Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I DID IT!

I have posted every day for the past year. 365 days! I can't believe I actually did it - I think maybe 10% of the posts were worth publishing. I have quite a few regular readers now - which is nice.

I think I may take a few days off (but, maybe not - I think I might go into blogging withdraw if I just don't post for a few days.

Anyway - thanks for sticking with me if you stuck this far!

I'm going to a party now! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

100 Things that I Crossed off my List

On the side of this blog I have a list of a 100 things I want to do before I die. Here are the things that I accomplished this year:

  • Own a house with an in-ground pool - we did that! We put a pool in our backyard this past summer. I couldn't be more happy with it.



May 064

  • Learn Joomla - I did this as well. I put a site into production at http://accelerationbaton.com/. I also have a Joomla site that will soon go into production for the Rocklin Girls Fastpitch softball.


  • Go to Italy - well, I really did this in 2007, but I also did this in 2008. At least in 2008 I went with my husband and we got to actually see some things. We went to Milan, Venice and spent an afternoon in Switzerland.


  • Italy 233

  • Play in the rain with my kids - we did this in Daytona Beach, Florida. It started pouring down rain while we were at the beach. We stayed out and played in the ocean and the beach while it rained. It was really fun. You can see the rain in the sand (I drew this with my toes.


  • July 111

  • Go camping with the family and tell stories around the campfire. We took the kids camping for the first time this past summer. It was COLD at night and HOT in the day. We played at the beach at Pointe Reyes, CA. CA is such a great state to live in (except for the passing of Prop 8.)


  • camping 005

  • Complete my list of 100 things to do before I die - I can't believe how long this actually took me to finish.


  • Make smores with my kids - we did this while camping.


  • camping 006

  • Tell a manager to take this job and shove it - while I didn't really say take this job and shove it - I still quit my job. I even went to Italy to quit my job which is pretty interesting. How many people go to Italy to quit their job? I actually had to tell a couple of managers that I quit. I had two vice presidents try to talk me out of quitting. But, I can tell you right now - that it was absolutely the best thing for me to do.




  • Roast Marshmellows with my kids - I love roasting marshmellows - getting them so they are golden brown and puffy and melty is just the BEST!


  • camping 007

  • Boogie Board - I did this in Florida (in the rain). I only got one or two really good runs, but it was extremely fun.


  • Run and entire 5K Race (extra points - do it with Prissy) - Prissy and I raced in a 5K in October. I so wanted to walk the last 1/2 mile - but I had this little thing to knock off of my list. I ran an entire 5K. While, that is a tiny little amount to some of you - it was REALLY far for the girl who couldn't run down the block when she first started.


  • 5k 006

  • Ride in a Gondola in Venice - I did this with Hubby while we were in Italy. What an experience.


Italy 179


I think that 12 things isn't too bad - one thing a month. Going at this rate, I should be done in less than 10 years. Not too bad actually..

Monday, December 29, 2008

Haven't Stopped Today

Wow - today was a busy busy day.

I haven't stopped until just this second.

It started out with us waking up early and heading over to the ice skating rink to meet a friend. The kids skated while we froze in the stands. DANG it's cold in an ice skating rink - so cold that we could see our breath. BRRRRR!!!!

Then, we went to McDs - figure I better stock up on some fatty Big Macs before the diet restarts. Then, we came home and I made my grocery list and headed out to the store.

As soon as I came back and got the groceries put away, I went out front and took down the Christmas decorations.

THEN - I went and got fabric and batting to finish up my quilt (a qualified quilter tried talking me out of quilting this thing myself - told me that I should just send it out to be done with a long arm quilter (it's a king size). She's probably not wrong - but, I'm going to try to do it myself anyway. (Glutton for punishment.) It took me FOREVER - the place was PACKED. It took me almost 40 mins just to get my fabric cut. WTH? Then, it took me almost 20 minutes to check out - I thought Christmas time was over?

