Holy Project Time, Batman

As you know, we're gearing up for chaos, visitors, crazy wedding stuff, summer...
There are so many projects going on in my house at the moment.
1. Bridal Shower Flowers - At least the already painted ones have dried and are now stored. I have my dining room table back. For tonight. I have a bin of assembled, but not fluffed or painted, beside me and a fresh package of filters to begin again. I think I mentioned that these flowers might kill me.
2. Scout project - the scouts are working on their aviation merit badge. My kitchen is covered with airplane stuff. My living room is full of foam airplanes.
3. Retreat! - All of the swag, prizes, and related goodness are stacked in a corner of my living room. Luckily, everything is as put together as it needs to be for now. 8 days!
4. House projects - the pantry is halfway ripped apart, the linen closet, too. Let's not forget the summer clothes that are pulled out, and the winter clothes that have yet to be put away. And the other half-million things hanging over our heads.
5. Wedding stuff.
6. K4's art projects.
There's more, but it's more of the normal kind of thing.
And we have a month...
Oy!
Behave!

I'm Hungry...

Okay, so I have a little over 3 months to look smoking hot in my mother-of-the-bride dress. I don't have a ton of tonnage to drop, but enough for me. (don't judge me... because this is totally about me)
I am rocking the diet plan, but oy... today... after a solid week of counting calories and exercising (Okay, so no exercise tonight, but that's not my fault - too much going on, though I did park at the farthest spot in the parking lot.) I am starving!
I've been strong. Very strong. It's almost bed time and I know I'll make it without snacking, but let me tell you, I am looking forward to dinner tomorrow. (Oh, and let me just say, I am not an evening snacker. I haven't been since I was pregnant with K4 and eating after 6 made me sick. I just don't ever think of having a snack. Until tonight.) I don't know what I'm having for dinner tomorrow yet, but it will be a little bit of cheating and very yummy. But not too much cheating. Weekends are always my downfall and I must conquer them.
The scale has finally started to work with me and I am thrilled. (Not that thrilled yet, but hopeful) I need new jeans. In a serious way... and I refuse to buy them until I am feeling more settled with the numbers...
But I am hopeful. And serious. The calculations of what I want to lose and the time I have (which is not exactly the little over three month timeframe because there is stuff before that) stresses me out. I made it through the lunch frenzy at work so far. No cheesesteaks, deli sandwiches with sides and soup, fast food, or snack box purchases for me this week. My lunch is packed for tomorrow and fits with my plan.
I will not falter.
And you totally don't care about this! Ha!
Retreat in 20 days!! Whoot!
Behave!

Thursday Psychosis...

Seriously? It's only Thursday?
But I wore my Friday underwear today! Doesn't that count for something? (No, I do not have day of the week undies. No more explanation.) Actually, I wore my Friday clothes! The jeans that make me look skinnier than I am, my favorite shirt with the hood, socks that match...Clothes I feel good in - good enough for Friday!
What the heck, Thursday? Why are you trying to make me think you're Friday? You did!!!
Now I have to do one more day...Gah! I do not want!
The week has been long. The upside is that I get to leave the day job a little early to accompany K2 to the wrist surgeon. And it's payday - which we all know is a very good thing. And I got new walking shoes and I love them. Oh, and the weekend promises to be full of good stuff - The Walking Dead catch up, writing, hanging out with some of the people I love the most.
But I have to get through tomorrow first...
Oh time, why do you have to F with me so much?
That is all...
Behave!

Getting it Back...

It's kind of obvious my life has changed dramatically this past year. "The Job" has been a huge adjustment - physically, emotionally, and with the family. My writing's taken a hit and so have the opportunities to socialize and have fun. I'm not whining (not really) - just stating fact. I have to do whatever necessary to make sure my family survives. I do it willingly (mostly). but that doesn't mean it isn't without true and major side effects.
It's not over. I'm still adjusting, though I hadn't deluded myself into thinking the adjustment phase would be over quick. I promised the face in the mirror I wouldn't be too hard on it until after the first year - going through each season and holiday and reconfiguring the way things are done. I haven't lived up to that promise as much as I should have because I should be able to do it all, especially if you ask my ages old Superwoman complex. Anyway, I digress...
The first year is coming to an end soon, and I can tell. I feel more settled, more energetic, ready to focus. I don't say much about the job, but suffice it to say it's very complicated and requires an insane amount of mental energy and focus. I have at least a million things to remember every day - and what I have to remember changes frequently. Maybe I've finally trained my brain to separate and can shake off the busyness of my days enough to re-focus my energy on other things after I leave. Maybe it's because I've made a decision to pass off some of my volunteer obligations (as I take on a huge one with my writing chapter...hrm) I don't know, but I do feel different. Maybe it's because 2011 is almost over...and well, wouldn't that just be like me to finally get my act together the year the world's supposed to end? Ha!
2011 definitely hasn't lived up to its expectations in many ways. And, as usual (and probably delusional) I am ever hopeful for 2012.
I'm thinking about my goals for 2012 (not resolutions, because resolutions suck). I don't know if I'll post them or not, but I will have some definite goals written down and will do my best to get to this time next year with the ability to say Done!.
So, go away 2011...you suck! Bring on 2012!
Behave!

