The Flow Chart of My Life

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My Long Weekend Update

I splurged and took Friday off, since we had Thursday off for Veteran’s Day. And it was a good thing, too, because I spent all day Thursday cleaning Kayleigh’s room with her because her new full size bed arrived bright and early so we had to make room for that. Then there was dinner and drinks with Jamie that evening at the Celtic Swell, so yes, a day off was much needed.

Tom and I slept in.

Tangent: Can I just say that this is one of the best ways to wake up in the morning (in addition to smoochies from Todd, of course)? It doesn’t normally start off so cuddly. Usually, there’s kneading with his claws on my stomach or my head, depending on how I’m laying, and that’s followed by very loud purring and a wet nose on my face. But eventually, he falls asleep so the kneading stops and he ends up just kind of slides into some groove, be it my arm, my neck, my legs or on my feet.

This is why it’s so hard for me to get up in the mornings.

But I finally did get up (at 11am) to go shop. I went to Goodwill and Value Village to find some non-jean pants. Which I didn’t. I will have to soon, though. The only reason I can wear jeans to work is because I don’t work in the clinic anymore. I’m offsite. But in December, I will have to help out with my department, so I will be onsite every afternoon for two weeks. So, no jeans.

Not good.

Anyway, back to our story.

Friday night, I completely spaced about a girlie party I was invited to, and instead Todd and I (along with the kids and Lydia) watched Temple Grandin. Excellent movie. Excellent. Even the kids loved it. Claire Danes is just beyond incredible.

And then there was teenage girl drama (which I LIVE FOR), and then I finally got to go to bed.

On Saturday morning, Ron arrived to do family pictures for our Christmas card. And let me just say, if you do get one of our Christmas cards, I am well aware that I look like a 45 year old boring, homely mom with a bad haircut and extra 20lbs. Please know this hairstyle (and extra 20lbs) is a temporary setback and the pictures will be better next year. I promise.

Todd and the kids look fantastic. Of course.

After the hell of picture time (picture time with NO ALCOHOL, thankyouverymuch) Todd and I watched a few episodes of Dexter Season 3 while the kids were out in the cottage playing games. The weather was completely icky, so it was a perfect day to curl up on the couch and veg out with a serial killer.

Another tangent? I freakin’ love this show. There aren’t a lot of shows that I can say I freakin’ love, but I freakin’ love this show. Yes, Debra annoys me because she’s so crass and vulgar, but even she’s growing on me. I told Todd, I simply love the characters. Every season there’s a character you know you shouldn’t like. You know they’re going to turn out to be bad, bad people, but you can’t help it. They’re likable. Until they try to kill Dexter. This is one of the perks of Seattle in the winter. Lots of indoor time to catch up on your shows. We should be caught up on all of Dexter by the spring.

Anyway.

At about 7:30pm we got off our butts and dressed up to go to our friend Michael’s Rock Star birthday party. I do love an excuse to wear my black and red wig. A few people thought it was real! (Hmm….maybe I’ll just get this style in a few different colors and wear them until this fugly haircut grows out….) Todd wore the "Chelle Shocked” t-shirt and badge he made for my Rock Star birthday party, so he was my bodyguard.

The party was filled with entertainment, from pole dancing to belly dancing to live music. Michael and Chris’ parties do not disappoint.

But we were home by 11:30pm, because were are responsible parents.

And on Sunday, Todd and I drove up to Bellingham to visit Omi and watch the Seahawks finally play some good football! Nancy and Bob came over, we had an early supper, then it was already time to head back home. In the dark. At 4pm.

I heart Seattle.

Todd went to rehearsal that evening, I curled up on the couch and attempted to watch Sunday night cartoons, but I fell asleep through The Simpsons and The Cleveland Show, then Family Guy wouldn’t come in.

Oh. Did I tell you we got rid of our cable? Yep. That’s why Family Guy wouldn’t come in. We’re kickin’ it old skool now. We got an antenna. And that’s it.

