My Weekend in Brief

Hey, A.

I'm pooped, but I'm really enjoying this wine and want to write before I call it a night. (And maybe have another glass of this wine.)

W and I had a great time this weekend. We did some of our standard weekend things (restaurants, shopping, and well, okay, that too...) but we also tried a new place (to which we would go back) and relaxed by the pool so it was a really enjoyable mix of the usual and new/seasonal that was just different enough to feel like a birthday celebration. (Speaking of birthdays, while I was enjoying my birthday steak, thanks to you, my favorite servers gave me a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble! How sweet is that?!) So anyway, now I am happy, but spent, yet putting off going to sleep, probably in a subconscious effort to prolong the weekend.

I loved the pictures of JJ (who couldn't look any more like you, btw: Whoa), stories about the dance, and in general reading about your weekend. I especially loved that you had a My Life Rocks moment. You deserved one, and were in need of one...and I've been feeling the same way, too. How could I not?...

I mean, really. I know I wrote a tongue-in-cheek piece about my blessings, but I am sincere. Here I am, writing to you, sipping a really nice white wine at the end of a great weekend with the love of my life. I have a dozen roses on my table, around which stand several birthday cards from my parents, the kids, and great friends like you. Tomorrow I will go to work for one of 17 more days and will perhaps sit by the pool after the day is done.

But before I get to tomorrow, I need to call it a day. It is time to make my way to that empty bed with a pillow that smells like W's cologne.

My life rocks.

xo, Barb

Hello Summer!!

Beautiful roses! Glad to hear you're enjoying your weekend. Me too.

Friday night J was still in Eastern Washington so I had the evening to myself. JJ and C were headed off to their 5th grade graduation dance (hello?!?!) which was a riot getting them ready. We had gone shopping and debated the whole tie-no-tie issue until I finally just bought him cool shorts and a nice shirt. S and T and I got the two of them all decked out, hair straighted (JJ) and spiked up (C) - deodorant (JJ) and cologne (C) - then took a bunch of pictures in the front yard. S and I dropped them off at the school and stayed for a bit, cracking up at the scene and dropping our jaws at some of the dresses and professional up-dos on the girls. Fifth grade. C'mon people. Are they going home in a limo, too??

When we got home I wandered over to K&R's for dinner. TN, K's son who is temporarily living with them and is a killer cook, had bought a smoker that afternoon and wanted to try it out on us. We had smoked chicken and grilled shrimp with fresh mixed greens (including arugula!), sitting in her new Adirondack chairs admiring (and listening to) the new water feature TN built for her. The guys were inside watching the game until T&S came over after having picked up JJ & C from their "funnest night ever". God, they were wound up so tight on so much sugar and adrenalin, dripping in sweat from dancing (they actually danced!) and chasing girls around the gym popping balloons in their faces. See, there's the thing. Some mom went out and spent a fortune on a totally age-inappropriate dress and a two-hour session at the salon so that little Susie could flounce around the school gym with some moronic 11-year old smacking her in the back of the head with a helium balloon.

Saturday, we went to JJ's second playoff game and THEY WON!!! They will now go to the championship game Monday night, which is a long shot against the Giants, who have a rep for being better than the highschool teams. But, if we win it, we'll go to district. Wouldn't that be something! J got home in time for the game and K&R joined us to sit in the gorgeous 78 degree sun for a couple of hours.

Later, T&S, Kim and Josh, K&R and TN, and all the kids, came over to christen our deck. TN smoked a brisket for us all (OMG! is all I have to say about that) and Kim brought Mojitos. Lots of laughing and catching up with our little famous author friend, who's been holed up writing all winter. There was this silly little moment at the beginning of the evening, after Kim had poured our mojitos into brightly colored acrylic cups, when the four of us - K, S, Kim and I - toasted each other with "Here's to summer, girls!" and I had an overwhelming - veklempt? - thought: my life rocks. Can't wait for you to share in a toast like that in August!

Today I'm cleaning out JJ's room for Craig's Listers to come over and see his bunk beds. I got a bunch of calls on them the first day I put the ad in, so hopefully I'll get a sale today. I think I underpriced them, but oh well. Then I've got more plants to plant and maybe a walk in with K later on. I got on the scale this morning (why?) and about had a heart attack. I knew I'd been gaining weight again, but had no idea I was that far out of control. At least the number slammed me into a Get Ahold Of Yourself! mode, which I honored with fresh strawberries for breakfast. It's a start.

