Randomness

I don't have any cool stories or update, so I thought that I would spew some randomness.

• I just discovered http://mininova.org - where the hell have I been? There are thousands of books available - including ebooks and audiobooks - ROCK ON!
• I have a pretty serious crush on Facebook. (Not with a person silly - with the website itself!
• Project Runway is all kinds of awesome. I'm told that this season isn't as great as other seasons - but it's still quite fab.
• Big Brother is boring this year. I'm just not into it. I've been a loyal BB fan for 10 seasons. And I just don't care.
• Kids have 4 days of summer camp left.
• I have to take Oreo and Jasmine to the vet tomorrow.
• I got a certified letter in the mail yesterday that requires a signature. BAH! I have no idea who it is from (all my bills are paid) and I have to drive 20 minutes to the post office to pick this thing up. It better be important.

Already?

I can't believe the summer is already wrapping up. Where did it go? Has it even started yet? Soccer season is starting, summer camp ends next week, school starts in a little over two weeks. I had planned on being much more organized. Ironically enough - I'm more disorganized than ever. Ugh...

I think I might have signed up to be the team mom for Prissy's soccer team - but, it was sort of by accident. I didn't mean to. I wasn't even drinking. I should probably find out if I did (I think my exact words were - "if there is no one else willing to do it - I can help." I'm so stupid, when will I ever learn? As a super duper cool note - there are 5 girls from Prissy's new school on her team and even more cool her soccer practice is at the park across the street from our house. The kids worlds will be much more confined in a smaller area - they won't be dragged all over the city. They will be able to meet kids and play with kids in the neighborhood. The coaches daughter just lives right down the street from us. I'm really excited about the kid's new school.

I think that's about all from me. Time is going by so fast. I wish I could slow it down just enough to clean up my kitchen.

It Snuck Up on Me

I had a blog post idea that I really want to write about - but I just can't get it started. I guess it could be called bloggers block. :D

The kids summer camp ends next Wednesday and their new school doesn't start until a week and a half later. Hubby and I have decided to switch off working from home during that time. Man, that is really going to suck.

I figured I would post a few pictures - because I've got some to share:

Here is a picture of the kitties. They so love each other. They are almost always together. They play alot and they love each other a lot as well. Oreo spends much of her time cleaning Jasmine. It makes me really happy that they get along. Pookie (my OLD cat) doesn't really want anything to do with either of them. I've now got two kitties using the litter robot - but Pookie is still refusing. I think. At least someone isn't using it all the time.





Ok - from kitties to kiddies. Here are a few of my favorite shots from Disneyworld.

Here is a picture from a small hike while geocaching on our last day:


See the castle in the back?


That's the epcot ball in the back:


Pot heads:


The terra cotta army and their leaders:


Don't mess with this one:


Mickey Rocks:


Back off Chip! He's mine!:


My nerdy professors on stage:




AHHH!!!! It's just like in Indiana Jones - but with the Epcot ball!!!


Bubba wants to be a toy army solider now:


Potato Heads:

Back to the Grindstone

Well - back to reality. After 2 weeks off it's back to work, back to Taekwondo, back to all of our standard routines. I don't think I was really ready for it.

Regardless, it's what happened today.

I had to take Bubba back to the ENT today for a follow up on his gravely/hoarse voice. It's better than it was, but it's certainly not healed. The doctor told us to continue on the Prilosec and to continue with speech therapy. He also said that he'd never be an opera singer. Which is actually okay with me. After his appointment I took him out to lunch and we had a nice conversation about "Make a Wish." He wanted me to donate to Make a Wish (the BK deal right now.) So, I did - and he thought that _HE_ would get his wish answered. Ummm... No......

Work was work. Lots of meetings. Lots of talking. I came in happy and relaxed and left stressed out. Pretty typical. I took Bubba to taekwondo and I went to taekwondo after his class. It was good.

Now I'm home. It's actually a bit sad that when I'm in my routine - I've got nothing exciting to write about. It's just blah blah blah blah.

On a positive note - I love my iphone even more now with the 2.0 update. OMG - coolest.phone.ever. It actually does everything. Need a remote - oh, your iphone can do that. Need a radio that configures itself to your desires - Yup - the phone can do that too. Games - oh yes! Want to find a restaurant near where you are right this second? Yeah - it has that feature too. I got this nifty little todo list thing that has been rocking my world. Not since my bigass Franklin planner has this list-crazy woman found something that can do what this sucker can do. Love my iphone with all my heart.

