Domestic Psychology

2006-03-20T18:05:00.000-05:00

Bye-bye Blogger. I have moved to a new site (with a new feed too).

Dog park pond

2006-03-16T15:25:00.000-05:00

IMG_6866
Originally uploaded by cathymccaughan.

Molly had fun at the dog park. When Amy started taking her clothes off to join Molly in the muddy dog pond we had to come back home. "But I wanna swim with Molly!"

2006-03-16T13:01:00.000-05:00

Mom and Dad are feeling stressed. Time to take a break and visit the dog park.

2006-03-16T08:37:00.000-05:00

We only have long-gone family pets buried in our yard.

2006-03-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

The target audience for commercials must be 3-year-olds. "I want that. And that."

2006-03-15T16:38:00.000-05:00

A Knoxville boy, far from home but still sounding like East Tennessee.

2006-03-15T12:24:00.000-05:00

This is the last weekend of Girl Scout cookies for a full year. We have cookie recipe books at our booths (in the mall Friday 4-8 and Saturday 10-2) but I will e-mail them to anyone who wants one. Out-of-town cookie orders are being shipped tomorrow.

2006-03-15T09:33:00.000-05:00

This weekend I was the recipient of one of those 'insults disguised as casual chatter' monologues. The kind that starts out "I don't know how you can possibly give 5 children enough attention and love" and goes downhill from there. Strangely, I only get those lectures from people with one or two children. I say lecture/monologue because I just nod and smile while the person goes on and on about how exhasting their child is and how they can't understand people who have more than two children. Nothing I say would change that person's mind anyway. Let's review how neglected our children are right now. Tommy has group therapy, psychiatrist appointments and horseback riding lessons. He and Doug play D&D with a friend and the friend's father every other week. Tommy gets to go along on the Boy Scout camping trips. Poor, pitiful Sarah is secretary of the student council and a member of the art club, the school's news crew, Girl Scouts and has a part in the seventh grade play. She participates in SibShops and has a weekly sleepover either here or at a friend's house. She somehow manages to see a movie in the theater almost every week. Noah is a Boy Scout and active in Karate (3 times a week) while also participating in TAG and the school chess club. Amy has preschool twice a week and gets to participate in so many of the Girl Scout activities that she considers herself a Girl Scout. Evan has no organized activities but still nurses full-time and you will have to just trust me when I say that is a time-consuming activity. Sooooo, I just don't think my children are neglected.

Doug & Evan

2006-03-14T21:33:00.000-05:00

IMG_6825
Originally uploaded by cathymccaughan.

They were both laughing out loud.

Texas Roadhouse

2006-03-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

IMG_6850 Originally uploaded by cathymccaughan.

There sure are a lot of people eating steak tonight. We are having freezer pizza.

2006-03-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

Reason number 287 why boys are easier than girls Clothing. "WHY do you care what I wear?" Reason number 64 why girls are easier than boys - Girls don't check the equipment during diaper changes.

2006-03-14T15:03:00.000-05:00

Blogger is snafu today.

2006-03-14T12:55:00.000-05:00

Blogger is wonky today.

2006-03-13T21:54:00.000-05:00

Why do I get spam for "the best love drugs"? Does it look like we have any problems with our ability to procreate?

2006-03-13T14:35:00.000-05:00

Noah had a sleepover Friday night and his friend gasped when he saw our ~~Christmas~~ ~~Winter~~ Girl Scout cookie lights on the front of the house. The next day, Doug took down part of the lights. I think Noah should have visitors more frequently.

2006-03-13T11:38:00.000-05:00

Fun with paper - wishing stars letters without envelopes gum wrapper chain For Doug & Dean

2006-03-12T20:43:00.000-05:00

Five steps with no help!

2006-03-12T20:33:00.000-05:00

I took advantage of a cookie booth inside the mall and did some window shopping. Two thoughts. First, I can tell by the store's background music if they want me as a customer. Second, the new spring fashions look like the wardrobe for "Caddyshack".

