Happy Halloween!

I tried on my costume last night. Um, it's tight. Seriously. Painted-on-tight. Well, not tight like X-rated tight, but still tighter than I thought it would be...and it's velvet. I guess I didn't think it would be from the picture. It's going to keep me roasted warm today and this girl has a tendency to sweat buckets, when nervous. So, the tight velvet costume, coupled with wearing it to work in the presence of all my coworkers and a bit of nerves at that? I better bring a few empty buckets.

Here's the odd thing, though. I'm really kind of stoked! It fits better than I thought it would. A small ponch in the front, but I did have a baby less than two years ago (and by C-section). The arms look good, the legs look pretty good, and the butt looks much better than expected. These are reasons to celebrate, yes? As I work on this body it appears that it is starting to pay me back by looking better. Who knew?

So, along with this skin-tight outfit comes my long "come hither" black haired wig and silver/black eyelashes. I'm wearing a huge, rhinestone bracelet, ghetto bling rhinestone studs in my ears, glitter dust eyeshadow, my poppin' lip gloss, I painted my nails N.Y.C. White Lights Glitter last night and finally a few short sprays of glitter all over (cat's like shiny things).

I hope I'm a hot kitty (um, not the sweating buckets hot) that doesn't embarrass herself too much. I feel badly that the babe can't wear her costume to school this year. They opted not to do the Halloween parade and hosted the literary night instead, which was fun, don't get me wrong. My youngest and I will be sporting ours momentarily and I'm hoping that it doesn't make the eldest feel bad. She still seems to be really excited about the Halloween party they're having today and the trick or treating she'll be doing tonight. I'm personally glad her dad will be home at a decent hour and is off tomorrow. By the way? I didn't even have to talk to him about my ordeal (read yesterday's post). He attacked me, once we got to bed last night. I just love it when he reads my mind. It's so much easier than hashing things out.

Happy Halloween!

Do I Break Out the Toys?

To begin, this is a TMI post so, if you're not ready for lots of random information about me not getting any, than move on.

Normally, hubby and I are usually pretty frisky for an old, married couple. I'd say three to four times a week on average (that could be a veritable drought for others, but I consider myself pretty fortunate). Earlier this week, I sent my hubby to the heights of heaven (or thereabouts) but I was left hanging. This happens more when he's working those crazy 12 to 14 hour days of his. He just doesn't have the energy to give it back. I understand and usually suck it up like a trooper; however, this past time I was really irritated. We had a mild argument, which ended with him snoring loudly enough to wake the dog (no small feat).

Last night, we finished watching Grindhouse: Planet Terror (you gotta check it out, if you like exploitation films). We were in bed earlier than the night before but hubby was exhausted. He fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Frustration ensues. I've been creaming beneath for two days with no satisfaction.

There are alternatives, do I break out the toys? I usually like to save them for use with him but, seeing as it's going on three days and I'm feeling like a corked-up geyser, drastic measures may need to be taken. I'm sure I'll talk with him about it but I also understand that kind of stress all this work puts on him. Most of the time, he has no problem and can find it within him to deliver anytime. My issue is that the frustration is coming out in other ways (I've been a bit bitchy to everyone, even the kiddlings. Not good).

A Very Tired, Happy Child

The babe went to dance in her costume last night and had a blast! They played games, mostly. Then, handed out candy to all the other girls in class at the end of the hour. She got into the car and announced,"Mom, I'm so tired." You know they're tired when they tell you themselves and you don't talk them into that decision. She came home and pretty much decided that story time would have to wait, less we have her fall asleep in the middle of the reading. Funny kid.

Tonight, she'll be going to school for an event where she can wear her cute costume again. I have to say, I'm really glad she's getting so much wear out of it. She's gotten more wear out of this one than any of her others. I wonder if Indy, once she inherits it, will do the same? Indy was not happy to see us leave last night, so I think she'll be quite happy to tag along with us this evening. The trick will be getting there early enough. There parking situation at the elementary school ain't great and I don't want to park on the street.