Since you can watch most any show or movie online or through Netflix Instant queue on the Wii, it seemed ridiculous to pay over $100 for cable TV. Yes, I miss HGTV and a couple of other channels, but really? We’re not losing any sleep. Except when Fox won’t come in. I just want to watch Family Guy!

At least we still get football games. That’s the biggie.

Oh, and we cut off our land line, too. Again, ridiculous when every one of us has a cell phone. Maybe mine will ring more often now….

So we’re getting down to basics. Yes, we still have wireless internet, because HELLO? Four of us in the house with laptops, streaming movies, videos and playing games. Getting rid of wireless would be insane. But we’re cutting back where we can.

Look at me! Being responsible.

Yuck.

Dreaming About Blogging

Last night I dreamt that I stopped to get coffee and breakfast before work. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money – just grab something cheap, like a muffin or croissant. But this place only had big breakfasts, with the exception of a cinnamon roll. I debated for a good 10 minutes then finally said, “Well, I guess I’ll just take the cinnamon roll. I can have a salad for lunch…” The woman started chatting as she was getting the roll, and said something to the effect of “Oh, these have an expiration date of 2099, so it should still be fresh..”

Wha…? 2099?

Uh. I don’t think so.

I told her, you know what? I cannot possibly eat that cinnamon roll now. It must have a shit load of preservatives in it, and I just can’t, in good conscience, put that in my body. Thanks, but no thanks.

Then I left.

And I was leaving, I thought, I should blog about this. My readers will be happy to know that I made a good decision.

Then I dreamt that Will Smith and I were playing frisbee.

Yeah, no idea.

Anniversary Weekend Update

Our anniversary weekend started on Friday with pizza and the movie The Losers.

While the movie was no 4 star hit, it was very entertaining. And I just love Jeffrey Dean Morgan (even though I can never remember his name). I still think of him as Denny on Grey’s Anatomy. But, ooh, he was in P.S. I Love You and played an Irish dude. Even better.

Where was I?

Oh yes! My anniversary weekend!

So, The Losers was good.

After sleeping in Saturday, Todd and I did some laundry and really just twiddled our thumbs until it was time to take Kayleigh to her overnight and check into our hotel. We stayed at the Pan Pacific downtown, and after dropping the word “anniversary” a couple of times, were upgraded to a corner room on the 9th floor. We had a lovely view of the Space Needle and Lake Union.

We scoped out the room for a while, then napped (because that’s what you do when you’re in a posh hotel room with no children around at 5pm), then got beautified and headed to dinner at Il Bistro.

It took us a few tries to actually find the restaurant, but once there, it was just lovely. We sat in a cozy corner, with a candle and rose petals on the table. The waiter was wonderful, the food was delicious, and the wine was fantastic.

I will say, however, it was very loud. For being the most romantic restaurant in Seattle, it was a bit of a reverberating cave. The two person tables had the chairs right next to each other, as opposed to across the table from each other, and I’m guessing that’s because they’re already aware of this problem,.

But other than though, it was great.

We caught a taxi back to the hotel, where we immediately popped open the pink champagne that the Junior Hickmans gave us for our wedding (thank you!).

Appropriate, no?

And there was other stuff, and then the cutting of the second edition wedding cake! Yum. And then there was more stuff, and then me drooling on Todd’s chest and then sleepy time.

And then there was coughing at 3am (or was it 2am, with the time change?) which lead to getting up which led to a sneezing fit, and then more coughing, and then an attempt to go back to sleep, but the mood was squashed. I think Todd and I finally officially woke up at 7:30am.

Shoot me.
We ordered room service and read our complimentary Seattle Times, while watching the NFL pregame show. When it finally came time to shower and pack up, my mood tanked and I became a whiney little six year old.

“I don’t WANNA go back home. I don’t WANNA do laundry. I wanna sleep in this fluffy bed! PLEASE LET ME SLEEP IN THIS BIG FLUFFY BED!”

Todd was having none of it.

