So, yeah. Do you remember that I have a blog? I know, right?!
Life's been busy and even a little exciting over the last few weeks. Kaylie had her senior photos taken a few weeks ago. Check them out on the photographer's site . I am so pleased with how they turned out and I really feel like they are a true reflection of Kaylie's personality. I actually cried when I first saw them. I think it was a combination of realizing that she is all grown up and just an overwhelming feeling that I was losing my baby girl. Of course, I'm not losing her...she's just moving on to a different phase of her life. But it just makes me so sad to think how much I'm going to miss her when she goes away to ASU in the fall.
Jessen just finished the water polo season this past weekend. They didn't make it to state championships, but they played really well and kicked ass when it counted. I felt like poo all weekend (fighting a bad cold) but I managed to suck it up and cheer him on with all I had. Who needs a voice anyway?
I am really impressed at what a good player Jessen is and what a great player he is becoming. He's played both JV and Varsity all season. Although he is a junior this year, this is only his second year playing water polo so the coach is utilizing him at both levels. I think this is ended up working out very well because it gets him a lot of playing time in the JV games, plus he is a strong leader for the first year players. I am certain he will be a varsity starter next year. There will be a lot of senior players next year so I'm confident they will take it to State. Go VIKINGS!
I've really been wanting to sit down and write a post about the Presidential race but I've simply been lacking any motivation to do so. But you know me, and you know that I can hardly contain myself and my opinions about the candidates and especially what a jackass Sarah Palin is, so expect something in the next couple of days now that I'm back on the wagon and no longer neglecting my blog.
And with me being all hopped up on DayQuil, who knows what other sorts of fun stuff I might write about!
They finally restored my power yesterday morning around 6:30am. Yep, a full 7 days after it went out.
Who knew Hurricane Ike winds would blow all the way to Ohio???? I don't think you all understand how crazy shit got around here. At one point, nearly 1.2 million people were without power. I waited in line at the gas station on Monday for over an hour because the line was so long. Our corporate office actually pulled people from our office to go work in stores.
I have to admit that by the end I was nearing the point of punching someone in the face. Not that I cared so much about not having TV or even being able to warm up something in the oven, it was more just the stress of feeling like I had no control and I wasn't giving my family what they needed. But I did miss TV a little. Also having to dry my hair in the ladies room at work sucked big ass.
So, when it was restored yesterday morning I leapt from bed, hollered , "WooHoo" at the top of my lungs and immediately put in a load of laundry and vaccuumed. Because that's what OCD people like me do.
I read this on Wednesday and I think it pretty well sums up my observations of the whole experience quite well. One good thing that came of it was that I felt like I got to slow down and connect a little more with my kids. Something about playing Uno by candlelight that brings a family closer together. It's made me thing that perhaps having an "unplugged" night once a week isn't a bad idea.
Thanks for throwing the election by adding Biden as your running mate.
You suck.
You pretty much just cinched a win for McCain. I hope you are happy with that.
So much for your "change the world" crap. Biden is simply more of the same.
He's ancient. He's boring. He adds nothing to the ticket. He is not progressive.
So, great. Looks like I'll be moving to Australia after all because I can't handle 4 more years of this and McCain (who will likely choose Romney as his running mate) is so far up Bush's ass he might as well be his gay lover.
In fact, you choosing Biden means that we get stuck with 4 more years of republicans up our ass so I guess you could just view it as one huge gay up-the-ass fest.
Steve Winwood's, "Roll With It" was the #1 song in the country.
The world is a much different place now than it was then. I am not much different though.
A little older. A little wiser.
Well, a lot older.
But despite all the time that has passed, deep down, I think there is still a lot of that same girl I was then left in me. I just love myself a hell of a lot more now than I did back then.
And instead of Steve Winwood, I'm listening to Oasis.
Oh, fuck it. Who am I kidding? I'm still listening to Steve Winwood.
Move over Jack Black.....there's something leaner.
I just wanted everyone to know that last Thursday night while I was down at the Great American Ball Park for a demo, I stood 10 feet from the hottest man on the planet.
