So it's Thursday

Work is stressing me out. I'm eating worse than normal. I'm not working out. I know it affects the arthritis. And I'm sure the skin cancer nonsense has something to do with it too. I'm not sure how many signs I need to tell me that things need to change.

Today is November 1st. A good of day as any to start cleaner living as any, I guess. I really need to figure this out.

Boo!

Ah, you've waited days for me to come back and do another post by bullets, haven't you? Well, it's your lucky day!

• My mole pathology came back with clear margins. Now I just have to sit with 11 annoyingly itchy stitches for 5 more days. Better than the alternative, for sure.
• C-man was sobbing this morning because I can't make it to his 2:15 Halloween costume parade around the school gym. I feel awful, but a 2:15 event on a busy Wednesday when it takes 40 minutes to get there is killer.
• I'm hoping going to the Halloween party at his favorite frozen yogurt shop tonight makes up for it.
• Sunday is the Jingle Bell Run/Walk at the zoo for the Arthritis Foundation. I have been off my game on begging for money this year. So hey, click HERE and help me out!
• I read an article about chronic stress this morning. I fit every single category and then started to feel stressed. I don't think that was the point of the article...
• C-man's last football game of the season is Saturday. I'm predicting a total losing season for the poor little Vikings. At least he still really likes football.
• Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat

It's hard to be humble when you're Thorsome.

Saturdaylicious

This kid really does love to kick that ball. It was yet another Vikings loss. But man, he sure does make sure he looks good swinging that hair while he is out there.

Through the fog

• The mole pathology came back ugly. So they took a giant hunk of skin out of my belly and I went from 3 stitches to 11. One better than 10, Beerman says.
• It hurts, and I'm feeling kind of babyish and whiny about the whole thing.
• They did give me a whole bottle of Vicodin. I don't know how I keep getting bottles of Vicodin prescribed that I don't ask for, but I am not refusing them.
• It seems C-man's best friend is moving to Texas. A total bummer for him.
• Harry has to go to the vet today for his annual exam. We're at the point now where I pray that they don't tell us anything other than he's a senior dog.
• I thought today was C-man's Halloween parade at school. Well, because it was, until the newsletter came out yesterday. The problem was I didn't read yesterday's school newsletter until this morning after we had his hair all full of product and slicked back. But no worries, we caught it in time, and fixed his hair back to his normal shaggy look.
• A Halloween parade at 2:15 on a Wednesday? Who can make that?!?
• C-man had his speech therapy session last night again. He had to take his Puppy-opoly game that he loves, because they'd talked about it at a previous time. The only problem was it was pouring rain, and he dumped part of the box on the way in. We must have been quite a sight running around the parking lot picking up cards. She thought it was funny all the cards were wet. They played anyway.
• I got an email this morning from Zappos telling me a pair of shoes I'd looked at but were out of stock were now in stock, and would I like to order them. Don't mind if I do! I can't wait.
• I'm teaching a thing at work and we have to have examples of brands we've bonded with. I was struggling. But in the last two days I've come up with 2 - Zappos and Nikon. Total love.
• Beerman signed up to do the food for the school rummage sale next weekend. I am beyond thrilled I'm not a part of it this year. So he's bringing up the family with his volunteer hours on this one.
• Ahhh, weekend. How I've waited for you.

Wordless Wednesday

Is it really only Tuesday?

I am supposed to keep the stitches from my mole biopsy/removal dry. It is on my stomach. How does one do that in the shower? It isn't like I can stick my stomach out of the way. A least not yet. If I keep eating like I have been, that will cease to be a problem in no time.

I need to get my butt in the gym again. I cannot figure out why my motivation has been so low. But I am starting to disgust myself.

C-man got a sucker for being the best kid in the class in math yesterday. He wanted Grandpa to know that. ;)

I need to start planning for Greece. I think that will kick me into gear to get in shape a bit. Kind of like a Greece 2013 campaign.

C-man is so excited it is Halloween week. His school parade is Friday. I need to figure out how to slick his hair back so that it stays all day like Thor. I am thinking lots and lots of gel.

Here is to a quick week!

Perfectly Monday

• It's pouring rain. I don't like that.
• I just got a mole removed. I like that even less. They sent it for a biopsy. My gut says it's not good things.
• I like the pukey feeling I have from the novacaine and sutures and getting a chunk of skin removed even less yet.
• Ahhh, Monday. You can move on now.

Reddish-orange

Weekendy goodness

The weekend is here, which means we got to see another Vikings loss. Poor, poor little flag football team. But he's having fun and learning about the game, so that's cool.

Wine club got canceled last night because there were only a couple people who could come. Bummer. So I ended up seeing Here Comes the Boom with the boys instead because that's what they had planned on doing to stay out of the house. I really have seen too many movies when I'm reduced to Here Comes the Boom. Just sayin'.

