New Year's Eve 2013

Hey, guys!  I just read that "tousled, imperfect" wavy hair is in. 

*Giggle*

I am so stylish and irresistible.  I love the part where they said it was the "new" look.  And, silly me, I've had it my whole life and never known that it was stylish OR new.  It's quite the best joke I've heard all day.

All the sumptuous decadence of holiday-ness is worrying.  I haven't had much in the way of exercise, and now there is no taiko again tonight, due to a performance that I am not involved in.  I am hoping that I can do some walking, etc. when the kids are in school and before I am back at work.

Sadly, this is the same time that I have allotted to pounding the hard pavement in search of a new and different and better job. 

I admit it.  I am the worst resume writer in the universe.  I have finally decided that what I probably need is a service.  Somewhere out there is someone who doesn't feel deep, burning, agonizing shame when saying that I am basically alright, and worth hiring.

The new year approacheth.  I haven't given much thought to resolutions.  I don't typically make them, at least not in earnest.  I have been accused in the past of giving up things like illegal drugs and extramarital affairs.  However, I will try not to be sulky or resentful and concentrate on this year's goals:

Okay, so they are the same ones.  Get a new job so I can afford a new house.  Escape the sub-par school district and try for a new start in a better one.  (SO nervous about that.)  There is lots of detail work that goes along with these lofty expectations, but you get the idea.

Abbie's birthday party is this Saturday.  We are going to a pizza parlor, and she has asked me to make her a Nutella gooey butter cake.  Should be great!

Also looking forward to the Celebrate The World in Maryland Heights at the end of February, and the dog show in Columbia, MO on March 8-9.  Already lots of fun planned for 2014.

We had planned to be with friends tonight, but unless I am mistaken that has changed to just our family, and some board games....and then it will be 2014.  I like the number 4.  It's my favorite.  My hopes are high.  Nervous, but hopeful.

Did I mention that my hair is new and stylish?

Not SICK! Gold Star?

Happy Boxing Day!

I love being healthy at Christmas!  It's the best!

I am not at taiko tonight, as it is a performance practice for a show that I shall not be in AND Andrew is out of town.  (For the uninitiated, that means there will very likely be no drills, etc.)  After all the over-eating I have been doing, this is rather disturbing.  I shall push heavily (Oink!) for taiko-robics on Sunday.

Yes, the festivities have been delicious!  I made punch with rainbow sherbet, sprite and pineapple juice.  Yum.  Yum, yum, yum.  And my favorite brisket.  And the kids picked a new carrot recipe and we had snow peas with butter and garlic.  And breads and snacks and pistachios and chocolate covered cherries....and muddy buddies. 

What?  I like muddy buddies.

Josh loves the laser chess game I bought him.  Yay!  He got me a bento box.  So excited.  Here.  Look at this:

http://www.annathered.com/2008/11/25/bento8-ohmu/

http://www.teen.com/2012/08/31/im-bored/bento-boxes-cartoon-movie-characters/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TZ04GO/ref=asc_df_B002TZ04GO2901065?tag=thefind0048493-20&creative=395261&creativeASIN=B002TZ04GO&linkCode=asn

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FO0OHAK/ref=asc_df_B00FO0OHAK2901065?tag=thefind0052768-20&creative=395261&creativeASIN=B00FO0OHAK&linkCode=asn

"We're on a bridge, Charlie!!"

 

So, finding recipes and such is going to be fun.  He also gave me two books, but a lot of the ingredients are things I can't get at our store.  Boo.

 

We took down the tree today, and what a relief!  We can walk in the living room again.  And did I tell you that we finished painting the kitchen?  We pretty much rock.  With luck, this house will be very seriously for sale in just over a week.  Wanna buy it?

 

I applied for that job.  Just so you know.

 

Brother, Josh and I have great and exciting plans to go and see the second Hobbit movie this Saturday.  So excited.

 

Did you have a nice Christmas?  We sure did.  Being un-sick makes all the difference.  This is the first Christmas in 13 years that I haven't been ill, if my count is correct.  And I love it.  I shall make it a new tradition.

 

Hugs to you all!







Night Before The Night Before

Brother arrived in safety, but not on the day we were expecting him.  He left a while ago to have dinner with friends in Columbia. 

For Christmas, I would like a winning lottery ticket.  Then, we could buy a new house and I could get a fancy back porch with a fancy grill for Josh.  And citing that, we would cook all our bacon outside.  Forever.  My inspiration?  Cleaning bacon grease coated dust off of the tops of the kitchen cabinets in preparation for painting.  Seriously - Ick.