Of course, he had no idea that I was even alive but it was still thrilling.
6'5", musician, athletic. Oh the things I would do to him given the opportunity.
I think I'll add that one to my "life list": Do Bronson Arroyo.
I can't believe how overwhelming and busy this summer has been, but July especially. Of course, this explains my sporadic posting.
Right. Of course it does.
The month started out with my friend, Kim (hi Kim!) and her kids visiting for a week. They are from Washington State but came to visit via Michigan and then continued on to Texas. Yeah, she takes the long way around. Anyhow, I had not seen her in like 18 years, so it was great to spend some time and catch up. We spent one day at the pool, went to the park a lot and managed to make it down to the Newport Aquarium one day which was a great time. Her kids are also a freaking riot. I won't go into too much detail but let me just say that we spent an entire evening sitting in my living room, laughing to the point of tears, listening to her sons regale us with their poop stories.
See, I told you it's better, that I don't go into too much detail.
The kids finished up summer swim league last week with Championships on Monday and Tuesday. All three did really well, and they each beat their best time of the season. Jessen ended up placing 10th in 200 freestyle and 12th in 200 backstroke overall and both he and Kaylie placed in their relays. Bennett didn't get beyond Day 1 qualifiers but did place 2nd in his heat and beat his best time. This was his first year on the team and its phenomenal how much he's improved in just a few weeks. I also got to be the "tent mom" for a few hours on Day 1 Qualifiers and even got to carry around a walkie talkie radio to make it official. How sad is that, although I work in technology and I'm around high tech gadgets and crap all the time, I get crazy giddy over being able to carry around a walkie talkie???? I think I will address this in therapy.
Bennett turned 8 this past Sunday and I am hosting his "Camp Out Birthday Party" at our house tomorrow night for him and his friends. We have 7 boys RSVP'd so it should be a blast. I'm setting up the tents in the backyard tomorrow morning and getting the rest of the festivities together for the kids to arrive at 6pm. We'll grill out and go on a long evening hike, play games, make s'mores, tell some spooky stories and then the highlight of the evening will be that we're going to watch a movie outside. I've borrowed a projector from a friend at work and I'll hook it up outside to my laptop and then project the movie on a sheet hanging from the deck. I'm stoked about it and I think the kids will really like it too. I just really want it to be a success and a party that Bennett will always remember.
There doesn't appear to be much of a slowdown coming in August either. School starts August 19 so the next few weeks will be focused on shopping for clothes and supplies and getting physicals and such. It's hard to believe, but it's Kaylie's senior year.
I know. WTF?
Wasn't it just yesterday that she started kindergarten? It's hard to explain but I am so happy for her and so very sad at the same time. My little girl!!! There's much to be done though! Scheduling senior photos, SATs, applying for scholarships, going to Phoenix to tour ASU....yep, September and October, you're killing me too.
Also, I'm turning 36 in a few days. I don't know why, but for some reason it just bothers me so much more than when I turned 35. Maybe it's because now I'll be tipping the higher end to 40? I guess it really shouldn't matter because most days I still feel inside like I'm 15. Ah well, nothing I can do to stop it...might as well embrace it.
So, I'm going to make an effort to be better about posting here. I've had a lot of good stuff on my mind. More to come....
I got up at 3:30am so I could take Kaylie to the airport. She and her BFF, Lainey, are headed to Phoenix. Kaylie comes back on July 6 and Lainey will leave in a few days to go on to Hawaii to visit some of her family.
I wish I had family who lived in Hawaii I could go visit.
This is the longest that Kaylie has ever been away in one stretch. Well, minus that time when we lived in San Antonio and she was like 13 and she went to Blue Lake Fine Arts camp. I think maybe then she was gone for 10 days, however, I didn't have to worry about her going to shows and strangers driving her around and premarital sex. In all seriousness though, I don't worry so much about the premarital sex part because, well, she's a very good girl. I know, I know, the moms on the Maury Povich show probably thought their daughters were good girls too before they started dating 38 year old men and acting like total whores, but I truly don't think I'm just fooling myself. She's very responsible and mature and she wants a lot out of life. Part of that would be actually continuing to breathe, because she knows damn well that would end if I ever had to face becoming a grandmother in my thirties.
