Feel Good Friday - The Sunday Edition

Oy! It's Sunday... I don't want to go back to the routine tomorrow! Weekends need to be 3 days! One for fun, one for helping Mom, and one for doing our own stuff! I told That Man the same thing earlier and he laughed at me! Ha!
Anyways...
Here is the list!
1. Friday night frivolity with That Man! We talked, I wrote, we chilled... It was good.
2. Saturday's Bridal Shower for my niece. It was a fun time that included Grandma being chosen for the toilet paper bridal gown, hanging with K2, K4 deciding to go to the shower, bottomless mimosa's, and general silliness!
3. Today, despite a miscommunication between That Man and I, we worked at Mom's. Her car is now snuggly in the garage. Her tables, chairs, couches have been rearranged. We made significant progress. She now has attic stairs (I had nothing to do with that, except for transporting said stairs). We're getting there.
4. K3 doing some of the grocery shopping. He does very well. He's a smart shopper! And I love that I don't have to go to the store!
5. Our beach trip soon! Kitty Hawk! And days off work with just the four of us in this house! AND! Yay for house sitters, too! No dogs allowed, so having someone who can stay at our house is priceless!
6. Stuff getting done around here. It's a slow process, but we are making progress! We spend a lot of time at Mom's helping her get stuff done, too, which is good and no one is complaining about it at all. My truck is being worked on. K4's truck is being worked on. The bathroom is being worked on. The roof... soon. The tree still needs to be taken down... OY!!!
7. My bed. It's wonderful and I love it!
8. Working OT. Because how can you not like that? (I will admit, I am a little braindead, though)
9. October!!
10. Writing! I am almost there!!! I have brainspins of what I am going to work on next! It's time to finish and move on!
That is all!!
Behave!!

Stay Tuned...

Oy! This has been a super long week!
I will explain... but not now... It's very late and I need to sleep.
Just know... I am still here. Doing my thing. Trying to keep up....
Tomorrow I hope to have an informative Feel Good Friday, but... don't count on it...
I might be a little flaky after this week...
Oh... and get ready for Summer Survival Journals... We're at less than 9 days until the kids get out of school!
Behave!

Gearing Up For Monday

Again!
I'm really okay with it! I do very much enjoy my new job, but I'm still so tired! I even took a nap today!
It's been a pretty productive Sunday around here! I finished our taxes...all that's left is the check writing! UGH!!!
I paid bills, too. Also UGH!
We're in blast mode in my writing group, so I hosted a blast this morning and met my daily word goal. I missed the second blast due to kids needing my laptop for homework...
Laundry is done. The house is semi-decent.
I made taco soup for dinner.
That Man and I hit the gym. (Our set up in the basement)
And played the puppy out.
But...
I didn't get everything on my to do list done... dang! Though I did try! It was really nice to just relax at home for a change! I didn't even change out of my Jammies! Also we went from the stomach flu to the cold flu... K3 had the stomach flu and K4 has the cold... Erg! I really hope I get neither!!
I know. Lame post!
Behave!

Snow Day!

I was a little worried at first....
It's snowing like crazy out there! Love it!
We've been hunkered down all day since the forecast cancelled all of our plans (not our choice). K4 and I plan to make cookies, but her older brother asked her to go shopping for his wife with him. Don't know if we'll get that done or not now.
K4 and I had a writing challenge earlier and maybe we'll have another when she gets home. She's working on a project and so am I. We were both being dorks about actually writing, so I suggested a fifteen minute blast. It was fun and we both made progress, but then chaos erupted. The cable guy stopped by to see if we were interested in switching providers. We were, especially for a savings of $60.00 a month, plus a $300.00 credit. Can't beat that! K1, J, & Baby B showed up. The dog went nuts. I was going to take a nap... that never happened. But I got cuddle time with Baby B, so it was worth it.
That man and K3 are plowing snow. Don't have any idea when they'll be home, though they'll probably stop in for dinner at some point. For now, I'm hanging with my d-i-l. Baby B is napping. The puppy is whining to go outside, even though we've already been out 3 times and she's done her business.
Nice day!
Behave!