So, off went (35 minutes before our check out time! I could have had 35 more minutes!), back to our house and our kitties and our laundry and our dirty floor and messy kitchen.

But when we walked in, we saw vacuum marks on the carpet. And the dishwasher was running. Wha..? What’s going on?! Were we robbed? Or….cleaned?

Nope. Tyler woke up feeling domestic, so he vacuumed, did some laundry, and ran the dishwasher (and even put the dishes away when it was done!)

I tell ya, that made coming home a lot easier.

The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging around in our jammies, snoozing and watching the Seahawks get their ass kicked. Even worse than last week! What the hell?!

I’m still being supportive, guys Or, I’m trying to be. Really, I am. But come on, you gotta give a win! Or at least score some freakin’ points!

So, Sunday, not so great.

But the wonderful weekend ended with beef goop and Sunday night cartoons, so we wrapped up on a good note.

And then this week I work a mere three days! I took Friday off, since we get Veteran’s Day off and I somehow have an abundance of vacation time.

What am I doing, you ask?

No idea. Maybe reading. Maybe shopping. Maybe cleaning. Maybe a pedicure. I don’t know. I’m just going to enjoy my day away from the office. And then I’ll come back for a week, and then I’ll work another mere three days, and then we’re at Thanksgiving!

WHICH MEANS DECORATING!

Flashback from Hell

There's a lot of candy in my office.  Obviously.  I've contributed to the pile, as well.  The pixie sticks were trapped at the bottom of the candy bowl on Halloween, so we had a ton left over.  As well as Smarties, Starburst and Candy Money.  Which are just really big Smarties.

Anywho, one of my coworkers came by to grab something, and she, Mr. Cranky Non-decorating Coworker and I all started talking about candy from our youth.  This woman loved Black Cows, the chocolate version of Slo Poke.  I don't think I ever had one, but after hearing her talk about them ("We just suck and suck on 'em before dinner, then put them down in the wrapper until after dinner.  Girl, those things last a week!") I looked them up. 

After she left, Mr. Cranky Non-decorating Coworker and I started reminiscing and then I had that WHACK of a memory, and asked him "Have we talked about those Pepto Bismol pink mint Christmas candies?"  He said, "Oh yes.  Weren't they Brach's?"

YES.  My mother used to set out this bowl of pink, round disks that looked all soft and chewy, but when you put them in your mouth, they were minty chalk.  And quite gross.

Sorry, mom.

So, on my tour of vintage candy, I found the pink mints.  Actually, they're called Brach's Wintergreen lozenges.

What the frick? Were they billed as mints back then?  Or did mom just want to prevent sore throats?

Either way, just looking at them gives me the willies....

A Couple of Random Thoughts

We have a woman in our cube farm who screams when she sneezes. I mean SCREAMS. I told Mr. Cranky Non-Decorating Coworker that one of these days she was really going to be in trouble and no one would help her – we’d all just yell “Bless you!”

Also, Steph says that your sneeze is indicative of your orgasms.
Just FYI.

**********

I’ve gotten many flattering and wonderful compliments on my new haircut. Thank you guys so much.  However, I’m not so sold on it. My hair is too thick for this many layers and it just feels like a helmet.

Which made me think of this as I was leaving for work this morning:

This is how I think I look.
But with brown hair instead of a green lime.  Same shape, though.

**********

There are certain bands or musicians that represent certain periods of my life. When I hear The Cardigans, I think of meeting Todd. I think of the break up when I hear John Mayer. Willie Nelson makes me homesick. And the Waifs make me think of summer. There are so many more I could name….

And now I have a new band to add to this list. Mumford and Sons will forever make me think of Autumn. They are an English band, but have this dark, driving Scottish beat (complete with banjo, accordion and fiddle) . Their lyrics are soulful and their harmonies remind me of a gospel choir. It’s a full, warm, enveloping sound.

I finally listened to the whole album today, and I have to say, there isn’t a track on there I don’t love.