Spring blooms

2006-03-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

IMG_6773
Originally uploaded by cathymccaughan.

The weather in Knoxville has been too wonderful for words this week. Everywhere you look you see people just standing outside absorbing the warm sunshine and memorizing the spring color.

Spring

2006-03-10T15:29:00.000-05:00

IMG_6757
Originally uploaded by cathymccaughan.

I took this out the car window as I drove by it. I still want to work up the nerve to get out and get some close-up pictures. It is unbelievably beautiful outside today. Mid 70s and sunny with a breeze.

2006-03-09T13:57:00.000-05:00

Since this blog helps me keep track of who did what and when they did it, I was going to comment that Amy whacked Evan in the head with the Romper Stompers today. Then I realized that they probably are called something else now and that reference would make no sense. So, let's just say that Amy whacked Evan in the head with a big plastic toy today.

2006-03-09T12:28:00.000-05:00

A few blocks from our house is a tree that I really want to photograph. I don't know who lives there, but the dog chained outside makes them look more than a little unfriendly. Do I risk their wrath by jumping out of the car to take a few quick shots or should I just find another tree?

2006-03-08T22:11:00.000-05:00

Taking pictures of an all black dog is nearly impossible.

2006-03-08T21:30:00.000-05:00

To my brother the detective - Finding an Uncle we never knew about is really cool. Obviously I'm a fan of big families. However, if the DNA is inconclusive, I vote we accept him as an Uncle (especially with the HUGE amount of circumstantial evidence) rather than disturb our grandfather's grave. Could you please find a generous, wealthy relative now?

2006-03-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

Is this the fun part?

2006-03-08T12:02:00.000-05:00

Let's check my list for today: Errands for Amy - 2 Errands for Sarah - 4 5 Errands for Noah - 1 Assorted planning, paperwork and prep for Girl Scouts Plan family menu/grocery list Dishes Update calendar & Laundry

2006-03-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

The ~~dog~~ baby ate my ~~homework~~ preschool tuition check.

2006-03-07T11:30:00.000-05:00

.nuf rof tsuJ

2006-03-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

To get out of my cookie sale driving me crazy and husband driving himself crazy funk, I bought myself a new CD for the first time in, um, well, three years actually. Today I am going to listen to the soundtrack to A Lot Like Love (if Amy lets me).

2006-03-07T09:15:00.000-05:00

After a lifetime of using the same deoderant, I seem to have developed an allergy to mine. I feel pretty, oh so pretty. . .

2006-03-07T07:57:00.000-05:00

Lemon Drop Chicken 1 box Girl Scout Lemon Cooler cookies 2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, rinsed Salt and pepper, to season Salt and pepper the chicken. Crumb the cookies. Coat the chicken with crumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

2006-03-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

When Doug says he pulled an all-nighter, it really went something like this and is followed by 24 hours of sleeping because he's "sick". I can't convince him that this is unhealthy AND unproductive.

2006-03-05T22:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my niece Abby!

2006-03-05T18:50:00.000-05:00

Crunchy Caramel Apples 12 Do-Si-Do cookies (crushed) 12 small apples 1 pkg. (16 oz.) caramels 12 wooden sticks Insert sticks into top of apples. Melt caramels in double boiler. Dip apples in caramel using a spoon to evenly spread caramel over whole apple. Allow excess caramel to drip off. Immediately dip bottoms of apples into crumbs. Place caramel-covered apple cookie side down on wax paper and let stand about 30 min or until firm.

2006-03-05T17:05:00.000-05:00

"I'm just an ordinary average guy My friends are all boring And so am I We're just ordinary average guys" except when I'm not and my life is completely surreal

2006-03-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

Ran over squirrel. This makes me feel very sad. Sarah told a joke.

2006-03-04T07:55:00.000-05:00

I can't get the column and section breaks out of my word document. Grrrr.

