Lists

Stolen from Glow, Bravie & Weltek...

10 Favorites...
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Candy
Favorite Band: Queen
Favorite Movie: LadyHawke
Favorite Sport: Football
Favorite Season: Summer!
Favorite Day Of the Week: Saturday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Kopps Black Raspberry
Favorite Time of Day: whenever I'm sleeping

9 Currents...
Current Mood: Tired, sick
Taste: Sushi
Clothes: Jean capris, Swim team tshirt, tennies
Current Computer Background: Milo Ventimiglia
Current Finger/Toenail Color: none
Current Time: 12:53 CST
Current Surroundings: office
Current Annoyance(s): People deleting their own posts without explanation
Current Thought: I want to go home

8 Firsts...
First Best Friend: Debby
First Love: Don
First Screen Name: dragonflies
First Pet: Tanya
First Piercing: Ears
First Crush: Bobby Sherman
First Music: Queen "A Night at the Opera" The whole album
First Car: Pontiac T1000

7 Last...
Last Cigarette: Never
Last Drink: Wine with Weltek
Last Car Ride: To the bank at lunchtime
Last Text Message: No idea. My text message box is empty
Last Movie Seen: In theater: Evan Almighty At Home: Sixteen candles
Last Phone call: DH called to talk about our mornings.
Last CD Played: My own mix CD - namely Fergie

6 Have You Ever...
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Friends: Yes
Have you Ever Broken the Law: Yes
Have You Ever Been Arrested: No, but I was interviewed by the police in my teens once
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yes
Have You Ever Been on TV: Yes I performed on the You & I show
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Yes

5 Things...
You're Wearing: Lake Country Swim Team tshirt, jean capris, white socks, tennies, bra & panties that don't match
You Did Last Night: not much
You Can Hear Right Now: The effing heating and cooling system above my head (this is what Weltek said too!)
You Can't Live Without: Breathing
Do When You're Bored: OT, Blog, read, sleep, not necessarily in that order

4 Places You've Been To:
1. The Netherlands
2. Aruba
3. New York
4. Paris

3 People You Can Tell Anything To:
God, besides, he already knows. That counts as 3.

2 Choices...
1. Black or White: Black
2. Hot or Cold: Hot

1 Person You'd Do Anything For:
My son or my daughter

Erasing posts

It really irritates me when people erase their entire post on OT. Especially if it was a controversial post. If they just made a mistake, fine, but once it has been responded to, leave it!

ok, end mini rant.

I got prizes!

Yay! I got a package last week! I opened it and found a lovely oil warmer, with some yummy scented oil and some tealights. Also a very tasty (I know cause I ate it) vanilla sucker, and some Bees chocolate. Did you know that when it is melted and rehardens it still tastes like yummy chocolate?!

Anyway, if this was a 4th place prize on Bravie's game, I'm thinking 1st place was a new car or something!

Thanks Bravie! *smooch*!!!


PS. this is my first blog entry dedicated to someone I have never met!

Wildlife

Last night we had all the windows open to try to air out the smell of paint. It was very quiet, kids were in bed, no TV on. All of the sudden I hear howling. Like really close by. I ran to get DH, and when I slid open the patio door he could hear them too. Then when I commented on how close they sounded, they stopped. DH then slid the door shut and said, well, they heard you, so I guess they are close. Like right on the other side of the tree line, in the farm field. I kept listening, after moving away from the door, and about 5 min later they picked up again.

That is why my cats are indoor cats.

We also have been host to a flock of turkeys. This is the 2nd year in a row. Last year it was 11. This year 15. I only mind them when they fly up to my deck and leave lots of feathers and poop behind.

Over the past 6 years of living here, we've seen fox cubs, deer (males, females, fawns), rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks or ground hogs, raccoons, possum, skunk, and once a coyote ran across our front yard early in the morning. We also have quite a few large hawks. The kind that would easily fly off with small dogs.

What wildlife do you see around your house?

Um

Yeah, I will be posting some peep meet pics. I just haven't had any time. This week is totally crazy for me. I'm already looking forward to the weekend. *sigh*

I had so much fun at our WI mini peep meet! I now feel like I've known Weltek, Nolay, Frodis, Kircon and Berwyn forever! I'm a little miffed at Flowerchild for not letting us know what happened and why she didn't show. I'm thinking it was something birthday surprise related, but still.