They are an awesome band. And it should be noted that Tyler turned both me and Todd onto them. Go Tyler.

**********

Is it too early to decorate for Christmas?
I WANNA DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS!

Just How Out Of Shape Am I?

From SalsaIsGood.com

My shoulders and upper arms are sore from dancing yesterday.

Yes. I am THAT out of shape.

Just to clarify, I use my arms regularly. Really. But I guess they’re not used to having pressure against them, while pointed upward. HK, my dance partner, is a very strong lead, so when she wants me to turn, by golly, I turn. And when you have a solid frame, the pressure against your arms is pretty substantial.

Not a dancer? Can’t fathom how partner dancing can make your arms sore?

Okay, I give you homework!

Find a partner. Preferably someone taller and a bit bigger than you.
Stand, facing each other. Have your partner raise their left arm. You raise your left arm and put the fingers of your hand flat against the palm of their hand. Act like you’re going to walk to the left of your partner. Have them exert pressure, with their left arm, against your left hand.

Feel that? That’s leading and following. When you haven’t done that in 10 years, an hour of it will make you sore.

It’s a good kind of sore, though.

Rethinking Me

I answered yet another ad. No, not for a vocalist (you know where that gets me), but for a dance partner.

My company has a community news group so people can post things for sale, or items wanted, or really anything. Last week there was a posting from a woman looking for a practice partner for salsa dancing.

And I thought, why not?

I miss dancing. I haven’t been salsa dancing in ages. And while I’m not a good leader, I’m a helluva follower, and this particular gal needed someone to practice her lead with.

We met today at lunch and danced for about an hour. She’s learning tough steps in her class and was impressed that I could follow her so easily. It reminded me how to use my body – keeping a frame, not locking my arms, spotting when I’m turning, keeping my torso straight and only turning from the waist. It all came rushing back after 10 years.

And as an added bonus, I sweated my ass off.

So we’ve agreed to meet up once or maybe twice a week to practice. Add this to my kickboxing classes and I should hit my goal weight of 98lbs in no time!

Kidding, kidding…

What’s funny is, it occurred to me that I don't really seem to have a lot of fear when it comes to emailing strangers. That’s how I met Steve, and Ms. Traveler (my Ballard walking buddy and in some ways, my mentor) and Todd. I’ve met some of the greatest people by blindly (but safely) taking a chance and reaching out.

It’s times like this when I take a step back and I surprise myself. The 13 year old girl in me would be paralyzed with fear at the thought of reaching out and being vulnerable. She was so insecure and afraid and fragile.

But now, the 35 year old in me says, what the hell? What’s the worst that can happen? I would never use the words “secure”, “fearless” or “strong” to describe myself, but there are moments when that’s exactly what I am.

I kind of like this person I’ve become.

Spooky Weekend Update

There was much spookiness this weekend, as there should be at the end of October.

Friday night, the family gathered around the tube for Nightmare on Elm Street. The kids had never seen it. It’s a classic! And it’s Johnny Depp’s first movie! It was just as bad as we remembered, but it was a nice flashback.

After that, we watched Cat’s Eye, a collection of Stephen King short films.

Oh, first we started to watch Thankskilling, but when it opened with a shirtless female pilgrim running from a demonic turkey who used the F word, we decided it wasn’t just a cheesy horror film – it was a waste of electricity to even view it on the TV.

Then we watched Cat’s Eye.

And then everyone retired. Because it was late.

Saturday, up around 9am and domestic until it was time for our neighbors’ Halloween party at 4pm. Todd was a pirate, I was a rock star. As I always am. In my head.

The party was oodles of fun (so many cute kiddies!), and we excused ourselves around 6:30pm to go home and prepare for our own little Halloween gathering. Steve, Stephanie and Aunt Mardie came over, and our neighbors Joe and Carrie joined us a while later, for more noshing, drinking and games.

And then, ack. Midnight and bed.

Sunday was a lazy day of sleeping late and football. I love days like that. I don’t love days when the Seahawks lose 3 to 33, but I stayed with them til the end, despite my frustration. I don’t know how long I can keep this up, though.

