They Won!!!

It was a nail biter, too. They started off in the third inning, down 10-6. Then it was 10-8, then 14-10. ( I may be missing some in between scores, but you get the idea.)

Then it was 14-13, then 15-15. They won it 15-16!

Oh, my. My voice is hoarse. The league official warned me not to make too much noise (before the game even started - it was just a kazoo and a New Year's Eve rattler) - but all was well. (On Sunday, I was told not to blow my whistle so I don't confuse the players on the other team)

What you have to understand is that I usually clean out my purse or read magazines during the games.

In high school, we used to go to Phillies games and I would bring my latest copy of Seventeen.

Now, I love our minor league team, but that's because we usually go with a group from the Y, or school, or church, so we know a lot of people in the stands. And I really look forward to a pint of the local micro brewed beer.

But this time? The kids have worked really well together this year. The parents have developed nice sideline relationships. And this is MY KID PLAYING!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!

It was exciting!!!! I was on the edge of my seat and screaming.

Whew. Now I have to pack and take care of the last minute details.

2 Things

First, an update:

DS's baseball team has been in first place all season (a new thing for us, lol) and so they're in the play-offs. The lower ranked teams played last Thursday and were scheduled to play the first and second seed teams today.

We were scheduled to go on our boat trip this week - originally on Saturday the 28th, but then rescheduled because of the game. So, this is the scenario: If his team won today, the championship game is played Tuesday night and we leave early AM on Wednesday and add a day on the end of our trip and flip the itinerary. If they lost today, then we leave early AM Monday morning with our original itinerary ( Kingston, ON, then 1000 Islands for the weekend)

So, the game is scheduled for 2:45. The sky has cleared. Thunderstorm warning has been lifted. The kids are pumped. The team that has advanced to this round is one they've beaten twice.

Unfortunately they don't play a very good defensive game, and at the bottom of the third, they are down 10-6. Our heavy hitter is up at bat. Behind us, the clouds are very threatening. Just as he's at the plate, they call everyone off all the fields and to their cars to wait for 20 minutes because they saw lightening. Anyway, it looked like something out of the Wizard of OZ and when the buckets of rain started, we knew they were calling it off. DH is beside himself - he's so eager to start vacation, but he wants DS to win, too. So now, we wait to resume the game tomorrow night, and we could end up losing and still missing several of our vacation days.

So, the kids have a chance to rally tomorrow night and pick up the game at bat at the bottom of the third. The pet hotel is on hold for the dog, the neighbor cat and mice sitters are on hold, and I'm going to work tomorrow.

The second thing:
Our dog (who's been a member of the family since I was pregnant with number one son) was at the vet for his rabies vaccination and because of his age (13), they wanted him to have his semi-annual check up.

So, it turns out that he's lost 12 pounds since last year! Yikes. So, when the vet was checking him out, he felt a mass or hardening in his spleen. Desmond (that's our dog) was not in any pain or discomfort, and there's no way to tell if it's a tumor or tissue wrapped around it, or of part or all of the organ is affected, without doing a full senior blood work up on him - to the tune of $100.

He was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis a few years ago and has been doing well with that, even without surgery. He has pills for when he gets overexcited, and we keep him out of the heat and don't over-exercise him.

The vet said his life expectancy for his breed is 11-13 years, and he'll be 14 at Thanksgiving.

So, the $100 bucks we could handle, but for what point? If it indicates surgery is needed, I'm not sure that would be best for an elderly dog with breathing issues who could die on the operating table and any surgery wouldn't really extend his life, since he's pretty much exceeded expectations at this point. He's not in pain, so it's not a surgery that would increase his comfort. He's already showing signs of significant slowing down and a typical loss of muscle control in his rear legs and corresponding incontinence that goes along with that.

He still acts like a puppy sometimes, getting all excited when he thinks he's going for a walk or ride, and prancing around us. He thinks he's a lap dog, even though he's a golden/lab mix. But really, he spends most of his days sleeping by the foot of my bed or on his dog bed in the laundry room.

What would you guys do? I feel an emotional attachment because he's part of our family, but this is a dog, not my grandmother, kwim?

Boat trip next week...

But we don't know when we'll leave.

Did I already write about this?

We were scheduled to leave tomorrow, but Number One Son's baseball team is in first place and the playoffs are Sunday afternoon.

Sooo, if his team loses, we leave early Monday morning. If they WIN, the championship game is Tuesday night and we leave Wednesday morning. DH is dying a little inside, because he can't wait to go.

I am rooting for the home team. They're playing a team they've beaten twice before. I would LOVE his team to win.

I can wait for the trip, even though it means we miss Canada Day and my favorite crafts fair in Kingston, ON. I will be said to miss the Tie-Dye guy, but I'll live.

And, besides being exciting for NOS (Number One Son), it would mean 2 less days to board the geriatric dog, and 2 more days that I can work.

Speaking of the geriatric dog, I took him to the vet today for his rabis shot and the vet found a mass in his spleen. Without doing bloodwork, there's no way to know if it's cancerous, or benign, or something affects part of the spleen or other organs.

Desmond is almost 14. He's not in any pain, but he's lost 12 pounds this past year. He spends his days in the back yard by the deck, or sleeping by the foot of my bed, or on a dog pillow in the laundry room because he sometimes poops. Yes, he's old.

But sometimes he still thinks he's a puppy and gets all silly if he thinks you might take him for a walk. And he's so gentle, and thinks he's a lap dog.

But he's almost 14 and the life expectancy for a lab mix is 11-13.

