Tuesday, November 29, 2011

American

I've been up for over an hour (already - it's 4:22 AM) and before heading upstairs to get ready to go in, I read that American Airlines has filed for Chapter 11. Yowza....that's not good.

Today, I give you a rhyme/poem of my own making. Weird rhyming jumped into my head as I was drifting off to sleep and I'm actually able to remember most of it this morning. A miracle....

GRATEFUL

I am grateful for a roof over my head
And blankets on my bed

For food in the fridge
And that I could play Bridge

For love in my life
'Cuz I am someones wife

For being a Mom
Though some days are long

For starting each day
In a positive way

For the day to start
With God in my heart

For being pretty happy
Though feeling sort of sappy

Life is a blessing -

Ready, set, go!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Reality Bites

(The title is a repeat for my cousin S. who I just chatted with via Facebook - used that exact phrase to describe my perspective on returning to work tomorrow)....it sucks. But it must be done. I worked today in my office - to hopefully get a head start on tomorrow and get regrouped and ready for three of the busiest weeks of the year. I feel stressed out about things - and that's not a word I use often. But I am stressed. I know it will all get done - but I have a lot of 'fear' feelings lately - not fear of anything in particular - just in general. There are a lot of things to juggle at one time and I constantly feel like I will miss something any minute. Oh well. It's my job.

There's a lot happening at work these days that I won't write about. Some things are great and awesome. Some are not. Some affect me. Some don't....but in my role, most things have a way of trickling in my direction. There are a lot of challenging things happening - 'monumental challenges' which is an inside joke phrase we use a lot lately. All of the challenges are surmountable and fixable - but the massive efforts required to get there are so taxing and exhausting. I go in every day with massive lists and a 'can-do' attitude - but lately, I just feel exhausted and it all seems so 'never-ending'. I know things will even out soon. I'm confident they will. It's been a long few months and hopefully, much will be resolved in the next few weeks - and from there, it will be smooth(er) sailing - I hope.

Chloe is home and recovering nicely. She had one tooth pulled. We kept her on pain meds yesterday but she ate kibble this morning with no problem so we're not giving her the meds anymore. She's doing well. She needs a bath (hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday) and she's still exhibiting some symptoms that trouble us - but have no 'defined' cause yet. If they persist, then we'll have to pay for a bunch of blood work. We're trying the simple things first. We'll see. She's eating, drinking, peeing, pooping and running around here like her usual self - so I'm confident she's OK. Just still itchy and doing a weird thing with her mouth...kind of a 'tremor' thing. We'll keep an eye on her.

J. and I managed to do some Christmas shopping yesterday - Target was unbelievably not crowded. I had to get some things for our Secret Santa gifting at work - so we also shopped a bit for the boys. The usual....under the tree things.

The kids couldn't handle turkey again last night so we went to Olive Garden. We ate leftovers today (Olive Garden leftovers) so tomorrow, it's back to turkey and fixings. I didn't cook nearly as much as usual - cut down on stuffing and green beans....but we still have so much leftover. Maybe we'll try to freeze the turkey meat and I can make Turkey and Gnocchi soup during the winter break.

We're watching Amazing Race - so glad the older couple are still in it! We are rooting for them!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Post Post

A post-Thanksgiving post....

Quiet day on the homestead. Other than the steady hum of the always (seemingly) running dishwasher today, it's been peaceful.

B. had friends over last night and he apparently slept on the couch most of the night. No idea why. I got up just after 7 and started working on the kitchen around 8. In spite of running the dishwasher four times yesterday, there were still three loads to go. The roasting pan and rack take up pretty much one load - and then we used our fine china for dinner so that's another load. I didn't hold back and puttered and cleaned away - and he slept through it all. He's off until Sunday and he's enjoying his 'leisure' time.

I worked on work stuff and got stuff done. The weekend is almost over and the massive pile of stuff I need to get done is not decreasing all that much. But I resisted the urge to think 'there's always tomorrow' and buckled down and got some stuff done - love working remotely whenever possible. More tomorrow - and more tonight, too. Steady work over the next two days will make my week go more smoothly. Still much to do - and so many meetings. Only three weeks left before Christmas break! Sort of a 'yeah' and a 'holy crap!' blended together.

No shopping today. I've crossed another couple gifts off my list via Internet shopping. Might (MIGHT) go to Target tomorrow or Sunday just for a treat -

We will decorate next weekend, hopefully.

I have no idea what we're going to give the kids for Christmas. Here's the thing - and I could use advice/thoughts so please add a comment. Or email me. The boys owe us a fortune (each). H. owes us close to $700 for tickets. B. owes us hundreds for car insurance - he never seems to have the $ at the first of the month. So our usual 'scavenger hunt' seems like a waste of $ - giving them money when they owe us money.