I hope your Sunday with W is wonderful...and that the weather's cooperating! Talk to you later,

Love, A

PS: sent pics on email :)

So Far So Good

We're off to do a little shopping, then have a little pool time. I didn't get my steak last night, so that'll be tonight's dinner plan...and which means I don't have to cook tonight!

Hope you're having a good weekend too! xo, Barb

PS I can't imagine how beautiful my birthday roses will be when they open.

Ready to Relax

Hey, A,

Love the deck! Can't wait to sit there with you! As I said last night, I am almost ready to buy my ticket, so we will have to try to pick dates soon. I'll start looking on line for decent fares and we can go from there.

Thanks for my birthday wishes (and gift card!) and for your condolences. It has been a long and odd week to say the least. Honestly, I was lying in bed this morning, delaying my wake up, wondering, was Monday really Memorial Day? Did I really just have a long weekend to relax? I know the answer is yes, but it certainly feels like I haven't had a day off in months...which means I am ready summer now more than ever. I'll take this weekend, which I have cleverly extended, for now.

I am looking forward to hanging out with W. We have happy hour plans and dinner plans for today, then Saturday we're still playing by ear. Weather looks iffy but I'd love a little pool time with him, although he's not nearly the sunbather I am. Well, duh I guess. Anyway. I'm sure it will be great--whatever we do.

I hope you have a good weekend too!

xo,
Barb

PS I keep forgetting when you are going to Arizona. I know it is soon but I keep forgetting exactly when. If you could send an email with the dates it would help me remember...and then I'll know when not to try to buy my ticket. I'd hate to have a good fare at my fingertips but not be able to confirm the dates with you while you're basking in desert sun...

New coffee spot!

Happy Birthday, You!

I didn't leave myself enough time to write, but I did get caught up on all my blogs and comments. Great to hear your voice today; I am sooooo looking forward to your visit and a cocktail (vodka) on my new addition! Have a great weekend with W and I'll talk to you soon!

Love,

A

A New Me

Good morning.

Night and day. I can't believe how different I feel today. That is, I didn't realize how bad I felt yesterday until I woke up this morning a different person. Wow. I probably should have stayed home yesterday but didn’t… I’ll keep this in mind next time I get a migraine overnight or first thing in the morning.

So, Amanda, welcome to the digital age!! Of course shopping on line for bathing suits is the way to go. Furthermore, I think Land’s End and LL Bean make the best bathing suits; at least they definitely hold up to chlorine. (And I am a pool fashionista) They also have all sorts of info and diagrams and keys to help you pick the best suit for your shape. Are you trying to minimize hips and thighs, or midsection, etc? And Land’s End can be returned at Sears stores.

I cancelled my eye appointment for today, so I think after we make our final NHS decisions this afternoon, I may do some creative banking and take myself out to dinner. We’ll see how it all goes.

Hope you have a great day, starting with coffee on your new deck!
xo, B

DWTS overides the Jonas Brothers

Hey,

Great talking to you today, too. Book Club was good, considering I hadn't read the book. I will hang in there for the fall and see how it goes. It's a fun group of women and we have good talks, but....

Got home later than normal and watched the season finale of Dancing with the Stars with JJ and JK. Since they're taking their hip-hop class together, JK's got JJ watching it now to "get ideas". Of course, he was hooked right off the bat. I've actually never seen an entire episode but did my fair share of making fun of the show nonetheless. Imagine -- by 11:00, my palms sweaty and my teeth clenched, I was hootin' and hollerin' for the winners as if I had been watching it all season, or for the past eight years, for that matter. What a huge dork I am. :-)

Shopped for bathing suits on line (because that's less depressing than going somewhere and trying them on) and found a few to try. Argh!! Tomorrow, late start, which means a big breakfast (this should help with the swimwear) and a messy kitchen afterwards, but then I have the whole day to myself. And how happy am I that I bought Lost and Found on the way to dinner and have already started it...I may have to pick up Run too, just to get through my long weekend! Thanks for the rec.

