Sunshine and smiles

Thoughts at 75 mph

I love farms and barns and everything farm-like. Well, except for the really hard work they require to maintain (gouged arms from baling hay - ugh!), of course. But as we were zipping by at 75 mph on the way home yesterday, it made me smile to see each one in golden hour - each barn a little bit different shade of red, each field filled with different animals, the contrast of the equipment against the hay, the abandoned equipment in the fields. There's definitely a peace in it all that really warms my heart.

Visit

25 years ago, Vania was an exchange student who lived in our house. 19 years ago, on my way back to my own host family, between Oktoberfest in Blumenau and my home in Belo Horizonte, I stopped in Curitiba to visit her for a week. And today, she was back for a visit. How time flies.

The monarchs are back

I was just lamenting that we hadn't seen any monarchs yet, and had read that there was a problem with them migrating due to a diminishing food source. So imagine my delight when I looked out my kitchen window and saw her floating between the front gardens. Welcome home, my pretty.

I need some sleep

I woke up this morning so tired, all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed. It gave me flashbacks to when I was in school. I remember feeling like that most days I went to school. I'd forgotten about that. I think I've been feeling sleep-deprived most of my life. Wow, that's sad. I'm totally sleeping in tomorrow morning.

I'm getting my roots highlighted tonight. I'm so glad. I hate sitting there for the 2 hours it takes, but am needing it desperately. I also need a manicure desperately, but that may have to wait until tomorrow.

It's kind of nice having C-man ride to work with me. It's such a boring drive, it feels good to have someone with me.

We decided we want to see a movie tonight. I was thinking Despicable Me 2, but then realized that The Wolverine is out. Yeah, I think that one is going to win.

I also want to go to the Chinooks game tomorrow. Samwise Gamgee is shooting a movie in town, and he's going to be there. That could be funny. Although it is State Fair. So many choices.

Last night was the school's playdate for kindergarteners. Since I'm the host family person, I went. My host family hugged me, they were so happy to be a part of the school. Now THAT'S something!

I found a $20 bill in my pocket this morning. I never carry cash, and don't remember the last time I wore these jeans. Score!

I've been feeling like my creativity tank is on E. I just haven't been spending any time being very creative lately, and need to do something to fix that. Writing, photography, knitting... anything really. I just need to focus a bit on it this weekend, because it's so good for the soul.

Is it time to go to sleep yet?

Bedraggled

I am feeling totally bedraggled. That's a word they always use in the cheesy romancey, Harlequiney-type books. She was breathless and bedraggled. Except it's usually after some bodice-ripping episode that includes phrases like heaving globes and hitching breath. I'm unfortunately not that kind of bedraggled. I'm the kind that is tired and incoherent and kind of useless to do anything productive.

It could be the weather. It could be what I'm eating. But I'm pretty sure it's the new medicine I'm on. I am totally tired, to the point that I didni't know I couldn't stop hitting snooze. And I am starving constantly. Two days ago, I had the most massive craving for rice pudding. Seriously, what kind of a craving is that? I mean, I like rice pudding, but it's hardly even a semi-regular thing in my diet. But the craving was so bad, I had to take deep breaths at my desk and not run screaming out of the office until I found some. Okay, that's a little dramatic. But it's totally what I was desiring most in my head, at least.

Knowing my cravings were crazy, we had a pudding party at the house as we sat outside under the eaves and watched the rain pour down. I had rice pudding, Beerman had tapioca, and C-man had Oreo. It was so bad that while Beerman was out buying said puddings, I made my own rice pudding for later. You know, because one container of store-bought rice pudding would NOT be enough.

So you get the picture. Bedraggled. Out of sorts. I need to stick with this medicine more than a week, but if this craziness doesn't change, I'm going back to being on nothing. Because in this case, nothing truly is better than something!

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.