visit

7-27-09

Big week for us. Ken’s last week of camp, which means long days of trying to get everything packed up. I need to work hard on keeping the house in order and get us packed for the trip. We also have a banquet Friday night for Pastor, which we are special guests at. Busy!

The weekend was really good. Saturday we rushed around in the morning to get the house in order as the de la Pena’s were coming over. They got there early afternoon, and we visited with them until close to 8. We were having a great time, so much so that I was shocked that it was past the boy’s bedtime and I didn’t notice.

We had put them down for a nap before they got there, and of course Bobby finally fell asleep maybe 10 minutes before they showed up. In hind sight, we should have either gotten him up then, or just let him sleep. Instead, we woke him up when we were close to eating, which resulted in a good hour of him not wanting to really talk to anyone. He didn’t want to come outside to play, he was crying at the drop of a hat, and was just totally out of sorts.

Dax was uncharacteristically friendly, so this was nice. I am pretty sure our loud boys were slightly overwhelming for Megan, who was pretty quiet. She had a few issues, but it wasn’t bad, and thankfully I had brownies that seemed to make her happy at various times.

Sunday I actually went out shopping. By myself! I know! I needed jeans for this weekend, so since the boys were watching Star Wars, I left Ken with them. I set out much too early. I clearly don’t do malls as much as I used to as I had not known that stores don’t open till 11. Lame! I got there at 10, so I jetted over to Target to see what was good.

I found myself still shopping as though I had kids in tow. I felt rushed, despite there being no reason for it. Heck, later when I was heading home, Ken actually told me to take my time as he wanted to get the boys in nap time before I arrived. It would have been good had I just looked at Target and enjoyed myself a bit more.

I only picked up some hair dye, and then went over to pick up dog food. By that time, it was close to 11, so I headed back to the mall. I sat on a bench in a mall filled with other people all doing the same thing. We were waiting for the stores to open. I wandered a bit, coming across this disturbing kid’s “ride” that I actually want to bring the kids back for just to see what the hell it does. It was big stuffed animals on roller skates, and lots of giant extension cords that reminded me of the one used in Back to the Future. $3 a ride, I am so needing to go.

As they started opening stores (of course the one I needed to go into took the longest) I was amused at which location required a security guard. He wasn’t part of the jewelry store or Old Navy. He was at the Gymboree clothing store. I thought this was odd and funny at first, but then thought about it. Seriously, if there is any set of customers that is scarier, I have not seen them. Mom’s, especially with screaming kids at their ankles, are probably prone to bigger screaming matches with sales personnel then someone calmly purchasing a $300 watch. This was not a theft issue. This was to protect the customer service reps from psycho moms!

My course of action in shopping for pants was to try on multiple things. I had not really done power shopping in a while. The thing I wanted the most was a pair of jeans. The ones I have currently are tattered or two small for my fat ass, so I needed a paid that I can wear to work and out and they don’t look too fancy and not too casual. Pretty basic, really. They didn’t have a huge selection. I had remembered them having more, but it might be the wrong time of the year with a good chunk of their clothing being fall dresses. I grabbed the pair with the right size and cut, and hoped for the best. They fit, except that I had not realized I grabbed long instead of regular. In all fairness, long normally isn’t an issue, but these, once on, had pant legs that could have doubled as shoes. The good news was that all I needed to do was exchange them out for a regular. I had my jeans!

They had a buy one get one 50 % off in the entire store, so I looked at other pants. I grabbed several kinds, and was happy to find a cute pair of black pants that will go with a good chunk of my existing wardrobe.

I was not happy with the pricing. Pretty much everything in there was $50. I know, not bad since the quality is there. These jeans, unless I get crazy in them, should last a good 10 years if not more. But still, it is outrageous. It was really tough since I had seen a pair of the best shoes ever at Target for $35 that I couldn’t warrant buying because of how much they were. They were black sparkly Converse. I love them so. Maybe in a few weeks.

I also found the best dress ever. It was this cool bright red, kind of knit, kind of t-shirt like, that even though I didn’t try it on, I know would have looked awesome on me. It was so me. The problem? I couldn’t warrant purchasing a bright red dress with the hair color I have. I just bought more of the deep auburn, and I am afraid it would look wrong. I might go back once my hair is freshly dyed and try it on to see if it works. Hell, maybe I will feel like spending some cash in a few weeks and will go get my dress and shoes.

