Consider Yourself Screened

Today's list, is just one priority.

Making sure that each and every screen has no holes in it.  There are at least SIX right now that need to be fixed.  Plus, we are going to paint and re-carpet our tentant's porch.  (it is the worst eyesore right now and hopefully, won't be for very much longer)

I wanted to prepare for my MIL's visit.  (she arrives on Tuesday)

TGIFF

The extra "F" there is on purpose.

It's been that craptacular of a week.

Those Little 8astards!

So I'm a tad peeved today.  My Thursday evening concert series has been canceled for this week due to a serious Triple E threat.  Which okay, I get that as a precaution it needed to be done.  We don't want anyone to actually get bit and contract the disease or die or anything like that.

But, WHAT THE HELL.  I didn't just spend hours talking to bands and co-ordinating schedules to make it so we had some really good entertainment lined up for NOTHING either.

I just had to vent there.  Because contacting these bands now, to say that their show has been canceled because the Town's Health Agent has recommended we do so, SUCKS DONKEY BALLS.

No Title

Is it wrong that I want so badly to be understood?  By someone?  Anyone?

And yet I am not.

Because I Need A Little More Crazy In My Life

I will be at Mahem today if anyone needs me.

That's What I Get For Thinking About It ...

I started my day, today, in the usual rush.  It's nice with the kids out of school because I only have to be about getting myself and my youngest out the door right now.  Said youngest, slept until the last five minutes before I needed to leave.

She reluctantly got up.  I repeat, RELUCTANTLY.  Telling me that we had TWO DAYS OFF and she didn't need to get get up.  Yeah, nice try.  Monday's aren't fun these days for her either. 

As we finally get going I found myself thinking about cell phone plans and whatnot.  By whatnot I mean whatever else crossed my mind during the drive from my house to preschool.  I did think about my oldest and how she's been so responsible and maybe at Christmas time this year, I'd upgrade her phone.....

It was just a passing thought, lost by reality.  Drop off requires me and a mule to carry in a weeks worth of stuff (changes of clothing, blanket, sheet, bathing suit, towel, extra shoes and a hefty weekly payment, etc.)

I finally get my butt into work and haven't been at my desk for more than ten minutes when I was hit with a barrage of questions and my pre-caffeine, already frazzled brain was picked about previous practice.  I answered all that and got going on my day.  (this is what happens when everyone elses day starts at 7 AM or earlier)

Blah, blah, blah to lunchtime when I headed home to check on my middle child.  (I fondly or not so fondly call him the destroyer of furniture)  Said hello, got the mail and sat down to open coincidentally the cell phone bill.

Wherein I promptly had a HEART ATTACK at the $70 extra dollars due to running over our allotted minutes.  Something which has never happened up until this very point.

The culprit?  My oldest daughter.  Who thanked her lucky stars she was at a friend's house instead of right in front of me as my eyes bulged and veins popped out my head while I ranted about being IRRESPONSIBLE.

NOTE:  For all the "I knows" I get from her, you'd think not only does she grasp the whole cell phone minutes thing but she also would have facilitated world peace and solved the earth's hunger problems.  But apparently, none of this has happened and frankly, I'm not all that surprised.  It was only a matter of time, EVERYONE said so (including the lovely T-Mobile lady, who I laughed at when she mentioned I might want to increase that), you all should be so proud of yourselves.  Now where do I get my "I told you so, now you believe me" T-shirt?

The end result is extra babysitting for me and a lesson learned for her.

Sunday Stealing: MeMe of Many Odd Questions, Part Three

45. Favorite color?  Purple or black.  Depending.

46. Have you ever slapped someone?  I have not and even if the situation presented itself, I don't think I would either.

47. Is your hair curly?  My hair couldn't possibly be any straighter.

48. What was the last CD you bought?  King of Leon and Daughter's new album.

49. Do looks matter?  I don't think so.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?  Next question.

51. Is your phone bill sky high?  Nope.  We only have cell phones.

52. Do you like your life right now?  Not exactly but all things considered it's pretty good.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?  No, I positively hate that it makes my dreams weird.