I found an old friend, a few days ago. We'd lost touch and, in some ways, I thought it was because of her situation. She kept having employment troubles and I thought I was a constant reminder of what she didn't have. Then, I thought it was because I messed up on a lunch date time once, where she was ready to leave due to waiting around past time for me. And yet part of me also thought she'd finally decided to turn tail and get the hell out of Utah, which she threatened to do many times. Turns out I was overly sensitive, forgetful and a complete emotional wreck because I was pregnant at the time and didn't know it. Well, we've reconnected and we'll be having lunch again soon. It's a good thing. She's a person I would have wanted to remain friends with, regardless of time or place.

That's how I feel about my best friends. No matter where I live, what I'm doing and where I end up in life, they are the people I want as constants. We keep up through email mostly, but phone calls and the occasional visits are awesome! They're who I lean on when things around here get a bit lonely. Now, I'm off on a tangent. Back to the Halloween festivities!

I want to take the girls to the corn maze this weekend, but every weekend we've had this month has been either freezing cold, rainy, snowy or all of the above. I haven't checked the weather for this weekend (but will do so momentarily).

So, it looks like it's going to be a red-letter weekend for corn mazes and hayrides. I'll be talking to hubby about this in the next few hours. Something tells me, though, others will be thinking like me and taking advantage of this calm weather. Bring on the masses!

Movies, Jack-o-Lanterns, Colds and Parties

My last post was mainly my gripe on a non-functioning hair color. I got that all straightened out, thankfully and moved on to other matters...mainly, my failing health. Ugh! Just when I get into my routine, I get the cold being passed around like a joint in my office. Thankfully, I'm on the tail-end of it and am feeling a lot better, but I haven't worked out all week. Bummer. Instead, I've spent time with the family (the nicest distraction from working out, I'd say).

Sunday, we went to church then took the girls to Target for pictures. They are so cute! I never seem to remember how photogenic my oldest is until she's in front of the camera with someone other than her dad and me. She's always hamming it up for me the non-professional. Hamming it up for the pro is a whole different ballgame. She's absolutely stunning, that girl! My little kitties had a ball. After pictures, she and her dad carved one of the three pumpkins we purchased last week. It was an alien carving (we think...it was hard to tell from the template transfer). Dad decided to go the traditional route for the others. They'll be carving those this evening.

Tonight, the babe will sport her costume yet again for dance class. The kids have been asked to come dressed in costume and bring candy to share, since they'll miss class next week. Tomorrow evening, a spook alley literacy event will have her in costume again. This girl is going to have so much candy in the next few days. I'm glad we're there to help her offload some of it.

Finally, the nice side effect with all my working out (aside from getting over my cold quickly) is the increase in my libido. I don't normally want anything to do with sex or anything related to it when I'm sick, but I was ready and willing last night (even in my NyQuil drug-induced haze). I'm sure hubby is happy about the side effects, too.

Hair Color Snafu

The blond is gone and in it's place? Easter-egg pink. Yes. I have pink hair and it's not cute. It didn't begin this way. As some of you know, I started off as a pale blond. My roots were coming in, so I was a pale, dirty blond. I mixed my concoction of colors together, along with my Clarioxide formula. The color added to my hair started off a very bright plum, then intensified to a fiery wine, then darkened, darkened, darkened. I left it on too long...my hair looked like dirt. It was awful! Not to be defeated, I quickly devised a plan to redo the color last night, but first, I would have to strip out all the color and start fresh.

So I did. Back to a bright blond (with sort of pinkish highlights) I mixed my beautiful concoction again and added it to my newly lifted hair. The color hit that intense wine color I was looking for and I jumped the gun; I rinsed. When I came up for air, it was pink. Ugh! I finished the process and decided that I would just re buy everything (because now all the color is gone) and try it again on Saturday. My hair needs a rest. It's been through a lot this week! I think that I've figured it out. Somewhere within the fifteen to twenty minute mark, is the magic number. Thirty minutes was just too long. The color I'm going for is called (you'll love this); Ravishing.