Sigh.

I LOVE a summer evening!

Yup. the storms waited until much later and we had the much desired hot and sunny summer evening for DD's party.


Yay! I love that 10 year olds can entertain themselves. I love that they don't need supervision in the locker room. (Well aside from a reminder that after 20 minutes they might want to get out of the shower so that the 7 lifeguards standing around on the pool deck can go home.)

Ahhh, yes. A pool, a splash playground, a couple of soccer balls and a pinata. Good fun.

All I had to do was provide the junk food (Cheetos and Sun chips - by request), the food - a sheet pizza, the drink Sunny D and lemonade (also by request), and the cake ( a lovely marble cake with a chocolate mouse filling. Yum. And lots of assorted candy in the soccer ball pinata.

Then I went home and went to sleep.

This morning I woke up with a searing headache, achiness, and feeling like I was going to throw up. So I went back to bed. I'm up now (duh) and feeling a *little better. Ugh. I have things to do.

Missed Wednesday, welcome to Thursday

Today is DD's birthday party.

at camp. with swimming. and outdoor fun.

Forecast is for thunderstorms.

Need I say more?

I don't really have a back up plan. Swimming would easily take up 2.5 hours.

A pinata and pizza? I'm not so sure. Even if I add Twister, I'm not sure.

Aacckk.

Pass me the crown, please

Yes, I AM the Queen.

Of bargains and coupons, that is.

So, I take take Rude Teen-age Son (formerly known as Number One Son) to his friend's house and since Darling Daughter is with a friend, I think, "What the Heck, I have 2 errands to run".

So, I go to my favorite nursery to buy a flat of impatiens, but they're closed already. But across the street is a little garden center and Cute Gift Shop that I've never been to, so I give it a shot. I thought the flats were a little pricey, and the potted annuals as well; since it's late in the season and many garden centers are discounting their stuff and trying to get rid of it before it's too hot. And some of the annuals looked a little dry. But this little old woman wouldn't budge when I tried to get her to give me a discount for buying so much stuff. And to make it worse, she mentioned that she thought the owner might be talking about a sale...but then again, maybe that's just vegetables..., I don't know....I can't really call her during dinner, she doesn't like that.... you get the idea - a frustrating conversation. I'm usually much better than that. Sooo, $32 later, and I have flowers to plant tomorrow. (Hopefully their colorful brilliance will distract DH from the weeds that I haven't finished) The gift shop was cute, but my enthusiasm was dampened by the lack of a discount. Come'on.... a few bucks off the flat (not the measly $1.00 off) or buy 3, get one free for the annuals. Anything.

But I digress.

I ran by a little strip mall that has a couple of shoe stores and women's clothing shops. One was Dress Barn - didn't find anything appealing there, and one was Fashion Bug. Not a store I usually shop in, but I've been die-ing for a few cute summery tops that are different from the tanks that I used to wear all the time or the v-neck short-sleeved tops that I'm used to. I wanted something with an empire waist, but that wouldn't make me look pregnant. I was drawn by the colorful window displays and I know they have coupons.

Anyway, I found a pair of bermuda-length dark khaki green shorts and a cute top that I liked. It was black, not colorful, but flattering and exactly the cut I was looking for.

Now, I *know I had a coupon for this store *somewhere, but my purse is a disaster of receipts and coupons and I couldn't find my driver's license in there if my life depended on it.

In fact, I even went to the ATM tonight, because I couldn't find any money, even though I'm sure there are bills in there. Somewhere. But that's a task for another day.

So, these two things were 30% off (yay, me!), but I say to the sales girl - "Are there any coupons out there now? I seem to remember getting one a few weeks ago, but I can't find it."

She tells me there's a $10 off one that expires tonight.

I ask if she can give me that discount. She says no, she doesn't have any.

I say, "Gee, those coupons are why I'm here, I don't usually shop here." And a good discount would mean I'm likely to come back again." (insert smile here)

"Can you give me any discount? Maybe a Manager's Discount?"

"No."

Then I see her go to the other register and pull out a little green piece of paper.

It *looks like a coupon.

She scans it. I smile broadly and say thank you.

She tells me I've saved something like $29.00

Final bill: $36.00 for a pair of shorts and a top. Score!

QOTD

Question of the day....

When you (generic you) make a phone call, to a cell phone or home phone, do you hang up if no one answers or leave a message?

It drives me CRAZY that Number One Son makes calls and then hangs up if no one answers. Always has. And he. just. doesn't. get. it.

Is it just me?

Second question: How much freedom do you give a 13 year old? The rules have all changed since I was 13 back in the dark ages.

Gotta run, Rude Teenage Son is impatiently waiting for me to take him to a friend's house. Isn't this why I got his bike fixed?

Later.

Summer days

Okay, now is the time when I wish I didn't work. Number One Son is done with school, and camp hasn't started.

We went boating yesterday, and now I have a HUGE pile of laundry on my bed that didn't get folded.

I still have a few things left to do for Darling Daughter's birthday, and the dog needs an updated Rabies shot before we go on vacation next week.


So what could be more perfect than a summer Sunday afternoon on a boat with your family?

An afternoon on a boat with a captain who isn't anal about cleanliness and procedures.:-(

The captain (DH, of course) spends more time chastizing than enjoying.

...vacuum here, don't spill, watch your crumbs, don't get suntan lotion on the seats, don't wear your wet bathing suit in the cabin, who ate all my snacks?...

Is it any wonder that sometimes the crew would rather hang out at home in our neighborhood?

My BABY is 10!