Off to bed now; I'm praying for a sunny, if not warm, morning tomorrow that maybe, just maybe, would be conducive to coffee, at my new patio table, on my new deck. Maybe.

Love you,
A

phone call

Great talking to you earlier today....

xo,
B

Nails, Dinner, Drinks

Hey, Amanda.

It was great to hear from you, especially since it sounds like you’re doing well. Thanks for getting back to the page.

L came up with the kids again last night, trying to make her visits weekly since S doesn’t have any after school commitments through the end of the year, and that was fun. I always enjoy hanging out with L and the kids, who are all about me being their favorite aunt, so it’s all good. I came home at 9, got my coffee maker set up for the morning and went straight to bed.

I slept well, until 5 am when I woke up with a migraine, strobing. (I think it was brought on by my 1 ½ hours of dental work yesterday). Even though I took my meds and let myself sleep until 6, my head still hurts today. Still, I’m doing okay. The weather is nice and I’ll be busy right up until the long weekend.

Today I’m getting my nails done after school, tomorrow I have an NHS meeting after school, Thursday I’m having late lunch/early dinner and drinks with C, and Friday I’m kicking off the long weekend with M and F, friends from my department. We’re going to my local place for drinks and snacks; it should be fun.

As for sunbathing season, it’s my complex pool that opens this weekend, and I can’t wait! The weather forecast for the weekend doesn’t look very good at this point, but I’ve got my fingers crossed. My cousin D would like to join me for some R&R and I’m happy to have her over if the weather works out. If not, she and I are going to make alternate plans—shopping at TJs and lunch at CPK maybe.

I’ll celebrate my birthday with W next weekend, the weekend following my birthday. I took a half day that Friday afternoon so he can come down earlier Friday than if I were working a whole day…we’ll start our celebration at happy hour. Then, poof, it'll be June. Woo hoo.

Unfortunately, W is still among the unemployed, trying to hold it together and stay positive—yet all the while completely discouraged. I keep praying that something will work out soon…but it’s been an awfully long time that I’ve been praying.

Yay for you and your new deck! I can’t wait to relax there this summer! Gotta run for now, students will be arriving momentarily.

Love you,
Barb

A New Place to Sit

Hey you,

I'll just skip the whole I'm such a loser friend, so sorry I haven't written crap - I just left you a verbal message of that tone on your cell. Enough. I'm back, I think. I mean, really back, not like I'm back for today then I'll disappear for a few weeks again. So no, I don't want to take a hiatus. I want to be here, at the page; I have to thank you for staying with me, writing every day anyway, so that in my swirling pit of self pity/apathy/laziness I still have the treat of reading most days without any reciprocation at all. Thank you.

So....it's Monday and I somehow managed to get a mostly free day, since K and I had planned a trip to the city but decided against it since I have to be back in town to take JJ to the doc at 2:00 anyway. I'm grateful for that too, even though you know I love the city. I have so much laundry piled up it will take all day to get through it, since we spent the entire weekend outside and I didn't do a shred of housework. Not to mention we leave Friday morning for our annual camping trip and I haven't even made a grocery list yet, or done any prep for that at all. My plan today is to get organized and get the house put back together. We'll see how far I get with that.

I hope your weekend was as nice as it your plans sounded. You're such a good Auntie, visiting the kids while your sis is in wherever. I'm sure I've said this before but they are so lucky to have you, your parents, L -- ok, don't get me started. :-)

What is your official pool kickoff? Is that when the complex pool opens or is this something at M's house? Will W be there? Are you going to Btown or staying home with the man on your birthday? And what's the hotel indulgence? More info, please!

All is well here. I think I mentioned that J decided he was going build our deck this summer and that project began Friday afternoon. Between J and T, R, and K's son, TN, the four of them managed to crank out 99% of a gorgeous, gorgeous deck by dinner time last night. There are just a couple of rows, steps and railings left. It's about ten times bigger than I expected it to be and it actually makes our back yard look bigger, rather than smaller. I didn't help much, other than moving some plants and finishing up around the garden; I stopped buying flowers because I was getting a little out of control and wanted to save some money and energy for accessorizing my new deck. Still, I stayed outside and puttered anyway.

