Monthly Archives: April 2012

MMMM + Weird weekend (good and bad)

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SO, seeing as the semester is really over now, my office/building is a ghost town. In some ways, that’s kind of nice. I can work on things and play music and I have this entire floor basically to myself. Though, they’re going to a.) start tearing up the office next to mine to renovate and b.) tear up the road outside my building so it won’t be that quiet for long.

Anyway, I went home around 4 on Friday to run except this awful company who provides our propane ruined my afternoon. I somehow owe them more money and it’s ridiculously untrue. Everything with them is sketchy. Last time I paid – over the phone to a real person – she told me what I owed and ran it. Then a week later, I got a call from corporate saying I didn’t pay. Turns out the woman applied my payment  to another account! But the problem now is that they’re saying that bill was more and I didn’t pay it all. Well if it was X amount, then why did the woman on the phone tell me a different number?? See? Sketchy. I really let the woman I called Friday have it. Not angrily but very stressed. I told her this wasn’t the first time this has happened and I will not pay this magical number they’re coming up with because it’s clearly their fault. And I won’t pay for their errors. The woman apologized and said she’d have her boss call me on Monday. Not looking forward to that call but I am not backing down either. I am so glad that we’re switching to city gas within the month!

The rest of the weekend was decent. I can’t remember what we did Friday night… the run I took when I was mad was, well, not good. I was fuming so I ran the first 1.5 miles at about an 8:45 pace and that burned me out so on the way back, I felt like crap. On Saturday, we had eggs and toast and laid around in our bed watching TV for a bit before bikes in the driveway and then Ash went to a card tournament. He was basically gone until 10 PM so it was just me and the boys. I took them to Chik-fil-A, which is a super special treat because we don’t eat fast food. (Exception being that their daycare does pizza/chik-fil-A every Friday). They loved going there and the specialness of it. We then went to Publix and they took naps. While they napped, I laid in the sun for a bit. In the later afternoon we went to Target/Michael’s for Teacher Appreciation junk. Then the boys played in the sprinkler because it was HOT here! Though I have to say, we did have a cool breeze to balance the bright sun. I didn’t know what to make for dinner so we basically snacked all evening. Not my best parenting moment but eh, every now and then is OK.

Sunday morning we took the boys to Tom Brown and walked some trails before going to the playground there. Oddly enough, I ran into two guys I knew from a long time ago when they were in the PhD program. They’ve since gone off and had kids; I probably see them once a year around town. After that, both Ash and I did our runs (mine was awful; it was blazingly hot and I felt faint) but then we all napped before more sprinkler and playing in the yard and chicken tacos and basketball and Ice Age 2. All in all, good weekend.

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Another freebie week and I’ve decided to go with some “hometown” themed favorites.

Little Big Town – Boondocks

 

The Farm – Home Sweet Home

 

Montgomery Gentry – Where I Come From

 

And Justin Moore – Backwoods

There’s your daily does of country, folks. The last one is definitely the most twangy! Anyway, happy Monday.

Friday Confessional – Seriously guys, stop me

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PhotobucketI confess… again, I had too much to drink. Last night we went to dinner with my old friend, Chris, and his wife and then his brother, Tom (who is graduating) and his girlfriend. We had a great time and it was nice to see them again. The kids behaved… sort of. Isaac isn’t like Elliot in that he cannot sit still in a restaurant. Elliot did even as a toddler. So there were many trips to the fish tank and outside briefly to quell him. But the beer certainly helped me to not be so stressed about it!

I confess…I haven’t run since Sunday. I normally hit up Sunday, Tuesday, and either Thursday or Friday. My plan is to leave a bit early and squeeze in a 4 miler today. It’ll probably be a pretty good run with all this rest!

I confess… I am a little annoyed at Teacher Appreciation week. Yes, I love my kids’ teachers and think they do a great job but how much do I need to buy them? The school sent home these sheets with “helpful information” about them like fave color, places to visit/shop, favorite “Love Language”, whatever the heck that is! Most teachers said  “Acts of Service.” How does that help me buy you a gift, hmmm?? Either way, my plan is to go to Target and Michael’s and see how cheaply I can throw together nice gifts.

