Fairytales and Margaritas

A camping we will go!

So, I know you've waited anxiously for this post.  And my version of tomorrow tends to be 2-3 days later, but oh well.  Thanks why I make the big bucks no bucks for blogging!

Anyway, we went on our annual family camping trip last week.  Same place we usually go.  But, we hadn't expected to be having unusually high temps last week.  Where is was 110 in town.  Normally, it's 20 degrees cooler while camping.  Not so this year.  It was hot.  Hotter than hell.  And because it was so hot and we hadn't gotten rain yet, the creek had very minimal water.  Which really stinks (literally) when it's hotter than hell.  But, we made the most of it.   Even though we all had a sinus thing going on too.

This year we introduced some friends to our camping experience.  For the most part I think they enjoyed it.  I was bummed that they couldn't experience it the way we usually do.  I felt bad that I talked it up and then it wasn't the way it had been in the past.  But, we had fun playing cards and hanging out at the campfire.  And, amazingly enough, not much alcohol was consumed (we'll be sure to remedy that next time).

Here are some of the highlights (please note how intense my kids are when blowing bubbles, that's bc we don't allow them at the house bc they dumpt them on our paver patio so they truly enjoy them when we go camping):

Nannie nannie boo boo

How bout a teaser about our camping trip?  (In all actuality, my card reader broke, so I can't upload pics at work and stupid photobucket crapped out in the middle of my uploading before work today, so this will have to do.)  Full story tomorrow, or the next day or hell, maybe next year.

Anyhoo, I just had to share my wonderful exciting bargain shopping news.  I tell you, nothing gets me more excited than a good deal.  I love to save money while spending money.  A little too much my husband might add.  And my dad would say that I'm not necessarily saving money if I'm spending it.  But, whatevah! 

The kids go back to school in less than 3 weeks.  Yay! Dang it!  Summer is too damn long, do they really need a break short.  So, we decide to do a bit of shopping last night.  JCPenney is having a big sale and I really like their kids clothes.  In the same mall is a Ross Dress for Less.  And since hubby is home with the two small kids we decide to tackle the messy laundry pile that is Ross.  I really don't like shopping there because you have to weed through so much to find one good thing.  But, I had some time to spend and do love a good bargain.  Let me just say that two hours and $220 later we were done.  And here's what we got:

for Carissa:  3 bras (oh how she'd die knowing I told someone she wears bras, she even made me hold them in the store), 4 shirts, 1 cami, 2 jeans, 2 other pants, 2 shorts, 1 bermudas, one pair of Speedo flip flops and a pair of LA Gear athletic shoes

for Robert:  2 shorts, a pack of socks and 4 really cool guitar and/or skull shirts

and a four pack set of ice cream sundae dishes that I thought were adorable.  Can you believe it?  It was crazy!  That's 26 items.  Works out to $8.46 each including the tax!  For name brand stuff- Quicksilver, Speedo, LA Gear, Mudd, OP.  Crazy I tell you!

In other news, I'm starting Body for Life again.  I've got a partner and we're in it together.  I've only gained back 4 lbs from the last time I did it.  But, I feel crappy again.  I know it's because I'm not eating right.  And I really, really, really, really want to firm up my thighs, waist and upper arms.  So, if I get cranky, it's because I'm off the french fries again. 

Happy Freakin Monday

So, I'll tell you all about camping tomorrow.  But, right now I have to tell you how much I HATE returning to the grind after days off.  HATE IT!

Mondays after days off always start bad because I have to go back to work and my husband doesn't (he works Tues-Sat).  It really sucks being the ONLY one in the house that has to get up and get ready.  So, needless to say, I dragged my feet and got to work 20 minutes late.  Which wouldn't have been a big deal because my boss had a meeting offsite.  Except for the fact that she came to work BEFORE the meeting!  Lovely!

Then I have load upon load of work to catch up on.  I spend all morning on that and still haven't caught up.

I decide to go shopping for a sundress at lunch.  I really want something lightweight to wear since the temps around here have been at 110! 

JCPenney happens to be having a big dress sale, so I go there.  Find a bunch to try on knowing that 0.00003% will actually look decent.  Put the first one on.  It's ok, but a little tight.  Go to take it off.  Um, no.  It won't come off!  The zipper has broken!  I try over my head (can't get it up to my shoulders), I try pulling it down (can't get it past my hips), I try praying, I try pulling, stretching, pleading.  By this time, I'm red in the face and sweating.  I don't know what to do.  There is no dressing room attendant.  Actually, there is no worker in sight.

