Clark Girls

GG Custer is the one who looks like him the most though. Although this civil war feller kinda looks like him too.

Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen (October 10, 1861 – May 13, 1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist and diplomat. Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his work as a League of Nations High Commissioner. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest personalities in the history of Norway.

Okay, so, we have this guy, Vincent Van Gogh and the civil war guy all lookin' like Mike.

Hi ladies! Macy's and I have been one for the past 10 days! Gordon gets back from Annapolis tomorrow. I think he has enjoyed his time with the midshipmen. The dogs and I are bonding but I am not getting a whole lot done around here.

Tor, you are right, nothing better then the smell of bread baking unless of course its the smell of bacon frying. I love my bread machine but I dont wear the product well.

Logann drove down to Jacksonville this weekend to see the Loux family and celebrate Kenedy's Birthday bash. Sounds like Roman and Ty could have one serious football conversation, maybe they need to do their own draft next season!!!!

Stay warm and safe ladies, miss you all!
Love
Cathy

Have I told everyone about my bread machine? Well, I got a fabulous bread machine for christmas and I absolutely love it. So far I have made a French Baguette (yumm-o), lemon poppy seed bread (also great) and a delicious banana bread loaf. It is truly fantastic and fun! All you have to do is throw in all of the ingredients and soon your house will be smelling like heaven and you will have fresh warm, bread to much on! I have so many recipes I can hardly wait to make them all! Jake & I are torn over what to try next-- breadsticks? breadsticks with cheese? sugard donuts? Rosemary and olive bread?-- I mean this thing doesn't stop at loaves of bread alone! I think I will be making bread until I die! I can't wait to share some with you guys!

So Kiki, Ann and I caught Bride Wars on Friday afternoon and it was extremely enjoyable! Most of the movie is pretty much the same as what you get from the trailer, until the end. It is was funny and sweet and definitely the perfect chick flick for a Friday afternoon. I just adore Kate Hudson. The movie is a little predictable, but most movies are these days. It somewhat reminded me of me & my bestie kaily, just because I am blonde and she is a brunette! haha! The costuming was of course fabulous! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Jake is going to the gun show today with Travis, while Brittany (travis' wife) and I are going to go to the park with the dogs. We will definitely have to bundle up though, it is only about 20 degrees here today, which is warmer than it has been. We will probably settle in and watch a movie tonite with them. I am making baked ziti!

Bon Voyage Mon Soeur's Parting is such sweet sorrow. Today I'am cruising to the Caribbean looking forward to the deep blueocean and the tourquoise waters of the Caribbean. Wish you were all coming with me. Keep the home fires burning while I'm gone. Will check our blog page on the ship. Love Hick

Hello my lovely ladies,

I am hoping all of you have seen Juno, I know it is kinda old news now, but not to me. It is still a great movie, and I encourage you to revisit it, or visit it for the first time this weekend! it is so catchy and smart that I can hardly stand it. This is all thanks to Diablo Cody, whose story is so intriguing I can hardly keep from wetting myself! Diablo Cody is obvy a pen name, as her real name is Brook Busey (which reminds me of Gary). Not only did she pen Juno, but before that she was famous for chronicling her plites as a stripper through a blog and a memoir (which I have yet to read, but have no doubt it is totes brills). Her next film is about a teenage cannibal, which I find interesting, called Jennifer's Body, and will without a doubt be as unique and witty as Juno. I mean she went from college grad, to stripper, to oscar winning screen writer!

1989 Emmys-both were nominated, neither won. crime of the century.
Diane Lane, Robert Duvall
I watched it again last weekend and cried...again.

Tori~ Someone just told me that he had a Mt.Dew Slushie at the movies the other day. He said it was either at the Westfield/Carmel theater or the UA in Fishers, couldn't remember. Did you know that? Diiiiid Yoouuuuu? It's your two faves together!

http://www.vogue.co.uk/celebrity-photos/gallery.aspx/id,418

Use the magnify feature! It's Barbie Couture!