I confess… the daycare director scared the hell outta me this morning when she caught me on the way in and said, “I have to speak with you about something.” Uh-oh; that’s never good. But as it turns out, she wanted to know if I was OK with Isaac moving up to the next room, even though he only recently moved into the older 1s/lower 2s room. Um, yeah. Isey’s a little genius, I am totally OK. He can handle it just fine. Plus, he got a 60/60 on his communication Ages and Stages quiz. He’s magical. LOL. Ok, no more kid bragging. Sorry!

I confess… I have zero interest in doing work today. Ah well, guess I have to.

I confess… If my CDs that I sold back to Amazon all get approved, I plan to take that gift card and buy a good portion of the Jimmy Buffet songbook. Though in my heart, I know I should save it and put it towards diapers. Le sigh. Kids!

Things

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I’ve been wearing my Vibrams to work this week, since no one’s around. I feel sort of like a combo of weird loser/fringy-cool/barefoot runner. It’s strangely satisfying.

About ten minutes ago, I moved money from my savings to my checking and registered for the Savannah Rock ‘n Roll marathon. Though I had already mentally committed, this step made me physically shake. This is a huge step. It’s saying, “Yes, I am going to do this training that will surely kick my ass and make me cry.” I am fairly certain I will cry. The first week of training alone is 25 miles. I’m logging maybe 12 right now. And while I know that once I’m a few weeks in and notice my endurance building and six, seven, eight miles becoming increasingly easier and almost laughable – ha! – in the face of say, a long 18 miler, I am still really scared. Terrified.

We’re also considering a Tough Mudder, but it’s up in the air. I’d love to do it to see if I could. It’s one month out from the marathon so all I would need to do is train up on upper body strength. They don’t give you a medal though and that’s a huge detractor.

I am eight chapters into 50 Shades of Grey and after having read some arguments on Twitter about good and bad BDSM writing, I am worried this is going to disappoint me. I may have to suspend my disbelief for a bit to push through. I have read some authors who do a really fabulous job at writing the exchange of power and the trust that goes on in those types of relationships. Christian Grey? I’m not so sure he gets it.

Here’s a picture of me throwing a frisbee:

 

Let’s say you’re planning a beach vacation. You find a really great B&B but it’s about a mile from the beach. You found some beachside hotels but they aren’t as nice and reviews are so-so. Do you opt for the farther walk to have a nicer stay or for the proximity to the beach and sac the comfort? Last year, we went to Daytona. The hotel was pretty cruddy but we were on the beach all the damn time. I’m conflicted!

And some other random memories I’ve been having: bike rides along the inter-coastal, gardenias in a bowl, Hamm’s beer, dragonflies so thick they overtook our backyard, slugs after a rain, blanket forts, the boys down the street who teased us yet still rode bikes down to the country club so we could get air off the hills.

Mt grandma is in a PT home after a recent fall. I’m getting oddly nostalgic for time spent in Palm Beach with my grandparents as a kid. I’m scared that one of these days I will have to go down there to speak at a funeral. But there’s so many other things on my plate right now. This is only one small portion. Later today: make Summer B weekly plans, write a letter of rec, grade final FSU student papers, and run 4 miles. And that’s all I can fit into my Thursday.

WWTK – The crowd has spoken

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nullOooh, I am excited that this week’s questions are from readers/meme participators. Maybe mine will be featured soon! Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama

Vandy @ http://tttandme.blogspot.com/ wants to know:
{one} What is your quirkiest habit?
D @ http://beneaththesurfaceanewbeginning.blogspot.com/ wants to know:
{two}What TV show do you always stop to watch?
Vanessa @ http://www.jfamforlife.com wants to know:
{three} What do you miss most about being a kid?
Jolene @ http://richjmylife.blogspot.com wants to know:
{four} How many siblings do you have?
Kenzie @ http://cbmommyhood.blogspot.com wants to know:
{five} How do you get yourself out of a funk?

1.) Vandy’s Q; You’re quirkiest habit.