So, *squints* who's up next? Who wants to meet me?

10 years ago today...

My beautiful daughter was born! 7:01am on a gorgeous Thursday morning. Happy Birthday DD!

This picture is at 1 year old. Wasn't she adorable?!

What a difference 10 years makes. She is still my beautiful girl, but now she is blossoming into a young woman as well. I am very thankful that she still listens to what I have to say, even if she doesn't always do what I suggest. That is free will in action, I guess.

Last night we had so much fun getting ready for the first day of school. She asked me to help her pick out her outfit. She informed me that "Boys really notice you the most on the first day of school, so I want to make a good impression, otherwise they won't notice me at all the rest of the year." I almost felt like sabotaging her outfit! hee hee. Since it is going to be warm today, we agreed on jean capris and a new blue top that has sparkles on it. She is finally wearing her hear back off of her face, with a hair band. I allowed some lip gloss, that is it for make up though.

We also celebrated her birthday yesterday. She wanted to get her gifts early, so I acquiesced. She was very happy with the Webkinz that I bought, as well as the Lilkinz her brother bought. She LOVED the personalized M&Ms that we got too. And of course was very excited about the horseback riding lessons, even though they don't start until November.

We made cupcakes for her school treat, and put the personalized M&Ms on them. What a great idea it turned out to be! She felt very special. I had 1/2 of them say Happy Birthday, and the other half say DD is 10! I knew she would love them! We'll give the rest away at her birthday party.

I'm trying hard to think about my baby being in double digits now. She did tell me she will always be my baby. *sigh*

Kid stuff

Yesterday I left work early (such a hardship) to take the kids to their school's Open House. We met the teachers and dropped off their supplies. Found out that the locker stacker thingy won't fit in DS's locker. I think I've talked DH into making him one. We found a cool design that another kid had. Of course DS is being very nonchalant about it, but I think he would be happy.

Speaking of DS, it is really driving me crazy that everyone seems to think he is already a High Schooler. He is very tall (5'7 1/2"), but don't make him older than he already is! I've had 3 people this week ask me if he was in 9th grade! Noooooo, not yet! I'm not ready to give up my baby!

After the Open House we ran home and made some dinner, then DH & I went back to school for 7th grade orientation for parents. I think this will be DS's toughest year. He has pretty much skated through school so far, getting very good grades, with minimal after school effort. Doesn't seem that way for this year. But that was what I thought last year too, come to think of it. Oh, and he has a field trip already! 4th day of class. The fun thing, they are going to a camp, which happens to be the same camp that DH & I met at, when we attended a precollege Freshman camp.

One interesting thing the teachers mentioned, if he wants to take Honors classes in High School, they suggested that he take the ACT test in February. Anyone else experience this with their kids. Should he study for that? Our high school has about 2400 students, and is ranked very high in both sports and academics, but is very competitive too. I'm really hoping and praying that both kids do well. I'd love if they both stayed in swimming (not sure DD is going to though) or some other athletics. Maybe that might lead to a scholarship. Of course academics comes first, and their are scholarships there too...

I left the orientation early to go to the Annual Swim Team meeting. It was very informative. They asked me to run for the Board of Directors, which I did. Since there were the same number of parents resigning as joining, that worked out. The President later asked me to be Treasurer. That should be fun. The fun thing, the meeting was held at a local wine shop. After the meeting we stayed to socialize a bit, and I had a yummy glass of Sangria.

Today DS starts swim practice with the Senior group. He was moved up before he turned 13, which is the standard cut off, based on his incredible improvement and performance since the beginning of the year. He is incredibly excited, and a little nervous.

DD doesn't start swim practice until Sept 13, but she is also going to be playing organized basketball at her school. Should make for an interesting Fall.

Yes, summer is over. *sigh*

Blogging is fun

Ok, I think I am getting the hang of this blogging thing. It is way fun. Don't get any work done, but have lots of fun. Thanks for making me feel so welcome too!

Upcoming Peep Meet

I am very excited to be able to host a mini peep meet! Sept 8 at my house! We are expecting around 7-8 peeps to join us.

I was a little worried at first. I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea. Kim & I were talking about this some time ago, and how it would be fun to get together with peeps in the area, and it just spawned into this meet. But I guess if anyone is offended, that is their problem, not mind. I opened it to everyone who might want to come anyway.