So days after the announcement that jennifer garner and ben affleck had their second daughter, her name has finally been revealed and I couldn't be happier. I mean it is not psycho weird like the peeps who name their kids pilot inspektor (i am for reals!) or zuma or whatevs. It is beautiful and classic, which the little darling is no doubt going to be. so drum roll please....... Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, ta-da. pretty right. It is supposedly derived from the biblical word seraphim which was Hebrew in origin and meant "fiery ones". The seraphim were an order of angels, described by Isaiah in the Bible as having six wings each. This was the name of a 13th-century Italian saint who made clothes for the poor. As an English name, it has never been common. It also reminds me of bebe's friend who had the same name, right! I can imagine them calling her Sera for short.

Robert Mitchim, James Coburn, Lauren Bacall, Leonardo DiCaprio,
Joanna Pacula. They all have that certain something I call bedroom eyes. Do you see the commonality? Do you have someone you would add to the list. I considered Drew Barrymore and Gene Harlow, maybe Bridget Bardot or Charles Bronson. But these are the cream of the crop I'd say. To me anyway.

Aishwarya Rai: still India's most beautiful

Did you hear her tell Leo she loved him and has loved him for 13 years? Did you? He was all teary eyed. gyalllleeeee.

I think this dress is my favorite although Kate Winslet's dress was pefect. I like this one. Did anyone else have a fave?

This is Stephanie, Her trademark is the dimple in her chin. Stephanie has a beautiful way about her. She has pretty skin and hair and lovely hands. She is an avid book reader. And when they say still waters run deep, they were talking about this little cookie right here. She is calm, cool and collected. She loves photography and movies and fashion. She is unique and interesting. She is not like anyone I know. She has been through a lot of stuff and she just does not let anything bother her too much. She has a lot of integrity ans does not suffer fools lightly. If you ever need advice she is a good one to go to. SHe is straightforward and very practical. She loves music and food and she loves children and dogs. She does not waste her time on drama, never has. She is as patient as a person can be. She's mature beyond her years, she's smart, she's cool and I thank God for sending this beautiful angel my way, every day. She's done a fine job raising me, I know I'm lucky.

Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly considering launching a worldwide chain of gyms with her personal trainer.

The actress is said to be teaming up with fitness expert Tracy Anderson, who has already opened two studios in the US, for the global enterprise.

"Tracy and Gwyneth are out to make some serious money. [Gwyneth] is convinced the studios will be a huge success and she and Tracy have hatched plans to open a chain of them in Europe, Asia and Australia," a source told the Daily Mail.

According to the source, Paltrow and Anderson have been encouraged by the sales of a fitness DVD they released last year: "The DVD they made has been pouring off the shelves. It's been endorsed on the cover by Gwyneth and Madonna, and Gwyneth is pushing it to anyone she can. She has been amazed by the fitness results Tracy’s helped her to achieve."

Hello Girlies,
Sorry for the lack of posting...from here until the end of March it's SHOWTIME with little time to blog.
Highlights of 2008:
Always love that trip to Sanibel, even when your airline goes out of business right after they drop you off?
Bebe's 8oth, I just love to plan events!!
Celebrating Jon's 50th with ALL the kids at the land...even Tori and Jake
Getting 2 new Grand Puppies
Watching Will fall in love
Finding Mick with a hicky while protecting his girlfriend
Making final tuition payments!!
Any weekend at Camp William
2009:
I will learn to paint!
BOO
PS I hear Grand Tourino is the last time you will see Clint in front of the camera.

Tori, when I saw this picture I just had to steal it and post it! looooooove it!

I am watching Grease 2 today!!

So I am so totes stoked that award season has officially kicked off last night with the golden globes! Fab!!! I just adore awards season! I can thank my mother for that because I can always remember getting to stay up late to watch the Oscars! I just love seeing the beauty of hollywood glamour and seeing all the stars. The dresses were sooo beautiful last night, lots of creams, nudes and golds. Of course all the gents looked truly dapper in their cute little suits and hello! Johnny Depp & Leo alert! Did anyone see Drew Barrymore? I cannot decide if I liked the look or not. Her hair was like mongo huge, but the dress was pretty. I am so proud of kate winslet! she looked gorgy and she is just so honestly natural. And I cannot say enough about Tina Fey! She is soooo funny. She is truly admirable, her career has been like no other woman's she is just a woman on top and in control, but not in a way that "bitchy" way! She says true to herself! I mean she is a mom, a writer, director, producer, actress and so much more! A Meryl looked absolutely fab! Sometimes her style is a little hit or miss, but last night was right on!

