Mr Ketchup Goes To Disneyland

We Are No Longer Having An "It"

The question we have all been asking since September 20th has finally been answered. Today, we had the ultrasound which determined the baby's sex. Everyone that was annoyed by my referring to the baby as "It" can rest easy as I no longer feel the need to say "It". Going forward, we will refer to the baby as Sydney or at the very least "her".

We are 99.9% sure that her name will be Sydney Leanne. If you are female please don't feel the need to suggest your name for the .1% , chances are, I have already ruled it out. Unless of course your name is Jenn Ann or Ruth Anne or Rachel Ann or Rebecca Ann or Carol Ann- we're definitely sticking with a variant of Ann for the middle name.

P.S. All tests look great, I am up 1.5 pounds since before pregnancy and we are at just about 21 weeks. Thats the full update!

Queen B, You're Hired!

Earlier this year, on January 16th to be exact, I commented on how much I hate putting up and taking down the Christmas Tree. Queen B responded with what just may be the funniest comment of the year. Here it is:

Um, yes, I am here today to apply for the open req of Substitute-Tree-Decorator.

Objective: to utilize my skills as a Christmas tree installer and remover across multiple environments. Additional skills with Christmas tree decorating may also be used, if the position requires.

Experience:
- 2 years experience as director of Christmas decorating (since I got married)
- Over 5 years experience in decorating my own personal tree with no additional manpower
- Over 20 years experience in Christmas tree installation and removal in a team environment
- Over 26 years experience celebrating Christmas

Three Sisters Eat Yams

Our entire life, the three of us have refused to eat Yams/Sweet Potatoes. We all agreed that they looked disgusting and therefore must be disgusting. We never tried them.

Growing up, my Grandfather and Uncle Will were the only ones to ever eat them. When David started coming to family holiday gatherings, he tried them, and loved them. Mom continued to make them because "Grandma always did" and she would "Make them for David". Jason, ended up following suit, as did Kevin. Tonight, Rachel decided that she was going to branch out and go ahead and try them. When she actually liked them, I figured that I would try them and at the very least have some blog material by adding them to Gatorade and String Cheese for 2007 food firsts. After I had them and really liked them, Becca decided to try some. All of us agreed that we actually thought they were good and I even went back and had more. Heres the proof:









P.S. While we are trying the yams, from the other room we hear Matt and Andrew yell out to Mom. "Where are the funeral potatoes" Thats a blog for another day.

Happy Anniversary!

I just wanted to wish a happy 10 year anniversary to Luke and April! I mean, Larry and April....

1977 JC Penney Catalog

This blog speaks for itself. My favorite? The men in the terrycloth. The barrel furniture is a serious gem and I couldn't help but post the photos of the best friends.
Home Furnishings:

Fashions:

In Honor of Kays Birthday

Here is a list of 22 favorite cliches:

1. Living High off the hog
2. Yank your chain
3. Old as dirt
4. Bent out of shape
5. Drive me up a wall
6. Go through the roof
7. Bend over backwards
8. Dangle a carrot
9. Drink the Koolaide
10. He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword
11. Swim with the sharks
12. Making money hand over fist
13. One foot in the grave
14. It ain't over till the fat lady sings
15. Light at the end of the tunnel
16. Don't bite the hand that feeds you
17. Put your money where your mouth is
18. He never met a doughnut he didn't like
19. His elevator doesnt go to the top floor
20. Raining cats and dogs
21. At the 11th hour
22. If you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk

Happy Birthday Kays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rewind 365 Days.......

I swear, I never get good quality time with Dora anymore.

365 Days ago

Had I only known what that little adventure would get me into.....

When In Doubt, Look Up

You never know when you might see something that will change your outlook. "Hey, look at that giant bug"

P.S. I believe several months ago I promised on one of the blogs to share the "Bug on Building" in Reno...so here it is.

One Day, I'll Be The MOD..

Several years ago, I received my first tour of the Mission Hills Data Center. I believe I was there working on the Help Desk Migration from a local facility to the Mission Hills Help Desk. On the wall, there was a scrolling LED sign that stated who the "Manager on Duty" was, that day it was my good friend, Sharon.

When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to be someone who was in charge of all the keys. That could have been anything, I was always impressed that the janitors had so many keys. Another great job would be a supermarket checker. They used to wear the key to the drawer on their arm. That was too cool. When I worked at the Residence Inn (Marriott Hotel) I used to always wear the key to the cash drawer on my arm, it was cool...I digress. But that day standing at the data center I thought, "It would be great to be MOD".