Yup, darling daughter is 10 today.

Clothes, boys ("Rylan is cute!, Mom"), and more.

"*Everybody has Abercrombie and Justice! Hollister, too. But I still like Target. Can I paint my nails? Can I go with *you when you get a manicure? Can *I get a phone when I'm 13, too? I have 16 people on my birthday list. 9 boys and 6 girls. :-) Can I have the new Jonas Brothers CD?"

Yes, she is a non-stop fountain of questions, comments, and singing.

Always. Singing. :-)

Okay, I'm off. I'm bringing Timbits donut holes to school to share with the class for her birthday.

Enjoy the day.

Bad mom

Well, not really, but my kids ate leftover birthday cake for breakfast this morning.

How's that for good nutrition and supervision?

DH and number one son had their seafood extravaganza last night - lobster bisque, steamed clams, and lobster. (Ick) Darling daughter and I had quiche - we're not seafood fans.

Number One son got his cell phone (yay!) and thinks he's teenage hotstuff. :-)

DH and Number One Son took a friend to see Iron Man and Darling Daughter and I went to see Kung Fu Panda. Good Fun.

It's a beautiful day! We're off to enjoy the boat! Here's hoping the thunderstorms hold off.

Enjoy your day!

Friday night lights

well, not really. But Friday night baseball team party.

This is the first year that any of our teams (Little League, hockey, whatever) had an end of season party at someone's house. It's also the first time that I've gotten to know any of the other team parents and the kids.

Number one son's baseball team has really nice kids - and parents too.

You know, I'm the type that usually cleans out my purse, organizes coupons, reads magazines at my kids' sports games - unless there's a good play happening and then I do cheer them on. And really, sometimes the only thing you have in common with the other parents is that you both have a kid on the team or that you share a geographical proximity - not always a recipe for friendship or anything more than polite small talk.

But this year, it's been different. The coaches are nice, the parents are nice and the team mom invited everyone over for a pool party. We all brought dishes to share and there was pizza and cake and all sorts of kid-friendly culinary delights.

Since this was a kid-party, imagine my surprise and delight when there were adult libations provided! Bonus!

Anyway, the adults had polite chitchat and shared amusing stories, the kids played in the pool and all sorts of kid-rule backyard games, and the evening passed very pleasantly. No sibling spats, no major injuries (well one younger brother did get whacked in the jaw with a plastic bat), no spilled food calamities and while the thunder boomed, the rain held off. Perfect.

What else is perfect? DH is planning the lobster dinner for Number One Son tonight and agreed to give him the "other present" tonight. :-) Remember, it's the phone? Number One Son will be over-the-top thrilled. At least I hope so.

Darling daughter has a birthday party this afternoon, which will give me time to shop for her birthday.

Enjoy the day.

I'm glad today is almost over

I think number one son is too, although he's feeling wounded and sad that he won't ever have a 13th birthday again.

It didn't help that I tried to tell him that there are many, many more great birthdays ahead. Or that we could celebrate his birth and how happy we were that he made us parents on another, happier day.

He didn't get his phone yet. And I'm hoping that we can maybe have cake for breakfast. And the lobster and movies have been postponed until Saturday. (hopefully)

I can't really go into details right now, because the ugliness and heartbreak are too fresh. I'll just say that Number One Son was put out that he didn't get "the-only-thing-he-asked-for" and made some big mistakes in expressing his frustration and disappointment. I was upset and frustrated and Darling Husband made this night "a-lesson-to-remember". Ugh. Sometimes I wish we were more in synch in our approach.

I did run tonight. Or "wog" as I've been calling it. And Number One Son came with me. And then Darling Daughter caught up to us and was running in her flip flops! Snot. :-)

Enjoy the night.

Damn, I'm a nice Mom

No, really. Despite the fact that my newly teen-aged son thinks I'm the Worst. Mom. Ever.

I still ordered a pizza delivered to his school for lunch with his friends. :-)

(granted, when I tried to call this morning, it was too early; and then I sort-of-forgot-and-called-in-a-panic; but it got there, okay?, despite all that)

I even ordered wings when I told him I wouldn't. It's sort of a middle-school tradition to order pizza on your birthday and share with the friends who normally sit with you. It's amazing how many little turds become your bestest friend when you have pizza to share.

Yes, I do sound a little cynical, I know. I'm working on it. It's just that you sometimes forget how self-centered children can be sometimes, (yes, I also know that it's a developmental stage and will not necessarily lead to self-absorbed adults) and then you are figuratively slapped in the face with it.

Last year, I called from work and ordered the pizza, picked it up and delivered it in motherly fashion to the lunchroom and then went back to work. Not only was this not time efficient nor gas efficient, it also exposed me to the dreaded "I'm-too-cool-for-you, thanks-for-the-pizza-now-please -leave-and-pretend-I-don't-know-you" treatment. It's just *not cool to be seen with your parents at school anymore. And I'm all about protecting my son's rep, you know. Not.

This year, I was smart and ordered and paid for it on the phone to be delivered to said middle-school. Darned if I'm going to spend lunch time playing chauffeur and wasting gas.

I'm assuming it got there okay, because the driver called to ask exactly where he was being met and I didn't receive any panicked phone calls asking what happened. I didn't add the tip on the phone because I wasn't sure if they would pull this off successfully, and my son isn't well versed in credit card transactions, so when I see number one son this afternoon and hear that all was delivered as it was supposed to; I will stop by the store and tip the driver, Josh.

Because I *am nice. Dammit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!!

Today, my baby, my first born, turns 13.

