It's been way too long

since one of my rambling, thinking by typing - kind of posts. So very much has been going on lately, so very much to think about. Work is still work, I enjoy my job, but still have to drag myself out of bed each morning. Baseball is over, hallelujah, at least for the time being, as it starts up again next month. Add to that Monkeybutt is trying out for the high school golf team, and the Girl will be playing soccer...I see lots of practices in my future. Speaking of the Monkey, he is going to 4H camp next week. He looks forward to this every summer. It is summer camp the way I remember it - canoing, swimming, hiking - outside stuff. While he's gone I intend to strip the monster truck wallpaper border he's hated since we moved in and paint the room. Orange. He wants an orange room. So last night we were going through clothes and books and getting rid of stuff, which made me realize I have been avoiding his room for way too long - a thick coat of dust covers everything. I'll dust it before I paint, I have to, but then he starts dusting darn it. No wonder his allergies are so bad. He has asked me to hang green bamboo shades at his window - the sun shines right on his bed in the morning. Haha - that's what he gets for sleeping past 6AM. Tonight I am going to Zumbathon - a friend of mine teaches it, and asked me to attend. 2 hours of Zumba and then sangria. Ole'! Of course I will be the fattest and least fit person there, so 2 hours should be...interesting. I do love the Zumba, though. Tomorrow we will be going to Stud's company picnic, Sunday will be scrapbooking and dinner with family, Monday is dropping off the boy to camp, meetings and lunch with a friend, plus painting, hopefully. Tuesday includes more painting, a cake tasting with my sister, and a Mom's Night Out. Oh, and one of my first friends from around here is moving away next week, so we have to try and figure out a time to party hearty and hale before she goes. Family reunion next week, too. Crazy summer...no lazy summer here. Ooh, and last night I was watching Law & Order: Criminal Intent with my brother, and the killer was one of those goofy goth-like guys - but then they showed him with the makeup and fake fangs off, and he was seriously yummy, check him out:

His name is Matt Burns and I'd like to go after him with a spoon, isn't he a cutey?

So that's it for today. I should probably go back to work. Ick, what song is this? I love the Shins, but I'm not caring for this bizarre, calypso-sounding song. Must skip - The Smiths? Now I have regressed to middle school.

Have a fab weekend!

My gorgeous kids

I took this a few weeks ago. I think I'll frame this one, I really like it.

8 Things: Simply Summer

The *8 Things I simply MUST do this summer:

1. Smell like coconut-scented sunblock and swimming pool.
2. Drive with the windows open and the music turned up loud.
3. Take the kiddles and tent out camping - even if it's only in the backyard.
4. See my scrumptious niece turn 1(!) Spoil her rotten for a few days.
5. Pick blueberries
6. Take a nap on the back porch.
7. Stay up late talking and laughing with friends.
8. Snuggle with the girl on the lounge in back, watching the night sky.

And you? What will you be doing this summer?

Something Rachelle over at Magpie Girl does. I love a good list.

Things I Wish I Could Do...

Understand, I'm not whining about what other people can do and I can't. Simply, a "hey, I want to do that" kind of post. And maybe, sooner or later, I will...

I wish I could...

1. Make something (green) grow and flourish. I have what I like to call a brown thumb - I can make it grow...but then it dies. I generally do not get more than a few tomatoes, my carrots are always eaten by critters before I can pick them, and even my strawberries ended up dying. Apparently plants require Care.

2. Hang my clothes out to dry. I love the smell of line-dried clothing, and I love the energy efficiency of it, but alas, the kids have allergies and so do I. We do not need to purposefully drag those allergens in on our clothes and sheets. Oh, but the smell of a sun-warmed, breeze-dried sheet...

3. Hold a handstand. Due to lack of balance, strength, and guts. I'll work on that one soon.

4. Lose weight. Quickly. This is no more than a lament for the unfortunate weigh-in I had today. Ok, lament over.

5. Travel more. No cash, no time. That one, however, is not permanent. I will travel more as time goes on.

6. Get a new car. I love my pimpin' van, don't get me wrong, but the lack of A/C, the tricky driver's side window...I really want a new car. Alas, see reasons for item #5.

7. Readily access a well of creativity, and have the talent to act upon it. Yeah, well, I suppose, don't we all. This is another one of those somethings I believe I need to practice on. Perhaps if I keep writing, keep taking pictures, keep working at those little projects that make me happy, I will get better at them.

8. Strike a bit more of a balance - find those routines that help my days flow smoothly. It's been 4 months already. I need to get on track.

9. Tap dance and fence. Two things I've always wanted to do. Betty White still has fantastic legs - it's from all that tap dancing, I tell you.
(Ok, so it is really hard to find a picture of Betty White showing her legs, even from when she was younger. But you all remember that episode of Golden Girls when she is wearing the tights and tap dancing, right?)

10. I wish I could drink wine and enjoy it like a grown up. I've tried, I really have. I just don't like it. I like Riesling, and (the horrors) white zinfandel, and that's about it. I will still, however, go to wine tastings with my friends. I just enjoy the friends more than the wine.

There are a thousand more, but I don't want to whine about all the things I cannot, or do not do here. Especially when there are a few that, if certain people knew I couldn't do them and wanted to be able, they would force me to do them, or try, and I would cry and be scared...

I Love Fridays!

And...here we go!

1. I wish I didn't have to wake up before 6:58.
2. It was the reason, of course, I felt I needed a nap by 2PM.
3. Changing my self to suit other people is something I no longer feel the need to do.
4. I have another errand to run, then I'm sure I'll have to drive someone somewhere.
5. It's right in front of your face!...just go find it
6. What were once vices are...ok, they're probably still vices.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading and bed, tomorrow my plans include baseball and a visit from the father-in-law, and Sunday, I want to chill with the fam! (ok, and probably do something nice for Father's Day.)

I do love a good meme.

Sharing the love

Today was a good day, and I feel I should share some of those things that made it good, so maybe you can go make a good day for yourselves:

1. The Girl Child loved loved loved soccer camp this week. She came back smiling and wanting to show me what she learned every day.

2. Getting a not-so-irritating song stuck in my head. Generally my earworms are of the annoying sort, but today's was "Rollercoaster" as performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Could be much worse.

3. Had an awesome night hanging out with some of my girls last night. It kind of reminded me of a 7th grade slumber party with all the crying, but the crying was due to too much wine and warm feelings, not nastiness. It was a lovely evening.

4. Mid-afternoon thunderstorm. I LOVE a good thunderstorm.

5. McDonald's vanilla soft serve on a cone. My favorite hot weather treat. mmmmmm...I ate so many when I was pregnant with the Girl, I'm a little surprised she didn't come out with a little twist on top.

And now we embark upon another weekend. I WILL sleep past 6:30AM.

I love this picture. And every response I've heard has been something of the "she's a mini-you!" Poor child.