2006-03-04T07:36:00.000-05:00

Having one car that barely runs really bites.

2006-03-03T12:44:00.000-05:00

We have actually had women at our cookie booth who remember their mothers making cookies to sell. The original Girl Scout cookie recipe seems like a good place to start this year's cookie recipe collection. *1 cup butter, or substitute *1 cup sugar *2 tablespoons milk *2 eggs *1 teaspoon vanilla *2 cups flour *2 teaspoons baking powder What to do: Cream butter and sugar together. Add well-beaten eggs, then milk, flavoring, flour and baking powder. Roll thin and bake in quick oven. (A quick oven would be about 375 degrees for 10 minutes.) Sprinkle sugar on top.

2006-03-03T09:42:00.000-05:00

Last night we all went to the Boy Scout Pinewood Derby. As the half a dozen fathers finished getting the track ready, Evan decided he was thirsty. I am not shy about breastfeeding, but since Evan has decided it's fun to spend his mealtime trying to remove my shirt and popping off the breast to laugh at the spraying milk, I felt uncomfortable frightening the poor Dads in the room. Since the custodians were buzzing all over the school, cleaning the day's filth, I decided to pull out a ~~sugar tit~~ bottle of juice/water. Evan was quickly satisfied and I forgot the whole matter. An hour later I was in the packed cafeteria, helping Amy with her pizza. At that point I realized that Evan had been satisfied, but I had been neglected. Evan was strapped in the stroller so that Sarah could spoon him his cereal and I scurried back to the gym. Two steps out of the cafeteria, one of the Dads decided to be friendly and chat. I mashed my arms against my chest and tried to stay two steps ahead of him. The faster I walked, the faster he walked. I was embarrassed and rude all at the same time. Once I reached the gym I sat down with our pile of backpacks and turned toward the wall. I tried to look busy doing paperwork with one hand while I alternated between fluffing and rubbing my soaked shirt with my other hand. Apparently I didn't look strange enough, because Doug decided this was a good time to introduce me to another Dad. After introducing me, Doug decided to stand there and chat with his friend until he announced that Evan needed a change. I annoyed Doug by just nodding in agreement that Evan needed a new diaper. Frustrated at my lack of action, Doug grunted that he would change Evan if I would hand him the equipment. I handed it to him and pulled the stroller in front of me as a shield. Eventually my shirt dried, but I am sure that one of the dozens of videocameras running all night has evidence. Someday they will pull those tapes out and their jaws will drop. "Why does that woman look like she's entering a wet t-shirt contest?"

2006-03-02T13:02:00.000-05:00

It's Girl Scout cookie time in East Tennessee. When you see the girls in front of the store, please be nice. You don't have to buy the cookies, just don't be rude and hateful. You would not believe the awful things that people will say to Girl Scouts trying to sell cookies. You're on a diet and have no need for the cookies? Most troops are also collecting boxes of cookies for community organizations. Our troop is collecting cookies for STAR. Our troop is older girls and this usually elicits some negative comments from people who think scouting is only for cute little Brownies. Teens who are active in organized activities are healthier, happier and safer. Scouts is a place where it doesn't matter if you are a goth, jock or prep. It is a safe place for girls to be friends and have fun. The cost of the cookies is the main complaint the girls hear. No, they are not a bargain. They are a fundraiser. That money pays for council staff, the camp's maintenance and scout activities. Last year our troop used their cookie profits to spend a day in Chattanooga. It was fun, educational and something that some of the girls would never have done if it weren't for Girl Scouts and the cookie sale. This year we want to earn enough to go white water rafting. The next time a Girl Scout asks you if you want to buy some cookies, ask her what her troop is going to do with their profits.

