Wordlessly Halfway Through

This, that and the other

• C-man started his first week at my work's summer camp for kids. He had a smile on his face when I picked him up yesterday, which was a big relief. And he had a runny nose and a sign on the door that two kids were diagnosed with strep this morning. I KNEW we should have kept him east of I-45 and out of Waukesha County.
• It dawned on me only yesterday that I'm going to have a short work week next week to be in New York with my family. I've got some stuff to get done!
• I'm on the new arthritis medicine. I haven't noticed a thing. I'm not shocked. Then again, it has only been a few days, so I am withholding judgment.
• I got coffee at a different place this morning. Such a bad decision. I cannot get that awful taste out of my mouth. I will not betray my Community Bark again.
• At the risk of sounding like an old person, but how did it get to be the end of July already?

Summertime fun

Beerman has been working hard, as in endless hours, on the fish tanks. He claims the plumbing is finally done. He also says a lot of other things I don't understand. What I do know is we've all been pretty high on glue fumes. Which means we've been gone from the house or outside a lot. Despite the coldish weather, there's always time for roof ball, after all. I do love me some summer.

Racing like a Red Fish

C-man had his debut as a racing minnow at the Chinook's baseball game. Orange fish talked lots of trash about how fast he was, and purple fish was doing some intimidating stretches before the game. But C-man pulled it off.

So much cuteness, I can't even describe it.

Friday at home

Working from home on a Friday is cool. The windows are open so I can listen to the falling rain, a happy (albeit wet) dog is at my feet while I work, and the birds are at the feeder. (Seriously though, I filled that feeder this morning, and it's half gone. They're so greedy!)

Time for Thursday Thirteen Random Things Again

1. The little fuzzy birds at our house have been totally ravenous. I'm going through more than 5 pounds of birdseed a week. And yes, I do realize this makes me sound like an old man.
2. C-man is going to be a racing minnow at the Lakeshore Chinooks game this weekend. I hope he enjoys it, because I'm super excited.
3. I've become addicted to Orange is the New Black. These made for Netflix and Hulu shows are completely sucking me in. Take that, cable!
4. Last Friday, after my facial, I went to the makeup counter and got a complete redo on makeup. I've been getting makeup compliments ever since. I'd really slid into some makeup laziness, and it's kind of nice to have it right again.
5. I'm supposed to go on a new medicine for the arthritis issues. I forgot to take it yesterday and forgot again this morning. I am really terrible with remembering that kind of stuff. Maybe I need an app to remind me.
6. Harry is still an incredibly happy pup. This week turned around from me thinking it was the end of days for my favorite pup to him acting borderline obnoxious and puppylike. I'm so, so thankful.
7. People who link their Pinterest accounts to Facebook are driving me nuts. The whole point of Pinterest is to save recipes and ideas to your board, not to broadcast it. I'm hiding repeat offenders. Rant over.
8. Speaking of Facebook, it keeps suggesting I like Nicole Kidman. What about me and my viewing habits suggests that would be a good match?
9. Last night Beerman was looking up RV rentals in New Zealand for pricing "out of curiosity". My response was, "We really don't want a new kitchen, do we?"
10. My coffee barista tried to give me coffee filled with grounds this morning. Um... no.
11. C-man and Beerman had a great time at Lambeau Field yesterday. C-man got a Packers hat he refuses to take off. He had quite a charmed life, that one.
12. My left hip continues to hurt like crazy. I need to get into the chiropractor ASAP. I also need to find a good yoga class in a time I can attend. But that time thing is the kicker. Apparently no one works in my neighborhood, because class times are all during business hours.
13. Maybe it's time to start playing the lottery. I'm sure that's a solid plan for success.

Wordlessly Waiting for Butterflies on Wednesday

A good Tuesday - Even though I am not invited

Today is a good day. Yesterday, I went home from work at noon to check on Harry. He was like a different man. Blame the pain patch, blame time, or blame the reiki practitioner I had work on healing him (now THAT is some crazy stuff!) - it doesn't matter to me, because the dog is SOOO much better. While C-man and Beerman were at the Brewers game last night, Harry wanted to be cuddled a lot, and then asked for and ate 3 small bowls of chicken and rice throughout the evening. (He banged his bowl and then came up to me and licked my face until I got off my chair.) I'm so relieved. I know this dog is 11, but nobody should be in that much pain.