Hmm, tough one. I am sure I have some but it’s hard to think of them right off the top of my head. I guess for one, I have a thing about loving the music from Weather on the 8s on the Weather Channel. So I can be caught checking it just to hear the smooth jazz. And another is that when I go over speedbumps, I do this little two bar hum, sort of like Hmm MM, just as the tires hit the bump.

2.) D’s Q: What TV show do you always stop to watch?

Storage Wars or Auction Hunters. Hands down. I love the unknown about it! They could find anything in those lockers.

3.) Vanessa’s Q: What do you miss most about being a kid?

This one is a tie. The main thing is being carefree. I mean, I worried as a kid; about grades and friends. But not like money and your own kids and the house. It was nice to have some of that brainspace freed up. And the second one is that I could move like the wind, so effortlessly. Now it takes a lot of effort!

4.) Jolene’s Q: How many siblings do you have?

I have one sister, Alyson, who is almost 6 years younger than me. She lives in Sanford (Home of the Treyvon Martin case!) and is an assistant manager at Yankee Candle. She has a boyfriend of 3 or 4 years (can’t remember), Justin, and a dog named Candy.

5.) Kenzie’s Q: How do you get yourself out of a funk?I either go for a run or buy a book and take a long hot bubble bath. Sometimes, if time and money permit, I will leave the house and go have coffee by myself.

Good questions this week!  I have been bad about linking up on Wednesdays due to overwhelming work the past few weeks but I like this a lot. Happy Hump Day everyone!

Random (Talk To Us) Tuesday

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Stacy

Seriously Shawn

Tuesday. Blah. At least we have blogging…

  • While waiting in line at the deli the other day, a random woman got annoyed that I didn’t take a number. They only recently put the number machine out there and since the deli folks never call them, I never take them. Asking me once was one thing, but when the four of us who were waiting were tended to, the woman made sure to point out that SHE was the only one to follow the rules. Whatta bitch.
  • We went to the playground this weekend for a birthday party and Isaac was climbing around on stuff as usual. A girl, maybe six or so, picked him up around the waist and moved him from an area he was climbing that led to a slide. How do you feel about random kids doing that? I have seen it before and I just don’t know how to handle it.
  • I love that instagram finally came to android phones. I dig it. Follow me if you want: Scriptor79.
  • I’m slowly piecing together items to make solar jars or sun jars. About a year ago I looked into it but then my friend, Mike, mentioned making one and it kicked me into gear to start actually doing it. So far I have frosted spray paint and a solar light.
  • So the above random bits were written Monday evening. Today, I am at home because Isaac puked up breakfast shortly after being left at daycare. Fun for me! /eyeroll. Poor kid.
  • Save me; we’re watching Bubble Guppies. Gah.
  • I began 50 Shades of Grey last night and um, so far so good. It’s so bad it’s good, actually. I will perhaps review it; I’m making mental notes on the things I dislike. I’ve only gotten to chapter 8 but it’s pretty enthralling; that girl doesn’t know what she’s in for (insert delicious laughter here.)
  • Ok, best be on my way here, as Isaac is wasting away on the couch (not really; he seems totally fine except, you know, he can’t eat.) I leave you with this: Victor Galvez, who, in the spirit of 50 Shades, would make a great Dom. In my humble opinion…

MMMM + weekend overview

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Oh man you guys, I drank too much this weekend. Usually, if we have people over, I’ll have one or two beers. On Friday, Ash and I took our half day and had burgers and beers (Ok, HE had margaritas) and saw 21 Jump Street (which was pretty freaking hilarious.) Then that night I went to an end-of-the-semester party and had two beers and a Jell-o shot. (Molly, they rocked!) And then Saturday, I met my friend for dinner before we did this pottery thing and she and I both had 2 for 1 margaritas, then I bought a beer to have while painting! OMG, I know it’s not like I overdid it but Sunday morning, I just felt bad for drinking; all those calories!