And last night was potato soup (homemade, thankyouverymuch. Or, Todd thanks you very much as he made it) and more horror TV (28 Days Later, which is actually a very good horror movie, and the premiere of The Walking Dead on AMC, which is a new series based on the comic book) while answering the door for trick-r-treaters.

Oddly enough, I only had one semi-nightmare this weekend. And I can’t even really remember it now. I know it was about a zombie and I remember thinking, in my dream, this is just because I’ve watched scary movies all weekend.

And here we are at Monday, where it’s 50 degrees and pissing down rain like you would not believe. I made the mistake of wearing my gaucho pants and ballet slippers today and, after my walk to salsa lunch, my shoes are still wet and my feet are pruned. I cannot wait to take a hot bubble bath and read my book tonight.

I love Autumn.

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Nobody really dressed up at work today. So I’m glad I didn’t go all out with face paint and an elaborate costume. I’m in a simple A-line black skirt that comes below my knees, heels, a white blouse and a cardigan. And pearls.

I am a housewife. Because that’s what I want to be when I grow up.

To celebrate a full weekend of Halloween, we will be watching a scary movie tonight for pizza/movie night (yes we’re having pizza because I don’t feel like cooking. Ha. TODD doesn’t feel like cooking. And I don’t feel like cleaning up). Then tomorrow we’re going to our neighbor’s annual Halloween party and Sunday will be trick-r-treaters and maybe another scary movie.

And then, holy crap, we’re into November and the holidays and decorating AND CHRISTMAS!! AND VACATION TIME!!

I’m giddy.
Can’t you tell?

Sears is Cool

Sears has revamped (or rezombed) their website just in time for Halloween.

Very nice, marketing team.

Very nice.

It Appears That Sir Pukesalot May Be Malicious

I was awakened bright and early this morning (6:30 to be exact) by Kayleigh’s alarm clock. She had forgotten to turn it off before she left for her overnight yesterday.

As soon as opened the bedroom door to go turn it off, Tom blew in like he does every morning. It was too much effort to shoo him out, so I just turned off Kayleigh’s radio, fed the kitties, and crawled back in bed with Todd. Tom walked around for a while, trying to find the perfect way to lay on me, but he’s not used to Todd being there. Todd didn’t want to cuddle with him, so Tom kept walking around, trying to get comfortable.

After a few minutes of this, Tom got fed up, jumped off the bed and left the room. Well, okay fine, be that way. There was plenty of room for him to lay on my side, but he just couldn’t work it with Todd there.

A few minutes later, we heard Tom’s tag jingle as he walked back in the bedroom. I figured he was going to try this cuddle thing again.

Wrong.

He walked all the way around to my side of the bed, crouched on the floor and puked.

Really? Right there? I believe his point was made. He was not happy that Todd was in that bed. Morning time is TOM TIME.

So I got up, went and got the paper towels, cleaned up the mess, walked back in the kitchen to throw the paper towels away, patted Tom on the head and said “You can still cuddle with us” then crawled back in bed and snuggled up with Todd.

Not 30 seconds later, I heard Tom at it again, this time at the foot of the bed.

You’re kidding, right? Like I didn’t get the point the first time? It’s a damn good thing you’re cute, Tom.

Back out to the kitchen to get the paper towels, back to clean up the mess and give Tom a lecture, and back into bed. This time, leaving the paper towels on my dresser, so I wouldn’t have to get up again.

Well, by this time I was wide awake, as was Todd. So we made the most of our early day and walked down to Easy Street for breakfast.

I could be angry with Tom, but he had such a rough start in life that I can’t bring myself to scold him. I’m just choosing to put a positive spin on this and say, “Hey! I was up at 6:30am on a Saturday! And I’m not even angry about it!”

Gotta find the silver lining, right?

I'm Sick

{cough}

So I finally got around to posting the updated photos of the cottage on Mighty Tidy. Since there's nothing of interest to read here, why don't you pop over there?