54. Can you handle the truth?  Yes, at all costs.

55. Do you have good vision?  As long as I'm wearing my glasses, I have excellent vision.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?  I don't hate or dislike anyone, anymore.  It's not worth all that effort.

57. How often do you talk on the phone?  All the time, it's part of my job.

58. The last person you held hands with?  My youngest.  She is big on that and hugging.

59. What are you wearing?  A t-shirt and jean shorts.

60. What is your favourite animal?  I'm fond of the bear family.  Teddy bears, Panda bears, Kola bears, etc.

61. Where was your favorite picture taken at?  I am not a big fan of any picture of myself.  There are a couple with my kids and my husband that I really like.

62. Can you hula hoop?  Up until last night I would have said yes.  But I bought a couple of hula-hoops for my girls and when I tried it ... I couldn't do it.

63. Do you have a job?  I have three jobs.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought?  Aside from groceries and books, I just bought my oldest a new bike.  It's an early x-mas present.  She is thrilled!

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?  I have.  Thanks to my high school boyfriend who would sneak me in and out of my room that way.

Sweat List

Up here it's not the heat ... its the humidity.  And humidity is 100% today with an excellent chance of thunderstorms.  Since we have only fan power downstairs, I think I'll be sweating alot as I do the following things:

• Clean the cat area (litter box, food dishes, water dish, carpet and lots of lysol spray).  My youngest asked me today if she could have the youngest cat.  I explained to her that she could, but really they are ALL my cats.  I'm the one who really cares for them.  ~sigh~
• Sweep a weeks worth of dust and grime out of the hallway.  I might get ambitious and wash the steps even because it just smells in there.  What a greeting.  Come to my house and your are first greeted by the smell of dead rat farts, that really are my son's shoes (he wears them with no socks, size 11).  No amount of Sense N Spray placed in strategic areas make this situation any better. ~sigh~
• Put our two bathrooms back together again.  They are laden with wet towels, hair, grime and overflowing trash bins.  And I'm glad the toilets can't speak because ... well you know.
• Mop the kitchen floor.  I think the dog has peed on it three times now and I didn't clean up any of those messes.  Scary that I keep getting faint whiffs of missed spots.
• The mountain of this weeks laundry.  Consists of mostly shorts, shirts and socks.  Lots of towels thanks to the bathroom cleaning.
• Set up the kiddie pool so my youngest can enjoy it (love the water play) and when I need to take a break from all of the above list, I can sit with her and she will gladly pour water over my feet and legs.
• Sort of makes it all worth it.

TGIF

~waves~

I'm home this morning with my youngest.  She is FINE.  Fine I tell you.  She did have a fever, yesterday and I have no idea what that was about but she is back to normal today after a wonderful concert last night and a good night's sleep.  And SO ... here we are.  Me trying to catch up on night work (which is due TODAY) and she is watching cartoons.

Happy Friday to us and to you too!

And The Show Goes On

My man and his band are playing our summer concert series tonight.  I am SO excited to hear them play.  Last night they had their mock rehearsal and, while I came in at the end, I thought it was great.

Course, one hour before my work day ended today, two things happened ~

• I broke a tooth; and
• I got a call from daycare, my youngest has 101 fever.

Guess it's motrin for both of us because we. are. going. tonight. period.

Is it Really Wednesday?

This week is flying by.  What the hell?

It's My Neck

I got a promotion at work yesterday.  Well, let me re-phrase that.  It's more like additional responsibility and it comes with a hefty price if I fail.

My neck, apparently.

I get that my Boss wants to hold someone responsible, when we are inspected, audited or records are requested and with some recent management changes, its became clear that someone needed to be "assigned" the task.

Me.

I said yes without thinking and had planned on doing some of it myself anyway (it would just make my life easier), I didn't expect ALL OF IT to rest on my shoulders.  I also didn't expect my boss to be so graphic about the neck part.  Watching him choke air as he makes a joke about it, isn't pleasant, when it really is your own.

But it's more money for me and we need that desperately at this point, so what else can I do?

This Is All I've Got To Say

F.M.L.