Anyway, I came home, made dinner. Actually, my sister in law sent us Jack Stack BBQ from Kansas City (she is the most awesome person EVER!), I warmed it all up for dinner and it was heavenly. I just don't get BBQ like this in CA. She is my favorite person today.

THEN, I had to go to Fry's to replace my son's MP3 player that he got from his Baba (grandma). I broke it yesterday. And, yes, it was totally and completely my fault. It had this weird charging thing that stuck out of the computer, and I walked past it and broke it off. Anyway, I replaced it with an MP3 that was a bit different - but he's happy.

Then, came home and I'm typing this. I didn't sleep well last night - so I'm pretty exhausted. I'm ready to just sit and read blogs for awhile.

Sorry this post was so freaking boring!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Just Chilling

I'm sitting here in my bedroom, on my daughter's new little-bitty laptop while my son watches Wall-E (a gift for Christmas.) He wanted someone to cuddle with while he watched. I figured I'd cuddle and blog.

Bubba said that he wouldn't want to be Wall-E because he doesn't like picking up trash and he doesn't like being lonely. Me neither.

We went and saw Bedtime Stories at the theatre today - it was quite funny and silly. Perfect holiday movie.

I don't have much to blog about today - just feeling rested and content. I finished my quilt top, now, to baste it all together for the actual quilting (basting is my absolute LEAST favorite part of quilting - next to hand sewing the binding.)

So, I wish you a happy Sunday!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

More Random Pictures

Because -

Why not right?

This was taken on Christmas Eve Night - Bubba did NOT want his sister touching him:
christmas 001

Cookies for Santa:
christmas 002

The "before" shot:
christmas 003

Oreo wanted to open presents too:
christmas 006

Here was as white as we got for Christmas. Bubba's class grew these from bulbs and brought them home as Christmas presents. I think they are just so nice:
christmas 005

Notice how dark it is outside? This was Christmas morning - I guess we got up earlier than I thought. :)
christmas 004

The after picture (notice Oreo is still sitting under the tree):
christmas 008

Isn't Prissy's new toy cute?
christmas 009

Here is a picture of the quilt I've been working on (started it last year this time). This picture doesn't do it justice:
christmas 010

This is just the quilt top, and it still needs one more border - then I can quilt and bind the thing (maybe I can get it done by next Christmas. :))
christmas 011

Now, notice that blue carpeting on the side of that photo above? It's going to be replaced in the next few weeks! WITH NEW CARPET!!! YAY!

Friday, December 26, 2008

One Week of Vacation Over

Well - I've officially been on vacation for one week. Unfortunately, I had to work for about an hour on Wednesday night and 3 hours this morning. But, whatever - it just means that I can take a few more hours of vacation at a later time. Woo...

But, I really haven't done much. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. I have this enormous list of "to dos" that would feel really good to get off the list (like find a landscaper to deal with the hell that is our front yard.) The only thing that has gotten crossed off is getting a new garbage disposal. It will be installed next week. Our other one has a hole in it that we can no longer just ignore.

This week, I finished Christmas stuff, I played with the kids, I have cooked and cooked and cooked and cooked, I read, I got a pedicure, I played CSI Dark Motives PC Game (which I got YEARS ago and have never played), did some yard work with Prissy (I love Prissy but I HATE yard work) and today I quilted (I tend to only quilt in the winter and around Christmas vacation - I love it, but it's rather time consuming). I've done my normal chores, and all that good stuff. But, my question is - will I have longer term "relaxation" benefit if I just totally kick it and relax these two weeks, or if I get some of those major "todos" taken care of? Maybe I'll see if I can't balance it - get a few things done and also be lazy. *sigh*

Anyone know of a good landscape designer that works in the winter?

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful holiday and that your stockings (or whatever else you choose to do) were filled with wonderful things.

We had a wonderful Christmas! Gluttony both material and foodwise. We had all of our biggest desires filled.

I was spoiled - as always. The kids were also very spoiled. I got Photoshop - so I've been playing with photo editing today. Teehee!




The only exception we've had to our day is that the plumbing went out on our kitchen sink (we've had a little leak which sort of turned into a clog today - which turned into a big hole - aka a BIG leak.) But, we just need to get a new garbage disposal and have it installed. Piece of cake.

