I Had Forgotten

I'd forgotten how much fun it is to watch my children play with other children. I'd forgotten how silly my hubby can really be. I'd also forgotten how much I love to swim. How in the world did I forget these things?

It was a surprisingly pleasant weekend. It started with a good, long chat with hubby about intimacy. Not a strange subject for us, but a needed one. I was feeling a bit neglected in that department (surprise, surprise. Men always think they're the ones getting left out). Well, his intentions are always good, but I found myself doing more of the pleasuring then I was getting myself. Of course, it's a pleasure to provide the pleasure, but I need a little too, you know? So, there we were, discussing how to make things better when we discovered how much we're still attracted to each other. Wow! After ten years, I can still rev his engine. It's good to be the Queen.

Saturday, I got up super early and went to a two-day sale in hubby's stead (cause you know I hate to shop) and picked up a new desk for our computer. It was 7:00am when the doors opened and a little man, who got there two minutes before I did, ran to the front door as if it were Black Friday. Scary how some people shop. I can't imagine what he needed so badly that he ran from his car, only to pace back and forth in front of the locked door.

We're so excited because this early morning shopping took us one more step towards a basement that looks like something rather than a war zone. The desktop computer will have a home again and we'll be able to update our sad MP3s that have had the same music for over eight months. Hubby is really thrilled about this. I also picked up breakfast for me and girls. I'd forgotten how much I like Slim Slams (Denny's version of the grand slam with egg beaters instead of eggs and ham instead of bacon or sausage) and how less damaging they are to my waistline. See? It's all about choices. For lunch? Chinese pot stickers. Yum! My daughter had forgotten how much she liked them and kept trying to eat mine instead of her own lunch (orange chicken and ham fried rice).

Later on, my eldest (who the night before left a message for a friend) schemed for a playdate. The girls had too much fun and I had a lovely time talking endlessly to her mother. She was supposed to drop her off and then run an errand, but we ended up chatting about all sorts of things. When she finally left and then returned to pick her up, we chatted it up some more. It's so nice to find a sane mommy in the world.

When dad arrived (later in the evening), we watched a family movie and enjoyed Italian. Can't loose that ten eating like this...I keep saying this! Church on Sunday and then swim time at our local aquatic center. We had great fun, until Indy's lips started to turn blue. We figured that was our cue to get out and get warmed up (even though the water was at a comfortable 72 degrees).

Today has been busy, busy, busy and I'm having more technical drama than should be allowed for one person. Isn't there a button that I can push/type that says, "just make it happen,"? Is that too much to ask for? I'd forgotten how much I like it when everything works when you want it to.

Birthday Celebrations and Big, Big Balloons

The babe had her 7th birthday last Thursday. We surprised her with a birthday party at the local skating rink. She had a blast! (her poor parents, however, will never do this again). There were little kids everywhere! Not to mention the Bounce Zone, the Pirates Cove and near complete darkness, we could barely tell where anyone was. This made hubby very nervous, for fear predators would try and bother the little sweethearts. Despite the pandemonium, the babe made out like a bandit and we established contacts with other parents in the neighborhood. I feel better knowing that there are others I can call on, besides our "stand-by" neighbors. I'm sure they get tired of us.

Friday, I took the day off to spend with the birthday girl. We took her to the mall and she got her first manicure (complete with stickers). She loved it! Then, off to run errands with the parents. Friday evening, I hog tied her to the ground and redid her hair (it was rough!). She looks great, now. I won't let it go so long, next time. Hubby brought Chinese home for dinner to surprise me. What a guy.

Saturday, we were up bright and early to watch the Balloon launch (Ogden City Balloon Festival) complete with all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. The girls loved it, even Indy...who pointed up in the sky at the Balloons floating through the air. Her first experience with hot air balloons. We walked around a bit, but the displays weren't really available (they usually appear later in the day). The babe had a birthday party to attend, so we couldn't hang around and wait for vendors to appear.

She went to her first bowling party while her sister, father and I stayed home and took a breather from the morning events (Dad actually got the neighbor and they worked on sprinkler heads...I guess me and Indy were the only ones taking a breather). The party was a success and she learned how to bowl! I'm hoping to take the family before summer vacation officially ends (school starts next Wednesday). Craziness!

Saturday afternoon, off to grandmother's house we went (grandma wasn't able to join us for the birthday party and felt really bad about it. She decided a sleepover was a great way to make it up to the birthday girl). Hubby and I put the little one to bed early and enjoyed cocktails and a movie. Sunday, we went to church as a family and in the afternoon, shopped a bit for school supplies and clothes. The week has been pretty busy with work stuff and meetings, but I'm trying to keep my eye on the prize (at least ten pounds off before my trip). Yes. I know I won't get there eating birthday cake and pounds upon pounds of Chinese food. TOM is on the way too so, if I can rise above my cravings for the next few days, I think I'll be okay.

Trying it Again...and This Time...

I'm going to try and stick with it. The lummox is gone and I'm going to get off this extra weight I've put on during the summer (stress eating, no doubt). I want to get back on track with what I was doing and get my figure again. I hope that I can push through the dramas of life without loosing my momentum this time. It's difficult...managing work, the kids, house projects, transportation and all the rest while still trying to work on yourself.

Last night, I started watching the Sex and the City series television show again from the beginning (I have the entire series on DVD). I can't help thinking about the comment Bryan makes in that episode of Family Guy; "So, it's about three hookers and their mother?" Too, funny. But seriously, the show is great (despite their more than eagerness to jump into bed with anyone or anything) the writing is clever and funny. I'd like to make sure I'm all caught up before the movie is released.

A Weekend from Heaven (only two days left!)