{achoo!}

Weekend Update

The Downings had a lovely weekend up here in the Pacific Northwest.

Friday night is now just Friday Movie Night. No pizza. Our bank accounts and our waists can no longer handle pizza every Friday night. So instead, it was rice and beans and cornbread. And the movie was TRON. Which I choose, and which I didn’t really care for, but thought I needed to see because TRON Legacy is coming out and I know Todd wants to see that one.

Aren’t I a good wife?

On Saturday, I headed down to Covington for Nichole’s birthday lunch and surprise party. I was very proud of Nichole for choosing a teppanyaki style Japanese restaurant. She doesn’t even like Japanese food! But she wanted to do something different, so all of us sat around a big Japanese griddle and watched a chef in a tall hat whip up our lunch. I treated myself to the scallops and shrimp. And a mai tai. Yum. And Nichole drank a whole blue drink, all by herself! She’s getting’ crazy in her old age.

Actually, as I write this, I may need to take mom and dad somewhere like this when (yes, WHEN) they come visit.  I think dad has been there; I vaguely remember a story of him putting chop sticks in his mouth so he'd look like a walrus...hmm.  I think they'd like the food - they have steak and chicken.

Where was I?
Oh.  I got home around 5:30pm from the party and after resting up from the long drive, headed off to the grocery store with Todd.

Remember when I was a party animal and Saturday night meant dancing and drinking and playing pool and flirting with strangers?

Yeah. Those days are over.

Now I grocery shop, and go to bed at 10pm. I say, woohoo.

Sunday began with a head massage by Tom.

What? She likes this. Really.

Did I mention Tom has claws? He never breaks the skin, but boy howdy, it’ll wake you up.

The Seahawks kicked off at 10am, so for the next few hours, it was cuddle time on the couch with Todd and Tom, with coffee and breakfast and cheering my team as they finally KICKED SOME ASS! Good job, ‘Hawks!

Steve arrived for the fourth quarter, so there was some social time, as well.

Then, Todd and I got cleaned up and walked down to a local coffee shop, where we heard that Stephanie was grading papers. After saying hi, Todd and I left her to work and walked on down to Metropolitan Market. We oogled the kitchen wares, then got smoothies and chilled in the café, then perused the market to compare prices and see if we wanted to maybe grocery shop there. They didn’t seem that much more expensive than Safeway, but the experience would definitely be more fulfilling. Metropolitan Market is just a beautiful store. With lots of foofy cheeses.

After getting some wine and a loaf of bread for dinner, we walked back home, admiring the houses in our neighborhood and critiquing the dormers. I’m a big dormer admirer now. We’ll probably end up with two dormers in our master suite, facing west over the front of the house, so I’m trying to get an idea of what I like and what I don’t. I don’t like shed dormers – the flat kind. I like pointy dormers. Which has me learning about roof pitches, too.

Actually, I may be obsessing about roof pitches. So much so, that when driving to work today, I followed a pickup truck with a very tall bed cover, and said to myself “That cover has quite a pitch!”

Anywho.

Todd and I walked home (and passed Marty Riemer and his family – RIEMER!) then cleaned the house then sat down to homemade beef stew (FANTASTIC) and Back to the Future. Because I hadn’t seen it in ages, and that movie takes very little concentration. Sometimes I like movies that I don’t really have to commit to.

And after the movie, bedtime. But Hitch was on (one of my very favorite movies) so we watched that as we were winding down. It was a nice end to the weekend.

And this week is already jam packed!!

Two different contractors are coming out to evaluate our project, plus there’s kickboxing, plus counseling, plus a walk and din din with Val. I can’t believe it’s almost November!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today is my parents’ 37th anniversary.

Or is it 38th? I think they’re just happy that I remember the day. And how can I forget? October 13th. They were actually married on a Friday. In their blue jeans, in front of a Justice of the Peace. Then they had a helluva reception.

