Seriously??!!?!?!?!

Please don't even get me started on these people. These are Fairy penguins. They are primarily found in Australia. Certain people swear by these damn sweaters, that during an oil spill, they will keep the birds warm and keep them from ingesting the oil that is on their feathers. Yes, good thought because hypothermia and oil ingestion IS an issue when it comes to oiled birds BUT something you don't want to increase any more in a bird during a spill is STRESS. I bet these poor little penguins just LOVE being dressed and undressed like a freakin cabbage patch doll. These poor honey's...i truly feel bad for them. Granted this is just my opinion but i feel very strongly about it. And ps, who the HELL has enough time on their hands to sit down and say...hmmmmm...i think i'm going to make penguin sweaters today. Anywho, here are some choice photos of some cute ass penguins in stupid ass sweaters. :)

AWSOME!!!!

Oh Martha...

The pressure is on to save this Eagle. Her name is Martha. She's a fiesty one!!

So far the story has been picked up by Seattle, DC, Chicago, Baltimore, Virginia, Washington, Houston, CBS, ABC, NBC and Forbes.

Here's hoping she pulls through and it's a success story!!

Ps thats Laura (my roomate) tube-feeding Martha. :)

Well needed!

Hands down i got the funniest e-mail from Annie and Lou today. I feel it is necessary for everyone to see and laugh as hard as i did. I seriously had tears in my eyes i was laughing so hard.

Ok picture it....Annie and Lou cuddled up on the couch together aimlessly browsing the internet thinking of what they are going to do tonite.....

and scene....

Brilliant...absolutly brilliant...go ahead send one of your own..try to make me laugh harder!

I almost forgot....

I know i promised to post pictures of Gianna's b-day party....well here i go:

Gigi the birthday girl

Cutie pants McGee

Gigi and U. Mike

Bring on the cake eating contest

This girl does not mess around....i couldn't keep up!

She's testing the anti-aging effects of frosting...and shoot...she ain't screwing around!

More cuteness

The babies are a'comin. We have a little baby owl. He's a barred owlet and he looks just like this....it doesn't get any better than that!!!

We got him when he was about 2 days old. He's got the chubbiest cheeks!!!!

Did it move?!

When i was home last i asked lisa to make sure her baby belly was a-showin. I was pleasently surprised that she in in-deed was finally showing. And by finally, i mean i demanded that lisa be showing about a week after she announced she was pregnant. I guess it doesn't really work that way. But anywho, Lisa did me proud and had plenty of shamrock shakes and fatty fat stuff to prepare for my arrival.

Lisa was the lucky winner and got to pick me up from the airport when i got into town. We went back to her house and i endulged in some well-needed mac and cheese and some well-missed DVR. I took a DVR break and was checkin my e-mail in their office while Lisa was still DVRing in the Living Room. I heard her quietly proclaim...(in her little lisa voice) "Kaaatie the baby is moving" I gingerly jumped out of my chair and dove at her belly.

I missed it but i wasn't going to miss the next one. I spent the next few minutes with my hand on my sisters lower abdomen (in any other situation, very odd family bonding). The baby was doing a whole lotta nothin. Lisa poked at it a bit, despite my thinking that wasn't something you should do to your unborn child. I manned my post for a little bit longer and i was not disappointed!!!! It moved!!! I think it might have done a little step ball change with some added flare. It was amazing and freaky deaky all at the same time. I'm not sure how i will deal with a step ball changin thing in my belly when the time comes. But i will be all about the shamrock shakes, thats for sure!!! It made me so happy and i'm so glad i got to experience that. I'm not going to be around as much as i would like for Lisa's first baby experience but she's doing a good job of keeping me in the loop. I can't wait to meet this baby. PS...i think it's a girl. I'm just gonna put that out there.

Lisa tried to share the wealth with Annie, Lou and Michele but Baby G wasn't feeling the vibe. It must have known i had limited time to see it's solo performance. Someone please explain to Michele that the baby is not in Lisa's shoulder. :)

What for?

During the last spill we were on in NJ we came across a billboard that had us all wondering. A coworker of mine, who is of a different persuasion than I, decided to take a photo because it was too priceless to forget. She feels she might need to invest in this insurance. She was very tempted to go in and see what exactly they could offer her, and what they would protect her against. What do you think? I think the exclamation point is the icing on the cake.

We are so related....