Sunday Stealing: MeMe of Many Odd Questions, Part Two

23. Do you rent movies often?  I used to.  But now all the local rental places have closed leaving me with the Netflix Option (not happening) or On Demand with Comcast (also not happening).  I have heard of Red Box but I have yet to try it.  Sort of a bummer all around.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?  Not really.  Kind of opposite.  It's cool, dark and surrounds by books, my favorite sorta place.

25. How many countries have you visited?  Canada, Mexico and France are the only places I have been.

26. Have you made a prank phone call?  Before the age of Caller ID?  I made TONS of prank phone calls.  Spelling out swear words on the rotary dial and then telling the person at the other end of the line what words their phone number was.  Bad. bad. bad.

27. Ever been on a train?  Yes.  I commuted into the city for years and still take the train for fun trips.  (And I can drive there too, because I'm not the big scarredy cat I was back then.)

28. Brown or white eggs?  Either works for me.

29. Do you have a cell-phone?  Its the only phones we have in the house and it works well for us.

30. Do you use Chap Stick?  That or Burts-Bees.

31. Do you own a gun?  There are no guns in our house nor have I ever owned one.

32. Can you use chop sticks?  To poke people with sure.  To eat with?  Nope.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight?  My family.

34. Are you too forgiving?  Yes, its a downfall of mine.

35. Ever been in love?  Yes.  Several times.

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow (or the next soonest week day)?  Working, like me.  Booooo.

37. Ever have cream puffs?  Yes, but I don't really like them.

38. Last time you cried?  A month or more now, which is nice for a change.

39. What was the last question you asked? "Did you take the dog out?"

40. Favorite time of the year?  Fall, I love the crisp air, sunny days and beautiful colored trees.

41. Do you have any tattoos?  Yes, one.  I got it when I was twenty-one and I don't regret it one bit.

42. Are you sarcastic? Yes.  Frequently.

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?  I have and I thought it was a weird movie.  Ashton was cute, as usual, though.

44. Ever walked into a wall?  I have walked into a sliding glass door, not realizing it was closed (yeah wasn't that funny) and I have walked into door frames and kicked bedposts.  But I draw the line at walking into walls ... apparently.

The Lazy Saturday List

• Its hot and humid here today.
• My husband left early this morning to go saltwater fishing.
• I am so glad that he is out of the house.
• I plan to GOOF OFF.
• All day.

No Squishing Here

I have today off.  So really this endless week after vacation, wasn't all that endless.  I had a leisurely morning and was due to report at the imaging place for a rescan of my "girls".  I had gotten a letter after the last one that they saw something suspicious and wanted to check it in three months.

My own physician got a letter saying that my screening was fine with no problems.

Little conflict there no?

So I sat in the waiting room, deodorant free, reading my latest romance novel when one of the aids came in and called my name.  We walked down this long hallway, which was weird because usually I just go right into the rooms across the way.

My mind was screaming RED ALERT.  But I kept my cool.

As it turns out she just wanted to let me know that there appeared to be no reason what-so-ever for me to be there.  My screening before was fine but before she let me leave, she wanted to double check with radiologist.

Okay by me.  I went back to the waiting room, grateful that my "girls" weren't going to be flattened (your welcome :-) into pancakes with a little twist for good measure.

The aid came back and again escorted me back down the long hallway but this time we left the area and went over to, what I think was, the radiologist area.  I entered a room that showed three or four large screens of women's boobs.  I must admit I WAS STARING AT THEM ALL.  Wondering which one was mine.

The radiologist very kindly told me that she too, couldn't find anything wrong with my previous screening and saw no reasons for me to have another so soon AND SENT ME ON MY MERRY WAY.

I handled it in stride.  I mean, it was nothing a little retail therapy couldn't help me get over.

BooYAH.

Its About The Music

For those of you that have been reading me for a while you know that I'm a "doer".  With that one of my summer activities is to book bands to play on our local Town Hall lawn.

Pretty much all the bands are booked and I'm just working on a few remaining dates.  I get lots of thanks but really the slots fill themselves.  There are plenty of musicians out there that are willing to play for free and bring their own audience with them.

This year was a challenge.  And what would my life be like without a challenge (it would be heaven, I know the answer already).  So I had to branch out and try and find some new blood.  Which I did.

