Blissfully Unaware of the Chaos the Surrounds Me

It's Friday, Friday . . .

I am clinging to the idea that the weekend will bring health and happiness to our abode!

Poor Dylan. That should really be the title of this blog post. That boy has been sicker than a dog for . . . let's count them . . . 12 days! TWELVE DAYS! We met with the ENT on Monday, who said that false negative occurs often with a rapid strep test. Since I had started him on a Z-pack that morning, the doctor said to continue with it. On Wednesday, we switched antibiotics. Yesterday? We took him in for a Mono spot test. All that being said? I think . . . crossing my fingers and holding my breath . . . that he was feeling a wee bit better last night. He ate two whole meals yesterday. And that's more than he's eaten for a week! He looks a little better, although he still has weird facial swelling and odd rashes. I am so hopeful that this was just a horrific case of strep and that the second antibiotic is actually covering it. So hopeful. And prayerful. We'll know soon enough, I guess.

Halle-boo hasn't been sick, but man . . . she's been something! Yesterday, she lost her ever-loving mind at the conclusion of an otherwise lovely playdate. It wasn't pretty. Nor fun. She is also still freaking out about sleeping in her room. Which last night? Resulted in me sleeping most of the night with her. On her twin bed. Awesome.

John is fighting either some monster allergies or is getting sick. Plus, let's be frank, he's a man. (Sorry, honey.) But the good news is, the semester from hell is over! Whooohoooo! He is officially 2/3 of the way done with his Masters/FNP program which means that at this time next year? We will be having a serious party.

Other than my bout with food poisening the other night? (No more Chipotle for me, FYI.) I am doing dandy! My final budget was unanimously approved by my budget committee, so it's onto the public hearing, early in June. The other, periferal crap going on is still going on, but I am either getting used to it or just getting better at not taking it too personally. As they say, the truth will set you free!

We're having our family over tomorrow night for a Mother's Day dinner. I still haven't put together a menu. My Mom is bringing a fruit salad and my Gram is bringing a pasta salad. I ordered some lemon cupcakes from Denine and will make some cookie bars. Definitely a big yummy green salad. Maybe Ranch Potatoes in the crockpot? As for the entree? I'm thinking that we'll BBQ chicken and steak, but that would require John to clean up the BBQ. Hmmm. One more thing for his list, I guess! 

** Doctor just called and the results are in . . . negative for Mono!  Whoohooooo! (Who would have thought I'd be so excited for a horrible case of strep?)

With that . . . must clean house. Must do laundry. Must water plants. Must run errands. May take shower. Should wash car. 

Sitting Outside . . .

and loving it. Yesterday and today have been lovely weather. I spent time in the yard planting a few things and have been sneaking out at every chance I get to just sit and enjoy it.

I am really, really beginning to enjoy our yard. No, it's still not done. And I would really like Halle's play area to get finished while she's still little enough to enjoy it! I'm also dreaming about some type of canvas structure. (John thinks I'm nutters!) But we've been coming out and laying in the hammock a few times a week after the kids are in bed and it's pretty darn dreamy. I keep thinking that if we had a comfy futon or better yet, my pallet-constructed u-shaped sofa/convertible bed, under a platform tent, we'd sleep out here several times a week! Plus the kids would love it. I'm sure there's got to be a way to get John on-board with the idea!

We had a dinner event at a friend's last night that was utterly delightful. It was an Italian dinner that we had bought at a school auction a couple of year's ago. Sadly, one of the couples that bought it with us wasn't able to make it. So with an hour to go, we found a neighbor couple who was able to join us. The food was beyond compare . . . both in quality and quantity. We had a bacon-wrapped scallop that was to die for. Then a pesto lasagna and a nutty risotto that almost had me licking my plate! I took some sangria over, but I tried to decrease it's potency a bit. It wasn't nearly as good as last weekend's batch. Back to the potent version, I guess! 

I also edited a senior portrait session. I ended up with 73 edited images. That's kind of ridiculous. Especially when I'm just trading for babysitting! But I am hoping that Mindy and her parents will be happy with what I gave them. The girl is gorgeous and fun and a true delight. Hoping that her pictures represent how amazing she is.

As for my hubby, he is headed down to Sacramento (again) tonight. His Uncle is not doing well at all. John wants to give his Aunt a good night's sleep and be able to have one last coherent conversation with his Uncle. To be able to say all that needs to be said. My heart is breaking for him right now. His Uncle has been a huge influence in his life. A father-figure when he needed it most. John is grieving, even now. I'm so sad for him and it's so difficult to watch him walk through this. I can't take away his hurt and it's hurts me to watch him mourn and struggle and grieve. He wants to save his Uncle - who is refusing treatment and choosing to go now versus fight for a while longer. It's very hard to watch. 