Saturday JJ had two games, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon, so I went to both of those. The weather was amazing so I didn't mind sitting in the sun for hours on end. Saturday night we had our annual FD banquet, which was boring but necessary. We got home pretty early so it wasn't that bad. Plus, I got a new dress that I love and will be able to wear all summer, casual or dressy, so that didn't suck.

This week they boys will finish up in the back yard and then we're off to the coast for the long weekend. Two weeks at home, then we leave for Arizona on the 11th. We are gone for five days, home on that Monday. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to this trip, especially since I've never been. I love going to new places!

I believe my funk may have ended, maybe with the painting of M's room (it looks awesome) and the fresh start that implies. I still move that furniture into JJ's room and get rid of JJ's bunk set, then M's room will become a play/rec room kind of deal. This was a good decision on our part, to redo the room; I didn't realize how much it was stressing me out beforehand until it was done.

So if the funk is ended, that means I should be writing again, getting out more, taking better care of myself. I just finished Picoult's Nineteen Minutes (only the second of hers I've read) and loved it. More perspective to get my sorry butt in gear...have you read it? Definitely within my emotional range these days, and definitely worth the reality check it provoked for me.

Hope to hear your voice this afternoon if you've got a minute. I will call before I pick up JJ.

Love you,
A

One Way

Good morning, Amanda.

I am taking a half day off for a dentist's appointment today--one of several crown preps I need. The appointment is at 8:30 to 10 so I have a little extra time to say hi. Already I wish I had taken a whole day off.

I hope you had a good weekend and that all is well. I tried checking in on the phone, and emailed you as well over the weekend but haven't heard back... I don't think you're off to Arizona yet, but you may be. Trying not to be worried....or get frustrated...I know you're going through a lot/in a funk/gardening a lot but I feel like I'm writing to myself.

Please check in.
Barb

Happy Weekend!

Hi, Amanda.

Until I hear from you that you want to take an official hiatus, I'll keep writing, although maybe not quite as often...

I'm in good spirits, especially since the weekend is here and I'm that much closer to pool days and summer vacation. Yay me! My week at school was good, though, so it's not a thank god this week is finally over feeling. Rather, I'm just generally happy that it's almost time to recoup and regroup and have a little more fun than normal.

I don't have much going on this weekend, and I'm good with that. I look forward to sleeping in and to my Sunday breakfast (that W and I couldn't fit in to our weekend schedule), and plan to stop by to see my parents (who have M and V's kids while they are on a 11 day holiday in Europe), and--therefore--the kids. (Don't get me started.) My niece A likes the farfalle and broccoli dish that I make (modified from Giada) so I will make that and join them all for dinner on Sunday, just to give them someone to visit with beside my parents. (Meanwhile, L plans on visiting with the kids again during the week next week since we had such a nice time this past Monday, so that'll be a little diversion for J and A too.)

The rest of the month will fly...Memorial Day weekend is next weekend, my official summer kickoff (poolside!) and then my birthday is the following week, and then I'll see W to celebrate that weekend, and then it'll be June and we're going to do a hotel indulgence for my birthday/end of the school year and then finals will start and.... I don't want to wish my life away by any means, but I am thrilled for things that are coming up.

Hope you had a good week and that you have some fun things (gardening?) in store for the weekend.

Love you,
Barb

Bummed Out

Hey,

It's me again... W didn't get that job that he was so hopeful about. He's really taking it hard, and I am too. His email brought me to tears. I don't blame him for wanting to give up, but also know that giving up won't land him a job. How then to proceed?....

Send white light if you could.

Thanks, Barb

Too Busy to Count

Hey, A.

L came up with the kids to visit my parents yesterday since J is away on business and the day before was Mother’s Day. We had an awesome time. It was a nice day so the kids got to play outside and my mother put together a great meal (of course). (And I whipped up an excellent guacamole for snacking beforehand.) It was hard not to notice that life is so completely different in the spring and summer. It would have been torture to wait until 5:30 for dinner in the winter and I probably would not have stayed until 8:30. In fact, I may have bowed out altogether. But the sunshine seems to make everything better.

I’ve been very busy at school, but the days fly, much more quickly than when C and I email back and forth all day about how miserable we are. Believe it or not 2 or 3 people asked me yesterday how many days left and I didn’t know…Not that I don’t want summer vacation mind you, but because I’ve been too busy to count. Today I'll take a minute to do that.