Yes, 13.

Wow. My how time flies.

Today started out good. I got up early, got the balloons out of the car, made waffles and bacon (he's *always requesting waffles on a school day and I almost always tell him no).

He got a few small things at breakfast - an Itunes gift card, a Life Is Good t-shirt, an Aeropostale T-shirt, Billabong shorts.....

And I'm hoping to surprise him with a cell phone this afternoon.

But, and I don't know where we went wrong.....

...He's disappointed that he didn't get either the aggressive inline skates (at least $159!) or the AK47 automatic airsoft rifle that he's been eyeing ( I think that's $100, too). Geesh. Not only are those two items expensive, but I'm not sure that I support either one. The gun, for obvious reasons - and it's not like I'm a fanatic or anything, he does have airsoft guns and plays with friends in the neighborhood - I just don't want a) spend that much and b) get something that's quite so "real", kwim?

And the aggressive skates? They're for skateboard-type moves. I don't *want him looking for places to do that - like strip mall parking lots. And he doesn't know *how to inline skate. And I want him to try it out before we commit and buy. And the two other kids that I know he wants to do this with are not supervised. And I'm not so sure they're a great influence in those circumstances. And I think he would break his leg again. Or his head. Or an arm. I swear I'm not overprotective. I just don't think he'll use them as much as their price tag would indicate.

He already has a bike and a skateboard that don't get much use.

So, now, my new teenager is sullen and thinks we're cheap. And dear husband is mad at his attitude. And I'm just a little bit frustrated.

How do we surprise and delight our children, while still protecting them and also teaching them to appreciate what they've got? Why does it seem that birthdays and Christmas always seem to come with bigger and grander expectations?

It's hard because we do have a good life. Not extravagant, but comfortable. We budget. And stick to it. We spend more than some on vacations, but I know that I spend waaay less on groceries (which sucks sometimes). I used to spend $100 every two weeks on gas, now it's $200. That definitely hurts. The only way I'm handling that is with money from my Dad's estate. My husband is fanatic about tracking and limiting credit card purchases and paying it off every month.

We're not cheap, but we're not extravagant. How do we teach our children about those choices and the balances we strive for?

::::sigh::: It was so much easier when he was small enough to hold and cuddle and kiss his booboos to make them go away. When a 5 minute time-out could cure all.

Enjoy the day.

My Bucket List

I saw the movie, The Bucket List last weekend. Finally. What a great movie.

So, I've been thinking about my "Bucket List".

It's not complete, but here are a few:

1. Travel to Greece. For a long visit
2. Take a coast to coast road trip
3. Host an exchange student
4. Grow a vegetable garden
5. Run a 5k or a 10k
6. Sunbathe topless
7. Parasail
8. Drive and dock a 36 foot boat
9. Take a winemaking class
10. Make some jewelry - nice enough that I'd want to wear it.
11. Be a dog foster parent
12. Get a theology degree
13. Drive a motorcycle
14. Live long enough to see how my children grow up - and meet my grandchildren
15. Ride in a hot air balloon
    
16. Expand this list

What's on your Bucket List?

I steal a lot

yes, it's true.

But not *that way.

I saw this a while back in an email, and then recently on another blog (sorry, I've been reading so many that I've forgotten which one- I'm a link-addict)

Subject: Dear Cats and Dogs (To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.)
Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by hand and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"nature. )
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10. Don't need a "gazillion" dollars for college.
And finally,
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Mom Frustrations

(disclaimer: I really do love my kids and manage to often find joy and delight in the things they do. I just write about the stuff that drives me crazy)

Darling daughter missed the bus again today.

(insert loud prolonged "ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH" here)

She asked me to wake her up early today to finish some work. I first tried to wake her at 6:20. I was greeted with grunts.

I went in to her room or called to her on regular intervals. She periodically ignored me, answered me, or assured me that she was moving.

Fast forward to 7:10. I remind her that her bus arrives at 7:28. (Like it has for the past 175 days of school) I give her more reminders about her morning ritual - you know the drill - hair, teeth, lunch, etc.

I make and bag the lunch to facilitate her departure. I give her the 3 minute warning call.

She *still missed the bus. No big deal if it was only a once in a while happening. Or if she overslept. Or if she was rushed and harried.

No. She's just a procrastinator.

She already loses a day of allowance when she misses her bus. She also faces possible loss of privileges this afternoon and an earlier bedtime (you know, so she can be better rested and wake up earlier)

What can I do to light a fire under her feet?

Brrrrrrrrrr

Okay, I *know I shouldn't complain....

But after some really hot and steamy days and amazing thunderstorms yesterday - it's downright chilly today. Not to my kids, of course, who are running around in short-shorts and flip flops, but to me. Me. Me, ME.

Me who has to sit through a Brrrrr cold baseball game tonight. And I will actually have to wear shoes and socks. And a jacket. And maybe a blanket.

Yes, this is the same temperature that would have me basking in it's glorious warmth if it were October, but in June I shiver.

No, I don't have any idea of physiology of that. It just is.

What I really need to do is get my %^& in gear to buy birthday presents for number one son who is on the cusp of being a teenager. Not sit and cheer.

I asked number one son if he had his baseball uniform. I may be old, but I'm not senile, and I don't have any recollection of washing it after Sunday's game.

Hmmmm. He says it's because he hit a homerun wearing it and it wouldn't be lucky to wash it before this game. Uh-huh. Yup, sure. Oh, well. It's not a reflection of *my motherhood skills, is it?