I just really miss her when she's gone. I don't have a lot of friends and even fewer girlfriends. I just can't count on other people and it seems like no one ever meets my expectations of what a true friend should be. It's been really nice that over the last few years as Kaylie has grown and matured that she and I have built a good relationship and a friendship. I think I'd like her even if I hadn't gone through 8 hours of painful labor and pushed her 8lb 14oz body out of my yoohoo to bring her into this world.
So, yeah, I'm pretty whipped today. Kind of in that daze, where I don't feel tired enough to sleep, but I just can't keep my mind focused on the things I should be doing. I'd rather be home laying on the sofa catching up on what's on the DVR. But alas, that won't happen either. Tonight the boys have a swim meet and must be there by 5pm and since it's against a big team it will probably go on for a long time and we'll finally roll into the house about 10pm. THEN, I'll definitely be ready to sleep.
In other news, I've made the decision to try to overcome my caffeine addiction. I hate the idea of being so dependent on it to get me the energy to get through the day. I rarely drink coffee but I'm a serious diet coke head. I've known for a long, long time how bad it is for me but I think it just might help cure me of various ailments I suffer from. I am hoping it will relieve some of my GERD symptoms and I will get better sleep. That is providing I can survive the withdrawal. I got horrible headaches when I've tried to quit cold turkey. This time I'm being more realistic about it and have started to taper off how much I drink, replacing it with water. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
1. I think I need therapy. Seriously. I've come to the conclusion that there is something mentally wrong with me. Why you ask? Well, have you ever thought to yourself, "Self, why is Melissa still single? She's a smart girl, not unfortunate looking, funny, witty, cool as fuck. Why hasn't she snagged herself a good man?" Well, believeyoume I have asked myself this very question also. The answer? I only seem to want unattainable men. They seem to be the only ones I'm attracted to these days. You know, ones that are in a relationship, married, gay. Yep, I want them. Single and free? I don't seem to be interested. Oy Vey.I'm not sure exactly what to do with that eiphany, but I'll think about it and let you know.
2. I'm not doing enough for myself. I feel like in the last year or so the balance between me and the kids has shifted and it seems like now I'm only living in their lives, activities, etc. It's been a long time since I've done anything just for me. Had fun with friends (friends? what friends?), went shopping by myself, spent some quality time with myself, anything. Not that I don't love being so involved in their lives because I absolutely do. I just need to get back some sort of a balance. I thought I might be able to do that while I was in Orlando but I was so busy and running all the time that I came back more exhausted than I was when I left.I need to go to see live music and play darts and go to the gym and drink some wine. I'm going to work on this.
3. I really need a freaking pedicure. This probably goes with the one above but this is my list so suck it.
The Cicadas have taken over in my neighborhood. They are absolutely everywhere. No lie. In the trees, around the trees, in the grass, in my ass...oh sorry...didn't mean to get all Dr. Seuss there.
But really, they're everywhere. After some googling I have determined that these are the XIV brood. I recall like 3 or 4 years ago there being this big hub bub about the cicadas and how there were supposed to be so many but I think they were wrong. I have seen more cicadas in the last week and half than anyone should in their lifetime.
I first noticed it early one morning after walking my dogs. I took them into the backyard and in the haze of the morning light I noticed the grass was moving. So I peered in to take a closer look....looked around...no wind blowing....that's when I realized. There was something IN the grass. All I can say is thank God I wasn't wearing flip flops.
Now they are everywhere. Their empty shells stuck on the trees and falling on my head when I'm walking underneath them. My dogs can't get enough of them. They eat them like they are little morsels of the best puppy goodness they have every tasted. I'll just look over and hear the crunch, crunch, crunch. Mmmm...high in protein.
Kaylie is terrified of them. She runs to wherever she's going when she has to go outside. I seriously might have to get her therapy after this.
