Into the Dusk

My son and I decided to take a walk after the rain tonight. It was gorgeous out. So gorgeous, that we decided to bring the camera along...



Evening Photos

Done

I made it to all seven places I needed to go, managed to get everything I needed, and did it in less than 3 hours (which included arguing time with my son, who wanted a pair of shorts that I wasn't sure were going to fit him, and he didn't want to try them on. I won, he tried them on, and they did not fit. Lesson learned.)

All I want to do is sit down with my feet up, but I have to put everything away. Spent way too much money today, but it was on necessary items. In other words, nothing that is fun. Except for the $13 I spent on a new camp chair with a foot rest... Can't underestimate the power of the foot rest... Now I just have to draw flowers and girly stuff all over it so that the kids won't commandeer it...

Impossible Errands

I made out my list of errands that have to be run today, and things that needed to be purchased.

The list looks impossible. Six different places to go, scattered across town. One place needs to be visited twice, since I have a couple of prescriptions to to drop off and will pick up later (I got put on Advair by my doctor, and the other drug won't be covered by my insurance, but for the love of God, I need it, and I am dreading what it is going to cost).

Yes, some of this could have been done beforehand, but we were out of town last weekend, and this week I have struggled with fatigue every single evening (and most of the day, to be honest). That's why my burst of energy caught me off guard this morning. I did eight loads of laundry. Start to finish. Washed, dried, folded, hung up, put away. Done by a little after noon. Crazy, right?

So, here I am, hair freshly washed, after a soothing bath, with time to even shave my legs (every mother knows that this is a luxury not to be taken lightly). I am now waiting for the twelve-year-old to finish his shower. He needs a haircut again, which will probably be the biggest time suck errand we run today. The others will be easier.

And why am I suddenly hungry now that it is time to leave???? Urg... more delays...

Energy

For some reason, I have lots of energy this morning. I am currently doing the laundry, and am slowly doing small chores around the house as I find them. The floors are swept, waiting to be mopped. The kitchen counters are cleared (except for one small hotspot). The living room is picked up (except for the #$%#^$& garage sale stuff - why did I get it out so EARLY????).

I wonder how long this will last?

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me..."

This song has been running around in my head for weeks, ever since the massive sewing jag leading up to the Nebraska Ren Fest.

I really need to learn the whole song...

Stumbling along...

So, when I was at the doctor today, I was supposed to get a medical form from her that I had left there, at her request, two weeks ago. Guess who didn't remember until just now?

And did Mr. B pull the old, still valid form from the notebook already? Do we have a problem for Sunday??? I know that I can call Monday and they would have it ready for me, but we have to have it Sunday... I knew I shouldn't have let that form out of my sight...

Another gorgeous Friday afternoon that I am stuck inside...

Last week, it was because I could hardly move from bed without the world spinning. This week, I have to go back to work.

Next week, I will be outside far more than inside, so I guess it'll all even out. I am hoping for low 80s for daytime highs, and upper 60s for nighttime lows. No rain.

I am also hoping that this year's staff got internet access again, so I can blog and check email through the week. Probably not going to happen, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Okay, time to detangle messes, solve problems, clean the office, etc. Now if only I hadn't stuffed myself full of salad at lunch...

Shoes

Yes, it was difficult, but I successfully avoided getting sucked into the 30% off shoe sale at Target. Oh, so tempting... I saw several pairs of sandals that really wanted to come home with me and spend some time on my feet, but, I remained on target and bought a new pair of jogging shoes.

I may have to go back on Saturday, though... So many flip-flops, so little time...

Another sleepy evening...

I had to lie down again after dinner, partially because today was exhausting at work, and a little because I had stayed up until midnight last night. I didn't sleep, as I want to be able to sleep later. I just read.

Never underestimate the luxury of having a few moments to recline in bed, on top of the quilts, with a soft throw to ward off the chill of the air conditioning. Wonderful to have peace and quiet, and to be able to read without distraction.

I wish I could stay there all evening, but we've got places to go, stuff to do, and all that jazz...

Cookie Contest Update

Okay, I'm a wimp... I only ate 2 snickerdoodles. We had three minutes, and I only managed 1 and a half in that time.

But then I went on to eat cheese and crackers... People just weren't hungry at orientation yesterday, so they had a ton of food left...

So I finally lose the weight I gained last week...

and now we're having a cookie eating contest with the leftover orientation cookies... Sugar rush ahead!!! (I will probably eat only one - they are huge!)

Okay, so my 30 minute nap turned into 2 hours...

I must have needed it. I had a dream that my aunt Paula let my twelve-year-old son drive a van. Not her van, as she doesn't have one, but this silver conversion jobbie out of the 70s. Night-MARE!

Anyway, I have the boxes out and ready to go, and am sorting out things in a general way - garage sale, or not garage sale. :) No use getting too specific.

Short break, then back to work!

