A mother's life for me

Its been a weird week on the mother front. For the first time ever I gave my kid the car keys and got dropped off at work. And left my kids with the car all day. Should I be happy, carefree, or worried? Maybe a healthy combination of the two. But its a little letting go that I'm proud I could do. (I forget what a control freak I can be sometimes. Or maybe I really need them to be dependent even as I'm complaining they should "Do it themselves".) Then there was the bizarre feeling of watching my daughter do the job I used to do/still do, working with patrons at the library. Smiling and happy. It tugs at the heart, and even the tearducts. (Yowza, hormones in action.) But also makes me so very happy and proud. Yeah, okay so I can't take all the credit...but for the good stuff I want to.

Customary asbestos infestation

I get some interesting spam these days. Lots of it. I never even open them, but some of the subject lines just make me laugh out loud. I mean, what are they trying to sell? Or do? I just don't get it. I mean even if I wanted to buy ephedra, or hoodia, or even pharmaceuticals, why would I buy it from some stranger online who can't spell? But it would be kind of fun to write some of that stuff...Even I can string together bizarre words as long as it doesn't have to mean anything. The junk mail I do read, because they are very creative, are those letters from African people who want your bank account number. "Please help, my husband/brother/uncle died in an automobile accident/perished in a mysterious plane crash/was poisoned, and I need you to help me get his money out of the country. But don't tell anyone..."

Maybe I should move further north

Did I ever mention how much I hate hot weather?

A new obsession

Its scary, but I've found something new to be obsessed about: altered books. (Google it). Thanks to a coworker, I now can't wait to get started recreating a discarded book into a work of art. I'm gathering some cool bits and pieces of art supplies and chomping at the bit to get started. Its even helping me get through my VBS craft planning and prep, as I keep coming across little "finds" that will be perfect for my altered book, while at the same time actually getting everything sorted and in order for VBS week. That little kick makes me happy and keeps me going. I know, I know, I already have too many hobbies and not enough time to do them all justice; but this looks like too much fun to pass up.

I have to go to work today...

...but I am so not into it. Probably because I stayed up way too late last night, reading, what else. I knew I was tired, almost falling asleep, when I sat down at 10 with Twilight, but I ended up having to finish it. There is something about my body chemistry or brain wiring or something that makes me become addicted to whatever fun thing it is I'm doing (reading, solitaire, crossword puzzle, knitting) to the point that I won't even give up to sleep. I am addictive about food too, I usually don't stop till I'm too full, but my mouth always seems to want more anyway. (Of course I eat too fast, and distractedly, so that doesn't help either). If only I could get addicted to work...(Sure I'll help you find anime at 8:58 pm. I don't want to quit working tonight anyway...)

Snoozing again

She looks so peaceful, asleep on the couch. I just wonder how she does it. And why she didn't do it as a baby. ;-) And I admit I'm a little jealous, because when I try to snooze on the couch someone always needs to wake me. For that matter even when I try to sleep in my own bed that happens. I guess I just wasn't cut out for sleeping. But a gal can dream can't she?

Wasting another Friday

Its fun when I have a day I don't have to go to work. I always have big plans to "get something done", but often I just end up frittering away the day with little stuff. Like computer stuff, or reading, or even crossword puzzles. I have it in my mind today that I want to go to AC Moore and look at craft stuff. Even though it is all the way across town. I suspect that I can entice my fellow non-working family members to go with me. There is stuff in the advert that I would like for prizes at work, and for VBS, and scarily enough, just for me for fun (like more yarn...uhoh). So I guess we are off to do that, although the weather is threatening.
In other news I got my van back, good as new; Actually even better, since all the dings in the hatch are gone. Now I'm just paranoid about getting hit again. But at least things turned out okay. I also hope to pursue the new waterbed this weekend, as we finally have a Saturday with nothing on the calendar. There is the issue of cleaning the bedroom, but forcing the issue may be a good thing. I've been really lazy around here lately, but I know I'll feel better once its done. So there's my goal in writing. Lotsa luck.