Sunday with No Cherry on Top

Well -

It's Sunday. And I have to go back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks off.. (let me hear you say - "Awwww....") I don't want to go back. Period. I'm not even sure I am physically (or mentally?) able to go back. It's been wonderful to have the time off.

Hubby went on a business trip tonight. He'll be gone for a few days. Kids have been great for me so far.

Soccer starts this week. Dayum... I'm not ready for another sport to start so quickly... Seems like we just finished one - oh wait - we DID just finish one and we only have a few weeks off. Bubba tests for his black belt at the end of August. He has a LOT to learn and memorize before then. I don't believe it ever stops.

On a happier note - Prissy and I (and Bubba, but I don't think he'll stick) started our training for a 5K. We're going slow and today went just fine. Maybe this will help us both to get in shape.

Ok - confession time - I have a new obsession and it's called Project Runway. Yes, I know, so many people love it. It took me 5 seasons to get on the boat. But, I _LOVE_ this show.... I've even watched the other season marathons. I'm so addicted..

That is all for tonight - just ramblings of someone getting ready to go back to work tomorrow. Gah...

Regular Saturday

Well, we are getting back into our regular routine. Today, I got to sleep in a bit, and we didn't have Taekwondo (there was a tournament - so no classes.) We went to see Wall-E today. I can't say that I loved the movie, but the kids seemed to enjoy it. We also went to Sears and got a super cool outdoor storage thing for all of our pool stuff.

Tomorrow, Hubby has to travel for work - poor guy. I'm thinking the last thing that he wants to do is get back on an airplane and sleep in a hotel. However, I think we all have had enough "family" time and are ready to have some personal space. :) So, maybe he is lucky? *laugh* I don't know.

I'm not looking forward to going back to work on Monday. Bubba has to go back to the ENT on Monday for his voice issues. He has a gravely voice - noduals all over his vocal chords. He was put on medication for silent reflux and continued work with a speech therapist for vocal abuse. I think he's gotten better. But, after this past week on roller coasters and cheering for Prissy - there has been quite a bit of yelling and screaming. So, we'll see what the doctor has to say.

The kids only have a week and a half of summer school left - and then there is a week and a half before their new school starts. Hubby and I are planning on working from home - it should be interesting.

Final Twirling Results

Today I finally got some videos and pictures uploaded. I'm also starting to wade through the massive backlog on Google Reader.

Okay, so for the final stats. A bit of an explanation. There are several different individual events in the USTA baton world.

• Foundation events (which includes marching and presentation - which is a 30 second solo). This is usually the first thing a twirler does. Prissy did a military march for Nationals and a presentation.
• Strut - this is a routine done where the twirler is constantly moving. Each step to beat and moving feet left/right/left/right. Prissy did not do this event this year.
• Two and Three baton - it speaks for itself. Twirler twirls 2 and three batons. Prissy did not do this event this year but really wants to do 2 baton next year.
• Dance Twirl - this is a routine that is mostly dance with baton.
• Solo - this is a routine that is mostly about twirling. The twirler stays mostly in the same spot and has to complete several different things - with tosses, fingers, a flat section and a roll section.

Each area has beginning, intermediate, and advanced. After 5 wins, a twirler can no longer do beginning, after 10 wins, a twirler can no longer do intermediate. At nationals, for everything except the foundation events - the advanced is the "national" catagory and it's done by age. The top two twirlers from each age move on to the Divisional Finals. So, the Juvenile finals are for 9-12 year olds (the winners in this area are the top elite twirling atheletes in the nation).

To give you an idea of how many twirlers there were I took this picture at the retreat (which is all the groups):

With that lengthy explanation out of the way, here is how Prissy did at her first National competition:

• Beginning Military Marching: 1st place
• Intermediate Military Marching: 2nd place
• Advanced Military Marching: 3rd place
• Advanced Presentation: 5th place

• Beginning Dance Twirl: 2nd place
• Intermediate Dance Twirl: 1st place
• National 9 year old Dance Twirl: 3rd place

• Intermediate Solo: 1st place
• National 9 year old Solo: 2nd place (since she placed in the top two - she went on)
• National Juvenile Solo Finals: 8th place (this was absolutely incredible for her first year)

So, Prissy won 3 first places in all. And went on to the Solo finals. She did absolutely awesome. I'm having a hard time fathoming that I have a nationally ranked daughter. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Here is the video of Prissy's Intermediate Solo (she won 1st in this one and was probably one of the best routines she's ever done. Sorry it's from the back.)