We did get lots of painting done, and only have the hard wall left.  That would be the one with the stove and the refrigerator on it.

Watched Dr. Who with Brother last night, and after the kids were in bed, we watched Pulp Fiction with the trivia subtitles on.  Love that.  I don't like the commentary dubbed over.  Just give me the subtitled version and we are good.

Just paid lots of bills.  I'm actually supposed to be writing a cover letter for yet another job application right now.  I decided to procrastinate a little.

Well, my extra, super long healthy stretch is about to come to an end, I think.  This morning I ate after Abbie, just as we were all noticing that she was starting to sound congested.  Boo.  I have a headache already.  Maybe I can hold it off until after Christmas.  What do you think?

Tomorrow we go to Josh's mom's house.  That will be something.  On the way home, the kids are buying each other's presents.  We put it off a little this year, didn't we?  It's just that we've been booked.

Kids' make-up recital went well.  So did the chicken I made for dinner when Brother arrived.  Life is good, even if nothing is going according to schedule.

Wishing you health, happiness and safe roads!

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pummmm!

BAH HUMBUG party over.  Christmas may continue now.  ^_^

Both of Grant and Abbie's musical performances on Saturday were cancelled due to weather, but my parents stopped by on the way from getting their car (the one that died on the trip) from the Subaru service department and we had a mini-recital for them.  They were all dressed up and everything.

After my parents left, the kids went out and made snow aliens in the yard.  (Too much Dr. Who?)  I love my family.

Trying to decide what to cook while my brother is in town.  He arrives late Saturday. Pretty sure we will have him Sunday and Monday.  No idea about Tuesday.  I have left the decorations off of my tree, and intend to force him, kicking and screaming, to help decorate.  I think I will make my meat loaf at one point, and plan to have my favorite brisket on Christmas Day.  There will be cookies, most likely.  But that still leaves me with a lot of blank meals.

Got my hair cut today.  Don't you hate it when you tell the stylist before she begins what you don't want, and then can see her doing it?  It's really too late to say something after it is done.  What do you do?  I always just go with it, because there is no point in fussing at her.  It will only make her upset, and prone to accident.  And it's not like she's going to remember for next time, if she can't remember the 5 minutes since I asked for it not to be done.  So, my cut is not what I wanted, but I will just work with it.

I think I might be done with Christmas shopping. 

Taiko tonight.  Looking forward to a little drumming!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc

A Few Things, Before I Get On With My Day

1.  We are packing up the house to move.  We must do this packing in order to sell the house, and must sell the house in order to get a new place.  Therefore, I am packing, but have no new place.  The feeling of homelessness in my own home is much worse than I had expected, and probably the house will sell just as I am beginning to feel comfortable in it again.  Not to mention the fact that there is lots of pressure to get done fast.  I have to pack, and fast!

2.  I am trying to get a new job, while working on Saturdays.  These two things are not helping each other in the least.  I have not had time to do much applying lately, but I understand that I need to get back into it, or no work will be found.  Because of the alleged future move, more pressure than usual is associated with this job change.

3.  Children.  They need a better school, and they need me to be better, too.  No pressure.

4.  Christmas.  I thought because I work on Saturday, I would be excused from the party that always turns me into Ebeneezer Scrooge.  It's the one where they tell you to bring food and presents and money.  So unChristmaslike.  This year, I was told to bring White Elephant gifts for all members of the family, plus game money, plus...they even told me WHAT to cook.  But I work on Saturday, so that won't really affect me.  Oh.  Whoops.  It's on a Sunday this year.  A Sunday that I already RSPVed to another party, but Josh is making me cancel.  So, I definitely am in the wrong frame of mind for this party.  I'm angry at it already. 

Next year is the year, Friends.  I WILL have Christmas on my own terms.  And that works out well for you guys, because my terms include inviting guests without asking for a damned thing.  What do I want to see?  YOU.  I will do the rest.

Today, I need to buy Josh's Christmas presents and pay bills.  And do more packing, of course.

This week I have two pot lucks, and I work a half day Saturday so I can see the kids' first ever music performance on their instruments.  The school music program is the same morning, but I will have to miss it.  Then, Sunday is the...you know...other party.  (HUMBUG!)

Love you guys.  Keep healthy.  Keep Safe.

Stress Level Approaching Critical!

Came home from work and started packing up my beautiful dishes.  And I'm freaking out.