Kelly- Best Actress in a Drama included: Kate, Angelina, Meryl, Anne Hathaway, & Krisitin Scott Thomas.
I absolutely cannot wait to see Revolutionary Road. And did anyone see Changeling, with Angelina? I wanted to see it, but never got the chance. Oh, and I really want to see Happy- Go- Lucky which won best actress for Comedy/Musical. You should watch the trailer! Oh, and can I say I am so happy that Heath Ledger one! What an actor!

Hey, who else was nominated for a GG for best actress? Kate wonm Meryl and Angelina were nominated and there was one more Woman who was nominated, who was it? Does anyone know? Tom Cruise looks like a million buckaroonies,.

OK, NEW MOVIE REVIEW..JUST SAW GRAND TORINO, THE SCRIPT IS FAB..CLINTY IS A FOX AND THE MOVIE GETS A 7..ITS A GOOD SHOW

G

girl's weekend '07- a beautiful brunette
feb '08- a lighter bit lighter now
june '08- legally blonde
late summer '08- legally blonde 2
fall '08- the serious college girl!
christmas '08- wal-mart hair color- PERFECTLY GORGEOUS!!

**i would go ahead and do my own hair evolution but I've only ever been blonde so bravo to you ladies for being creative and taking risks! My risks stop at cutting it short! Ekk!

so look at stevie's hair less than a year ago at my 21st bday....
and look at it at christmas!!! girl's got style!

now I am kinda on a dance kick. So I want to share a sweeeeet scene from the movie Step Up 2, which isn't as great as Step Up 1, but I cannot deny the creativity of these moves! And these moves can help inspire conner to become like patrick swayze and dance his little heart out!! Now, I will tell you now, that it is a little more urban than dirty dancing, but it requires great talent none-the-less!! New school can be good too!(hehe I accidently wrote toot the first time)Ican just see conner dancing his little heart out! watch it all the way through because the best part is at theend when the guy and girl are dancing together!

Here are my goals for 2009:
1. quit saying like, when not necessary!
2. graduate and find a job!!
3. save money!
4. workout more! pig-out less!

ok! So i watched some of that patrick swayze interview on youtube and DANG BARBARA!! she was getting down to the point!! sheez! I mean, she asked the misses if she had thought about facing life without him! hello! talk about tough topic! so sad, poor patty, I am posting a video of when I fell in love with him!! so darn cuuute! i love it when he jumps off the stage and beckons her to come forth! hhhaaawwwwt! ohh yes! and look at emily gilmore!! she is sooo beautiful in this movie!




what ever happened to jennifer grey. i seriously htink things went downhill for her when she got her nose fixed. I mean, a trademark is a trademark!

ooooh! Lets discuss what everyone's trademark is!!

I asked jake what mine was and he said, "saying like"

what a crappy trademark! i am disappointed in myself

I know I am a little behind in my reviews, but nonetheless I will say a little something.

You absolutely must must must go see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Brad Pitt is stunning in the movie (not like we dind't know he was a stellar actor). It is truly incredible though, in a Forrest Gump type of way (and there isn't a single thing I don't love about FG). Anyway it follows Benjamin who is born at the end of WW1 but his body appears old and frail and as he grows in age, his body grows younger!! I swear the cutest parts are when he is a little boy in a little old man's body. Totes presh I can hardly stand it. I am going to post a trailer for it, and i always die when i see the part where he is flexing his biceps (grrrr) in the mirror. I can hardly stand it i get so tickled. The story follows him through his life and it is truly inspirational. So promise to see it, K!

