Wine Country - Day 1-ish

We got to B and T's house in Healdsburg last night and had a great time. They've got enough wine in this house for a small crowd to be drunk for 2 years without leaving their house. And I'm not exaggerating. It's unbelievable. She gets a 30% - 50% discount on everything everywhere because she's "industry". (Which is funny, because if Beerman walked into Busch, we suspect they'd throw him out ASAP, not invite him in and then give him a discount). So we're going to do the wineries today, a redwood park for lunch to hopefully drop a geocoin in a geocache there, and some general laziness. As a result of yesterday's overindulgence, I started my day with a 2-mile run. (Which, by the way, I find it so strange that Californians don't smile and say hi to each other in the street. I know I'm Midwest, but seriously? I'm running, you're running, don't you at least give the two-finger wiggle? Or at the very least, not look down to the pavement when you pass each other?) The first mile hurt bad, but I was really proud of myself to keep going. I think I sweated out most of yesterday's wine, at least. ******************************* These are in backwards order, but I'm on vacation and don't feel like turning them right. So you'll just have to deal with it. The roses are in full bloom and fabulous. Beerman can hardly stand it. A visit to Rombauer, EJ's favorite winery.

Beerman checking out the amazing Rombauer view.

Having my bubbles at Chandon

9 years ago, when Beerman proposed to me in a limo, he had a bottle of Chandon in the car. So we thought it fitting on our anniversary to start here. And Beerman's "hilarious" joke was, "So this is what it tastes like!" (That day 9 years ago, I was so nervous, I slugged the whole bottle.) It was a beautiful place to start.

Heading out of the airport

Crossing over the Rockies. We can't tell if it's Montana or Idaho.

We sat next to Michael Turner. Apparently he's a stud back for the Falcons. Or so Beerman tells me. We thought we should leave him alone and not ask for an autograph. But I couldn't resist a photo.

On our way

Get Ready...

Today is brought to you by the Temptations. The laundry is almost done, the tickets are printed out, the parents are on their way, the camera batteries are charged, and C-man is so excited we're leaving him with his grandparents for 4 days, he can hardly stand it. The only thing I don't have is shorts for 80 degree weather... Hmmm... Maybe I'll stop and pick some up on my way home today. But anyhow, get ready wine artichoke country, 'cause here we come!

Just when I thought I was beating this

Boot camp has been amazing for my health. That's a given, right? I mean, diet and exercise actually makes you feel better! But the whole arthritis flare-up has been so very different since I've been doing this. I don't know if it's the exercise or the diet, or what I suspect - both, but it's been so much more manageable. I still hurt, but then I get up and work out and it is almost as if it pushes out of my body. (A whole uric acid thing, from what I've been reading, which is why sugar and alcohol about kill me.) And I haven't seemed to hurt like I did before, in agony for a week before it moved on. So imagine my surprise when my alarm went off at 4:30 for advanced boot camp day, and I was already awake, lying there in agony, completely frozen in place, totally unable to move. What the hell?!? And despite my mind screaming, "Get up and move so this goes away!" there was absolutely no way I was going to move anywhere. I had to pee like a racehorse, but I decided to lay there and hold it for another hour until I could work up the nerve to move. Sigh... so much for thinking I was figuring this out. It's just so depressing... I have no idea how I'm going to start packing tonight if I can't even move from my desk right now. Okay, whine-fest is over.

42 x 41

So I took C-man in for his 4-year old appointment. And the child is a square. 42 lbs x 41 inches. That made me laugh. Until he said, "Mommy, shots aren't very fun." Then I roared. He's a good kid, that one.

My Mothers Day

Today was about geocaching in the rain...Finding DINOSAURS in one of the caches... And eating ice cream.

Here's to someone else washing your cape today...

Birds, Bees, and Puppies

"Mom, do dogs get married?" "No." "Then where do puppies come from?" "The pet store."

The results are in

I had my 4-week fitness test this morning. It was a repeat of what I did 4 weeks ago. Whoot!

