Blissfully Unaware of the Chaos the Surrounds Me

And So We Go . . .

up to the mountains! The car is packed (and I do mean, really packed). My house is somewhat cleaned up for the housesitter. And I am ready to hang at a higher elevation.

The last two nights have been busy. 

Wednesday was my night out with my Mom and Aunties . . . always a hoot:

This is the bar/motel that my grandparents built and operated back in the day. So we always have to go and have a drink and hand spend some time together. I love it because I get to hear stories that I wouldn't get to hear otherwise. Love them.

And last night we went to Farmer's Market. Even though I hadn't started packing. Maybe not the best plan, but hey, the weather was right, our good friends were up for it and ultimately, we got packed up. All's well that ends well, right? 

And now, I must shower. Because it'll be my only shower between now and Sunday night. Because I didn't bother to pack shower-stuff to use at the campground showers. 

(SInce everyone is still asleep and since I found time to blog, maybe I ought to re-think that one, huh?)

Soon, we will be here:

 
And all will be well with the world!

Keeping Up . . .

With the pace of summer. It's different, for sure. And just when I think I've figured it out, it changes! Maybe that's the key to summer?

Dylan sleeps in as late as possible. Halle stays up as late as possible. Dylan also stays up late, but he doesn't have tired meltdowns like his little sister. (And maybe his mother.) I am determined, however, to catch up on my sleep before the weekend. Camping doesn't always equal good sleep for me, so I need to stockpile. Or at least get an 8 hour night! A girl can dream . . . 

In other news, this guy had three dental appointments the other day. Wires off. Teeth cleaned and exam. Wires back on and adjusted. All of these things combined? Equal a sore mouth for Dylan. But he is over 1/2 way through his treatment with only about 9 more months to go.

And this girl? Is having a serious addiction to sweets right now. She would prefer to survive on chocolate. Wouldn't we all?

She is also a bit persnickity this week. Well, more so than usual :) We were doing "art" yesterday and I thought I was pretty sticking amazing with the following (which was printed in Photoshop using the photocopy filter, and then colored with good 'ole Crayola by me):

Halle's response? Tears and drama because her dress didn't match the exact color purple. Geez, welcome to the idea of art, little one.

And where was Dylan while we were creating non-masterpieces? Glued to this thing, which has been consuming his mind for the past week. I am giving him until this weekend to be consumed by all things electronic and then, he's going to re-join the real world. After he has conquered all of his empires on his computer world.

Parenting kids of such ages and stages is definitely a challenge at times. I mean really, I went from watching My Little Ponies to Jackass last night. (Do not judge me. Dylan is very good about ignoring the grossly-inappropriate nature of Jackass and laughing his head off at the absurdity of it. At least, that's what I'm counting on!) 

As long as I keep the right show for the right kid straight, then I think I'm doing OK!

Now, I have to get Lauren's wedding invitation supplies ordered. I finalized the design yesterday and am really excited to put them together with the real product versus. I cannot help but love Envelopements. Maybe someday I'll find a way to immerse myself in their paper loveliness all of the time!

 

Healthy Living ....

So today, I started a weight- loss challenge. It's not quite 5 weeks long and I'd really like to lose 8 pounds.

Actually, I'd like to lose 8 pounds PLUS the same 3.5 that I've gained and lost too many times in the last year, but anyway ... not likely to happen in less than 5 weeks. Remember, balance and wholeness are my words to live by this year!

So I did really well today until I went to the movies. (Judy Moody with some girlfriends and a tween to make us look good.) And then the popcorn slayed me. Whoops. Good thing I have 4 weeks and 4 days left to get on track.

Balance and wholeness means ebb and flow, right?

Grateful . . .

for the little things today. . . 

One more Chai Tea latte in the basket, when I thought I was out.

Disc Golf with good friends instead of church. Complete with bike ride to and from. Bonus? No snakes! (Also a bonus? Not being hit by the frisbee while I was taking that photo of Dylan.)

Finding an awesome headrest mount for my iPad so my children can watch movies on it in the backseat. 

My amazingly cute iPad cover from the Pleated Poppy. (Sorry, that was the last mention of my iPad :))

Reading the Sunday paper, with above-mentioned Chai and having a slow and easy morning. 

Finally, loving my Instagram. Makes simple, everyday kind of moments to look cooler.

Dance . . .

My baby had her very first dance recital tonight. It was definitely more of a completely and totally adorable type thing versus any real skill. Just saying :)

There were very strict policies about cameras/video/etc.

I broke them.

Shocker, eh?

Anyway, I managed to sneak just a couple of shots when they all came out for their curtain call. 

Halle and her friends performed a Japanese rain dance. Most importantly? No one lost an eye to those umbrellas!

This was when she was looking for us. She was very happy to find us. And wave. And then wave some more!