Update:
Ugh. The game was called in the 3rd inning with a score of 6-6, on account of rain. Wimps. And it doesn't count. :-(

I'm off to do some grocery shopping and scout out some birthday deals.

ain't nothin' like the good ol' summertime

Yesterday was a day of incredible storms passing through our region - high winds, hail (!) and heavy rains. But they came and went.

We invited our neighbors (and friends) out on the boat for an evening cruise and a visit to the local waterfront dive known for Monday night steak night (yum). Anyway, Paula suggested that it be a "kid-free" night (yay!) and my kids could hang out with her kids. Why didn't I think about that? Her kids (4 of them) range from 8 to 16, and mine will be 10 and 13 (this week!). So, really, while it's fun to do a family cruise, I'm all for adult fun.

So, the weather was iffy, but around 4 pm, it was beautiful and sunny - yay, we're on! Nevermind the dark, foreboding clouds off to the west.

So, at the appointed hour, we ditched the kids and drove into the approaching storm clouds. Uh-oh. The winds whipped up, the raindrops started. The rest of our party called from the marina and reported a tornado watch and high winds. They were taking cover at the bar and we were to meet them there. The skies opened up with torrential downpours. :-(

No worries, we were set with good company, good snacks and a cozy bar. Eyes pealed to the weather channel, we saw the satellite showing the storms passing through and the watch would be over by 7. Yay! We see sun! So, we finish our drinks and move to the boat for more appetizers. We make the short cruise across the bay to the waterfront restaurant where the storm has chased away the other boaters and closed the deck. That's okay because steak night is usually so crowded it's hard to get a table or docking space.

Aaah, good steak (no, GREAT steak), good friends (similarly temporarily liberated from the constraints of parenthood), an excellent beer (Hop Devil Ale) and a beautiful sunset.

The lake was absolutely calm and flat like a bathtub. We saw the end of the sunset, the clear, dark skies, and an incredible full moon. No one fell in (which was a distinct possibility as Paula fell in while docking at the same restaurant last summer). Our English friend kept steering the conversation towards American politics, and religion too - a tough combo in mixed company, but all was well.

Hope you enjoyed your day.

Baseball, apple pie and Father's Day.....

What's more all-American than Little League games on hit summer afternoons?

Nevermind that it interferes with the fathers' wishes to do what they want to on their day - it's good family stuff.

Anyway, Number one son's team was playing a team from the neighboring town that's been hard to beat all season.. Number one son's team is number one in their division (yay!) , but the 3 times they've played a team from this town they've lost. So, when I arrived, they were already down with a score of 10 - 1, and it was only the 3rd innning..

Not looking good.

After a little while, the score was 16 - 4, then somehow it got to 21 to 10. Yikes and it wasn't over yet! DH left to go home and catch some of the scores in the AC and I couldn't really complain since it is Father' Day, so I stayed and sweated and cheered number one son (even though I'm still ticked off in general about his mouth and his attitude - I do love him) Anyway, one of his team mates got not one, but 2 out-of-the-park home runs. Wow! Unfortunately it was too little too late. Anyway, the guys were playing really great and with any other team they would have had a great game.

Remember the lady with 6 kids? Well, she was there again and the toddler was cranky - it was nap time, and the baby was fussy - it was hot. And she was sooo patient and calm. (Why can't I ever be that way?) Anyway, the baby finally got comfy and I hear this loud beep emitting from the carriage every once on a while. (at first I thought it was from a maintenance vehicle or something) . I asked her about it, and the baby's on an apnea monitor. What the heck? It was going off on a regular basis - but maybe that was due to the baby's sweaty skin setting off the monitor, but it was scary that it went off so much. Turns out it runs in families and all of her children have been on monitors. Well, she wandered off to settle a squabble with one of the other children and I heard the beep and jumped up to jiggle the stroller and it stopped. Yikes.

Anyway.....

Then number one son was up again.

He got an OUT-OF-THE-PARK HOMERUN!!!!!! YIKES!

What a play! And dh missed it! This was a big hit for him, he's a strong hitter, but not consistent and not a fast runner at all, so he doesn't do well in a race for the base against a good throw.

So, the final score was 25 to 12. A big loss, but they finished strong. They're still in the playoffs and have one more regular game before the playoffs. Unfortunately, the game ran long and we have tickets to see Wicked tonight (yay!), so that pretty much kills our plans to go out on the boat this afternoon and go our to dinner. So, I'm currently looking for a plan B for dinner.

We took DH out to breakfast this morning and there's not much he needs, but I feel bad that there's no "nice meal" or at least the chance to hang out where he's happiest - the boat.

Hope you all hugged your Dads, husbands, kids and special men.

Enjoy the day.

Busy-ness

You know, I only have 2 children. And they're of an age where they are pretty independent. But there are days when we have to be in like, 3 places at the same time and it just doesn't work.

How do you do it with 4 kids? Or 6? There's a family on my son't baseball team with 6 kids. The Dad is one of the coaches, and the Mom comes to every game with a double stroller for the 5 month old and the toddler, and then there are 3 younger girls, maybe ages 4-10. Yikes. Everytime one of the youngers needs go to the bathroom, she packs up everything and pushes the monster stroller to the snackbar/bathroom complex. Yikes.

So, yesterday was one of those days for me. We had to help out at the church Strawberry Social which started at 4, the kids got home from school at 3:15, number one son had baseball practice at 5:30 I had to be downtown to meet DH at 6:00 for a reception and the opening of the Jazz festival (Frank Sinatra, Jr), and I arranged for darling daughter to go hang out a friend's house. Did I mention it was hotter than hell and I had to switch gears from hot and sweaty casual wear to chic and glam for an evening out in a window of opportunity that was only about 12 minutes long? Heh. Any way, I arranged for number one son to get a ride home from a teammate, and all was well.

