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January 31, 2009
Poor old blog
Talk about one sad and neglected blog. I've got one right here. What can I say? That I'll try to do better? That I will try to update on a daily basis?
Ok - I'll do my best!
The girls have been crazy busy which, in turn, makes me crazy busy. Girl Scout cookies, basketball, working, family obligations.. the list goes on and on...
They haven't done so well selling the Girl Scout cookies. In fact, t his is the worst year ever for them. They will be lucky if they manage to sell more than 65 boxes, each. But - with the economy heading into the tank and lots of people around here losing their jobs, it's hard to find extra cash for anything...
Let's go for some happier news.... oh.. how about my STEELERS?? Wooooooooohoooooooooooo! Let's win it again boys! I'm predicting a win for the Steelers (of course) - let's say 28 - 24
Oh yeah.
Posted by Cate at 09:10 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2009
Another fun family day
This past Saturday, my family and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Liberty Science Center. Since I am a writer for the the New Jersey Moms Blog, which is part of the Silicon Valley Moms Group, I was lucky enough to be able to attend this event.
I had never visited the Liberty Science Center but Eldest and Husband were big fans, having visited several years ago before they closed in 2005 for renovations. Eldest and Husband were quite excited to find out that we were getting the chance to visit again. Youngest had never been there either and was also very jazzed to go as well.
Since we were coming from south Jersey, Mary Meluso, one of the coordinators of the event, graciously allowed us the opportunity to arrive several hours before the start of our event (which was at 1pm) and pick up our admission wristbands early. We did arrive at 11am - due to a late start by us. Unfortunately, we didn't make it in time to catch one of the Imax shows - Adrenaline Rush - but we decided to walk around and check out the different floors. We stopped in at the Jennifer A. Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching to check in and let the staff know we were in the building and we'd be back at 1pm. Right outside the Chalsty Center is this fabulous sphere - hanging from the ceiling.
Very cool!
We visited all the floors and saw the following exhibits:
Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact - the largest exhibition on the subject of skyscrapers in the world - with artifacts from the World Trade Center, a walk along an I-Beam two stories above the exhibition floor (my girls wouldn't do it), an earthquake-shake table, a glass-Schindler 400A mid-rise Traction elevator, which is open to show how the elevator moves, the machine room, and the pit, and much more. Very fascinating and a little sad to see iron main beams from one of the World Trade Center towers. This beam was bent nearly in half and it brought tears to my eyes to see it.
Communication explores human communication in four areas -- body and language; symbols, signs, and writing; print, audio, and video; and signals and networks. This was MY favorite section. I loved one particular hands on display that allowed a user to create vowel sounds based on the amount of air forced into the device by level of emphasis. I couldn't stop making the display say "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" and "ooooooooooooooooooooh" and "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" softly and then again very loudly.. over and over.. and over again. I was laughing so hard I was literally crying. Yes - I was channelling my inner 12 year old boy. Guess you had to be there.
Infection Connection - helps guests understand how individual actions may affect global health issues. The most interesting exhibit to see was a giant blue nose that actually sneezed (only water - thank goodness) to demonstrate how germs are spread when a person sneezes. Completely grossed me out! Plus, we witnessed a little girl and her Dad get "sneezed" on and we couldn't help but giggle at their reactions. Yes - I know.. but you would have laughed too! What was horrifying were all these little kids rolling on the floors, putting their hands in their mouths.. argh! Germ central!
Our Hudson Home - teaches guests about the wildlife and ecology of the Hudson River. Eldest's favorite exhibit by far. It was fun to see all the fish, turtles, and other sea critters.
Energy Quest - explores different energy types and the technologies to harness these. I think this was Husband's and Youngest's favorite. Everything is hands on so they all got to play with all the exhibits.
We also got to sit in for some live experiments including:
Sub-Zero - which was all about liquid nitrogen. We came to this experiment late but it was WAY cool. ::pun intended:: I want some to play with at one of our Brownie Girl Scout meetings!