***************** P.S. Am I the only one who doesn't care that it's "Danny Gokey Day" in Milwaukee today?

Odd Day

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/06/national/a195730D93.DTL&feed=rss.bondage For the mathematically challenged, Thursday's date, 5/7/09, is one of only six this century that will feature three consecutive odd numbers. Numbers lovers say the rare occurrence is an excuse to celebrate. As if I needed an excuse... ************************* I have my fitness test again tomorrow. Who can believe the last one was already four weeks ago? Let's hope my jello like legs (still from TUESDAY) feel a bit better before I have to run. I'm going to do the special session on Saturday, but then I have two weeks "off". I'm sooo looking forward to it.

Mothers Day Brunch

So C-man had a Mothers Day Brunch at school today. And while I know the intentions were good, I find these things so frustrating. It started at 10:15. So of course, I get to work, do a tiny bit, and have to turn around to drive a half hour to get to the thing. Once I'm there, it's then time for "brunch" (cheese, jello, bagels with pink cream cheese, and muffins). In other words, get up and get your kid some food while they hand out the "frames" your child made (4 popscicle sticks with shit glued on them). So that I can then turn around to leave (child sobbing because I'm leaving him) and drive a half-hour back to work so I can skip lunch to get my shit done that I missed while gone at the amazing Mothers Day Brunch. I'm probably a giant whiner about this, and I should somehow be grateful that we all got together. But I'm not. I'm annoyed. I took 2 hours out of my day to go feed my kid crappy food with food dyes so that he won't end up eating a good lunch, which happens to be the only meal of the day he eats well at. And THAT, my friends, is crap. Sigh...

3-3 on 5-5

Today is my 33rd birthday. A day I've been convinced for a couple of decades I'd never see. And after this past year, (which I can firmly put down in the books as one of the most trying, difficult, painful years of my life for a gazillion reasons I don't feel like pouring out in a random blog on the internet) am I glad to see it really arrive! So what now? Because I'd never really planned for life beyond 33. And I plan everything. Which is what makes this day so damned great. It kind of feels like everything in front of me is Claritin clear. A wide open door. An oyster. Whole world in my hands. Or whatever other bad metaphor you want to attach to it. This year is mine, suckers. So look out. ************************** 33 things I love when I'm 33

My family Budding trees Driving over bridges Big snowflakes on my tongue Breakfast with eggs, bacon and pancakes Amazing shoes Dogs Spy movies and books Good smells – especially lavender or coffee Digging in my herb garden The ocean Taking pictures with my Nikon D90 Hearing “I love you” from someone I love back Crème brulee Hot shower or bath where nobody bothers me (is that one or two?) Completing a puzzle in the newspaper Wearing fuzzy socks Sliding down the slide with C-man Coffee with real cream Sunrises Warm chocolate croissants Salvador, Bahia, Brazil Sunday mornings Flamenco music Getting the mail Watching my child sleep Traveling to another country Voting Belly laughs Eating outside in the summer Knitting Picking up rocks that have been smoothed by the water A really good massage

Carefree

A day of family togetherness

The Brewers...lose. :-(

Hanging out with his two favorite sausages on the way in.This is when he heard Craig Counsell's name called in the line-up. For those of you unaware as to what this means, it means JJ Hardy has the night off. I didn't even realize it until I looked over and saw him sobbing. Thank God for cousins to be silly with... And even more thanks for Uncle T who bought him his very first cotton candy So it wasn't as disappointing when "boring" Brat won the race And since we left while they were still ahead, the night was a big hit. (none of these are taken with my brand new, amazing D90. Those photos will come soon)

Early birthday presents

I got my Nikon D90! I got my Nikon D90! Look out kids. This is going to be one bad photoblog until I can figure it out.

TGIF

I'm exhausted. I'm sick. I have a jam-packed schedule today. I need a haircut. And somehow I am going to have to muster the energy to get me and the whole family organized and to a 7:05 Brewers game amidst the swine flu, when all I really want to do is go home and sleep some more. ***************** Oh yeah, and happy birthday, you old hag sweetcheeks. :-)

Barbie love

The other day, my child started talking about how he really needed a Barbie. As Beerman chortled a chortle that really said, "Over my dead body," I remembered that I had one in the closet. (I tend to keep some "just in case" gifts lying around, because I've been caught with a birth or birthday, and needed a gift ASAP, so now I'm prepared.) So much to Beerman's chagrin, I reached into the closet and pulled out a Barbie. And seriously, how can you deny someone such happiness?

This is one of those photos that he's going to HATE later on in life...