I'm off to make a leftover ham sandwich - I've been more excited about this sandwich than just about any other food we've had for the holidays. :D

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Is Christmas Over Yet?

Man! Oh Man! Has Bubba been a BEAR today. He has been so good since Halloween time - but today - he just threw it all away. So much so that I am actually considering that he may not get all of his gifts tomorrow (but, I'm a wuss and he'll of course get all of his gifts.) He just has been a pure little jerk today. I sent him to bed early.

We had a big day today - we went out to lunch then went bowling (in which Bubba was Negative Nancy the whole time because his sister was beating him - needless to say - he beat me - but whatever.) Then we just had a lot of errands to run and get done. It was raining and yucky outside - so the kids couldn't go to the park.

We made Christmas cookies for Santa, and then went to look at Christmas lights. They got their ritual pajamas that magically showed up on their bed while we were out. Usually Bubba gets to open one present from his grandma on Christmas Eve - but he lost that when he was being exceptionally mean to his sister (so mean it made her cry.) WTH?

I'm thinking that Santa might write him a letter tonight. Or not... I don't know.. Maybe it was just too much excitement and he just was reacting (he has been pretty nervous about Santa coming since "The Halloween Candy Sneaking" and the "Getting Caught in the Girls Bathroom at School and Getting Sent to the Principal." So, maybe he's just nervous.) He kept saying over and over all day, "I"m not getting a skateboard anyway - and that's all I want." It's like he's trying to prep himself.

We had a long talk at dinner tonight about being grateful and thankful for what we had NOW, and even if we lost everything we'd still have each other. I don't think it really sunk in though, after we finished talking he said to his sister, "Told you - I'm not getting my skateboard." But he is only seven...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Strange Gift

Our neighbors dropped presents by today - which is so incredibly nice. This whole neighborly thing is quite new to me. This particular neighbor has a 7 year old son who we bring home from school every day. He's a good kid. And we are also very lucky that Bubba and this boy are the best of friends - they play together all the time (which is just awesome - they do all sorts of things and can also go ride their bikes at the park across the street.)

Anyway, they brought a present for Bubba - and Bubba opened it after they left - it was a cheese plate and knife. It was really cute - snowmen on it. But, seems like an odd choice for a 7 year old. I don't think it's the best idea to give Bubba knife at all... *LAUGH*

So dear internets - what do I do? Do I say, "Thank you for the gift - Max loves his cheese plate and knife. It matches his wine glasses.." Or, do I just keep my mouth shut? (They gave Hubby and I presents too - some wonderful gift certificates - which are incredibly generous. It all makes me feel a little weird because I gave them a plate of homemade fudge and they were REALLY generous. They gave Prissy a gift too - a little personalized sign with her name (which is not an easily found name)).

Anyway - weird... Should I say something or just keep my mouth shut? It could be that their other friends end up with a Dangerous Boys book instead of a nice cheese plate. But, then what do we say?

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Kitty Pictures

Here are some Kitty Christmas Pictures:

Ahhhh Warm!!!
stuff 003

Kitties like books too:
stuff 004

Squishing the Teddy Bear:
stuff 007

Ticked off Santa Kittah says, "You are on the naughty list!":
stuff 009

Santa Kittah sleeping on her laptop bag sleigh:
stuff 012

"Guardian of The Upstairs" Kittah:
stuff 016

Oreo says, "What is that shiny thing down there?"
stuff 017

Sunday, December 21, 2008

12 Days of Christmas

This is a quick video of the last verse of the 12 days. :D

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Near Perfect Day

I had a near perfect day today. The weather was sunny and a balmy 57 degrees. Hubby and I got to sleep in (ahhh...) Then after some lounging with the kids, I made fried egg and bacon sandwiches, and then we went to Taekwondo at 12:30. The kids didn't fight at all. After class (which actually almost killed me) Prissy and Bubba went to the park (they just decided to go all on their own.) I went to the library to pick up my audio versions of my Twilight series books and stopped off at the dry cleaners - who gave us a lint brush as a Christmas gift for being regular customers.