Now that I've talked about Brad, I most certainly will move on to Jen. I saw Marley & Me and bawled my stinking eyes out. It was soooo cute. So obvy we know (SPOILER ALERT) that marley is going to die, and I knew that goiing in, but that did not keep me from flowing like the mississippi! (Lawd have mercy!) Being a new dog owner and totally having mavy as my bdf (best dog forever) it was totally gut wrenching (ina good way... kinda happy-sad). And I could totally see me and Jake, I mean half of the movie is about the young couple and their dog , HELLO, could it be any closer to my life. It just made me so happy and sad and I just love a movie that evokes emotion and this one did! I mean I had to keep myself from hyperventilating, ya know!!

Lastly, I def recommend Yes Man as a great comedy. Jim Carey is great and I love my zooey deschanel (congrats zooey- she got engaged!). It is so cute and funny and also a good perspective on life!

so if you get a chance go see a movie!!

Okay Ladies, My friend, Sarah here at work just got back from
AsLay EgasVey and this is what she saw! crocheted and beaded stilettos! Aren't they funny!? coochie coochie MAMMA! Yow. What ever would you wear with these? I guess a bikini, I don't know. My feet kinda hurt looking at them. I wouldn't be able to stop staring at my feet if I had these on. I'd be shaking my ankles trying to get the beads to sway. hachacha~

19 of the 22 last posts have been mine. I am going to limit myself to 1 post a day, or 3. nevermind.

Sorry, but, I can't be stopped. It's Vincent VanGogh, not Mike, but if he would ever smile....I'm glad Mike's a smiler, because this is not a jovial Man. So, keep smiling~ Smiling Mike

Conner LOVES this movie! But he thinks the song is called,"I am a man of custom sorrow." He does the dance and everything,,,what a hillbilly.

Mr.McFeely is bona~fide.

These shoes are part of teh Mr. Roger's exhibit, they sit on his bench. Did you know that President George W. Bush awarded Fred Rogers with the Presidential Medal of Freedom?(It is designed to recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.")wikipedia

Sing it now, you'll feel better:

It's such a good feeling to know you're alive.

It's such a happy feeling: You're growing inside.

And when you wake up ready to say,

'I think I'll make a snappy new day.'

It's such a good feeling, a very good feeling.

The feeling you know that

I'll be back when the day is new

And I'll have more ideas for you.

And you'll have things you'll want to talk about.

Conner is going over to his friend Jackson's this evening. He is taking his guitar he got for Christmas. Jackson is a guitar player as well. They are going to jam together a while. Conner says Jackson know several chords and Conner knows a few. I can just see Conner waiting by the door with his guitar case. (It's a junior so it fits him perfectly. And the case is a little beat up, so he looks like a seasoned musician. He says, "I got a guitar for Christmas, it has a story behind it." Which, basically means it's used, but, being Conner, he leaves it at that so it sounds mysterious and intriguing. So, when Jackson's Mom pulls up in the driveway and Conner walks out to the car he will be doing his guy with a guitar going somewhere walk. Not to be confused with his, guy with a toolbox going somewhere walk or his cowboy with a gun going somewhere walk.
He asked me the other day, "Mom, how do you become a movie star?" I said, well, you have to move to Hollywood, but first you have to take acting classes." He said, "Oh, I think I'd be good at that, don't you?" What I need to do is put him in dance class. That boy is a dancer, if I had to choose. He was dancing in Old Navy once and a woman walked up to him and told him she had owned a dance studio for 25 years and he should definitely be a dancer.
There was violin music playing in the background of a tv show we were watching last night and he looked at me and said, Mom, that music is so sorrowful and proceeded to portray a person in the depths of sorrow for the entire time the violin was playing. I just sat there looking at him, not blinking with my mouth hanging open, like what am I seeing here? I hadn't even noticed the music. Actually, it was a documentary called Speedy Delivery, and it is about Mr. McFeely, Mr. Rogers sidecick, the mailman. Well, I didn't realize it, but they were the very best of friends and Mr. McFeely was Fred Roger's P.R. Man as well. So, he was talking about how he missed his friend and they had sad violin music in the background. It was a very good program, but I love Mr. Rogers, so, there you go.
Mike just called and Edward found a brand new gig bag for Conner's guitar since his case is beat up. All the young guys use gig bads, they are lighter than a hard black case and they have a zipper and are made of like back pack material. Edward is going to try to make it over to the house before Conner leaves for his gig. So, please, someone write a post bragging about one of your kids or dogs or yourselves so I don't feel so bad about my bragging. please. Oh, I also learned that McFeely was Fred Rogers Grandfathers last name and it is also Freds middle name. There is a Mr. Rogers traveling museum exhibit and Mr. McFeely makes a live appearance occasionally. There WILL be a picture forthcoming.