And it's a good thing that I snuck those shots, because when they released them from backstage, it was sans those cute little costumes. So I guess it was a good thing I got suckered into their professional photos that they took this morning. Otherwise, I'd have no proof of how cute she was!

Very stinkin' cute, indeed! 

Tim McGraw . . .

or not.

For about 18 hours there, it looked like I was taking off with my BFF and going to see Tim McGraw in Wheatland. (Whoooohoooo, Wheatland!) But alas, best laid plans and all that . . . so I gave the tickets (which were given to me) to a friend. And in Chico I stayed.

Halle is (finally) asleep. After telling me that she was never, EVER going to sleep again. So glad I proved that one wrong!

Dylan and a friend are in the backyard tent, watching Get Smart and hopefully getting closer to sleep. More importantly, I hope they are pondering my threats (not idle) to them if they so much as even thought about leaving the backyard. (They asked to TP a neighbor/friend's house. I said no. My threats detailed out what would happen if they opted to try and do it anyway. The word "death" may or may not have been involved.)

John is at the Air Force base, doing his monthly drill weekend. 

And here I sit. Beyond tired. But my Mama-radar is up. So I will be awake until the boys fall asleep. And stay asleep for a while. Because that's the kind of whacked-out-paraonid-but-realistic Mama that I am. Deal with it, boys. I'm here to stay.

Last night. Date night. Downtown at Crush. Loving the first "real" Farmer's Market of the year. (Real = warm and no students.)

Would you trust that girl with a water balloon? HELL no!

A new game involving water balloons and (now-torn) butterfly nets. A type of street lacrosse that you end up getting soaked while playing. 

Glad I'm not rocking out to Tim McGraw right now. Kinda. I guess. I love the idea. But the thought of another hour of music plus 1.25 hours of a drive home and the reality outweighs the ideal. I'm liking being home. The end.

Old Made New Again . . .

That's my girl.

Inside of a doll crib made by my Dad and given to me in 1983.

She's holding my original Cabbage Patch kid, that I distinctly remember as being the last one on the shelf and my Mom may or may not have gotten a little scrappy in order to buy it.

The quilt covering both of those cute babies is one that I made when I was about 10 with help from my Mom and my Great-Grandma Clarece.

The tiara has no historical significance. Just happens to be Halle's most recent favorite from the Dollar Store. Classy!

Late Night Rambling . . .

I have to be careful. If I post too late, too often; my blog takes on a ridiculous tone. One that may or may not be colored by too many glasses of wine. And exhaustion.

Yet here I am again.

It's 10:06 pm. It's been 24 hours since Halle last vomited. And yet I cannot fully relax. 

I've been working at home. With her at home. With no daycare. And a deep, underlying fear of her vomiting. So you can imagine how great my work product has been!

Tonight I am committed to sleeping. I am not going to sleep on her floor as I have for the last two nights. My old hips can't take it. Because man, oh man, do I get sore sleeping on the floor! I am seriously considering a trundle bed for her, simply for these occasional illnesses.

So with that, I will put aside my unfinished work. My (numerous) unfinished conversations with my husband. Countless projects to do around the house (i.e., clean for the housecleaner). And I will sleep. In a bed.

Amen! And many, many prayers for continued healing for Halle. And continued protection for the rest of us against this flu.

(P.S. I saw someone from high school today. Someone I haven't seen in 20 years. And wouldn't you just know it that I was wearing yoga pants, no makeup and had Halle climbing on me like a wayward monkey? That's how it always goes, doesn't it? Good thing I don't give a sh*t!)

Trash TV...

I spent last night on the floor of Halle's room. Waiting to try and catch her errant vomit. (Aren't you jealous of my life?) We were awake from 1-5:30 am. And thus? I am tired!

I spent today trying to work. And take care of (still sick) Sis. And play chauffeur to my oldest child. Did I mention that I am really tired?

So I am watching, and admittedly, very enthralled with the Secret Life of an American Teenager. I got caught up in this trash a year ago when I was recovering from my tonsillectomy and have tried to abstain ever since. Now, I am sadly caught up again. What the heck is going to happen in the lives of these horrible actors/characters? Can I stand it long enough to find out? Did Ben and Adrianne's baby die? Why the hell do I care?

Sadly, this sad show is better than how sad this poor little sweet thing is:

Poor, sad monkey. (Complete with barf bowl, towel, cozy blanket and my new (!!) iPad. Saltines and shaved ice chips not pictured.) Crossing my fingers that we are close to being done with this horrible virus. Praying that this pathetic TV show is the most drama I will have all night. No barfing. Please. So help me, God!

(Also, no phone calls from my son's sleepover. The one that I have an odd feeling about. That one is more like a "so help HIM, God! ")

The Everyday . . .