Then... THEN?!! I went and got a pedicure.... Oh, I love pedicures... LOVE THEM!!! When I got home, Bubba had his best bud over from across the street and they were playing nicely.

Then dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant - with a BIG MARGARITA! Yum... I'm full, happy, well rested and have pretty toes. That to me is a near perfect day.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Woohoo!!! VACATION!

I'm officially on vacation starting NOW. While I'm enjoying work - I'm really looking forward to having 2 weeks to just decompress after the hell of a year I just came off of.

During that time - I will complete (assuming I eat no more sushi and do not end up in the hospital) my blog 365 - that's a heck of an accomplishment.

I leave this for you (this could have been me if I hadn't changed jobs):

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Not in the Plans

Today wasn't a terribly pleasant day. It started with the dentist. I don't really mind the dentist too too much - but I don't especially like it either. Not the world best way to start the day.

I went to lunch at my favorite sushi restaurant - and they accidentally made me an extra Folsom Roll (It's made with crab, shrimp tempura, sauces, eggs, ebi. It's just wonderful.) So, I had a LOT of it (twice as much as normal.) I eat at this restaurant about once a week. It is just the best.

I then went back to work, and about 45 minutes later, my stomach started itching. I went to the bathroom and my stomach was broken out in hives. Weird. It was damn itchy. Then, it started moving to my chest, up my neck and to my ears. I went and bought some benedryl from our work "store" and took it about 2pm. By about 2:20, my left eye started swelling up and I started to get wheezy. I called a friend who had a weird reaction to sushi and he told me to get to the ER.

I hemmed and hawed - thinking the benedryl would kick in. A friend from work walked me outside to get some air (I was sweating like a pig and my heart was absolutely racing.) I decided that I needed to go to Urgent Care. He offered to drive me, but I thought that I would be fine. About halfway there - my throat started itching and I started coughing like crazy.

I got there (it's rather close to work), and in hindsight - I so should have had my co-worker drive me. They wanted me to fill out paperwork, but I couldn't remember how old I was, and who my doctor was. I really struggled with it - while getting incredibly light headed and coughing like crazy.

Anyway, they brought me in very quickly and decided to give me a shot of something -she said it was a steriod like prednisone. HOWEVER - I had to get it in the ass. And they were showing the new medical assistant how to do it. Who was 21 and MALE. I had to drop my pants, lean over on the examination table while putting weight on my left foot - while she is explaining where to give it. She says, "I cut the hip in half (while showing him with her fingers) - the siatic nerve runs right through here. You never ever ever want to hit the siatic nerve." Me thinking, "OH SHIT!!! SHE'S GONNA HIT MY SIATIC NERVE!!!!!" She continues, "then, I cut it in half again,z' marking it with her fingers on my ASS THAT IS STICKING OUT HANGING IN THE WIND WHILE I'M COUGHING!!!

She gives me the shot. About 15 minutes later, I felt SO much better. They gave me a perscription for Prednisone, told me to take Benedryl tonight and sent me on my way. *ugh*

I went back to work to apologize to my boss for skipping the meeting I was supposed to attend. Then I headed towards home - hubby called and reminded me that I had a hair cut and color tonight. I was SO not in the mood - I was feeling rather drugged out.

I went to the appointment and my hair dresser said she was so sorry but she had doubled booked me and could I reschedule - I was SO HAPPY!!!! YES! I could absolutely reschedule.

