Sunday, August 31, 2008

Band Here We Come!!

Prissy starts band on Friday. She will be playing the clarinet. While I'm SO SUPER EXCITED FOR HER, I'm also really really not looking forward to listening to her practice. I'm also just not at all sure how we will be able to fit it in with everything else. We ended up buying the clarinet - it was actually cheaper to buy a new student clarinet than to rent a used one. This is assuming that she plays for the whole year. Practices are after school twice a week, and they are free, which totally blows me away (we've been paying for EVERYTHING at their previous school.)

So, band... Yeah... Prissy is growing up... I was an orchestra nerd in school (violin player) and I adored it. It was my one and only thing. I definitely wasn't the best, but I was a good player. It was sort of my identity when I was in high school. I played in the pit orchestra for musicals all over Kansas City (including colleges.) I traveled to Europe one summer and played all over in an orchestra.

But, what if she hates it? Will I be sad? But, holy crap - what if she loves it? I'm not sure we have time for lessons and travel and musicals and recitals and performances! And what if I get all weird about it? Music was sort of my thing - and I'm a bit afraid I'll get all bossy and pushy and know-it-all-y. I REALLY wanted her to play violin, but it wasn't an option (however it is for Max in 2 years) - and I think that is probably a very good thing. We put her clarinet together today and I was the only one to make a sound - it was horrible and screechy - but that is about all I could do. If we pulled out a violin, I could play it horribly, but I could still play it. :)

So, this is absolutely new territory for me. I will NOT force her to practice. Everything she does will be her choice.

In my mind - I still want her to favor baton twirling (also something I know nothing about.) She is so amazingly good. But, instead of narrowing down - we are stupidly expanding.

However, we did decide that this year would be her last year in soccer. Next year she would rather play winter softball. Which is fine - she's at least eliminating a sport. (Plus, her daddy is on the softball board of directors - his daughter should at least be playing. :))

Argh... and Yay!!! Only time will tell I suppose.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

When I'm feeling low...

When I'm feeling low, I do google image searches on ugly monkey. You would be surprised at how many ugly monkeys there are. This always makes me feel better about myself - at least I don't look like an ugly monkey! (Please note, these are not pictures I have taken, nor do I own any rights to them - I f0und them off the web and I take no credit for the awesomeness of the images, but I do very much like them.)









This is my personal favorite. This is a bit what I look like when I wake up in the morning.






This is me with PMS - just ask anyone.



'least this one looks happy!


Friday, August 29, 2008

Mommy of the Year Award on Hold

Prissy has wanted to be president of the United States since she was 4 years old. I keep trying to talk her out of it. She seems like such a sweet girl and I'm afraid that politics will "turn" her. Maybe Supreme Court Justice? Yeah, she could totally do that.

Anyway, one thing the kid has is perseverance. My wonderful and sweet 9 year old daughter totally and completely enjoyed watching the DNC. Right on!

So, I sent her this link: Prissy TheAwesome for President (but I used her real name which is quite unique) I thought it was really cool - and as a technical woman, I really had to investigate just how this was done (I've since figured it out - but it made me scratch my head for a bit.)

Prissy opens up the link and before she can be told that it wasn't real, she starts crying tears of joy. She thinks that there is really a news report about her and that people want to vote for her.

Oh.my.gawd... I felt so incredibly horrible. Horrible. I told her that it was a computer program and I thought that she would like it. She was fine, but I still felt like a big sack of shit.

So, put the Mommy of the Year Award on Hold. Oh, I wasn't even up for it. Well, I suppose that's all for the best.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Itchy What?

I haven't posted an embarrassing hecticmom story in a little while. But, it's because there are so many I can't keep track I'm usually so perfect.

Anyway, allow me to set the stage. I'm walking to the cafeteria for coffee this afternoon with 5 or 6 people - one woman and the rest men - all of which report to me (or have reported to me in the past.) It's been really really hot here - the super dry heat makes my eyes dry and itchy. So, we're walking and all sort of talking and I'm rubbing my eyes.

Out of my mouth escapes the words:

"Man, I have itchy 'balls."

Yes, yes, that IS what I said. And it was certainly a conversation stopper. Then I laughed so hard I almost gave myself an asthma attack.

Yeah, I'm cool like that.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Back to School NIght

Tonight was back to school night. I was running late from work, but got home and headed over to the school. There were cars all over our street, but it was really nice to not have to worry about parking. Usually on back to school night we would have to plan out carpools, babysitters, parking, splitting up the classrooms, and we'd get home at 9:30 totally exhausted.

We walked over there, went to Bubba's class - I love his teacher. She is so awesome. The kids came too - but they played on the playground with a TON of other kids. Then, we had about 10 minutes before Prissy's class, and we ran home with the kids and got their bikes and razrs and came back to the school (how cool is that?) I also like Prissy's teacher very much.

One thing is the resources that a public school has at it's disposal! There are so many websites the kids can log in to. There are passwords and all sorts of things - but they have their books online and extra assignments and help if they get stuck. It's amazing!