Yesterday, the babe had her hair done professionally for the very first time. Hubby said she twitched and moved a little bit when the hairdresser was combing her hair, but other than that, did very well. She has crochet braids, but with the professional job, they should last until just before my birthday. She's seven, so I don't know how likely this is. They look too cute! She's loving them and got up extra early today to beautify herself (it's picture day at school). Hubby was not loving the price of the beautification...seven packs of hair, four more packs than her non-professional mother uses.

The weekend is nearly here and I can't wait! My coworker has gone on leave and the work has tripled since she left. I've been hoping around like a jumping bean. I'm typing this during my lunch, just to make sure I'm keeping up on my posts. The nerve! To type during my non-working hours? What's that about?

My kids may actually get a bit more use out of their costumes this year. We're having pictures done on Sunday (at least, for now) and there are some activities that they'll be a part of next week. Usually, it's a one shot deal with the costume. Then, I pack up the babe's in anticipation of Indy wearing it in the future. I'm glad and I'm sure they'll be happy to be cute kitties more than just once.

Married Woman Goes on Date

It's true! I really did...and it was wonderful. Hubby took me out to dinner to a lovely Thai restaurant. I had the Pra Ram and he had the very spicy meal with Thai Chilies and noodles, that I can't pronounce. Both were wonderful and we had adult dinner conversation! Actual conversation! Then, we went to an event (which I will not mention here). I will only say that it served to pump me up!


****We interrupt this program to bring you this breaking news!****

I've been thinking about Figure competitions and have toyed with the idea in the past, but now I think I might actually try to reach for this goal. It's sort of the rabbit in my dog race. It's okay if I don't actually catch the rabbit, but if I can get close to it...

The difference between this and regular bodybuilding is that the women are training for symmetry and definition, not bulk. It's also about looking toned, yet feminine. What a novel idea! Why some women want to look like a big, bulky dude is beyond me but hey, it's live and let live. I'm not here to judge or crash any body's party. There are also Fitness competitions, but they are really focused on athleticism (which I have none and wouldn't admit to it just to save face). I can dance and do well with choreography, but integrating back flips and splits into my dance routine would have me face first on the stage. No thank you.

So, with my new found enthusiasm, incorporated to my already bustling workout agenda, I think I may do well. Hubby is all geared up to train me (of course he is!). I just don't know if I'm ready to start sucking down egg whites, tuna, brown rice and oatmeal all day again. I felt more than full all the time and the eating all day was nutty to me. I remember how good I looked, so I'll just have to keep reminding myself that it's all for the greater good.

***Now, back to our regularly scheduled program****

The date finished with hubby and I returning home at around 9:30, paying the babysitter, and settling in for a nightcap. I ate my leftover dinner and he warmed up some of the hamburgers I grilled, earlier in the week. You would have thought I'd created a masterpiece, as much as he raved about them. I'm glad they were good because those suckers took me two full hours to cook. My hubby buys in bulk, so "yours truly" grilled twelve burgers that night. Twelve!

We pulled a movie out of our archives to watch; Devil's Advocate. It was better than I remembered and only reaffirmed my belief that Al Pacino's an amazing actor. He totally absorbs his character and that's not easy for people to do. (I'm a big fan of Christan Bale's for that very reason.) As much as Jack Nicholson rocks, Jack is always Jack to me.

The night ended and I wished hubby didn't have to get up and go to work the next morning, but he did and I survived. I look forward to the holidays when, hopefully, I'll have a little more time with him. I loved date night and I'm already feening for another one.

And Good Evening To You

I got home under a bit of stress; school called and said the babe was still there and, "is anyone coming to pick her up?" Hubby was supposed to, so I called my mother to see where she was. She wouldn't have gotten there any faster...just getting on the interstate in town like me. Called hubby once, twice, three times...nothing. Decided that it would be best to call a neighbor and beg him/her to pick up the (probably freaking out) girl. I reached our stand-by who told me that hubby had just come over (hubby calling while I'm talking to her). Wires were crossed and he thought she was picking up the babe. He tried to call, but couldn't get a signal either. Stupid cell phones! So, neighbor lady will be picking up the babe everyday from now on, since she's already there to pick up her son anyway. Hubby can just scoop her up from neighbor lady's house with no worry. The babe was stressed out, but safe when hubby raced over to get her.