Last night was our second show and I have to say, that as I sat in the audience and looked around at all the smiling faces and happy kids, a very good feeling came over me.

Like I'm doing the right thing.

Not So Pumped

I'm sorry but, I'm trying to ESCAPE work.

I went to the Y tonight because these days I'm a treadmill HO.  And as I did a cool down I happen to catch sight of my boss's wife and her daughter walking the track.

Yes, I do realize it's a free country (you in the back stop laughing!) but GEEZE LOUISE I work out to escape my stress not be reminded of it. 

For good measure as I was leaving, I happen to peek in the pool area to see the new renovations ... there was my boss.  Swimming in the pool with his son.

Please kill me.  M'kay?

Tragic

I hate how life is good at reminding you that you hang on a proverbial shoestring.  You are moving along at a steady clip.  Taking all those little things that are tossed at you in stride.  Tackling hills and mountains of difficulties and constantly never once getting your ass kicked.

And then someone you know.  Not necessarily a close friend but an acquaintance or fellow co-worker has something awful happen to them.  Like losing their spouse in an abrupt and preventable manner.  Right at that moment, when you hear the news, it puts your life in perspective.

Suddenly that horrible credit score doesn't matter.
The fact that your entire vacation was a shut-in because your youngest had the flu.
That the gutters on your house are growing giant trees because they haven't been cleaned in years.
The need to hug your children tight, NOW.

You are faced with the reality, that no one is guaranteed a tomorrow.  Each day needs to be treasured and not spent dwelling on things that cannot be changed.  Smell those roses ... thorns and all.  Breath in that smog filled fresh air.  Give thanks.

I have a memorial service to attend this week.  Not the usual wake or funeral.  It is for the wife of the Chairman of one of my groups.  She was 43 and had three children.  Her first two were from a previous marriage.  Her youngest is five.  Only a week or so ago, she suffered a miscarriage.  Her death was caused by choking and it happened to her when no one was around to witness it.  To help her.  Her body was found on the pavement, bloodied as she tired to get to someone, struggling to breathe.  My heart breaks for their family.

Totally. Sucks.

Monday BLAH!

I think the Monday immediately following your one-week vacation should be completely BANNED.  I'm serious people!  You come back to work, already grumpy because you had to, GET UP and actually get back into the routine of a normal person.  (the days of rolling out of bed in pj's and staying that way are over, sheesh)

So by the time I'm strolling up the walkway all I can think about is STRESS.  The office is just laden with chocolate and cherries stress right now.  Throw in 20 or so legitimate emails I needed to look at and respond to, voice mail that I need to clean out (I am just now remembering that my message still says I'm on vacation, Whoops!) and a stack of papers a mile high in my in-box and I'm already wishing it was Friday.

Oh yes I AM too wishing it was Friday.

On the plus side my youngest is feeling so much better.  I can tell this by the sweet way she demands makes requests for food or juice.  But she has a delightful smile and I hadn't seen it for a week.  So just getting a couple of those today, made it better.

But not by much.

Sunday Stealing: MeMe Of Many Odd Questions, Part One

1. First thing you wash in the shower?  My hair.

2. What color is your favorite hoodie?  black.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?  Absolutely.  She is only three and needs LOTS of kisses.

4. Do you plan outfits?  If by planning you mean try on everything in my closet and hate how all of it looks on me, then YES.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?  Good, considering this is the Monday back after a week long vacation of sucktastic illness.

6. What's the closest thing to you that's red?  Fabric.

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?  I had weird crime solving dreams last night.  I attribute that to the book I'm reading.  Grave Site.

8. Did you meet anybody new today?  Can't say that I did.

9. What are you craving right now?  Chocolate, it has it's evil hold on me.  I hate it.

10. Do you floss?  Yes, when I remember.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?  Fucking disgusting. 

12. Are you emotional?  I sure am and don't ask me about it or I might cry.

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?  No and I don't plan to either.

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?  I'm a licker.  HAHA.

15. Do you like your hair?  I have always liked my hair.  For whatever reason, it generally looks decent with little to no effort.

16. Do you like yourself?  I'm harder on myself than anyone and sometimes, I just don't like me.

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?  Ummm no.

