tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50126374817866178692024-03-14T13:51:51.565-04:00Turning 30, Walking 60 ...Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-66384522549450521772010-04-10T15:33:00.002-04:002010-04-10T15:45:11.455-04:00It's been a while ...So, it turns out that when I'm busy (and happy, did I mention happy?), I find less time to write. Seems logical, except that the last few months have been full of material -- ridiculous things, exciting things, and possibly life-changing things.<div><br /></div><div>Here's a quick rundown of what you've missed ...</div><div><br /></div><div>- many fun evenings (and days) out in January, getting to know an especially lovely lady</div><div><br /></div><div>- so many <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpxiCxO5k0g">feet of snow</a>, it's hard to remember now exactly how many there were</div><div><br /></div><div>- the first glimmers of house-hunting fever </div><div><br /></div><div>- a crazy trip to Florida for a business meeting, cut short by the threat of *more snow*, and a white-knuckled private jet flight home a day earlier than planned</div><div><br /></div><div>- bad dogs, including one bad dog who locked himself in the bathroom (turns out, MacGyver I'm not)</div><div><br /></div><div>- vegetarian Skyline (who knew?)</div><div><br /></div><div>- my 31st birthday, complete with a drag show, Dar Williams and Amish food</div><div><br /></div><div>- more house-hunting fever, including the possibility of a decision being made very, very soon</div><div><br /></div><div>- Easter in Ohio, which was crazy and exhausting, and completely wonderful</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned for what promises to be a busy and happy spring and summer -- complete with home-ownership (eep!), my 10-year college reunion (double eep!) and celebrating the lovely lady's 28th birthday. </div><div><br /></div><div>Training for this year's 3-Day is gearing up; as always -- your support is encouraged and appreciated. Click the link on the right to give ... </div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-53234231158653187022010-02-04T23:26:00.002-05:002010-02-04T23:26:39.000-05:00Wow.Just wow.<div><br /></div><div>You know, sometimes things work out, even when you're not expecting it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cool.</div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-16228771409797183452010-01-24T10:24:00.002-05:002010-01-24T10:41:23.425-05:00You've got to be kidding me!I had a lovely evening out last night. Despite the overall wonderfulness, I must say that I was shocked (shocked!) by the general disregard for movie theatre etiquette displayed by movie-goers in White Marsh, MD.<div><br /></div><div>We went to see <a href="http://www.lovelybones.com/?gclid=CLfVgPytvZ8CFaM45QodLhgb3A#home">The Lovely Bones</a> -- Stanley Tucci's turn as a completely disturbing (is there any other kind?) serial killer. The movie was well-made, and I think I would've possibly enjoyed the performances, except for the ridiculous crowd.</div><div><br /></div><div>Teenagers. Boatloads of teenagers -- the worst of whom were escorted out of the theater before the show started -- who apparently had nothing better to do on a cold Saturday night in January but sit in a movie theater, and demonstrate the fact that they clearly were raised without manners.</div><div><br /></div><div>It did, to their credit, make a potentially scary movie less scary -- but it also was a generally disappointing commentary on 'kids today' -- and their parents, for that matter. Note to self: maybe the polite people go to matinees ... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-51225702704856607332010-01-11T19:39:00.002-05:002010-01-11T19:57:45.879-05:00Feeling sad.Sometimes, being a grown-up and a professional means doing things that make you unhappy. Today was one of those days, and since specifics wouldn't be prudent, suffice to say that I'm really not as much of a bitch as people think, and having to make decisions that affect other people's lives is never easy or comfortable.<div><br /></div><div>Two things that made me happy today, though:</div><div><br /></div><div>- finding out that Virginia does not have an open container law. Just in case you needed to know. (I believe the appropriate response to that is, 'What *don't* you know?')</div><div><br /></div><div>- eating a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cara_cara_navel">Cara Cara orange</a>. They're pink, and really quite delicious.