Unplanned and perfect...

Sometimes you need that unplanned weekend.  This past weekend was just that... oh there were periods of time that had appointments, but they were good ones, mostly.  Friday kicked off with Carpool Buddy texting me and saying he was under the weather and I was to go it alone.  

Fun thing about missing Carpool Buddy - I am  his work back up, so I had a busy Friday.  It was all good, make the day go faster.  Which it did.

Then I met the trainer - ouch.

Then picked up Bubba at work, his car was getting new breaks. I'm due for new tires this fall - ah the joys of car maintenance.

So, home, loved Shelby, made dinner, cleaned up, and went for a massage... ahhhh glorious.  Home dead.

Saturday, Shelby decided we needed to be awake at 6:20 in the A-freaking-M.  But she's getting old, so we don't ignore the paw when it appears... crawled downstairs, she was out, in, fed, pill-ed and we were both back in our beds - only one of was snoring.  Darn Dog.  I read, played a game on my phone, read, got up and made breakfast, went to yoga class - a little stiff for a Saturday morning... came home, quick shower, then met Bubba for breakfast out, he went looking for replacement motorcycle clothes, I went to the store for dinner stuff, and a few extras, home, made a lemon pound cake, with brandy-raspberry sauce, made pizza for dinner (whole wheat crust) we went to the neighbors for a rousing game of Power Grid. I WON!   Its been a long time since I have! 

So, home dead, up to breakfast Sunday morning made for both me and the Bubba.  Made a grocery list, cut coupons, and then headed to yoga class - ahhh for a Sunday morning. 

I then went grocery shopping for the week, came home, got things organized, chopped and cut, and realized I was tired of storing beer we don't drink, so pulled everything out of that drawer - saw the mess in the drawer and under it... so I started pulling things out, had to fight with the shelf, got that out and was scrubbing away when darling Bubba returned home from his massage and asked "What did you spill?"  when I said nothing - he looked at me "Company?"  Me:  Nope - it was gross decided to clean it.

There was then a few minutes of Bubba discerning if I was ill, and would it require a hospital stay, and subsequently a call to his in-laws - in PA and Bowie, Md.  He then grudging helped be wrestle all that back into the fridge, I reloaded, and didn't realized I didn't turn the fridge back down to "chilly" until I was making lunches and thought my yogurt was just this side of warm.  ewwww... turned it up all is well.

I have things chopped and ready for dinners this week, I have carrots and celery ready for lunches - I am prepped and ready!  After all that - I went to my bedroom, dug out from the dump and run of last weekend, (and last week), stripped the bed, the bathrooms, and gathered up all the laundry, put other stuff away, then proceeded to get all the laundry done, made a baked chicken for dinner, with potatoes and asparagus... with sauce, but its a good for you sauce - almost.  Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, and a bit of oil; salt, pepper - delish!  Even Bubba likes it and he doesn't do "non-yellow mustard". 

So cleaned up that mess (mostly) and went to bed... read for another hour, tossed and peed a few hours later, woke again, thought the clock said 3-something apparently it was close to 5 - as my alarm went off approximately 30 seconds later... 15 minutes after that I sprang out of bed, cursing my nature, and the hour --- and now, dress and caffeinated -- here I sit.

My calendar is very - um - unplanned this week.  An unusual occurrence at the place of employment... so I will enjoy it today - and wonder how to fill the remainder of my week. 

Enjoy the weather - although it looks a bit on the dark and gloomy side here in the wilds of Northern VA.

What a week...

Last week 8/16-20 was perfect, left Bubba to his own devices, off to sun, sand, surf with Nana, Sis and niece... the sun was shining the hotel was ready and the beach was super beachy!

I won't get into sand in places... let's say there is happiness in a shower - and aloe lotion.

Sunday evening through Thursday afternoon - couldn't have been better. I was burnt, tanned, rested, well fed, and just happy... That all came to a screeching halt Friday.

Why do you ask?  Work?  Major problem?  Health issue?  Bubba??  If you pinged on the last options - you are obviously a regular visitor... of course it was Bubba - and it continues to be Bubba!!!