Zonked

Between hauling that dresser up the stairs last night, and being on my feet at work, my back is twinging terribly. I had a list of things I wanted to get done tonight, but so far, I've only been able to cross off going to the grocery store, and making/eating/cleaning up dinner.

I am at the stage right now in organization that I really, really have to clean out the closet in order to make room for things which are in my room/living room that I'd like out of the way.

Not to mention the fact that my sister is having a garage sale next month, and we are participating. Huge motivator for getting rid of things. I am planning to get rid of things that I would normally have kept "just because." Now I can jettison the last remnants of my pack-rat-itits, and feel better. The "stuff" wears me down, makes me feel less of a worthy person.

So, I think I am going to take some tylenol and a short nap, then be refreshed enough to put in a couple of good hours of sorting before bed.

New favorite movie!

Kung Fu Hustle!!!!!

Tornado Update

Last night, I wrote that a tornado hit the town where my sister's new house is being built, in Hartford, WI.

Let's just say they are immensely lucky that the builders were behind schedule. Across the street, the neighbor's garage was flattened. The neighbors next to my sister's future house location had the siding ripped off on the side nearest to the future house (luckily, that house was also still under construction). The tornado went right over their empty basement.

I'll add links later, but I need to go drag the dresser I bought from Goodwill up the stairs, and figure out how to get it into my closet... (50% off all furniture today - found a vintage dresser from the 50s, great shape, $10).

I keep forgetting I have this...

I have a frappr map!!!

Help me feel less like a loser and more like a WINNER by throwing a tack on my map! :)

Rain

Finally.

What are the chances of THAT happening?

My sister, Nan, just called. They are having a house built in Wisconsin. The basement was poured, and left to settle, then they started framing on Friday.

Yesterday, a tornado hit the town. The roof was ripped off of the elementary school, and the damage estimate is around $4 million.

She and her husband are driving there tonight, as the damage sounds like it might be in the area where their new house is being built.

More details later, after I have a chance to find the articles I read earlier about it...

Word of advice

When you have to fast to get your blood drawn for a physical, and you can't get to the clinic until noon, make sure that you don't over-do it when you go out to eat for lunch...

I am so stuffed right now that this weekend's fabulous parental dinners were a mere appetizer. Butterburger, fries, and half an order of onion rings.... Not good right now... Ate way too fast...

Photos and Trip Fun!

Trip Photo Set

We had a great time this weekend... Lots of stuff going on.

My mom and dad and I made a huge amount of food, invited the grandparents over for dinner, and sat and talk for hours. Dad made the most amazing ribs I have ever tasted. We wanted to hide them, and tell the grandparents that dad burned them to a crisp, but we were nice and shared.


Would you share these???? Mmmm....

Dad bought a pellet gun, to scare the birds away, so he and my son had a little competition with an unfortunate Pepsi can. My son won. Shock! LOL... I was too busy cooking to get to play much... :(



Later, Dad had to go tow some idiot's car - high speed chase, they were throwing drugs out of the car, finally got stopped and arrested. Dumb kid is already out on bond...

After the grandparents left, Dad, my son and I went outside to make s'mores in the chimnea. My son had raided the lint filter in the dryer, and had prepared the wood earlier in the day. One match, and it took.



Very good fire! We sat outside and talked, I had a great margerita (José!!!), and in general had a great time catching up. Too. Many. Marshmallows. Mom was too tired, so she used the microwave for hers, and went to bed early.

Later, I fell asleep waiting for Movie Star to come home.

Somehow I overlooked that the alarm clock was not only not set, but also blinking at me. Mom woke me up at 7:10, and I scrambled to get ready for church. Somehow, I managed to shave my legs in the shower, but didn't manage to avoid the ice cold shock when Movie Star started her bathwater in the old bathroom. Freeeeeezzzzeeeeee!!!!!!!!

We got to church early enough to catch the tail-end of the rosary, so I don't think I held us up any by waking up late... About 20 minutes into the service, Dad's firefighter pager went off, so he had to leave. He had just gotten to the doors when Mom sent me after him for the house key... Movie Star had already left for the I-Cubs game with her boyfriend, so we'd be stuck outside!

Luckily, we caught a ride home with some neighbors. We had a short moment of panic when we turned down our street, as smoke was billowing across the road. Luckily, it was someone burning trash or maybe something else... Mom and I looked at each other as we got out of the car, and we both said, "It smells like a rock concert!!!" Not happy....

After my dad got home from the fire, which ended up being a transformer across the street from the grocery store, we got ready to go to my grandparents' house for a barbeque. And much fun and food was had by all....



After dinner, my grandpa proposed a toast...


Only the finest champagne and crystal will do for our family...



Greater Crater Days are next weekend, and we may end up making trip again. Can't miss the parade, after all...

And I found out that Manson has a new semi-pro football team???? WT*??? I'll have to find the article online and link to it... Cra-ZY!!!

UPDATE!!!!

Iowa Bruisers introduced - Team holds media night in MansonM