Candy, Rain, Cold, Fun

Two girls ages 14 and almost 11 are in the hall bathroom. They are getting ready for Trick or Treating. They are getting themselves ready. They don't need mom to do anything. As I sit here and listen to them quietly murmuring I am remembering when they did have to have me help with costumes. That wasn't that long ago. We have had dinner already, provided by Costco's pizza. I will be the candy passer outer. When they come home and the candy is all passed out, we will sit by the fire and watch movies. Sid did not feel that well all day so I am wondering what miracle occurred that suddenly makes her well enough to hit the streets. The promise of candy or getting to wear that pirate costume.
Luckily, Bob received his bright orange reflective sweatshirt at his safety seminar today. He will be oh so bright and safe for his charges tonight.
Went to my aunt's today. My little cousins were dressed up for Halloween, soooo cute. The girls and I got our things from my parent's trip to Europe. Very cool. It was nice to spend a rainy afternoon at the lake house. So pretty. Of course it is raining more today than it has all week because it is Halloween and you have to be outside. Figures...
So, lots of pictures to post and I promise not to disappoint. Tomorrow will be just be about the normal and mundane, Bob has a gun show that he wants to go to down south so he will do that in the morning.
Time to go light the jack o lanterns, turn on the spooky music and pour 75 pounds of candy into the giant bowl.

Tomorrow is Halloween

Today Riley has her Harvest Festival. A costume parade, pumpkin carving and party. Quite the day! I had volunteered but never heard back from the room mom. I will show up anyway. After all, I did get my background check and was cleared by the district. So as I type, Riley is once again preparing herself to be the best of the 60's. I think that by tomorrow night she will have it down to a fine art.
I dropped Sid off at a friend's house this morning so that she could walk to school with a gang of girls. Her friend lives half way between us and the school. She asked me if I was going to follow her like I did Riley. I told her yes. I didn't but don't think it did not cross my mind. She did promise to text me when she got to school though. I guess I gotta take what she will give.
The library was closed when I went the other day so will try again. Two books on hold and two books to return. I have been in a bad habit of starting the book in the early evening after dinner and staying awake until I finish it. I have done that like three times. Granted, they are not long, thousand page literary epics, but still...
The girls are off tomorrow. Teacher "in service" day or something like that. I am taking the girls with me over to my aunt's house. She had stuff shipped from California up here. By stuff I mean "treasures" from my grandparents house, and things that my parents got us while in Europe. My aunt will have baby Kate while we are there and that will be fun if she is awake and agreeable to me tickling her and making her do that baby laugh that is like a habitual drug. So dang cute.
When I picked Sid up from school yesterday, she had her friend with her. They talked me into taking them to the Halloween Superstore to look for costumes. Sid had it in her mind to be a female pirate or a witch. We found an adorable pirate costume for her, hat and sword. Of course I will post those pictures. It wasn't easy to find costumes for 14 year old girls. The only range from slut to juvenile. So you can only be a pirate floozy wench or a Spongebob Square Pants pirate. Lucky for her we found an appropriate one and it is borderline at that. Her friend did not fare as well. She went home a got creative I guess. Sid and Ri's big plans are to Trick or Treat in our neighborhood. Bob will accompany them and I will hand out candy. This is great for us because we haven't had a real neighborhood since we lived in Chino. Fun! Reminds me of when I was a kid and we trick or treated the hell out of our neighborhood! Bob says that Sid has to Trick or Treat so he can get candy in return for all of the money I spent on her pirate costume.

Wandering Through the Corn Maze of My Brain

As I begin to post this morning, I have on the oldies rock & roll channel. Steve Miller is beginning with his spacey guitar, synth intro to "Jet Airliner". Whenever I hear this song I think of 8th grade art class. Our teacher was pretty cool, she let us bring in albums and play them on her turntable she had in the classroom. We had never had such a thing! Somehow I conned my mom into letting me order from the record club and my first album was Steve Miller's Greatest Hits. Since I thought that was way cooler than Captain & Tenille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" and I didn't think my dad would let me take anything from his Elton John collection, I took my Steve Miller Band album. Non eventful thankfully and I thought that I was pretty damn hip in 1977. Which leads into my next topic very gracefully, Ipods. I love mine. I have had it for two years now. I know in Ipod years that is like 200 years but it was the newest hippest video Ipod at the time. It holds all 4,000 of my songs just fine. I don't have just songs, I have "podcasts" and videos and a "Saturday Night Live-Best of Will Ferrell Vol. 1" on there. It's so small and yet so entertaining. What a great invention. Also, while I am endorsing all things music, I also am mad for my satellite radio. If you can't find what you want on satellite radio, you are in big trouble. The biggest problem for someone like me is that I am a channel changing button pusher. I go up and down that channel list like a maniac. From 60's to current alternative. I am all over the map, EXCEPT for country. Ick... As I explained one day at work about country music. I feel like the songs are about having some kind of fun country bar b que where cute cowboys pick up on these beautiful girls and take them for rides in their jeeps and it's a party that I am not invited too. And that is only the happy songs. Which is an oxymoron, happy country songs. The sad country songs are just well... too sad. And why do all of the current singers have to have three names? Montgomery Alabama Chad Paisley? C'mon! Not a genre that I have ever felt any love for.