Friday we both took off work to go and look at tile and fixtures for the bathroom remodels... I'm learning I narrowed the search criteria leaving Bubba to an open door of endless colors  - we'd still be at Home Depot. We hit two big home improvement stores, two tile speciality shops and managed to only have one minor blow up in between stores.. that didn't stop the 'I've already gone over budget" comments and all the grumping and complaining that goes along with anytime Aunt Ing spends money - ANY money and what Bubba deems 'necessary'.

Of course based on that he grumped the other day about the grocery bill.  Well, pumpkin you can quit eating - knock you're self out. When he says that stupid stuff I just roll my eyes and ignore him.

The weekend - oh there was more wailing and gnashing of teeth about last weekend!  I was gone Saturday night - basically 26 hours.  I had to pay for a hotel room - in DC.  Yes, I know I live right here - this was NOT my doing.  But I didn't really have a choice but darling Bubba didn't see that, all he saw was me not home to cater to his needs, and of course spending money on Lodge "stuff" I ended up having a good time with the girls -- and by the time I got home Sunday Bubba was less - grumpy.  Of course I was home to tend to needs - including a trip to the grocery store and dinner being made. 

I had to call Nana on why way down to DC because he had me so mad and unhappy.  Cripes.

I foresee this bathroom(s) remodel turning in a HUGE thing.  Stay tuned for updates along the way...

This week saw additional fun, came home Monday to a broken front door window... Bubba completed the job by screwing up the rest of the door.  I have said NOTHING while he has been fighting with this door.  The door rolls up the screen into the top of the door, so you can have a half screen or full glass - he's managed to pull out both panes of glass, break the roll-y part of the screen, and leave nothing but the frame of the door hanging.  Yeah.

THEN - he says to me, if this breaks again we should look into the whole door screen and window thing.  Me: "Oh like the one I wanted in the first place?"  Bubba: "You did? I don't remember that"
ME: detailed accounting of conversation with Window and door installer -- Bubba:  Dumb look

I swear I'm going to start to video tape this stuff...  but it might he held against me in a court of law.

Peace should reign this weekend, no plans, things will get done, life ... well Bubba will be happy - ish.

Stay tuned...

Productive weekends...

That should not be a statement one makes regularly.  Friday started with up early, work, home, change, workout with the trainer, argued with husband over said trainer, worked with the Ladies Group, and guys group, got everything labeled, stamped and ready. 

Darling Shelby had me up at 6:15 Saturday morning, I told her to go back to sleep - then she had me up at 6:40.  Second wake up call you generally don't ignore.  I didn't.

So we're up, she's out, in, fed, pilled and tended, I crawl back into bed.. and read - but only after I load up the dishwasher and get it started, and wash was doesn't go or fit in there... yeah I know.

Then up, dressed, breakfast, and race out the door to yoga class - 8:30 AM yoga class.  Lots of balancing - apparently I'm off center.  yuck, yuck yuck...

So, class done, now off to get gas, post office, bank for beach weekend, then grocery store, stuff for Bubba, and goodies for me and the girls.

Then home, cleaned up the bedroom, cleaned up the dining room table, gathered up the laundry, put clothes away, packed my bag for the beach, did laundry, paid bills and got things ready for Bubba to survive four days without someone to deal with life's little details.  Like food, clothing and dishes.

And!  And! I got a job application finished for another position.  Thus far we haven't been overly successfully with that endeavor... but we're still trying.  I have a job.

And now -- we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

We're watching movies and soon we'll do dinner... then, then, 8:30 tomorrow a meeting with the man who is going to re-do my bathrooms, yoga class then load up and head to the BEACH!

You'll hear from me when I get home.

OK now what....

Yesterday was a quiet day, work wise, life wise, no lane closures during rush hour due to 4 people trying to disprove physics of occupying the same space at the same time...

(Major accident Tuesday night it was a FUGLY ride home)

Carpool Buddy and I left at 3 instead of our usual 3:30 - he had an appointment.  No worries, got home a bit early, walked the dog, started my work out DVD... Bubba came home.

Bubba took the day off -- he was supposed to go on a motorcycle ride, but with LuLu II in for a great deal of work to be done -- well he apparently slept in, after waking up with me for some reason, walked the dog, went to the courthouse and registered our new wills, called me when there was a small issue, went to the movies and came home early.   He got left overs for dinner.