FAST FORWARD MANY YEARS: Three years ago, a much smarter Kim decided that she never wanted to be MOD. I basically just kept quiet and luckily managed to avoid it until last year.

Being MOD sucks! I would encourage everyone reading not to strive for this job. It would be better to return back to the days of wanting to be janitor versus wanting to be MOD. At least the janitor has regular hours, they aren't pregnant, on the phone with someone from Sacramento at 3:00AM on a Sunday morning, with a terrible headache, and trying to decide if the ticket is a Sev 1 or 2. Nope, the janitor is sleeping peacefully, as is the supermarket checker.

Pass The Cheer!

In celebration of the holiday season and Starbucks new "Pass the Cheer" cup messages, Jane started the "HCBC Pass the Cheer" posts. They are a collection of her all time favorite posts from each of the HCBC members. Check out Jane's list. Ruth Anne followed suit and has passed the cheer on by reminding us of our first posts. Teri soon followed with her own Pass the Cheer tribute. Here's my favorite posts from the official members of the Hot Chicks Bloggers Club:

Queen B: Having the Right Signage
JennAnn: Trip to Wallmart
Ann: TSA Idiots, Definitely a Special Breed
Jane: The Way I See It
Ruth Anne: Late
REM: Who Is That?
Happy Bunny: Big Mouth
Teri: Welcome Nalia to Our Home

We're About 1/2 Way.....

And I finally put on some maternity clothes today. Frankly, I think I could go a little longer in my regular clothes but I figured I would go ahead and try them out. My first thought is I like just pulling up my jeans as opposed to buttoning/zipping them. I think regular jeans should be this comfortable.

Thanks to my Pearl, I was able to capture the outfit for others to see. P.S. The pile of clothes in the background is for the Goodwill.

The Meaning Of These Owls

Last month, I was on a Goodwill adventure with Jane and she pointed out how sad it was to see these owls there. The significance being that these Owls obviously belonged to someone who was recently deceased. How sad that these meant nothing to anybody in her family and they just donated her precious owl collection to the Goodwill.









This week I showed these photos to Dora and Plankton and asked them about the owls. Here is how the conversation unfolded:

KT: "What is the significance of these owls".
Dora: "I don't know"
Plankton: "I don’t give a hoot"
Plankton: "It reminds me of CSI Las Vegas, you know because of the Who song"
Dora: "All I can think of is give a hoot don’t pollute"
KT: "You guys are way off....so what is sad about these owls"
Plankton: "Their ugly?"
KT: Laughs, "no"
Dora: "Nobody wanted them?"
KT: "Okay your starting to catch on….nobody wanted them, what else Plankton?"
Plankton: "Who gives a damn"
KT tells why Owls at the Goodwill are sad.
Plankton: "Oh….that is sad…."
Dora: "OMG

Watch Out For Falling Cows

In Washington state, a "missing" cow plunged off a 200 foot cliff an onto a moving minivan. The article can be found here: Cow plunges.

After I stopped laughing, I decided to read the article. Best line: "If the cow had fallen a split second later, the animal would have landed right in their laps."

Almost the Same Expression

Must be the blog family resemblance.....

"Champ, Where is Anna's Linens?"

Late Saturday afternoon MTC called me to see if I knew if an "Anna's Linens" store was in Burbank. I did a quick lookup on their website and while it was very helpful, I laughed at their location descriptions. Not only did they have the address, they provided additional information to help you find the store. For Example:

"Located between KMart and Ralphs"
"Behind the Food 4 Less"
"Next to Chuck E Cheese"
"Between Target and Mervyns"
"Next to the WIC Office"
"Where Target and Big 5 are located"
"In Food 4 Less"
"Next to Superior Market and Behind Famsa Furniture"
"Located near Ross"
"Store is located in the back by the Sears pick-up; Outside Mall next to Sears"
"at Main Entrance across from JC Penney's Inside Mall"

Luckily, MTC was able to find the Anna's Linens located next to the KMART and across the street from the IHOP in Burbank.

Documented Visits to the ER

What I look like when I visit the ER









What Mike looks like when he vists the ER. (Why is he so happy? Probably because he got out of work for the day)
What Jessica looks like when she visits the ER











Please note that I will be happy to post more ER photo submissions.