We now have to decide if Prissy is going to do band. I really really really really wanted her to play the violin, but she can't because she didn't start last year. I was an orchestra nerd and I really really liked it. We have a week to decide. But, is it clarinet? flute? trumpet? Oh, the decisions! She is involved in so many other things - and doesn't have a lot of spare time. I just don't know.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Ebony and Ivory



When I was small, we had a massive black wild dog named Ebony. He was an all black dog and hyper as all get out. He took me for walks instead of the other way around. Well, I found myself singing this song this week and I realized that I have my very own ebony and ivory.

Here are a few pictures of ebony and ivory. I seriously did not know that two cats could get along so well:

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Jasmine got a little "tail"
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AFFAIR UNCOVERED!
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TOUCHDOWN UPSIDE DOWN!
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'dis MY house - you NOT allowed in (or Dealing with Robotic Dinosaur Envy):
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Sweet Dreams and Goodnight
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Monday, August 25, 2008

So Cranky

I'm very very cranky tonight. Irritable. For several reasons - but, it seems like there are many different little things are getting under my skin. Like, sound isn't playing on my computer. Something is hosed up with the drivers - Gurg...

I was going to post some love pictures of the kitties and a youtube video to go with them - BUT YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT! 'Cause, I can't tell if the video is the one I'm looking for without the sound!

Now, I need to go marinate some pork chops. OUT...

Sunday, August 24, 2008

I love AAA

I can't remember if I posted this or not, but two weeks ago when we were camping, my awesome minivan failed to start when we were leaving the camp site. My battery was dead. We got a jump and it kept on running - so my fears that my alternator was on the fritz were discarded. (I have a very sad story about my alternator being broken long long ago and I got caught somewhere I shouldn't have been at 15 years of age while on a restricted license and I was grounded for an entire month.)

But, today, I was where I was supposed to be and I was being very responsible and I headed out to the grocery store. I went to start my awesome minivan and it wouldn't start. The battery was dead again. My awesome minivan wasn't being very awesome.

I took Hubby's car and went to the store and after I came home I called AAA. Why did I call AAA? Well, they had replaced my battery just under 2 years ago, and the battery they installed had a 36 month warranty. I was going to wait until tomorrow to call, but decided to call on a Sunday afternoon anyway. Fifteen minutes after I called - the tow truck arrived and he did his diagnostics on my not-so-awesome-at-that-moment minivan and determined that there was a bad cell in my battery. So, he replaced it free of charge and went on his merry way.

I have a brand new battery in my now-back-to-awesome minivan. And from the time I called to the time it was all replaced and working - 1 hour. And cost me NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH! I love AAA. (even if they did give me a battery that only lasted 2 years. At least they came out on a Sunday to MY HOUSE to replace it.) While he was replacing the battery I mowed the lawn and did copious amounts of yard work and almost passed out because it was SO FUCKING HOT!!!!

I should mention - that the entire time that I'm bringing in groceries, putting them away, and getting my car fixed while doing yardwork, hubby and the kids were swimming in the pool. After I my awesome minivan was fixed and I was SO FUCKING HOT I was ready to jump in the pool - the kids were done swimming. So, I got to jump in and float around the pool in total and complete solitude - it ROCKED MY WORLD! Until Bubba came out crying that Hubby wouldn't let him have a popcicle because it was too close to dinner time (clearly, my cue to go make dinner. :))

** 5K training note - Prissy and I started on week 4 of our 5K training plan today. It was tough, but we BOTH were able to do it. I'm so proud of Prissy. We were both totally drenched in sweat when we got home at 9:30 this morning!!!! And, I really don't like running... I keep thinking if I do it enough I'll start to enjoy it - it just never happens.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

A Bunch of Nothing

Today was busy - but filled with a bunch of nothing. I am in the process of transferring domains. So, if you find me through hecticmomundone.com, you might not be able to fnd me for 24-48 hours. Sorry 'bout that. Yahoo raised their domain prices to more than double what I was paying before, so I needed to rehost. But, it'll take some time.

ANYHOO - Bubba and I went to Taekwondo today, and Hubby went to his football draft. Last night he went to a softball board meeting. Did I mention that he's on the board for the Rocklin Girls Fast Pitch Softball League? Oh, I didn't? So, I'm on the board for Prissy's baton (so much easier than Softball - we have 10 girls as opposed to 500.) And neither of us are any boards for Bubba. The deal is that Prissy LOVES her sports - and Bubba sort of just tolerates his sports. I'm not sure sports will be his thing, he doesn't really have an excitement or passion for anything yet. Which is ok - I just want him to have his own thing that he really really enjoys.

And, I got a pedicure today. It was wonderful. However, my front yard is currently a disaster - and I should have spent some time in the front yard. Since we no longer have gardener weeds have taken over completely on the postage stamp size of land we can grow stuff on. I have some serious work to do tomorrow... Ugh... But, at least my toes look pretty. :D

Friday, August 22, 2008

There's a Reason I Don't Have People Over

Today - Prissy brought a friend home from school. It's the first time she's ever done that. She has been oh so ever excited. I picked up Prissy and her friend from school, I will call her Sweet-Pea, and her mom and we came over to the house.

I've been working on cleaning up my house some and it is far far from where I want it, but it's at least presentable. At least the downstairs rooms.