So, the reception was outdoors and because of the iffy weather, they erected a tent for the food stations and bar - all the heat was trapped underneath and when I say hot, I mean H-O-T. My arms and neck were slicked with sweat, I had no appetite (a nice side benefit), sweat rivulets were running down the backs of my knees and I was so drained that I had more water than wine. :-(

I'm not talking about a lady-like glow, I'm talking all out wet. Yuck. Anyway, the theater was air conditioned, Frank was entertaining, and I took a cool shower when I got home. All is well.

Especially since our schedule is relatively light today. I'm enjoying my coffee and then I'll get dressed. It might be time for some garden weeding.

Enjoy the day.

Loving Day

I heard about this on NPR as I was driving in to work. I thought it was really interesting, and I'd never heard of it.

Loving Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Loving Day is an annual celebration held on June 12, the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia which struck down all anti-miscegenation laws remaining in 16 states citing "There can be no doubt that restricting the freedom to marry solely because of racial classifications violates the central meaning of the equal protection clause," .[1][2][3] In the United States, anti-miscegenation laws were state laws banning interracial marriage, mainly forbidding marriage between non-whites and whites. Loving Day is not an officially, government-recognized holiday, but is celebrated by a growing number of people throughout the United States, especially by those involved in interracial relationships.
The "Loving" side of the U.S. Supreme Court case consisted of Mildred and Richard Loving. Mildred Jeter was 11 when she and 17-year-old Richard began dating, and she became pregnant a few years later. They got married in Washington in 1958, when she was 18. Reportedly, Mildred didn't realize interracial marriage was illegal, and they were arrested a few weeks after they returned to their hometown north of Richmond. They pleaded guilty to charges of "cohabiting as man and wife, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth," and avoided jail time by agreeing to leave Virginia. They moved to Washington, D.C. and began legal action by writing to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy referred the case to the American Civil Liberties Union. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of the young couple, they returned to Virginia, where they lived with their three children. Mildred Loving died May 5, 2008 at the age of 68. Richard Loving died years earlier in a car accident. Each June 12, the anniversary of the ruling, Loving Day events around the country mark the advances of mixed-race couples.

It seems crazy that there had to be a court case to legitimize this. But in the end, they won.

So, go ahead, celebrate.

Enjoy the day.

No excuses

So, the humidity has broken, and I was dead set on going for a jog/walk before work this morning.

And I did.

Sort of.

Our young cat, Koala, got out this morning (how is another tale of sullen pre-teen defiance and early morning surliness, but that's not the story I'm telling this morning.)

So, both kids are frantic, their school buses are just around the corner and instead of herding her towards the house, they send her scampering off across the yard.

I have a dilemma.

I'm clad in my jammies with wild bedhead, and barefoot to boot.

Now, I'm the sort who has, in the past, showered and dressed before making breakfast for my houseguests. Even family.

What to do? What to do.

So, being the superhero Mom and cat-lover that I am, I throw modesty and self respect to the wind and grab the first pair of shoes that I can.

Oops. My new leather sandals. From Lands End. That I wore for the very first time yesterday. Did I mention that the morning dew was still on the lawn? :-X

Of course, all reason had not fled, so I grabbed a trenchcoat from the closet on my way out the door. Come on, you can't really expect me to run around the neighborhood tackling cats bra-less with just thin cotton jammies? Seriously.

Anyway, the kids were yelling, the buses were coming, the morning dog walkers were circling the block, and the cat kept sprinting further away.

Ay, yiy yiy.

Everytime I thought I was herding her closer to our house or forcing her to turn around, she found an opening and went to the next yard.

We live just a block away from a busy road. I don't want to think about the number of animal carcasses that I've seen on it in the 14 years I've lived here. And yes, she ended up in the front yards of the houses that border that road.

She was eying the back yard and had taken up refuge under the boughs of a large pine tree that the neighborhood kids use for a fort and for climbing. ( a really cool place, but that's for another day)

My neighbor the cat lady came over with a plate of food and treats. It didn't work.

I threw large pine cones behind Koala to startle her and she darted near me. I tried a football tackle and missed.

She ran around the side of the house and my sandals were wet and slippery (my practical side was trying not to worry that they were ruined and my Mom, cat-lover side was trying not to panic as she was getting closer to the busy road.)

I threw my trenchcoat over her and tried another football tackle. By this time, I was red in the face, hot, sweaty and panting. So much for a morning run. And I had a headache.

Koala went near the house and a rainspout and I was trying not to scare her under the fence she was eying, when neighbor and cat-rescuer Martha grabbed her by the scruff of the neck like a momma cat. Whew.

Now, I'm sweaty and muddy and relieved and I'm not going for a run.

So there.

Maybe later today.

Hope your day starts smoother.

And I haven't had my coffee yet.

Arrgggghhhh!

I drive home every day on a road that goes through a commercial area that has your typical fast food joints, strip malls, restaurants and gas stations - lots of places where people need to make left turns.

To accommodate this, the lovely road engineers planned and built what are commonly known as "turning lanes".

You know the ones - they're in the middle of the road, separated by a dotted yellow line.

Smart cookies, they are, planning to keep traffic moving smoothly and not backing up while everyone waits for someone to make a left turn across traffic on a busy street.