But back to the Brewers game. Beerman got tickets in the Miller founder's box last night. And apparently I was not invited to attend, but C-man was. So we all see where I rank, even in the eyes of Beerman's VP. They had a great time, and C-man proudly proclaimed he ate 2 brownies and a cookie. (He was less than thrilled with the cookie because it was an oatmeal raisin, not the chocolate chip he thought he'd grabbed.)

Beerman is also taking C-man to the Packers shareholders meeting on Wednesday in Green Bay. Again. Not invited. But I'm sure they'll have an amazing time. C-man's never been to Lambeau Field.

Anyhow, it's all good things today. Hope your day is filled with them too!

My poor baby

My poor puppy. He's been in such miserable pain, he's refusing to eat. In fact, he's throwing his dish aside when food is offered. We've been to the vet and the ER because we can't give him the pain meds they've prescribed, because he won't keep them down, and he wasn't even drinking anything. Not to mention, his intestines have been in serious trouble. They claim he's in pain - most likely it's from somewhere in his back. Today, he's at least been drinking water, so that's something. I'm so worried about him. It's reminiscent of those days of having a sick baby, when you're up at all hours checking on him. I love this dog so much, it kills me to see him this way. So anyway, if you've got a good thought or prayer you can throw his way, we'd all appreciate it greatly.

Ups and Downs

What a long strange weekend it has been. I had a fun night out with friends on Friday. We saw The Heat, which I thought was totally dreadful, and not at all funny. They liked it, though. C-man has been enjoying a birthday party sleepover, which Beerman and I took advantage of with a well-deserved date night last night. (FYI- Harbor House is beautiful, but way overpriced and not that good) It was a nice night out, though, except for the worry over poor Harry. This dog is in such pain, it is scary. The vet thinks it is his back, but he won't eat or drink, so we are forcing ground up narcotics in chicken broth down his throat, which he gags on. They must taste terrible. Poor pup. He really is pitiful. At least the meds had kicked in enough that when we got home last night, he wanted my overcooked steak. At least it was good for something! And today, it is clean-up mode and some pool time. I hate to see the weekend end.

Today is my Friday

I have the day off tomorrow. I thought I'd spend some time with C-man, but I was wrong. He wants to go to camp. So after my doctor's appointment, I'm getting a facial, taking my camera in for a way overdue cleaning, and having an overall day about me. I just need to get through today.

Flight

Full bloom

It's the time of year when everything is in full bloom and full of life. When the colors are everywhere and the heat soaks into your skin. When the cold pool water is a welcome sight, and sunglasses are a requirement. The winter depression melts away, and I find joy in the smallest things - like watching a milkweed bug on a lazy evening.

Ahhh... summer...

Did it need to end?

It was a lovely weekend. One of those you hate to see end. One that was filled with spa visits and baseball games and sleeping in and festivals and swimming pools and dinner with the neighbors... Until next weekend.

A night out

Last night we went to Milwaukee's Bastille Days. It's supposed to be a celebration of the French storming of the Bastille, but as is common with events like these - it's a completely bastardized version of that. A mixture of local ethnic street food vendors (footlong eggrolls, pulled pork on mashed potatoes, and crepes), a bunch of stands selling "artwork" and other items, and made complete with a Mardi Gras parade (Celebrating the Creoles who got kicked out of Nova Scotia and moved to New Orleans is French?) in which C-man was able to snag a lot of beads. (For those who watch Arrested Development, Beerman declared this was Milwaukee's version of Quatro de Cinco!)

It was an interesting mix of people, and a lovely night to be out and about. Plus, we got to check our second Eiffel Tower of 2013 off our list.

And really, when the local color is as great as this, how can you go wrong?

Bring on the weekend

It's almost the weekend. What a long, long week is has been. With the pain the way it is right now, every minute seem endless. So to have the weekend to relax and not worry about anything except making it to my noon spa appointment tomorrow (mud bath, here I come!), I am really looking forward to it.