Here is her podium picture - how exciting:



Here is her Intermediate Dance Twirl that she won first place. She had a weird drop - her two spin went wonky.




Here is the podium picture:


And here is her solo for finals (it's a bit different from intermediate - it's 30 seconds longer) - she had a silly drop, but all in all she held her own. At least it's from the front.



Here is the podium (she got a $50 bond for this win):


And a picture of Prissy with some of her awards and her biggest fan:


And here is a picture of her actual National awards:

Home Sweet Home

We made it home!!!! My gawd has this been a long two weeks.

I think what I missed most was my computer - isn't that sad? Then, I missed the kitties, and then my bed and pillows.. The one bad thing is that the mess is still here. OMG - my house is such a freaking disaster zone. I should have stayed home and just organized.

Anyway, it's only 10pm here, but it's 1am on my internal clock. I'm bushed and man the flights were long. I'm just way glad to be home. My shower and bed await!

I'll try to upload videos tomorrow and I will update on several little things.

From the mouths of kids

This bounced the first time I sent it saying my carrier wasn't
supported. It's worked the rest of the week. WTF?

>
>

> We were walking yesterday and a Muslim (?) woman walked by fully
> dressed in black from head to foot (my gawd she must have been
> sweltering) my son states very very loudly, "Look Mommy!!!! A
> NINJA!!!!". He was very excited. I was a bit mortified.
>
> This morning we were sitting on the bus to the park and next to
> Bubba sits a man with red hair. Bubba looks at him and says, "you
> sure have a lot of freckles". The man says, "I sure do."
>
> We were caught in another rainstorm today and wore our ponchos and
> it passed. Just now, we came to the hotel to drop some stuff off
> and it started massively pouring with lightening and thunder, so we
> are relaxing for bit until it passes. I think we are all looking
> forward to going home tomorrow. Even if to get away from the rain
> and humidity. I miss my dry acrid air - even if it's filled with
> smoke.
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone

Man Orlando is freaking hot!!!!

Spent today at the magic kingdom. Rode everything that was worth
riding. Sitting here waiting to be called into dinner.

It was FREAKING hot today. Until it thunder stormed for about 20 mins
and it cooled everything down. We are all pretty tired. Need to decide
if we are doing fireworks again tonight or going to bed a little
early. ( we may not even be done with dinner by firework time.)

Tomorrow is animal kingdom. Fun awaits.

Sent from my iPhone

Sitting at epcot center

We are sitting at epcot waiting for some sort if show. I'm enjoying a
maegharita buzz. Woohoo!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

Bye Daytona - hello Disney

Today we left Daytona Beach and went to Merritt Island to visit with
my college roommate. She and I lived together for 2-3 years. It was
super awesome to see her. She and I were both technical females at
school, and we have dealt with the same sort of issues in our careers.
She is doing great and works as a rocket scientist at NASA/space ops.
So cool. Anyway, the kids swam in her pool and we just got to catch up.

Then we drove to Orlando and the kids are getting ready for bed, I'm
enjoying a glass of wine and we are hitting Disneyworld tomorrow.

Sam - videos will be posted after we get home. I can't wait to show
you all. Prissy had two of the best performances she's ever had.
Internet service has been $10 a day and I'm just unwilling to pay that
when I can still blog (sorta) from my phone. So, hopefully I'll get
them up by Friday.

I suppose I should go into the hotel room - I'm sitting on the balcony
vegging. Hubby is getting tired of being away from home. I'm actually
enjoying it more and more.

