Xmas, Family and "My Car's on Fire!!"

Well, I survived Christmas with the Reeder's up north. The drive up went smoothly, made it in fourteen and a half hours...didn't hit traffic until the beltway which immediately reminded me why I moved from there in the first place. Dad and mom looked good, Dad gets around slowly but he looks and sounds better then last September. The nephews and niece are growing like sprouts....see below from left to right, Matthew, Mitchell, Elizabeth and Brandon.

Every time I see mom I'm reminded that I am a "chip off the ol' block". I act more and more like her everyday...which when I was younger used to bother me. As I've matured (o.k. stop laughing I don't mean mentally mature, but you know...older) I've come to take being just like mom as a compliment. I don't think any children could ask for more devoted parents then what we have. See picture of me and the queen mother below.

Now, I'm no mechanic but when my car started smoking from the hood about 40 miles into Georgia on the way back, I figured something was not right. A small fire caused by a broken AC belt melting against the compressor was the culprit. Luckily "Sweet Daddy", complete with mechanics shirt with the aforementioned name patch and missing front teeth, convinced me that that particular belt is uneeded and, as long as I kept the AC off, I could drive the car safely. He was much nicer and honest than the idiots at AAA and we were lucky to run into Sweet Daddy from Georgia. I don't think he appreciated Cindy nipping at him, though..she is such an ingrate!

Graduation with a Hangover

I finally finished my Master's degree and graduated yesterday. Thanks to the Champagne provided by Susan Friday night, I was forced to attend the ceremony with a slight hangover. I made it through and didn't trip on stage. Susan got me some balloons, but we had to put them in her room because they spook Cindy too much.....it's allllllll about Cindy. I'm in there somewhere with the group up front with the red and silver hoods...

La Casa de Cathy

Susan at La Casa






















I close on the 30th...948 NW Highland Ave., Palm Bay, FL

A Lot Going On

Wow...so much going on in my life. I'm finishing up my paper, with all of Dad's edits. Thanks Dad for your help!! I was disappointed to see that you did your mark ups in black pen and not the dreaded red...argh. Graduation is set for the 17th, same day as Mitchell and Dad's birthday...can you believe little Champ is going to be NINE!!!!!

Susan is going back to school, finally....she is taking a math class to start. She took a placement test and we studied for it all weekend. It was funny. Neither of us has done algebra in a long time so we were like dumb and dumber...X2+y3-(-6y)=y3X2...or something like that...teehee.

Also am closing on my new house on the 30th...pictures to come. It will be nice for Cindy to have a yard and for Susan and I to have some space. I love her and all....but jeez....and the cat's need their own domicile too...I keep trying to push butternut out the window with the broken screen but that damn cat is too fat to flop. The other day I threw a plastic bag in Susan's room and told the cats to crawl in it...one actually obliged (see picture above), but to my dismay Susan came in and cut a hole in it so she could breathe...almost got away with it....

Work has been swamped as well, not the usual holiday slow downs. So, I've been too busy to post.

A and I went to the Brevard Community College men's basketball game last night after having a few (wink) cocktails. They were playing a team(Central FL CC) that has a recruit going my alma matter next year, GMU. He looked awesome and it was a good game. Thanks to the Creighton coach and the Daytona CC coach (go KState), who we sat near, for their explanation of some calls and the conversation. Nice guys....

H, I'm going to call Patrick....I swear.

L, keep your head up.....he sounds just like JE....not worth your time.

Losses, Victory and Memories that never die!

Last Saturday I ventured up to Beef O'Brady's in Melbourne to meet Heather and Monica for some college football and beer. Heather has been on a mission ;) ....her friends Patrick and Sponge Bob...I mean Brian, showed up and the evening started out fun, but, I couldn't hold in my anger as the Hokies looked like a high school football team against the hated Hurricanes of Miami. I had to leave in the third quarter as the room full of Miami allumni was too much for me to take. I didn't know who was going to cry first, me because of the dismal play of the Hokies or Patrick because of his loss....I like your friends Heather, very nice...what does my friend Patrick (pictured above) have that your friend doesn't??

Alas, my anger and disappointment was relieved the following day as my beloved Redskins beat the E-A-G-L-E-S! (right, in Philly they are so creative with their cheers), on sunday night. I only wish I were still living in Philly so that I could enjoy the victory even more.