So I was trying to decide on some food to have, and was at a friend's house. They asked why I needed some ideas, and I explained I am meeting a bunch of people I don't know. Gave more details, and that we had invited them to spend the night in our house. My friends were appalled! "You don't know who these people are, they could be axe murderers" and "Are you going to hide all your valuables". At which point DH piped up that we don't have any valuables, well, except the kids, and if they stole them they would have to drive them to swim practice 4-6 times a week, so in the end they wouldn't take them anyway. I had to LOL. DH, the one who was very opposed to meeting anyone from the box. Now, after having met PRE, Wallflower, EMTBGirl and Brown Roach, he is looking forward to meeting more!

One of my other friends, who has met peeps online through a sheepshead site, warned me about the reactions of our other friends. And they did reference him as well, that we were as crazy as him.

I'm so happy that I am not as short sighted and closed minded as some people I know! Getting to know my online friends, even if it is just online, has greatly enriched my life, expanded my horizons, and really helped me to see things from different perspectives. Also to see how truly blessed I am.

Happy Birthday

To my husband! Now we are the same age again!

Since the Packers are playing, we won't be going out for a special dinner. I am going to try a new recipe that Qwertypie gave me for Oven Crisped Orange Chicken. It is gluten free, and I know DH has missed eating fried chicken. I have all the ingredients except for orange juice concentrate, so I'll have to stop on the way home.

I'm also picking up an ice cream cake that I had made for him. Normally these cakes have this yummy cookie crumble inside, but that has gluten, so I had them remove it.

He asked for a GPS, so I found a decent priced Garmin Nuvi 350. It is smaller than mine, has more features, and of course was cheaper. Go figure.

I hate allergies and school supplies

I have been sneezing all day. I even took a dang allergy pill. Unsure if it is August allergies, a cold, or due to the dust created by the electrician who installed a strobe light fire alarm in my office this morning. Stoopid fire marshall guy. I think he has it out for us. I do usually have more allergy attacks during April & August. So far this month it has been nearly nonexistant. I figured the anti oxidant stuff I was taking this summer really did help. So much for that.

Happy Monday. Last night DD commented on how weekends always go by so fast, and that they should be longer. Couldn't agree more. So far I have no reasons to leave work early this week. *sigh*

Yesterday we spent 1 1/2 hours at Walmart buying school supplies. $150 down the drain. We even had a few things that we could reuse. By the time we left, I noticed that each kid had somehow managed to finagle a few extra things they really didn't need either.

Now I know why we always have done School Pak before. I think I would have saved money in the end. But then I wouldn't have had that wonderful bonding experience with my kids. (end sarcasm)

Beginning of the end...

for my business, that is. I've been feeling more and more done with it over the past 8 months. I still love candles, but I feel my life is going in a different direction for now.

I'm not willing to give it up completely. Not willing to say "I quit". But I'm not actively seeking home shows anymore. Of course that means I will be getting a lot of calls to have shows. That is ok, but I'm not actively growing my business. I figure I will still take care of my current customers and their candle needs, and that is about it.

I was listening to a Fergie song, and realized that part of it described how I feel about PL right now.

(I need) ...to be with myself in center, clarity, peace, serenity
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We got some straightening out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've gotta move on with my life...

I do realize some of my feelings stem from the problems our family is dealing with now, especially between DH and myself. But I honestly believe that I have been feeling more and more ambivalent about my business for a lot longer. I'm getting more involved with the kids' activities, namely swim. I'm running for election to the Board of Directors of the swim team, and if I am elected, I am hoping they ask me to be the treasurer. It isn't as hard as it seems, since the club has a finance person, but I would still be overseeing that aspect.

With the contact list I have, I figure I could always pick it back up. But for now, doing home shows isn't fun anymore. I always said if it wasn't fun, I would stop.

State 12 & Under Swim meet

Wow! What a weekend! So I missed Friday's events. I couldn't catch an earlier flight home from Houston, and then my flight was delayed nearly 1 1/2 hours, so I got home around 12:30am. But the rest of the weekend was fantastic!