Thursday Thirteen Bits of Randomness

1. What do you do when you own seasons are done? You go to local high school games, that's what!
2. I have been in so much pain lately, I haven't been able to sleep more than a few hours. It's completely depressing, and I just don't know what to do anymore. Working has become a struggle, because I can't sit. I may have to break and go on Orencia after all, which saddens me a lot.
3. Although, the NET doctor who told me to avoid eggs and onions (garlic, shellfish, and asparagus too, but I don't count those since I didn't eat them anyway) is really on to something. I've noticed a really big digestion difference. And since many studies now are showing the direct link between gut health and autoimmune health, I think there's a strong possibility this may change some things. I just don't know how long I can endure this to get there.
4. It's a beautiful summer day, so I wore white. I spilled coffee all over myself on the way into work. Figures. Thankfully, I have some Shout wipes in my desk. I'm prepared for my lack of grace.
5. We are all booked to spend the last weekend in August in Phillips, WI. C-man is thrilled he gets to see his chickens again. Last year, he made me take a picture of a chicken butt, get it blown up, and put it on his wall in his bedroom. He has a funny sense of humor.
6. It has been such amazingly nice weather, I've got to figure out a day for C-man and I to play hookey and take the train to Chicago for the day. He's asked a couple times when we're going to do it, and I'd hate to disappoint. It's kind of a nice tradition.
7. After this month, C-man will go to the camp run by my work. The amount of forms they are requiring is totally oppressive. I actually have to have a doctor's signature for him to enter. What?!? Red tape annoys me.
8. Harry is getting groomed tomorrow. He is at the supreme state of cuteness, where you cannot see his eyes. Which means it's time to get it cut, because that also means he can't see a thing.
9. Beerman has been fighting a band of raccoons who have taken over our attic as their home. They ripped our soffit in half and climbed on in. He's furious. So now the raccoons are living with lights on at all hours and talk radio. After all, no tree hugger could stand to listen to Rush Limbaugh, right?
10. I got a gift to the Pfister's Well Spa for my birthday. I finally have time for an appointment this weekend. A massage, and a Turkish steam bath with mud. I am so excited.
11. I am back on my ball at work. Although it's a bit flat and I can't find the pump for it. This may be a problem if I don't find someone with an air pump today.
12. Next weekend, I'm going out to eat and a movie with some friends. It's been ages, and I'm super excited.
13. C-man wants to see Despicable Me 2 this weekend. I'm pretty sure I can indulge that.

Wordlessly Well Fed Wednesday

Caught

When you take enough photos, you start to blend into the background and everyone just expects you to be there. It's that sweet spot where I get the best photos of people. But once in a while, I get caught. And that's pretty cute too.

And then it was Monday again

Coming off a long weekend is a hard thing to do. It was great weather and we had a lot of fun. (Except for Saturday afternoon when C-man was exhausted after a sleepover and was a complete wineypants, but we can forgive that.) It was filled with sun and swimming and gardening and roof ball and an All Star game and bird watching and dog walks and a party with friends and fireworks and reading in my hammock chair. I even picked up some of the basement a little. All in all, one of those amazingly nice long summer weekends you hate to see end.

My All Star

A coveted shirt with your name on it. A fun game with a bunch of kids. And a trophy. Is there anything better in the whole wide world?

Enjoying the fifth

The 4th was lovely. The weather was perfect, we had a nice day getting stuff done at home and playing, the party at a friend's house was lovely, and the fireworks were great. I didn't even pig out on food, so feel good today! Now today, C-man and I have a nice day together to do whatever we feel like. He wants to go to Chicago. I am voting for closer to home - maybe some water park fun or even some lake time. I am also taking my camera in for a clean-up, so will be photo less for a bit. Yikes!

Anyhow, enjoy your fifth!

And then it was done

C-man played his last Yankees game. They lost. He got called out at third, when he was safe. The poor 6th grader ump thought it was a force out at 3rd, and it wasn't. He slid under the tag that never happened. The ump choked back tears between innings because he knew he'd screwed up. I felt pretty bad for him. It didn't really change the outcome, at least. And C-man's last Rookies at bat was a solid line drive double. At least there's that.

So now, baseball is done. Until the All-Star game Sunday. And then his one-on-one coaching sessions. And fall ball. Yeah, so maybe not so much. But the Yankees are done. Bittersweet, for sure.

One more Yankee night

Last night, the Yankees won their game. So tonight, they move into the consolation championship game. (They lost their first round, and cannot win themselves back in.) It's so hard to believe how quickly 3 years have passed. Next year, it's try-outs, drafting, stealing, and pitching. But oh, how he loves this game.

Let's Go Yankees!

Family