Florida Tech men's basketball started (local Div. II) school, Alison and I went to their game last night....except for the missed show boat dunks, the team actually looks decent this year...looking forward to watching them. Of course, being the dirty older women we are, we were picking out the cutest guys, butts...etc. Hey, why else do you think that women like sports so much?! Love those baseball pants...teehee. See Below.

Still working on my paper for my final act at school. I plan on graduating next month. I'm preparing a draft to send to Dad in Tucson so he can mark it up with his red pencil.....just got a chill....the memories...the dreaded red pencil! Quote from Dad to a 14 year old Cathy, "How many times do I have to tell you that "alot" is not a word, it is "a lot". Cathy: "I don't know....a thousand!". Dad: "Don't be a smart alec". Things haven't changed alot since then (pun intended) I'm still a smart alec....hahaha.

Ghouls, Goblins and Roller Coasters

Hi all. I am happy to report that Susan and I survived the hurricane just fine. The winds were a bit stronger than expected but we only lost power for a few hours and there was only minor damage in our area. Well…some rich guys yacht blew up onto the Causeway road near our apartment…but does that person REALLY have any problems. The county had the ‘chain gang’ prisoners out cleaning up promptly the next day following the storm, complete with horizontal black striped uniforms and all.

Went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios last night with some friends (Above are Susan, Steve, Alison and Stu). It was definitely something to see. The atmosphere was creepy with fog machines, chain saw wielding hooligans and motorcycle riding zombies. The lines for the haunted houses were long, but at least they had bars set up for cocktails and beer. We rode the Incredible Hulk roller coaster in the dark (those who have been know how cool THAT is), the Spider Man ride and basically wormed our way around the park. We got into four of the ten or so haunted houses. I’m happy to report that even I wasn’t too scared…although I did have a death grip on Steve and/or Stu through the entire ordeal. Below are some pictures that didn’t come out too well due to the darkness, the pictures don’t do the characters of Death and his Mistress justice as they were on about 8 foot stilts and very impressive.

WIIILLLLMMMMAAAA!!!

Fred is dancing because Wilma is near. They say that Wilma is 'slingshotting' towards Florida. Brevard county is directly in her path, luckily it will have slowed down over land since it is coming from the West. Below is a picture I took of the beach near my apartment this morning...'The Calm Before the Storm'. We'll keep you updated!

Redskins, Wolfpack and Guns

Redskins

O.K., Ali and I went to the Purple Porpoise to watch the Redskins Vs. the Chiefs last Sunday. Her being from K.C. made for some fun exchanges between the two of us. Unfortunately she got the last laugh. Note to Alison: 1) Rock the K State Wildcat clearly was on the take. 2) Sean is cute isn't he...I just wish he would tone down his enthusiasm for Skins...by the end of the game even I was rooting for the Chiefs.

Wolf Pack

I ventured up to Coasters last Thursday to watch the N.C. State Wolf Pack play the purple panted Clemson Tigers. I have a new name for the 'Wolf Pack'...'Puppy Litter', because that is what they played like. Now is not a good time to mention to Stu that Va Tech beat N.C. state in men's soccer over the weekend....not that anyone cares about soccer but me....had fun and I learned that there is at least one cool person that works at Boeing, Alison's friend Richey Rich.

Guns

Now I didn't mention this before, but I am officially a handgun owner. I purchased the S&W .38, 'double action only' weapon last month. Thanks to Russ for taking some of us through an NRA course and lesson. I'm convinced that Russ will one day retire in Montana to run a compound and write deliriously long letters to major newspapers about our oppressive Government. Seriously though, once you sift through the right wing propaganda (what does the second amendment say anyway???!!), the course was extremely informative. I am now eligible for my concealed weapons permit...watch out old foes. Cathy's most used line during target shooting, "Did I even HIT the target?!". Cathy's most embarrassing moment, "Russ: Let's set up a special target for Cathy that is only 15 feet away". Best shooter, Alison "deadeye" Denny by far...I wouldn’t cross her Stu. Catalog picture of my gun below:

Don "Scoop" Reeder

...I wonder what they were talking about?

