Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Back to Status Quo

Get your dirty clothes up off the floor --- whose flip flops are in the middle of the living room? --- breakfast??? it's 12:30!!! --- turn that tv off --- no, you can't watch a movie --- did you finish that book yet? --- yes, you have to make your bed AND brush your teeth --- don't forget to put on sunscreen --- the dishwasher needs to be unloaded --- hurry, or you'll be late for practice ---

Yep, the girls are back home, and I'm glad!!!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Kid-Free Weekend!!!

The girls left Friday afternoon going to Tampa with Clint's parents. We have the whole weekend to ourselves, and Clint actually doesn't have to work!! It's been kind of quiet, but peaceful too. Here's what we've been up to so far:
  • Cruising around town in a friend's jeep while the oil was being changed in my car
  • Swimming (or rather floating) in the pool with no fear of being splashed
  • A trip to Maggie-Moo's for ice cream
  • Book-buying splurge at BAM! where we ran into our friends the Nowack's and got to see their precious new baby Tyler
  • Tried out a new Hawaiian chicken recipe for dinner (it was delicioso!!)
  • Read in silence for hours on the couches
  • Slept in until 10:00 a.m. this morning, with no real plans yet for the rest of the day
All was feeling wonderfully indulgent until Cassie called last night. After telling us about the fun things they had seen and done at Busch Gardens, she happened to mention that they were currently stuck in mid-air on a skylift ride. Several minutes later, Riley got on the phone. I could hear the fear in her voice. Before the end of the conversation, she was crying. All I wanted to do was give my baby girl a big hug. Yet she was 5 hours away, terrified, while I was reading blissfully on the couch. Thankfully they called back about 20 minutes later, safely in the car on the way to get something to eat. All's well with the world again. I know they'll have a great time during the rest of their stay, and Riley will have great story to tell all of her friends. Meanwhile, I've got some more reading to do...while I float in the pool...with no fear of being splashed!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

America's Got Talent




My family has become hooked on NBC's America's Got Talent this summer. There's not much else new to watch, and we've watched this season from the beginning. One night, all four of us watched it, on four different TV's, in four different rooms - yelling back and forth to each other about who we liked and who we didn't. Everyone has their own favorite pick to win. Some of the contestants are quite talented, while others need a swift dose of reality. I mostly watch to see Riley's reactions. She has very strong opinions where the show is concerned. I find her to be more entertaining than the actual show itself.

I've never actually considered myself to be a "talented" person. I've tried many things, and been moderately successful at a few. I tried to play softball as a teenager. For some reason, though, the coach would never tell me when or where practices would be. I gave up on that. I was a competitive gymnast for several years as well. One year, I won state for my level. The other girl in my age division got second place. Bless her heart! Artistic ability runs in my family. I could never draw very well, but thought that I was pretty good at "lettering." Until I came home one day to see the "lettering" masterpieces my fifteen year old daughter had created with sidewalk chalk. I've tried running, but won't EVEN tell you why that didn't work. Several years ago, I played on a faculty volleyball team at a school where I used to teach. They gave me the award for "Most Improved" player. Is that really a compliment?!?

If I could choose a talent to possess, it would be singing first, and dancing second. I'm envious of anyone who can belt out a tune. I don't even pretend to be able to do that in the shower or the car. Don't get me wrong. I don't sit around and feel sorry for myself for being so utterly untalented. I'm actually pretty happy with who I am. And I am extremely thankful for all of those along the way who didn't tell me I was good at something that I obviously stunk at. Too bad Mr. Baliwood and Boy Shakira didn't have such good friends and family.

P.S. Cas Haley gets my vote!

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Its a Girl's Night In



Make no mistake, I love my husband with all of my heart. I cherish the time we spend together. He knows this. But over the years, I have also come to love the nights when he is at the fire station. On these nights, it's just me and one or more of the girls. On these nights, I get to do what I want to. On these nights, I might...

  • Eat cereal for supper. Apple Jacks are my favorite.

  • Work on a scrapbook. I'm just pages away from finishing the Disney book, then I'm going to help Cass on her Peru book.

  • Exercise. (Well, not lately...) I've got one tried and true favorite exercise video that I like. Yes, I said video - it's Cindy Crawford if that gives you any idea how long it's been around. There are a couple of new ones laying around the house that haven't been tried out. I'm actually thinking about that for tonight.