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-38495218716725752722010-01-02T18:12:00.002-05:002010-01-02T18:42:02.960-05:00New Year's resolutions?To make or not to make ... that is always my question. My training in behavior analysis tells me that New Year's resolutions are about as realistic as winning the lottery -- but my romantic side says, hey: someone's gotta win, right? <div><br /></div><div>So, while I'm sitting here, listening to the wind howl, I've given it a little thought, and come up with a bit of a list. A few are easy, and not even really resolutions, like doing the 3-Day in October again (and praying for sunny skies), and walking another 1000 miles, in preparation for the 3-Day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another is silly, and at 30 years old (almost 31, good grief ... ), I should've mastered this by now: I'm resolving to take my thyroid medicine every day. I know, I know -- how hard is that, really? -- but, well, there it is.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, it's my biggest resolution that's by far the most exciting -- I'm resolving to venture into that very serious and grown-up arena known as home-ownership. Yup, that's right -- I'm going to buy a house. Me, myself. Bring on the ugly wallpaper and bad carpet and retro-tiled bathrooms and cottage-cheese ceilings, I am up for the challenge.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I'm getting my financial ducks in a row, making a list of non-negotiables and nice-to-haves, and hoping that whatever new place I find will be a little better insulated than my current abode. So long, waking up in a 62 degree bedroom! Farewell, frozen toes! (And tomorrow, I'll be hitting the Lowe's for some plastic window insulation sheets ... )</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-63409258183744619712009-12-26T20:56:00.002-05:002009-12-26T21:44:05.463-05:00Happy 100th post!Happy Christmas, Happy Boxing Day, and happy 100th post. <div><br /></div><div>Who knew when I started this little project last year that 100 posts later, I'd be a whole lot happier, stronger and have had some pretty neat adventures along the way?</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned for what promises to be an equally exciting 2010. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-5308981134877767412009-12-20T19:28:00.003-05:002009-12-20T19:49:24.681-05:00A list ...In no particular order, this is a list I made on Friday of all of the things that I need to do before Christmas, or more properly, before my mom gets here ... <div><br /></div><div>- clean the bathroom</div><div>- scrub the kitchen floor</div><div>- clean the oven</div><div>- finish (AND PUT AWAY) all of the laundry</div><div>- dust</div><div>- vacuum</div><div>- finish putting up the Christmas decorations</div><div>- finish Christmas shopping</div><div>- finish the cross-stitch that I 'gave' her for her birthday</div><div>- teach the dog to stop barking at *everything*</div><div>- buy cat food </div><div>- take back the two presents that I bought, not knowing that the gift recipient already had the item in question</div><div>- finish sorting out the gift for people at work</div><div>- bake something for the treat exchange at work</div><div><br /></div><div>In no particular order, here's what I accomplished this weekend ...</div><div><br /></div><div>- checked Facebook about a million times</div><div>- answered my work phone about two million times</div><div>- watched a ridiculous amount of cheesy television</div><div>- waded through a million feet of snow to take Hadley out, who was potentially even less excited about the snow than I was</div><div>- spent several hours trolling Realtor.com looking at houses (yay!)</div><div>- after buying groceries on Friday evening, managed to cook absolutely nothing except toast.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Um, that's right ... in case you were keeping track, I did nothing from the list. Absolutely nothing, except for the one load of laundry that's currently in the washer. I did buy dog food, but neglected to buy cat food.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Ugh. Lots to do this week, apparently. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-39455268616508832542009-12-18T21:59:00.002-05:002009-12-18T22:01:06.570-05:00Amazing.I had a seriously, insanely, ridiculously, beautifully amazing day at work today. Shockingly amazing. Outstandingly amazing.<div><br /></div><div>Yeah. Amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Things like this don't happen to regular people, you know? Wow.</div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-69458077877272240022009-12-13T22:31:00.003-05:002009-12-13T22:44:55.452-05:00Cheers ...A few cheers for things that have made me smile in the past few days:<div><br /></div><div>- shopping with Robin. The shopping was questionable at best, but the visiting was terrific.