I talked to my aunt this morning. She told me that my great uncle Gordon is in the hospital. He is my grandpa's brother. He is 89 years old so no one can accuse him of not living out his life. He and his wife live in the same complex that my grandparents live in. He has been having some issues and old age in general. His wife, Sue is in pretty bad shape health wise. I have always felt lucky to be in my forties and still have my grandparents and how many people my age can say that their "great" uncle is still around? I am not really close to him, he doesn't really remember us anymore but he is sounds and looks so much like my own grandpa, anyone could tell that they were brothers. It will not be an easy thing for my grandpa. They are two years apart. I know that over the years they have talked every single day, checking in and my grandpa is one of the few people that he still knows and can tell just by the sound of his voice.

GIANT shout out to my BFF Jill. That really is her name, I am not copying the cell phone commercial. She gave me just the right advice today that I needed to hear. LOVE her and love that we have been friends since 1973. Geez...She lives in Minnesota so we don't see each other but phone chatting, email and Facebook have been great vehicles for us. We truly are like unbiological sisters. Because we were so young when we became friends we have been through SOOOOOOOOO much together. We got off track for a while so it makes our friendship sweeter now.
My cat(the shamefully spoiled one) is sitting on the window ledge, making noises at the birds and squirrels, the sun is out and that is a complete surprise. It was supposed to be cloudy and rainy today. I will take this instead. I will probably post another long narrative about me and music someday. I have so much more to say about that subject. I am one of those people that has a soundtrack playing to her life ALL of the time. Yes, there is even a country song or two on there...

Lake Washington this Morning

I had some errands to run, library, post office, etc. I remembered to bring my camera with me. You just never know when you might wish you had it. I stopped at Juanita Beach and walked around. I shot some fall tree color and then made my way out onto the walking pier, I heard some loud sounds, like feathers and water. I looked up and there was large V formation of Canadian geese flying my way. Luckily, I had my camera on and ready to shoot and I did. I got some pretty good pictures. Since I am from So. Cal. these geese are pretty cool to me. I think of the scenic beauty of them migrating, that cute movie about a girl and her geese, etc. The reality in western Washington is not so romantic. They can be a nuisance. My aunt & uncle have problems from time to time at their lake house with them. Can you say "messy"?
Oh well, for this California girl they were pretty neat and a pleasant surprise this morning. Making me glad that I remembered my camera.

Just One More Thing

Got great news, my friend Beth's dog, Cooper got to come home! He is recovering nicely. This is a huge relief to MANY of us! Yeah Cooper!!! What lovely lil doggie he his. Love his sunflower collar thing.

Weekend Things

I went shopping and visiting my cousin and Sid went with me. Bob had errands to run and Riley went with him. Riley helped her dad unload firewood and move it to the backyard. Bob built this great firewood rack for the downstairs patio that will keep the wood off the wet ground and it's covered to stay dry. He is so talented.
Riley planned out her own costume for the halloween party then the boy having the party said that they weren't wearing costumes because they didn't want to ruin them while carving pumpkins. Riley decided to wear hers anyway. We were very proud of her. She didn't care that she was the only one in costume and loved wearing it. I may not have had that kind of guts when I was her age. She had a great time and came home with a bag of candy. We let her take her cool pink camera and she took some great photos of her friend's dog. The dog wasn't even dressed up for Halloween. I guess you can't judge the photographer's choice in subjects...
While she was partying it up, Sid and I did cupcakes. You can see for yourself how well they turned out. I burned my hand and melted a plastic bowl all over the stove but other than that they turned out great.
When Riley got home we watched "Sleepy Hollow" with Johnny Depp. I love him. Riley slept with her light on. We are such good parents.
Had the BEST chat with a good friend this morning. Hopefully I made her drive to Champagne, IL much more exciting. She is so much fun to talk to and I love her to pieces. We have known each other since 9th grade, wow... I know she tries to read my posts when she actually has the internet up and running, so a shout out to her and I wish her nothing but luck and lots of love for her and her cute brood.
Sid is busy trying to thaw out a frozen mouse to feed her snake. The problem is trying to keep my very spoiled cat away from the mouse. He steals them all of the time. So far we haven't lost a mouse yet. You would be surprised how expensive a six pack of frozen mice is.
Bob is home from his Sunday job. He got his evaluation and of course it was full of wonderful adjectives. He asked for a photocopy of it so he could show his daughters. He wanted to prove to them that he isn't the big goober, nerd, out of touch, old man that they so often claim him to be. It's hard to be the hero in your children's eyes sometimes.
Tomorrow begins a new week of school, work, etc. Bob will stay in Seattle tomorrow so that means he will be home tomorrow night. The rest of the week he will probably be up north so he wont be home.
Uh oh, I better go, I just saw the cat run by with something in his mouth and a 14 year old girl yelling and running after him... Lordy....
Peace out everyone...