Fast forward to this morning, with C-man having Barbie in hand, pretending she's a pteradactyl. Somehow, Beerman felt a bit better about that.

**************************

Maybe I've got swine flu. I've only got 6 more days until my 33rd, so maybe this is how I go. Wow, what a shitty way to go out.

Chaperone

I volunteered to be a chaperone for C-man's trip to the "garden store" (Menards) today. (Apparently I'm supposed to forget what he did, because it's my Mothers Day present.) Anyhow, they had loads of fun. And while "gardening" was cool and all, the best part was getting to play on the playground afterward. I've decided that anyone who spends all day with 16 3-year olds is either a saint or nuts. Either way, I'm totally underpaying!

Small Victories

1. While I was posting evil things about hating our village, lo and behold, last night the Village Manager showed up with a DPW crew. Our drainage problem is FINALLY something the village is at least acknowledging. And the best news is our retired neighbor who used to work in the deep tunnels and goes to all the village meetings is all over this like white on rice. 2. Last fall I purchased a long, fitted shirt. I grabbed the right size according to the hanger sizer. When I got home I realized it was actually a size smaller. Somehow, I never threw it out or donated it. So this morning I grabbed it, and what do you know, it fits. Whoot for skinnier arms! 3. According to my scale, I'm an unofficial 13 pounds down. I am happily "waisting" away, one jump rope twirl and three egg whites at a time.

As if I needed one more reason to hate this village

Apparently the village "doesn't work on Sundays".

Nevermind. If you need me I'll just be building my ark.

Swine Flu Blues

In between worrying about swine flu getting us, we did our usual Sunday Costco run. I figure if I bulk up on food, I can stay in my house so nobody can give it to me. Damn, that swine flu. Bird flu never got me down. But swine flu is scaring the shit out of me. PS - Beerman told me to cut it out. "Stress makes you weak," he claims. Okay, off to ruminate about something new. Damn swine flu.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Our day (after soccer practice) was spent at the local children's museum (not the zoo like I'd promised all week, no thanks to the weather forecasters who's version of "scattered showers in the late afternoon" is my version of "torrential friggin' downpour starting at 8 a.m.") with C-man and his good friend.

After sugaring them up shortly before taking friend home...

... they started to tell jokes. And 4 year olds telling each other jokes is hilarious.

Friend: C-man, why did the chicken cross the kitchen?

C-man: I don't know, why?

Friend: Because he was hungry.

And this is when I learned my son has talent for telling jokes like me:

C-man: Why did the goose swim in the lake?

Friend: To get to the other side?

C-man: Because there was a shark attack!

Beerman decided this is going to be his new favorite joke.

Silliness

This morning, C-man decided to serenade me while in the shower. What makes it funnier is the song he chose is the Veggie Tales theme song. "If you like to talk to tomatoes; If a squash can make you smile; If you like to waltz with potatoes up and down the pro-duce aisle..." It just made me laugh as I conditioned with Yes for Carrots. Add into that the fact that it's supposed to be 80 and beautiful, Beerman is on his way home from Beantown (finally), Harrydog's ear infection is already showing signs of improvement, I have two glorious days off boot camp to recover, and we're heading to the zoo tomorrow, and you'll see why my mood is "happy". ...Broccoli, celerey, gotta be... TGIF!

Runners high, my ass

Everyone talks about that wonderful "runners high". So today at boot camp I expected to feel it, since we ran (okay, I jogged) 1.5 miles on the beach (on the sand that isn't really packed down), and then 3 miles around Lake Park (starting by going up the big, really long hill up to UWM), with 4 stations of jump rope along the way. And at no point did I hit this so-called runners high. I did, however, hit the notable points of "swearing a lot inside my head", "10 creative excuses as to why I shouldn't finish," and "total and complete body numbness". And believe me, none of those were amazing or anything near a "high". I think I'm missing something that makes me like running, because even after the 4.5, I still think running blows. ***************** P.S. Today is Shakespeare's birthday. So enjoy it by talking like a Shakespearean play!