But all in all, good weekend. We got grocery shopping done and even though Saturday was crappy weather, Sunday was gorgeous. We had this cold front come through and it was about 67 and breezy. We had an informal birthday party at the playground for a friend of mine, then we spent most of the evening outside playing various things with the kids (frisbee, baseball, etc.) Also, Ash and I bought a tune-up kit for the mower – which was sounding pretty bad – and we made it better! It was funny; he and I always argue our way through parts of shared projects but once we get going, we work well together. And when we finished and it sounded like new when I fired it up, I think we both had a little celebratory moment.

It’s finals week on campus so it’s nice and quiet. Soon, things will be way calmer around here; I need some suggestions on shows readily available online and that you’d recommend. I’m thinking Mad Men, if it’s out there butI don’t know.

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Ok, one hit wonders, ya’ll. Some of my favorite songs have been one hit wonders. Though, when I was looking through some lists, I found songs by bands who I actually like otherwise. I mean, Twisted Sister, Faith No More… both listed as having only one song. Not true! Maybe I just like obscure stuff. Oh well!

Autograph – Turn Up The Radio. Mirrors the style of glam/hair/arena rock of the 80s.

The song from Neverending Story as sung by Limahl, who was the lead singer of Kajagoogoo who sang… Too Shy:

and last but not least is Skee Lo – I wish, which was a favorite amongst my friends.

Friday COnfessional – Ticking Time Bomb edition

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I confess… I got so busy this week I shirked my blogging duties two days in a row. But you don’t mind, do you? No, my readers are very understanding. :)

I confess… I worked so much on my computer this week that my eyes have gone blurry and I have a raging headache… one that did not even go away after seven hours of uninterrupted sleep. It’s a tough one! It’s the result of way too much going on; at one point the other day I was looking directly at something and yet, I couldn’t see it. My husband was quite worried about me.

I confess… I have about six things to get done before I am outta here for the day. And I’m gonna eat a big ol’ cheeseburger and drink a beer and see a movie.

I confess… I am daydreaming about a day in the not too distant future where I am going to take some gift cards I received and a.) get a nice spa pedicure and then b.) drive down the road to get a hot stone massage. I’ll have to shell out a little extra money but it will be SO worth it.

I confess… This is the end; this is where my brain shuts down and I can no longer function. I wish you all a happy weekend. Until next week…

Random (Talk To Us) Tuesday – Life is so Weird edition

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Stacy

Seriously Shawn

Hey guys. Welcome back to Tuesday. I’m kind of scatterbrained today but here goes:

  • I was sitting with my boss looking at award portfolios just inside my office when a former student came by. Before I could greet him, he shot me the bird and walked away! Back story: Cody got an incomplete in my class back in Spring 2011 because he failed to turn in his final assignment in a readable format. (What is .odt anyway??). He apparently never looked at his grades and now he has to retake the class. Not my problem, buddy!
  • I have a friend and let’s call him… Vance. He’s not the brightest guy and he’s kind of a slob but he met a girl and they got married. They’re only 24. She doesn’t work and he makes about 30k/year. Well, lo and behold, they got pregnant. And they’re POOR. So he gets them a roommate. (He’s black; this IS significant, I promise.)  Then Vance goes and starts donating plasma so they can afford their bills. She’s about 27 weeks pregnant at this point. Vance starts to feel pretty bad and goes to the doctor, only to find out the plasma thing has made him weak/sick. So there goes that. Well – and here’s the kicker and the point of this story – turns out this roommate guy isn’t paying them rent and he’s eating their food. He got a culinary degree from a school where, when you graduate, they place you in a job. And then he flunked the drug test! But what makes it worse is the rumor that’s spread now that this guy must be cheating with the girl because why else would she let him hang around not pay rent?? No one in their right mind. We’re all really scared that when that baby comes out, it’ll be of mixed race. Oy. This world…
  • Last night, I had a dream that Elliot came into our room and was whining so Ash said, “Here buddy, get under the sheets.” And then I woke up from the dream and, wait, what? Elliot WAS in our bed. Sigh. That’s one of our fundamental no-nos of parenting. No kids in our bed. I will gladly go to their room but no kids in the adult bed ever. Well, there goes that! I’m not saying anything to him; if it happens again, I will make sure to take him back to his room.
  • I cannot offer you much more than those anecdotes today; I am sure you will manage, right after you feast your eyes on Niccolas. Happy Tuesday!