Waterford changed hands several years ago and I could tell the differnce back then in the older pieces I had and the new ones. A few weeks before xmas I noticed Macy's had Waterford on sale (20%), I also got an additional 30% off being a Macy's Associate!!! I filled in my missing pieces, so for now I am covered! Guess I better take good care of what I have!

Well, Here's Brad with his little girl. She is a pretty baby isn't she? If they made a baby doll of her I would probably buy it, that's how shmookie, shmookie cute I think she is. I wonder what she's like? I think she is probably sweet like her sweet Daddy. I like him because he is a midwestern boy made good. I don't even know where he grew up but in my fertile imagination it was in the midwest. And I'm NOT going to look it up.... You can't make me. Besides, Tori probably knows and will comment me later with the deets. And, I love the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith. I don't think Jennifer and him were really doing all that great and so she still is his friend and is glad he's happy like me. That's how I see it. Everybody wins. And when you see Shiloh here you must be glad that Brad and Angie found each other in this crazy mixed up world because Shiloh is sooo cute. Just look at her. She's a cutie.

Have you heard that Waterford Inc. is struggling to keep it's head above water and is looking for someone to buy them? I don't know what this means for you crystal loves out there but it may be the time for you to stock up on those patterns you are collecting before they are no more. I guess no one is suprised this has happened and the concensus is that the Company needs to re-brand modernize itself. I can post the article but if you are interested in knowing more, you vcan google it yourself. It's just a bad time to be looking for investors. But, because of the Waterford name being what it is someone will probably step up to the plate. But if they move to Thailand you may end up with a different product after all.

This was an amazing interview. Barbara did a good job, I was proud of her. Patrick is an incredible person and his wife too. I'm so glad I watched it. Did anyone else see it? It was so honest and beautiful. I admire him. He is a strong, brave man. At the ended he quoted his line in Ghost when he says that when you die you take the love with you when you go. He is the perfect mix of strength, humor and sweetness. This was the very best Barbara Walters interview I have ever seen. Actually, it was some of the best t.v. I've seen in a while. It actually reminded me of when Alan Jackson sang the song he wrote after 9/11 on the CMA's. He just came out on stage with his guitar and st down and sang it as if he were in your living room. And you had the feeling you were seeing something really special and very real. That is how I felt last night watching Patrick talk about his illness and his life. In over 40 years of television watching, it's these two guys, Alan and Patrick that stand out to me as significant.

JUST A FUNNY FROM TY...
TY IS PLAYING FOOTBALL ON HIS DS
TY SAYS I'M PLAYING PEYTON MANNING AGAINST ELI MANNING
I SAY THE COLTS BETTER WIN
TY SAYS THATS NOT GONNA HAPPEN
"I JUST BROKE UP WITH PEYTON AND NOW I HAVE A CRUSH ON ELI"
HOW CUTE WAS THAT?

Ha! This guys ski got stuck and he fell upside down on the ski lift and his pants were ripped off of his cold little white hiney. He was stuck in this debacle for approx 10 min. or so. I think that's his Son. That is nothing but bad Karma right there. At least his Guardian Angel has a sense of humor. What in the world? I know I wouldn't want my hiney on the evenng news. Maybe he's having an affair or something and this is just what he needed to clear his head. Wake up call mister! Your wangdangdoodle is all over the news. Better put it away where it belongs. Hell, he will probably sue everyone and get rich. Maybe he's really nice and needs money to buy a ranch for orphans. And he prayed to God and said I will do anything if you can get me the money. Either one works, good or bad, it's funny, cuz it's not me, mortified I'd be.