So, I'm home - tired. I'm going to bed early tonight. Nothing went as planned today.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Christmas Party

Holy crap -

What a busy day. Here it was in all of it's glory:

6:00 alarm goes off - I sac it
6:45 I finally arouse enough to get out of bed after saccing and saccing my stupid alarm
7:00 Freak out because the kids aren't up yet - finish getting ready.
7:15 Breakfast, pack lunch/snacks, check email, pick up crappe, get everything ready for the day.
7:35 Freak out because we haven't left yet.
7:45 Walk kids to school - hubby suggests we carpool today.
7:47 Head off to work.
8:35 Arrive to work - fall down in the parking lot - there is FUCKING ICE!!! WTF?!!?? Ice???
8:40 Work
11:29 Decide to head home (Wednesday's I work from home in the afternoon.)
11:30 Boss calls - major emergency... Damn - I have to leave anyway - I have to pick kids up from school.
11:45 Leave for home (todo list a mile long)
12:30 Get home, log on - send multiple emails.
12:50 Gulp down some lunch
1:15 Go and pick up Bubba
1:20 Work
2:20 Prissy comes home.
2:45 Head off to doctor to get flu shots.
3:15 Find out that kids will need booster for flu shots in 30 days (FUCK! It took me 2 months just to get THIS appointment)
3:30 Head back to work with kids in tow for Christmas party that started at 3pm.
4:10 Arrive at work - the party is over. DOH! Saw old New Italian Boss - I wanted so much to bitch slap him.
4:30 Go upstairs and see new good boss. He plays hockey in the hallway with the kids.
5:00 Head off to baton Christmas party.
8:30 Finally get home - tired.

Summary: Went to work (45 mins away) twice today. Had multiple work "emergencies." Took kids to the doctor and went to two Christmas parties. I freaking hate this season.

Bah Humbug...

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Hair Ball

My kids had this ball with little plastic thingies all over it. Sort of like a koosh ball - but big. And it didn't have a hard center.

Anyway, over the past two years all the little plastic thingies were pulled fell off, then it was sat upon and flattened.


Prissy has asked for a replacement ball. So, I began my internet search (because I abhor shopping this time of season - duh). Ummm... How was I going to do that search?


Google Search: Balls 90,500,000 results


hmmm...


Google Search: Hairy Balls 528,000 results


I narrowed it down, but my results were not right...


After days and days of looking for hairy balls - I finally found it... At Target (the only major discount place I can stand to visit during the Christmas season.) The key word was Gigantic - I needed to look for Gigantic Hairy Balls. I bought two - they aren't blue though.


Monday, December 15, 2008

Meme Because I'm Lazy

You get a meme today - because I'm Lazy

Favorite Christmas…

01. Non-Jesus-related song? “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"
02. Jesus-related song? “Silent Night”
03. Santa-related song? “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
04. Fictional character? Elf - "Smiling is my favorite"
05. Dinner’s main course? Ham?
06. Dinner’s dessert? Ummm - anything... I'll eat any desert.
07. Scent (pine, gingerbread, candles…)? Pine
08. Animated movie? Peanuts Christmas
09. Non-animated movie? Either the Christmas Story or Elf.
10. Personal memory? Huge gatherings at our house with family friends.
11. Story/Fairy Tale? Twas the Night Before Christmas.

If you are reading this - I TAG YOU!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Oh No - Winter is here

I hate winter. Not a little - a whole stinking lot. I grew up in Kansas City - where winters were COLD and ice was plenty. A cold winter morning is -5. I remember going outside and my hair freezing where it wasn't completely dry. I moved away from that mess to Sacramento. It's California right?

Here, the winters consist of rain and cold. Usually the lows are n the 30s. I've been here for 13 years - and now - the 30s are really really cold. REALLY cold. Especially when mixed with rain.





This? There are so many things wrong with this picture. So many things that make me unhappy. First is the Sunset time. 4:44? The sun is setting at FOUR FORTY FOUR??? Ugh... I'm not even out of work yet. I arrive at work in the dark and leave in the dark. GROSS!

Second - tomorrow night? Rain into snow? INTO SNOW!!!! My kids - so excited... Me - I think I've decided I'm moving to San Diego. I don't mind the rain as much as the cold.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Things I Learned Today

My kids ask me the strangest questions. Here were 3 things they asked me and their answers (I love the internet.)

Question: Is Jello made out of pigs hooves?
Answer: From http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/7953 Not pigs hooves, but it's a by-product of pig skin.