2006-03-01T12:47:00.000-05:00

"Lockdown is so stupid. We put a table in front of the door and the door opens out so the table does nothing. Then we sit under our desks silently with the lights turned off and everyone text messages on their phones." I remember crawling under the desk for earthquake drills and sitting along the walls of the hallways for tornado drills. We never had to think about strangers or classmates using guns in the school. In high school, lots of the students had guns in their trucks and nobody thought twice about it. Sometimes it all feels like busy work to make us believe that we can help, like sending husbands to tear sheets and boil water.

2006-03-01T09:17:00.000-05:00

Girl Scout cookies arrive tomorrow. They are delivering them to troops in the mall parking lot. I think we have figured out how we are getting 117 cases (12 boxes per case) of Girl Scout cookies from the mall to our house. Now I need to decide where to put them so that preschoolers and dogs (and husbands) won't snack on them.

2006-03-01T09:03:00.000-05:00

I lived in the land of Peachtree Roads for a few years and this video just cracks me up.

2006-03-01T08:42:00.000-05:00

Favorite Doug quote from yesterday - "Looks like Mommy is dancing." Favorite Doug quote today - "If everyone can survive until Friday, this weekend I'll try to find out what's making us sick."

2006-02-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

I feel blech. Yucky and wierd in a way I have never felt before. The constant drone of helicopters over the neighborhood doesn't help either.

2006-02-28T11:29:00.000-05:00

Shhhh. Don't tell Doug cause it makes his face turn purple, but I let Evan unroll the toilet tissue. I know it's wasteful, but it makes Evan so very happy. It's easy to clean up, too.

2006-02-28T10:27:00.000-05:00

If you can lie still for stitches in your eyebrow, why do I have to wait until you are asleep to trim your fingernails? "Ow! You're hurting my nails."

2006-02-28T09:05:00.000-05:00

There was a time when I never missed watching the Oscars. While it wasn't the spiritual experience that Westminster is, it was fun to try and guess who would win the awards. Yes, it was also about playing fashion police. "That dress is beautiful but why is he wearing that?" This year I have seen nothing that is nominated. nada. zip. shake your hand in a zero shape and then blow on your outstretched palm. If they had an awards show for cheesy children's programming I'd be all over it. " ...and the award for most tragic episode goes to...the one where the doll dies!"

2006-02-27T18:58:00.000-05:00

Ringo Starr, George Carlin or Alec Baldwin?

2006-02-27T08:05:00.000-05:00

Mommy is tired.

Evan would not sleep last night.

I am a Mombie.

2006-02-26T20:27:00.000-05:00

I remember my parents letting me stay up past my bedtime if The Sound of Music or The Wizard of Oz was on the television. I'm letting my children stay up to watch War Games.

2006-02-26T17:07:00.000-05:00

Baby Juggling Tour 2006

2006-02-25T17:48:00.000-05:00

Juggle the baby.

2006-02-24T13:25:00.000-05:00

This is just too funny. From Blogging Baby

2006-02-24T10:58:00.000-05:00

Sarah text messaged early this morning as she was being evacuated from her school for a bomb threat. We sat at home and text messaged for a few hours before she sent the "everyone is checking out now" message. Doug went to the school and learned we had fallen for the old "everybody" trick. What to do? Check her out because lots of other parents were doing it? Be paranoid that the bomb squad missed something when they swept the school? Leave her at school? There is no parent training for bomb threats.

2006-02-23T19:27:00.000-05:00

Those aren't Christmas lights on our house. Those are Girl Scout cookie lights.

2006-02-23T13:28:00.000-05:00

Target sent me a temporary tattoo of the little target bullseye. Shouldn't they pay me if I'm going to be their billboard? What if I use the tattoo inappropriately? Will they sue me?

2006-02-23T11:12:00.000-05:00

"On my next birfday, I'll be two!" "No, you'll be four." "No! I will be two!" I thought she wouldn't start that until after she turned 30.

2006-02-22T18:18:00.000-05:00

Time to post Girl Scout cookie recipes again.