Sent from my iPhone

Fireworks from the window

As the kids were getting ready for bed we heard explosions and looked
out the window/door and there were fireworks going off. This is a
terrible picture taken from my iPhone from our hotel room but I wanted
to show the fireworks and their reflection in the ocean. It was
awesome and gorgeous. And what a nice surprise. This vacation has
seriously rocked. I never want to go back to work. :)

Beaching in the rain

Today we spent the afternoon at the beach (daytona has some nice
beaches). It was sunny and hot as hell. After about an hour it started
raining. I am going to add that to my top 100 things to do before I
die list - playing on the beach in the rain. And I'm going to mark it
done. We also boogie boarded - which was SO MUCH FUN!!!!

But then it started storming with massive thunder and lightening and
the lifeguards made everyone come in from the ocean. And it rained so
hard that we had to go inside.

Anyway - fun day on the beach. Tomorrow we get to spend the afternoon
with my college roommate then we head to Orlando for some Disney fun.

Sent from my iPhone

Look at all of them

>

> Look at all of these twirlers!!! These are the best twirlers in the
> United States. (I'll post Prissys final placements soon).
>

Gators

Only in Florida are there real gators at a miniature golf course.

Two more

Two more first places today. Plus - Prissy made it to the national
juvenile solo finals (best 9-12 year old girls in the nation.). She is
such a freaking rockstar. She just impresses the snot out of me.

However we have been in the arena for 12 hours and Prissy is wiped.
Day off tomorrow.

Oh yes it is!!!

Why yes, that is a first place trophy in Prissy's hands. Oh, and yes
we are at nationals. Yes, of course Prissy earned it!!!!

YAY PRISSY!!!! We are very very proud of you.

Wish you were here

This is the view from our hotel room. Yeah - it really does rock.
Right this very second the door is open and I'm listening to the ocean.

We went to the arena today and prissy practiced and we watched one of
her teammates. Prissy competes with dance twirl tomorrow. We then
spent the entire afternoon at the beach playing in the waves.

Ahhhhhh, such bliss.

Arrived safely

We arrived in Orlando this afternoon - after a very long day of
traveling.

I got a free drink on the airplane because the flight attendant was so
excited I had a kindle (he did too). He also gave me a list of
websites where I could get free books.

Anyway - early to bed tonight.

Sent from my iPhone

VACATION HERE I COME!

Well, we're all packed. I hope. Costumes ready, alternations done, clothes packed, medicine refilled and put away. We are headed to Florida. I'm really excited. Prissy has her Dance Twirl competition on Tuesday and her Solo (the big one) on Wednesday, and then team events on Friday and Saturday. We're so looking forward to Nationals and to DisneyWorld afterward. I also get to spend some time with my college roommate - she is actually a rocket scientist and works at NASA. I haven't had a chance to see her since my wedding (almost 10 years now) and even then I didn't get to spend much relaxed time with her (I was focused on my wedding a bit too much I think.)

Anyway - iPhone 2.0 ROCKS! I've spent way too much money on new apps though. There are some really neato games. And yes, I did say neato - because that is what I mean. I've already bought a solitare game, a suduku game and Monkey Balls - yes, I know they are also on the web, but now I can play them without the slowness of the web annoying me.

I truly do have the ultimate cell phone.

Smoky moon

This one looks surprisingly like the sun picture but was taken outside
our house this evening.

The smoky sun

Wow - this almost looks like night, but I took it from my car on the
way to work this morning.

It is done

Yes, the week from hell is over.

I'm very glad.

The worst is over. Now, it's to packing and getting ready for vacation. Ahhh...

On a positive note - I updated my iPhone with the new 2.0 software (and it worked just fine thank you very much.) I even get my work mail on it now (does that mean I'll check it while I'm on vacation? Hmmmm....) It's slick. I still love my iPhone as much as the day I got it. It's seriously the coolest piece of gadgety equipment I've ever had. Did anyone get the new one today? I had some coworkers go to check it out but there were lines around the corner of the store. If you did get it - did you have the old one and is the new one really that much faster?

Ok, I think that is about all for today - I might try to post some pictures of the sun and the moon (they were taken with my phone in transit however, so they aren't the best quality.) The smoke has risen up in the air so the sun and moon look really weird - all orangey and pretty.

So - I'm now relaxing with a glass of wine and trying very very very hard to unwind (it's not working very well yet.)

Light at the end of the Tunnel

This picture pretty much sums up how I'm feeling today. It has been an incredibly long week. I have one more day (with my boss and big boss (VP of company)) of meetings. Then, I'm going on vacation.