Yet another reason I need a Wii. Beatles Rock Band-coming on Wii. Toy Story game coming soon-Wii. Punch Out-Wii. Dude. Screw the shoes.

I am quite frustrated at the lack of decent sandals out there. I looked at Target and at Payless, and aside from the awesomely bad pair of hot pink leopard print platform wedges (I took a pic and will need to upload) , there are no shoes I could warrant buying. All of them had heals too high, not enough straps, too many straps, and some looked like costume pieces from Gladiator. What the hell? I just need a simple pair of black open toed sandals that I can wear everywhere. And I don’t want toe thong. Yes, that seems to be the only readily available cute sandal. The problem? I don’t do toe thong if I can help it. I find it uncomfortable and my feet tense up trying to keep them on. I have some, and I know that if I just practiced, I bet it would be fine, but I don’t want them to be fine. I don’t want to break in my feet. I just want to put them on and be happy. Is that too much to ask? Oh, and I don’t want to spend $4000 dollars on them! I went to I think it was showbuy.com and found a couple pair that looked ok, until I saw that they were $200. No joke. What the hell??? I have considered going over to Sketchers since the one pair I love so much is from them. But even so, I know they will be like $50. Why is that the default price for things these days?

OH!! I had a dream about this, and I am sure someone has already come up with this idea, but seriously, someone needs to do it. MySpace is teens, Facebook, well, everyone else. My not kidspace? It would be geared to kids 8 to 14 and it would be kid friendly, would not allow anything racy, advertisers would be kid stuff, the sites on there would have homework help or things like that. Schools could have their own pages there to allow for help on things. It would be great! So many possibilities. Parents would have full access, but there could be diary functions to keep them out. Just a thought.

I had been debating on taking my furlough day on Thursday, and I have opted to go ahead and take it. I think with cleaning house and packing and maybe even just some napping (I am going to be wiped out after travel) it will be good to really get stuff in order. I have enough vacation for 4 days next week, so I don’t have to come in until Friday. I think that works. Plus, if I take Thursday off, I can dye my hair that day, do the rest of the laundry and go out looking for kid’s magazines. Not sure where I will get those, but I am sure I can find some place.

I am sleepy today. I had horrible heartburn last night and I couldn’t get comfortable. The cats were restless, and when I got up to get some milk, despite my best efforts to not wake up Ken, he heard me open the cupboard and jumped up in a panic. Then, this morning, only a few minutes before I had to get up, the pitter pat that I had mistaken for cat pitter pat was actually Bobby. Ken got up, went to look in his room which was open, turned the corner and next thing I know there is a child running through my bedroom. Don’t know what was up, but I am sure Ken was none too thrilled.

It is a slow Monday. It is the day before my reports and Tammy is out today. On top of that, Jenni called out sick which means less emails from her. How will I stay awake? LOL!

I am nervous about flying. Especially with the two boys. I know it will be fine, but it makes me freaked.

It is nice to be able to wear eye makeup again.

Ouch! I just cleaned under my finger nail too far. How do I keep hurting myself?

Would anyone read a year in the life of me? I am tossing around ideas in my head since I can easily see writing about some kid stuff, fat stuff, work stuff, etc etc. I have not come up with the angle yet, so give me some time.

It was funny. When we were visiting with Ed and his family, I felt really bad that I didn’t know him better. Here was a guy that I had dated, albeit only for like a month in 1989, but I have known him for 20 years. I have hung out with him with various sets of friends. I have made out with him a couple times in my between Greg and Ken period. Yet he told me a couple things I didn’t know, and it was funny since you think I would have known these things. And, I will say, he is a really cool guy. He has a super happy household, he is funny, down to earth and hopefully they can be our friends for another 20 years, and maybe I can get to know them better

I have been tossing around ideas for a book to read. Ken has suggested I read the Sandman series having never done so. I also am feeling intrigued enough to read the first Twilight book to see what all the fuss is about. I really just want to re-read Time Traveler’s wife, but I can do that anytime.

This afternoon is going to be slow and boring. I am not looking forward to it. I am already sleepy eyed.