Tonight we're heading to a movie night at the neighbor's house. That should be fun. At some point, we should probably carve pumpkins. Maybe next weekend before trick-or-treat...

Slothy kind of day

After we saw Grandma and Grandpa off at the airport, we napped, we played games, and we made Snickerdoodles. Now we're going to the movies. A perfectly good rainy day off.

3 day weekend ahead

I really wanted to post a Binders Full of Women photo, but I need to stop. Man, they are cracking me up. Instead, I'll post this rainy day photo of C and me from last weekend. I figured it was fitting, considering it's raining again. The good news is we have another 3-day weekend. I can't wait to get it started.

So it's Wednesday...

So it's Wednesday. This is a good thing in my crazy week. The better thing is we got out of C-man's 2 hour first reconciliation meeting tomorrow night because Mom and Dad will be at the house. Really, 2 hours? What can they tell me beyond "Bless me Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was so long ago, I don't even know where to start"? And there is some candle painting going on, but she told us he could do that during a recess. Ahh, sometimes things just turn out for me.

And because this is awesome:
http://www.romneytaxplan.com/

Another day

It was the big football game on the high school field under the lights last night. They lost. Again. The redeeming factor was that they only lost because they didn't get their extra point, but tied on touchdowns. These things matter quite a bit when you're 7.

Tonight is my only free night of the week. I'm going to try to enjoy it by cleaning up the house. With all the coming and going, it's kind of a pit and grossing me out. Wow, my blogging is exhilarating today.

Anyhow in closing, I'm no expert, but I'm going to have to call Holding on this one...

Mary and motherhood

Yesterday, C-man and I went to Holy Hill for our church's retreat to go along with the "A Year in Faith" theme. It was rainy, so not nearly as good as it could have been, made worse by the fact that they didn't have any Plan B for the kids in the rain. But I did like the chance to spend a rainy day that I probably would have wasted away doing something different.

Because recently, I have been trying to figure out ways to be a better mom. How to be more patient, how to do better stuff, and just overall, be a better person for this amazing little man. Through that, I find myself getting kind of attached to Mary. I have never been a big fan of the whole virgin birth, virginity focus. Frankly, I personally think it's a load, regardless as to what my religion preaches. So I really like the idea of this mother, who really took it all on.

Because even if you aren't into the Jesus as a messiah thing, he was a pretty important guy in his time and for history. And what she went through for him to be that was nothing short of amazing. I mean, you never hear the stories of Mary when she was dealing with mastitis from an infant Jesus who just wouldn't unlatch, or when he was a toddler Jesus getting into trouble all the time bonking his head on things he shouldn't have been doing, or the sleepless nights of a sick Jesus, or teenage Jesus sneaking out at night. But you know she went through it all and more. Because every mother does. But then she buried her adult son after he was brutally killed. Something no mother should do. And it's with that light I am finding I can relate to this woman; find comfort in her story because she was a great mother.

So it was cold and rainy, and not nearly enough for kids to do. But I'm still pretty glad we went yesterday. I'm glad I got time to spend with my baby boy, who I know won't be a baby for long, and some time to think about how I can be a better person for him.

Together again

Beerman is home, to the joy of us all. C-man slept on the couch last night just in case he would still be awake when he walked in the door. He wasn't. And I am hoping Harry will now stop munching entire toilet paper rolls in his neurotic sadness.

Whew!

C-man and I continue to paint the town red. Or whatever that expression is when you and a 7 year old are busy. We've tasted just about every frozen yogurt the northern suburbs have to offer, visited a museum, been to Chicago, have seen a movie, assembled Legos, gone to the library, played video games, and eaten way too much junk food. It's time for Beerman to come home so we can detox a bit!

C and Me

C-man and I have the day off today. He celebrated by sleeping in until 6:35. Here is to the rest of the day!

Random bits and bytes

• C-man has a half-day at school today. I have to teach a class all day, so he's stuck in extended care until I can get out.
• He has tomorrow off. So do I. That should be cool. He also has next Friday off. Seriously, people, that's a bit much.
• I think we're going to go see Hotel Transylvania tonight, because he's been begging to go since it opened.
• Beerman changed his flights, so he's coming home Saturday instead of Sunday. It's always nice when that happens.
• I can't stop researching Greece. I am convinced we need to go over Easter break.
• C-man hates reading, and it's becoming really stressful because he's required to read 30 minutes every night. He's asked for a Kindle for Christmas, and I'm thinking he might get one to try to help with this.
• While crazy, I am really glad I have tomorrow off. Here comes sleeping in!