</div><div>- clear skies (and roads) for my trip back from shopping; last year's trip was a harrowing three hours over horribly iced-over roads.</div><div>- sleeping in this morning until almost 11 a.m. Decadent! Unheard of! </div><div>- phone calls from people who are not </div><div> a) telemarketers, </div><div> b) debt collectors wishing to speak to 'Warren Saunders' (seriously, dude, get yourself together!), </div><div> c) debt collectors wishing to speak to 'Tina Bankston' (Tina, see previous), or</div><div> d) people who work for me calling at 0-dark-thirty in the morning, bothering me with nonsense.</div><div>- this <a href="http://shorterandsweeter.blogspot.com/2009/12/greatest-christmas-decoration-ever.html">fabulous blog post</a> </div><div>- my dad's Christmas tree</div><div>- the fall finale of Glee, which was awesome</div><div>- my Christmas tree, which my angelic cat did not bother at all while left home alone for two days</div><div><br /></div><div>Things that will hopefully make me happy in the next several days:</div><div><br /></div><div>- my nail place being open tomorrow, as they were unexpectedly not open this afternoon, and being able to get myself all primped and polished before Wednesday</div><div>- the dress I ordered arriving *on time* tomorrow, and fitting perfectly</div><div>- finding a black leather clutch handbag somewhere tomorrow or Tuesday</div><div>- wearing said dress and carrying said bag to a fancy-schmancy dinner on Wednesday, and looking, if not stunning, at least clean and presentable</div><div>- finding espresso powder so that I can make <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/cappuccino-fudge-cheesecake/">this</a> for Christmas Eve</div><div>- figuring out a *genius* gift for my brother. Feel free to send suggestions.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-68155897856683345412009-12-09T20:25:00.004-05:002009-12-09T20:29:55.192-05:00Christmas cuteness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPpYt-5STN0Xq6tIpJxAXLPnotlsOdFt2sfLL-DGJVgqHDrbKTeMP-MdZ9ryGBwjyhL8h-AwLDWxVAIk0Fs8BDmCUvS_0PvmTW51bgQ1-SjiC2bY4z2B3ER4kcnScbVtI5P_CeuKNrVAU/s1600-h/GEDC0079.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPpYt-5STN0Xq6tIpJxAXLPnotlsOdFt2sfLL-DGJVgqHDrbKTeMP-MdZ9ryGBwjyhL8h-AwLDWxVAIk0Fs8BDmCUvS_0PvmTW51bgQ1-SjiC2bY4z2B3ER4kcnScbVtI5P_CeuKNrVAU/s200/GEDC0079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413413409810499490" /></a><br />I'm not feeling very Christmassy, and I'm hoping that's going to improve, but still ... it's just not happening so far.<div><br /></div><div>However, I do have a Christmas tree, and it's a very pretty one (which I swear I'm going to put ornaments on. Tomorrow.), replete with lights and a lovely tree skirt. Before the lights, though, the cat had a good time checking it out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aw. Cats doing sort-of-bad thing are cute. </div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-58303932068995485152009-12-03T21:40:00.014-05:002009-12-03T22:34:50.582-05:00The Great Rice Crispy Adventure of 2009<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Regular people make rice crispy bars for their family. Mildly crazy people make rice crispy bars for staff at 11 group homes, on three separate shifts ... and a couple extra pans for the admin buildings -- 36 batches in total, in case you were counting. Since this was such a wacky way to spend a Sunday, I've chronicled the experience ... just in case you thought you needed a rice crispy bar fix.<div>First, the shopping experience ...<br /><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagfbNNZ0MVo3ltEMnYwuvnX179lfjgzh6T5NmLPUQS4_ED9AyCJpMnAN60sybUb0RKyo5xDTg3b5TBKOcgRawCoc_Bs_s6WJUuCRe_wCIc4EL04XDdx36hLQLjpQAnjXJh2IJgjORHUOB/s200/IMG_0185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411211050253150418" />I'd been warned that the supermarket might not take kindly to</div><div>my photographic exploits, so I was totally slick with my phone. No one cared.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For the record, my shopping cart does not typically have that many bags of marshmallows in it ... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The goods. At home. It looks dramatic -- 'cause it was.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZb0FvVYtdXVC3ymn10CWXhYszblFrqbzezzQtMD1sx1Dz9-W4kYLgWiGnX-2Dx4khbtt5zxxezMvS0WUBwLs5Y0DukhokjHzOx6IuUwqDz5mEV-VLJyHcDfIeOI-iqcZAWmEWxF405z0/s200/GEDC0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411212144524584770" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Just so you have a reference of the exact height of the pile o' cereal, Mousse thought he'd help ...