Excuses, excuses

Its time for the regularly scheduled blog about why I haven't blogged. And I really can't explain it. Sure I've had time. But I just haven't felt like it. I also haven't sent any letters, email, cards or friendly notes. I've given no gifts, nor called friends just for fun. I haven't even *gasp* been faithfully reading the blogs I normally do. In short, I'm just not very sociable right now. I guess it could be burnout from the many obligations I've taken on the last few months. But it could also be my usual nemesis of depression. I just don't feel like blogging when I'm depressed. (I'm forcing myself to write this now, because Josh - who himself only blogs once a month - complained that I haven't been blogging) . I don't really have a reason to be down, its just a general stresslike malaise. Maybe its the fact that I haven't been exercising regularly (that gets in to the vicious cycle thing..too tired..exercise..too tired to exercise...), or sleeping enough. Or the dent in the van. Or the fact that Dumbledore is still dead. Your guess is as good as mine. I'll try to do something exciting today to blog about tomorrow. :)

We're off to see the Wizard...

It was a wonderful Wizard of Oz! Everything came together. The kids were great, I had lots of wonderful help, the costumes held up and it seemed a rousing success. Because you want to see...here are some pictures: http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f344/mskwik/play/
Thanks Matthew!

Sacrifices

Blogging
Email
IM
Spider solitaire
Reading books, or newspapers
Watching Buffy (or anything else)
Knitting
Sleeping
Exercise
Work
Eating

All the things I've missed doing the last several weeks due to play costume commitments.
All the things I would also miss if I went back to school, or tried to write a book.
Hmmmmm.

And the winner is...

My favorite conversation at tonight's dress rehearsal:
Student: Where's my costume?
Me: Who are you?
I had never seen her at practice, nor did anyone tell me she was in the show...I'm still sewing.

My favorite response to a costume tonight: The look on the Tinman's face after we spray painted his Nikes silver. Priceless.

And I found out that an ice pack really does help cure a headache fast.

Happy Birthday Matthew!

I have been so busy lately that this birthday thing kind of snuck up on me. I didn't even remember to buy the ingredients for a cheesecake (the traditional favorite cake) so I guess it will be Pineapple Upside down cake. I think that will save lots of time...no frosting needed. And since he mentioned it in passing last week I even have the ingredients. Actually its been 4 years since Matthew's been home for his birthday, so I guess its the first time I have had to worry about cake and dinner and stuff in a while. And I'm still up to my eyeballs in Munchkins, so it will still be a rather short-on-the-extras celebration. The real problem is that I have no idea for presents. And he is not giving me any clues. Suggestions anyone?

Wow its Wednesday already...

Didn't I just blog 5 minutes ago? And its May now too. Uh oh. Time warp. I guess I have been immersed in costuming for the last few days. The deadline looms, and I'm starting to feel the pressure. I did show stuff to the kids yesterday and they (mostly) liked the costumes. There were a few of the kids I wanted to smack (they were mistreating all my hard work!) and a few of the girls that were so sweet and helpful I wanted to keep them! IT doesn't help that we have a Marriage Prep session Saturday, the CROP walk Sunday, 2 AARP sessions this week at work and, oh yeah, a sign class on Saturday to set up for. And the 3 hour evening rehearsal I better sit through tonight to see what other costumes I'm missing. (Did I mention the flying monkeys? No one else did either!) But I'm still determined that I'm having fun!

I forgot how much fun sewing can be

I am up to my eyeballs in Munchkins. At least in Munchkin costumes. I am having a lot of fun with wild colors and patterns. And making them look nice and round with hula hoops (and I may try swim rings as well, since I've run out of hula hoops). But I am much encouraged by how fast it is going (the show is less than 2 weeks away) and by how really cute the costumes are. I put on the Munchkin Mayor's costume (all purple and yellow and big) and Steve thought I looked like HR Pufnstuf, which wasn't really true (ok, well, sort of) but it was really scary that he remembered HR Pufnstuf by name.