You know what I love about my parents? They still love each other so much. Yes, they bicker and yes, I have to listen to them gripe about the other one on the phone occasionally, but when you’re with them, you see them still kiss goodnight before they go to bed and say “I love you”. I see dad strut around in his boxer shorts and slippers just to make mom laugh until she chokes. I see mom pet my dad’s head when he’s tired or doesn’t feel well.

They still visibly love each other.

But they’re also still very strong, independent people. Mom takes off for her sister’s for a night and dad doesn’t go. He doesn’t like sleeping in strange houses. They love being together, but they’re also okay being apart.

My parents are a shining example of what I want my marriage to be like. They’ve always been great role models for how it works – yes, you fight and you maybe don’t like some of the things the other one does, but all that stuff is piddly. It’s the support that matters. Mom supporting dad when he was changing jobs every year or having a hard time making ends meet, and dad supporting mom when she had back surgery, neck surgery and lung surgery. It’s the love and support. And they show it to each other every single day.

Happy anniversary to my two favorite people ever.  Thank you for everything.

1979.  I think. Daddy loved my pool.

Mom could never get the laundry folded.

At the Armadillo, kikkerdancing. After Dad lost all of his hair.

Just an average day for ma and pa.

 

1986 maybe?  Smoochies.  And sideburns.

Reason 46 Why I Hate Texas

There was a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal in the break room today. I guess someone was offering it up to the rest of the office, but had a hard time even looking at the box.

Because ya know what I think of every time I see Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

We were living in Angleton and were very new to Texas and Texas bugs. Clueless, you could say even. My mom used to buy Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit Loops and Cheerios. Those were the staple cereals. Maybe Raisin Brand every now and then if it was on sale.

Anyway, I loved the Cinnamon Toast Crunch. What kid wouldn’t?! Butt loads of sugar at 8 in the morning? FANTASTIC! My love of sugary cereals, however, was soon squashed.

I got up one morning, made a mad dash for the pantry and poured myself a big ol’ bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. And what else came out of the box?

Ants. Thousands and thousands and thousands of ants.
Sugar ants or fire ants – it don’t matter.

ANTS. EVERYWHERE.

I pretty sure I screamed like a girl and put the fear of gawd into whichever parent was nearby. I remember my eyes being so wide they hurt. Why is the cereal squirming?!

Soon after that horrifying incident, mom discovered those plastic cereal bins, with the flip lid. We never, ever had boxes of cereal in our pantry again. Never. Everything was put into plastic bins. Even today, at Pisswilly Ranch. No cereal boxes. None.

We have cereal boxes in our house.
But I don’t eat cereal anymore so I’m safe.

3 Day Weekend Update

The weekend actually started Thursday, with a sever bout of the I-don’t-wannas. I laid in bed until 8am, knowing full well I needed to get up and go to work, but that wasn’t motivation enough. Coffee wasn’t enough, it being my Friday wasn’t enough. I had no gumption.

Not good. Not good at all.

I finally made it to work, but after five hours, took a bit of sick time and went back home, and back to bed. Where I slept until 5pm, and I woke up only because we had dinner plans with Todd’s stepmom.

After dinner, back home, back to bed.

Thankfully, I took Friday off to go to the Seattle Home Show. That was motivation to get up Friday morning, but not as early as I had hoped. At least I got out of bed.

After stopping at Bakery Nouveau for coffee and a twice baked croissant (because you do what you gotta do to be happy sometimes….despite the calories) we headed to Qwest Field to check out contractors, tilers, roofers, designers, awesome hot tubs, little cottages, and everything else your heart desires when it comes to building a master suite.

This improved my mood considerably.

After spending five hours at the Home Show, Todd and I came back home to nap and then host Hans and Ron for the evening. We did the traditional Friday pizza and movie night thing. Very low key.