</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zm-F-Z-8k6BkTLdFwuENDCPEBYcePTezwolNLN84YD45dB7wBzc1aWD2qh1szJ46hzzxiPA_QXMBIo_ABMcNhR0H-KA26KP6KCf5MFv1sDoE-I5mdyM1InhdZBKiUHHnjksHUJrWu4zh/s200/GEDC0082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411212804430272706" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah. It's still a lot of cereal. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb9KmoC7cnEu1LA2lx3_IS78HnWcGrw20RN6U6gc_Cw25E8buTnbZJqEU1nGcNvXuVuYehiGXQzKgcBPvscGyPUNnUsqZ9vJe9d1a230sFVAUBEcDrgAn9y_DDoSwPyqwvHVFCc31PQgM/s200/GEDC0083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411213606486729922" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay, okay -- on to the fun part. When regular people make rice crispy bars, these are the necessary ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What? You don't use </div><div style="text-align: left;">a whole stick</div><div style="text-align: left;"> of butter? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You're missing out. <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/salted-brown-butter-crispy-treats/">Seriously.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For a while, it got a little sticky. Pretty much everything stayed in the pot ... yay for enameled cast iron!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0wZVrpdozm8GgUf_ElFFlhCPMxL7UN0VPTrXd6uw8fWfIQBbIfR3FTOxO_vvOkv_1t95pSPeuh79do5tOaJfGY8iJjBWSVxDDSUfHgCaGHyHZbGsCdZMmuN02Zxkg2hZxexk2ie4GvPw/s200/GEDC0085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411214655413486850" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay -- there was actually some progression from one pot to 36 pans. But you get the idea ... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRQY9LGvKM8aKhnjqR01QjogCPvjmdy7dxUfNdQ4aaWaryFG0Sw-PEhtsJqCdwwhkB4mkQBryaoc0XaAYe3Sw4E9T5bOkZ6Jdbzf0HGbLvdd6hcafFf-EQZcgdajCkAKeTwr3mFBSGR-A/s200/GEDC0088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411216551013783506" /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">36 pans of rice crispy bars later. Cost for all this marshmallow-y goodness? $105, including the foil pans, cereal, butter and marshmallows. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">36 pans of rice crispy bars, packaged for work on Monday? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLNt0QfCu6lrompWCjot0ABjYtHN6zqyyzwzejqC7qi09SWy9UmS-m6dRtqwYZHRYAZntjJTn0qkqlnngVGbQ9vyHKQjpoaiqfH4FQ_vDWB45XeEZix9KZWA9e3lDm4kaH7BOlvFUeqUl/s200/GEDC0089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411217946057648482" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Priceless.</div></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-78592437764574320132009-11-28T18:24:00.002-05:002009-11-28T18:47:56.054-05:00And how.There was pie. Lots and lots of pie. In fact, I may begin going into withdrawal once the last two pieces that managed to find their way into my fridge are gone. <div><br /></div><div>We had pumpkin, pecan, a really delicious apple pie, and then the really spectacular parts (though I think the apple gets to go on that list ... ) -- a bourbon-pumpkin cheesecake with a really amazing pecan crust, and a Rum Cream Pie.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Rum Cream Pie was straight out of the Colonial Williamsburg Cookbook, and is obviously not a 'new' sort of recipe -- there's a reason that things get handed down from generation to generation; this thing was incredible! Light, creamy and holy rum, Batman! This is a keeper, and thanks very much to C.'s family for hooking us up.</div><div><br /></div><div>But -- pie aside, it was really wonderful to see my O'cousins, and to have all of us together at Grandma's house. I hope we can get together on another happy occasion again soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also -- a shout out about New Moon, which was shockingly not-bad. Its predecessor having been so, well, laughably terrible, I wasn't expecting much (save of course for <a href="http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b155238_one_last_shot_of_taylor_lautners_abs.html">Taylor Lautner's ridiculously age-inappropriate body</a>), and I was pleasantly surprised. I'd also like to say that the Regal Cinema at Snowden Square in Columbia, MD is about the worst organized movie theater I've ever been to. Damn, man -- get it together.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, what am I up to now? Two things.