Anyway, Sweet-Pea and her mom walked in and we were greeted by Jasmine and Oreo. Prissy picks up Jasmine and Sweet-Pea pets and and oohs and ahhhs... Then, Prissy picks up Oreo and Sweet-Pea oohs and ahhs. Then, Sweet-Pea picks up Jasmine and she holds her for a bit and then Jasmine jumps down, but claws her way down. With her claws out. On Sweet-Peas arm. And Sweet-Pea started bleeding. A lot. From a 8" double scratch down the back of her arm, right where it hurts the most.

O.M.G....

Her mom was right there, which in hindsight was probably better. At least she saw it and knew that it wasn't a rabid angry cat... Holy shit... They had probably been in the house all of 2 minutes before she was bleeding. I'm the best host EVER!

The mom left and the girls (and Bubba) had a good ole time just playing and playing and playing.

I will be you $5 she's not allowed to come over again. I feel horrible...

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Calming down?

This week has been really stressful. I've been working from home, while juggling the kids and their new school (which is going fabulously by the way.) My house has been a disaster, tornado-style, and not having a regular schedule is making me totally and completely a little crazy. I'm pretty much one of the most "schedule" oriented people I know. It takes a real effort on my part to step out of a schedule and just be... I can do it - but with effort.

So, this week has been totally different than "normal" - I've had my schedule down pat for the past 9 years. I know EXACTLY how long it takes me to get ready, to get the kids ready, breakfasted, lunches packed, school stuff packed - I know EXACTLY what time I have to be out the door in order to get the kids to school on time so I can get myself to work on time. I know which roads to take given the time I have left. I know which ones will be trafficy given the time of day AND the time of year. I have it down to a total and complete science. OCD anyone? I also know what my traffic will be like depending on when I leave between 4:30 and 5:15. If I leave at 4:30 I can get home close to 5:30 (assuming I was picking up the kids at their old school.) If I leave at 5:15 it'll probably be 6:30 or 6:45 before I get home.

I knew how to get the kids to soccer, baton, taekwondo, and baseball. I knew which sports I had to have the kids change clothes in the car for. I had it down. I was a master of the schedule (as damn hectic as it was.)

Now, it's all new - and significantly easier and harder

  • Before: School starts at 8:00am - must be out of the house with EVERYTHING by 6:50
  • Now: School starts at 7:50 - must be out of the house by 7:43. Forget something - that's ok, go back and get it.
  • Before: School gets out at 3:30, after school activities at the school. They need to be picked up by 5ish.
  • Now: School gets out at 1:20 for Bubba (really, 1:20?!!) and 2:20 for Prissy. But, I just walk over and pick them up. The walk takes me 3 minutes. But, what about work?
  • Before: To get to a 5pm soccer practice, I had to leave work early at 4pm and RACE to get the kids, have them change in the car (and pray I didn't forget anything) and RACE to the practice. Afterward, we'd run home and cook dinner and the kids would have to start their homework and we'd eat and they'd finish homework and complain because they were tired.
  • Now: For a 5pm soccer practice, the kids finish up their homework before hand, get a snack. Clean their rooms, do their weekly reading, at 4:45 get their cleats on and head to practice. Come home and eat dinner and relax a little bit..

So, it's easier. But, what I'm not sure how it's going to work when I'm not working from home. The kids get out of school at 1:20. I'm an hour away. Hubby is planning on working from home some. We were going to have our friends watch the kids a few days a week - but they are suddenly going through a nasty divorce and cannot help. So, I need to find some other people to help us out. I'm sure it will be fine - but it is causing me A LOT OF ANXIETY... I will need to also work from home some in the upcoming weeks as well.

Oh, but on a cool note. Prissy is bringing home a friend to play tomorrow after school. She's never ever ever done that... Never. Because all of her school friends live an hour away and that's a huge pain for everyone. Now, her friend lives down the street, and she's coming over tomorrow... I think we're all giddy with the idea.

So, with all of my schedule chaos - I needed some sanity and I started to "declutter" my house this evening. Already, it feels SO MUCH BETTER... I feel less stressed out because my desk isn't piled high will bills and other shit. My kitchen island is CLEAR - No major piles of papers of crap I need to take care of. I have a long long long way to go, but at least it's a start.



I know I'll get myself back into a schedule - it just feels like chaos.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Ipod Meme

I've got absolutely nothing today. So, you get a meme. :D

EDIT: I did this as sort of a fun thing - but then it sort of got a little deep. You can peep into my thoughts a little further than normal. But, feel free to just pass on by..

Instructions:
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense. NO CHEATING!

How do you feel today? Selling the Drama by Live

  • That about sums it up...

What’s your outlook on life? In a Moment by Collective Soul

  • Well, that's maybe pretty close to the truth. I always feel like my life will happen in just a minute. (OMG - how many times do I say that to my kids...)

What does your family think of you? That Voice Again by Peter Gabriel

  • *ROFL*

What do your friends think of you? #34 by Dave Matthews

  • That one is just about right too!

What do your exes think of you? Far Behind by Candlebox

  • Yeah - that's what I think of my exes too... Fuck 'em!

How’s your love life? On My Mind by Donavon Frankenreiter

  • Well, I guess it's good on my mind instead of bad on my mind...

How will your love life be in the future? Epic by Faith No More

  • Awesome! (but check out my last entry about dying and the second song I picked)

Will you get married? Animal by Pearl Jam

  • Well, considering I am married - I guess this works?