Bloggin' for a Friday

My hands are still messy from my Panera Roast Beef sandwich. What's a little horseradish on the keyboard?? Asiago Cheese Bread crumbs will make my "S"key stick.
Picture day morning went just as I predicted. I did not throw the hairbrush tho. I was proud of myself. I threw the velcro rollers instead.
A client of mine from way back called me today. Her son and his family live up here. She is up here visiting for the weekend. We wont have a chance to get together but chatted on the phone for a while. It was great to catch up.
I went to Redmond today. They have a Fred Meyer over there that is pretty new. For those of you that don't know Fred Meyer, it is like a super Target or super Walmart. Like the good ol' days of Gemco. Groceries and clothing, housewares, sporting goods, camping equipment, stationary, you name it, they got it. The one in Kirkland is old and reminds me of the one I shopped at when I lived in Portland. This new one is two stories! Amazing. I got chicken stock and sandpaper all in one visit. Now that is cool. That's how I got my Panera fix. They have one in Redmond. I love it, their sandwiches, salads, red pomegranate tea, bagels, I could go on and on. It did make me sad tho, it used to be the meeting place for me and my friends in Calif. We would meet at the one in Fontana and just have coffee and lots of yummy baked goods and talk and laugh. I miss that and them so much. Then I went clothes shopping and bought some new things just in case I actually get a job. I thought maybe by purchasing some new clothes it would motivate me. We will see...
My cousin Jill isn't feeling too well so am going to go start a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. Soup and some good movies to watch will fix her right up! Let's hope so anyway. She is such a sweet thing.
Riley will spend the better part of tomorrow afternoon/evening at a party across the street. One of her bestest buddies is having a good old fashioned Halloween party. She is going to be a hippy. I will be sure to take a photo of her in her John Lennon glasses and post it. As long as she doesn't ask me to help her do her hair we will be fine.
I am hoping that my Corgi friend, Cooper the handsome boy is doing better. His updates sounded like he was on the mend.
Have a fabulous weekend.

Just Add Water

Yes, I did post already today. I am needing to release right now. Not an angry release, just a "spilling forth".
Met with Riley's teacher as I said earlier. It was enlightening to say the least. We have been dealing with some issues for a long time now and I think it has all come to a head. Her teacher is great and is going to help us through some of Riley's learning obstacles. It is something we will pursue and it is fixable.
Sid has had an admirer. He has called and expressed interest in her. He has some drama in his school life and seems to have an interest in a lot of girls. Not Sid's cup of tea. She plans on telling him this. I admire that girl. She can hold her own.
Riley would like a Betta. Or Siamese Fighting fish. We have had lots of these thru the years. They are sturdy and live a long while. This will be her "reward" for good school work and good room organization. We have had two aquariums in the last 10 years. Both freshwater. We started small and then went to an 85 gallon. That big one was easy but when you had to do cleaning, etc. it was a pain just because of the size. We got rid of the big one before we moved. We were buying frozen mice the other day and looked at aquariums and fish. Kind of got the bug again. Something small, fun, relaxing.
Bob came home tonight, we were glad. He will be home for the next three nights now. He will work on firewood so we can have a practice fire in the stove downstairs. That will be great, it is sooo cold down there! Kinda basement like and it is our family room with the big t.v. so not pleasant when you have to wear your parka while you watch television. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Lots of things this week but still not that eventful. I am glad. No matter what you think, I am not a lover of the drama. I avoid it if I can. It is because of my profession I'll bet.
Riley's picture day tomorrow. Last year she wore her bright aqua green Girl Scout sash with her regular clothes. We had to do retakes. No worry about that this year. We will get up a bit early and do her hair. She will watch me like a hawk and tell me exactly how to do my job. She will complain about something I am doing and I will resist the urge to scream and throw the brush across the room.
One tantrum thrower in the morning is more than enough.

Quiet Time

It's so quiet that I can hear the old clock ticking, the hum of the fridge, creaks and groans of the house, a car or two traveling by. It is rare for me to have it this quiet in the house. I am that person who turns on the radio or T.V. just for noise. I think it is a habit born years and years ago.
I am meeting with Riley's teacher today. We have some "issues". I will elaborate later depending on the outcome. Of course I am the parent so I am sure none of this has to do with Riley, I am sure the teacher is to blame. Right...
Went and got my hair cut this morning. My cousin and I made our appointment together. This way works well, she can get her hair cut and I can keep an eye on her freakin' cute kids. I got the lil sweet Kate to do her baby laugh. The best sound ever. One laugh and I was hooked, I had to keep trying and was rewarded with a few more and some big smiles. Her older sister cracks me up. She is hilarious and sweet and a little bit adorable.
Started out cold, dark and rainy this morning but that big yellow ball of light is shining bright now. Two gorgeous days in a row. How lovely.
My man may get to come home tonight so I am going to get the kitchen picked up and dig something out for dinner. When he isn't home the girls and I don't do much for a formal dinner. Oh bother...
WOW, Thursday already. Sid's last match is today. A tournament at her school. She didn't make the final playoffs which surprised us but she dressed in her tye-dye team shirt and will still be there for support. I am hoping volleyball is on the horizon.
Okay, stop typing and start cleaning. I have to boss myself around or nothing will get done.