This & That...

Cool Things...
I won a really beautiful Christmas tree in a raffle. It's tall and one I would have picked myself. So cool!
I *think* I have a handle on this Christmas present business.
I *might* have found a nugget of Christmas spirit, too.
My kid actually seems to care about her homework. Today. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Actually, both kids appear to be homework machines right now. I wonder if aliens have invaded?
There was a big and beautiful hawk in my backyard this morning.
Catching up on and organizing stuff is a good feeling.
Giving blood.
Soon I will make my way to the thrift store to look for ugly Christmas sweaters.


Other Things...
Do you know that commercial where the guy is attacked by squirrels? I fear that will happen to me. There are squirrels all over my backyard. And I feed them.
I can't keep up with Twitter any more. It makes my eyes bleed.
Our anniversary is in 15 days. Our 27th. What I want most of all is to have alone time with That Man. We don't have to go away. We don't have to go out to dinner. We just need to be alone. Seriously.
I threw a chicken in the oven earlier and forgot to pull the guts out. Imagine me gagging and removing the uncooked bits with a spoon while trying not to burn myself. (No, they weren't in a bag, just tossed in the cavity. Gross) I'm not sure I'm going to be able to eat this chicken now...
My intent was to begin decorating today. I didn't. (I still have pumpkins out)

That's enough...
Behave!

Why Tuesday is Good...

This Tuesday has been good...
Here is why...
1. Grocery shopping by myself. Saving $14.00 in coupons and stocking up on a few items. (And coming in way under budget)
2. Beach rental magazines! We've already picked a few houses! Beach 2014 here we come!
3. Baby B. He is so stinking cute! And so smart! And he loves his Nanners!
4. Getting the laundry caught up.
5. One more night until K3's play opens!
6. The van getting fixed and not costing as much as we expected. (Did I mention it crapped out on us Saturday night?)
7. Being able to pick up the van with K3. So strange and so cool. (And so cool that he can drive himself to and from practice every night)
8. Thanksgiving plans coming together.
9. Singing while driving. I cannot tell you how long it's been since I've done that. Seriously. I would have music on while driving home, or to, the old day job, but there was always so much on my mind... I couldn't sing. I did today and it felt so awesome (even though I am glad no one was in the car to hear me). The stress is lifting day by day.
Everything is going to be okay.
Behave!

Feel Good Friday - The Weekend Edition

Yeah, I know it's late on Sunday....
It's been quite a weekend around here. Busy and fun!
Here's the list!
1. Writing time. I've had to fight for it, but I win!
2. Not cooking Friday night! Yay for delivery and stuffs...
3. Revisions done and sent!
4. Renn Faire on Saturday. Very, very cool day! We had a blast!
5. Chilling with the younger K's and a lot of comedy videos Saturday night!
6. Sleeping in times two!
8. Laundry and grocery shopping done!
9. Meeting up with a very dear friend (and her daughter) on Saturday and getting to meet our dear friend's new man. Very fantastic to see her and he was very awesome. We are so glad for her! (Yes, they work at the Renn Faire!)
10. Managing... Because sometimes that's all you can do...
And in a few hours the week begins again... Oy! I know I'm not ready, but what can I do? (Can I get a rewind?)
Behave!

Tuesday Nice...

I know it's only Tuesday, but in an effort to stay positive, here's what's nice about today...
1. The weather! Love! (I might have to take back what I said about one more big snow!)
2. My kids and how hysterical they are.
3. Catching up on blogs and laughing my butt off!
4. Dinner with friends last night - tons of good food, laughter, hours and hours of talking! Just what I needed.
5. New Supernatural to look forward to.
6. No stinkbugs today!
7. Writing time beginning in a few!
8. Getting stuff done!
Okay. I think there's some kind of rule that a good list can't be longer than eight on a Tuesday so I'm going to stop there, just in case!
Behave!!