Are you good at school? When Midnight Sighs by P.M. Dawn

  • Good, but I'm fracking done with school for awhile (although, I was doing some work on my php class just a bit ago and hitting a bug that I can't seem to resolve - DAMNIT! I gave up and got a glass of wine.
  • Funny thing - when I was getting my MBA - I would be up until the wee hours of the night and then I would get up at 4 or 4:30 to study some more. Damn I was so proud when I was done.

Will you be successful? Lights by Journey

  • I guess lights go on and off - which is about sums up my career and personal life so far. I am clearly either on or off.

What song should they play on your birthday? Crash Into Me by Dave Matthews

  • Teehee. Clearly this one is for hubby... :D

What song should they play at your graduation? Goodnight, Good Guy by Collective Soul

  • *LAUGH* See my above comment about being good in school.

The Soundtrack of your life? No Rain by Blind Melon

  • Damn straight.

You and your best friends are? Breathe by Collective Soul

  • This is a nice one.

Sad times? Change by Candlebox

  • I like this answer too. Sad times either bring about change or are caused by change.

Every day? Say It Right by Nelly Furtado

  • Hell yeah!

For tomorrow? The Nearness of You by Norah Jones

  • Hmmm... With this one and the next one it's an interesting pair.

What does next year have in store for me? That Lonesome Road by James Taylor

  • Yikes - this doesn't bode well! Wonder what this one means. Is it work? Is it personal? Hmmm...

What do I say when life gets too hard? Ants Marching by Dave Matthews

  • Well, I guess you do just have to keep going no matter what. Marching on and on.

What song will I dance to at my wedding? Nightingale Song by Toad the Wet Sprocket

  • Hmmm. We didn't play this at the wedding. I'm not even sure what this means.
  • *note my second push was How Bizarre by OMC - that one fits a little better. :)

What do you want as your career? Cold Cold Heart by Norah Jones

  • HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!! I think this is really really funny because I got where I am in my career because I listen to my people and try to make them happy and motivated. What I want is to just NOT GIVE A SHIT... *ROFL* If you knew me and what I do for a living - this would crack you up..

Your favorite saying? Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson

  • I have to say, I do a lot of waiting and wishing and not as much action. I don't think I wanted anyone to know this about me... :D
  • My second push on this one was Say What you Need to Say by John Mayer - I like this one better for public consumption.

How will I die? I'd Die Without You P.M. Dawn

  • Weird!
  • I pushed it one more time and it came up with Darling Nicki by Prince. HAHAHAHAH!!! If you haven't before, you should check out the lyrics on this one. If I can die like this - I will certainly die happy... *blush*

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Back to School Pictures

Today the kids went back to school. Prissy was really really nervous. Bubba was very excited. We dropped them off just as they were lining up to go into their classrooms.

I went home and was SO FREAKING BUSY with work. I blinked and it was lunch time. I went and got some lunch, blinked again and it was time to pick up Bubba. Blinked a third time and it was time to pick up Prissy. I almost got everything I needed to get done done today - but, I was juggling about 3 or 4 things at a time. (IMing someone, while emailing someone else, while trying to get a snack for a child... Ugh.. )

Anyway, here are some recent pictures. (actually, here are my standard first day of school pictures - same place every year.)

Here is Bubba - he just looks so big in this picture:
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Here is Prissy looking very nervous:
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The kids had an awesome first day of school. Both kids made a new friend. Prissy's new friend looks JUST LIKE HER! It's almost freaky. They walked out of the classroom just chatting away like they'd been friends forever. I'm really happy for her. Bubba also made a new friend and he is also really excited.

I can't tell you how many parents I talked to (so even _I_ made friends. :))

So, they are both excited about tomorrow.

And just because - here are a few pictures of the kitties taken from over the weekend:
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Pure Love (Oreo and Jasmine absolutely adore each other):
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AHHH!!! IT'S ROLLING OVER ME!!! (not really - it's a little kitty house and her body is inside of it. :))
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Prissy and Jasmine
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Bubba and Jasmine
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"Hey - there is a kitty in this bag!"
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Bubba and Oreo
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Monday, August 18, 2008

Meet the Teachers

TODAY the kids got to meet their teachers at their new school. Prissy said her stomach is all upside down. She feels like she is getting ready to go on a big rollercoaster. I guess she's pretty nervous. Bubba is so incredibly excited. Both the kids teachers seemed incredibly nice and I liked them both instantly. The classrooms were really big and bright and exciting. The campus is really nice.

The weirder thing - three mom's came up to me and introduced themselves. THREE! Then, they introduced their daughters to Prissy and told her not to worry and that their daughters would help her out. I'm floored. People - MOM's even - talking to me. ME! I realized that at the private school the kids have been going to forever - I have maybe 2 or 3 parents that will even acknowledge that I exist. And one of them is my best friend and the other mom is just really nice to everyone. Everyone else just has their own little cliques (at all activities - birthday parties, school events, etc.) I sort of always thought it was because everyone was so busy. I didn't really go out of my way to talk to anyone either. Although, when I did, it was always sort of awkward. I thought it was just because I was a social retard. It turns out - that most of the parents were snobs. Go figure - at a super elite private school.. Huh... Maybe I'm NOT a social retard after all...