There is just so much going on right now.  For some reason, Taiko is having a stressful Christmas season.  Part of it is not our fault, but some of it is self-inflicted.  We are, in fact, having a pot luck on Thursday.  No idea what to bring.  Work is having a pot luck on Friday, and I've been encouraged to bring something.  Oh, and I'm supposed to bring enough for the drivers, if possible.  How many?  Oh, 70.

I so wish I were kidding.

Not even going into all the other "usual" Christmas stress.  And time is getting away from me in terms of shopping, as well.  It's that whole working on Saturdays thing.

Did I mention that I need a new job?

Well.  Trying hard to keep some Christmas Spirit.  Kids have letters to write to Santa, and with luck I will have the tree up soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc

Tomorrow Josh's work buddy, Santiago, is going to help him take a few things to the storage facility.  One of them is my antique Irish gate-leg table.  Lets all cross our fingers that it arrives in safety, not only to this, its temporary home, but also to the now unknown permanent home.

So, think of me tonight and tomorrow as I pack away the things that make this my home:  my dishes and my books.  *sniffle*

Anyone want to buy my house? 

Superlong Wednesday

Okay.  Everyone give me a few minutes so I can....talk...to......myself. 

On that note:

Dear Excretory System,
  You're right.  12 hours is a little much. Sorry about that.  Feel free to call me names.  Yes, like that.  I deserve it.  And that.  And...now, wait a minute - that was a little uncalled for.  It wasn't on purpose, you know.  I promise to drink lots of water.  Yeah, okay, enough with the name calling.  I'm leaving.
Me

Long day.

Got up, got ready for work, took the kids to school by 7.  Went to work until 2.  Picked up the kids.  Drove back over the same roads and took kids to music.  This is usually the part where I drive home. 

Not today.

Josh had borrowed his dad's truck with the intention of moving some of our furniture this Saturday, but because there is snow in the forecast he wanted the truck back.  Josh hadn't driven the truck to work, so he had to go home, get the truck, and go to his parents' house.  And I had to take the kids to dinner, and then drive over there to pick Josh up before I could go back home.

Last night I stayed late after taiko practice to help wrap up the oodaiko.  It will be shipped to California for re-heading.  I am the liaison between our group and the man who does the re-heading.  Somehow that became "person who has volunteered to deliver the oodaiko in its giant case to the freight location".  Sadly, I couldn't do that until Monday, so we are making other arrangements.  I did help package the drums, though, and came home super late.  Why is it always the night before an early day?

I started today tired.  I am most certainly tired right now.

The kids have their clothes on inside out and backwards.  They have just put spoons under their pillows.  Why, you ask?  Because they are going to do a snow dance to encourage school being snowed out.

Hee!


Are you singing Christmas carols?  You know....I've heard a lot about this approaching weather.  Maybe I should look that up....

Rush, Rush, Rush

I just read my last entry, thinking I would giggle at how ridiculous I sounded.  As disappointing as it is, though, that is a pretty accurate depiction of my emotional truth, lately.  I was going to say emotional reality, but I just liked truth better.  Which do you prefer? 

My state of mind right now it good, though.  I have not made progress in most of the things I was obsessing about last time, but I have been accomplishing a lot.  Here.  Let me tell you about my week/weekend:

A week ago today was Monday - my day off.  In the morning, Josh had made an appointment for a realtor to come and talk to me and see the house (See Nov. 25th post).  Just as she was walking in, the phone rang.  More on that later.  It was an awkward beginning to an awkward visit.  She looked around and said that she could probably sell the house for what we owe on it.  If. 

Her recommendation was that we re-paint the interior walls, pack away most of our things and "stage" the house, and that we keep the house immaculately clean, especially the base boards.  This would be reasonably easy if I lived in the house alone.  But I live with Josh, two kids and two dogs.  Our other homework was to get pre-approval for a loan, to show our seriousness and ability to move.

So, back to that phone call.

It was my mother.  She and my father had been in Mississippi watching the Ole Miss vs. Mizzou game, but their car broke down in Arkansas.  At the time of the phone call, they were on their way back to Missouri, but were going straight to the car dealership in St. Peters.  They asked if I could pick them up and drive them back home to their other cars.  Luckily for them, it was my first of two days off, and no trouble at all.  Josh met me and the kids at the dealership and we all had dinner.  Then, Josh took the kids home, and I drove my parents to Rolla.  I wanted to come back home, but between Josh's texts and my mother's *ahem* recommendations, I ended up staying the night, and driving home after she left for work in the morning.

The whole drive to Rolla, Dad kept going on about how my CRV is such a good car.  He still hasn't forgiven the Subaru for breaking down.