Post-Holiday Nonsense....

The deed is done. Christmas is finished and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Yeah, I had my Scrooge on until nearly the very end, but we had a really good time with most of the holiday madness. And, really, I am glad its over. Now it's taking down the tree and other decorations, restoring my living room to normalcy, and putting other Christmas stuff away. I don't want to. I don't have the energy for it yet, and now that its over I kinda like the tree and all of the doodads around. How weird is that?
Anyway.
Now the year is almost over. Thank goodness.
I am looking forward to the New Year Celebration. It'll be nice to go back to basics. It's been too many years!
Hopefully later on this week, I'll have the energy to do my year in review post. I know you're just dying for that one. Ha!
Behave!!

What's Been Great About This Weekend...So Far

We're at T-3 hours until Alternate Thanksgiving begins here so I'm sure there will be more greatness to add later (especially since K5 will be here! Man, I miss that kid!).
Here's the list so far:
1. Watching movies with my girls. We've watched X-Men First Class. Pretty good. Red Riding Hood. Also, pretty good. The new Pirates - better than the other two, I'm just not a fan of the actress. We still have Thor on deck.
2. Cleaning dance party.
3. Freaking my youngest out with 80's music. Ha!
4. The vast array of cookies and brownies made. And cream cheese frosting with pumpkin spice. That will go well with the weird dessert I made from scratch...fresh pumpkin, flour, brown sugar, spices...not measured, just thrown together and baked. It's a little denser than intended, but goes fantastic with the cream cheese frosting.
5. Serious laundry progress. Three more loads. Then...my guys will be home from camp...oy!
6. Good phone conversations.
7. Mushroom cheesesteaks! And chinese food! (We won't talk about the crap-tastic pizza and how I ate it anyway hoping it would get better)
8. Sleeping in both days!
9. Waking up to the smell of turkey in the oven.
10. Knowing I have a short week coming up. And having to dress up for work, because I don't do that much (no one sees me) and sometimes I like to be a girl!
11. Plotting progress. I still need a name for the hero, a title, and to work out the end game, but I will soon be ready to start FRESH writing! Wooo!
12. My kid saying she feels better, even though she still sounds like crap.
13. Looking forward to the evening's chaos!
That is all for now!
Behave!

Random Thursday...

A list of utter nonsense...
1. This week is kicking my *ss. I will be very, very glad to see the end of the day tomorrow.
2. Some people should not procreate. They shouldn't even be able to *think* about doing the horizontal mambo because of the risk of procreation. Just sayin'.
3. Sleeping in is a beautiful thing and should happen way more often.
4. Certain people (probably some of the same sort as in #2) will always be a-holes. No matter what happens. Always.
5. Sometimes I am convinced that I have no idea what I'm doing. Make that a lot of the time. Most of the time? See?
6. I miss my granddaughter.
7. When I woke up this morning, it was warm out. When I left the day job, it was freezing. Why?
8. I hope if, when, I end up squirming on the floor - twitching dramatically because some tiny thing has officially put me over the edge - that people just leave me alone. Let me twitch. I beg of you, just let me twitch for a few minutes. Then bring me booze. Or bring me booze first, then leave me alone.
9. Plotting is making me question this whole idea...yeah, it's coming together, but not as quickly or as solidly as I'd hoped. But see #'s 1 - 8. Not calling excuse, just a possible explanation.
10. One of the first things I'm planning to burn when I go on my rampage is my overburdened calendar book (Holy crap 2012, why you gotta start kicking my butt so soon?), followed by the checkbook. I think I will throw in the laundry and perhaps a manuscript or two. When said rampage will happen is anyone's guess...
Ha! That's a weird list!
Tomorrow is 11-11-11. That's pretty cool! Maybe it'll be an awesome day! (I can hope, right?) And it's Veteran's Day, so make sure you thank a vet for their service and your freedom!
That is all.
Behave!