Hope you are doing well. If you don’t feel like writing here, drop me a quick email.

B

Happy Mother's Day!!

Hey there, Amanda.

Hope you are having a good weekend, and that you had a moment today that made you feel like Mother's Day was a day meant just for you. Happy Mother's Day.

My weekend with W was fantastic, short but sweet and delicious and so much fun. We ended up with an invite late yesterday afternoon to stop by L and D's for burgers and dogs (we haven't gotten together with them in years!), and by the time we got home never watched our Netflix, but it was all perfect. In fact, it was definitely an I love him so much! weekend. He went back early today to get ready for dinner at his mother's, which gave me a chance to regroup a little before dinner with mine.

It was just me and my mom and dad this year--as it has been in other years--since my sisters like to enjoy the day for themselves. Mom cooked of course (leave it to my mother), though dad grilled the steaks she marinated, and I brought shrimp cocktail for an appetizer and ice cream for dessert. I was there for a couple hours and not a minute was awkward, so that's a good thing.

Now I'm home unwinding, having a little wine, enjoying the lilacs I brought home with me from the bush in my mother's backyard,waiting for my TV shows (Cold Case and Brothers and Sisters), before I go upstairs and find myself particularly lonely.

I hope you are enjoying yourself this evening too.

Love you!
Barb

Countdowns--plural

Hey, A.

My pool opens in 17 days, and I can't wait. Today I left school as soon as I could because it was too nice to be in the building. We're having a brief affair with sun today before we return to PNW weather and a very rainy week. So I'm home with my windows and shades open, but in a couple of weeks I'll be able to head out to the pool with my chair and a cocktail and relax on a day like today, and work on my natural ;-) tan....

I don't think W and I are changing plans after all so I'm looking forward to the weekend. Yay! Today I plan to get some house stuff done so that tomorrow I can run my errands (and maybe go out for a drink and some mussels....). Friday I have an NHS meeting after school so I won't have a chance to do anything before it's time to pick him up from the bus station.

So two more weeks until my pool opens, two more days till my man comes to town, and two more paychecks until the big daddy balloon check. I have my budget set up and my summer wish list (new ottoman/coffee table) in place, and I am looking forward to the little extras I plan to treat myself to (that aren't quite wish list items, but rather wait till balloon check items). On the latter are ticket to Seattle, membership to Costco, booze and wine stock up. I can't wait.

I know it's wrong to live for vacation, but I do. And I think I'm a pretty good teacher--despite the countdown.

Hope you're having a good day. Glad to hear your Bobcats night and dinner to follow were good.

Love you,
Barb

Whatever Works

Hey, A.

I guess you didn't read my Sunday entry, as I mentioned in it that I was done with the book and thought it was brilliant....(just a little, loving dig there....) Honestly, though, I was thinking that maybe you want to take a break from blogging here? It shouldn't be stressful and feel like something you have to do and I certainly don't want you to write out of guilt. So if you want to take a break, until summer maybe, then let me know. Otherwise we can keep at this as often as fits in our schedules and moods and skip the apologies. It's up to you.

We're having a rainy week here, and I'm having my period, so I'm feeling a little blah. I went out for drinks with C yesterday after school and it just kicked my ass. And not because I drank too much. I came home and ended up napping most of the evening before heading to bed, so I knew better than to celebrate Cinco de Mayo today. Instead I ran a couple of errands and came home to do a little nesting.

I just finished making meatballs and gravy to have for this weekend. W is coming down for the weekend, although he was just surprised by his brother and sister-in-law and new nephew (who live in California) at his parents', so I wonder if plans are subject to change. Maybe I'll head up that way one night instead of him coming here for two. I'll talk to him later, I suppose, and we can talk options.

I hope you enjoyed your eggs benedict and found some new stools at the scratch n dent. Have fun tonight at New Bobcats night! I can't believe JJ is going to middle school either. Wow. It definitely deserves an oh my goodness, how'd that happen?

Talk to you soon.
XO, Barb

PS You did tell me about Arizona, and I am jealous. You did not tell me about the fake tan, and frankly I wish you hadn't... ;-) LOVE YOU

Flowers, food and friends

Good morning, Barb.

