Naked

I forgot my rings today and I feel completely naked without them. I feel like I forgot my teeth or something.

2 more days! Woohoo! I feel a little panicked about all the packing I have to do, but hopefully with Micah's help, we'll be able to get it all done.

It will be so nice to forget about this place for 2 weeks. I'm meeting with my backup at 2 to make sure he's good to go. I'm sure there are some things that will come up that he won't know what to do with, but you know what, I don't care. He's going to have to handle it. Put on his big girl panties and deal with it.....er, wait. Hey, whatever he does in his spare time is his business. Just teasing.

The redesigned site is supposed to go live on Sept 12. The day I come back to work. I'm going to try really hard not to think about it until then. Once I'm 150 miles from home, there won't be much I can do anyway.

I wish tomorrow would hurry up and get here. As of tomorrow at 11:30, I'm officially on vacation from work. I'll go to lunch with The Committee, then head to the gym, and then home to pack. I'll pack the kids first, since I can't pack for them after they go to bed. I'll start with Evan. Saturday morning we're going to breakfast and then we'll load up the car and head out.

Micah put on his sandals last night to wash the car. Then we did the math on how long he's had those sandals. 10+ yrs. I said, I think it's time for something else. He only wears them at the beach and to wash the car but they're not cute anymore. It's time for them to go. Me too.

I've been tagged!

Thanks Rebecca!

7 things I plan to do before I die
1) Tour the US with Micah in our RV
2) Attend Hannah & Evan's weddings
3) Go scuba diving again. It's been 6 years
4) Go on a cruise
5)
6)
7)
(That's about it! I'm a very simple girl!)

7 things I can do
1) Touch my nose with my tongue
2) make people laugh
3) Sleep in, if other people would LET me
4) Make one heck of a chocolate PB cheesecake
5) ?
6) ?
7) ?(Not very talented, lol)

7 things I cannot do
1) Sing. I love to do it...just cannot do it well
2) Drive slowly and patiently
3) The Electric Slide - not that it matters anymore, but I can't do it.
4) Run. Too much bouncing
5) Keep the house neat. Damn kids :)
6)
7)

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex
1) Eyes
2) Build
3) Hair
4) Sense of humor
5) Not pretending to be something he's not (why I love Micah)
6) Willing to let me be me
7)

7 things that I say most often
1) Whatever.
2) STFU
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
(I never shut up and here I sit wondering what I say most often...)

7 celebrity crushes
1) Chris Noth
2) Joaquin Phoenix
3) Noah Wiley
4) George Clooney
5)
6)
7)

I'm not going to tag anyone, because between all my blog friends, I'm sure everyone's been covered.

I'll be back later with a real blog.

Zip a dee doo dah....

It is a lovely day here in Bawlmer. Low eighties, low humidity, nice breeze.....ahh! We might have to cook out on the grill tonight. I hope it stays like this through September 10. This is great beach weather.

Hannah packed her toy bag. She also packed her bathing suits, leaving one out for sprinkler day on Friday. In her toy bag, she packed every pair of dress-up shoes she owns. I told her she didn't need quite so many. I'll be helping her with the packing of the toy bag. I unpacked the bathing suits and she went nuts. Crying that I wasn't letting her take her bathing suits. Then I explained that I had a whole suitcase just for her, including her bathing suits.

I could absolutely fill this blog with Hannah-isms. She's so funny. She and Micah played tea party the other night and she took his order with a pad and pen.

I taught Evan the word "open" over the weekend. He brings me things now and says "Ope, ope".

Four days til vacation! I'm getting really excited and I'm feeling caught up at work. That feels great!

Pretty Piggies

I told Micah last night that I would probably be working late a few nights next week. He said, "why?" I'm kinda thinking DUH on that one. Because I won't be there for 2 weeks! I need to make sure everything is caught up, etc.

I gave myself a pedicure last night. It was so nice. Wait, let me back up.

We've been pretty lax about Hannah's bedtime. It's just been around 8 and if I don't have to wake her up at 6:30 the next day, she goes to bed later. It hit me last week - she's a little girl. She needs her rest. So I told Micah, 8:00, lights out. Books read, teeth brushed, burrito (our bedtime game) done by 8.