18. What are you listening to right now?  Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami.  What?  It's on TV.

19. Are your parents strict?  Yes, but I found ways around it.

20. Would you go sky diving? Hell no.

21. Do you like cottage cheese?  I have never tried, I can't get past how it looks.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity?  Yes, David Hasslehoff at Indianapolis 500, years ago.  I even have his autograph.  I know you are all jealous now.  He was there with his car, KIT.

Camping or BUST

You know, life is always a learning experience.  And if it's one thing I know, its that the older I get, the less tolerant I get of chaos.  Other people's chaos that is.  We made it down to the campground last night.  A beautiful pine grove campground.  The campsites weren't right on top of each other and, as a bonus, we were right across (but far enough away) from the bathrooms and showers.

The tent went up pretty quick, coolers were brought out and before too long, dinner was prepared.  Three girls all four and under, giggled and squealed in the tent, jumping on the air mattresses and causing general chaos.

It was very sweet.

By 10 pm everyone was settled and sleeping.  I stayed up to read and in general was enjoying myself.  Feel asleep in the wee hours of the morning.

Today was a WHOLE different ball game.  Today it rained.  RAINED.  Rained cats, dogs and elephants.  While we sat huddled outside under a tarp that I can only image stayed tied to the trees because they were properly knotted by one of the Mom's husbands who happened to stop by and put it up before he headed off to his job.  The rain came and one of the Mom's left with her girl.  She wasn't waiting around for more of it.

I waited.  By the SECOND rain storm that had high GUST winds I had to bail.  The girls didn't even notice the rain, they were busy stepping on any available clean spot with their dirty shoes, in the tent.  Alright, I do realize that this is what happens when you camp things get DIRTY.

I can't handle that either.  Things. getting. dirty.

Anyway, we came home for the night.  I do plan on going back tomorrow, if nothing else, to help pack up.

So Not Prepared

Alrighty.  Its getting close to 11 AM and I've yet to get my butt in gear.  We are going camping, just us girls, for the next couple of days AND I'm not packed.

Not even close.  I've got shopping to do and laundry and I'm sitting here watching morning TV.

Today my youngest seems much better.  She's already ordering me around and  has had at least one temper tantrum.  Definitely business as usual here.

Now if I could just get motivated.  And remember to bring my camera ...

Not What I'd Expected

So lets see here ... it's Thursday ... of my vacation ... and we have yet to do a THING.

I'd be annoyed if I weren't so happy that I'm not a WORK (waves to boss).

My youngest is STILL recovering from the plague.  She has a lingering low temperature and it's still blazing hot outside.  Neither of which makes the BEACH a good idea. 

While I am sad about that, there is no time to dwell.  I plan on working in the yard.  Sweat be damned.

Go me!

Loving This!

What The Cox?

My child is sick AGAIN today.  Apparently she missed the memo about today being a self-declared BEACH day and has, instead, chosen to lie on the couch like a lump, sweating and complaining about how she doesn't feel well.

Yeah.  I took her to the doctor this AM.  (because I do not, repeat, DO NOT want to be awake at 5 AM again this week)  He feels that she has hand, foot and mouth disease.  Which isn't really a disease but more like a virus.  A pesky, vacation ruining, virus.  This is day three of her having a barely controllable fever and I hope, that this is the END of that whole business.  I mean it's easily 100 degrees here during the day, add in her already overheated body and well ... lets just say that she hasn't internally combusted is saying somethin'.

Anyway.  Since I am not one to let illness get in the way of my vacation, today I took my oldest and not sick girl out to run errands with me.  We did the usual, bank, drug store and library.  But we also checked out this new, clean thrift store.  Exactly like a Salvation Army but not the Salvation Army (I'm not sure what is up with that).  I found a few goodies but it was hard to shop with a teenager stuck to my hip at every turn.  Nothing in the store was of any interest, except staying right by my side.

I had to take her to Borders to assure myself that she could indeed walk on her own.  I treated her to a  couple of new reads and we did a quick tour of the local mall.  (by tour I mean brisk walk as we scooted in and out of key stores).

No exactly enjoyable but better than working by FAR.