Eat and Be Eaten - this exhibit of life animals explores the predator-prey relationship, offering lots of live animals including deadly vipers, amazing puffer fish, and scores of other creatures. COOOOOL! There was a oogy gross cane toad (frickin' HUGE!) and I swear, I thought it was going to come off the table and bolt out the door. But, it just hung out on the table.. very weird!
We also got to watch One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure. Yeah, we were all a bit too old for it but it was totally cute. I miss the Sesame Street days with my girls. We got to go into an inflatable planetarium which was really awesome.
All in all, we left the Liberty Science Center around 4pm. They gave me a great backpack and the girls picked up a couple of the new style aluminum water bottles. We all had a wonderful time and we are looking forward to our next trip up there sometime soon.
Posted by Cate at 10:35 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2009
WE DID IT!!!!
The Steelers made it! SUPERBOWL baby!!!!!!!!
Posted by Cate at 10:21 PM | Comments (3)
January 16, 2009
Friday Linky Love
Just a quick post to let you know - so you can all be sooooooooooo jealous - I will be visiting with Liz aka This Full House on Monday. Too bad I have to bring my two daughters - Eldest Beast and Youngest Beast - with me. After yesterday's massive behavioral melt-down (don't even ask), I am loathe to bring them anywhere except a lost and found bin.
Joking people - just joking...
ANYWHO - I am looking forward to spending time with her and her lovely family. Maybe I will even see Garth (not his real name!) again. In fact, you should go visit Liz. Look at this cute button for her blog:
Isn't it adorable? It's almost as cute as Liz and her family. Oh, did I mention that I will be visiting with her on Monday? [/snarky]
Enjoy the three day weekend! I know I will.
Posted by Cate at 10:28 AM | Comments (2)
January 13, 2009
Tonight is the night!
Guess who WON'T be watching American Idol tonight? I am so sick of that show.. I've never been a huge fan of the show and, frankly speaking.. I just don't even want to hear any more about.
[/rant]
Phew. I feel better now!
In other news, I am still trying to pick up some jobs. There are none to be found. So, I am starting to look around in the papers and online for a more definite part-time job. I have to seriously figure out how it will impact the rest of the family. I don't want to get a job then have to hire a babysitter to watch the girls. Sure, my mom is local but I can't have her watch the girls *all* the time. So, I've been watching the papers and spreading the word with people that I am looking for employment. ::hint hint::
::sigh::
I am looking forward to attending an event (free!)at the Liberty Science Center on Saturday. Let me know if you plan on attending as I'd love to meet you and your family. My girls are excited too. Eldest *loves* the LSC.
Free is good.
Posted by Cate at 10:50 AM | Comments (3)
January 08, 2009
The Six Picture Meme
I haven't done a meme in quite a while. I saw this one on Kat's blog and it looked like fun. I'm not assigning it to anyone in particular. If you do participate, please send me the link - I'd love to read your story!
Click below for picture and story..
This is a photograph taken by me when Youngest and I went to see Blues Clues Live! at the Patriots Theater in the Trenton War Memorial wayy back in February of 2003.
I just realized that I had written a blog entry about our trip so go read all about it here!!
If you want to play along, here are the rules:
1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
2. Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture.
3. Post it on your blog and tell the story that goes with the picture.
4. Tag 5 people to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog telling them about it.
Posted by Cate at 01:21 PM | Comments (1)
January 05, 2009
A Brand New Day
.. and my house is quiet.
Q U I E T
Love it.
I've already got dinner in the crockpot (sausage and meatballs). My house will smell yummy pretty soon. I do love my crockpot. I have to research more recipes that are allergy safe (and tasty!) and still use "normal" ingredients. Between that allergic to's and the "eww my food is touching/mixed", it's a bit difficult!
I am trying to motivate myself into getting my Christmas decos all packed up and put away. I think I am going to have one more cup of coffee before I get started. I haven't ready ANY blog in over a week. I hope everyone is well and had a great holiday.
Posted by Cate at 08:57 AM | Comments (1)
January 01, 2009
Happy New Year!
Still alive and kicking.. way way behind on blogging. Even more behind on laundry, cleaning, and packing up all the Christmas stuff.
Anyone want to come over and help me?!? Pretty please?
Posted by Cate at 05:23 PM | Comments (2)