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!! My fav gossip blog is HIRING! www.evilbeetgossip.com
Can you imagine anything more funner? Can you see me, or yourself, with coffee and a bagel and a pencil in your hair sitting in front of the computer pouring over pictures and deciding which thing to write about, all while getting PAID? You have to send samples of your writing so I may post some celeb shots and gab about them to see if I can write on demand. I have until Monday to apply. Can you say....CRAZY TOWN U.S.A!? Oh to the my to the gosh. long shot, I know, but geez....take a chance, take a chance, take a chakaachancechance, take a chance on me.


Weekend availability
- Comprehensive knowledge of and love for celebrity gossip
- Strong, well-developed, unique writing voice
- Impeccable spelling and grammar
- computer know-how (you don’t have to be a genius, but you need to know your way around a computer and be able to use some basic image editing software)
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must either have a mailing address in the U.S. or able to accept payment via PayPal

I think Patrick Swayze and his wife are being interviewed tonight on a Barbara Walters exclusive. I have mixed emotions about watching it and wish one of you would watch it with me. Maybe we could watch it together on a conference call. Or we could do a live stream from the blog. Anway, if you do watch, please post about it tomorrow, I have a feelimg it's really going to be something to see my beautiful lovlinesses.

although I was very sad to hear that he considers this one of his worst and most embarrassing films!

Uh, this is what I found when I looked up king cake. Please give me credit right now because there is so much I want to say about this but none of it is good. shocking!, Isn't it? ahhhh!

first of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY SILLY TALLY.
Heard you went on a date with sgt custard, good for you
Christmas past, new years past and whatever comes next will surely be special. We spent our 37th new years together in Beaverville with ty, abby and jacaroni and kelly we did the pan banging too why is that so much fun. had to pass it down another generation
Highlights of 2008
Route 66 trip
lasik surgery
retirement still!
grandkids ball games
tiff & bryan (she seems awful happy)
will and stevie driving
clark girls christmas

dreams for 2009, same as always love, health and peace
resolution...use less salt and can shake it in the pan, but can't add any to my plate spend a little more time giving to others like my little pregnant teens that have been thrown out with no place to live

took howard and ceil to greencastle to see howards sister in the nursing home, the entire ride home was a discussion of the good times they all shared and how lucky us younger ones were to have alot of time let to be together. so today remember how blessed we are to have one another and find something to smile about even if your down. don't miss enjoying every minute of your day because once its gone its gone hickory dickory dock

This post is in response to my own comment to my earlier post about cauliflower soup and the bottom of Britney Spears feet.

What I said was, "There's something rotten in Denmark" It means the fish is rotting from the head down. which in Britney's case, was an appropriate use of the quote, at the time. She's better now though, I think, I didn't see the documenary, did Y'all?

Horatio:
He waxes desperate with imagination.

Marcellus:
Let's follow. 'Tis not fit thus to obey him.

Horatio:
Have after. To what issue will this come?

Marcellus:
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Horatio:
Heaven will direct it.

Marcellus:
Nay, let's follow him. [Exeunt.]

Hamlet Act 1, scene 4, 87–91

This is one time when the popular misquotation—"Something's rotten in Denmark"—is a real improvement on the original. But you ought to be careful around purists, who will also remember that the minor character Marcellus, and not Hamlet, is the one who coins the phrase. There's a reason he says "state of Denmark" rather than just Denmark: the fish is rotting from the head down—all is not well at the top of the political hierarchy.