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Great Rice Crispy Bar Adventure of 2009 started today, and pictures are forthcoming. </div><div><br /></div><div>Second, I'll be counting the minutes till I can make <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/cappuccino-fudge-cheesecake/">this</a> for Christmas Eve dessert. </div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-55624310033707964222009-11-22T11:58:00.003-05:002009-11-22T12:16:31.173-05:00Time for pie.The facts of the case:<div><br /></div><div>- It is almost Thanksgiving.</div><div>- Pie is an important staple of my family's holiday gatherings.</div><div>- I *love* to bake.</div><div>- We're eating Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant and dessert at home -- pie will be the only homemade part of the holiday celebration.</div><div>- I like to show off with baked goods (just a little).</div><div><br /></div><div>Verdict?</div><div><br /></div><div>It's time for pie. Seriously.</div><div><br /></div><div>So far, the plan includes a traditional pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie and a Rum Cream pie, 'cause that's something C's family makes, and it sounds pretty awesome (rum? heavy cream? sugar? buttery graham cracker crust? what's not to like?!).</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's my dilemma. There are (only) 11 people attending this holiday extravaganza, and I've already got four pies in planning stages -- and I really want to make a <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/candy-corn-for-really-lucky-grown-ups/">pumpkin-bourbon cheesecake</a>, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like that scary skinny blond lady from the early 90s is going to pop out and tell me to 'stop the insanity' but since there won't be any real-food leftovers, how terrible would it be to send everyone home with some dessert for later? </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm thinking extra foil pie plates for take-home slices, and perhaps <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/sweet-potato-buttermilk-pie/">this gem</a>, as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>And -- if you're going to be in central Jersey, and in need of dessert on Thursday, let me know. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-24151523675152859372009-11-14T22:46:00.003-05:002009-11-15T21:12:19.933-05:00Wild turkeys.<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This isn't *exactly* what I saw this morning, 'cause there was no field or grass on I-95 near the Philadelphia Airport ... but it's a pretty good approximation.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wild turkeys. Fighting. On the side of 95 northbound, right by the airport.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm shocked that there weren't any accidents, with everyone whipping their heads around to see the turkeys.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Crazy. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Incidentally, I'm fond of wild turkeys as a species; there was a flock in Brown Co., IN, and when I was doing a lot of driving back and forth to North Vernon, I'd see them pretty consistently, and was always glad they stayed nicely in the fields.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img border="0" src="http://www.birdsofoklahoma.net/images/WildTurkeyFight2216.jpg" width="650" height="433" alt="two young male wild turkeys fighting" /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-69914236854432683092009-11-04T18:09:00.002-05:002009-11-04T18:25:57.261-05:00Feverish ...No, not the Phillies pursuit of a repeat World Series victory (though I will be watching off and on tonight, and hoping for a Game 7). Ask me why I care -- seriously. It's a great story. <div><br /></div><div>Me. I'm feverish. It seems to be coming and going -- 100 degrees on Monday, fine yesterday, sick overnight, rallied for work from 11 - 5, and then 100 degrees at the end of the day. By the time I got home, around six, it was 97.8, which is just a tiny bit above where I usually run.</div><div><br /></div><div>For goodness' sake.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm pushing fluids, taking a homeopathic flu/cold remedy, and hoping that I'll kick whatever this is that's haunting me in the next 12 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I have visions of <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/salted-brown-butter-crispy-treats/">rice crispy treats</a> dancing in my head. Can someone please bring these over? </div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-73451713996918654882009-10-29T20:46:00.003-04:002009-10-29T20:57:28.991-04:00Good grief, Charlie Brown.Haven't had much to say -- or perhaps have had plenty to say, but no time to say it ...