What Happened to My Summer Vacation?

School starts next Monday.
What happened to summer?
I still don't feel like it's even started, and now, it's over. Now we're knee deep in school alert reminders, making lists for school shopping (translated: hoping like heck there are some school supplies left), and organizing our schedules for the start of school.
Why does time go by so fast?
Don't answer that...
But Fall is coming...and I love Fall!
Behave!

Stuff

Totally borrowing from my friend Natalie here. Her post on what she's behind on made me think about what I'm behind on, so I'm going to be a copycat today. Ha!
1. Editing. I took a break to write something new - mainly to prove to myself that my brain is not broken. And guess what? It's not. And that's what I needed to find out. I don't know if I'll continue working on it, or if it'll just be an exercise, but I do like the premise and my brain is turning over the plot, so who knows?
2. Housework. Not the regular stuff that has to be done all of the time (though don't come over right now!), but the closet cleaning out, the basement cleaning, the clothing switchouts and donations.
3. Television. About the only thing I manage to catch is Supernatural. I want to watch Castle and I'm behind on Ghosthunters. And, sadly, no TiVo here.
4. Decorating. I pulled the Fall/Halloween stuff out of the basement about a week ago and it's still sitting in my living room. It's not that much. At all. But the reason it's not out yet is number five.
5. Yardwork. The weeds and dead plants in front of my house make me feel bad. I worked hard to keep that stuff alive all summer and then I kept forgetting to water them. The pea vine and weeds have taken over the front flower bed.
6. Filing. Everything is stuffed into a drawer...waiting for me to organize.
7. Volunteer work. I have to take care of updating databases, organizing a fundraiser, and catching up on filing for that too.
8. Kid stuff. K4's violin needs exchanged for a bigger size. Her clarinet needs re-corked and new reeds need ordered.
9. In the same category...K3 needs shoes and jeans and socks. K4 needs socks (heck, everyone needs socks) and jeans. Getting to the store together has been an issue.
10. Planning. There are a few big events looming and I am plan-less.
But I'm too tired to think about any of this stuff tonight. And there's a stink bug flying around the light and he's freaking me out a little (and I do still have a mark from where he bit me. Someone told me tonight that it can take 3 weeks for it to go away. Stupid bugs.)
Behave!

Sunday Random

Happy Mothers Day to all of you Moms.
We did some celebrating yesterday and last night and had a very awesome time doing it. First we had to clean up our camping site, which was work, but fun. Let me just say I love power washing. I'm borrowing it to do our patio and I can't wait!
Anyway.
K2 dropped her phone in the creek. Awesome that. She's currently getting a new one after much woe and angst over the whole thing. Then...then, she left her truck keys in my truck and I got the whole way home when she called and told me. So I had to drive back up in my wet pants and frozen feet. But, the rest of the night was good and included good friends, good bands, and a lot of talking and laughing.
Today is moving slow, which is good. I know a lot of people think Mom shouldn't work today, but I had things I had to get done and I feel much better after accomplishing them. This week is nuts, with much to do before I leave for the retreat.
So there you have it.
Happy Mothers Day, Mom! I love you!
Behave!

Hello March!