I decided not to begin my post with "Sorry I haven't written...", since it's getting a little repetitive. I'm going to use the excuse that your new book was keeping you company over morning coffee and you didn't really need me. :-)

I just have a few minutes before heading out to have breakfast with KB. I haven't seen her in a couple of months, so it will be nice to get caught up. After that, I think I'll hit the local furniture store's scratch 'n dent department for some new bar stools. Mine are old and now, officially, broken. JJ risks his life every day as the seat sometimes detaches from the base... Not to mention, they are probably the two most sat-in chairs in our house, so it's kind of a necessity. However, I'm not interested in spending a bunch of cash, so floor model seconds are good enough for me.

Nothing else going on until this evening when it's New Bobcat Night at the middle school. JJ's pretty excited to get his class schedule and get oriented (not orientated) but I'm still wigging out on the idea that he's going to middle school. Hello! When did that happen?? The open house will be fun though, and maybe settle me a little.

We had a pretty good weekend, gardening like mad. We almost finished the front landscaping and got a bunch done in the back too. The rain came Sunday afternoon so we had to concede, even though we are Northwest gardeners, technically speaking, and should be out there with the same motto as the postal service. We were pleased with the progress; I think this might be my new passion. I'm afraid to say that out loud, like I'm going on a diet, but really, I've been enjoying it far more than I ever thought I would. Good therapy.

The A's got home from Disneyland Saturday night so we all got together for dinner here on Sunday evening. I made this awesome coleslaw with fuji apples and toasted walnuts and we grilled steaks and chicken. Fun times; it's nice to have everyone home again, particularly the part where I don't have to take care of the cats one more day. One of them is about to die and I hate it when they leave because I'm always terrified he's going to croak on my watch. Phew, another vacation success. Briscoe is still alive.

The rest of this week I've got PTA stuff and baseball and the usual. Nothing much going on. Did I tell you that K and I are going to Arizona? S may join us, we're not sure yet. We'll probably get that all nailed down this week so I can start shopping for bathing suits. Not that I want to do that, mind you, because really, I'd rather have my toenails ripped out than stand naked in front of a mirror for hours on end, but you do what you gotta do. I just keep tanning, thinking tan fat looks better.

Ha ha, I'm cracking myself up. Off to breakfast now, home of the best Eggs Benedict around, which will make that bathing suit trip go oh, so much better.

Love you!
Amanda

Simmering Sauce

I left myself about 50 pages of my book to read over coffee this morning, but changed my plans. I read about 10 of them, then cleaned some clutter, and set the table (once I could see it) and made myself breakfast (brunch I guess, since by this time it was 11). After breakfast I sat back down with a Bloody Mary and finished it. I loved it. It was brilliant.

Then, without even having to make any deals with myself (you can have another cocktail if you clean the kitchen), I started cleaning...catching up on shredding, getting recycling organized, scrubbing toilets, and--yes--cleaning the dreaded kitchen. Eventually I sat down and revisited my budget, and decided I might want to cook. Why not mess up the kitchen I just cleaned? I didn't have a particular food or recipe in mind, and wasn't hankering for anything in particular. What I wanted more than anything was to perform the act of cooking. So I went with what ingredients I had on hand to work with, and decided on a basic red sauce. It's still simmering now, and I don't plan to have any for dinner tonight, but I love that I can make a fra diavolo some night, or use it for meatballs later this week (I took ground beef out of the freezer today, tomorrow or Tuesday I'll make meatballs) or to make a putannesca another night. I'll freeze pint size portions and go from there.

As soon as it's done I need to head to the supermarket for a couple of things I need for the week, and I may swing by my parents' with a pint of sauce, but that's my only other plan for the day.

I wonder how your day is going, and how your weekend was over all.
xo,
Barb

Spring Cleaning Postponed

Hey there, Amanda.

I've had an enjoyable day...reading my new book and putzing around. I went out to the store to make a return earlier, then went out again for a bottle of wine. Now I am snacking on cheese and crackers, sipping my cab, and reading while watching the Celtics vs. Bulls, where W is watching live. I wanted to write a quick note though, but my spring housecleaning and the remainder of my wardrobe swap will have to wait until tomorrow.

Hope you are having a good day too. Thanks again for letting me cry out loud earlier.

Love you,
B