DS swam in 7 individual and 4 relay events. He finished with 5 individual ribbons and 4 relay placements, including a 3rd place finish in the 400 meter freestyle relay! It was the very last heat of the very last event on the very last day of the meet. I'm sure all the boys were tired, but our team was sick of coming in 4th or 5th throughout the meet. They all swam their fins off, and it ended up being a close race, with our boys narrowly beating out another team who had consistently beat them! DS was so proud (as were we!). Our boys were only 1 of 2 relay top 3 finishes by our team (there were 12 total relays). It was so great to see him standing on the podium. That had been his goal, to get on the podium at least once. For relays, only the top 3 are honored like that, with places 4-6 getting a ribbon. Individual races have the top 8 finishers stand on the podium, while the top 16 get ribbons.

We now have a month off. I'm looking forward to not having to chase to the pool every day! Both DS & DD have expressed some interest in doing some laps during open swim. Guess they are dedicated after all!

I'll post a pic as soon as I get one. We only had our video camera, and asked others to send us pics if they have them.

Later this month I expect to be elected to the Swim Team Board of Directors. There are 3 people resigning their positions, and 3 interested in taking on a position, so it won't be a real election. I'm looking forward to getting more involved. (Did I just write that out loud?)

**side note**
I'm really looking forward to the upcoming WI etal peep meet. Anyone is welcome. Will you be there?

Heading out...and back

Howdy y'all!

I'm about to leave to go to the airport! Heading to Houston for PL's National Conference! It will be a blast, but I think it will be the last one I attend. With everything going on in my life, I am making a conscious decision not to build my PL business. I still plan to take reorders from friends, family and customers, and if people want to do a book show, I will be happy to accomodate them. Maybe an occasional home show for a good friend. It has been 4 years!

I'm coming home early this time. Normally I stay until Sunday, but this year I'm flying home on Friday. DS is in the State Championship Swim Meet, which is held Friday-Sunday. He said it would be fine if I missed his 2 events on Friday, but not the rest. And of course, wild horses wouldn't drag me away! My original plan was to head home late on Friday, but now I am rethinking that. There are 2 earlier flights that have availability, so hopefully I can go standby on one of them, and surprise my family!

See ya soon!

Birthday weekend

Ok, I know I'm a little late in posting this, but all the kidlessness over the past week made me lazy.

I met Weltek on my birthday for a quick drink. She was on her way to visit Breezy, so I sent along 2 cupcakes and told her she had to share. She gave me a gorgeous bouquet of yellow roses! It was a lovely surprise, and they smelled wonderful. I still have a couple of them left. The goofy thing is this is the 2nd peep meet I've had with Weltek, where neither of us remembers to take a picture. Go figure.

Our family went out to dinner at Maggiano's. They offer gluten free pasta, and after the chef came out to discuss options, he made DH a yummy gluten free marinara sauce, along with the gluten free penne. I had my favorite, Zuppa de Peche. Yum.

We had a big swim meet on Sat & Sun, at which the kids did great! DS got his 5th state qualifying time, this time in the 400M Freestyle. It was the first time he swam it, and he had no problem at all qualifying. He is turning into quite the distance swimmer. DD got 3 out of 4 best times, which is great as well!

Even though it was 97 degrees, on Sunday we went to Summerfest. After surviving for 4 hours, including an hour long visit to the Cool Zone, and air conditioned room commemorating Summerfest's 40 years, we got to see INXS! We found seats in the 9th row. It was quite loud, didn't get to stay the whole time, but saw just over an hour. I got to hear most of my favorite songs, including By My Side, Afterglow and Pretty Vegas. JD was quite hot. *swoon*. I like him better with short hair, but h-o-t nonetheless. My camera has issues, especially when zooming. This is the best picture of the ones I took. Notice the open shirt at the bottom.

I also took some video. Just can't figure out how to upload it here. Tried Google & Yahoo, and they didn't seem to work. Maybe I'm just too impatient.

All in all, a very satisfactory birthday weekend!

Wahoo!

We had one of our 2 day swim meets this past weekend. Finally, all that hard work has paid off for DS. He got his first 2 individual state qualifying times! On Saturday he swam the 100 meter Freestyle and beat the state cut by about 1/2 second. Of course I was so happy I was crying a bit, but when he came up by us he totally melted as soon as he reached me, and at that point I completely melted right with him. We are so proud of him! Then on Sunday he got the qualifying time in the 50 meter Freestyle. We knew he could do that one, as he had swum 5 times in relays with a better than the cut time, but it never counted, unless he would have been the lead off swimmer. Overall he ended up with 1 medal, 5 individual ribbons and 2 relay ribbons for 1st & 2nd place!