So - I'm excited for the kids. I'm excited for their new school. The balance thing is going to be a little wonky for the next few weeks. I'm just going to need to play it by ear.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Active Day

It has been quite the active day for me today. Got up at a relatively normal hour and Prissy and I went on our 5K training run. We're on week 3 now and we have such a good time. It's just a really nice time for us to spend together just talking. But, also, we actually are getting into shape together, which is super neat too. We found the 5K we are going to do - it's called the Veggie Chase and Kids Run - it's specifically geared towards kids. It's also a little weird - where you have to chase these people dressed as vegetables around or something - but it's a kid and family friendly 5K. Perfect for our first race. It's 8 weeks from today. So, we'll have plenty of time for training (we're already 3 weeks into our 8 week program - so it'll probably work out just perfect.) So far, it's working out really nicely.

Then, Prissy and I did our grocery shopping (I'm still going to Walmart - I just can't pay the high prices for the exact same food anymore.) But, it took us TWO HOURS!!! I'm getting back into our routines and doing my meal planning and all that good stuff, it just took us a really long time. Then, we went geocaching this afternoon and did a serious hike. I was afraid it was going to be too hot, but it was in the 90s today - which is cooler than it has been. We got pretty hot, but it was still quite a bit of fun (and we found the geocache.) I've currently found 194 geocaches. YEEHAW! I've almost broken 200.

Then the kids went swimming while I grilled a meatloaf. Yup - that's what I said - I grilled a meatloaf. Everyone has been craving a meatloaf and I didn't want to have the oven on for an hour - so I wrapped the sucker up in aluminum foil and grilled it. I over cooked it just a touch - but it was still wonderful. No leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches this week. :( We ate it all.

Now, I'm just gearing up for work tomorrow - I'm working from home again. I think I have close to 8 meetings that I'll need to take on the phone. The kids have one last day before school starts and tomorrow is also meet the teacher day. I'm really excited to talk to their new teachers. So, tomorrow will be really really busy.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Time to Get it Together

Ok -

Everything around me has been slightly chaotic lately. My house is out of control. The kids have been on summer vacation - but it's been filled with, well, vacations. We haven't had much, or any at all actually, down time.

I've been juggling work, getting ready for the kids new school, sports, vacations, etc, etc, etc... And the house and everything else feels slightly ajar. So, I'm going on the offensive and I'm starting to get myself back on a routine and get the place straightened up.

Anyway, I'm excited about getting back to the routine (I'm pretty much a routine person anyway.) I'm excited that the kids are starting school on Tuesday. I'm excited for their new school. But, there are still a lot of unknowns as well.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Miss Crankypants

I'm cranky this evening. Very very cranky. This week has not been great. Work has really sucked in general. I can name something every day that has blown. So, I'm glad it's the weekend.

The last two days, I've been working from home while the kids were at home. It's really easy in the morning, then it gets hard. Today - I was super super super busy with work stuff (yet another emergency that I had to deal with) and the kids started snarking at each other. Ugh... After awhile, I just couldn't take it. They are just so mean to each other sometimes. I know that siblings are mean to each other and that it is really important for social development - blah blah blah. But, I wanted to kill them.

Also, Bubba is on a bratty streak. I think he is really really nervous about starting his new school next Tuesday and is just taking it out on us by being rude and disrespectful (he's YELLING at us. Totally not okay). But, the little asshole needs an attitude adjustment and quick - because he might not make it until next Tuesday if it gets much worse. I'm seriously considering banning all Disney TV (Drake and Josh - Suite Life - Hannah Montana - all of the sassy shits.)

Ok - that's all for tonight. It's time for a glass of wine.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Little Surprise

I worked from home today. It's always nice to work from home sometimes. We had to leave at 10:30 because the house cleaners came - but we went to Walmart and got school supplies and then got lunch.

Anyway, Bubba's soccer practice got cancelled because it's too hot and the air is too polluted, but about 5pm Bubba's coach calls (he and his wife have been our kid's coaches for years and they are friends of ours) and asks if his son can come over for awhile because he has some things that he had to do sans-child.

I immediately said yes! I was actually really honored that he asked us. We don't have many friends in Rocklin - especially kid friends. And the fact that he thought of us at all was pretty awesome! We're hoping we make more connections since our kids will be going to school in Rocklin this year. But, Bubba was thrilled that his friend was coming over. Prissy was thrilled to be away from Bubba for awhile. And I was thrilled that the kids would play for awhile and stop bickering.

Anyway, fun was had by all. The End.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Before I Die List

I have my things to do before I die list. The list itself is not completed. But, I was able to update a few things. (yes, it isn't quite in order - the things that are done were taken out of the list and put at the bottom.) Am I missing anything? I still have 11 more items to add to my list. As I add to it, I realize that I have duplicates. If you find any, please let me know. :)



