Socks

A long time ago, at least a year ago, Bravie recommended Spanx socks to me. At least I think it was Bravie. So I bit the bullet and bought a pair. They cost $10 for one pair. I thought it was completely outrageous, but I must have been in a spending mood. So I got the pair, and they became my favorite socks. So much that I wore a hole in one, at the toes. That's ok, I kept on wearing them, just tucking that little whole under, so that my tootsie wouldn't stick out. Last week I was in a spending mood again, so this time I bought 3 pairs. Black, Brown and chino. I needed some socks right away, so when I was at Target I bought a 3 pack for $4.99. They even said "fuller leg". I figured that would be cool, but they totally dug into my shin anyway. I was in major pain after wearing a pair all day. All I kept thinking was, when are my Spanx gonna get here?

They arrived today! I am happy! My legs are happy too. *jumps around*

What recent purchase are you happy about? LIke maybe buying a banana costume or something?

Costumes

So finally I had some time to go costume shopping with Marisa. Good thing too, cause she has a Halloween party to attend on Friday, and trick or treat is on Saturday. We tried a couple of stores, and found one at Walmart, of all places. Last year we went there and all they had were little kid costumes, so I was doubtful. This year was much better, and the store is only 7 minutes away from home, not like our next choices which were 15-20 min away.

She is very excited. She is a 50's polka dot girl.Devon announced he is not wearing a costume this year. At which point I announced he wasn't going trick or treating then. At that point Don piped up and said he had a Jason mask Devon could wear, with some old clothing or something. They are going to look through our costume bin today.

Mighty Mite

I now know how to use a Mighty Mite. Do you know what that is? See picture at left. It acts like a jumper for cars. Works without having to have a 2nd car to jump your car from.

Yesterday morning my van had a hard time starting, but it did start. Same on the way home. I called Don and he said he would show me how to use the Mighty Mite, since he suspected the battery, as it was over 6 years old. I had to take Marisa to her basketball game, and of course we were cutting it close on time. Got back in the car, and nothing happened. So I called Don on the cell speaker, and had him tell me how to jump it. Worked like a charm. Of course Marisa was hopping like a jumping bean about being late, but I got her there on time.

Haven't had to use it since, but I've turned off all nonessential electrical components like overhead lights, radio, even my GPS. *gasp* Of course once the van is started, I can turn those back on, but then before I turn off the engine, have to turn off all those things again.

We are getting a new battery tonight. I am the Pretty Purple Princess, after all. I shouldn't have to be inconvenienced like this. Plus I got my hands all dirty doing the red on red and black on black clampy thingys.

He ain' heavy, he's my swimmer!

8 Medals, 2 ribbons and 2nd place trophy! That is what DS did this weekend.

He swam a total of 10 events (8 individual and 2 relays). Started off the meet on Saturday with a 1st place ribbon in his relay. Then swam 4 individual events, including 100 yard Freestyle, 100 yard Backstroke, 50 yard Breastroke and 200 yard backstroke, and came away with 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal. Not a bad day. Then we went back today and he started off the day with a 2nd place relay finish. Then he swam 200 yard Individual Medley, 50 yard Freestyle, 50 yard Backstroke and 200 yard Freestyle. He got 1 Bronze, 2 silver and ended the meet with a GOLD MEDAL! He was so excited! Of course, so was I. I did get tears in my eyes, and I think a few might have spilled over. He ended the meet getting a 2nd place all around trophy for his age group! What I most admired about him today was that going into the last place, he was guaranteed a 2nd place trophy. But he wanted to get that gold medal, and beat the guy who was already guaranteed 1st place. Which he did!

Of course I wouldn't forget DD. She had a good Saturday, finishing with a 7th place and 14th place ribbon. She won her heat in one of the races too, which was great! Today she swam and won a 5th place ribbon in her relay. The individual races today were not her best. Everyone is allowed an off day. I think I was more frustrated than she was, but I think I covered it well.

After all that, I am exhausted! Being a cheerleader (for other kids too of course) is hard work!

Are all my posts about my kids?

Last night in her 2nd basketball game ever, DD made her first basket! Monday she had made a free throw, but that doesn't count. She is one of 2 girls that have scored any points in either the first or 2nd game. The other girl played organized basketball for 3 years. DD - never played organized bball before. She also made a bunch of really good defensive plays. It helps that she is 5'2" at only 10 years old. There were girls on the other teams we played that were much taller though.

Of course after I told everyone else that I saw after that about her basket, she kept yelling at me to stop telling everyone. As if.

We have a big swim meet this weekend. We have to be at a pool by 7am both days. *sigh* At least the Packers are on a bye, so I won't miss that. Plus we have a wedding tomorrow evening for a co worker. I really don't want to go now, but I said I would and there are 28 people from work going.

See, it isn't all about the kids! So there!