More TBF

I spent the day at the Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival doing my volunteer job as a photographer. I shot 2 rolls of film and then a few more shots, and boy was it hard work! (Its too easy to forget the camera and get caught up in things). But as I found out many others took far fewer pictures. In fact, I got some cameras back with 10 or more pictures left . But all in all I can't believe we did not get lots of good, fun pictures that will show people what they missed, and entice them to come to the next TBF (should the organizers ever recover sufficiently to plan another one). I hope that I get a chance to see the pictures that come back...at least some of them, because that's one of the things I like best about photography.
The day itself was great. The authors were all open and friendly and articulate. They were fabulous with the teens, and really shared with them and listened to them. I think that was my favorite part of the day; watching the kids who love to read, and who aspire to write, interact with some of their favorite authors (or perhaps even an author they just read for the first time) but clearly they came prepared and hopefully came away enriched.

TBF

When I took Josh to the Teen Book Festival volunteers training on Wednesday, I somehow was swayed (maybe by the bowls of M&Ms all over) to ask if they needed another adult volunteer. As if they would say no. So I'll be taking pictures with the "paparazzi" tomorrow. It sounds like a fun thing to do, and anyway I was going to go. So other than the fact that I will miss another day of costume prep (no time, no time) I am looking forward to tomorrow. I know it will be wild and crazy, but I hope that's because lots of teens actually show up and are excited about authors; And not just because things go wrong. Fingers crossed.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

You are far away, but close to my heart! Wishing you a very happy birthday!
Now I can go bake you a birthday cake...Chocolate, of course, since you are not here to object. ;)

I'm back. Sort of...

Well, I wrote a fabulous blog entry, in my head, around 3 am. Sorry you missed it.

Okay, since you insist I'll try really writing one now. Its been a long time since I last wrote, but I've really no idea how it got to be the end of April. Since then we have shopped for waterbeds, visited our friends in Fort Wayne over Easter weekend (went to church 3 times, got to hold baby Gianna, played Apples to Apples), then the family in Toledo (where we really didn't do much, just eating and a little shopping.) We also visited Castaway Bay and had water fun. (I especially liked the hot tub part). And then here we were, back in Webster to work etc.
For some reason I've found myself a little down since we've been back. I always feel like I miss people more when I see them after a long absence, and then have to leave again. Or maybe I'm just internally stressed by the subtle pressure of Pre Cana next week (which we are not prepared for). And the many play costumes which still need finishing. I feel nervous for the kids, who don't seem to be ready yet...but then the next 2 weeks will be intense practice, so they may be exhausted, but they will be ready.
I can't get in to being back at work either. Maybe a vacation was a good idea, but coming back was a worse one. ;)
I don't know, I'm just out of sorts. And I think visiting all those people without Elizabeth made me miss her more too. I know these next few weeks will fly by, but I can't wait to see her again. (Of course, that feeling is heightened by the impending birthday as well.)

Waterbed blues

I awoke Tuesday morning wondering why it smelled so terrible. Soon I discovered it was my bed...growing mold. Yuck. What a way to start the day. Anyway after a little research I found the culprit, a tiny leak that had apparently been there long enough to cause havoc. The worst smell actually came from my rice filled heating pad which got moist and, you guessed it, moldy. So sadly I disposed of it and started cleaning up the rest of the area. I tried a patch last night after work, but it did not hold well enough for me to sleep there. (My husband, being a man, slept on his side of the bed anyway.) So I slept on the futon. Thanks Lizzie! Since I still could not find the vinyl patch kit I went out today and bought one, and looked at new waterbed mattresses as well. I think I've got him convinced to buy a new one! But at least for tonight the new, reliable patch is in place. And the clean sheets and mattress pad. And I washed it down as far as I could (a water filled mattress is heavy). The test will be whether he starts researching waterbed mattresses now. Then I'll know I've got him!

Vampire musing

I was playing around with Novelist the other week and came across genre lists, including "vampire lit". So I put a couple of things on hold... light reading stuff. I'd already read the Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books, and now I'm working on MaryJanice Davidson's Undead series. (Who knew vamps were so sexy). Anyhow, imagine my surprise when I went to visit my friend Frances yesterday and she told me that the Polish vampire had just been to visit her. I was rather curious, wondering if she was hallucinating or something. So of course I had to ask her what she meant. Turns out the Polish vampire is a young man, originally from Poland, who comes to take blood samples for tests. (In other words, a phlebotomist who makes house calls.) I've been chuckling about it ever since!