I am not afraid...I mean they don't bite or sting. But they are big and gross. And I'm not a huge fan of big and gross bugs. I suppose as big and gross bugs go though, they are probably on the more tolerable end.
Oh, and did I mention that they screech? Yeah, I go outside in the afternoon and its like a chorus of high pitched, screaming, horny big and gross bugs. Millions of them. It also seems that they have a big ole crush on my lawnmower too because as soon as I start mowing everyone seems to want to come to the party.
But, I have to admit that, as much as they gross me out with their bigness and their grossness, I have empathy for these creatures. I mean, I know how long it's been since I got a little something something...imagine what they go through. Burrowing up through the ground after being down there for 17 years, just to rise to the surface, shed their skin, mate one time just to get a fungus shortly after and then their ass falls off and they die.
I have a big crush on one of the dads from Bennett's baseball team.
BIG. CRUSH.
Like I have had dreams about him. Dreams that I won't go into detail with you about. But let's just say...DAMN.
And, um, I can't keep my eyes off him at games and practices. And my heart flutters a little bit when I see him.
He's just hot. And athletic. And smart. And funny. And great with kids. And SO. VERY. HOT. You know, just pretty much every quality I want in a man.
I think I must be 13 years old again.
Don't go getting all excited for me though. Unfortunately, he's married. SIGH. I am ashamed to admit but there is a deep down awful part of me that hopes it's a completely miserable, loveless, marriage and he's been contemplating leaving his wife for quite sometime and he just might do exactly that before baseball season is over.
Shut up. That stuff happens outside Desperate Housewives too.
I mean, it's been so bad I don't even know where to begin to tell you.
In fact, I probably won't tell you. At least not right now.
But today is Friday and it could not have come any sooner. At some point this weekend I predict I will be infused with my sofa, drinking a big ass glass of Cabernet, watching The Darjeeling Limited.
This will be a brief update but still and update nonetheless.
I just wanted to reassure certain people (Scott) that I am not falling back into my old bad habits of not posting or posting so sporadically that my friends just stop bothering to check my blog.
"What? Melissa has a blog????"
It's just that this past week has been non-stop, frantic, busy, crazy, fun, and tiring. Kaylie's boyfriend, Travis, has been here the last 10 days and flew back to Phoenix today. That, of course, didn't go off without incident and I almost got arrested in the Indianapolis airport but I'll save that story for a later post but let's just say that US Airways and Indianapolis Airport Police are both big assbags. Kaylie and Travis went to the prom!!!! Bennett has had a million baseball games. Jessen has been working, managing his social life and waiting to turn 16 (in 6 days!!!!) I've just been trying to coordinate rides and schedules, be there for all the things I need to be there for, while trying to hold some assimilation of non-chaos in my home and failing miserably. My house is a shit hole right now. Well, maybe not a shit hole but I won't let you come over for dinner until I give it a good therapeutic cleaning.
But I sure as hell would rather be busy with all this than have nothing going on.
This week/weekend will continue the flow of non-stop madness but I pinkie promise that I will make some time to write and post pics in the gallery. And call you. And email you.
I work for a retail company that has several store divisions through the country. One of those is a jewelry retailer and ever so often they give the employees advertisements or special coupon deals for some of the jewelry items.
Today I was in the public ladies room at work and after washing my hands and heading toward the door, I noticed that on the counter were some advertisement books for the jewelry store sales coming up for Mother's Day. So, I did what any other woman would do and grabbed one to see what's on sale.
I walked out of the ladies room, book in hand, and passed a group of men talking in the hall. That's when it occurred to me that I probably looked like I had just finished some important "business".
I have added a new page which contains my Life List.
Meaning, the things that I would like to do in my lifetime before I leave this world. It's a work in progress and I will be adding more things as I think of them and crossing them out as I accomplish them. Mostly, I wanted to put it out there so it was a reminder to me to live my life...a reminder I most definitely need when I feel like life is passing me by and running me over.
I hope you create your own life list and post it in the comments or send me a link to your list. Hopefully, we can motivate and inspire one another to live juicy.
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