This week has gone so much better than I originally expected work wise - but it's been so intense that I'm pretty much completely exhausted. On a personal level - I've gotten quite a bit done. We ended up borrowing a totally different costume for Prissy. Whosh! We got someone to take care of the cats and the pool. Whosh! I just have to do all the packing and refills of drugs and such. Almost there. I'm starting to feel a little bit less stress now. I just have to get through tomorrow!

Florida (and two weeks off of work) here I come!

Ugh

My camera is not bad. Its just really smoky.

Day Over

Today - I had a 16 hour work day. I'm exhausted. I'm only posting for Blog365. Sorry - I wish I had more.

I'm tired tired tired tired tired...

I'm going to check my mail and go to bed.

Oh Good Grief...

Today's long meeting at work went very very very well. It was a long day with lots and lots of discussion, but it still went very well. I'm really actually pleased with the extremely positive conversation.





However, I took Prissy's costume to her coach and she hated it.





I simply do not have time to remake the costume. My rhinestones came this evening - but they will go unused on this costume. I have to say that I'm really really devasted right now. Not that she doesn't like it (because clearly it isn't perfect) - but the fact that I gave up my holiday weekend and I've spent almost $200. Now - the money isn't a huge thing - because I probably will make this costume for next year. When I have several months to make it. Just the fact that I've given up everything to finish up the costume and stressed and stressed and stressed and I still don't have a costume and by the way, Nationals? Yeah, it's next week. We fly out on Sunday. And I'm working late every day this week. So, I don't even have time to pick up material. GAH!

Anyway - enough from me this evening. I'm going to go cry... (and no, I'm not depressed - just pissed and stressed.) It shouldn't be like this - costumes should have been decided by JANUARY!

PLEASE LET THIS WEEK GO BY FAST!!!!!

I'm dreading dreading dreading dreading this week. This is the week that my personal life and my work life will collide in ways that have never been seen in all of my work-life balance issues.

My New Italian Boss comes in (actually is probably in the states as we speak) and we have a week long meeting with him. One of my employees is hosting a BBQ at his house Tuesday - which is awesome. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with him the rest of the week however.

As I've been talking about for quite some time - we're going across the country to Florida for the United States Twirling Association National competition - we leave next Sunday. Prissy has a lesson tomorrow evening and then an open house for friends and family and new recruits on Wednesday (which I may force NIB into coming to). She also has a day long field trip to alcatraz on Tuesday (which is also the day that her coach wants to work with her - not going to happen). Additionally? I have to finish Prissy's costume - I still haven't received the freaking rhinestones yet. Holy fuck.. I'm will need to hand-glue 1500 rhinestones in less than a week. At least it's sewn and it's damn pretty.

Oh yeah - the programming class I'm taking - I'm totally behind on. I should have done those extra lessons over the weekend. (damn thee wine!)

So - I still need to find someone to take care of the cats. I've got to schedule for the pool guy to come out and teach me how to care for the pool. Ummm... I'm in meetings all week? Oh yeah, the spa broke about 2 months ago and the fracking part just came in and they want to install it on Tuesday... Ummmm... I'm in meetings all week?

And - I'm really dreading the meetings this week.

So, I'm dreading this week - the one super positive Rainbows at the end? I'll be on vacation for 2 weeks. Now THAT I'm not dreading!

For the Record

Ok -

I'm stating this officially on my blog - so it means I have to follow through - right?

Dang it! (That is Bubba's favorite saying.)

Prissy and I have decided that we are going to train and run a 5K. I definately need to do some sort of exercise and I totally need some sort of goal or motivation. So, I'm making this a double whammy - I'm involving Prissy for multiple reasons.

1. If I tell her we are working towards it together - it makes me want to stick to that committment to her.
2. It'd be good to have some alone time with her.
3. It would show her that exercise is fun (gah!) and try to be somewhat of a role model for her.

But - it's just one more thing to add to the to-do list. I pulled a training program from Cool Running Site - The Couch to 5K Running plan. Instead of 8 weeks - we may try to make this a 16 week program - just doing each week 2 times. I don't want to push Prissy too hard too fast (but kids are pretty quick to increase in stamina), so, w're just going to take it week by week.