Wordless Wednesday - The great bubble slayer

Bullies and Helicopters

So my kid has started talking down about preschool. Which is really unusual. When I questioned him , he talked specifically about two kids who "always want to fight". Sigh. So the question is - what is the right thing to do? I have no interest in being a helicopter parent that I saw so much of those 3 summers at Boy Scout/Cub Scout camp. Because those kids were major wankers. But my child is 4. And the reason he doesn't want to go to school because he doesn't want to fight. I can't let him get bullied if that's what is happening. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to talk with his teacher to get a better picture of it all. And as she put it, there are three children who are "quite a bit more aggressive with their play than the others". Read - there are 3 kids who are rough as hell. And then she mentioned that C-man's "newfound friends" are those who aren't so aggressive, but collaborative. Which is interesting to me. Because if you've met my child, he's not the silent, pushover type. At all. But apparently he's not into pushing and shoving and verbally taunting others. Which I have to say makes me a little proud. I'm so very glad he's not the mean kid. But it makes me so sad that by 4, that there are already bullies. I am just thankful for now, it's not my kid!

Fighting the demons one day at a time

Today is 40 degrees. (That's about 30 degrees below what it was this weekend). And raining. It's times like these that I have to hold my fiercest battles with my nemesis, Arthur. Because I still had to go to boot camp. In the cold rain. And boy, did I want to stay in bed. But there I was, running in the rain. Laying down doing presses with the cold rain pelting my face. And doing burpees and mountain climbers and pushups with cold soggy gloves and frozen hands. Why on earth would I ever do that, you ask? Well, for starters, last night was another official weigh-in/remeasure/photo night. And I'm officially down 11 pounds. And I've decided I've wallowed in this damn disease long enough. For four years it's kicked my ass. And now I'm kicking it back. 11 pounds, 6 weeks, and I tried on clothes yesterday and while it fits, I'm about 5 pounds away from being a comfortable size 8 again. Plus I think it's funny that it freaks my neighbor Phil out that I come home everyday at 6:45 with a full workout in. As I believe they say in real boot camp - Hooorah!

Apata..huh?

C-man is dino obsessed. And I've come to realize that all those semesters of Latin were a complete waste. What I SHOULD have been taking was Greek, because he is not interested in hearing me stumble when I come to the names. Then again, they actually named a dinosaur Gasosaurus after the petroleum industry? Who are these people? ************* And while I know this is out of focus, I love the blur of colors that is C-man at yesterday's soccer practice. It just captures his spirit about playing.

Ouchie poo

Yesterday's fitness test wrecked me. I can barely move. Add in the fact that it's in the process of dropping about 30 degrees and going to rain, and it's a recipe for a hungover-feeling puffy marshsmallow man. You'd think I'd at least have had the luxury of living it up to feel like this. Sigh... Tomorrow's another official weigh-in/measurement taking time. (anxiously wringing hands)

Scream tour live

Scream

After listening to the horrible opener (I suspect it's Chris Cornell's brother-in-law, because why else would such crap be allowed to go first?), and waiting over an hour with nothing going on (seriously, this is not Lalapalooza. There was nothing to do, it was more than a little self-indulgent and people were getting angry), Chris Cornell appeared at about 10:15.

And holy crap, he didn't stop! I've never considered myself his fan, and certainly not obsessed like Beerman. But he was absolutely AMAZING live. (The video quality is too poor on my crappy-ass cell phone to post any others - I just had to capture the distinctive scream). The only bad thing is that he was still going at 12:30, and Beerman and I looked at each other and said, "We've got to go home and let the babysitter go home!" Well, that, and the fact that Beerman's time zones are a mess, and I'd been up since 4:30.

Despite his demonic looks, Chris Cornell goes into my Jennifer recommends list.

Waiting for Chris Cornell

Opening bands really, really blow

Oh my God, it's Friday!

Looking back to Monday, I wasn't sure this day was ever going to come. But here it finally is. Beerman got home late last night (after successfully going through 2 countries, 4 states, 1 province and 3 time zones in 4 days) and successfully scared the bejeezus out of me at 2:30 a.m. In my sleep-induced delirium, he came into the room, and I was CONVINCED that he was standing in the doorway and peeing on the floor. Based on his reaction to me sitting up in bed and shouting, "Beerman! You're peeing on the floor?!?!", he was convinced that it was really me who was the nutjob. Which is what I realized when he said very carefully, "Are you okay? Do you need something?" But all that aside, it is fabulouso to have him back, even if he is peeing on the bedroom floor in my dreams. ********************* Tonight's our night out to go see Chris Cornell. Beerman has hearted Chris Cornell since his Soundgarden days. I think it'll be interesting to see how he does solo and live. And hell, it's an actual date like grownups do! ********************* On a boot camp update, today was our fitness test. You had to do as many pushups and situps as you could (47 and 100); hold a plank pose for as long as you could (1:45); and run a mile (embarassing 11:02). So here's my problem. I pay attention to the time, and hit that. Which is wrong. The whole point of this is to gauge your level, and I can't do that if I lay down and think, "I'm going to do 100 situps" and then do 100 situps. Somehow, I'm going to have to work through that problem, because I totally could have done more than I did. Have a great weekend!