Question: The moon looks close, is it more than 2 miles away?
Answer: From http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu//cosmic_kids/AskKids/moondist.shtml The moon is about an average distance of 240K miles away from the earth.

Question: What happens if someone takes off their helmet in space?
Answer: Hubby and I disagreed over this one and it turns out that we were both right. From http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080831021006AAmPP0c
Here's what happens when you are suddenly exposed to the vacuum of space.

1. If you hold your breath, your lungs will rupture, which will be fatal even if you are taken back inside right away
2. If you exhale, all blood passing through your lungs will be deoxygenated. It takes about 15 seconds for blood to go from your lungs to your brain, so you have about 15 seconds of consciousness.
3. The liquid in any exposed mucus membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) will start evaporating, leading to rapid cooling, and severe frostbite after a couple minutes
4. After around 5 minutes, your brain will start sustaining permanent damage due to oxygen deprivation
5. You will also experience slight nitrogen narcosis ("the bends"), but the oxygen deprivation will kill you much faster than this.

Your chances of a full recovery are very high after 30 seconds of exposure. There may be permanent frostbite damage after 2 minutes. After 5 minutes, your chances of survival diminish rapidly.

Don't know if it's true, but whatever. It was a good enough answer for Bubba - you suffocate, you explode (on the inside) and you freeze to death.

Competition

Prissy had her competition today - she did very well (but not as well as she personally would have liked.) She came in second place in both of her events. The team did incredible. The weather was pretty nice and the girls were able to practice outside. The contest itself moved very quickly and was well run (given the very small gym size.)

Prissy has two brand new routines, which are much more difficult - she is struggling a bit with them. I think it's great that she is learning some new, very tough, things. We really adore her new coach.

We are going over to a friends house this evening. Prissy and I are pretty tired, so I doubt that we will stay very late. Anyway, it will be nice to see our friends.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Almost Done

I am almost done with the Christmas shopping - Gawd I love me some internet...

Tomorrow, Prissy has her first competition of the season. She has an entirely new routine and an entirely new coach - so tomorrow will be interesting. To make it MORE interesting, December is the local competition. We usually have to travel to competitions - but the December one is in Sacramento. I was really excited because this one was supposed to be EXTREMELY close to our house (her lessons are about 45 mins away). But, then we found out that they lost that gym and the competition is where we have practice. Which is in an elementary school multipurpose room. Which is barely big enough for our team. There are no bleachers. There will be no place to sit, no place to change, not even enough room to be. If the weather was supposed to be nice it might work out okay. But, the weather calls for rain and a high of 47. (which by the way is too cold for girls in leotards to be waiting around outside.) Blech...

So, dreading tomorrow a little. But, we are going over to our good friends house tomorrow night - in which we will drink lots of wine and/or butter rum and go look at Christmas lights. That will be fun. :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Things You Don't Hear Everyday

These are things I've heard (and or said) today -

  • "There's couscous in my belly button." *
  • "Stupid lemon eater." **
  • "Am I supposed to be in the brown one or the white one?" ***
  • "He has on white makeup to make him look more pale" ****

* Dinner conversation

** Discussion about a guy who has a bitch of a wife (the quote was actually from a Dilbert cartoon).

*** Discussion about which building the coach interviews were in.

**** Discussion about Edward Cullen in the Twilight movie.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Pomegranate

So, I purchased my first pomegranate last Sunday. I've never had a Pomegranate. But, apparently they are "wonderful" so I had to see what all the fuss was about.

Man, a pomegranate is one UGLY fruit. Looks like a really mean onion. Or an onion that has turned into a Harley rider.

Anyway, I cut into the thing and had no idea what to do with it. What was I suppose to eat? So, I went my good friend the internet, and asked it what in the hell I was supposed to with this thing. It explained it very clearly. So, I removed the pith and separated the seeds. And dug in.

I personally didn't like the seeds, so I juiced the little seeds in my mouth and bit off the little bit of flesh and spit out the seed. Seemed like a lot of work for such little pay off. Sort of like Sunflower seeds - but sweet instead of salty.