I got a chance to go home this past weekend and it happened to be Gianna's (my Goddaughter) 1st birthday. I went to the party on sunday and do i have some good cake pictures. I think Christine decided to work Gigi up to cake and gave her a cupcake a few nights before the party. This is pre-party fun. Post party is to follow later. I thought this would be appropriate in stages.

Her intentions might have started off clean....

......and then she realized how good cupcakes are!!!!!

Really though, can you blame her. If it wasn't frowed upon at my age i would do the exact same thing!!!!

Happy Birdturd Maya!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!!!!!!!

REMEMBER WHEN YOU HAD A THONG ON YOUR HEAD?

See you next year old friend :(

Happy belated St. Patty's Day everyone. I unfortunatly was a sickly girl for this wonderful holiday and could not participate in the wonderous festivities. Thankfully one of the most important things about this holiday actually lasts a good week after the day. Thats right kids the Shamrock Shake from McDonalds.

Lisa and I have an unusual love for this shake and the excitment is a little intense when this time of year comes around. I did get one on friday but due to the condition of my sinus cavity my taste buds were out of service. It was VERY disappointing. So i crossed my fingers and swung by McD's on my morning errand run today. I rolled up to the drive thru and asked ever so sweetly if the shamrock shake was still available, and she said let me check. Now this is NEVER a good sign. So i sit and wait biting my fingernails in anticipation. (Lisa, I know you know this feeling) She returns and says yes we still have them. YESSSSSS!!!!! There is a god! I endulged in a medium, since my first run in with this shake didn't count, and tore into it as soon as i could get my car out of the way of the drivethru. So there you have it. It's the little things in life that can truly make me happy. I hope you all had a great and drunken St. Patty's day and i will see you all this weekend!!!!!!!

Oh ps.....i did a little research on the shamrock shake and it's originator. It's very interesting...Enjoy! :)

Last 5 years

One of the MANY reasons i will be traveling to the buffalo area next weekend is to see one of my all time favorite shows. Another driving factor is that my BFF Louie is in it!!!!!!!! This show is incredible. It has a unique plot about a couple and their story over 5 years. They meet, they date, they marry, and they divorce. I know you think i just ruined the end for you but i swear i didn't. It will be apparent as soon as the show begins....trust me. Whats the twist, you ask? Well, since you asked, the girls story starts at the end of their relationship, and the guys story starts at the beginning of their relationship. It's so fun. As their stories progress and finally cross they are only on stage together once, during their marriage.

The show got fantastic reviews and everyone is raving about it. So i suggest if you have the time to go see it...GO! The story is comtemporary, the music is addicting and the songs are entertaining and moving all at the same time. Go see it, i'll be there on the 25th if you would like to join me. It's going to be a hell of a time. See you there!!!!!

Some highlights moments from the show:

Apparently Lou rows a boat....look at you all outdoorsy!

I heard the set is sweet too. (Lou and Kathy)

There brief scene together. Lou's marrying a girl...need i comment?

"If i didn't believe in you" (great song) It looks like Lou does a good job :)

Why do they have to make B-lo look so nice!

Just in case anyone is behind on the times, I no longer live in Buffalo. Ino ino, shocker!!!! Anywho, don't get me wrong my job is killer. I am truly blessed to have found my all time perfect job. But here's the kicker, it's in Delware. Del-a-where? Exactly. Over the past month i have been a crazy lady responding to an oil spill in NJ and i've been truly out of touch with society. Today is my first day back in the office at my desk. It's all about catching up on 5,000 e-mails and trying to find the top of my desk under all the crap that has accumulated on it over the past month. But ofcourse as you all know before i get down to real work i have to catch up on the important things....like blogs, personal e-mail, and unfortunatly 'myspace'. After all that is said and done i travel on to the Buffalo Rising Journal . Did i mention i miss Buffalo? It is very hard for some to believe that once you leave Buffalo you might actually want to come back. Well i have already done it twice now, and i'm almost positive and crossing my fingers that i will get to come back eventually. (once i get all this career stuff out of my system)

I consider Buffalo home. No matter where i am thats the bottom line. Delware is where my job and apartment is. Thats it. I mostly miss Buffalo because thats where all my family and close friends are. Wanna know what makes me miss Buffalo more? The damn Buffalo Rising Journal. Why is it that i discover this website once i leave buffalo!! It's a daily task for me to catch up on the major happenings and what cool events are going on. But guess what? I can't go to any of them. (I live in DE) For example...Gabel's Beach Party. Who wouldn't love to go to the bar AND the beach in the middle of Buffalo winter?!?!?!? I know i would!! And damn i miss Gabels, good old g-spot. :( MMMM and then there's Towne. There is not a thing on that menu that i will say no to. AND it's within walking distance from all Downtown hotspots, are they brilliant or what?