Wordlessly colorful

Another day, another sniffle

The leaves are falling, the weather is getting chillier, and I'm getting sick. Ugh. C-man has been sniffly and coughy and hacky. I went off my meds, much to my joints' chagrin, hoping my immune system could fight it. But when a coworker looked at me this morning and proclaimed, "Ugh, you're sick!" I realized I was losing the battle. So here's to tea and movies tonight!

Kicking off the week

• Beerman is coming home from Sacramento today. That's pretty cool.
• I pulled up to my daily coffee shop stop, and it was closed. The barista showed up late, and the lights weren't even on. Boo. I hope it isn't a sign of things to come.
• C-man has school pictures next week. I have a feeling this picture with his long hair and goofy teeth is going to be one for the books. I can't wait.
• I am on a kick that I need to get to Greece. This may very well replace Brazil over Easter break.
• Winter is coming. I already hate being cold. Which reminds me, C-man needs a new winter coat.
• Next weekend has no plans. No football, no events, no nothing. I can hardly believe it.

Saturday's views on Sunday

A day of giggles and love

After a morning football game, of which C-man excitedly got to be the quarterback the whole game, we took the train to Chicago. I don't know what I loved more - watching him run into the train station pillar between # 9 and 10, desperately hoping to find 9 3/4; his giggles as the Egyptian cab driver raced through the streets like it was Cairo; his carefully selecting his new Hero from the Lego store; his careful selection of a WondervWoman keychain for me; his amazement of the view from the top of the John Hancock building; building the entire Bionicle in McDonalds; how he held my hand as we crossed busy streets; or his red cheeks at being tired from the day as we boarded the train. Ahhhh, a really good day with my baby love.

Slowing down, maybe

It's the weekend again. Ahhh, glorious weekend. Just when I think it's going to slow down again, it doesn't.

Yesterday was kind of fun, though. Harry got blessed at the pet blessing in honor of St. Francis of Assisi's feast day. He was looking forward to swimming in the baptismal font. But alas, the priest just sprinkled holy water on him. He wasn't much into that. (He then proceeded to toot all night long. We figured it was the devil escaping him.) Then we went to get C-man's hair trimmed. It looks a little better, but is still in his eyes because he wants to keep growing it. At least now he and Beerman have styling clay to use.

Tomorrow is C-man's first football game of the season. He adores football so much, that even though the game is at 8:30 a.m., it should be fun. We were then going to go to Chicago after. That's kind of an iffy plan now, as I am not sure if my friend will be there. I'm going to do the play-it-by-ear variety of things, and see how we feel after the game and if the 11 a.m. train is still calling our names.

But beyond all that, it is the weekend. And oh, glorious weekends, how I do adore thee. Hope you enjoy yours!

Toothless again

• Another tooth lost. It figures, since we're heading to the Lego Store this weekend.
• I've been late for work every day this week, because I keep stopping to take photos of the spectacular leaves. Oh well. Soon everything will be white, and it won't be a "problem".
• I ordered my usual latte at the coffee shop and the guy tried to give me a coffee. Um...try again.
• Waking up in the dark really stinks. Even Harry is struggling with it.
• Tonight is the pet blessing at church. Harry is thrilled.
• It's also hair trim night for C-man. He has school photos next week, and I just can't bear for him to take his picture with hair in his eyes.

Pumped up kicks

C-man got his pumped up kicks yesterday. He designed them ages ago, and they finally arrived. He was so excited. And other than deciding he should have made the zigs on the bottom blue, not orange, he loves them and doesn't want to take them off. Long hair and orange shoes. What's not to absolutely adore about this kid.

So it's Tuesday...

I don't have much to report. It's Tuesday. It's getting cold. And I'm waking up in the dark now. At least the leaves are pretty. Yup. I'm talking about the weather. Moving on...

Thoughts via bullets

• C-man had his Cub Scout rain gutter regatta on Friday night. He was about .500 for wins and losses, so that was good. Better than all losses like last year.
• Fall Fest was a great success, and we've gotten a lot of compliments since. Which is nice, because my house is still a complete disaster, and nobody has the energy to do anything about it!
• C-man isn't feeling very well. I sent him to school anyhow. There was no fever, and while I know he isn't feeling great, I want to save those sick days for the real sick days he ends up with.
• I'm assuming I'm going to be sick by the weekend.
• His custom made Zig Tech shoes are scheduled to be delivered today. I'm hoping that heals the sniffles a bit.
• We took our Christmas card photo this weekend, and it's outrageous. People are either going to laugh or send us to the mental ward. Either way, I like it.
• C-man and I are heading to Chicago this Saturday. I'm going to try to meet up with a friend and C-man wants to go to the Lego store and Grahamwich. I aim to please.
• My back and hip have been feeling a bit better, which is positive.
• The fall leaves are gorgeous. I'm signed up for a retreat at Holy Hill coming up. I hope the color holds on until then!