You're supposed to signal your intent, move into that lane and wait there for a chance to complete your left turn into the parking lot of the business you intend to patronize - you know, that sudden urge for a Big Mac, or a quick stop at the fancy-pants wine store, or the chi-chi little boutique of women's duds and home accessories. Or maybe it's a stop for bargains at Marshall's.

I don't really care WHERE they're going, it just pisses me off that every single day, there's someone (why is it usually a woman?) that is BLOCKING THE FREAKING TRAFFIC right into the major INTERSECTION!!!!!

I swear, I'm not usually a road rage kind of person, but this makes me feel like I'm going to blow a gasket.

Of course, I'm not usually looking far enough in advance to switch lanes and move around this imbecile - I'm the one who gets stuck - usually in said major intersection.

And when they finally make their turn and the snarl of traffic moves past them, when I look over at them they usually have a look of total oblivion to the back-up they just caused.

Aarrrgh. Dammit. It just makes me cranky.

Enjoy the day.

I must be losing my mind

I have a very clear and vivid recollection of posting this morning.

Really. Although I couldn't tell you what it was about.

Imagine my surprise when I checked back in here a little earlier today and there was nothing.

NOTHING.

Did I imagine it? Am I going crazy? Was it some sort of blogger glitch?

Has that happened to any of you before?

:::scratching my head::: Because I hope I didn't just make it all up. It was before work - I SWEAR I wouldn't have been drinking that early.

Honest.

In the AM, I'm all about the coffee.

The darker the better. I don't even want orange juice that early. Except maybe at a brunch. With generous amounts of champagne. But dammit, this is Tuesday, not Sunday.

I wish I could remember what it was about.

Hot, hot hot

Let me go on record as saying that "I am NOT a quitter."

But there's NO WAY that I'm running in this weather. My car was 103 degrees when I went to it midday.

It was 81 degrees at 8:30 AM.

Right now it's about 92. And humid. Oh, no, we don't get a dry heat here in Upstate NY. We are in high humidity territory.

It's weather like this that makes me so, so happy that I don't have to wear underwire bras anymore. :-)

I promise I will run when it cools down a little. I would run in the evening, but by that time, I've usually had a cool, refreshing, adult beverage. And the 2 don't mix.

Enjoy the day.

And I totally stole this, too

From Scott, who got it from Dawn (if I was any good, I'd figure out how to link them)

All about me me me me

(Well, here's one link - but only because it was in Scott's original post Dawn)

If you get something out of a vending machine, it's most likely the: chex mix
A word you sometimes catch yourself misspelling: separate
You least want people to see you as: apathetic
You're a little scared of: messing up my kids
The least attractive thing you do in your sleep: snore
The number of contacts in your cell phone: don't know, a lot - including some that I have no idea who they are
How many of them are restaurants: 1 pizza place
You lose your cool when someone: doesn't listen (kids!)
When you go to the drugstore, you often can't leave without buying: gum
Your dance moves can best be described as: out of date
The majority of your underwear is: comfy and pretty
Something you eat even though you hate how bad it is for you: loaded nachos, fries, chips and dip, the list goes on......
You think you're really not a great: housekeeper
How much cash is in your wallet right now: $22
The majority of your shoes are this color: brown, I think
You don't think you'll ever be able to get rid of your: belly fat
If your breath is bad, it's most likely because you had the: garlic
You feel embarrassed when you: fart :-)
The last public place where you used the restroom: restaurant
Something you don't like to debate in mixed company: politics
You don't think you can pull off wearing: a tube top - geesh, I'm 46
Something you own entirely too much of: books - oh wait, that's not possible, earrings then
Someone you would love to see in concert who might bring down your street cred: John Denver - yeah, I know he's dead
The last thing that you spilled on yourself: nacho cheese
If you were on a reality show, the producers would likely portray/characterize you as the: the loud one

I need a life

You know it's bad when you have no new posts on your favorite message board, no new emails, no blog updates to read, no one has taken their turn at Scrabulous - and yet you compulsively check back every 15 minutes.

Yikes.

Everyone else obviously has better things to do. On a beautiful, hot sunny summer morning.

In my defense, dh slept on our boat, number one son had a sleepover, darling daughter had a friend sleepover, and I have a laptop that can go with me to my hammock.

But still...... I need a life. I mean, it's not like I don't have 2 litter boxes to clean, breakfast dishes, 4 loads of laundry to fold, a garden to weed......

Priorities.

And routine chores are not at the top of that list. :-(

However, I'm working up the motivation to pack for our annual staff and family picnic for the Y.

Perfect weather this year.

Hundreds of people. Food. swimming pool. athletic fields. food. pony rides. games. prizes. fun. food.

:-)

Then number one son has a baseball game. Ick. His uniform pants are black. In this heat - crazy.

Anyway, I'm stocking up on the sunscreen and gatorade.

If I could find my camera (probably lost under a pile of laundry or stacks of coupons to clip) I'd post pics once in a while.

Enjoy the day.

June is bustin out all over

Well, summer is here.

Temperature-wise, that is. I know some of you have been dealing with this for a while already, but we just catapulted from spring to summer. It was 75 degrees at 5:30 AM when I let the dog out!. It'll be 90 today. With high humidity.

This is thigh-sticking, sweat-dripping in your cleavage, salt-in-your-eyes weather.

This is upstate NY people, not Louisiana, for pete's sake.

Needless to say, I did not run last night or this morning. Don't they say you should go every other day, anyway? That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

And the kids are still in school.

This month is birthday central. Both kids have June birthdays within 4 days of each other.