Now that i've talked about food and entertainment, what else is there you ask? Well living ofcourse! Now if you can honestly tell me you would not want to live on this street, there is something very wrong with you. Where else do you find such cool houses and architecture within resonable price range. It's good stuff.

Now ino this sounds like a sad story of how Katie is depressed and wants to move home. Well i wouldn't hate moving home but i'm not depressed about it. I love my job and i dont plan to give it up any time soon. But oh how i miss the b-lo place. All this means is that i will have to visit more often. Sound good? ok, done! Speaking of visits, i'll be in town the 23rd to the 27th of this month. How's that for prompt? Can't wait to see everyone, but mostly Lisa's belly. It's rude she decided to procreate while i'm out of town. We still have yet to fight that out. :)

Gooses

I posted new video. It relays how hard my job truly is. :) Enjoy!

Tight with the Coastguard

Caught deep in bird survey mode and holy hell it's cold

I wish i had a hat like Rob does. Can someone arrange that for me. Thanks!!

Miss America here i come!!!!

We've decided this year is our year on the runway. From the right Sarah, Rebecca and myself.

I love my TV

You know you've seen a commercial too many times when you start to look around at the extras in the shot. So i'm laying on my couch this afternoon being as lazy as phisically possible and this commercial comes on. Now i've seen it 5 million times, and it's still pretty funny. But today i noticed a certain someone sitting next to this guy on the train and it is UNMISTAKABLE. Ofcourse i'm probably the last person to realize this but in case i'm not take a look and let me know if you see the same person i see. Some of you will have no idea what i'm talking about and thats fine. If thats the case enjoy the commercial that you have already seen a gagillion times. :)

Guess who?

More Estonia

We got some good information on how things are looking in Estonia today...

Our colleagues from California

IFAW's workin

hard

too

My boss asked me when i might have a passport. She said she will not hesitate to send people if they call for our assistance.....oh bessie.

Estonia, NY??? no stupid...

There is a major spill in Estonia....i immediatly thought....NY? Nope.. try Europe. Near Finland. Awsome. There is really no chance they will need us IFAW and IBRRC are already involved. I breathed a small sigh of relief because i would need to renew my very expired passport. The last time i checked that doesn't happen over night. Oops...i know mom...i don't want to hear it.

It's really crappy, the projected number of birds effected is 35,000. Holy hell thats A LOT of birds. 5,000 will die if not more. I found some good photos...lets hope it doesn't come to them having to call us. The link at the bottom has the best pics.

PS its -20 C in Finland right now...thats pretty darn cold!

Yep definatly not NY....Long-tailed duck is the most effected at the moment. Lots of others..too many to list.

Oiled Long-tailed duck...poor honey

Long-tailed ducks and Goldeneye ducks...trying desperatly to clean themselves of the nastiness

These pics give the best idea of how bad it is...there were too many to post...so just look at the site. Sorry...it's in Finish i think :)

Scott, Your BRILLIANT!!!

SO i was checkin out Scotts' blog today and i saw that he found a site that allows you to post videos for free!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOHOOOO I've been waiting for this. It just opens all sorts of doors for my blog!!! If you get a kick out of my pictures, wait til you see what i can do with video!!

ok...so scroll down to the STICKAM thingy on the left and click on the video camera. At the moment i have a video of my adorable god daughter Gianna. Enjoy and there is so much more to come!! I'll update as much as possible!!

I got great peeps!

I have no real reason i just wanted to share some fun photos of some of my fav people. If you are not in the photos it doesn't mean your not my favorite, it just means my camera didn't happen to find you. :)

Lisa at the bar pregnant and in her scrubs and Annie ofcourse

Who gets a phone call at the bar...ph wait...Bobby does

Me and Boobs...he's my fav!

C'mon now boobs....this is a family web page!

Who's pretty?

I think Nicole's right boob is going to fall out

Allen street is now Alien street....