Saturday, Todd and I spent the day cleaning because 1) the house really needed it and 2) Kim-n-Tim (sans Milo) were coming over for dinner. Tim surveyed the front yard for landscaping ideas (our yard is in desperate need of maintenance) then Todd made his cheesy pasta and fruity salad. We finished off with homemade pumpkin pie (Tim is also an awesome baker) and relaxing chatter until about 10pm.

And Sunday was a mindless-oh-my-gawd-we-have-nothing-to-do-how-can-this-be?! day. Todd made breakfast, then we threw some laundry in. Then Miles came over, then Lydia came over, then Todd and I left. Because that’s too many teenagers.

We toodled around Westwood Village, bought a new clock, then drove down to Alki to get coffee and sit on the beach and people watch. It was odd to not have anything we had to do, to just sit in one spot and be. It made me antsy.

After finishing our coffee (and watching a seagull poop from the sky, right next to us) we decided we should head back.

And upon arriving at home, we found our three neighbors beside us, outside, putting up their Halloween decorations while all their kids ran around between the yards. It was a wonderful, autumn day in our neighborhood. Eventually, after chatting with everyone, Todd and I decided we needed to keep up and put out our decorations. Our neighbor’s daughter came over and helped put spider webs on the bushes, and Todd put the orange lights around the holly bush (very dangerous).

And then the sun started to set and it got chilly, so one by one, everyone went inside to start their dinners. It’s afternoons like that I feel completely happy and at peace.

Todd whipped up some chicken goop (chicken over rice with mushroom gravy, broccoli and mushrooms) and after cleaning the kitchen, we curled up on the bed to organize all of handouts from the Home Show. I cleared out my Holy-Crap-I’m-Actually-Getting-Married wedding binder and it is now our Holy-Crap-We’re-Doing-Construction binder. We have many tabs.  General contractors, architects, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, carpentry, fixtures and flooring. There’s also a section for Pertinent Articles and Concepts/Pics. I may also need a spreadsheet for contact info. We’ll see.

And this week's calendar is already jam packed. Business meetings, kickboxing classes, Bob Schneider show, and birthday parties.

Whew! Who needs a nap?

I need a nap.
I always need a nap.

Gotta talk to my therapist about that…..

What Do You Buy When You Have TOO Much Money?

Why, a throne of course. 
With music.

Only $12,000.

But what a conversation piece!

I Knew I Was On To Something!

From CNN:

Sleep More, Lose Weight, Study Says

Ah ha!!

So if I can get 10 hours of sleep every night, then I should hit my goal weight of 98lbs in no time!!

Kidding.  Kind of.

I think the actual logic behind it is it's probably just let time you're awake to eat. 
Right?

Anniversaries and Other Crap

The only pic I have of us with our new key.

October 1st is becoming a very important day in my life.

One year ago today, Todd and I moved into our new house, and I became a homeowner. My name is on a lot of paperwork with very big numbers. I can’t think about it too much. It makes me nauseous.

And two years ago today, I started my job as a buyer.

**********

TMI? No such thing.

What the hell is up with skin tags? I’ve never had a problem with these things, but in the last year, they’re popping up everywhere! Especially where my bra has rubbed me for the past 24 years (shut up, I was an early bloomer).

Oh.
Wait.

In my googling, I see that they are “most common in people who are overweight.”

Fantastic.

ANNNNYwaaaay……

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There is a distinct change in the air. Autumn has definitely arrived. The sun seems a little lower all the time, the air is a little crisper. The leaves are changing.

And the spiders. MY GAWD the spiders.

[Here's where I would insert the pictures of the spiders, if I had actually gotten off my lazy (loaded word) ass and taken them.  Just image big, bulbous, hairy ones.  Everywhere.]

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Thank you all for your inspirational and encouraging comments as I spiral into my midlife crisis. It’s so heartwarming to know that 1) I have regular readers and 2) those regular readers actually like me enough to take the time to write some kind words for me. You guys rawk.

And you will be happy to know that I am attending my first NAPO meeting next week with my buddy Trixie (not her real name…I hope).

What is NAPO, you ask?

The National Association of Professional Organizers.

Go, me.