Also, because I love watching Milo...

Mural

eta: I took a better picture with my camera. You can see it much better now.


So we have always wanted to have a mural painted in the little inset between the kids rooms. Our painter recommended a lady who does murals, so she came over to discuss it. I had no preconceived notions about it, but after she asked some questions about it, we decided on a tropical theme. Devon wanted dolphins (jumping up by the sun), and Marisa wanted horses (there are 3 little ones bottom left), so they each got their wish as well. I wanted the sunrise.

better than buying online?

I bought a pair of earrings over the phone yesterday! Sight unseen! A friend who knows I like dragonflies called me to chat, and mentioned that a friend of his makes and sells jewelry, and has these 2 pairs of earrings! One was described as too big for my taste, but the other seemed really cool! So now I'm hopping up and down looking forward to getting some new bling!

Speaking of jewelry, did I tell you that I bought a set of pearls from China? A friend of mine went there for business, and had told me about pearls they sell there. So she got me a set, necklace, earrings, and bracelet. I am excited about them too. Debating if I should get them appraised, as my friend mentioned that one of her co workers bought a set that was valued over $3000, and she paid $100! I paid $95 for mine!

So, what have you bought lately? Anything sight unseen?

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizza Crusts

"Rustic Crust™, Inc. is a New Hampshire based bakery specializing in Old World style pizza products that are as convenient as they are delicious."



If you suspect that sounds like press release puffery, you're correct. But the press release in question announces a new line of interesting-sounding products, Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizza Crusts.

Their website is www.rusticcrust.com. A store locator can be found there.

No swim for you!

So the schools closed all three pools that our team practices at yesterday. They were going to be treating them, is what the emails said. I'd like to know if they were able to test the water, to see if it was contaminated, or if they were just being proactive, which is a good thing too. I'm also curious how they treat them, as the cryptosporidium bacteria is chlorine resistant.

I've decided to have DS tested to see if he has crypto, just in case. He was completely fine the day after being sick, but I wouldn't want my kid to be the one who ends up reinfecting the pool, if he does have the disease. Normally he wouldn't need to be treated, but they do have antibiotics. I read something about not being able to swim for 2 weeks, which would totally suck. Some of the other parents and I are talking about having our kids do some special dryland practice if they keep the pools closed.

Aside from sick kids, the really unfortunate thing is that there was supposed to be a girls high school meet tonight, and our team has meets scheduled on Friday and Saturday this weekend, at our main pool. I'm wondering if those meets are now in jeopardy. What a shame that would be. The kids love going to meets. Especially the one on Sat. Our team gives away trophies to the top 16 swimmers in each age group. DS was going for first place, and DD has gotten one the past 2 years.

On the plus side, I may not have to drive carpool tonight! It was going to be to the furthest away pool, and earlier than normal, so a real cramp to my schedule.

From one child to the other

DS is home sick today. This is very odd for him. More odd because last Monday he stayed home sick from school with the same excuse. I went home at lunch, and today he actually looks sick.

Says he feels like he will throw up, but doesn't actually. Only burps. Gross.

He did eat a piece of toast, and some juice.

I'm trying not to be too worried. I think it is a combination of a lot more swimming, more intense homework/schoolwork, less sleep, growing.

To be safe, I scheduled an appt with our doctor for later this month. He needs a check up anyway.

Update: I talked to our Doctor, he wasn't overly worried, said there are lots of bugs going around. But to schedule him for a checkup when it is convenient. Oct25.

Then later in the day I got an email from his swim coach. A parent reported today that their child has Cryptosporidium! So I called the doctor back. The nurse said if I want, I could bring him in, but they would need to get a stool sample. Um, yeah, right. I talked it over with DS, and he wants to wait and see if he feels better, which he seems to be doing. Also the nurse said that a healthy 12 year old has no concerns if he would have crypto. Ugh.

7 10 year olds is too many

We had Marisa's birthday party on Saturday. We drove into the city and went to Comedy Sportz. It was great. She volunteered to go on stage, and since there were only about 25 people, and we accounted for 12 of them, people in our group were selected a lot as volunteers, or suggestion ideas. It was a great time, everyone really enjoyed it. The whoopie cushions they gave out to the birthday group were a headache maker in the car ride home though.

We stopped at FunWorld to play lazer tag. My team won, cause we kick butt. There was a young lady that was cheating, and I told her not to. Afterward her mom came up to me to pick a fight. What a beyotch this woman was. I didn't back down though, so after swearing at me she walked away. We left shortly after that. I was a bit concerned that she might have a big boyfriend with a gun or something, so I kept a watchful eye until we were back on the road. I had forgotten that FunWorld attracts a lot of scummy people.

We came home, had pizza and ice cream cake, watched a movie, and I managed to get the girls to sleep by 11:40. This was after I threatened to take them all home. We had to get up early, since their parents were picking them all up at 9am, so no late late nights.