But, then I noticed I was nomming on them all day - but I wasn't craving other things (like doughnuts, cake, Peppermint Mochas, and Pizza.) So, weird - definately. Tasty? A little bit.. But, really, it just gave my mouth something to do.

Then, my son came home from school and said - OH POMEGRANATE! And grabbed a few seeds - threw them into his mouth - sucked the juice out and spit out the seed. Just like that. It wasn't the huge production I was turning it into. I asked him where he had had pomegranates before. He said school - all the kids bring pomegranates for snack...

Guess I live in California, huh?

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

At least it's something

Man - Christmas just keeps getting closer and closer. I could use an extra day or two. I snuck out at lunch and went shopping. I am so far behind. I always like to be finished by now. I don't even have my Christmas cards done yet (however, they are now addressed and I have my letters printed and pictures cut up.) I always ALWAYS underestimate the amount of time Christmas cards take.

I also sent in a mail to reserve a place for Prissy's birthday party. Her birthday is right after Christmas - so, I always procrastinate finding a place. Hopefully the place she wants is available (it's a huge warehouse o'trampoline. The entire place is a ginormous trampoline. It's so cool.)

I'm still on my diet. So far so good - I've lost 4 pounds so far. Calories in vs calories out actually works. *laugh* I'm pretty sure the weightloss will slow down this week - I'm eating well - I'm not hungry. But, I do have to exercise. I get to consume about 1500 calories a day - and I have to burn 2000 a day (that includes the calories that are just burned by breathing). That should result in a loss of a pound a week. Not too bad. So far it's working.

Wow, this is probably one of the most boring posts ever... Sorry 'bout that.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Gig is Up

I was confronted yesterday. I had a hostile situation in my house. Demands were made. Tears were shed. Dreams were broken. The gig is up...

Prissy (my almost 10 year old daughter) cornered me and asked me if Santa was real. I had to tell her the truth. It was horrible (for me, not for her). She took it all in stride. She wasn't devasted. I was though. It's another passing of childhood. *sob*

What makes this a little more traumatic for me, is that Hubby was supposed to TELL HER! He kept wimping out over and over. And finally the poor thing had to just ask outright. At least she won't be made fun of in school (well, at least not for still believing in Santa.)

I told her that now she knew, she was officially recruited as an elf. Santa himself may not be real - but the spirit of Santa was alive and well in this household - and she now had to ensure that his spirit was met.

I'm still sad about it today.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Cuff?

Bubba was playing a computer game with his sister this morning and started yelling "CUFF!!" "CUFF!" After about 10 times of this, I asked him what cuff meant. He said - oh it's the REALLY BAD word spelled backwards. It's not bad if you say it backwards - it becomes GOOD then..

Huh?

Cuff = Kcuf... Ohhhh....

Umm - I told him that he shouldn't say bad words backwards either.

He is ALWAYS just skirting the rules...

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Froze my ass off

Today, Bubba had a soccer tournament. Who schedules a soccer tournament in December? Well, everyone in our regional area I suppose. Anyway, it was SOOOOO cold. (but, realize, I have lived in CA for almost 15 years - so 35 is COOOOLD!!!!) Well, to be realistic - I think that anyone out in the 35 degree weather for 5 hours would be cold. Especially for those people that don't have warm clothes or coats.

Bubba had to play 4 games today, and the games started at 8:30 this morning and they had a 30 minute break between games. It was just freezing. Prissy went down a slide and got her pants all wet and we had to run home between games. Then, later, after we ate lunch, I spilled a diet coke all over my pants (and car) and had to go home to change pants. I don't know what was up with getting our pants wet today.

Anyway, Bubba's undefeated team were just mediocre during this tournament. I don't know if the boys were cold or if they just actually had competition (teams traveled from all over to play in this tourney.) Bubba was not "ON" today. We're not even sure that he was playing - he might have been picking clovers. Don't know.

Anyway, Hubby had to go help with girls softball registration after the games and I put up the christmas tree and inside decorations - it feels good to at least have that done.