It's A Dead Man's Party....

They played Oingo Boingo's Dead Man's Party tonight on Desperate Housewives. Brought back some great memories, as there were several Oingo Boingo concerts in my past. The first one I attended with our good friend, Jinjer at Irvine Meadows. Best part about it is I had to hide the Dia De Los Muertas t-shirt I bought from my mother (which means I only wore it two or three times)

Favorite Oingo Boing song: Not My Slave, closely followed by We Close Our Eyes
Favorite Oingo Concert: Farewell Concert at Universal Ampitheater, 1995
Favorite Oingo Boingo Concert Companion: Jinjer

Do tell iIf you have been to an Oingo Boingo concert........what was the best part of your Oingo Boingo concert experience?

Purging Birkenstocks? Oh My!

I had to clean the closet to make room for all my new maternity clothes-YIKES! Not only did I clean the closet, we reconfigured it somewhat. David and I swapped one of my T-shirt bins with two of his shoe shelves. Now I have a casual shoe section and heels section. Even though I added shoe storage, I still found it necessary to purge some shoes. I got rid of six pairs of shoes, of which 3 pairs were Birkenstocks!

I was compelled to take a photo of this pair before putting it in the Salvation Army pile. I have almost parted with them before but always end up taking them out of the pile and putting them back in the closet. I'm afraid this time, they must go. I received this pair of Birkenstocks for my 19th birthday, that means they are almost 15 years old. They were my second pair of Birkenstocks and were given to me by my dear friend Jen. No detail was missed as they were also my favorite color (15 years ago). I still remember receiving them, they were the best gift and I was so happy. Parting with them makes me a little sad but they have served me very well and now they will serve someone else.....someone who has been dying for a pair of Birkenstocks which are few and far between at the Salvation Army.

Attention Birkenstock Haters: No worries, I still have six pairs. LOL

James Goes Driving

Earlier this week, James was insured and now legally can drive with an adult (over 25). This afternoon James, Mr Ketchup and I went for a drive. Some insight into our conversation:

1st part:
James: What I just did was legal, right?
KT: Yeah..........well, I think it's fine, I'd do it.

2nd part:
James: I just need to make sure I focus
KT: Focus is overrated

3rd part:
KT: Just Go!
*James crosses in front of a car that I thought would have stopped at the light but didn't*
James: Phew, thats the closest I have been to getting in an accident!
KT: Yes, mom teaches defensive driving and I tell you to "Just Go!"
James: I have a feeling this time mom was right

Document This? Yeah, Right!

First, let me just tell you that on a scale of 1-10 if you asked me how much I enjoyed being pregnant it would be a 1. So far, pregnancy has sucked. I have been assured that once I hit week 20 things will improve dramatically.

Tonight, I read an article: "what is happening with your pregnancy this week" It said:

Pregnancy Symptoms You May Experience This Week
Breast Changes, tenderness, fullness,
Frequent Urination
Constipation
Indigestion
Heartburn
Headaches
Stretch Marks
Itching

Don't forget these experiences! Document them with your very own online Pregnancy Diary! Makes a great keepsake that you can share with friends and family around the world and print for your baby book!

WHO ARE THEY KIDDING? I want to forget these experiences not memorialize them for my friends and family. In case you are wondering, the entire month of October was one big giant headache, literally. November isn't shaping up that great either........

Two Ketchup Stories

First: Two men commit a robbery. The weapon of choice, you ask? Ketchup. Yes, two thieves threw ketchup at a car in order to commit a robbery. This has to be the best story of all times. Read it here: Ketchup Story

Second: Mr Ketchup does the Bay area, surviving an earthquake, taking a terrible taxi ride, visiting the corporate office, having penne pasta and clams for lunch, taking the Muni, and finally taking his first ride on the Bart.

Happy Halloween

My Favorite T-Shirt of 2007

The Beauty of a Giraffe

Nowadays when I see a giraffe I think of lifelong friendship, love, joy and laughter. This stunning photo was taken by David yesterday.

Front or Back? Left or Right?

Southwest airlines, open seating. If you are a boarding group "A" passenger your chances for a great seat are very good.