So all that said? The weekend is soon to be over. I'm not prepared (mentally) for the week. The stresses of our lives are pressing in. And so I sit. Ignoring the laundry. Ignoring the chores. And I look at the flowers that are blooming in our yard. I color with Halle. I pet the dog.

And I drink a mason jar full of watered-down sangria.

Cheers to the coming week. Please be kind(er) to us.

Birthday Blathering . . .

So I turned 38 this weekend. I had to actually do the math to figure out how I old I really was. That's pretty sad . . . or great, depending on how you view it!

We did our typical modus operandi , although I tried so very hard not to let it occur . . . it still did. I. Wasn't. In. Control. Dammit.I  strove to have a relaxing day. But John needed to get some minor/major projects done. God love him. So our day got progressively more stressful until it exploded at 4:30 pm. When he unloaded my beautiful birthday gift and began to assemble it. We had people coming over at 6:30. And needed to get our kids packed up and delivered to my Mom's. And food prep to finish. And blah, blah, blah! So it wasn't blissful . . . . but . . . and this is a big but . . . . we redeemed it!

At 6:30, my dearest friends began to arrive. For my birthday potluck. With amazing entrees and appetizers and salads and sides and desserts . . . I'm telling you, friends, this is the year of the potluck. Done and done! We had shrimp. We had pasta. We had meatballs. We had cheese. We had salads. We had soft tacos. And fruit and pie and chips and dip and ????

And sangria. Oh my. I finally learned how to make good sangria. It's all about the pre-soak. (In vodka, nonetheless!)

A sad as that is as an update? I don't have time to post more! That's a sad reflection of what this week has looked like! This weekend, however, I'm likely to draft a real post or two. Promises, promises . . . right? 

 

Girls' Night . . .

is always a good thing! Especially with these two:

The conversations that we have? Priceless. And also? Hilarious! I love these two ladies like crazy. We've been causing trouble together for twenty years. I can only imagine what we'll be doing together in another 20 years. Or what, God-forbid, our bucket list items will look like then!

And by the way, Karissa Jean . . . happy birthday! You deserved a birthday re-do and I'm very glad that I got to be there for it. Lots of love to you, my dearest friend! (I don't want to say too much, lest you accuse me of writing another manifesto.)

Highlights . . .

of the last couple of days:

We co-hosted (tri-hosted, actually) Dylan's Back to School class party on Sunday. Hilarious interactions, or lack-there-of, between the boys and girls of 7th grade. Seriously giggle-worthy. But they all seemed to have fun, so that's whats counts . . . even if there was no mixing of boys and girls. (Hilarious. Seriously. Still giggling a bit over it!)

Being the planner that I am (!!), I convinced the other two sets of parents hosting, as well as another couple to kick the kids out, as soon as the party was over and head out for some grown-up fun. And oh, my, we had some fun! We headed out to a local winery and tasting room, which happens to be owned by some good friends of mine. (In fact, they pulled out their wedding album to show off pictures of us at their wedding. Hysterical!) After a full flight of tasting, plus splitting a bottle of our favorite, we headed to 5th Street for appetizers. Let's juts say that we were the oldest group on the patio. And we were the loudest. Nice combination :)

I didn't realize how much we needed to get out and be wild until we did it. It didn't come together too easily. I couldn't find a sitter for Halle to save-my-soul, but one of my long-time friends came through. Thankfully. I needed some yummy red wine. Some delicious appetizers. Some hand-holding time with my husband. And some hysterical (and loud) laughter with truly great friends.

I failed to take even a single photo. Fail. BUT . . . I talked with my friends who own the winery and we've struck a deal. I'll take some photos for their new winery website and we'll gain some of their delicious wine. Done and done.

Other moments of the very. Last. Weekend. Of. Summer?

Our side yard is now torn up. And our backyard irrigation is still not functional. (And no, the backyard is not finished either.)

Halle and I did art. Let's just say that she has issues. So damn particular. And finicky. And such a perfectionist. Art is not actually my favorite thing with her because her expectations are so high. But still, we are working on a (fun) canvas together. We shall see.

Dylan had friends over on Sunday night. I was the official driver. Those boys take their TP'ing seriously. (Not that I'm confessing to anything. Nope. Nothing at all!)