I'm not even sure I'll be able to finish all the Christmas stuff this year - but I can still hope.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Well Why Not?

I talked to another ex-co-worker today - and he just reconfirmed my decision to leave. I'm so freaking happy that I don't report to NIB anymore.

*******

We had put together a plan that would allow me to quit my job, and either just be a happy SAHM or start a small web design company. There are so many things in our house that we want (or need) to repair, replace, or refurbish. But, we just simply don't have time to bring in contractors, get quotes, etc. while we are working.

However, the economy is in such a crap state right now - that it just didn't feel right to quit working right now (and also not a good time to start a company.) So, I changed jobs and companies and managers. That was the best change that could have happened. I feel like a new person.

Although, we still don't have time to do work on our house. DOH! We'll just have to figure it out.

******

Diet is going... Today, I went out to a going away lunch for a friend - I didn't do so great. And I really really really don't want to exercise tonight. *sucgh* (suck - ugh) I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet.

******

Bubba has a soccer tournament tomorrow - he has 4 soccer games - I guess we won't be putting up lights or the tree tomorrow. DOH! We still haven't done that yet. It's also pretty cold here - I don't know that I really want to be outside all day (I'm such a selfish mother.)

******

OMG - I watched Twilight yesterday with a friend. Holy crap... Can I just say that I'm in love with Edward (and even Bella a little bit)... Yummy... I'm so addicted to the books it's stupid. I don't know what is wrong with me.

******

My kids are watching Olive the Other Reindeer and eating popcorn. It makes me feel all warm and happy inside...

******

Now - to exercise or to pour myself a glass of wine.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Blog 365 - Sprint to the Finish Line

Last year, about this time I think - I signed up for Blog365. Where we had to post every day for an entire year. So far I have accomplished this goal (the only questionable time was when I was in Italy and I lost a day flying there. So, I posted twice, and I tried to make up for the time.)

There have been so many posts of - "I have nothing to say - I just have to post today otherwise I won't make my goal." And other days of just lots of pictures.

This feels like quite the accomplishment, but it's not over yet. I'm sprinting to the finish line.

Why did I do this? And what do I get? Absolutely nothing - other than meeting some other really cool bloggers - and the sense of accomplishment (as well as one more thing I can knock off of my 100 things list.)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Stumped

I read a quote today:

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of those that matter the least." -author unknown

I found out some really bad news about a friend and co-worker of mine. I will not share without their permission, but the news is probably the worst news someone can get.

It's the kind of news when you hear about it, it makes you grateful for family, health, stability. It's the kind of news that you are forever afraid is waiting around the corner for you. And the kind of news that makes you want to finish everything on your '100 things to do before you die' list right away.

It's the kind of news that breaks your heart.

Or at least that's the way that I felt when I heard the news.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

For Your Pleasure

Because this damn song has been stuck in my head all day - I now give it to you:


Monday, December 1, 2008

Did I mention?

I think that I mentioned last week that I was going to start my new Sparkpeople diet. Well, started yesterday - and so far so good. Although, I'm only two days into it. It's a totally novel concept - burn more calories than I consume. WHO CAME UP WITH THAT ONE??!??

Ok, ok... So, I have to exercise, and eat healthy... And if I want a little something extra, I have to exercise a little bit more to burn it off. I will tell you that my gowear fit (tells me exactly how many calories I've burned) makes it quite a bit easier.

Another random bit of news - I am really enjoying my new job. It is so nice to not manage anyone for awhile. While I LOVED managing - this break is so nice. No whining, no complaining, no pissing contests. I can just sit in my little cube (or at home at my breakfast table) and do my work. It's really nice. However, I'm sure I'll get bored before too long. One of my former employees IMed me today and told me a classic NIB (New Italian Boss - primary reason I quit my job) story. First, I got really pissed for her. Then, I calmed down, as she handled it better than I would have. Finally - I was just SO TOTALLY GRATEFUL that I don't have to deal with that crap anymore. *huge sigh of relief*