<div><br /></div><div>Here's a few highlights from the past couple weeks:</div><div><br /></div><div>- Finished my 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day experience, happy, strong and only a little wet and cold. Sadly, days 1 and 2 were canceled due to the Nor'easter that whipped through the Mid-Atlantic, but the 3-Day spirit would not be dampened. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Went to my first family wedding of my generation. Congrats to my cousin Marc & my new cousin-in-law Mallery. The bride (and the groom) and the wedding were beautiful. Happy honeymoon, kids!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Thanksgiving planning with the fam. Think that we'll have all the O'Cousins together for the first time in five or so years. Should be good -- but perhaps a little crowded.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" I adore Peanuts specials, and only hope that they're still around when I have a child who might love them, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Have (possibly) finally figured out Hadley's vomiting. After five days of vomit this time, I called *the best vet ever* and she was able to see us about 20 minutes later; she thinks he has <a href="http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1580&aid=335">pancreatitis</a>, which apparently is common in <a href="http://www.kennels.co.uk/images/W.GiantSchnauzer.jpg">Schnauzers</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Am treating myself to professionally steam-cleaned carpets on Saturday (see previous reference to vomit). Happy Halloween to me!</div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-29981767052256053752009-10-19T22:45:00.002-04:002009-10-19T22:48:05.536-04:00I'm just sayin'.When even Deb is talking <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/10/apple-cider-doughnuts/">apple cider donuts</a>, the Happy Valley is surely calling my name.<div><br /><div>Counting down the days till Reunion. May 21 - 23, 2010. Where will *you* be?</div></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-37283270125934372212009-10-18T21:04:00.002-04:002009-10-18T21:09:14.448-04:00On a day like this.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcmQVb1SnxM1C7Ve5Bhr53PcbZk6q9EoTtNHf3eGNHyoefW2B4jnUWTsAfjwwgP3CJGmsFrk9_GbhoYYdf25CVgr7GElfRRxgE1nTkiCbRRUMqlWox_C_E3n5RdiWhjCrqIrubrHMCNn8/s1600-h/IMG_0078.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcmQVb1SnxM1C7Ve5Bhr53PcbZk6q9EoTtNHf3eGNHyoefW2B4jnUWTsAfjwwgP3CJGmsFrk9_GbhoYYdf25CVgr7GElfRRxgE1nTkiCbRRUMqlWox_C_E3n5RdiWhjCrqIrubrHMCNn8/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394110817525641138" /></a>It was miserable out. 40 degrees, raining and windy. It was the kind of cold that bites into your bones, and doesn't do anyone's arthritis any favors.<div><br /></div><div>But you wouldn't have known it -- 3000 3-Day walkers and 350 crew members, and boatloads of cheering fans made the city of Philadelphia warm as a tropical beach.</div><div><br /></div><div>I may have had better days, but I'm hard pressed to think of one that's more meaningful or inspiring.</div><div><br /></div><div>This photo is of the closing ceremony -- after all of the walkers and crew have entered the ceremony site, the survivors enter, and everyone holds up a shoe in tribute. </div><div><br /></div><div>More to say about the experience in days to come, 'cause I'm drop-dead tired right now, but suffice to say that it was a spectacular event and I think I'm hooked. See you in 2010!</div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-88390163197092222762009-10-17T13:58:00.002-04:002009-10-17T14:07:48.638-04:00What it means ...I think having the first two days of the 3-Day canceled was almost a blessing in disguise -- first, I will not catch pneumonia before Marc's wedding (that's good news!), and second, I think it gave all of the 3-Day participants an opportunity to remember that this wasn't about us, anyway.<div><br /></div><div>2009 Philadelphia walkers collectively raised over $7.7 million to fight breast cancer. That's awesome -- and the funds aren't all in yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many walkers <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sEo7vX0pcE">headed to the malls</a> and other indoor facilities to walk yesterday & today; they were damn sure that the weather wasn't going to ruin their experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm thrilled that we'll still get Day 3, and even more importantly, I'm thrilled to have been a part of this amazing collective. While there was a fair amount of whining, complaining and general mean-spiritedness expressed on some of the 3-Day message boards, the overwhelming sentiment has been, "hey -- we didn't do this for us. We did it to fight breast cancer." </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to Susan G. Komen Foundation, over $1 billion has been invested in treatment, prevention and research of breast cancer since 1982. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can count on the fact that I'll be back for more in 2010 -- and can't wait to experience the Philadelphia 3-Day in its entirety. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-77156721882309369882009-10-15T21:56:00.003-04:002009-10-15T22:21:40.621-04:00Heartbreaking ... and not.So -- after 10 months of training, fundraising and general hard work, Mother Nature has decided that she had other plans for the weekend.<div><br /></div><div>Day 1 and Day 2 of the 3-Day have been canceled. We're still walking on Sunday -- about 15 miles -- and still having the Closing Ceremonies.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that the event organizers made a gut-wrenching decision -- and I know that it was absolutely to ensure the safety of the participants, and I completely respect their decision, and know they made the right one -- but man, I am so horribly upset about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I committed to the 3-Day for so many reasons -- chief among them to prove to myself that I could do this. Walk 60 miles. Raise $2300. Train for 3/4 of a year. Sporty Spice I'm not, and very few people in my life would've thought that this would be something that I'd even *want* to do, let alone be able to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I have. I've done it. </div><div><br /></div><div>And now I can't do the walk. </div><div><br /></div><div>But ... </div><div><br /></div><div>I have still raised -- just me -- over $3200 to fight breast cancer, and to help support research, education and prevention.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have still trained for 10 months, and have walked almost 1,000 miles in training since January 2, when I decided to do this.</div><div><br /></div><div>And ...</div><div><br /></div><div>I still don't have breast cancer. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I guess I have some rainwear I can return. </div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-57586475316268630982009-10-15T17:28:00.002-04:002009-10-15T17:31:11.544-04:00Get your 3-Day weather forecast here!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, SansSerif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's almost here. T-13 hours from the time I'm posting this. I'll arrive (thanks to an incomprehensibly fabulous Cynthia) at Willow Grove Mall at 0600ish, and be on the 3-Day route around 0745, after crying my eyes out at the opening ceremony.<br /><br />So that you can feel some of the experience with me, I want to share the meteorological predictions with you. Short version? Yeah, it's gonna be miserable.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/home/weekend/USPA1276?from=36hr_topnav_home">Weather.com says ...</a><a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/home/weekend/USPA1276?from=36hr_topnav_home" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(204, 34, 136); background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(69, 91, 115); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But no worries. I've got </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3646551">Techwick base layer</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> garments, I've got PVC ponchos, I've got fleece and I've got GorTex. And, worst case scenario, I've got Cynthia's cell phone number, and cab fare to Josh's. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, SansSerif;color:#455B73;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, SansSerif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(69, 91, 115); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most importantly?<br /><br />I don't have breast cancer. A few days of chilly, wet weather (with 2000 other people who are chilly, wet and still cheerful) is nothing compared to surgery, radiation, chemo or the psychological effects for a survivor or her family. I will sail through this -- and if the thousands of people who do this year after year have anything to say about it -- it will change my life.<br /><br />'Cause after all, a lifetime is worth walking for. Even in the rain. 3-Day, here I come!</span></span></span></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-57386103876399146122009-10-14T16:22:00.002-04:002009-10-14T16:25:49.651-04:00Rain, rain ...go away!<div><br /></div><div>The 3-Day is this weekend, and I just know that despite all of the nonsense I'm hearing on the news about coastal storms and a Nor'easter, we're going to have a beautiful, sunny weekend for walking! </div><div><br /></div><div>It's almost here, and despite my cold, today's round of spine injections, and the dismal weather forecast, I'm so excited, and can't wait!