So, last night, the kids were in bed and I had all my "chores" done and I'd been to the gym. I decided I was going to watch Ghost Hunters and give myself a pedi. I pulled out the hot water foot massager and set myself up. While my feet soaked and massaged, I filed my nails and pushed all my cuticles back and then I went to work on my feet. When I was done, I just sat back and watched TV. I can't tell you the last time I just sat and watched TV.

I think Micah's trying to kill me. I can't find any other explanation for the horrible gases coming out of his rear end. I want my own room!

Party Cake

Imagine vanilla ice cream, swirled with bits of cake, and colorful buttercream icing chunks. It's name...Party Cake. Oh...my....God. It's a new flavor from Turkey Hill.

The colors attracted Hannah at the store on Sunday. Although we are well stocked on ice cream (most of it low fat/low cal), I got some for her. Since they were BOGO, I bought another flavor for us. Did I mention we're well stocked?

I served her up a Party Cake cone last night and decided that I needed to sample it for myself. I took a little bite. I swear my eyes rolled back in my head. I gave Micah a taste. His reaction? "Oh, that's not good." Not good that it's that good and now in the house!

Evan did really well at school yesterday and didn't bite anyone. Yae! He is so damn funny. As soon as hit feet hit the floor this morning he was off and running and jabbering a mile a minute. So cute.

I need to catch up on my friends' blogs again. I've been SO busy at work with the new website stuff that I haven't had a chance to catch up. I spent this lunchtime catching up on my favorite bulletin board (you know who you are). I also have the kids' baby books to catch up on. That may end up being a vacation project. (11 days)

Still no verdict in that trial. Here's a link to an updated newstory. Check out the pic of the accused. Creeeee-py. http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_226112813.html

Sit back and relax...enjoy the ride

I never made it back after Friday afternoon. I suck.

12 days til vacation and I really feel like I'm running out of time. I've done zero packing and it's such a huge task that I don't even know where to begin.

This weekend we bought mesh for the balcony. We'll be on the 15th floor and the thought of anyone or anything going over makes me sick to my stomach. DH will stretch the mesh across the entire balcony and secure it with zip ties. The kids won't be out there unsupervised anyway, but we won't have to watch them like hawks.

We also hit Target for a few miscellaneous things and I went to Sears to spend a gift card. I found some great stuff there and earned a KidVantage coupon. I'll have to shop at Sears more often. I was looking for pajamas or nightgowns for Hannah and I had to go to the girls' department. Sears doesn't carry 5T! Where did my baby girl go?

Today the jury deliberations begin in a triple homicide that happened here in Baltimore in May '04. The victims were 3 children, a brother and sister and their cousin. The accused are an uncle and another cousin of the kids. Very gruesome murders. Very. The whole case has me completely perplexed. I'm addicted to the news coverage. The odditites are innumerable. One night a few months ago, I was up in the middle of the night with Evan. The names of the accused were repeating like a mantra in my head. For hours. I couldn't stop it. I have no idea what it meant or what that says about me. I'll post the verdict when it comes.

Hannah's been immitating a scene from Shrek 2. It's hysterical. If you've seen it, it's the scene where Shrek goes to see Fairy Godmother and she looks up fairy tales and points out to Shrek that none of them contain ogres. Hannah's been acting it out complete with tossing the books, saying, "no ogres." I laughed and said, Ok that's funny, but we don't throw books.

Evan is a funny, funny little monkey. He started a new classroom today at daycare. No more crib, he'll now nap on a cot, and no more high chairs, they'll have their meals and snacks at little tables. We'll see how he does. When Hannah went to that room, I had my doubts and she did just fine. The best part of that room is the step. Just one step separating the 2 halves of the room. It's great practice for all the sunken family rooms and living rooms we visit. Now when we go to my SIL's, the ILs won't panic when Evan gets close to the edge. Well, they'll still panic but it will be unfounded. How Micah made it out alive I'll never know.