Front or Back? If I am flying to any destination (but Burbank) for quick deboarding I sit in the first available window seat. If it doesn't look like any window seats are available in the first 10 or so rows, I will take an aisle. If the flight is full and all aisle and windows near the front are taken I will go with a middle seat (providing it is a relatively short flight). If I am flying to Burbank, the same rules apply except I go all the way to the back.

Left or Right? I have been finding myself lately automatically looking towards the left while boarding the plane. Not sure why. (my, everyone must have found that little tidbit interesting-lol)

Today, on my way home, I sat in the window seat in row 2, of course, I was on the right hand side (If you are sitting in your seat, to the left hand side if you are walking down the aisle towards to the back)

Proof That My Blog Makes a Difference

Back on Saturday, July 21st I posted about the lack of cellular coverage at the Grand Canyon. Original Story Here.

At the time, Alltel was the only wireless provider that worked after the main entrance to the Grand Canyon and throughout the National Park. Two weeks ago I learned that now there is great coverage from several wireless providers including, the new AT&T (formerly Cingular), T-Mobile and Verizon!

As proof, I offer the photo above of this good looking guy talking on his cell phone over the AT&T network.

Text Messages Between KT & QB

The scene: KT is sitting at Starbucks, Queen B is speeding through New Mexico

KT: Hope you aren't speeding
QB: Going as fast as I can towing a Uhaul and Treoing
KT: Too bad you arent Blackberrying
QB: Random Thought.....Is it weird that the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is in New Mexico
KT: I think there are a bunch of Pearl Harbor Memorial Highways
QB: I could see Hawaii or even AZ for USS Arizona. Why NM? Might need to google that
KT: Yes, AZ or Hawaii would make perfect sense
QB: I vote for the NM one to be ranked as worse dressed for lack of scenery and too many 18 wheelers
QB: Would you like a paper mache doll souvineer? They sell them here in the middle of nowhere for $3.99
KT: Only if I can use it as a voodoo doll
QB: I am holding out for a Chuck Norris voodoo doll
KT: Yes, a Chuck Norris voodoo doll would suit you well
QB: It's probably an oxymoron. It would probably hurt the pins :)
KT: Remember that conversation we had about the carrots and celery? Apio Verde
QB: Speaking of carrots.....I think cars should run on carrots instead of gas. Not like vegetable oils, just on whole carrots.
KT: RO RO RO
QB: Instead of gas stations there would be carrot patches. Self serve, of course.

Who Knew?

What this photo and that one of the snake in the coffee would result in?

Fire Pictures

The photo below was taken by one of my sister Rachel's friends. Unfortunately, I can't post any of the photos (can't download them) that my uncle took but they are really good. You can see them here: Uncle Will's Photos

Odd Foods at Whole Foods

A trip to Whole Foods market this weekend produced a couple "What is that's", here they are:

SCAL's on Fire!

I wonder who at KCAL 9 thought they could add to the dramatics by changing their trademark yellow number "9" to a red fire looking "9".

Also, the regular (non-HD) Charter station is coming in great tonight. Look at that horrible picture quality.

Two More Photos

When James Is In Charge

Welcome Liz!!!!!

Elizabeth Ann Krueger
7 Pounds, 11 Ounces
20 Inches Long
Eyes are closed in the pics but they are Evans blue

More pictures to follow in the coming days.....
Might I add, this was alot easier than the last birth. I don't remember how many hours it was before the C-Section but it was at least 27. This one we just showed up and an hour later our baby arrived, an hour after that we were all at dinner. Sweet. (Becca may not be thinking so....) P.S. In the little bit of time we were waiting under James supervision Joshua managed to shatter the glass window containing the fire valves and hose. Pictures of that will follow in the coming days.

Is It Possible?

I have nothing to say tonight? Instead here is a photo of Katie from last week.

A Pregnant KT Goes Shopping

If you know me at all you will know that I don't snack on much. If I do choose a snack it would either be a piece of cheese (for the protein), a Claussen Dill Pickle or a piece of salami (preferably Soprasetta).

Tonight, I leave the house for some "bread and milk". I come home with 2 jars of peaches, milk, sour cream, bread, butter, deli sliced chicken, 2 pints of ice cream, macadamia nuts and 5 bags of candy.

On the 5 bags of candy: I don't plan on sharing 4 of the bags with anyone. 1 bag of Kit Kats was purchased for Larry.