I'm seeing some green forcing its way through the mud where the snow has melted. Spring! I highly doubt we're out of the woods yet as far as snow is concerned, but the change of seasons is always something to look forward to.
And then there's that spring cleaning. This year, I feel a severe need for it. Really severe. Not that I like it or anything, but the walls seem to be closing in on me. There's extra stuff everywhere and it's bogging me down. Closets need cleaned out, blinds need scrubbed, junk needs hauled to the curb, clothes need gone through and donated, bedrooms need a fresh coat of paint. Couple that with the pinch on time and, well, the bogging becomes a squeezing feeling. I think I'll have to schedule a weekend or two and dedicate them to junk removal. Honestly, I'll be glad to get it over with and move on. Now that it's March, the huge events that are scheduled to happen this year are looming and I think I'll be better equipped to handle them once I shake off this feeling. Which, you know, means doing something about it.
The wrist is feeling better this morning, despite a crappy night's sleep. I'm not moving from the table today, so we'll see how it feels at the end of the day. I had a bizarre dream last night - a scary one. Zombies, or more like infected people. I was torn between writing it down at 2am to remember it, or shoving it out of my mind. I'm still torn, but it did give me a pretty cool and creepy idea for a book. So we'll see about that.
That is all.
Behave!

Thursday Rambling

So....No new Supernatural tonight. That's very sad. It's going to be a long time until they come back, too. I don't like it. No, not at all.
***
There's a lot of chaos in my house right now. B and K3 are going to scout camp this weekend. Laundry must be done. Packing, gathering up every scrap of warm clothes they can possibly wear at once. ha! It's cold. Very cold. More power to them for camping in this weather. I couldn't do it. They have a fun event going on this weekend that includes sleds, fake blood, and fire starting. They'll have a blast...it's just getting ready with everything else that's the burden. Oh, and did I mention that I'm almost out of laundry soap?
***
K4 is in her school's talent show tomorrow. Last I heard there were over 35 acts of jump roping, Taylor Swift song's, and other such things. K4 is the last act as far as I know. Which is going to make for a very long evening. Today is dress rehearsal. She says she's ready. I hope so.
***
I thought we had the college financial forms all taken care of. Apparently not. Yesterday I got a 10-page stack in the mail. Each page requires additional information, signatures, blood...Argh. I don't think it's ever going to end.
***
We're forecast for possibly ice on Monday. We'll see how that one plays out. If it does, look for a blog on more snow preparation theories. Ha!
***
That's enough!
Behave!

Time?

....I post this picture because of the absolute love of Dr. Who that goes on in my house. (Are you sensing that my children have eclectic tastes?) They're patiently waiting for the new season to start with the new doctor. (Plus, David Tenant's a cutie.)
Anyway.
This was supposed to be about time.
There is never enough of it. Never. It's always been like that, it will always be like that. There's nothing we can do to change the universe to give us more, and even if we did, nothing would be different. There would not be enough even if you were a Time Lord. Stuff would fill it, and then there would be none. We have to do the best with what we have. Organize. Plan. And even that sometimes won't help you get everything done. My lists certainly don't help and they don't take into account the cash registers going out just as I get to the register with my groceries (yes, it happened again), or the cat puking, or the washer being off-balance and not wanting to spin the clothes no matter how many times you rearrange them and restart the cycle...ahem...
This morning I joined some friends for a brief writing challenge-type-thingy. We met in the chat room and worked for half hour spans, then reported our progress, chatted for a few minutes, and began again. It was a productive hour and fifteen minutes for all of us - well, except for the one who bailed halfway through, but that's beside the point. I finished my hard copy edits, and now have a few hours to begin inputting the changes into my computer. I don't believe I would be this far if it wasn't for the little challenge.
I keep saying it and I will continue. Get some writing friends and challenge each other. You won't be sorry. In fact, you might just be surprised at what else you get out of it.
Don't let time get you down. Make the most of what you have. Try your best. Give yourself a break when things spin out of control and make sure you use some of it to goof off a little. Oh, and listen to some Jason Manns while you're at it. You won't be sorry.
I think that's enough confusion for one day, don't you?
Oh, and don't forget to tune into Supernatural tonight!
Behave!