100 Things I want to do before I die


02. Earn a Black Belt
03. Run (or walk) a marathon
04. See Great Wall of China
05. Volunteer in a Women's Shelter
06. Go to Australia
07. Start my own business.
08. Have a total net worth of $1M
10. Be my own boss.
11. Parasail
12. Write a book.
13. Plant a Garden
14. Plant an orange tree.
15. Learn basic Italian,
16. Be able to do 30 "real" pushups
17. See the egyptian pyramids.
18. Go Kayaking.
19. Scuba Dive
20. Ride a bike a significant distance
21. Hike Half-dome
22. Try to surf.
23. Witness a salmon spawning
24. Visit Every State in the US.
25. Ride in a hot air balloon.
26. Ride a Camel.
27. Have a girls-only weekend at a spa.
28. Join a bunco group.
29. Take tap dancing lessons.
30. Have at least one blog site ask me to be a contributing author.
31. Grow my hair long at least one more time.
32. Learn how to really use Photo Shop
33. Learn how to really use Pinnacle.
34. Host a fundraising event for the foundation for fighting blindness.
35. Make people more aware of food allergies.
36. Learn joomla.
37. Declutter, organize and redecorate my house.
38. Have my children grow up to be non-dependant adults
39. Learn to take better pictures.
40. Get my public notary certification
41. Become PMP certified.
42. Learn how to use a serger.
43. Sew something useful on a serger.
44. See the Grand Canyon.
45. Find 1000 geocaches.
46. See a TV comedyshow being taped live.
47. Host a dinner party
48. Create a picture scrapbook of both kids from birth to their current age.
49. Successfully grow bonsai trees.
51. See the aurora borealis.
54. Develop a production website for a business.
55. Complete my list of 100 things to do before I die.
56. Ride a motorcycle.
57. Exercise Regularly
58. Swim with the dolphins
59. Speak in front of 100 people or more
61. Learn to use Microsoft Expression
62. Change my own oil.
63. Learn how to tile (and tile bathroom)
64. Zipline
65. Ride in the St. Louis Arch with my kids.
66. Learn PHP and MySQL
67. Post on my blog for 365 days
68. Attend a professional baseball game with my family
69. Go wine tasting in Napa Valley
70. Visit every continent in the world.
71. Ride on a sailboat.
72. Catch a fish with my kids and eat it.
73. Volunteer at my kids school - and actually make a difference.
74. Go to Alaska
75. Dye a part of my hair pink or red or blue or orange
76. Paint a picture
77. Tell a manager to take this job and shove it.
78. Email 10 friends from high school that I have lost touch with
79. Do cartwheels in the rain
81. Teach my kids how to cook.
82. Ride and elephant
83. Swim with dolphins
85. Go to Yosemite.
86. DUPLICATE!! Visit Every State in the US.
87. Find a Geocache in every state in the US.
88. Run an entire 5K Race (extra points - do it with Prissy.)
89. "Touch" every ocean in the world - Pacific and Atlantic done.
DONE 01. Get a Masters Degree - DONE
DONE 09. Own a house with an in-ground pool. DONE
DONE 50. Go to Italy - DONE
DONE 52. Play in the rain with my kids. ON THE BEACH EVEN!!
DONE 53. Go camping with the family and tell stories around the camp fire. DONE
DONE 60. Make smores with my kids. DONE
DONE 80. Roast Marshmellows with my kids. DONE
DONE 84. Boogie Board. DONE

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

More Jasmine and Update

The Update part that not too many people care about - Prissy went to her new doctor today and had a physical. She's all healthy. Not too skinny, not too fat. She can stop taking some of her daily asthma meds because she never has an asthma attack. If she starts to have them, she'll go back on the daily asthma meds. Fortunately, she's never sick, so she never really has to go to the doctor. Unfortunately, this sort of means I've neglected her physicals (because kids ALWAYS GET sick when they go to the doctor), but more unfortunately, I've missed some of her immunizations. So, she had to get FOUR shots today. Yowza... She handled it like a champ though. The doctor is wonderful. And she is now fully immunized and can start public school next week. :D The coolest part? The doctor rocked. And it's so close to home. (the kids other doctor was an hour away.) Now, it's Bubba's turn. Fortunately - he's fully immunized.

On other notes - Jasmine our kitten is a bit of a water freak. She LOVES to play in the water. Every morning while I'm getting ready, I turn on the water for her so she can just play. This is what my mornings look like while I'm putting on makeup - what a pleasant way to get ready for work.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Pictures - I've Got Nothing to Say

I decided to post a few pictures of our camping trip. Just because I don't have a single interesting thing to say.

Rockband Kitteh (not a camping picture):
camping 001

All the kids (ages 2, 4, 7, and 9)
camping 003

Hubby must have eaten something bitter:
camping 004

Roasting some marshmellows (take that one of my things to do before I die list):
camping 006

camping 007

Sitting on the log bench:
camping 008

Cool tree and scary face (we told him to look scared and he looked scary instead):
camping 011

On San Andreas Fault Line this fence used to be together in 1906:
camping 012

BRRRR!!!! We decided not to stay here for our picnic:
camping 016

Feeding the seagulls:
camping 025

At the beach:
camping 026

camping 027

Brrr! Cold feet:
camping 028

Beautiful View:
camping 031

Playing in the sand:
camping 032

Hanging out at the Pacific Ocean:
camping 037

Tule Elk found on the side of the road:
camping 039

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Back From Camping

We had a good time camping. It had it's high times and low times.