Livestock

OK., here is an introduction to the most important members of the household. The three furry felines are a constant reminder to Cindy that she USED to have the house to herself...she is always trying to eat them and we must keep them separated by a baby gate, rotating allotted times for outside their respective abodes (Cathy and Susan's bedrooms). From the top to bottom are: Cindy - she is the true ruler of the house. She is none to happy with me for allowing the three little furry felines into her home and she never misses an opportunity to try and eat one of the home invaders. She usually goes after Judy, the old slow one....she is a real mean albeit not brave dog....next is Chaplin (a.k.a. Harry Cottonballs), he lets out a girly hiss whenever Cindy gets anywhere near him, but is a real sweetheart. Then fat Mickey (a.k.a. Butternut Man), he has never met a meal he doesn't like. Below him is Finally, Judy (a.k.a. squeaky), she is a true bitc* and in the tradition of cathood she is ungrateful, unaffectionate and downright moody. I honestly can't figure out why I haven't thrown her into a locked room with Cindy yet...

Bella's

Had a great meal at Bella's on Tuesday night. It is an Italian Restaraunt in downtown Melbourne. Big props to Cathy B. for footing the bill. She is awesome. Us ladies are going to make it a monthly outing. I got to have dinner with some old friends and some new. Thanks Gail, Alison, Cathy B. , Kimberly and Susan The French restaraunt is next (yah, I know...ugh the French) and, yes Gail, you're invited!! Hopefully Kathy C. can make it next time.

Girls Night Out

As promised, Here are a couple of pics from our night out a week ago. Here are some crazy girls from left to right: Christine, Heather, Alison, Cathy and Jon. Jon had TWO boyfriends there...of course her husband was out of town...This was at City Tropics in Indialantic where we went after a meal of Sushi in Melbourne.






Here is the 'old' guy hitting on Heather. Of course, Heather is a young twenty four so the 'old' guy is my age. Notice that although Heather claims the poor guy didn't have a shot, it didn't stop her from letting him buy her and her friend Stacey some drinks...ah to be young again.

My two favorite Dudes

Mitchell and Matthew Hoag...our nephews from Vienna...they are two cool cats.

Musings

O.K., Alison and I went to the FL Tech Volleyball game last Friday and let's just say that they weren't exactly good. But our friend Janelle, who is a coach, was happy to see us support her team.

Sunday was Football day up at the Purple Porpoise Beachside....let's just say that what was intended to be a couple of beers and half a game ended up to be two games and too many beers to count. I believe Stu and Alison are a bad influence on me (o.k. nobody in my family believes that, I'm sure).

But, hey, good news...Susan got out of the house and came with me. I'm sure the vampire gods were seething with contempt, but she even laid out at the pool with me before hand. I explained to her that the big orange thing in the sky is what our humble tiny planet revolves around... she was reluctant to believe me and still thinks the world revolves around TV Land...baby steps.

I'm Spoiled 

Close to the Weekend

The weekend is near, and since tomorrow is my Friday off...I'm counting the hours. Alison's hubby Stu is going out of town....so we are going out Friday!! A bunch of us went out last weekend, including Alison and Heather (a.k.a. 'crazy girl')...pics to be posted soon of that 'old guy' (my age...ugh) hitting on Heather...teehee.

Big Game for the Hokies on Saturday at noon on ESPN against the Mountainers of WV. GO VaTech!

Doctor's Prognosis

...as we expected, the Vet said Judy was having an allergic reaction to Florida fleas...same as Cindy. We have fogged the place, dipped the animals...and nothing can get rid of the little pests. You wouldn't know we even had them as I never see any on Cindy...but apparently Florida fleas are relentless and can lay dormant for some time. The animals are on prednizone and the vet recommends an exterminator...ugh, more money!! Judy is up above.

Susan is taking "Judy" to the vet today. She has a mysterious rash. Odd, since Cindy has the same type of problem. I know you all are woried about our furry friends, so we'll keep you up to date (For those who don't know, Cindy is my dog and Judy is one of Susan's hoard of rats...er...cats!)

Our names are Cathy and Susan. We are fraternal twins who live in Indialantic Beach, FL. Here is a picture of us last spring with our two heroes, Sponge Bob and Patrick Star, at Universal in Orlando.

Younger Days

Here we are on some unknown relatives porch in Indiana....Susan stole my doll....brat. I can assure you, that is the last time Susan ever took anything from me!!