MMMM + Busy weekend recap

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Man, some mornings, my coffee is SO GOOD.

Auugghhhhh. Ok, that was my morning guttural groan; this Monday seems worse than normal. I’m pretty tired and unwilling to accept the fact that I have a whole week ahead of me. Though, we did have a fairly good weekend. Ash went to a party Friday night so I was on my own. Which worked out because I had to clean for my family’s Saturday arrival. (I hope you don’t mind reading my day to day recaps; sometimes I do it just so I can go back and see what we did.)

Actually, I did a good portion of my cleaning Saturday morning but I was stressed. Ash didn’t feel well and I was all angry about cleaning. But the kids were great. They stayed out of the way and played in their rooms; they were little angels basically. Around 1 PM, my parents, sister and her boyfriend got in. We pretty much just hung around the yard for a few hours because the weather was so great; sunny and breezy and not too hot or buggy. Then around 5:30 we went to Bonefish, which was amazing as always. After that, we were all pretty worn. In fact, Ash went in to change his clothes and when he didn’t emerge, I went to check on him. He’d fallen asleep on the bed, still in his  clothes from dinner. LOL. That night was weird b/c that happened around 8 PM and around 10, I went to sleep and he got up and watched TV with my sister’s boyfriend for a while. I woke up around 1:30 and heard this awful moaning, which was Elliot having growing pains in his legs. But Ash was in there with him already. So I know he didn’t get a whole lot of good sleep. Sigh.

On Sunday morning, my parents came over around 8 and we made a big breakfast: eggs, grits, bacon, biscuits/toast, and coffee. So awesome. Around 11 or so, we did Isaac’s presents and after that, back outside to play. I guess around 1, Ash and I decided to bang out a four miler; it’s so rare he and I get to run together. It was really nice. Soon after, we had hot dogs and did the whole birthday cake thing. It’s funny; it doesn’t SOUND like much, but we were all tuckered out. My parents left around 3 and the boys went down for an abbreviated nap. When I woke the kids around 4:30, we played outside AGAIN (can I stress enough how wonderful this weekend was?) before taking a walk up to TCBY, which is about a mile away. We took the dogs then sat outside to eat. That’s two desserts in one day but eh, it was Isaac’s birthday. We don’t often eat dessert anyway!

All in all, great weekend. I have a ton to do this week so I needed to start it off right.

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Freebie week!!!

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As I mentioned last week, I’ve been playing the sounds of Jimmy Buffet lately, but Pandora has linked him – obviously – to artists like Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton; anyone with songs about drinking beer on the beach. So without further ado, songs that remind you to kick back and enjoy the ocean.

Jimmy Buffett Come Monday

Jimmy Buffett – Son of a son of a sailor

Kenny Chesney – No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.

Blake Shelton – Some Beach (from the mullet years; OMG; bad!)

Friday Confessional

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I confess… I am STILL not done with all my grading but I am gonna bang it out this morning.

I confess… I had a Green Goodness drink for dinner last night. And one hard-boiled egg. And two crackers with cheese. Classy!

I confess… the tick problem we had last summer doesn’t seem as bad *knock on wood* this year so far. But after the kids helped take out the trash today (on the side of the house with lots of grasses and trees) they each had one tick on them. And this irked me; eww.

I confess… I was overly nice to my gas company today after heir HUGE mistake yesterday. Ash kept getting calls from their corporate office but they were during work so he didn’t answer. So I called yesterday to find out the deal and they said we hadn’t paid. Oh, but I did. So I went into my bank account and lo and behold, the payment came out on the third! I had to then call the local office and FAX them a printout of my bank transaction. Turns out, they applied my payment TO THE WRONG ACCOUNT. I nearly lost it, since this isn’t the first time they’ve screwed something up. Someday, Suburban Propane, I will quit you. ::Shakes fist::

I confess… I’m kind of boring today but pushing through these last couple papers and still listening to Jimmy Buffet radio; I’m out people. I cannot even begin to form coherent sentences anymore. Happy weekend!