  • Watch a chick-flick that I know the hubby wouldn't be interested in. Or better yet, re-watch one. 50 First Dates and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days are favorites.

  • "Piddle" on the computer. (See previous post...)

  • Get an early bath and be in bed by 9:00. Then watch mindless TV until I finally drift off to sleep. I don't get to do this very often. It's hard to if I also have to get Riley to bed on a school night, but it certainly feels indulgent when I can.

  • Read a good book. If I ever get started on one, I have a hard time putting it down, so these are great for fire station nights!
  • Go to a ball game. Even if neither of our kids is playing in it. I enjoy a ball game, but it's normally not his cup of tea.

  • Clean. Yep, I tend to get more of this done when he's away than when he's here. I think that I like the idea of him being able to come home to a clean house in the morning. Or, a clean room, at least.

  • Stay up late. Almost always, especially during the summer. Sometimes until midnight, sometimes until much later. I'm surrounded by people all day long, so those late night hours when the girls are asleep are like heaven on earth.

I guess most of those are things that are done in "isolation," if you want to call it that. Maybe somewhere in my subconscious I have started doing those things so that when he is here, I can spend time with him. At least be in the same room with him. Because as much as I look forward to my nights alone, I can't wait to see him the next day!! I love you, babe!! See you tomorrow morning!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Confession Is Good for the Soul


After much heartfelt consideration and intense personal examination, I have decided that I need to come clean about something. I have a confession that I need to make. Here goes...

My name is Amy, and I am shamelessly addicted to Webkins.

I first heard about Webkinz from some friends, who were getting them as Christmas gifts for their children. (See, Dena & Lindsey - it's all your fault!) Not wanting my child to be left out, I made sure that Riley got one for Christmas as well. I sat at the computer with her the first few times, helping her figure out how to navigate her way around Webkinz world. I was quite impressed with all that the website had to offer. I started playing some of the games, helping her earn some KinzCash so she could buy some cool things for her furry blue hippo. Before long, though, I found myself playing the games without her asking me to. I'd play when everyone else was outside or no one was home so that they wouldn't catch me. I'd play during a duty-free lunch or a planning period at school. I'd play late at night when Clint was at the fire station. Last night, I tried to sign on at 3:30 a.m. when I couldn't sleep. Today, I played for an hour while I ate my gourmet lunch of Bagel Bites and a banana. I'll probably play again when I finish typing this post. I'm trying very hard right now not to order the cute new dalmatian that just became available, in honor of Riley's first stage performance in 101 Dalmatians. I want to get one for my mom, so we can go head-to-head on some games. I'm hooked - what can I say?!?

Parents, if you're looking for a good toy to keep your kids occupied during these last weeks of summer, order a Webkins. But be warned - you may become an addict as well!





Sleep Deprived

I can't sleep anymore. It's 1:29 a.m. I've been up since 8:00, no naps. Yet, here I am...wide awake. 122 channels, and nothing to watch, not even on TVLand or NickatNite. During the school year, it's a struggle to get to bed by 11:00, and I literally have to drag myself out of bed when the alarm clock goes off (for the 3rd time!) at 6:00 a.m. On those nights I sleep like a baby. I'm out as soon as my head hits the pillow. On those nights, I long for summertime, so I don't have to set any alarms, and can sleep in. Then summer finally rolls around. Before the end of June the sleep trouble starts. Now it's the middle of July and I feel like I never sleep. I've tried Tylenol PM, but I'm hesitant about medicating. I've cut out caffeine at night. I've got nothing pressing on my mind, no plans to make or carry out. I guess I could do something productive with my time, but the house is clean, the bills are paid, the laundry is washed and put away (well, most of it). What's a girl to do??? Anyone out there have any suggestions? My only consolation is knowing that in 20 days the sleep trouble ends. On June 6, I have to report back to work. Then I'll sleep. Then I'll wake up at 6:00a.m. Then I'll wish for summertime again.

hello - is anyone out there?

I finally gave in. Bit the bullet. After stalking and lurking for some time, I decided to try blogging for myself. See if there really is anything interesting enough in my life to share.