Gatorade and the Goonies

Two weeks ago, I had Gatorade for the first time. As strange as this is it is even stranger since I was one of six kids who all played sports. The other day I was on the phone telling my sister Rachel and the conversation went something like this:

Rachel: How are you feeling?
KT: Better, drinking alot of Gatorade. Do you know that I had never had Gatorade before two weeks ago?
Rachel: WHAT?!?!?!?!?
KT: Yep, and now I have had two flavors
Rachel: How old are you?
KT: 33
Rachel: How does one go 33 years without having Gatorade?
KT: I dunno
**At this point Rachel's co worker overhears this**
Coworker: Thats a lie!
Rachel: Laughs and says my coworker says your lying
Coworker to Rachel: Has she ever seen the Goonies?
Rachel: Have you ever seen the Goonies?
KT: No
Rachel: Laughs and then defends the fact that the Goonies wasn't something we watched growing up but she has since seen it at least 7 times.

So, I now have had Strawberrry and some blue Berry flavored Gatorade, neither were bad. I am not willing to try that original "yellow" or the orange flavored.

Come On Folks.....

Let's Support Cap'n Jeff!!!

Cap'n Jeff is only $75.00 away from his fundraising goal. He has done the walk now let's help him make the goal. Please....... If you are able to donate you can do so here: Support Cap'n Jeff

You Have One Hour........

Please take a look at the required reading. You have one hour to live because an Asteroid is heading toward earth. How do you spend your time?

Of those polled:
54% said they would spend time with friends and family
13% said they would sit back and have some champagne
9% said they would have sex
3% said they would pray
2% said they would eat fatty food
2% said they would go looting.......

Here's my answer:
Prayer and spending time with friends and family. (I'd probably start my conference bridge and have everyone join in and talk there)

Expense Receipts

If you don't turn in your expense receipts on time our corporate office will email you every week (copying your manager) until they get turned in. One of my associates has sent their receipts in numerous times and they can't seem to get it matched up with the report and so the emails continue and continue and continue. Last week, I received the following travel request:

Kim, Please approve and forward to the next approval level.

Reason for Trip: Hand Deliver Receipts for expense reports 0000362022 and 0000362032 to Texas
Dates: Depart Redding 10/08 Depart Sacramento: 10/09 Depart Plano 10/10
Estimated Cost of Trip: $1,308.40 (Air 1,308.40, Hotel $250.00, Food, $80.00)

Dumbest NHL Team Names

Since last nights post was so exciting (you can tell by all the comments) we will try it again with NHL Team Names.

Atlanta Thrashers-Is this a skater club?

Minnesota Wild-I don't even know what to say about this one. The "wild" is that the best they could do?

Columbus Blue Jackets-Naming this team probably happened something like this: About 30 people are sitting around in a planning meeting trying to decide what the team name should be. 15 of the people are typing away on their blackberries, 8 are engaged in 1 on 1 tangents, 6 are listening and 1 is leading the discussion. After 6 hours, many notes and sandwiches for lunch a woman who has yet to weigh in looks up from her blackberry and says "Look, they are wearing blue jackets, lets just call the team the "Blue Jackets". The remaining 14 blackberry addicts look up and say "Yeah, let's do that". In that moment, The Columbus Blue Jackets were born.

Nashville Predators-Who would want to be known as a Predator? Next are we going to have the Kentucky Kidnappers?

Dumbest NFL Team Names

Buffalo Bills-What the heck is a Bill? I do know that it is something that comes in the mail that I have to pay. I also know that sometimes the brim of a hat is referred to as a "bill but I can't imagine either of these being a mascot.

Green Bay Packers-They may have a dumb sounding name but it's a good history lesson and an actually cool name. The "Packers" were named the "Packers" because their first sponsor (bought them their first uniforms etc) was a packing company.

New Orleans Saints-It's just an oxymoron.

San Diego Chargers-The charger does charge important items but one doesn't usually consider the charger as something special. If San Diego wants me as a fan they should consider changing their name to an actual device like "The San Diego Blackberries" or "The San Diego IPOD's"

The Cleveland Browns-Hmm, next thing you know I will be rooting for the "Los Angeles Yellows"

Handicap Gas Pumps?

You can't park in a handicap spot. There is no law about whether or not you can use the handicapped restroom. (When I have luggage, I always use it) So do you think it is socially acceptable to gas up at the handicap pump?

This gasoline pump looked like all the others with the exception of the handicapped sticker. Any idea what what the reason is for the handicapped gas pump?