Got home Tuesday around 11, and continued with the million little things I was in the middle of.  I priced the oodaiko's shipment with UPS, called my grandmother about the Thanksgiving menu, applied for a job, wrote that frantic post....

Taiko was not what I was anticipating.  We did some PR envelope stuffing, but then did NOT have a practice.  I ran off to Mongolian barbecue with Julie, Kelsey and Kiyomi.  I feel so decadent.

Wednesday, the kids were home from school, so I didn't work.  I don't know why I was so thrown off by that.  My brain just thought I had one day of work before Thanksgiving, and one after.  I spent the day doing laundry and packing for myself and the kids.  I cooked, too.  What did I make?  Oh, yeah!  I made spaghetti with cream cheese in the sauce.  I'd never tried it before.  A huge success.

Thursday, of course, we all got ready early and left as soon as we could to get to Versailles.  I had spoken to Gran the day before and knew that she was going to have a lot of food, so I decided to bring A) grape tomatoes, and B) my yellow cake with cinnamon apples that Josh loves.  I made it in the cathedral bundt cake pan to make it extra fancy.  We got to Gran's, and I helped a little, but really I wasn't needed much.

As usual, it was a crowded, happy, slightly chaotic day.  Hannah did not bring her new(ish) boyfriend, because he was moving that day, and Fawn did bring hers.  So glad he was so comfortable around so many new people.  Personally, I don't think we're particularly scary, but I'm not sure all agree..  ;)  It was really sad not to have Sky and Kelsey, since they are always there, and I had been hoping for some Walters kids, but at least they were mostly together...just elsewhere.  Mom's cousing Ricky brought his daughter, Erin, who I am quite fond of, and her husband, Eric, who we always enjoy.  Mackenzie was driving up that morning, so she was the last to arrive - around 3:30.  Luckily, we were staying at Josh's family's condo at the lake, and didn't have far to drive, so we were still about.  Had a great time seeing all the aunts and uncles.  I think it was after 6 when we left for the condo.

The condo was very, very cold.  We don't appreciate the fact that central heating pre-heats our houses in cold weather.  Imagine back in the day when you walked into freezing cold buildings and then had to build a fire.  Can't imagine.  In the morning, we had leftover apple cake for breakfast, then went to the Outlet Mall. 

I am not the Black Friday type.  First of all, I'm not much of a shopper.  Well, not for pleasure, anyway.  Usually, I have a list.  I try to see if I can get stuff on the list for extra cheap.  Sometimes, something is on the list and I find it and won't buy it because I don't find it worth the price.  And I'm not into new technology that no one else has yet, so the thrill of Black Friday isn't really something that I can share.  Josh, however...

Anyway, we waited until the civilized hour of 9ish before heading over, and even then I had a clear idea of shopping only for Christmas clothes for the kids.  We did, in fact, find some.  Also, Josh replaced my shoes that I was moaning about in the earlier post.  It was quite extravagant.  I have been told to consider it a Christmas present.  *sigh*  How un-Christmas-like.  Josh also got a few works shirts.  Abbie found a bathing suit for 2 dollars.  Grant got a funny t-shirt.  I was not permitted to get cookies from Harry and David's, but it was otherwise a very indulgent day.  We had lunch at the condo with Josh's mom and dad and Mariah, but it was....awkward.  Mariah kept pretending that she didn't hear people.  Then we drove home.

Naturally, after a busy two days away from home, we got up Saturday morning and drove to Wentzville. 

I just wanted to say that.  What really happened was this:  I came home to a phone message saying that I did NOT have to work on Saturday, so I immediately made plans with a dear friend who was only in town from Chicago for the day.  We had breakfast.  We were going to meet at Denny's in Lake St. Louis (Trivia!  Josh and I first met there in 1999.), but it was closed for remodeling.  We went to St. Louis Bread Co. instead.  After a long and lovely time, we parted ways.  Josh and the kids had dropped me off, and after fetching me, we all stopped in Wentzville to run errands.  The kids and Josh got haircuts, and then we bought paint and supplies.

Then we came home and prepped the living room and hallway.  Dinner was Breakfast For Dinner, including crepes in the pan my Grandmother gave me for my birthday.  Yesterday - we painted, and then I made another new recipe - apple and cheese soup.  Today, while I am getting a lot of little things done, I will also be replacing the outlet and light switch covers.

So, I have accomplished much, and feel reasonably good.  Three new recipes tried, a room and hallway painted, Christmas clothes for kids bought. 

Today is my day of rest.  I do not plan to leave the home.  However, the busy season has started.  This Friday is Josh's work party.  So, I plan to enjoy the break while I have it.

Hope you are well!