So, I decide to check my embarrassment at the changing room door.  I mean seriously, everyone has had to be cut out of a dress before, right?  Right?  I put my shirt on and go traipsing through the store with the dress on my lower half.  I explain what happened to the sales lady.  She is very understanding and fetches some scissors to cut my huge ass lovely rear out of the dress.  I quickly try the rest of them on, telling her not to go far because it'll probably happen again.  Luckily, it doesn't.  I find two I like and purchase them.

I run back to work, only to find that I'm again 15 minutes late!

Happy Freakin Monday!

Will you miss me?

Hello my bloggy readers (all 9 of you)!  I have some terrible news.  I will be gone until June 23rd.  Yes, June 23rd.  Please don't cry!  It's just that I have a training to teach on Monday (stupid PowerPoint) and a training to attend on Tuesday.  And then, THEN we're going CAMPING for the rest of the week.  Our one  little trip this summer.  I can't wait.  We're going with another family to our favorite spot.  Should be tons o'fun.  But, I will miss you my friends! 

Naked Nights

Ok, ladies, I've got a question for you:

Does your man enjoy all things naked?

Him naked, you naked, alone, together.  Just naked in general?

We had a rather interesting lunch conversation today at work.  There were six women in the room.  One of my coworkers sent her two boys to stay with Grandma for summer break.  So, she's home alone with her husband.  For four weeks!!!  Oh, the horrors!

Seriously, though.  Her husband has instituted "Naked Nights".   And it's a mandatory no clothes policy.  We were all talking about it and we just don't get it.  Women are not visual creatures like men, so there is that.  And we usually have hang-ups about our bodies.  But, still.  What's up with all the nakedness?

He wants to watch TV butt naked, play the Wii butt naked, sleep butt naked, etc., etc.

And truth be told, I KNOW my husband would be all over this too.  Heck I have to force him to put on a pair of sweat shorts around the house because the kids are a little too old to be seeing his package all the time.  But, if he had his way, he'd strut around naked 24/7.

What gives?

33 years ago today

I came screaming into this world. 

Not much has changed.

I'm pissing and moaning because I've got to work today and then I've got to go to a Girl Scout ceremony tonight.  Thus, no margaritas for me.

You feel sorry for me right?  Right?

But, I did get a Wii Fit.  And although it is marketed as exercise equipment, I won't be mad at the person that gave me because it's tons of fun!

A Heavy Heart

***Mascara Alert- This post is sad.  Except for the first link, don't click unless you're ready for a good cry.***

A few weeks ago I was visiting In The Trenches.  I try to read her blog when I have time because she's funny and her life is similar to mine.  A few weeks ago she posted Thursday Tears.  Dammit, she warned!  I should have known that I should have waited to click.  But, curiosity killed the cat and I clicked.

I clicked here.  At first I didn't really understand.  I could tell that something bad had happened, but I couldn't quite figure it out.  So, I clicked here.  And damn, damn, damn.  It was worse than I could have imagined.  It was just awful.  And the tears came.  And came and came.  And I spent three hours reading the whole thing.  (The very brief explanation is that Matt's young bride Liz had complications during her pregnancy.  She gave birth to Miss Madeline weeks early by c-section.  27 hours later she was getting ready to visit Madeline in the NICU and died from an embolism.  Matt is now raising their perfectly healthy, wonderful daughter on his own.)

And I was touched.  Matt's writing is so emotional and raw and courageous.  He's dead honest.  And hurting and all sort's of other things.  He has opened up to people all over that don't know him or Liz or Madeline.  He's willing to share with us his grief and despair and hurt.  I'm sure a therapist would say what he's doing is part of the healing for him, but damn.  It's got to be so hard.  And to lay it all out there for mere strangers is brave.

Reading his posts makes me feel a world of emotions.  I'm sad and mad and cynical and anguished and all sorts of other things.  I just cannot imagine what he's going through. And I'm mad that he has to go through it.  You can tell that he's a great guy and it just isn't fair that he should be going through this.

But, then I read and feel happy and optimistic and lucky and grateful.  See, Matt has wonderful friends and family that have been there for him every step of the way.  Ten weeks later they still visit daily.  It is obvious that Liz was a WONDERFUL person.  And that people are honored to have known her for the short time she was on this earth.  It is obvious that Matt and Liz were soul-mates and that they were truly and deeply in love.  It is obvious that Madeline is going to be an AMAZING person and that she is love beyond belief. 