When I got home, they were decorating the front stoop with Halloween goodies. It looks pretty adorable (I'll take pictures with my nifty new camera and post). Halloween streamers hanging from the roof, lights and garland adorning the railing, pumpkins in the planters, and fiber-optic pumpkins in the window seat. The girls absolutely love it. We never did Halloween like this when I was a kid!

After hubby left for the gym, I put on Elmo for the youngest and headed downstairs to the elliptical trainer. Thirty-five minutes later, I was upstairs and exhausted! I showered and got the kids dinner ready. They ate and then prepared for father's return. Dad home, I could leave with the babe and take her to dance class. It was a pleasant drive, even with her incessant talking. I dropped her off and headed to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants to pick up dinner; steamed pot stickers and sticky white rice. I drove back to the dance parking lot, turned on my overhead light and began to eat. Why did the rice taste burnt? It wasn't burned, but it sure tasted like someone had put some fire under it...that under taste of burned like when you've overcooked the popcorn, but not enough to turn it black. Then, there was the pot sticker dip. It was flat. What the hell? That's part of why I buy those things! Salty tangy goodness for those who are pmsing like hell. I needed that sauce to be potent! Oh, well.

When I got home, I put the oldest to bed and walked into a bedroom with a bed covered in laundry.

"Why are you folding laundry now," I asked. "It's nearly 9:00...not what I wanted to do the last thing in the evening."

"Well, if we do it now, it's done and I don't have to do it tomorrow." (his day off)

Can't argue with that. We whipped through the clothes pretty quickly, then settled in for a night-cap of red Shiraz (for him) and peach wine (for me) as we watched Delirious on DVD. Haven't seen it in years! It was funnier than I remember.

Feeling Good

Oh, so much better! I no longer feel like a stomach-extraction would make me feel better. We are coexisting again and I'm truly happy about that. The weekend has been cold, cold, cold. We only got as high as 36 degrees yesterday. It drizzled and snowed, but I loved it! We went out early in the day and drove to my mom's town to see her. Unfortunately, she had plans so the girls and I ended up having breakfast together. Then, we went to Ross Dress for Less where I picked up a new sweater/blouse (I always seem to have lots of skirts and pants, but never enough tops). After we left Ross, we journeyed back to our own city to visit our local Kohl's. Early last week, I received a $10 gift card for their grand opening sale. Our location has been there for years but, as a promotional ploy, all the stores participate as if they're all grand opening.

I purchased a $37 body bra, marked down to $25 for the sale, plus my $10 gift card. I did pretty well, I think. Oh, and the body bra? I've had several since I was a teenager; however, I haven't purchased one for my new size, lately (that's bra size). The above is exactly what I purchased.

Hubby and I are doing better, too. We had a long talk and it seems what I thought was wrong really wasn't what was bothering him. I forget that I'm supposed to be a mind reader and know these things instinctively. Anyway, he went to a friend's event last night and used our new camera for the first time (I used it on my trip a couple of weeks ago). Let's just say, he won't be appearing as a guest photographer in any magazines anytime soon.

I've been OD'ing on the horror movies this weekend (it is the month for it, isn't it?) and had forgotten what great titles we have, until I started looking. This is what I've managed to get in, in just two days:

1. Rosemary's Baby

2. The Stepford Wives (the original)

3. It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (watched with the family)

4. The Witches (watched with the family)

5. Underworld

Here's a look at our weather forecast from one of our local television stations. Friday and Saturday look like mild winter days to me, rather than fall days. I think my plans for the weekend are to stay in, eat soup, drink cocoa and read with my daughters. I'll probably also end up caulking the basement baseboards with hubby (if he ever decides he's going to stop being mad and talk to me again).

My tummy is still in turmoil and I'm beginning to think it wasn't the batter but perhaps some clam chowder I ate over the weekend. Or perhaps, it was the two items together. Who knows! All I know is that I was up at 2:00 am, hanging out on the throne again. The bathroom and I are in the midst of a torrid affair that I wish would die, die, die.