Technology... Friend or Foe

I had done up a slide show of fall and pumpkin patch pictures and posted it on Sunday. For some unknown reason it was fine and then it wasn't. I had shot a lot of pics and use the slide show format so you can see a bunch at once. oh bother....
I will try again later.
Beth is my dear dear dear friend in California. She has been through so much lately to say the very least. Her adorable dog, Cooper has been quite ill. It sounds as though he is slowly doing better. He is a Corgi(like Queen Elizabeth's dogs). Beth is a collector of all things Corgi. When I think of a prayer for Cooper I think of Corgis with angel wings floating around Cooper and him recovering rapidly because of the Corgi dog angels playing harps and wearing halos and white gowns. It is Beth's fault that I have conjured up this Corgi angel image. She has shown me that you can buy anything Corgi if you so desire. So now Cooper needs to get his lil (and I do mean little) legs up and moving around, eating, drinking and just being Cooper. He's such a handsome boy, yes he is, yes he is...

Stop your Bloggin and Go to Bed

It is getting late, had to watch Saturday Night Live that I TIVO'ed. The one with Sarah Palin. I TIVO it every week. You gotta clean out your TIVO so it can do its job. I have had some great phone calls in the last few days. My best friend from Minnesota called just to chat. We are doing a book club together. We have two books that we are supposed to read and I have finished both of them. She hasn't read either one. She told me I need to get a job, she is right. I talked to my father in law's wife. They live outside of Reno, NV. He has had two surgeries in two weeks. He has come out of both just fine. He has some major heart issues, I know that this is hard on him and thankful that she is there to support him. My ex business partner and friend called tonight. Great to hear her voice. Got caught up on all the news.
Went to Walmart today. I usually am a Target kind of person but sometimes you can't beat Walmart. I know someone who wont shop at any store with the word "mart" on the end. But then I think "what about Diamond Mart or Liquor Mart"? With the way the economy is going I am sure Walmart will become even more popular. The Walmart is about 15 minutes away. It is nothing like the one in the High Desert. I wont go into why it is better but you can read between the lines on that one. Let's just say that I didn't feel the need to bring my Spanish dictionary with me today.

Speaking of So Cal, My parents and aunt are all home from being in the desert to see my grandparents. My parents are happy with where they are living. My grandpa just got a scooter so he will be terrorizing the place soon. My sister suggested that we "pimp his ride". That kills me... I know that my aunt, mom and dad are all glad to be home.
It POURED at my house on and off today and lots of thunder. It was neat. Bob came home tonight but not sure if he will tomorrow night. It was a cold, wet long day for him.
I have much to attend to tomorrow so I am going to dream land but don't worry, I will be back soon.

Pics from the Pumpkin Patch

Sunday Sunday... dah dah dah

I know, I know, it's "Monday, Monday" by the Mamas and the Papas. It is Sunday and I couldn't shake it out of my brain for the post title...
Just finished helping Riley make a late breakfast. Probably closer to brunch. She is a great helper. They are both going to be great cooks. I put on a pot of chicken to boil for chicken noodle soup. Perfect weather for it. The picture above was taken yesterday. The girls and I were coming home from the pumpkin patch in Redmond/Carnation. East of here about 30 minutes or so. The whole drive there and home was stunning. I was afraid I was going to wreck the car because I could not quit looking at the scenery around me. The P-patch was fun. The little kids had a blast. My kids being older had fun too. They both rode rides with the kids and then after lunch we went on our own to the corn maze and pumpkin field. We didn't get too lost in the corn maze, it was only 7 acres. Only... So we have three pumpkins just sitting outside on the front porch waiting to be cut into. Right now they are keeping the purple and gold mums company, looking pretty and fall like.
As I post this today, I am being serenaded by the sound of Bob's chainsaw. It was a regular thing every weekend in So. Cal. We used firewood like crazy. So to hear it start up today was kind of a nice familiar sound. I am sure the neighbors aren't as fond of it as I am. It'll wear on my nerves soon too.
Sid is working on her Power Point presentation for homework and Riley is giving my cat a bath. According to her, "he stinks". Now he will smell like cucumber melon for a day. They left the breakfast dishes for me to do, so thoughtful.
I will tidy up and continue with my Sunday chores. I have the stereo blaring with Eric, Elton, Queen, and more 70's hits. Love that satellite radio.
Bob leaves early tomorrow morning for work. Sid's final tournament is this week and I am going to the beauty school too. Will be a busy week but don't worry everyone, I wont let my posts get too behind, it is therapy for me. I need to go out and get a life so I can write about it and add my jaded, prejudiced outlook to all things.
Have a great Sunday, don't think about Monday too much, it'll show up whether you want it to or not.