His posts also make me feel optimistic for humanity.  See, their story has touched SO many people.  Strangers send Matt and Madeline the most awesome (and sometimes expensive) gifts EVERY DAY!  And that is heartwarming.  To see that people do still care.  That strangers will reach out.

I have left Matt comments here and there.  But, honestly, what do you say to someone who is in this sucky situation?  What can I possibly say to make him feel any better?  Some days, I hope that for every comment someone leaves we take just 1/1000th of his pain away.  That we hold that pain in our hearts so that he doesn't have to. 

I find myself thinking about their story a few times each day.  But, it's a good thing.  Because it really makes me cherish what I've got.  So, go hug your husband, your wife, your kids.  Call your mom and tell her you love her.  And, if you would like, send Matt some love also.

My Rose Colored Glasses

Unfortunately, I think my rose colored glasses come in the form of my bathroom mirror. 

I think my bathroom mirror gives me the impression that I go out looking halfway decent most mornings.  It's quite disturbing actually.  How differently I can look at home in the bathroom and then once I get to work.  Or in pictures.

I know that I'm no looker, but I think I can put myself together fairly well most of the time.  I watch What Not to Wear and have actually learned a lot from them.  I have learned that it's better to spend more on fewer things than to buy more cheap things.  More expensive clothes really do fit better. 

And I think I'm pretty good at applying makeup.  I mean, I'm no Tammy Faye or anything.  I try to keep it neutral and complimentary. 

But, damn if I don't look downright scary in pictures sometimes.  Like, where the hell did those upper arms come from?  I swear to god my arms aren't huge in my bathroom mirror, but they sure as hell are in pictures.  Maybe I have reverse anorexia?  Instead of always seeing myself as fat even though I'm thin, I see myself as thin even though I'm fat?  Seriously, is that a disease?

And my face!  I think that makeup enhances my good features and covers up some of my flaws.  But, get to work (gotta love fluorescent lights) and I don't even look like I have any on!  Or, it makes the colors so hideous that I look like a teenage girl on her way to the club.

My point being, that I really don't know what I look like.  I have this image in my head, but I don't think it's accurate.  I still think of myself as that twenty something girl I once was.  The size 3.  The one without wrinkles.  The cool one.

But, when I see pictures of myself, the realization sinks in.  I'm not.  I'm no longer a size 3, I'm an 8 or a 10.  And even though I'm at my "perfect weight" (as all the charts say), I have flabby upper arms and a flabby middle.  The middle I can live with.  I did birth four children, I don't expect perfection.  But, the arms!  When did I get my grandmother's arms?  And how can I get rid of them?  I lift weights, I exercise.  Those damn things aren't going anywhere.  And when did my face start to absorb all the makeup?  When did it start to not enhance, but just blend in to the boringness?  Do I really have to apply 30 coats of mascara for a few eyelashes to show up?

When did this all happen?  When did I go from being a cool hipster, to a middle-aged momma?  In my mind I'm still cool (I know, I'm delusional) and in my bathroom I'm still cool, but out in the real world I'm just another middle-aged momma.  And dammit I want to be cool again!

(Hmm, maybe I'm having a crisis because my birthday is next week???)

(BTW, I did not purchase anything Friday night.  I am very well stocked in that department.  I did however teach some of the amateurs what they should buy.)

A much needed night out!

    Once again, my wonderful friends and I needed a night out.  We try to plan to go out once a month, but we usually end up only doing it once every 3-4 months.  But, when we do it, WE DO IT! 

We started the night like this:

Then there was a bit of this: (It was Monica's b-day and Friday's is pinching pennies too, they brought us a bowl of whipped cream, just whipped cream, no ice cream or anything!)

Here we are after about 4 of those margaritas (each) we looked more like this:

Then we took a little trip:

Courtney signed me up for somthing I DID NOT WANT TO DO!!!!  So, I just stood up there and laughed my ass off and showed off my crazy dance moves, while she sang "The Humpty Dance"

Throughout the night we attracted a lot of attention, I mean, really, can you blame them?  We're a lot of fun!!!

This guy was actually a lot of fun.  He was a little weird, but quite funny. 

This guy got up his liquid courage to ask if he could hang w/ us.

See that guy in the shadows?  He was really creepy and staring at us all night.  FREAK!!!!

All in all, a good time was had by all again. 

BTW, I know it's 2008, but apparently Monica doesn't.  It was her birthday, so I think she wanted to pretend she was four years younger.  It's ok, really she'll be alright!