My anniversary is in September - you can do the math. :-)

Anyway, I'm not very good at advance planning. We usually throw something together informally. It's tough with the end of school happening the same week. Yeah, I'm a slacker.

They always have fun, and it all works out.

More later. Hopefully.

Enjoy the day.

A new leaf

I started jogging last night.

Well, sort of.

I half-walked, half-jogged with dd around the block last night.

I got all red in the face and hot and sweaty, and huffin' and puffin. I'm pretty sure a few neighbors snickered when I went by.

DD ran circles around me. Backwards. Little snot.

Just kidding, she's a good exercise buddy and actually reminded me of some good stuff during our warm-ups. She learned it in gym class. She has boundless energy and a perfect body. She'll be 10 this month and already has started talking about her jiggly thighs@@ I have ot nip this in the bud. First, because she's perfect, and second, because I want her to be happy with and respect her body.

Any way. I'm about to do it again, and it's even more humid.

I'm procrastinating, as you can see. For good reason. I'd rather have a cold beer. But this is better for me in the long run.

I'll let you know if I make it back.

Should've written this earlier

Monday was the perfect early summer evening.

Clear skies, calm water, mild temps.

And no meetings, sports, or other conflicts.

You know what that means?

Yup - a PERFECT night for a boat ride. :-)

Unfortunately, with the high price of gas - not *our boat, but a boat nonetheless.

We went in a friend's open bow 17 ft. boat, out on the bay to a favorite local bar/restaurant with a dock.

Monday's are steak night - beer, butter garlic strip steaks. Yum. And a very nice pitcher of (I'm forgetting the name) Hop Back Amber - or something like that. It was perfect.

I had a feeling dh might call, just as I was pulling out the ground beef to make burgers for the grill. He did. But - I gladly put them away and rounded up the kids. Darling daughter was in the hot tub with a friend and number one son was at the library with a friend.

When I went to get him, I spied him sitting outside of the local pizza parlor with his friends. And I just *ruined his night by taking him to the boat and interrupting his social life. He was really ugly about it. Cuz, yeah, it's torture to go hang out on a boat.

He'll be 13 next month, and I'm all for granting him small freedoms, but he seems to think he's more independent than he has a right to be. He thinks being a teenager is some magical stage where his parents won't interfere with his life.

Hah. Fat chance.

I guess you could say it was an almost perfect evening. A sullen pre-teen put a bit of a damper on it.

I totally stole this

The ABCs and XYZs of me
Accent: A hint of Philly, but not obnoxious, or anything

Bra size: smaller than it used to be. :-)

Chore I hate: picking up dog poop

Dad’s name: Carl Annar W. - very Swedish

Essential make-up: mascara

Favorite perfume: Clinique Happy, right now

Gold or Silver: silver

Hometown: Philadelphia (PA, not MS)

Interesting fact: Don't really have one - hmmm, I'm a PK

Job title: Director of Ministry Development, Administrative Assistant....

Kids: Number one son, almost 13; darling daughter almost 10 (like both have b-days in 3 weeks)

Living arrangements: married, in suburban split level in upstate NY

Mom’s Birthplace: Rosedale, NY (LI)

Number of apples eaten in last week: 1

Overnight hospital stays: two for kids, one as a child, one for elective surgery

Phobia: not sure I have one

Question you ask yourself a lot: Where did I got wrong?

Religious affiliation: Lutheran, ELCA

Siblings: 1 younger brother

Time I wake up: about 6:30... I don't really sleep in

Unnatural hair color: yes :)

Vegetable I refuse to eat: mushrooms... brussel sprouts

Worst habit: hmmm... cursing in front of the children - (yup, me too, Amy) and procrastinating

X-rays: I've had some - neck and spine, elbow, ankle....

Yummy food I make: spanakopita, pastitsio, cheesecake

Zodiac sign: Pisces


Who's next?

Nothing much

After SATC on Friday night, it was a pretty uneventful weekend.

I went to the funeral of an older friend form church on Saturday, went to a minor league baseball game on Saturday night ($10 included a picnic and the game - kids half of that, I bought my own beer - Rohrbach Brewing Company's Highland Amber - yum).

I went to church on Sunday, where I had to do the Children's sermon - okay, you can go ahead and chuckle now. I do this regularly at one church, but at this church, their tradition is that on the first Sunday of the month, the children's sermon is THE sermon. Yup, that's right, delivered by moi. To. the. whole. congregation. At a church that doesn't know me all that well.

Well, I'm happy to report that I did pretty well, if I do say so myself. The gospel lesson was about the wise man building his house on the rock and the fooolish man building his on the sand. Remember the children's song?

Anyway, I brought props with me - always fun with kids. A dishpan, a rock, a small bucket of sand and a pitcher of water. We made sand mud pies in the Sanctuary, up by the altar. :-)
I'll spare you the message, but we had fun.

Number one son and darling daughter went to our "home church" because they had to rehearse for next week's Sunday school program (exhausted yet? I am) and number one son gave ne grief the whole drive there because he had to go back again at night for Confirmation class. :::sigh:::: that s%&# just wears me out.

Anyway, later on, I went to the Greek fest to pick up Greek food for a picnic lunch at number one son's ball game (his team won, he had a 3 run hit!), and went shopping with dd at Target after dropping him off at Confirmation class. I was thinking that I was shopping for *me, silly me. DD found shorts, shirts etc that she loved. At one point she had 17 items to try on.

Anyway, I thought not much was going on, but I guess maybe there was a lot - just nothing very exciting.