - I've been awful at updating. Busy doesn't even begin to describe life around here. Here's what's been going on:
- Our trip to NYC had excellent results. Dr. Sicherer determined that Youngest is no longer allergic to fish and shellfish. AWESOME news! Now I just need to figure out how to cook seafood.
- Visited with my brother, sis in law, and six month old nephew this weekend. He's adorable!
- Oh! I got my state approval from the Deptartment of Education. I can officially work in the schools now. Hooray!
- Husband and I got some work done in the extra bedroom - which we have turned into a computer/tv room. We got a great deal on a carpet and picked up a table and two chairs for the computer. I need to pick out curtains.
- I am going to get some new kitchen dishes. Any suggestions?
- Eldest, her friend, and Youngest spent the day at my mom's place working on crafts. They always have a great time.
- I have been helping a friend of mine work on the yearbook for our (Eldest's) daughters' school. I love taking photographs. I wish I understood my camera a little better. Maybe I will take a night class... in my spare time of course!
- I can't believe I forgot this one - Eldest's basketball team made it into the "playoffs". The game was on Saturday. At the half, they were losing 19 - 4. During the second half, I don't know how they did it, but the girls kicked ass and came back to WIN with the final score being 26 - 25. Talk about crazy cheering! I think all the parents for our team were about to have a coronary from all the cheering and screaming. Interesting fact - the team was down by two girls, only having one sub for the whole game! They were incredible.
How the hell are you guys?
Posted by Cate at 09:29 PM | Comments (4)
February 14, 2008
Happy "Get Some" Day!
Posted by Cate at 07:00 AM | Comments (3)
Steve Lonegan
I snapped a quick pic tonight at the meeting - sorry for the crappy quality. Steve was very well spoken and shared quite a bit of information about New Jersey and what AFP is all about.
I'm off to bed... got lots to do tomorrow!
PS Happy V-Day!
Posted by Cate at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2008
Tell the Gov What YOU Think
Governor Corzine welcomes the opportunity to consider your recommendations for spending cuts for the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget.
If you would like to send your recommendation(s) to Governor Corzine, please take a minute to complete the following form.
Gee - do you really think he'd take any suggestions other than his own?
Posted by Cate at 10:28 PM | Comments (1)
Americans for Prosperity
Tonight I will be attending an American For Prosperity meeting at the local library. Steve Lonegan will be there and I am looking forward to hearing him speak. I have been following the Flying Pigs Coalition on NJ 101.5 and I am so outraged about all this government spending. Wecome to NJ - leave your wallet at the Statehouse.
Anyway - so I shall listen to what Mr. Lonegan has to say and make the decision as to whether I will support him or not. Something must be done. I can't see living out the rest of my life in this state. It's forcing people to leave in droves due to rising taxes and our fat-assed well padded politicians.
Posted by Cate at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)
February 11, 2008
Awesome deal
You may hate me but I just bought a new winter coat for Youngest.
For next year.
How can you beat a $110 Columbia jacket marked down to $34.50? $34.50 people!! Can't forget the bib snowpants for $12.00 either.
Thank you Kohls!
Posted by Cate at 10:27 AM | Comments (2)
February 04, 2008
Flopper Bowl
Oh Tommy... why hast thou foresaken me? You were so close.. but yet, so so far...
Freakin' Giants.
At least House was awesome tonight. I was thrilled that the patient's name was Kate. I told Husband I was going to find the soundbite of House saying "Kate, are you ok?" ::swoon:: He's sooooooooo dreamy.
I'm off to bed... I know I'll be having some sweet dreams tonight!
Posted by Cate at 12:09 AM | Comments (6)