Well, better get back to work. Between the website redesign and other stuff, I'm definitely going to NEED a vacation. Did I mention the 12 days?

Loo-who-hoosers

That's what the Committee was today. We didn't win diddly. Bummer.

I'm finally rolling on loading content for the new website. It'll keep me out of trouble for a while, that's for sure.

Not much going on this weekend. Maybe I'll work on my lists and packing for vacation. 15 days.

Evan hasn't bitten Madison in the past few days. His teacher said there's a restraining order out on him.

Oh, just got an email from an old friend and it's almost time to go. I'll come back later!

Chopper

That's Evan's new nickname. He bit his friend Madison twice yesterday. Madison's parents are getting pissed but what can I do? My mom is convinced that I need to call the pediatrician. I have a feeling that the folks at daycare can handle this just as well as the doc. They do it all the time.

He only bites Madison. I told him she'll never marry him if he keeps this up.

I forgot some nephew stuff yesterday. Everyone is convinced that J will "straighten himself out". Yeah, right. In the beginning of his troubles, he was seeing a therapist. I seriously doubt that he's still in therapy. He should be.

I saw a car on the side of the road this morning, obviously broken down, with FOR SALE written on it.

I was putting Evan's laundry away last night and he closed me in the closet. It was pretty funny. He kept opening and closing the door, laughing the whole time. Once he let me out, he went in there himself and closed the door. I realized after a few seconds that on the inside of the closet, it's a knob that he can't turn. Ooops. Sorry Ev.

I can't forget Hannah. She's too much. Micah found a dance class offered through the Y. We'll be signing her up for that. She's been talking about ballet for months. She wants to have a recital so bad.

All blogged up...

I finally got a chance to read my friend's blogs. I didn't read every entry that I'd missed because some of you are way better at keeping up than I am and I just don't have the time. I'll try to do better from now on.

We had a pretty good weekend. The Raven's scrimmage was cool. Beautiful day in a beautiful stadium. I thought it would be a "game" but it was more like drills and mini-plays. Which was neat but not as engaging as a game. On our way out, we did a little shopping in the team store.

Sunday was dinner at the ILs. It wasn't too bad since my SIL and BIL were there. My BIL is pretty funny and broke up the hellish depression that hangs in that house. We got a nephew update too. He's now living with his 24-yr old girlfriend, he's 16, almost 17. His father dropped him off there! His parents and grandparents are just shrugging their shoulders like, Eh, what can we do? You can beat his ass, that's what you can do! This girl is married too and supposedly, the husband and brother are out to get J (nephew). Micah was pissed, mostly at the way this is being handled. Before being dropped off at the ho's house, J was staying with the ILs and sneaking out every night. MIL said it very matter-of-fact, he snuck out every night. And you did what? I'd be double-bolting the doors and stringing booby traps across the hall to catch him. I'm sure every morning no one said a word about what he'd done the night before. His entire life he's gotten away with murder. He's never been made to answer to anyone. And spoiled rotten! At the very least, they admit that. It's all so gross.

On to happier things.... I was finally able to take a walk at lunch again. It's wasn't deathly hot yesterday. Felt good. I was going to walk today but it looks rainy and I just didn't feel like it.

I'm supposed to be loading content to the redesigned website. I don't have my access yet though. I see long days in my future when I finally get access.

18 days til vacation. By Saturday, the time until we leave will be equal to the time we'll be spending away. Anyone get that?

I stand corrected...

I've been asked to post a correction. The laser tag was to celebrate Bill's promotion and NOT his birthday. Although we'll be going again in October for his birthday. I think he just wants another chance at winning. He lost last week.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

We had a conversation at lunch today that had to do with respect. Someone said, I don't think some people know how to spell it. There ya go.

We won $28 at Keno today! We're on a roll! The buffalo chicken tenders weren't as good today. I think I might get something else next week. The nachos on the other hand were fab.

My mom called during lunch. Today is her office picnic and she picked up Hannah from daycare and took her along. Seems her directions were a little off and she was a little lost. She was hoping I was still at work so I could use the computer to help her. Luckily, I had Cindy who was better than a computer because she lives in that area. Cindy pointed her in the right direction. Mom called me when she got there to report that they had indeed found it. She also told me that while they were lost, Mom said, "we're really mixed up, aren't we?" My lovely daughter said, "I'm not mixed up, you're mixed up." LOL She's brilliant.