Sucks Not

  • The friends that we went with were a blast. They are good friends and experienced campers - they helped us to survive.
  • Our kids and their kids played really really well together.
  • The food was awesome. Big full breakfasts, wonderful tacos last night (I didn't even know you could DO tacos when you were camping.)
  • We went up to the Earthquake Trail at Point Reyes and a little slick museum with all these stuffed animals - that was a nice little walk/hike which was really interesting right on the San Andres fault. I guess California actually WILL fall into the ocean in about 10 million years.
  • Heard owls hooting and saw so many stars in the sky we could hardly see sky. (unfortunately, this was on the way to the bathroom at 4am. )
  • We got to roast marshmellows and make smores with the kids (that was on my things to do before I die list. :))
  • We had a really cool picnic at the ocean and the kids fed seagulls - man there were so many of them.
  • The kids played on the beach for hours and stuck their toes in the Pacific Ocean.

But there were also some not so wonderful things

Sucks

  • It was so FREAKING cold at night. I just couldn't warm up on Friday night. Absolutely miserable freezing all night long. Ugh...
  • The first place we went for a picnic on Saturday was foggy and FREEZING, so we went to Drakes bay instead.
  • I forgot towels and water shoes so we couldn't shower - we were pretty dirty and oily by today.
  • I had to pee twice in the middle of the night, and remember how cold I said it was?
  • Bubba got a nasty cough on Saturday after leaving the beach - he was so wheezy that we had to give him Albuterol. He didn't sleep well last night and by the time we got home today he had a temperature of 102. :(
  • My car wouldn't start when we were trying to leave today - my battery had died. I have a pretty new battery, we must have just run it down by leaving the tailgate open for too long (at least that's my story.)

All in all, the sucks not outweighed the sucks by a lot. We had a good time. But, it's a lot of work. We're glad to be home. We couldn't have done another day there. We'll think about going back next year - however, I will bring MORE warm clothes and I'm thinking a cabin might be more fun than a tent.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Camping

View of campground.

Camping

I'm very much enjoying the people we are camping with. And we roasted
marshmellows last night which was fun.

However - it's so fracking cold. I was freezing all night long.
Miserably cold. And I forgot towels so we can't shower. Argh!!!

So good and bad times so far.

Sent from my iPhone

Friday, August 8, 2008

Going camping

We are in our way camping. Pretty exciting. Except did you know the
sheer amount if STUFF you need?

We are on the road and there is a crazy amount of traffic. I guess
everyone is going camping. The 2 hour drive looks like it might take
4 or 5 hours. Bah!!

Sent from my iPhone

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Nuthin' Important

I do not have a single thing of importance or interest to write about tonight.

I had a flakey moment today - kids are at home, and I had planned on going into work for an important meeting at 4pm that I needed to run. I scheduled it with hubby, who had to leave work at 2 so he could get home at 3 so I could leave and get to work by 4.

At about 2:45 I was working (outside while the kids were swimming and the music was playing and I was set up with my laptop) and I got a calendar appointment reminder for MY MEETING AT THREE AND NOT AT FOUR!!!! DAMNIT! There is no way I could have gotten to work in 15 minutes and hubby wasn't even home yet. Anyway, I quickly IMed one of my guys to help me out and I ran the meeting from home on the phone. It sucked. With everything going on at work I totally should have been there. Suck.

I've been having too many incidents of flakey-ness over the past few weeks. I need to get my responsible back on. Kids go back to school a week from Tuesday - but, it's a new school and I'll have lots of crapola to learn and deal with. Yikes!

We're going camping tomorrow. Or as a co-worker calls it - Glamping. Glamour Camping. The camping expert friends we are going with are bringing a tent for us, pitching it, bring all of the food and COOKING it as well. Nice. We're camping up by Pointe Rayes - how cool to camp at the ocean? We spent some time at the Atlantic Ocean this summer, now it's time to spend some time on the Pacific.

I do have to say, this has been quite an adventure filled summer. I don't feel like we had ANY down time. And the pool has totally rocked our world - I don't know how we lived without it.

That's all for tonight.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Welcome to the Jungle

First, the kids had their last day at their private school today. They have gone to this school since they were weeks old. (first the preschool then the elementary school.) For the first time, they are going to go to the local public school (which is free WOO! and across the street from our house DOUBLE WOO! and gets out at 1:20pm in the afternoon BOO!) So, it was a little emotional - we've known the staff there for years and years and years. And they kept Prissy safe (we were the first peanut allergic family there and they implemented all sorts of things for her.)

Anyway, work wise - I was sitting here this evening thinking over my day, I kept singing Welcome to the Jungle by Guns and Roses. So, I decided to do a post ala Badger. Work has been tough today, actually, it's been tough for two weeks.

Welcome to the jungle
We got fun 'n' games
We got everything you want
Honey we know the names
We are the people that can find
Whatever you may need
If you got the money honey
We got your disease

Chorus:
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun n,n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,n,,n,n,,n knees, knees
I wanna watch you bleed

Welcome to the jungle
We take it day by day
If you want it you're gonna bleed
But it's the price you pay
And you're a very sexy girl
That's very hard to please
You can taste the bright lights
But you won't get them for free
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my serpentine
I, I wanna hear you scream

Welcome to the jungle
It gets worse here everyday
Ya learn ta live like an animal
In the jungle where we play
If you got a hunger for what you see
You'll take it eventually
You can have anything you want
But you better not take it from me

Chorus

And when you're high you never
Ever want to come down, so down, so down, so down YEAH!