Weird Wednesday...

I am alone. For the moment. The quiet in my house is near deafening - except for the dog. This is odd to me (not the dog). Usually I am surrounding by chaos that is hard to explain and the noise level has got to be at illegal volumes. But none of that matters for the next few minutes while I am blissfully alone.
***
Tomorrow is my baby boy's fifteenth birthday. I'm not sure how he got to be that old. And in high school. I clearly remember his little blond head and his spiderman undies. Now he's talking about college and girls and all kinds of things I'm not ready for.
***
There is a mosquito flying around me. Shouldn't they be dead now?
***
On the writing front, I am settling on what to write next. And, of course, instead of grabbing a perfectly good idea out of my idea folder, it's something brand spanking new. I'm getting excited. It's been a while since I've put fresh words on the page. I've missed it. I will finish the zombie book at some point, just not now. I need to start it completely over and at this moment, I'm not that passionate about it. (This decision is subject to change without warning - just saying) This new book is coming together in my mind. Which is good, because there for a while I truly thought my brain was broken. Really broken. Apparently, what I needed was some time off...
***
By the way, today was markedly better than yesterday. Which is good because if today had been the same, you'd find me rocking in a corner somewhere.
Tomorrow night is trick or treat night/birthday celebrating, following by more birthday celebrating the following night and new Supernatural.
That is all...
Behave!

Those People I Live With...

I was working on my calendar when K2 snagged one of my business cards and asked if she could have it. She said she was going to call me. Too bad my phone number isn't on it - only my email. I was busy, so didn't think too much about it. All of the kids have my business cards. I don't know why, but they like them.
A little while later, I checked my email and found this:
"Hello, i recived your business card from a random stranger (i think a hobo from the street, she smelled) well she told me to contact you and so now i am. I wnted to tell you about a rash i hve on my rear end... It really burns and makes me cry everytime i poop... I was wondering if you could suggest any ointments or creams i could use? Or a dr you could recomend for me? i see your an author! I love books :) they keep me mental :)"
Unedited and word for word.
This is what I live with...
Behave!

A Weekend List

What was awesome about this weekend:
1. My writing group meeting - new faces, new members, visitors. Lunch was fun, even though I will not be sad if we never go to the restaurant again. I got what I usually get and it had absolutely no flavor.
2. Saturday night and our journey to hear an old friend perform at a nearby bar. What a blast! He played songs only our table knew and the look on his face when we moved to the table closest to the microphone was priceless. It was a lot of fun - good music, great friends, good food, good adult beverages, great friends.
3. Potluck picnics.
4. Creek time! It felt really really weird not to camp this weekend. (We had way too much going on. Camping wasn't logical. And thank goodness after the storms we had last night. And today.)
5. Funny ventriloquist shows and copious amounts of (free!) italian ice. (though the dummies were creep-tastic!)
6. K5 all day today! She is such a hoot! We had a blast with her.
7. All four kids home today! What a riot!
8. A semi-clean house to start the week.
I'll stop there. It was a good weekend. And writing? Well, this was my weekend off. I got my first crit back tonight and while I have work to do on the story, I am bolstered by the fact that my crit partner thinks the story is awesome despite the work I need to do.
That is all.
Behave!

Weirdness...

So the hurricane is upon us...or whatever it is by now. We're in good shape here - still have power, no major damage. We have a yard full of debris, but that's it. The winds are still blowing though. And it's raining again. K2 had to take several detours on her way to work due to road closures.
In the past several months we've had a tornado, an earthquake, now a hurricane. The only thing left is a volcano. I say bring it!
Anyway. School starts tomorrow. The heathens are excited and dreadful. Yesterday was school supply shopping, shoe shopping, and organization. The organization is still going on today. It's the last day of summer vacation and you already know how I feel about that.
But, dinner is in the crockpot, laundry is running, the bag of paperwork that was bursting at the seams has been shredded, beds have been made, dishes are done...my document is open and I plan to spend as much time as possible on it today.
And off I go...
Behave!