After work, I'll go get Hannah from the picnic, unless they leave early since it's unGodly hot out today. Then she and I will go to the library - I have nothing to read - and then retrieve her brother.

Tomorrow, Cindy, ML, and I are going to the Raven's scrimmage. I love football and I love the Ravens. It should be fun.

Last night, I was on the phone with my friend Steve and my call waiting clicked on. I didn't feel like interrupting Steve to answer the call. When I was finished, I *69'd to get the number. It was the in-laws! We missed their call. [insert evil laugh here] They probably wanted to come down tomorrow. Oh well. They totally F up our day when they come on Saturday. They usually come over at 5. Ok, what about dinner? What about any errands we have to run? They used to come over and go out to eat with us, now they'll offer to pick up some chicken. Ugh, no thanks. As a little background, we're not fast-fooders, haven't been for a while. They, on the other hand, don't particularly care about what they do to their bodies.

22 days til vacation. It's time to kick the exercise into high gear. I'm going to add it wherever and whenever I can. I normally give myself a day off a week. No more! I may even get up extra early a few days a week and hit the treadmill in the a.m. We'll see. 4:30 doesn't sound good.

Must Love Dogs

That's the movie we saw last night. We had a blast! First I met Micah and the kids for an early dinner. I thought Hannah would flip when she found out that I was not coming home with her and where I was going. I told her I was seeing a grown-up movie and she was cool with that. If I'd told her who I was seeing it with, she would have flipped. She loves Aunt Cindy, Aunt Tina, and Chloe.

We laughed so hard before, during, and after the movie. I love my girlfriends. Nothing like em in the whole world. Great movie, by the way. John Cusack is a doll.

My mom has a whack-job in her office who's been chanting in the ladies' room, asking for Jesus' help in striking down her coworkers. Uh, I think he's busy..... They've been instructed to use the buddy system for restroom breaks until this is resolved. Mom's a Fed too but I know here, she'd be out on her keester.

Tomorrow is Friday which means Committee lunch, nachos, and Keno. Oh boy, oh boy!

So this is why I'm here...

I've been so busy today. I haven't been this busy in a while. Feels pretty good.

My blog yesterday sounded very sad. I'm not sure why. I wasn't sad.

I'm meeting Micah and the kids for dinner after work and then meeting my girlfriends for a movie. Woohoo!

Evan bit his friend Madison yesterday. I really hope it was an isolated incident.

We asked Hannah to do something last night and she said, Don't worry, this girl can do it. LOL! Funny kid.

I've been neglectful of my friends' blogs. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up tomorrow.

I'm liking my new workspace. There's no drama, which is kind of a bummer, but there are no open door conference call meetings, no burping, no whining, no meetings in the hall. And I'm super close to the bathroom. Excellent!

Long time no blog

Friday was a weird day. I moved here at work so I had to be shut down and packed up by 11. Then I went to lunch. I came back to my new area and waited for my stuff. Once it came, I unpacked. I had a computer, but not mine.

The weekend was a usual one. I spent a LOT of money. A lot! KMart, Target, the grocery store...

Yesterday I was just trying to get settled in my new space and I had a lot of work to do.

The work situation is better. I'm going to take my work back from my backup. I think he's got it now. The other thing we're working on. We'll see how it goes.

The Committee let up too. Sounds like they had a great time at lasertag. I'm jealous.

I'm going to the movies with the girls tomorrow after work. I wasn't sure how I could fit in kid time too. Tomorrow is an early day so I lose my morning time and I would go right from work. Finally, I decided to meet Micah and the kids for an early dinner and go on to the movies. I get to spend time with them, Micah gets dinner out, everyone's happy.

25 days until vacation. I was just doodling with some car rental coupons and it's just not worth it to rent the van. It's still upwards of $600 dollars. We'll make do with our SUV. Sorry, Nana, you have to ride in the back.