All in all, a very successful party for Marisa. For me, there were too many of them. A couple of them not my favorite girls, but that's ok, they aren't MY friends...

GO PACKERS! I have 5 minutes until kickoff! Ready to kick some Bear butts!

1st Swim Meet of the Season

Well, we got the first swim meet of the season out of the way last night. It was a rare week night dual meet between our club team and our rival club team. Fun, but no rewards as far as ribbons or medals or anything. But still a good way to get back into race mode.

DD got a decent start. Her relay team had a best time, and she got one more best time on her first race, the 50 yard freestyle. She didn't fare so well for her other 2 swims, the back or breast. Neither was a best time, but she still felt good. She has her next meet on Oct 13. We are hosting that meet, and it will be a full fledged meet, with lots of competition. I talked with her coach, and he feels it is time to step it up in practice, that he will start to push her a bit more. She has set some high goals for herself, and I hope she continues to see some improvements at each meet, to keep boosting her self esteem. I always make sure to say something positive to her.

DS had a phenomenal night! He started off the night winning his relay with 3 other guys. They beat the other teams "A" team, which had been ranked higher, so that was great! Then he proceeded to win all 3 of his individual swims! He has been really working hard, and this was a great mental reward for him. He was seeded 3rd, 2nd, 3rd for his races, and won each easily. His personal goals are to get State qualifying times for the 13-14 year old bracket, even though he is only 12, because he will be turning 13 before the next State Championship in March. I think he will be able to do it. Only 1 of the 3 individual races are eligible swims for State, but this is still a great achievement for him! His next meet is a Senior meet on Saturday, where he will be swimming against older, more advanced swimmers. Instead of being near the top, he will be near the bottom, which will be a good test for him. Maybe he will surprise all of us!

I was a little irked that the hosting team didn't tell the people that ran the concession stand for the basketball games in the gym adjacent to the pool that there would be a couple hundred people there. As a result, they ran out of almost all concessions. I had to settle for spagettios, which were not very appetizing.

Monday

After yet another night of not enough sleep (thanks DH), I got to work on time. Today is the day of our semi annual Board of Directors meeting. I usually am not invited, which is fine. However, I usually have done all the prep work, and want to make myself available if they need any more info.

After about 1 hour DH called to tell me DS is sick. He feels nauseous, and fell asleep on the couch after being up about an hour. I talked to DS to see if he would be ok being home alone for a while, and he was fine, as long as he knew I was coming home by around noon. I also had to do payroll today. So I buzzed out of there by 11am, and get to spend the rest of the afternoon in peace & quiet at home.

I think DS might have a little bug, but more likely he is overtired. So he is resting on the couch, with my laptop checking out World of Warcraft videos on YouTube. And napping on and off.

I actually logged on to work from my home PC for a while. Sent an email to my boss. LOL Makes me feel I'm not wasting the whole day.

DS will skip swim practice tonight, but DD has her first basketball practice at 5pm and swim practice at 7pm, so I'll still be running. We have our first swim meet tomorrow, a short little dual meet with our rival team. Should be fun.

So, how is your Monday going?

frustration

Last night was a bad night in the dragonfly household. All because of DH and his problem. No, not the gluten challenge, the drinking one.

He got hammered early. I wasn't home (driving car pool) but DD told me he was acting funny. He passed out and then spent the rest of the night completely restless. That is why I only got 3.5 hours of sleep. I did end up sleeping in the spare room where Kim wants to live. (sorry Kim, you can't have it just yet).

He didn't go into work today. Said he was going to make a call to the center. Last weekend he mentioned he had been thinking about going inpatient. Gee, you think? Only what I have been saying for, oh, let's see, 4 months?! I would like to say I hope so, but at this point I have no hope. He has to schedule it though, thanks to his jerk of a boss. He has plenty of vacation, to miss a week. I personally think he needs more than a week.

This is breaking up our marriage. I will listen to the advice I gave to tkit, that this is the worse part of "for better or worse", so I won't actually pull the trigger, but at this point we are becoming roommates more than anything. I do all the scheduling, shuttling kids. Every time I try to trust him, he falls farther off the wagon than he was. I can't fight or fix this. That is the most frustrating thing for a fixer. Helplessness.

*end self pity rant*


Hey, don't forget to look at the pics in the post below this. I love my new paint. I forgot to tell you that we are getting a small mural painted in the inset between the kids rooms. I'm looking forward to that!

Painting pics

We had most of the living spaces on the main floor of our house painted, along with our bedroom. I am very thrilled with how they turned out. I'll let you judge yourself.


Great room before and after



Kitchen & dining area before and after


Master bedroom before and after

The walls not behind our bed are silver. That is the first time I have experimented with silver, and I like it!

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?