There have been some hair-raising goings-on outside the castle at Elsinore. As the terrified Horatio and Marcellus look on, the ghost of the recently deceased king appears to Prince Hamlet. The spirit beckons Hamlet offstage, and the frenzied prince follows after, ordering the witnesses to stay put. They quickly decide to tag along anyway—it's not "fit" to obey someone who is in such a desperate state. In this confused exchange, Marcellus's famous non sequitur sustains the foreboding mood of the disjointed and mysterious action. And it reinforces the point and tone of some of Hamlet's earlier remarks—for example, that Denmark is "an unweeded garden" of "things rank and gross in nature" (Act 1, scene 2). When his father's ghost tells him his chilling tale in scene 5, the prince will realize just how rotten things really are in Denmark.

PW’s Mom’s Cauliflower Soup

1 stick butter
1/2 onion, finely diced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1 to 2 heads cauliflower, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh or dried parsley
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth or stock
2 cups whole milk
6 tablespoons flour
1 cup half & half
2 to 4 teaspoons salt, to taste
1 generous cup sour cream, at room temperature

In a large soup pot or dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes, or until it starts to turn brown. Add the carrots and celery and cook an addition couple of minutes. Add cauliflower and parsley and stir to combine. Cover and cook over very low heat for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, pour in chicken stock or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer.

In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Mix the flour with the milk and whisk to combine. Add flour-milk mixture slowly to the butter, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup half & half.

Add mixture to the simmering soup. Allow to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Check seasoning and add more salt or pepper if necessary.

Just before serving, place the sour cream in a serving bowl or soup tureen. Add two to three ladles of hot soup into the tureen and stir to combine with the sour cream. Pour in remaining soup and stir.

Serve immediately.

Black Eyed Pea Salsa/Dip/Salad

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white wine (or regular) vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper

Veggies:
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 green onions, sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 jalapeno (optional), seeded and chopped
1 cup (more if desired) chopped cilantro

2 cans black eyed peas, drained.

Lo is right, I don't think you have any wrong choices just figure out what intrigues you the most. The choice is easier now since it is just the three of you, adding kids is a whole other dimension!!!!!!!!!! I will say going to school is easier while in the swing of things, going back after being off is a lot harder. If you want a masters it might be easier on you to just continue on while you still have your study skills and brain power. I know for a fact pregnancy fries brain cells! Good luck!
Love ya! CCR

I am back to work today after a great time in Indy. I dreaded getting up at 5am, but I just have to keep thinking about the cruise and the paycheck!! I am really coming to a crossroads in my life. Up until now everything had been planned (high school, college, marriage, etc), but I am rapidly approaching a very unplanned portion of my life. Graduation is nearing and everyday I have a different idea of what I think I would be happy doing. It is almost as though I have too many choices and I cannot settle on one. I guess I need to realize that this is a good problem and that nothing has to be permanent, change is simple, especially with my career. I grapple with whether or not to go to grad school, and if I decide to go to grad school then I have to think about where to go, what to study, When to go and all sorts of things. I also have to decide where to work! Do I stay at the job I am at, just transition to a nurse, and only have a one year contract, or do I try to get on at vandy getting paid less and having a two year contract but a great opportunity? The transition would be harder, since I would have to go to a new a place, but nothing I can't handle. To complicate all of this I know when I want to have kids and move and all of that which is pushing down on my career choices. I honestly know that to me building a family is the most important thing to me, not a career (although I feel like I am letting my family down for some reason.... but all of the wonderful women in my life are mothers first and formost). But how do I know what the future is going to hold? I wish I knew! If anyone has any advice I'd love to hear it! until then I will continue to lament over my many many choices! And none of you have to remind me of how young I am and how I have all the time in the world ;) I have taken that into consideration too!

Well, it's 5:18. I leave work at 6:00. I'm almost done for the day, almost. Steph, Kayla and Conner start back to school tomorrow. My Birthday was totes brill thanks to my lovely family and friends. Steph and I watched Mamma Mia with Beebstah, she really liked it! What's not to like, right? right. Mike's Burfday is friday! It's weird not getting a card from Grandpa Jim on my Birthday and I will NEVER get used to it. hummpphhhh. Sooo, how is everyone doing? Can we get a little hello from everyone for the nEW yEAR? Maybe a resolution, or some uplifting encouragement for the year ahead? Plans? Schemes? Wild ideas perhaps? I did my Yoga tape Steph bought me for Christmas and it's b-b-b-b-bangin! I would love to be all Yoga Savvy by years end~flexibility, poise, balance, all mine. YOGA will get me through peri-menopause...YOGA will transform me into a beautiful butterfly of serenity and peacefulness. YOGA will take my stress, headaches, indegestion and back aches and will Laugh in there FACES. I will wear the half smile of the Buddha, I will live in the moment. I've only done it once and I am completely transformed FOREVER. YO-GA! YO-GA!