Marc was just tidying up a bit

Maggots are gross

Remeber one of my first posts about the eagle? Well her story finally made it onto the web page!! Check it out, it's crazy how they determine what happened to this bird. Enjoy!!!

Maggotty Eagle :)

I am very needy

Apparently i'm slacking on the blog front, everyone has stepped up to the plate but me. Ok here you go! Just google "[your name] needs" and copy a few that catch your eye into a post. Here’s what the internet thinks I need:

Katie needs to talk at talking times only
katie needs a show name
Katie needs a real man, not someone who believes in aliens
Katie needs to use the litter pan on her own
Katie needs to wear panty hose
Katie needs to be bathed 1-2 times per week to control the infections
Katie needs your help with vocabulary words
Katie needs a wand
Katie needs a very special home because she is dog aggressive
Katie needs rescueing from the sheriff
Katie needs no introduction
Katie needs to nap more during the day
Katie needs painkillers
Katie needs to lay off the ageing make-up
katie needs a bigger wagon
Katie needs haikus
Katie needs to think like a man
Katie needs a loo
Katie needs to make a life-sized Blue Fairy Penguin by Friday
Katie needs to fix a time for Poohsticks
Katie needs to get herself some Herpecin
Katie needs to get some glasses not bought at Wal-Mart
Katie needs to dress up like a man


Ok i know this is more that your supposed to add but shit i was having too much fun!! This is brilliant! I need some good stuff!

CNN

I'm not sure if it's just a slow day at CNN or if they are trying to divert attention from the Ford cutbacks. Either way it's funny. We are all very happy for stinky!!

Stinky Healing

Buttloads

Yesterday one of my coworkers Rebecca was looking for some blank CD labels. I told her where they were and she proceeded to say that we have "buttloads" of them. Ofcourse i chuckled and shared with her that i wish that was a true measurement. Well guess what kids? IT IS!!!!!!!

God bless Rebecca for being so knowledgable she directed me to the definition. So from now on when i reference the measurement, for example, I have a buttload of shoes, I am not being vulgar, i'm being honost!

I'm serious, check it out!

Have a great weekend!

H5N1 Bird Flu

Okey dokey, i got this great link for bird flu questions and answers. Coming from the bird lady this is all the information you need to know about this damn flu. ENJOY!!

http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research/avian_influenza/FAQ_avian_influenza.html

Happy Eating!!

WHY?!?!?!??!

I feel the God's LOVE to test me. LOVE!!!! So here's the latest that was brought to my attention this morning.

UPDATE 1-Tug sinks off North Carolina, two dead
Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:22 AM ET

NEW YORK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - A tug separated from an oil barge and sank in heavy seas off Cape Fear, North Carolina, early on Wednesday, killing two crew members, tug and barge operator Maritrans Operating Co. said.
Six were rescued and one was still missing from the crew of the Valour, said Maritrans, a unit of Maritrans Inc.
The M 192 barge, carrying 135,000 barrels of #6 oil, or residual fuel oil, is adrift, the company said, though it has not been reported damaged. The barge was headed for Corpus Christi, Texas.
Maritrans said it has activated its oil spill emergency plans and said it is coordinating its operations with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Ok so we are all on the same page here, there is a free floating barge 6 miles away from land carrying 4.5 million gallons of heavy fuel oil. The coast guard are trying to get control of the barge, let's hope they do....quickly! Every single time i have plans to come home a damn spill decides to arise the week before! Cross your fingers kids that the coasty's get ahold of this one. :)

I feel bad...

Mary Pat and Frank are spending the week in Mexico...they had a last minute change in plans apparently, and they had to change ALL their arrangements. Usually this much of a last minute change would stress MP and Frankie out. I decided to check out the web page of the place they ended up having to stay at.

It doesn't look to inviting does it?

Oh man that pool looks dirty!

I hope their room is nicer than this dump

I'd rather swim in Lake Erie!!!

So, Mom and Dad i just want you to know we are all thinking of you, and we're going to have a fundraiser so you guys can go on a nice vacation next year. We are SO sorry you are stuck in Mexico in such an awful place! Safe trip home!!!!

Peek-a-Boo!

Screech owls are the itty bitty of the owl world and DAMN they are cute! Something hilarious they do among many is when you pick them up. Most birds, when you pick them up, freak out and trash. We use the technique of putting a towel over their heads cause the birds are just smart enough that they think if they can't see us we can't see them and they relax. Now about the Screech owls. When you pick them up they also take on the i can't see you trick, but there is usually no sheet needed. It's so CUTE!!!!!!