So we are considering proceeding as usual - they will have clues and envelopes with their names - and after they return to the family room to count their loot, we are considering presenting them each with a detailed 'statement' of what they owe. And then either a) take the money back towards their debt or b) let them decide how much of their obligation they want to pay back.

I know it's the 'right' thing to do - but it feels horrible. Still, I don't know what else to do. We are shelling out $500 a month for car insurance - and $300 of that is supposed to be covered by the boys - but it's rarely covered. And H.'s tickets have to be paid - and he has no money. So we have to pay them for him.

I always want Christmas to be magical. And it seems so Scrooge like to take all their 'gift' money back towards their debts. But then it seems so stupid to be giving them MORE money.

I don't know what to do. And there's nothing they need or want that can go under the tree as a 'substitute'. Oh - Hunter wants cable TV (with a new TV, of course) in his bedroom - but I am refusing to do that. No way. We're not adding additional monthly outgo for that. No way.

I feel guilty even writing this 'cuz we are so, so blessed....but it's really bothering me.

Maybe the answer is: they both have non-liquid savings (stock) that they can cash in. It's for college - but it's theirs. They could use some of that to pay off their debts and add a little to their savings accounts. Then their gift money can really be gift money?

Their only request is a trip to San Fran which we will definitely do sometime during our two week break.

Back to work. It's nice to just move from the study to the dining room and get stuff done.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

The morning started with J. tearing downstairs, heading outside and running the trash bin down the street to catch the trash truck that had just driven by. I hold myself somewhat responsible 'cuz I was down here an hour before that and the trash cans are directly out the window of my desk - and it never 'clicked' with me that 'hey, those cans should all be at the curb'. We managed to get the actual 'trash' picked up - the bio bin will be another two weeks. Thankfully, we're not doing a lot of yard stuff these days so it will wait. Poor J. . What a way to start the day - and thanks to the Tracy trash guys for emptying the can. We'd be up a creek to wait another week - especially with all the trash to be created from cooking our feast. Everyone's on 'holiday' this week and we're all sort of out of our 'routine'.

H. is supposed to go to the grocery with me - driving all the way to WinCo. It is seriously worth the trip for a 'big' shopping trip - saves a fortune. But I need support 'cuz it's just a lot to shop for it all, then bag it, load it into the car, etc. I miss Raley's 'full service' but don't miss Raley's full service prices. So for a HUGE shop, I go to WinCo. J. is in the shower now and has agreed to accompany me. I see Light Caramel Frapps in our future as our 'treat'. And as breakfast. I know H. is willing to go but waiting for him to get up is just not worth it. I know - you're thinking 'go wake him up!'. Also not worth it. Thankful J. will go with me....the help is nice. The list is long. And we've already procured most of what we need (or so I thought). It's a big day of cooking and I'm going to start making some things when we get home from the grocery.

I saw Breaking Dawn Part 1 yesterday and loved every single second! I hope to go again between now and Monday - it was terrific! It's going to be very hard to wait another year for the finale...

It's cold today - very cold....makes moving even harder.

J. is dressed - and it sounds like H. is in the shower so perhaps he will make the trip with me after all. He's good company - (as is J.)....H. has registered for classes at Delta CC which has a satellite campus in Mountain House. MUCH closer to home thus saving a fortune on gas. And it will be more 'fun' for him because many of his friends are attending classes there. We are anxious to see their grades - should arrive during the winter break, we hope.

Hoping to enjoy the Macy's parade in the morning while cooking up a storm.

Happy Thanksgiving! And happy birthday to my mom in heaven.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Happenings

Just a list of stuff that's going on around here.....

H. cleaned out his closet and brought down two good size garbage bags full of clothes to donate. He found a Ralph Lauren Polo brand polo (collared) shirt that he thinks is 'swag'. He loves it. We think it was J.'s dad's but we're not sure. He also found a nice t-shirt that he bought his sophomore year and hasn't worn. Behold the joy of cleaning out your closet!

I made homemade granola this morning and it's pretty tasty. My only 'goof' was using shelled pistachios - which are a bit salty. Should have doubled the honey to balance out the salt - but it's still really good. I might do another round of honey and toast a teeny bit longer. It's delicious in Greek yogurt!

The boys had a big blowup today over nothing in particular and everything at the same time. They are both 'men' now and when 'men' fight, it's loud and scary. I was here alone with them and broke it up by yelling at them both and sending them to opposite corners of the house. They both have to be 'right' in their stance and there's no talking them out of it. I'm thinking if it happens again today or tomorrow, I'm going to send them both out for a few days on their own - they can return for Thanksgiving dinner and we'll see then about having them live here. It's just scary with 'adults' fighting and I'm not having that in this house. Period. End of story. All stupid stuff.....