Fall fest aftermath

Our annual Fall Fest was last night. Wild games of capture the flag after the foam swords were properly personalized and decorated, of course. That was followed by an amazing Greek dinner courtesy of Beerman complete with flaming cheese and ouzo. It all wrapped up with popcorn in front of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief while the parents continued to laugh and have a great time. It was so much work, but such a great time to strengthen friendships with such great people, adult and child alike. We are truly so blessed with such a great group of friends, that it really makes it all worthwhile.

Whew

Oh my goodness, I have been swamped. Work has been nuts. And home is crazy. Fall Fest is tomorrow. The Cub Scout rain gutter regatta tonight. Whew. Good stuff. Just no time for anything else! Have a great weekend!

Bookish

It was one of my resolutions this year to read all of the books that are on the Kansas City Library's exterior. (Okay, it's actually the library's parking garage, but we're not going to be that picky) It was also on the list to get a picture in front of it when I was there again. Well, I was there last month and took this picture, but forgot to post it. Which is okay, since I've kind of forgotten to read most of the books, too. Darnit. I just have not been reading a lot lately. I can't seem to get into a book long enough, which really is unusual for me. And a bit disconcerting. Too much TV. Not enough books. It's a bad streak I've had going. Especially since C-man is protesting reading so much.

And so, as September moves into October, I'm having an Octoberlution - to read again. My brain could really use it!

Moving forward

Right now, people all around the world are moving about with their daily routines. I'm getting up while others are eating dinner. But everything is moving forward, sometimes with laughs, sometimes with tears. I'm not sure if I find it comforting or sad that we keep moving on like this, but I always find it so humbling.

Anything and everything

We had a lovely weekend. There were really peaceful moments where I sat down at the museum and watched C-man try to catch butterflies. And now I'm at work, living one of the craziest-busy weeks I've had in ages. But none of the rest feels quite blog-worthy lately. Maybe it's the weather. But I'm feeling less chatty lately. So carry on. I'll try to think of something witty soon.

The weekend is here! The weekend is here!

It's Friday. And beyond C-man's football practice, we don't have a lot of plans for the weekend. And I'm beyond thrilled. I'm hoping to get our Christmas card photo taken. I have big plans that I hope turns out. The lawn needs mowing. And we have to get ready for next weekend's Fall Fest activities. Ahhh, it should be a nice break.
*************
My favorite quote of the week: "You can't austere yourself into a higher GDP" -Lloyd Blankfein, CEO Goldman Sachs

Having heart

I am in Newark today. I am often someplace or another for work. It is something I take in stride most often. But after talking to C-man on the phone last night, and not being able to get him off the phone because he missed me, I can't wait to get home. Thankfully, I am not flying American this week, so there is a shot that I will get there yet tonight. I miss my boys.

A toast to Tuesday

I really do love the local beer gardens. I think I need to get back to Munich.

Here goes another one

• C-man did NOT want a "kid" sitter (his term) last night while we went to Beerman's work event, because he did NOT want a stranger in the house. I got him a junior in high school boy (nephew of a friend) to hang with him. When we got home, C-man was watching Thor after having eaten pizza in front of the TV, and was soooo jacked up, he can't wait for Drew to come back again. At least that's positive.
• My pain has been subsiding. Except at night, of course, which is sort of hellish on the sleep. But the getting better is a positive thing. I think I'm going to wear some Thermacare things on the plane this week.
• I have to go to Newark for 2 days this week. Seriously. Newark. Even the name is icky.
• The Brewers 2013 schedule is out. The Brewers play the Mets in September. That has some possibilities for a stadium visit. Although if we go to NYC, C-man is going to want to see a Yankees game, too, which would require us being there on a Thursday. Otherwise, maybe we'll see Pittsburgh.
• Beerman and I discovered the AMC show Hell on Wheels on Netflix. Why haven't I heard of this show before?
• I've also only just discovered Rescue Me. A bonus, since it started in 2004!
• And, of course, L'Shana Tova! to all who celebrate. May it be a sweet new year to you!

Festing

We hit up the local Oktoberfest last night with some friends. C-man enjoyed the carnival games, and made his experience with a BB gun pay - he shot every can in the gun game. It was a good time. No Munich, but a good time, nonetheless.

Tug of war

I feel myself slipping into a bit of a depression with this pain. It is a constant tug-of-war between keeping my mind sane and my body free-ish of pain, because one always leads to the other for me. I want to work out to improve my physical health and mind, but the pain is so great right now, I know it will make things worse in the short-term.

And so, I sit in the sun today in an attempt to make one of the two better. Now if the Brewers would give us a win.