A Couple More Snaps

Just had to add a few more pics that I took on the way to and from the library today.

Da Hood

Just a couple of pictures I took around my neighborhood this morning. They aren't the greatest because it was cloudy out(big surprise) but the tree color is so beautiful around here.
THE BEST thing happened to me this morning! I called my sister to chat and got to talk to my niece for quite a while. Sooooo sweet. Cute, sweet, hilarious, smart, just like her auntie. I will be walking on cloud nine all day...


Had a great LOOONNGG conversation with my favorite sister. Very theraputic. Had to catch each other up on our lives.
Bob called early this morning and should be home by 5:00 or so. Unless they have to do overtime. He says he feels like he has been gone for a month instead of a week.
Tomorrow the girls and I are going to a pumpkin patch east of here in Redmond. We will meet the cousins there. They have a corn maze and stuff too so the girls should have fun. Great photo ops for me. Hopefully the weather is cooperative.
Happy Friday to everyone, have a great weekend, relax, etc.

Girl Time

Wednesdays are minimum days for the girls. I had some shoes to return at the mall so we decided to shop and have dinner. Since dad is not home we can do that. It was chilly but otherwise fun. Outdoor malls are great for retailers. If it is really warm out you rush into every store for the air conditioning or if it's cold you seek out the heat. I would have hung out at Twiggy's tall and skinny store if they had the heat on. Early dinner and then home to do homework, showers, etc. Bob called and will be up north again next week but is planning to come home a couple of those nights. He will bring firewood home a couple of nights. We have a wood burning stove downstairs and am ready to use it. We had a stove in So Cal and used it tons. It has been cold enough to use it here.
Sid is almost ready to walk out the door, she has two quizzes today so lots on her mind. The cats are running up and down the hallway, fighting, pouncing and wrestling with one another. It sounds more like a buffalo stampede than two cats. When you are downstairs and they start their run you would swear that they would fall thru the ceiling. Crazy animals.
We found two Beatles books on sale yesterday at the book store. Riley has been offering up bits of Yoko, Ringo and Paul trivia to me this morning. It's too early in the morning for Yoko Ono trivia...

How Cute She Is

My dad sent these pics of my adorable girl. She is the cutest lil niece an Auntie could ask for.
Up early to a foggy morning. It would be perfect for a Halloween movie. Short day for the girls. Have to go over to the mall and return some shoes. We will have dinner over there too, girls night. Bob is doing well, talked to him this morning already. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Familia

Had a NICE visit with Aunt Jackie and Uncle David. Uncle David said that life is too short and when you are only a couple of hours away why not stop and visit a while? The girls and I were glad they did. Will be anxious to hear from my mom and aunt while they are in Calif.
BEAUTIFUL, sunny day and not chilly at all. I actually vacuumed my car and did some outside chores in my string bikini. Just making sure you all are paying attention.
Want to say hello to my father in law, Chuck. He has been reading my posts, hope his procedure goes well.
Well it's bachlorette night with the three chicks. They have so much homework that we probably will have to stop partying by 11:00 or so. I am punchy today, could you tell?? With Riley being out 4 days last week she has lots to make up for. She seems to be grasping math a bit better. Bob and I are hoping it clicks for her with all the extra help she is getting. Will post some shots I took soon, just enjoying the Halloween graphics while I can. Look out for the turkey graphics, they will stun and amaze you. Got to get busy on those cute Halloween cookies we have waiting. I have only spent about $80 on sprinkles so they will be magical.
I know a lot of people share this feeling of disbelief that it is already the middle of October. I keep thinking we still have to celebrate Sid's bday and it has already happened. I look at the calendar and swear that it is an evil, lying menace hanging in the kitchen.