I am off for the week - which means I'll work off and on at home and there on various projects. MUST DO THIS. Remind me, 'kay? 'Cuz I am hugely behind on a variety of things that require attention. We return from this week off for three more weeks and then it's Christmas break - and those three weeks will absolutely zoom by.

I've got a pot of pinto beans in the crock pot for dinner tonight - either beans in a bowl or in a burrito - diner's choice. It's easy, filling, warming and 'on hand'. The turkey's in the fridge and the menu is planned - still have a little shopping to do but will take care of that errand Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.

H. got ANOTHER ticket - I haven't been keeping ya'll up on the 'count' but suffice it to say he is approaching the 'un-insurable' point. He is still in debt to us for the ticket we paid for a couple months ago - and now there's another one to add to the debt/collection. He doesn't pay attention and it's easy to go too fast - and I swear the cops in town have his license memorized and watch for him. I really do....

I'm going to get all the Harry Potter DVD's out and watch them from start to finish sometime during the break. And I'm going to see Breaking Dawn! Also get a hair cut. Chloe's getting her teeth cleaned on Friday so she has to get blood work on Wednesday. She's still not eating well - and she's still itchy. The antibiotics don't seem to be helping the itching much though the rash is better. She had another bath yesterday with her special shampoo and did her 'so clean, so proud' jaunt through the house. Then she rolled over on her back to scratch herself on the carpet.

Time to get to work on some work stuff in the dining room. We moved the BowFlex into the living room - still no furniture in there. It's the ugliest thing on the planet and HUGE - but it's easier to use it inside vs. in the freezing garage and J.'s been doing his shoulder exercises with it, which is great.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Shortly

Weekends are just too fast....even long weekends. They just fly by. I feel bummed about it being Monday tomorrow - even though I only have five work days until enjoying another week off. Still, it will be a long week - and November and December are absolutely jammed full of stuff. I hope I snap out of this funk I'm in 'cuz otherwise, it's going to be a long couple of months. Usually my funks lift quickly but this one is sticking around for awhile....not helped by the change of seasons and the change in day light hours. Always hard to be 'in the dark' so much during this time of year.

J. and I had breakfast this morning with some old friends - it was a lot of fun to catch up and reminisce. J. and R. were band mates for 20+ years and R.'s wife C. and I used to hang out at gigs a lot when J. and I were dating. They are a wonderful couple and it's always fun to see them. Nice for J. and I to enjoy some adult company and some time 'out'.

We did a Costco shop immediately after and started to make lists for Christmas. I've already purchased gifts for some family members and feel 'ahead' of the game a bit, which is nice.

Chloe went to the vet on Friday. She's got a strange rash on her inner legs and she's a scratchy mess. And now she's not eating. They put her on antibiotics and gave us special shampoo. We've scheduled a teeth cleaning for her the Friday after Thanksgiving - $700 estimate! Yikes! The exam didn't show any reason for the itching or the change in appetite - so we try the simplest things first and see how it goes. It's hard to have her be uncomfortable - and it's hard to see her not eating. Very not like her....

Looking forward to Breaking Dawn Part I in a week or so. And we bought the DVD/Blue Ray of the final Harry Potter movie and I can't wait to watch it again. And again....

This time next week, I'll be enjoying a Sunday evening before a week off - and I'm hopeful that will make the difference. A week of accomplishing much and moving forward on the vast list of things to do should help. Fewer meetings this coming week so that should also help. I hope so. I am blue....and I have no idea why.

Monday, November 07, 2011

Even More Proud

B. did make it to work today! He dragged himself out of bed and made it! Thus making me even MORE proud of his triathlon accomplishment!

Happy Monday!

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Triathlete!

B. survived his first Olympic length triathlon. 1 mile ocean (San Francisco Bay) swim....then a 20 mile bike ride....and lastly a 6 mile run. He finished in 3 hours and 25 minutes - not bad for a first timer. And certainly not bad for anyone 'cuz wow, that takes some serious commitment.

He is so sore he can barely move. And his feet are covered with blisters. He will likely not make it to work tomorrow.

We are very proud of him.

Here are some pics from his amazing day....

SUITING UP



FROM THE SEA (RED CAP)



NEARING THE FINISH



WITH HIS CREW CHIEF

Heating

Morning! It's now the day when I have to 'remember' that my family in AZ is NOT an hour earlier.....now they are an hour later....which means if I want to chat with my cousin in the morning, I'll have to get up at 3:30! S., let's try for weekends, 'kay?

B. is swimming. He's hopefully finished - a mile in cold bay water. Brave young man. Wet suits don't cut that kind of cold, really...they just mask it. Soon to be biking and then running. J. says it's 'exciting'. Races always are, I guess. I hope he does well - and 'well' is defined as 'finishing'. The kid is driven when he puts his mind to something. He does not quit. Good traits to have.