A New Month

Wow. It's November already.
(I've been remiss in my wow-ness over new months lately. Just because I haven't posted it, doesn't mean I don't feel it. ha!)
Is it just me, or has this year gone by with amazing speed?
I'm stunned than Thanksgiving is a little over three weeks away. That Christmas is just seven weeks away. I'm not ready. Not at all. I'm also not ready for K2 to turn 18! 18!! Holy cow!
Unless you live in a box in some polar region you've noticed the Christmas decorations that are already on display. Not ready for that either. I can't even begin to think about the holidays yet. Though I sincerely hope I enter the season without the scrooge mentality. I don't want to this year, though I can feel it in the back of my brain already.
*****
So, I'm still sick. Not the swine flu, just a head cold. No real fever, just snot and lots of it. (You're welcome, because yes, you did need to know that! Ha!) We'll see if it affects anyone else in the house, despite my warfare against spreading the germs. We're at two of six right now.
Instead of the fun mother-daughter weekend that was planned, we've had to alter plans slightly to accommodate my aching head. Of course, the fact that the theater was only playing horror movies yesterday had some impact on that as well. But we ate out, went to the bookstore, rented movies, and ate Ben & Jerry's from our own individual containers, and talked (which made the weekend a success, in my opinion).
And I think that's all I have for this November 1st.
Behave!

Thursday Rambling

So...here we are at Thursday again...
And here we go with the rambling...
New Supernatural tonight! Whoot!
I don't think I ever commented on last week's episode. I loved it. Reviews are mixed around the 'net, but I think it's what it should have been. I was sad about what Dean said to Sam at the end, but I'm trusting that their relationship will eventually become better than it was. And seriously? What else could Dean have said to him. It was true. Sam has to prove himself. He did chose a demon over his own flesh and blood. Him being under the influence of Ruby's poison doesn't change the way Dean feels. I want to know who Castiel is working for now, if anyone. And poor Bobby - stabbing himself to save Dean makes me love him even more. I can't wait for tonight.
~~~~
I just realized I will be in birthday party planning mode for the rest of the year. Once I get through the party I'm currently working on, I'll go straight to another milestone birthday, and then another, and then another. Add the holidays in there, and I think I'm going to be out of my mind by January. K3 turns 13 next month, and he and my niece want to have a costume party. (They're only 10 days apart) The venue we originally wanted is not as perfect as we'd hoped, so we're back at square one. Sigh. K2 turns 18 after that. What I thought would be a quiet celebration is apparently no longer the plan. Can't think about that yet though. Then, K4 turns 10. Five months after that, K1 turns 21. (really can't think about this one!! For many reasons!) My head is spinning and the calendar is full. One thing at a time though.
~~~~
This week has been a very long week. Yeah, it's Thursday and my day, while busy, could be immensely worse, but I feel like I've been swimming upstream with weights tied to my ankles. If I can make it until tomorrow night, I'll be golden. In order to get there, though, I have to wade through my to do list - which is incredibly long. It's all mostly good stuff, so exhaustion aside, I'm excited.
~~~~
That's enough rambling, I think.
Behave!!

Whoops!

Obviously I missed Tall Tale Tuesday!
What is up with that?
Long, busy day with very little downtime in between obligations.
It happens.
I'll be back later. I might even post some pictures. We'll see...
Behave!

Getting It All Done...

Or at least trying...
I'm feeling a little behind the eight-ball here. This week is flying by and I have a massive amount of stuff to do before Saturday's RWA chapter meeting.
My goal was to finish my current wip. Which would have been done by now if I hadn't taken nearly a week off to write a short story, but that's beside the point. I have slightly less than nine-thousand words to write and only three days to do it. Normally, I would scoff at that - seems like a very doable thing for me - normally. (Not the "for me" - you shouldn't judge your output by anyone elses)
But, in addition to that, I have an obligation tomorrow for most of the day, Trick or Treat night tomorrow night (with guests coming to use my house as home base), costumes and snack food to prepare for the school's shindig on Friday, and a library to inventory. Not to mention a bunch of household admin duties - like long phone calls to our cellular provider to let them know the battery they sent for K2's phone doesn't work and is apparently not the reason her phone stopped working, and that's probably the least time consuming.
Since I'm running for chapter vice-president, I'll be giving up my librarian job. I have box upon box to sort through, catalog, organize, and remove items that no longer belong. A CD of information needs to be burned, as well as the current sign out sheet and copies of past newsletter articles. And I need to load everything up into the back of my Suburban for Saturday morning.
The thing you have to remember is that I've been the librarian for a long time - maybe 5 years or so. I'm not going to know what to do with the re-found space. I've been pretty good about keeping the items organized, but truthfully, this inventory doesn't excite me much. Shocker, huh?
Oh, and on top of all of that, my washing machine is making a very scary noise - like death knell scary - and Bob's car is making a similar noise.
Is it 2009 yet?
Behave!