Good Evening

Man. Haven't posted in the evening in a long time. Bob left early this morning for work, he will be home Friday afternoon. Spoke with him a couple of times today and all went well for him. He said that where he working is really beautiful. It pretty much rained all day on him as it did here but not really cold like it has been.
Got more sad news yesterday, one of my old clients passed away Sunday. He was still so young and so talented. He was a musician and used music to help people to connect and worship. I have known him for about 15 years and his wife and her family. Truly sad... He will be missed by soooo many.
My aunt and uncle have arrived. They got here this afternoon. Great to see them. We got all caught up and shared pictures, etc. I drove them past Lk Washington and there were about 5 or 6 wind surfers on the lake. It was windy and the lake had lots of white caps. The kites or parasails or whatever they are, are really colorful and it was neat to see them on the lake. Next time I see that, I am gonna be ready with my camera and shoot some pictures even if it is pouring. I made a good mexican feast and they brought the marionberry pie. Yum... delish...
Sid had her last match today. They lost overall but she won her match. Next week will be her tournament. Riley is feeling much better, she was such a huge help tonight. Since dad is away she is sharing my giant California King Tempurpedic bed with me and the cat. I am glad I got a bigger bed, with animals and kids and all.
Aunt and Uncle leave in the morning, they will make it as far as Idaho and are trying to get back to Illinois in a timely manner. It has been a long time since I have seen any of my Illinois family.
Sweet dreams to everyone and will post later this week.

Scattered and Random

A very quick post. Bob leaves early tomorrow morn. for Burlington, WA. He will stay up there even tho it is only about an hour away. He needs to try to get the whole new job thing down and then maybe start coming home the following week. They pay for him to stay up there so why not? The girls and I are already making plans! HA! We are going to find some good sushi places and possibly try some Thai food. There's tons of it up here. Riley and I are big sushi fans. Riley is claiming that she still has a sore throat, etc. it has been a week. I will pry her mouth open and dig around with a flash light to determine what is going on. She has been on antibiotic too so not sure what the deal is. School-phobia? Dontwannacleanmyroom-phobia? hmmmm... My aunt & uncle are supposed to be here sometime tomorrow and I haven't done much in the way of getting ready for that. Am on my way to shopping in about 5 minutes. Bob needs a long list of stuff so gotta get in gear.
The nights have been really cold up here! I have gotten long flannel pj bottoms for all of us and long sleeved shirts. In the desert I wore short sleeves and flipflops all winter long cuz the salon was always warm. So I never bought winter clothes. I am needin em now. I broke down and bought a pair of regular length jeans the other day. I usually go with capri length but not any more.
So, am looking forward to seeing some family tomorrow, they wont be here very long but it will be good to visit a bit. Sid starts her badminton tournaments this week and next and then it's all over. She has loved it. I have too. She and her dad are gonna get a bit of practice time in today when he gets home from his Costco job. He will have to get all of the birdies off of the roof first.
I promise I will call the beauty school this week too!
Got to have a nice long chat with my mom. They are happily at home now. Lots to catch up on for her, three weeks of laundry. They had a great time in Europe but are glad to be home. Can't wait to see some pictures. They leave for So Cal in a couple of days. Weird that I wont be there. Our house is occupied there now. What a relief. While it is no where near the monthly expense at least it is something. I guess I had better get a job... uuugghhhh.... Have a great Sunday and will of course post later this week with all of my boring mundane same old same old but it is cheaper than therapy....

I been working on the railroad...

However that song goes... Bob will find out today how far out of town he will have to go next week. It could be one hour away or two hours away. One hour would be great because he could come home at night. We have to go shopping tomorrow for him. They have to have certain things that the railroad requires and pays for, clothing, safety glasses, boots, etc.
Riley is home again this morning. She is a bit better but today is Friday and why make her go for one day. She needs to get better so she can help her sister clean this house. I am cleaning this weekend for company which I find is always a good motivation. I did decorate for Halloween so was thinking that I would leave the house messy and call it the Haunted Mansion. I think on my feet...
Badminton was okay yesterday. Kind of a cruddy team that they played, their Gym sucked too. LOW ceilings and if the birdie hit a rafter it was considered out. That team practices with the low beams, our girls don't. Plus Sid is pretty sure that the team they played cheated on their final score. Trust me, that is the only way that they could win. Listen to me go on! I am the badminton information station. And to think I didn't know nothin' that long ago.
My parents should be home or close to it, they called and spoke to Riley, I was at badminton. They will be tired for a while. They are going to So Cal next week and meeting my aunt from WA there. They are all going to kind of finish up and help my grandparents with the whole moving thing. My grandparents have done well with the move but can use some help I am sure. I will offer up as much prayer as needed for my mom and aunt. Remember patience. That is funny coming from me, who has NONE.
Have a marvelous weekend everyone, the weather people up here are claiming that we will see the sun!