Craziness

In life there are calm times and there are tumultuous crazy times. And I'm not sure if this falls into the latter category, but I do know that lately things certainly haven't been calm. Work is getting crazy. Well, work has been totally crazy, but when I look into my crystal ball, it looks even crazier. (Seriously, I'm not talking about an actual crystal ball, because THAT would be the real kind of crazy. I'm just picking up from hints and conversations that some major things in my job are going to get up-ended really soon, and I'm not sure how I feel about it all.) And let's be honest - I'm working out like a madwoman at 5:30 every morning. That's friggin' crazy! The good news is that I can hardly believe it, but besides feeling better, I'm finding I just have a whole better outlook on things. I'm starting to feel like my old self again instead of a whiney, pained, exhuasted, chubby shell. (Okay, I'm still whiney) But add in coordinating having to get a babysitter to come at 5 a.m. and organizing our whole lives by myself (remember to take 7 raisins to school, or it's teddy bear day, or return the library book, is it a hot lunch or cold lunch day, how long have those dishes been in the dishwasher?) has added a whole other element of craziness I'm trying not to think about or I'll get really overwhelmed. Anyhow, I'm feeling like things have gotten a bit crazy for me lately. (I mean, the only way I know what state/country my husband is in is by following my blog stats!) And the thing is, I'm not sure they're going to let up anytime soon, so I need to figure out a way to find some calm in all of this. So far, not thinking about it has worked. I'm just not sure how far that's going to take me. Maybe I need a wife.

So funny

So Jen Lancaster asked for people to submit their 80s photos. And for some reason, I haven't been reading many blogs the last couple of weeks. Guess I've been busy. But what a shame! Because when I went back to check up on my reading list, look at what I found!!!! Yes. That's me circa 1987. Go on. Be jealous. You know you are.

Wordless Wednesday - What do you mean I'm not supposed to eat my chocolate bunny before dinner?

Wordless Wednesday

Incredible Shrinking Me!

I'm going to brag a little. If you don't like that, discontinue reading. But it's my blog, so I can write what I want to... I once was a perfect size. Then I got a little older and a little chubbier. So I bought a bigger size. Then I got depressed because of my arthritis diagnosis, slowed down because it hurt like hell to do anything, and got incredibly lazy because pain + more weight made things really sucky so I got even more depressed and inflamed and exhausted. And I was no longer chubby. I was fat. So I had to buy an even BIGGER size. And that depressed me even more. (You get the picture.) This past weekend was Associate shopping days (35% off), so I grabbed a pair of pants in a size lower than the ones I was wearing that were giving me dumpy butt. Of course, I didn't try them on, because I just don't do that. So I put them on today. And they happily they fit with a little extra room, despite being a smaller size. Imagine my pleasure when I got to work, a co-worker who is also very honest looked with me said, "I thought you were going to buy the smaller size." HA! I think I am going to go see if I fit into my old "perfect" size again over lunch.

Back again

I'm back in boot camp again. Only now we're outside. In 39 degree weather. On a Lake Michigan beach. And those waves aren't friendly. Or warm. I don't know what's craziest - that I'm back in boot camp, that I'm doing it outside, or my hard-ass workout is complete and the sun isn't even in the sky. It is undeniably beautiful though. Now if it could only warm up a few degrees, everything would be perfect. But the best news of all? The hour went super fast, and I didn't think I was going to die even once. Maybe all this early morning workout crap is working after all...

A Coleman Easter

Successfully finding the hidden goodies...

Even if it means going to the top of the silo Harry the happy farm dog Some got tired And some crashed on the drive home... still wearing the batting gloves the Easter Bunny brought