I am hoping that tomorrow, my youngest will be up for THE trip to THE beach for some sand, water and breeze.

Not Your Average Holiday

We had big plans for today.  A meet up in another state (not a far ride, like it sounds) at a big name mall with a teenage friend, made at the Anime Convention.  It was all set, after much fuss and much debate on who was going (six teens altogether) and what parents were driving (two cars).  Then the gal, that we were to meet, had to work.  And there was much disappointment. And no one went anywhere today.

Then my youngest got very sick yesterday.  The kind of sick that requires both types of fever reducer to be used, overlapping each other, so that the sickeness holds back and you don't have to watch your child suffer in 100 degree heat while feeding her crushed up popcicles.

Its been a long day but I think we finally are ahead of it all or perhaps it is the illness we are leaving behind.  This is good because there is a beach trip to be planned, along with a shopping excursion, some outdoor play and ending the week with a camping trip.

NO TIME TO BE SICK HERE.

Sunday Stealing: The Eighty MeMe, Part II

23. Are your days fast-paced?  Yes.  I cannot sit still.  I'm always going.

24. What did you do last night?  Went with my husbands band to play at a friend's party.  It was a BLAST.

25. Do you use sarcasm?  No.  ~insert sarcasm here~

26. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?  42.  Booooooooooo.

27. Are you picky about spelling and grammar?  I really am.  Its like nails on a chalkboard when it isn't correct.

28. Do you get along better with the same sex or the opposite sex?  I think I get along better with men.  Women are bitchy and it gets on my nerves.

29. Do you watch the news?  Not if I can help it.  It's too depressing or it keeps me awake at night, if I do happen to watch it.

30. How did you get one of your scars?   I have a scar on my arm from a chain link fence.  None of my scars are very exciting.

31. Who was the last person to make you mad?  My youngest, when she BIT me.  I really wanted to bite her back.

32. What is the last big thing you purchased?  A flat screen TV for our bedroom.  I didn't make the purchase but I really do like it at  night.

33. Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours?

34. What is a rumour someone has spread about you?  Years ago, that I was a slut.  Yeah, High School was full of good times.

35. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?  Panic probably.

36. T or F: All’s fair in love and war?  I would have to go with True on that one.

37. Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning?  YES.  And I get myself in trouble with it too.

38. Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings Time?  I just know that MY STATE uses it.  I don't really care about the other states.

39. Do you want a bright yellow ‘06 mustang?  Make it black and heck yeah.

40. What’s something you’ve always wanted?  A grand piano and a room to keep it in.

41. Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake?  Ocean.  Lakes skeeve me out with the dead leaves on the bottom ... and possible turtles and fish that nip at you ... etc.

42. Do you wear a lot of black?  Everyday.  It's my wardrobe choice.

43. Describe your hair:  Super straight, black with blond streaks.

44. Where is/are your best friend(s)?  I think she is hanging at her pond today. ;-)

The Parade List

• red, white and blue streamers.
• dressing everyone in the aforementioned colors.
• antique flag on a stick (for marching with).
• drinks.
• sunblock.
• lollipops (I filled her bucket before the parade even began).
• camera.
• a smile.

Up and Coming

Yo!

I am so excited its Friday!  I am so excited I have an entire week off.

This day DRAGGED ITS BUTT and I am so glad it's behind me.  No time to rest, there are lunch boxes and bags to unpack and tuck away for the week.  There is paperwork to pile up for a good sort-through at some point this weekend AND I am so glad I am not heading to the carnival tonight (see previous shoulder bite reference).  I am sporting a bruise the size of nickle, by the way.  And it IS purple.

Tomorrow is a busy, long and crazy day, wherein I will be traveling around with the band and being a "roadie" of sorts.  Should be a good time AND I'll get to be in the annual parade.

Woot!

Not Funny

The carnival is in town for the 4th of July. I took my youngest tonight with two of her little friends.

They had a shrieking, screaming, silly good time. 

The excitement level between the three was so high at the point of cotton candy.  That my daughter, who I was holding at the time, bit me.

BIT ME.

I REPEAT BIT ME.

So hard that not only did she draw blood, she bruised me the size of a nickle.