Black Sunday has come and passed and I start a new year. Like our dear old Dad I prefer to look forward to the wonders of the future and not spend time reflecting on the past. My hopes for 09 continue to be simple and remain the same, good health and happiness for all my loved ones. I have spent most of the morning cleaning out the kitchen when on the phone (my attempt at multitasking) when not on the phone I have been glued to the Internet looking for other ways to make a buck in this ever changing economy. My Xmas present, a new washing machine, has not stopped. I may wear it out before the warranty expires. Cold, wet and gloomy here but I refuse to let it dampen my spirits and efforts to make this a great year!

Love to all,
Cathy

I am the Chairman of the Committee of Missions and Outreach for my church. I have to screen people that call the church looking for financial aid to make sure they are not grifters or charlatans. HAHAHAHA! This is funny for at least TWO big reasons.
#1) I am NEVER the chairman, neeeeveeerr.
#2) I can't say no.
So, I am expanding my boundaries... wish me luck.
(The Pastors wife and another woman sort of gently persuaded me that I am the one for the job.) Does anyone have any ideas about this? Does anyone know anyone who has ever done this? I will need help. I'm so confused, how did this happen?Oh yeah, I can't say no. That's how.
Oh wait, funny thing #3 is, I can barely balance a checkbook.
The Lord works in mysterious ways... right?
Love,
Chairman of the Committee,
Silly Tally

Happy birthday to my fabulous aunt kelly! Words aren't enough to describe your energy. I love you!

Happy birthday Silly Tally!!!!! What a blessing and delight you are to this family. I have decided to send all my unanswered questions your way. I must say I still am unclear on the truffle thing. I guess part of that comes from never tasting or seeing one in person, some day! In honor of your big day I spent a couple of hours this morning reading and catching up on our blog!! I laughed, I cried, my heart hurts beyond belief! I would give anything to have your way with words and blessed spirit, yours too Tori. I had no idea this blog would erupt into such fabulous entertainment and insight into my loved ones hearts and minds. Please keep it coming, I vow to do better in "09", see I have already started. Tomorrow will be my black Sunday, both darlings are doing laundry and packing up to head back to school tomorrow, the tears have already started, surprise, surprise!

My love to all,
Kiki Cathy Clark Rogers

My 2008 recap (a quick, rough version):
1. Jake and I brought home Maverick!
2. Jake and I thought we might go crazy training Maverick (all worth it!!)
3. I turned 21 (wow, seems longer ago than that!!)
4. I visited my bestie Kaily in NH for Spring Break
5. I saw lotssss of movies including the hilarious Step Brothers and Twilight!!
6. My most beloved memory includes summer evening walks around the neighborhood or at the park with jake and mav (my tiny little family)
7. Spent a beautiful fall weekend at the cabin with friends (nashville friends travis, brittany and Mary Connell and Indy friends megan & Kevin, will & ann) it was gorgeous and may have to become an annual trip!
8. Jake excelled at his job, beyond many expectations (I am so proud of him, 50 hours a week of mechanical labor is not easy).
9. Spent Thanksgiving in beautiful Florida with the Vieke family, but I had to leave my little mav at home (rough!!)
10. Finished another semester! 1 more to go!
11. Celebrated the holidays with my family!!!

All in all I think it was a fabulous year! And I have absolutely no doubt that next year will be even better. I will graduate in May and Jake and I are trying to plan a snowboarding/skiing trip out west next winter (you can do that when you finally have a 2 income home!). And let's not forget my Caribbean Cruise in march!

Love you all!!