YOU CAN'T SEE MEEEEE!!!!!!!

GIGI

Damn i got cute godkids!

Chubby little gianna

Don't you just want to bite her! (maybe just a little nibble)

Maary Paaat and Fraaaaank

I don't think i have ever posted the parental units. They made the x-mas pictures this year. Actually they were the only x-mas picture this year. I really slacked on camera duty on this trip home. So mom and dad get their own post! WOOHOO!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Do you Soduku?!

I'm hooked!!!! I think i need a support group. Just try one. You may get hooked you may not, but at least try it!!!

http://jayisgames.com/archives/2005/06/web_sudoku.php

It's a ridiculous concept i know but it's a great constructive brain teaser that will keep you awake at night....or maybe thats just me. :)

Whoa..it's 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

I totally stole this from Mikey but hey...i haven't posted in a while and I wanted to give y'all something to read when you get bored...a little sum up if you will.

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before? Found a job IN my field that i truly enjoy and can actually financially support me. Craziness

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?I made a resolution not to make a resolution....so yes i kept it!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? One of my god children Gianna, in my extended family...baby Julia, Angel and Lisa are preggers does that count?

4. Did anyone close to you die?Not this year...and thats the way i want to keep it

5. What countries did you visit?Delaware totally counts!! It's a whole different country in itself. I mean really who wants to visit DE. No one. I did spend some time west of the border in Canada but it doesn't count anymore it has been so frequently visited.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?A neice or nephew :), a cleaning lady, a bigger closet and shoe holder, someone to pay my bills, a tiny bit more money, and last but not least a dog :)

7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?JUly 9th, Lisa and Mikey got hitched; Aug 5th, the Pavlovi duo got hitched; Aug 30th, I done went and moved to Delaware

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Making smart choices, and being able to go into target and wegmans again!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?I took off my shoes during Lisa's wedding...but just for one SONG!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?yes and yes...let's hope 2006 is healthier and happier

11. What was the best thing you bought?MY CAR!!!!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?Those who urged me to take this job as much as they wanted to say DON'T GO STAY WITH ME!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?They shall remain nameless :)

14. Where did most of your money go?Moving to Delaware...and shoes

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?Coming home to see friends and family who i miss more than life

16. What song will always remind you of 2005? Kevin Little "Turn me on" LOVE IT

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? Happierb) thinner or fatter? A bit thinner.c) richer or poorer? Richer, and that makes no sense

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saving $

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Spending $

20. How will you be spending Christmas?I did the Christmas thing in b-lo with those who mean MOST to me. Even though i had to wait until 7PM to open my gifts on x-mas :)

21. How will you be spending New Years? working and sleeping...with a little eating shoved in somewhere

22. Did you fall in love in 2005?Negative

23. How many one-night stands? c'mon now!!! My mom is going to read this!!

24. What was your favorite TV program? extreme home makeover, friends, will and grace, CSI Miami, who's wedding is it anyway

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?i don't think so....don't hate congratulate

26. What was the best book you read?I've really picked up my reading habits this year. Instead of books i'm going to go with authors, dean kootz, nora roberts, Gregory Maguire, and ofcourse dan brown.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?last 5 years, tick tick boom,jack johnson, i could go on and on...music is the BEST!

28. What did you want and get?A good fun job

29. What did you want and not get?A good fun job in b-lo

30. What was your favorite film of this year? rent...not cause it was the best but i anticipated it the most and it payed off

31. What did you do on your birthday?worked at my fairly new job and no one really knew it was my birthday, BUT my roomate made me pumpkin pancakes and apple crisp!!!! one cannot ask for a better birthday feast

32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?Not sure 2005 was a pretty good one

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? HOT!

34. What kept you sane?support of friends and family fo sho!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?ryan reynolds is pretty high up there right now

36. What political issue stirred you the most?I'm in a good mood i don't wanna talk about poitics

37. Who did you miss?Those in and around b-lo...and my ACCC peeps!

38. Who was the best new person you met?DE people for sure, but also a choice few back in the b-lo area :)

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005: I didn't necassarily learn this but my mind was refreshed. Bird poop smells!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:"Some days you gotta dance, Live it up when you get the chance, Cause when the world doesn’t make no sense, And you’re feeling just a little too tense, Gotta loosen up those chains and dance"