And with that, it's officially school-time, peeps. Time to pack lunches. Time to get to bed. Time to set the alarm for tomorrow morning. Yikes!

 

Sometimes I Want to . . .

act like I'm five and kick someone. Just sayin'  . . .  But I don't. Even though it would feel really good for a moment or two.

Instead, let's just focus on how pretty dinner was last night. Even if I was the only one who really liked it.

Moving on . . . 

 

Brilliant Business Idea . . .

a food wagon. Preferably those that can travel/deliver or at minimum, park in my 'hood. Yeah, seriously. Like Meals on Wheels, but good food.  Taco Trucks on steroids! You could even get a line-up! An appetizer truck, then a salad truck, entree truck . . . all followed up by a dessert truck! I would totally let them park in front of my house. HOA be damned! 

Can you tell that I'm hungry and have no plan for dinner? That would be correct!

And, in addition, I've been tearing into closets and drawers and making piles all day long. Is any thing actually done? No. But I sure got a lot started!

I guess I'd better at least move some piles before I forget which is which. Happy Saturday!

And, Happy National Scrapbooking Day! (I celebrated by refusing to spend money on more digi-scrapbooking stuff. At least so far :) There are still several hours left of deals all over the Internet!)

Happy Dinnertime .  . . whatever you're having!

Home . . .

ahhhhhhh! I feels good to be home. Really, really good. It would feel better if John were home too, but since the Government didn't shutdown (don't get me started on that situtation!), he was notified at 9:00 pm last night that he would indeed have to appear for his drill weekend. Which he was already packed for . . . it just made a long night for him.

As for us, I was a little tired from my day of traveling. Wimpy, I know. But since we didn't know how traffic would be on 101, we left Ventura at 6:30 for our 9:40 flight out of Burbank. Turns out we had plenty of time to sit around and wait, but at least I wasn't stuck on 101 freaking out. 

I was also (possibly) a bit tired from our Thursday night out. This workshop was for staff only, so my collegues from across the state all gathered in Ventura. And on Thursday night, we went out. Yikes! We started with cocktails at the hotel, then grabbed taxis to the wharf area . . . 18 of us. Our taxi driver, Bruce, gave us the great advice to not agree to let a commercial fisherman "show us his boat". He said it didn't usualy have a happy ending! (you've got to love advice like that!)

We started with margaritas and then switched over to The Greek, thus ending the night with Greek wine, delicious food and even a little Greek dancing. OPA! We did, thankfully, avoid drinking any ouzo. I've learned my lesson on that little cocktail before!

We made it back to the hotel and then I realized that I would be leaving for the airport in less than 6 hours and hadn't packed. Oh, well. I went to bed anyway! And obviously, made it up and out the door (packed) in time to drive to Burbank. Done and done!

Now, the sun is out. My Dad is on his way over with donuts for the kiddos. I will head to the nursery for some flowers and get some planting done. Then, we'll enjoy the tail-end of a family reunion that has been going on this week. I made it over there for a brief visit last night, but am hoping that with the sun out, we can take a nice walk or do something fun today. I have a photoshoot this afternoon that I am looking forward to and then . . . that's my day! Exciting life that I lead, yes? Now, back to cuddle my littlest for a while longer. I really missed my kiddos!

Moving the Boob Post . . .

down.

Really, that was the entire reason I came to the computer. I thought that my breast non-issues had reigned supreme for enough days on my little blog.

So now it is raining. (Still.) My boy is on his way to Cal Skate to hang with a group of friends. My girl is napping. My man is delivering the boy to his skating/socializing fun and then running errands. Which all added together? Means that I should be snuggled up on the couch, reading our Book Club pick, The Postmistress. Because we're meeting on it in two days. And I can't seem to get past the first 50 pages.

Or, I could go snuggle up on the couch and read trashy tabloids and watch TV. Why does that sound so much better?

We are having dinner with some good friends tonight and my contribution to dinner (Taco Chicken!) is already in the crock-pot. The drink fixings are in the bag. I'm feeling like it's all dialed in.

And since Dylan and I already walked 3.5 miles in the wind and pouring-down rain this morning for a local non-profit event? I am really feeling the lazy/trashy version of my rainy afternoon, versus the responsible Book Club version.

I can fake a few comments on the novel and just be sure to have my mouth full when any additional questions are asked. Book Club back-up plan activated!

Some Superbowl Party Pics . . .

Needless to say, we had a grand time indeed!