blahsville

I think I am emotionally hung over from yesterday... Plus I am just a hormonal wreck. I think it may have started with the presidential debate last night. Is anyone else SICK of this? Bob and I are for sure. I am not watching Fox news today, it will just throw me into a tailspin, economy, election, AIG buttholes, etc.... BUT the sun is shining and that is a very good thing for my mood. Will go cut my lil cute cousin's bangs today. She always cracks me up.
I just feel crabby and miss my niece. I have a sick child home again today. Having her home sick is no big deal, she is almost 11 and can entertain herself and will sleep half the day. I just feel bad for her. I am really making an effort to get at least 4 loads of laundry done today too... hooo huuummm.... Sid had a nice birthday. They announced her name over the PA at school(they do everyone's bday) and they pronounced it "Cindy Houston". I guess one girl's last name was so hard to prounounce that they just used the first initial of her last name. It's just kids that announce everyday so they don't put too much effort into it.
The bank just called from California, they said I am overdrawn. I must admit I was going to get on the banking thing this week and let it go by the wayside. Thank goodness they still believe in calling you. That makes my mood even brighter...
I still have to call the beauty school too. I don't wanna!!!!!(use your whiny voice when reading that part). I don't know why I am so conflicted about it! Crap... I have like 10 books from the library for reading pleasure and so I don't crack the the beauty school book and study it. The structure of hair, nails, feet, hands, skull, face, it's sooooo boring and doesn't have much to do with what I do! (whining again)
I am quitting now, no need to subject everyone to my lovliness, BUT today's post should put you in a great mood because your day has gotta be better than mine! No need to thank me for my consideration. If you find yourself in a bad mood just think " at least I am not having a day like hers" and that'll perk ya right up I am sure!

Birthday Party

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday to my 14 year old baby girl. Her dad and I are not in love with the idea but we will have to get over that. It's just hard on us. We just went to the doctor and heard your heartbeat for the first time. We just just saw you on the first ultrasound. We just checked in to the hospital with Grammy and Auntie in tow to wait for you to show up. It was only yesterday that we held you in our arms for the first time, your giant beautiful eyes staring at us. You were so alert and when they put you in the "french fry warmer" Grammy still tried to cover you up with a blanket. Daddy and I remember everything that was a first for you. Your unwillingness to act like a newborn put us in our place. You were an old soul from minute one. You were the first child, first grandchild and first great grandchild. None of us could get enough of you. When we watch video now it cracks me up how much we tried to get your attention and called your name constantly. You were and are the most beautiful thing. Inside and out. You are your parents other brain, other arms, we rely on you to take care of us sometimes instead of it being other way around. You have given us 14 years of joy and 14 years of heartache. Not the kind of heartache that some endure just the kind that every parent has. We never worried like we do now that you are here, we never were paranoid like we are now that you are here we never lived in fear like we do now. You changed us for the better but we also became afraid of so much. It's every parents nightmare that they cant take care of or protect their baby. We know we can't all of the time but we will sure try. We hope we have given you something in return for all that you have done for us, most of all we have just loved you with our whole beings. If we could give you the "moom" we would baby. Happy Happy Birthday sweet girl, don't forget while you are moving so quickly ahead to look back at your old stodgy parents once in a while. Give us that smile of yours and let us know we did good by you. We are proud of our now 14 year old "bird"... Love you baby.

A Scary Attempt at Being Different

Monday is the "get your junk done day"

Had a very nice party for Sid at my aunt & uncle's house. Rainy day so we stayed indoors. Mexican food and yummy birthday cake. Everyone gave Sid awesome gifts. The little kids were so cute. Natalie was so excited for Sid to open her gift, she picked it out herself. It was a great purple top. Sam and Lauren were just thrilled to have cake and see what presents a 14 year old gets. I bet they felt sorry for Sid wondering where the toys were. A big thank you to the auntie for hosting us in the big house!
Today is Bob's first day of training on the new job. He was feeling pretty groovy about it all this morning. His giant warehouse retailer job wants him to stay on and work one day a week like Sat. or Sun. mornings. Will be excited to hear all about his day today.
Sid has a match today. She tried to convince her dad that she should be able to stay home on her birthday. That was pointless...
Today is Riley's first day of volleyball. It is an hour after school every Monday. Band in the morning early and volleyball late, so Mondays will be long days for her. Luckily she is young.
I have the usual Monday crap to do. Laundry, errands, library, kitchen, kids, dinner, etc. good times.
Am just finishing the second book from two that go together, "Gilead" and then "Home: A Novel" by Marilynne Robinson. She is very good writing in the male voice of a pastor and his spiritual views. They say that you don't have to read them in order but I would. They are not volumes one and two like a sequel situation, they are written so they appear to be simultaneous with one written by a pastor and one written by his best friend, a pastor's daughter. Their differing perspectives of events is written very well. Asking the ever popular questions of faith and the Bible. Prodigal son, born bad or turn bad, genetics vs. environment, etc.

Rainy, cloudy today and a bit chilly.

Ya'll might want to pull some tissues out for tomorrow's post. I am just warning you up front. It is my oldest baby's 14th birthday tomorrow. I plan on a mom's tribute full of hearts, flowers, birds twittering, sniff sniff, tissue... I am pathetic.
This is Riley, cousin Sam and Sid the bday girl wearing her tiara.

The Hundred Acre Wood

Just a short post this cloudy and cold morning. LOTS of rain and wind yesterday. It was just like on Winnie the Pooh, a "Blustery Day". Dad got the cake, mom got the plates, napkins and candles and we are set for the bday party today. Will get my self in gear and get ready for church first. Bob had a shoot down south today so he will meet up with us later. Would have been nice to have a sunny day for the lake but we have lots of indoor things to do and it will be fun. Will post pics later and am saving my crying for her real bday on Tues. sniff sniff...