I am up and heading to get dressed. Then planning to stop by my office for a bit to tidy up and pack up my laptop so I can do a couple quick things today at home. And then a host of errands - monthly pet shopping, etc.

I had to break down and turn on the heat this morning.....just couldn't handle it being so cold. The pets seem appreciative.

Dinner tonight is Pasta Carbonara with my Dean & DeLuca pancetta! Yummy!

Falling Back

It's 1:35AM on Sunday...and I happen to be awake. So now I'm trying to stay awake to see how my computer's clock resets at 2AM for Daylight Savings Time. Bored? No....just not sleeping.

I am home alone with son #2 - J. and B. are in Marin for tonight - B. is participating in his first triathlon tomorrow morning (bright and early) and J. is his 'crew'.

H. was to be home at 10 for the night - earlier than usual because I started my day this morning with a raging migraine that had me throwing up. Stayed in bed most of the morning....and H. agreed to be home early 'cuz I'm not feeling that great and want to know where he is.

I woke at 12:20AM and he was not home. I called him and he was with a friend who had just gotten off work. He came home. He insisted he was home at 10PM - admitted he was a little late so it was closer to 10:30 - but he was home. I doubted that to be true because the house was exactly as it was when I went to bed. Same lights on (including one that shouldn't have been left on but I left it on 'cuz I was too tired to go to that side of the house and turn it of). No dishes in the sink or on the coffee table in the family room. [H. has a snack (meal!) every night before he goes to bed. Without fail. He's a bottomless pit. So no evidence of his '4th meal' is a pretty good clue he wasn't here.] So was he home? I don't know. But he didn't stay home if he was. So he's grounded. We will talk specifics tomorrow. It won't be a long grounding - but enough to remind him that when he says he will do something - come home for the night at 10PM - he needs to do it. Period. End of story. And most especially on a night when I am home alone and it's stormy outside and my head still feels like there's something inside it ready to explode any minute. Not throwing up anymore (thank God....truly....it's been a long, long time since I've had one of 'those' headaches and I just felt like 'please, God, please let it be over 'cuz truly, this is no way to feel'...horrible feeling....). We can talk things over at breakfast - pancakes and bacon!

Ironically, he was with a friend who was kicked out of her house by her mom - for being late multiple nights in a row. I reminded H. that keeping agreements is important - and since his friend is someone who has been through rehab and should know that regaining parental trust is hard, it seems she should realize that defying her mom's direction on what time to be home nightly isn't prudent. I don't like the idea of a young lady sleeping in her car - but I'm not getting in the middle of it. It's complicated. I work with her mother. 'Nuf said.

It's almost 2AM but really only 1AM. I love this time change - love gaining an extra hour. Love how tomorrow I will feel like I've gotten so much done with that 'extra' time. And since today was an 'in bed most of the day' kind of day, I've got loads to do....

The cat is seeking the warmth of feet to curl up on....he misses J.. Klink even headed to H.'s room (while we were talking) and then I realized that he was roaming all over H.'s bed - his pillow, especially - and that can't happen. H. is allergic to cats. As long as he doesn't come in direct contact with them, he is fine...but cat hair/dander on his bed linens would probably be bad. So Klink followed my instructions - he jumped down off the bed and came out of the room. Klink is good at doing what he's asked. You really can 'train' a cat. Sure, sometimes he blows me off. Usually at 5 in the morning when he refuses to exit the bedroom on cue so I can close the door as I head downstairs. But most of the time, he's pretty good at following directions.

H. should take note of that - A CAT is following instructions. Hmmmm....

It's now 1:52AM and I've decided I don't care what my computer's clock is going to do in 8 (now 7) minutes. It's cold in here. I'm taking some ibuprofen and drinking some water (I am positive the headache was triggered by me being dehydrated - I went to a work function last night and didn't drink nearly enough water before, during or after - and I had a headache when I arrived and nothing to take. Breaking two of my rules for migraine abatement: stay hydrated and ALWAYS have something with you in case a headache starts. It's been so long since one got out of control, I sort of forgot. And I had changed purses this past week so my Excedrin Migraine wasn't in my purse last night).

4 minutes and counting. If I keep blathering on about absolutely nothing, I might make it....

How exciting. At one minute after 1:59, the clock changed to 1:00.

It wasn't worth it. But happy to write a post to share how non-exciting it was.

PS - I noticed that the published time on the post is the time I started the post - not the actual time I hit 'post'. I'd never noticed that before. Not that it matters - I knew Blogger doesn't re-date a post - if you start it and save it and publish later, it's going to publish with the day you started it unless you reset...

Little things you notice when it's quiet and you're paying attention to date and time.

March

I'm starting to think maybe I will just do a monthly post and call it what it is - whatever month we're in.  Here we are winding dow...