Thursday?

I lost Wednesday!
I thought I had it. I did. I know I watched the new Ghosthunters last night (with much glee, I might add), but I just realized...it's Thursday!
This week has been screwy, and I think that might be an understatement...
Engagements, earthquakes, school orientations, boy scout stuff...and the usual daily drudergy...
But it's Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday!
So we'll celebrate with a list...and we'll call it...Thursday Things.
1. It's humid. The rain has turned the air into soup and not a kind of soup I like. After days of not having the air conditioning on in our bedroom, I fired that sucker up the second we walked in the door.
2. Sunburns. Most of mine is better - itchy, peeling, but the worst spot (where I had my leg out the window on the 5 hour drive and then further burnt it at the beach) is still red. It doesn't hurt anymore, but I wonder if the stripe on my leg will always be red? Forever.
3. It's after 9pm and that man I live with is making homemade french fries and chips. I'm not sure exactly why, but they're yummy. (and I'm not complaining!)
4. Dr. Who comes back this weekend. There is much anticipation in my house.
5. There are some really really dumb commercials on television.
That is all for now...I have to get some writing done before my homemade french fry euphoria wears off and I remember how freaking tired I am.
Behave!

Earthquakes and Marriage Proposals...

I don't *think* the earthquake was caused by the proposal!
Which to talk about first? I guess I'll start with the what happened first...
Back in May - over Memorial Day weekend - K2's boyfriend took B and I to breakfast and asked "the big question". We had a feeling this was coming...and, of course, we gave our blessing. They've been together for a long time and he's a great guy. The only drawback was that his plan put the "big asking day" at the end of summer. So, yeah, we've known for months, but couldn't say anything. They spent the summer apart, and K2 spent the summer away from home, so that made it easier. Until he came home from his summer job...Anyway, yesterday he took her to the amusement park where they had their first kiss, and asked her on the same ride. I told you he's a good guy!
Today, we had an earthquake.
I was sitting at my desk when things started shaking...the blinds, the world map on the wall behind my desk, my computer monitor...I ignored it at first thinking it was one of the women who works at the end of the hall and her big chunky shoes. Then we thought someone had been on the roof. I never once thought earthquake until the very end.
When I called home to check on things, I didn't mention the quake. K4 did. Her exact words were: "Did you know we had an earthquake? I thought the T-rex in the basement woke up and I thought, oh dang, now I have to feed him."
I am thrilled she was not freaked out. She's more upset about school starting than some dumb old earthquake and she made her displeasure known before 6th grade orientation tonight.
And that's how the last two days have gone for me. Gah, it's only Tuesday...what in the heck is going to happen tomorrow?
Behave!

Things...

that were awesome about today.....
1. CPRW meeting this morning. 500 kinds of awesome! (even though I missed lunch!)
2. K2 coming home!
3. Rain! And it's still raining!
4. Writing...only a wee little bit, but I still touched it...
5. Naps.
6. Homemade pad thai for dinner.
7. Talking to the bff.
8. Movies.
9. The weirdness of that man I live with.
I hope you had a good Saturday, too!
Behave!

Things To Not Do...

1. Never eat gummi bears after the whole container has dumped upside down on the kitchen floor when your dog is shedding like crazy.
2. Don't fold laundry right out of the dryer when it's hot outside.
3. Don't try to take a nap in the place where the sun will come through the window and fry your legs.
4. Never think you're going to do a good job shaving when the light in the shower has burned out.
5. Don't play before writing, because you'll never get to the writing. (This, however, does not apply to me today. I kicked writing butt.)
6. Never trust that the cat will stay inside even if it's raining outside. If he gets the opportunity, he will go.
Okay...that's all I have for now. I think I broke my brain a little today. Or maybe I obviously did...
Behave!