2006-02-21T15:43:00.000-05:00

I am so peeved at our elementary school and the non-stop fundraising that I am going to sleep on it for a day before I write them a letter about how ridiculously out-of-control this has become. Poor, sweet Noah gets a big sales pitch about how great each and every fundraiser is and how easy it will be to sell the stuff-of-the-moment. He comes home all excited, tries so hard and fails miserably. I put my heart into his Boy Scout popcorn sale and Sarah's cookie sales but the school has pushed me too far. Just at Noah's elementary school this year we have had PTA capital campaign, book orders, book fair, school carnival, pancake breakfast, coupon books, pies, change jar collection and now magazines. Sadly, this won't be the last one this year. Elementary age children should not be asked to participate in more than two fundraisers each year and if the school is too stupid to realize that, maybe our over-bearing, big brother of a government needs to put a leash on this. Have adults sell, but leave my children alone! Anybody want to buy a &%#@ magazine subscription?

2006-02-21T12:39:00.000-05:00

Evan's fingernails grow so fast I have to trim them every few days, so why does he still look bald?

2006-02-21T12:37:00.000-05:00

Why won't my children wear their coats? Don't they know that when Mom is cold, everybody is cold?

2006-02-21T10:17:00.000-05:00

A discount drug card might help the TennCare insured who have more scripts than TennCare will allow, but it doesn't really help the uninsured. If an opportunity ever allowed the possibility of getting insurance, we can't risk any pre-existing conditions interfering with obtaining coverage, so we try not to go to the doctor. The irony, of course, is that if we went to the doctor enough to be uninsurable, we might qualify for TennCare, but probably not.

2006-02-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

It's hard to get out of bed on a frigid morning when Molly is napping on your feet. She is better than a Bewitched bedwarmer.

2006-02-20T18:02:00.000-05:00

I think 7 p.m. is a perfectly acceptable bedtime. Don't you? I think Ben & Jerry's in bed is a perfectly acceptable dinner. Don't you? I think men speak before their brains process the thought. Don't you? I think I need a break. Don't you?

2006-02-20T14:05:00.000-05:00

When the children have been with a friend for too long, they start bickering and acting like over-tired toddlers. This is the fourth day without school and they are now acting like over-tired grumpies with each other. Contrary to my brother's beliefs, there is a "quota on fun" and we have passed it. Time to go back to school.

2006-02-19T22:22:00.000-05:00

and how was YOUR weekend?

2006-02-19T10:43:00.000-05:00

Lone gray hair down there

Ugly harbinger of death

I will trim and tweeze

2006-02-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

Finally!

2006-02-17T16:12:00.000-05:00

Weekend - When "we can" transport the children to and from activities. Today is karate, movies, mall, grocery and a sleepover day.

2006-02-17T14:19:00.000-05:00

If Sarah tells me she's bo-red one more time, I think I will scream. Really.

2006-02-17T13:05:00.000-05:00

I think I need an exorcist to get rid of this cold.

2006-02-17T11:36:00.000-05:00

The last time we were supposed to have snow, we got nothing. That's what I expect this time, too.

2006-02-16T17:24:00.000-05:00

My brother's office looks like a fun place to work. My brother is in the background watching the young musicians.

2006-02-16T14:49:00.000-05:00

Those aren't Christmas lights on the house. They are "winter lights".

2006-02-16T08:17:00.000-05:00

I have felt pretty indifferent about taking Amy to see the new Curious George movie. After watching the music video ten zillion times, I think I would like to take her just to hear the rest of the soundtrack. I do have a Blingo ticket I've been saving for X-Men 3.

2006-02-14T22:56:00.000-05:00

Way to go Rufus! Your personality came shining through tonight.

2006-02-14T22:28:00.000-05:00

If I could do just one selfish and indulgent thing in my life, it would be to be in attendance at Westminster just once before I die.

2006-02-14T22:22:00.000-05:00

I liked the Sheltie but the Old English Sheepdog is a great looking dog. Lots of maintenance and grooming, though I suspect the new Shaggy Dog movie will make this dog and Bearded Collies popular.