</div><div><br /></div><div><div>At least I won't have to worry about a sunburn!</div><div><br /></div></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-24432148311605744302009-10-11T14:03:00.002-04:002009-10-11T14:12:54.106-04:00Happy National Coming Out DayBeing free to tell your friends, family and anyone else who matters to you who you are and how you live your life is important.<div><br /></div><div>Being free to be honest about your life and your intentions is important.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being free to say what you need to say despite possible fear of repercussion is important.</div><div><br /></div><div>To anyone who needs it, today or any other day, I wish the courage to be honest with the important people in your life, whether about your sexuality or any other aspect of yourself that you've felt obligated to keep closeted.</div><div><br /></div><div>May you feel the love and support of your family and friends, and the feeling of freedom that comes along with honesty.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy National Coming Out Day.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-29528535078380746922009-10-10T10:23:00.003-04:002009-10-10T10:50:13.199-04:00Third time's a charm?After having a couple rounds of transforaminal nerve blocks in August/September, I've still been having lots of trouble with my back -- which has not been great for my 3-Day training. <div><br /></div><div>I had an MRI a couple weeks ago, and saw my pain management doc's nurse practitioner on Thursday, to get the results and hopefully a magical cure for the ridiculous back pain that's getting in the way of my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>What she told me was that in fact I have a third herniated disc -- just above the other two that we've been treating for the past couple years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Good news, I guess -- at least we know that it's not the first two discs that are causing all the trouble and not responding to treatment, but ugh: another disc? We're going to try another nerve block for the newly herniated disc (L3-L4) on Wednesday, and hopefully that will get me through the 3-Day, without too much trouble.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do love the nurse practitioner -- she was super-helpful, and also told me that I was the only patient she had that was doing something as active as the 3-Day, and that my condition has the potential to produce much more serious pain than most of her patients who aren't getting out there and moving around. Good news there: I knew I was doing something great, but I didn't really know how much of an obstacle I was overcoming to do it. Cool.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the 3-Day, I'm going to try another round of physical therapy -- in the water, this time. Hopefully, that'll help too. </div><div><br /></div><div>But for now -- the 3-Day is in SIX DAYS!!! Please click on the widget at right to give if you haven't yet; this is a big thing I'm doing, and I definitely need all of your support.</div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012637481786617869.post-40049698837396860732009-10-05T20:38:00.003-04:002009-10-05T20:48:42.390-04:00I love my job.<div>Last week, I had the unpleasant task of terminating yet another employee. No matter what anyone says, I do *not* enjoy this part of my job. It's a necessary evil, and I've come to terms with it, but it's by no means a top-10 activity. Usually, though, the person being terminated a) kind of sees it coming, and b) wants to get out of the experience with a shred of dignity left.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not so much last week. I met with the person, explained the performance problems and that I was unfortunately terminating her employment, and she went absolutely bonkers. Crying hysterically and screaming unintelligibly. Flailing her arms. Throwing herself on the floor and *grabbing my ankles.*</div><div><br /></div><div>Please, please picture this. </div><div><br /></div><div>It took absolutely every ounce of decency in me not to break out in hysterical laughter. </div><div><br /></div><div>I did not, and as such, can still live with myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>But seriously -- definitely on the list of "what not to do" if your employer tells you you're being let go.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katie Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088148304994276612noreply@blogger.com0