Read any good books lately? My reading, as of late, looks a bit like this:

Still Churning, but Something's Different

I think it's the endorphins. I've been working out again (more regularly or maybe I should say "at all") and I think it's having an effect already. I've been feeling a bit more like the old me and, dare I say it, I think I'm feeling a difference in my body too. I'm by no means where I want to be, but I do feel like things are starting to tighten up. This is good...very good. Now, if my body could catch up with my brain and I could wear my groovy cool fall duds, I would be one happy chic. Next week, I have a lunch planned with friends and I may just bust out with my new leopard print shoes by Classified (can't find a picture, so I'll have to take one). I'm feelin' sassy!

Hubby and I are still on the outs, but we're planning to talk tonight. I hope we can resolve this drama before the weekend. I hate spending the entire week having him on my nerves on me on his. I'd much rather keep it peaceful, happy and loving...everybody liking everybody.

It's supposed to get down right frosty out here this weekend. The high for Saturday is something like 42 degrees. It was in the 40's last Saturday and we actually had snow falling in the valley. It was a little trippy to see snow on the mountains the last day of September. Most of it has melted in the lower mountain elevations, but the higher portions still look like a blizzard hit. I'm not ready for my big coat yet!

Sickety, sick, sick sick!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...for those of you who may not be in the know or not aware of what is good and what is not so good, here's a news flash; Don't make pancakes with 10-month old batter. It will render you helpless and leave you shivering in the fetal position for days. Good thing I was the only one who ate that poison because I would have surely sent my kids to the emergency room if what was coming out of me all of sudden began to come out of them. So, why did I make pancakes from 10-month old batter? Because I don't like to waste food. Besides, I mixed it with the new Betty Crocker batter I bought at the store only two days earlier. Surely, that would justify good usage. Lesson learned.

I'm back in the office, up-right but not 100% yet. I haven't had an "episode" since Sunday but my guts are still churning something fierce. The pain isn't nearly what it was yesterday, but there are still pangs of unhappiness. I hope I can get through this with all my organs still intact. Jeez!

On other fronts, my babe has too much homework. I'm talking hours and hours of homework. We read, read, read...we have grammar, math and spelling homework. I'm spending more time on homework than I am spending time with her. It's ridiculous! The teacher sends home AR reports (Accelerated Reading). I'm not too clear on whether AR books and tests are mandatory, but I believe they must be. She puts so much stress on them. Anyway, my babe has .8 out of 5 total points. Dammit! She reads all the time! We check out AR books from the list the school district supplies on their website and read those till we're blue! At the bottom of her progress card she wrote, "Read more!" How the hell are we supposed to do that? I broke down and wrote her a one and a half page note about how much she's been doing, how stressful it is and any suggestions she has on how to best help her improve with AR (assuming it is mandatory).

I hope she doesn't see me as the psycho, cry-baby mommy. I just want to make sure I'm doing what's best. Perhaps my strategies are not creating the best possible results. We've even started doubling up on homework each day so that she's not overwhelmed. I also mentioned that both parents work full time in Salt Lake and that there isn't a stay-at-home parent to ease the stress. I believe that many of the teachers here just assume mommy is at home. Sorry to tell them, we don't live in that kind of world anymore.

Hubby and I had a blow out last night over money. It wasn't a typical argument, it was more me being really irritated with the tone he took with me; as if I were one of our girls. Please! I am not a child. If I forget something or don't remember it completely, that does not give him the right to talk to me like I'm five. He didn't see it that way and ended up going to the gym to work out his stress (I guess). Not before leaving big, broken glass in the sink. Was that supposed to be some sort of message? You broke a glass and left it for me to clean up? Is that aggression or did he just forget. Leave it to me to read more into it than there probably is.

On a happier note, I'm looking forward to the fall festivities. It's pretty chilly here now (it's 49 at present and probably won't get any warmer than the low 60s). The leaves are changing and that lovely fall scent is in the air. My oldest is excited about Halloween and keeps asking me if I have her costume (I do, but I never show it to her until the day of Halloween...otherwise, she would worry me to death about it!). She may see it earlier this year because hubby wants to do some costume-esque festivities. It would be nice to have her wear it more than once after the money I spent.