2006-02-14T21:54:00.000-05:00

The herding group has won Westminster the least, but they are my favorites. They are active, intelligent, social and loyal family members.

2006-02-14T21:49:00.000-05:00

The Deerhound shape and stride remind me of Molly. Sometimes the judges are intimidating. The hound judge looked sincerely happy to be there. Nice. A shoe manufacturer with attractive but comfortable women's shoes would make a fortune backstage at Westminster. The men all look appropriately formal, but some of the women look just clueless.

2006-02-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

The Golden Retriever is one of my favorite breeds. They are wonderful with children. I would like to have seen more personality from the winner of the sporting group though.

2006-02-14T20:16:00.000-05:00

"Mommy, I tooted." "OK. Maybe I should call you Tootie." "No. I'm Little Toot. And Daddy is Big Toot."

2006-02-14T15:33:00.000-05:00

Good - A sweet Valentine blog from Doug. Bad - Blogger being down most of the day. Good - Deep sleep that leaves a puddle of drool on my pillow. Bad - Waking up to find my nose crusted and stuck to the pillowcase. Good - Valentine candy from grandparents. Bad - The three-year-old feeding candy to the baby. Good - The baby's chocolate covered grin.

2006-02-13T22:56:00.000-05:00

OMG, please don't joke about 101 Dalmations at a dog show. There is nothing worse than people buying a dog because of a movie or television show. You have to research the breed and consider how it would fit in your family.

2006-02-13T22:52:00.000-05:00

Yes! It would be great to see a Dalmation finally win but just getting to the finals is a triumph.

2006-02-13T22:36:00.000-05:00

I miss Joe Garagiola. Fred Willard is funny, but Mr.Garagiola was a comforting and familiar part of the show.

2006-02-13T22:15:00.000-05:00

Nope, I'm just not a Pug fan.

2006-02-13T21:35:00.000-05:00

I love them all, but the toy group is probably my least favorite. Westminster loves them though. Actually, I think they love poodles more than anything. I just wish poodles got more dignified hairstyles.

2006-02-13T21:31:00.000-05:00

How could your heart not melt when you watched Rufus prance around that floor. Those little paws are just too sweet.

2006-02-13T20:40:00.000-05:00

When the judge moved the Rottweiler to the front, that dog knew he was the winner. Beautiful dog!

2006-02-13T11:17:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned before that my extended family is heavily armed and very big on hunting. I've been on several of the hunting excursions, including quail hunting. Not one person in my family or any of their friends has ever accidently shot anyone. However, based on my family's experiences, Mr.Cheney should never be allowed to drive a riding lawnmower. He would be deadly on one of those.

2006-02-13T09:21:00.000-05:00

School is closed today but our roads are clear. Noah is already bo-o-red. Sarah is online plotting a trip to the movies with her friends. Tommy is annoyed that I won't let him spend the entire day playing warcraft online. Evan won't nap with all the noise and Doug can't work with all the chaos. I think I will get dressed and drag everyone somewhere so Doug can have some peace. Maybe we'll go pound on the school doors. "Let us in!"

2006-02-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

He is the reason all my children run screaming whenever they hear "that" music. The tickle monster is always right behind them. Da-dum. Da-dum. Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-DA-DA-DA-DA!

2006-02-12T11:38:00.000-05:00

Forget "long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days." It's impossible to share a good kiss with your husband when your nose is completely stuffed. smooch gasp smack gasp

2006-02-11T20:49:00.000-05:00

As much fun as it is to say "I'm blogging that," it is more fun to hold back on something totally bloggable. "Shall I go blog you-know-what?" I am soooo evil.

2006-02-11T12:45:00.000-05:00

Where is our snow?!?

2006-02-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

Weekends. The time when most bloggers are too busy to blog while I desperately look for something interesting to read so I can hide from laundry. There should be a webring just for weekend bloggers.

2006-02-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

We need milk.