He also told me that he would "most likely" be putting in his 2 week notice next week.   Yeah - OK.  I'm taking a wait and see approach. 

My bigger fear is darling Bubba, home, alone, without his motorized toy, without a job... heaven help me.  The honey-do lists will become a frequent and regular thing... oh yeah.

I thought about that as he had the day off and I was still the one unloading, loading the dishwasher, making dinner and tending to 600 other things.  You quit - you will have something else to do my darling husband.  To quote my father "house bitch".

On a completely different subject but in the area of nits to pick - I mailed two things on Monday, I know one arrived because I got a nice one line electronic message, "Hey Ang thanks for thinking of me!  Appreciate the books!"  The second thing I mailed, was expected, to people I am related to (by marriage) and is a gift, one of many sent to this address - and I got nothing.  Next time I talk to these folks I always ask -- "Did the gift for X arrive?"  after all there are 4 little darlings and I send gifts - not always on time, but I do something.  Not that I get a thanks - rarely.  Its usually when we're back home and I get "oh yeah, thanks Aunt Ing for the gifts.  We really appreciate it."

Yeah, ok,   Hey, if this is all I have to complain about - life is not bad. 

Taken into prospective, I have a good job, a roof over my head, food in my belly and my health is good, I can come and go as I please  - life does not suck.  Doesn't mean that I am content to sit back and let things ride by - but I have to step back and look at the bigger picture on occasion and say Thanks for all I have.    And to remind myself that gluttony is a sin.  ;-)

All right signing off for a Thursday, a one hour shortened work day we see the Plastic surgeon today to make some decisions, and away we go!

Take in your big picture today and remember the good stuff. 

New good habits...

I enjoyed posting on a blog until my big mouth sister-in-law blabbed to darling Bubba and the rest, as they say is history. It kinda sucked the fun out for a while, but flexing this muscle yesterday was a good feeling.

I will also say the daily drama of my life has been reduced to the job situation.  Not arguing on a daily and somewhat hourly basis with ones co-workers and employers tend to lead a more relaxed life.  I am not complaining!  Having a schedule you can set your watch to is a very useful thing.  It always for work out time, dog walking, and an hour or so alone time before Bubba gets home to get other stuff done and not hear about "lodge bullshit".

Today's musings are based upon last night's conundrum; the Girl's Group.  We are doing a charity fashion show in a few weeks, teenage girls are not into being goofy in front of older ladies in clothes that aren't theirs.  My issue is to balance what another adult is telling these girls with my own advise of "chill to - have some fun - don't let her freak you out."  They are going shopping today with Mrs. Freak-out so that should provide some interesting stories.

My next hurdle is finding a good date for my surgery.  This is becoming a serious nightmare.  My appointment is this Thursday, and I am taking a Scarlet O'Hara approach to this problem.  Tomorrow is another day - as in I'll deal with this tomorrow (or more specifically Thursday).  I can't control it so why myself nuts?  I have 6000 other things to keep me on the crazy train to Nutsville.

Bubba was in a better mood last night, his hand looks less puffy, insurance company has called so things are on it's way there...

In other good news I got a message from Carpenter Guy - I'm trying to schedule a meet and greet this weekend.  Then I can drop the bath remodel bomb on Bubba and leave his grump backside home for 4 days ... won't that be fun??

I have had the feeling lately that I ma drifting - I think it's because work isn't challenging and I see with new job listings that my skills are stale.  So adding to my schedule issues is making the time to take classes, pass tests and get my skills updated.  I need a husband willing to cook or wash a freaking dish - but since it been a while since unicorns have wandered in my back yard I will have to make time.  I forced the issue this afternoon by buying a groupon class package.  It's a start - and maybe I can get the company to pay back the 35 bucks I just spent.  We'll see.

OK  - off to eat my lunch, doing somewhat better there been packing my lunch, trying to avoid the really bad stuff - still slipping more than I should but I am trying.

Stay tuned for the old and sleepless - day X.2476

Working another weak muscle

The writing muscle.  Apparently today is my spend time doing things except work day... at work.  :-)

I did deal with the morning work related meetings, have pondered emails, putzed on this project and the other... and now I have the yen to write.