You know where you are
You're in the jungle baby
You're gonna die
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shu n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,,n knees, knees
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my serpentine
In the jungleWelcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun n,n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,,n.n, knees, knees
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your
It's gonna bring you down!
Ha!


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Ode to Joy

I have a late night work meeting tonight, so I don't have much time to post. However, I ran across this today and it just made me smile. :D I think that Beaker has been my favorite since The Great Muppet Caper (might have been Muppets Take Manhattan though). I watched that over and over on HBO as a kid. :)



MEEP MEEP MEEP!

Monday, August 4, 2008

This Week in Pictures

I figured I'd post few pictures tonight - take the lazy way. It is Monday


I have no idea what Oreo is doing with her mouth here. But, I think she was cleaning Jasmine and just... Well, I don't know what she was doing...
kitties 003

Here is a few of the kids in the pool
pool_kitties 001

Prissy's turn
pool_kitties 003

Glub Glub Glub
pool_kitties 009

Chilling with her peeps
pool_kitties 010

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Training for a 5K

I mentioned it a few weeks ago, but Prissy and I are training for a 5K. Our plan is to run a 5K race together on Thanksgiving day (there are lots in the area). So, we have some time. But, this is our 2nd week training - we went today and got Prissy some better running shoes. Her current tennis shoes are pretty much falling apart and she has complained of her heels hurting. So, clearly it's time for some better shoes she can run in.

So, we were going shopping. And hubby mentions that both kids need cleats - soccer does start this week. Dang it! So, we all pile into the car and we go to the local soccer store first. Holy shit people - there were probably 235789 people in the store. Boxes everywhere. Not a single sales person to be found - a line of people waiting out the door to just pay for their clothes and shoes. But, note there was no one at the register. Ugh. I fought my way over to the shoes and took notice of the landscape. There was no way we were going to find anyone to help us for at least an hour, so I told the family that we had to bail out.

After we left, we talked about it and the last 3 years this store has miss fit Bubba on his shoes. Where his shoes were way too small. We ended up buying two pair. And last year his shin-guards were way to small. So, we headed over to Sports Chalet (which I love the name, because it rhymes with my last name and our house is called the McVay Chalet.) We found much cheaper cleats AND backpacks AND running shoes AND shinguards for Bubba. We spent a small fortune but we are set.

However, Hubby and I had a disagreement while at the store. I'm of the opinion that kids get new backpacks every year. Period. Especially if they had "non-expensive" backpacks that are starting to fall apart and totally dingy. If they have nice ones - they might be able to last two years. But, it's part of the fun of going back to school. New crayons, new notebooks, a few new clothes and NEW BACKPACKS! Am I crazy here? Who is normal here? Comments appreciated!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Flakey Girl

Holy crap -

In all honestly, this has been a really really horrible week. I haven't even really wanted to talk about it because it's just been extremely bad.

But, because I've been rather preoccupied about work issues, I totally and completely forgot about the end of the year baton party for Prissy. I feel really bad about it - I feel bad that Prissy missed it and I feel bad that I just forgot about it (I really enjoy the parents as well.)

Ok, so I sent my apologies. But, then this morning, I totally and completely overslept (I haven't been sleeping well because of the work stress) and I missed Bubba's Taekwondo class this morning (I'm very glad that Bubba had gone to two classes this week already). But still... He's testing for his black belt at the end of the month and needs every class he can get.

In summary - I'm totally flaking out. Too much going on. School ending, trying to figure out what to do before the new "real" school starts. Soccer starts next week and we had all of our orientation meetings this week. I am usually really good with juggling all the balls. But, it just seems like there is one ball too many and I'm dropping them all.

Next week:

Monday - Work, field trip for Bubba, Taekwondo
Tuesday - Work, Kids end of the year party, Soccer, Haircuts for the boys, maybe taekwondo?
Wednesday - Work, Soccer, field trip for Prissy (also last day of summer school for kids)
Thursday - Work and taking care of the kids, soccer, taekwondo, haircut for me.
Friday - work, taking care of the kids, soccer, taekwondo: OH WAIT. I just remembered, we are going camping for the weekend.

What I don't mentioned in here is that I also need to find a pool service. I also need to take teh kids for back to school supplies and clothes. There is a doctor's appointment for Prissy sometime - she isn't fully vacinated - I must have flaked on her last vaccine, but I can't remember when it is off the top of my head. There is too much going on. I'm glad for the break in baton. I keep telling myself that it will be better when we can get all settled in the new school. (at least that's what I'm telling myself.) And maybe when I can get my house into at least into a picked up state (it's clean (thank you Molly Maids) but so cluttered.)

Anyway, feeling a little crazy, a little cranky, a little (okay a lot) overwhelmed (and I don't often feel overwhelmed.) All in all - totally and completely out of control. Ugh.

Friday, August 1, 2008

The Pool Rocks my World

It's REEEEEALY hot here. I think it was 178 degrees or something on our way home. I was sweaty and had on a short sleeved sweater and it was sticking to me and making me itchy and the entire hour long drive home was just miserable. I just couldn't cool off enough.

When we got home, we went and got directly into our bathing suits and jumped right into the pool (which was a cool but not cold 84 degrees). Talk about heaven.

The rest of the evening has been blissful.