The lummox was gone for more days than anticipated. I was certainly not complaining and, as a result of his absence, I had one of the best weeks and weekends I've had in a long time. The babe will still off and about in the wilderness, having fun on ATVs and swimming in the lake while I was cleaning my house and taking Indy on our own little adventures.

Saturday, I slept in until 6:30 (late for me) then cleaned up (straightening an organizing several CDs and DVDs in the entertainment center, cleaning the glass coffee and end tables, dusting, vacuuming the living area- including the steps, changing the litter, organizing my room and bathroom) and had everything complete by 8:00am. I then got myself and the baby ready, then off to breakfast at McDonald's, where she watched Toon Disney and ate biscuits, eggs and hash browns. Then, to the park. She swung on the swings, slid down the slide and took a little walk to see the duckies. It was really a great time to go, not only because it hadn't gotten scorching hot yet, but also because there were ducks and geese everywhere! They were eating and grooming themselves and those obnoxious sea gulls were no where in sight. I guess they only show up after the lunch crowd arrives.

After our visit to the park, I stopped at Home Depot to attack a very small home improvement project at my home. The sink in our bathroom's faucet-head had been in pieces for months. It was only a matter of replacing it, but something always happened where we'd forget about it while we were at the store. I picked up the replacement, took it home and beautified my bathroom sink in only a few seconds. Hubby was so proud when he saw it. I also picked up a movie while I was out...May. It was an interesting, creepy movie that I would never have known about, if it weren't for my movie connection guy here at work. We talk movies all the time and we're both fans of the horror genre. The characterization was done really well, even if the plot was thin in spots. Sometimes, that's enough for me...as was the case with this flick. I watched it while snarfing down a cheeseburger and fries...my last for a while. My motivation is comin' on back. Once "he's" gone, I'll be in full swing again.

Indy went down for a nap at 11:00am and didn't wake up until three hours later. Hubby was home, had showered and nearly dressed when she awakened. We drove to Salt Lake to see a movie with friends and Indy did much better with Shrek the Third than with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She basically munched on popcorn the entire time. I guess that's the trick for her. After the movie, we went to the store, then to eat dinner, then home for a night of relaxation and pleasant company. The house was ours and we loved it!

Sunday morning, hubby tells me that he's taken the day off and we go to church together. Many of the members asked about the Babe and where she was (I told you my children and I are joined at the hip). It was sweet because they all genuinely seemed to miss her. After church, we stopped at Lowe's and looked at patio furniture. Lots on sale, but nothing we wanted. On the road again, we stopped at Golden Corral and had breakfast...$12.00 and some change. That will never happen again until we're retired! It was surprisingly good and I ate entirely too much (that's gotta stop) then, after a couple of stops, we were picking up the babe and heading home. She had been crying...missing us, the poor thing. We got home and we all took a three hour nap. Crazy! After the nap, we shopped for dinner, came home and cooked then watched Spiderman 3 (courtesy of my movie friend and his "hook up"). It was great, but I still like part two the best.

Hubby and brother-dear got into last night, with more confirmation that he needs to go home. He's been telling my sister-in-law and his mother all sorts of things about us. Hubby was going to call them and attempt to set the record straight, but he also said that, "My family is going to be them and there's nothing I can do to change them." It could be that they don't believe him at all and their idea that I'm holding him hostage somehow will continue to reign in their minds. Hubby says that his main responsibility is to his immediate family (us) and that he can't keep trying to make them see the light anymore. He did mention, however, that he'll bring up his other brother who started out in much the same way, and then ended up burning down an apartment complex (another story I'll share someday). They believed him until the day he finally admitted to it (even though the rest of us were sure it was him).

Today, I forgot my lunch and took it as a sign that I need to drink lots of water today and fast until dinner. I'm really ready to get back to the workouts and the total regime...my clothes are saying more to me than anything else. Besides, I gotta be hot for my reunion, right? Here's to new beginnings, getting started, motivation and positive energy.

Two Days of Bliss

The lummox has been at my sister-in-law's for the past two nights, and my home has been absolute bliss without him. It's so nice to be able to do things around the house knowing that I don't have him potentially lumbering in to destroy my good mood. The evenings are quiet and event-less (no microwave coming on at all hours of the night, no lights on all over the place, no phone calls to awake a slumbering baby). It's been marvelous! Hubby and I are so ready for his big ass to be gone for good, it's not even funny.

My big girl (the babe) is off on an adventure. She went with friends of my hubby's to a lake just north of here (okay, not "just" north...it's Idaho, so a bit of a drive). She will be joined by other family members of the friends for fun in the sun and splashing in the lake. I hope she enjoys herself and doesn't cause too much trouble for them. They have a son and are probably not used to the sensitive nature of a cry-baby six year old. She was to stay the night at their house last night, then make the drive this morning to the lake.

*Update! Hubby just called and said that they (his friends) said she did really well last night. The played and played, then went downstairs to watch t.v. When hubby's friend looked over, they had both crashed. He also said, as they were packing the RV last night and the babe was wondering around in the splendor of it she said, "Are we ready to go, now?". To which he responded, "No, not yet, honey. We'll be going in the morning. "

"Well, I get up early. I can get you guys up."

Too funny! Hubby told his friend that she definitely wasn't lying about the getting up early. Five o'clock and she's ready for action. I hope she does well for the remainder of the trip.

It's storming in various places in Utah, but not where I work or live. It's sort of a bummer because there have been all of these flash flood warnings and I have yet to see any water. Cars are apparently floating away in these places, but still nothing here. Now, I'm looking out the window and a mass of dark clouds are looming over the area. I'm ready for the rain!