Badminton video ll

So Much to Post- So Little Time

Where do I begin? I am posting a link from the Wall Street Journal. It's an article written about the debate last night. I enjoyed it. If you are not a Sarah Palin fan that's okay, don't read the article. BUT if you dig Sarah then it's a good quick read about the debate.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/declarations.html

I also am putting some video on here. Just a quick one. It is of Sid playing at her badminton match. It's not that she is some Olympic hopeful but she did a great job yesterday. It's been great to watch her improving at every match. We recieved news that we will probably have renters in our Calif. house. That has been STRESSFUL. Two house payments/rent... not fun. I really, truly have been praying everyday about the Cal. house. Raining on and off all day today, but not really cold. Bob let me sleep in this morning and took the girls to school for me. Very nice. Am helping Bob list some items on Ebay. He has collected(I call it hoarding) so many historical items, etc. and sees that there is a good market for them on Ebay. It has been an excercise in patience for me. Not one of my stronger qualities. Patience is a virtue, blah, blah, blah

Homesick and Being Almost Eleven

Very gray this morning but not cold or windy, I love it like this. Going to Costco today, maybe I will see that cute guy that works there. He is in the maintenance dept. so you don't see him out on the floor a lot but I catch a glimpse of him every once in a while. I have a huge crush on him. My fantasy about him is all good until he and I actually speak and he asks me if I bought beer and cat litter... oh well a girl can dream. I did hear that he will only be there two more days and that he got a new job. Now I will never see him!
Sid and I decided on a Mexican food menu for her lake house b-day bash. No margaritas for the 14 year old tho. I am going to Costco to get the goods and order a cake. That handsome maintenance guy said he would pick it up for me on Sat. after he finishes work. Hopefully he isn't like Don Draper on Mad Men and forgets to bring the cake home.
Riley had a very rough night last evening. A good friend of hers from So Cal called to let her know that another friend of theirs lost her home in a fire. Riley said that last year she always helped her friend with her homework, etc. because her mom and dad weren't together and often this girl didn't have the resources for getting her work done. Riley helped her out quite a bit. She feels terrible now that she can't help her when she thinks she would really need it. She emailed one of her old teachers and that helped to make her feel a bit better. Big sister even let her sleep with her last night. See, they really do love one another.
She seems much better this morning she has been standing in front of the bathroom mirror, straightening her hair with the flat iron for 30 minutes. I can hear the hairspray can, clack clack of the flat iron, hairspray, clack clack. Nothing like the regime of beauty to take your mind off of your troubles. She has changed her clothes THREE times already this morning. She is the true "celebutante" of this family. AND she is only in 5th grade. I expect her to request a trip to MAC soon for makeup! It's interesting that she can go from glam girl to tomboy with 5 inches of mud on the back of her jeans in two seconds flat. Versatile, that's what I am calling it.
SO, an episode of homesickness from the baby girl last night, which made Sid and I confess our homesickness too. Luckily that guy that I brought home from Costco was sound asleep or we would have gotten a well meaning lecture on how good we have it here. He is right but sometimes you just don't want that reality talk invited in to the pity party.
So, makeup done, hair done, low cut top, jeans, etc. (it's me I am talking about, not Riley) and I am off to Costco to shop for food, drink and that man of mine.

Slideshow Pictures Around Our Neighborhood

I can't take all of the credit for all of these shots, Riley took many of them as well. She used her new cool camera that she got from Grammy and Papa! I think she will make them proud!

I Dig the Facebook Thing

Just some quick random thoughts and wanderings. That big yellow ball is showing its face up in the sky right now and I want to go for a walk and take some pictures. The leaves are calling my name.
News about my cousin is all good. Our prayers sure did work and things are good. Girls are off to school. Riley early today for band. My wild cat who thinks he is my child is rubbing his chin all over my laptop. He is shamefully spoiled. I wish he would go find himself some "Kitty sun" and leave me be.
Another badminton match tomorrow- away. All of the girls got new partners so we will see how this affects the match.
I did clean out the TIVO a bit yesterday. Oprah was appalling. An entire family hooked on heroin except for the 18 month old baby. Sad... Did get some of that pesky laundry done tho.
I gotta crack the cosmetology book sometime today. I am still in denial. I need to decide if I need school refresher for the practical test or not. It's not that I don't want to go forward doing hair, just DO NOT want to take the tests! UUUGGHHHH.
Well, listening to my morning radio show from L.A. (gotta love the internet) while I type.
Can I just say that I love "Facebook"!!!! I have been connecting and reconnecting with so many people. It's like a myspace for adults. Pictures, messages, etc. Seriously, if you are not on there give it a try, you can make it totally as private as you want also.