Does anyone want to join us in this endeavor? You don't have to have a kid to run with - you can run by yourself - but we can encourage each other. It's just more motivation for us all to stick to it. Post a comment if you are interested.

Happy Fourth of July

We had a rather laid back day today. I worked on Prissy's costume (almost done - should be done tomorrow) and we went to a party this evening.

Bubba was in an exceptionally foul mood - so Prissy, Bubba and I left early and did some sparklers and baby fireworks at home. He said it was boring. But, we watched Wipeout on Tivo and some Macy's fireworks. It's almost 10 and I've sent them to bed. Hubby is still over there (they are really "his" friends - but they are mine by association.)

On a positive note - Jasmine has been using the litter robot almost exclusively and Oreo used it today all on her own! I was so excited I almost cried. If we can get them litter robot trained by the time we go to Florida for Nationals - it would be a very awesome thing.

Anyway, short post this evening. I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th!

It Just Didn't Happen

So -

We were supposed to go to the Folsom Rodeo this evening. I've been looking forward to it. I should mention - this is California - so Rodeo's aren't really "normal" things to do. Most people went home early from work today because of the long weekend - but I didn't because the Rodeo is in the same city I work and we didn't want to drive all the way back home (an hour each way.)

Anyway, I went and picked up the kids. Prissy had a field trip to a local pool today. She came down the hall and she was as red as a tomato. Completely and totally sunburned from head to toe. So, we went to dinner and she's sort of close to blistery sunburned. I have no doubt that she will be completely miserable tomorrow. I guess they went to the pool and she had forgotten her sunblock at school. I haven't figured out if they said that she would be ok without sunscreen or what... But, I'm really not very happy. I really really wish they would have called me and asked me to bring some for her. Erg... I expect her to be kept safe at the summer camp (also her private school) - and just making sure the kids have sunscreen helps freaking keep them safe when they are in the sun for 4 hours straight at a swimming pool.

Anyway, the last thing that she needed was to sit in the sun for another 2 hours so we decided not to go to the rodeo (also Bubba was complaining of heartburn and a stomachache. He had run out of Prilosec a few days ago. I guess his silent reflux is real and it's not really so silent.) We went to KFC for dinner and we just gave the rodeo tickets to someone - they were really really excited. (we had gotten them for free so it wasn't really money out of our pocket - but still a bummer.)

So, we came home and watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Wow - I used to think that was a really cool movie. It may have been a bit too old for the kids. With Prissy's sunburn and the "scary" movie right before bed - we may be dealing with nightmares tonight. :( I'm such an awesome mom!

So - in a strange turn of events - work was really good today and the home stuff wasn't as great. *laugh*

Sauced?

This is a poster in the elementary school Prissy has her baton
practice in.

Gotta like a kid that has the word sauced in his campaign slogan. I
hope he won.

Running with Scissors

Running with Scissors -

That is the name of the wine I'm drinking this evening and it seems absolutely appropriate.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed tonight. I worked all evening on Prissy's nationals costume (I just got the material yesterday) and it's about half way done. I'm not sure when I'll be able to get it finished however - because we have baton tomorrow night, Thursday night we're going to the Folsom Rodeo (in which we got free tickets) and then it's Fourth of July and we're going to a party. So, maybe on Saturday.

I also just got an email that my credit card just cleared for the rhinestones I ordered last week and the company I ordered them from will send them out tomorrow (I WAS HOPING TO GET THEM TOMORROW!!!!) I'm sort of freaking out about that because next week NIB (New Italian Boss) comes as well as some other Italian co-workers and I have a very very very full week of late work nights. And those nights I'm not working - well - Prissy has an open house for baton so the team and the individuals can show off their national's routine to the general public. Holy Fucking Christ! I'm not going to be able to get this thing done! (We leave for Nationals in less than two weeks.)

Ok - add to that - I'm currently taking two programming classes right now. Yeah... I haven't had a second in the past week and a half to do anything for them. I'm feeling a bit screwed there too. I'm really really behind in both classes.

Oh yeah, you know how I said that NIB is coming next week - Yeah.. About that - I have SO MUCH PREP work to do for this visit. So - not only do I have my regular work - I've got a ton of prep work to complete as well. Anyway - lalala...

I'm thinking that I'm just going to run around with scissors - and maybe finish my glass of wine.