DD had a good meet too! She swam some hard races, including the 200 meter Freestyle and 100 meter Breaststroke. In fact, she got ribbons in both of those races! She ended up with 3 best times as well. She was very gracious in congratulating her big brother on his accomplishments, although I could tell later that she was a bit envious. I reminded her how proud we are of her, and she is a different person, with different accomplishments.

DD is in summer school this week, and having a fun time. Who would have thought?!

My dad arrived on Sunday. It is good to have him here, but it also adds an additional wrinkle in our schedule. Maybe he will see how busy I am, how much I do, etc. Of course last night DH made dinner. That was a nice change too. I am working 1/2 days this week, which is also very nice. I'm going to be spoiled after this week!

Happy Chocolate Pudding Day! No skins for me please!

Eight Random Things about me

Thanks for the tag MTW! Sorry it took so long. I got sidetracked. That happens to me a lot.

1. I work 7 - 4pm, and have a hard time getting in at 7am. But I won't change to 7:30, cause then I would get out later.
2. Stupid people annoy me. Especially when they are asking me stupid computer questions. Like why they aren't getting emails from someone, when in actuality the emails are going into their spam email, and I've reminded them a bazillion times to check their spam emails daily.
3. My favorite color is green. As in Packer Green. But I lurve purple, pink and blue too.
4. I love sitting at the pool when my kids have swim practice. I used to hate it, felt I was wasting time, but now I consider it "my time".
5. I miss my mom just about every day.
6. I do not enjoy shopping much. It is more fun when I go with DD.
7. I love fruit flavored custard (as in ice cream). Especially Kopps Black or Red Raspberry.
8. Not really random, but I have to. I sell PL candles!

I tag Sharnina and Cygnus!

Happy Fathers Day

Hope all the Father's that might read my blog had a great day!

We went to church, did some shopping, relaxed at home a bit, then sent DS off to Confirmation Camp until Friday! Luckily for me, this isn't the first time he has been gone for that long. I still got a little verklempt. Then we relaxed at home some more, and went out for dinner. Culver's was DH's choice, although he would have preferred somewhere else. But DD took a 3 hour nap, and anywhere else was going to take too long.

Did you do anything special to celebrate Father's Day?

Swimming Bragging!

What fun! We got our swim pics this weekend!

Topped off a great swimming weekend. Both kids got 4 personal best times! DS is "knocking on the door of State Times" according to his coach. I'm glad he was so positive with DS, as DS was mighty frustrated after swimming both relays. He swam what would have been a state time in both of his relays, but only the first leg on a relay counts as a possible state time, and he swam 4th both times, so they didn't count. When he later swam his own individual 50 Free, he ended up 1 second short of a state time. But I told him I was so dang proud of them both, and we've got plenty of time to get those state times! After all, we have meets almost every weekend from now until the State Championship Meet the last weekend in July.

DD actually got a ribbon on one of her races! There are sooooooo many girls, that unless you are a phenomenal swimmer (DD is not), you don't usually get awards. But with this meet, they split the results into different classes of swimmers, and as a result, she got a ribbon!

DS got 3 out of 4 individual ribbons. All of them 4th place, which is just out of medal contention! Call him consistent if nothing else! He got a 1st & 2nd place with his relays, so all in all a successful weekend!

I love short weeks

So this was a good week. Maybe because I only had to work 4 days? I think I got more done these past 4 days than I did in the 2 weeks before that! Depression is mostly gone! That is because

DH is back on the wagon, and communicating with me more than ever. Also

we have a swim meet this weekend, both days, and DS is totally geared up. He is really really close to meeting the first of his goals. His goals? I asked him last night what they were. The answer? State cut times on every event. Dang. He goes from nothing to the moon in one swing! In addition

DD is growing up before my eyes. And it is freaking me out. She is maturing, but is still my little girl sometimes. And she is singing again. All.the.time. Turns out I missed it the past couple of weeks. She also starts piano lessons on June 11. Should be interesting. And finally

I've gotten over my disappointment about not going to Mexico. I am happy about that.

What are you happy about?