I have a yen to do about 20 different things that don't involve working, and do involve time.  I have to work and I have no time... well; see, there is the naggle in my brain.  I have time, I can make the time but there are times I find myself just sitting and doing nothing constructive when I could be doing something that I want to do... I think I just sprained something in my frontal cortex. 

So --- you know me - I'm making lists. 

This week will be interesting - Carpool Buddy has a schedule that rivals Aunt Ing's on a bad week. So we're leaving early a couple of days (like 3 PM instead of 3:30) but that totally works for me.  I have an unplanned Rainbow thing tonight; we're doing a charity fashion show in a couple of weeks, and we're practicing walking in girl shoes and showing off clothes.  These kids are stiff as boards.  But I am sure at that age I would have done the same stupid thing... ah what old age gives you... the wisdom to just have fun.

Big news in our house is the major whoops my darling husband had on LuLu II this past Saturday.  He's 9/10's OK, some scrapes and boo-boo's and one majorly swollen right hand.  Thankfully he wiped out right in front of a fire station, EMT's saw the whole thing and ran over to check him out.  They told him he was smart because he was wearing his safety gear.  I was grateful.  I have also learned something about myself... when things go to pot, I go inside, I put my head down and plow through.  I didn't yell, cry or make a scene, I just got back to Maryland from DC dropped off Rainbow girls and went and got Bubba.  I knew he was Ok, he called, but until you don't see broken things everywhere you don't feel 100%.   I made sure he had ice for his hand, took care of dinner and lunches, and ensured he pumped some drugs.  Its probably the reason I forgot to call the  parental units and coordinate our vacation plans for October.   I also wanted noted I did not smack him in the back of the head and call him names... I seriously want credit for that one!

Sunday I was freaking wonder woman... up, tended to Shelby dog, made my breakfast, made Bubba's breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen, make a grocery list, cut out coupons, went to yoga class, went shopping at Wally-world and the grocery store, came home, got things organized for the week ahead, made lunches, prepped dinner, ran the dish washer, gathered up and did the laundry, AND ran off labels and started to stuff the 300 lodge related envelopes.  I only grumped at Bubba once when I wanted to see the interview with Jerome Bettis during half time of the Steeler game... which they lost.  Pre-season but still didn't see much of a spark.

Any who... back to weak muscles... Friday saw me at the doctor's because I had a leg, calf pain for about a week that would not go away.... Doctor sees the words Breast Cancer and the follow up drug I'm on and whammo, Aunt Ing has to get an ultra sound because he thinks "clot"... I am thinking "muscle pull or rip".   Guess who was right??  Yep.  2 hours at the urgent care center Friday night because all the regular places are closed -- ultra sound done, all clear - we're good.  Ice and rest.  Thanks doc... some days I wonder.

And I spent part of Saturday and most of today in heels... yeah I'm a dork.  Who wants to wear pretty girl shoes.

My list of stuff I want to do is growing, and there is that list of stuff I have committed myself to do, and there is that list of stuff I have to do, and then there is that husband person, the fur-baby, oh yeah and learning new stuff for work, and looking around for a new job, and wondering when sleep fits into this equation.  I got a lot of stuff off my committed to list this morning, as it could be done via email.  The mailing for the lodge group, I plan to have that done by Wednesday with deliver to the right people Thursday.   I want a pedicure before I got to the beach - I do believe that will be a Wednesday event... shopping for snacks will probably be Friday or Saturday morning... I have to schedule again with the trainer and nag at the guy I want to re-do my bathrooms. 

And I have to nag at my hubby - regarding those bathrooms we will need to start to make some decisions. That will probably wait - if he's hurting he won't be in much of a mood to deal with anything.

Oh yeah and did I mention - reconstruction surgery?  I have no freaking idea when I'm going to cram that bit of foolishness into my schedule.  If Franken' Boobie didn't look so freaking freaky I would just bag the whole thing... but it looks weird and lumpy and I want it fixed.   See increased list of wants...

OK exercised that writing muscle... need to do more of that too... off to pretend to be productive today... work wise.