More Bits

Last weekend was a marching band competition. The DH and I were chaperones for this overnight event in Chicago. Sandbox had to be at school at 5:45am to go run in a cross country race in another town. There are 6 or 7 kids that run and do band. So they joined us in the Chicago 'burb where the competition was held. There was some stiff competition and a couple of really great shows. The next day we went to a China Day parade, a 5k walk for the American Lung Association, and a long bus ride home. But the DH and I are getting old and the weekend took its toll on us.

During the week there were practicies, rehearsals, and drama auditions.

Both girls did well and have call backs this week.

Yesterday, there was more running and more marching band. (I hope Sandbox will blog about his cross country experience - he's doing well). Our band placed third and our colorguard placed 1st! So it was a good time. The DH went along to do sound (there are mics and speakers for a voiced over section) so I had the whole day to myself.

So, what did I do?

Nope.

More like ...

Yes, I had to organize my office. It was a blessing to not feel guilt for neglecting the family while I did it. Guess what? It took me 8 hours and I still could put in another 4 to really complete the job. I made some real headway and I didn't uncover any overdue forgotten tasks (my fear). I have an admin assistant but i wasn't in a position to utilize her jsut yet since I didn't know what the categories for sorting/filing were yet. Also, some info is above her pay grade so to speak, so I couldn't just set her loose on the papers. But, now my system is in place. I feel good about it.

Last bit - This morning at church, two boys were playing "nut wars." At least that's what they were calling it. Basicallym they were gathering acorns in their shirts, then hurling them at each other across the stairway where people enter the church school building. Loads of fun.

Tidbits

I read LIT's comments on my last post and decided to write about the last movie I saw. First, though, I thought I'd make sure she hadn't posted about the same flick. Sure enough she saw it recently and mentioned it, as did my sister Goo. Here are my thoughts:

First, I too love Meryl Streep. AND, I think Stanley Tucci is HOT. I think Amy Adams is great too.

Second, I heard that the movie would make me hungry even if I'd eaten already. Not really. I smuggled in a diet Coke and had some left over reeses pieces in my purse so I was ok on that front. But I lusted after the clothes, the jewelry, the shoes, the hats, the gloves, the lamps, rugs, furniture, frames, and mouldings in the scenes from the 1940's. Aahh ... my era in many ways.

Third, I really hoped the movie would inspire me to cook or clean my kitchen. Nope. I felt a bit like buying some good knives or an old apron. But I still want someone else to cook and clean for me.

Two nights before that, I saw Extract with the DH. I had medium high hopes for this movie since I loved Office space which was written by the same guy. But this film was a bit disappointing. There were a few laughs and a couple of characters I would have liked to see more developed. I would recommend you wait for the DVD. In honor of Dagromm, I give it a solid A+.

My dirty little secret: (not so secret now) I like some really stupid TV. I use my job as an excuse. I rationalize that since I have such a stressful job where I hear all kinds of crap, abuse, horror, and chaos, I compensate with mindless formulaic trash. Yes, I watch Project Runway & Top Chef (probably the least embarassing of this list). But I also liek the real Housewives of Atlanta, Say Yes to the Dress, America's Next Top Model. When the family's not around to mock me, I watch Toddlers & Tiaras. I can't really explain why I am fascinated by this show but there it is. The proverbial car wreck. Current family fave: Glee. If you haven't seen it, catch old episodes online then start watching.

Finally, in case I didn't mention it, Sandbox and Easel are being confirmed this Sunday. And my first baby, Polio, will be 22 (gasp 22!) in just over 2 weeks. Also, Rake and I went to the college fair last night and are planning some visits soon. !!

Good Eatin'

I am trying to institute a quick weekly post.
Today the DH and I went to the Windy City for a training. Lunch was not provided so we had to find it on our own. So sad. I wanted to try the Mexican restaurant owned by the guy who won Top Chef Masters which I watched enviously over the last few weeks. Rick Bayless was my favorite the whole time and when he won I decided to try to go to one of his restaurants as soon as I had a chance. Today was the day and it was awesome! I had a chicken with his signature mole sauce. The DH had a shrimp dish with mangos, cilantro, and some other great stuff.

The lady at the next table ordered some habanero sauce and, despite the waiter's warning, blopped about a tablespoonful on her date's tortilla. I really thought he was going to hurl. He sat wordless for about fifteen minutes and drank two glasses of milk. The lady giggled and apologized but I would have decked her.

Anyway, good eatin'! Next time - dessert!

'bout time!

I’ve been putting off writing in this fershluggin’ blog, waiting for something good to say. Or the time to say it right. Or the patience to revie the past 9 months.Or whatever. Anyway, this will never happen if I wait for the perfect moment or turn of phrase, so here goes.

Since I last blogged, I’ve moved back to the US, taken a very demanding job as clinical director of a large child welfare agency, and am hard at work trying to clean up someone else’s mess. That is, the guy I replaced let a lot of things slide and the ship is full of holes as it were.

I am trying to run a tighter ship and I put in long long days. I think I am appreciated and I can see some differences already. It wasn’t difficult to establish my authority, which is nice, and I feel supported in my efforts. It was a rewarding career move.

We are adjusting well for the most part although one of the teenagers (the one who had the hardest time adjusting to Canada) is pissed that we moved back and is having trouble accepting that we’re back for good. Ah well, I’ve found that if you just accept that you cannot and will not win, ever, you are much better off. However, we will all miss many things about Nova Scotia!

I am stoked about our new president and was so choked up today. It would have been immensely cool to have been there for the inauguration. I have been living vicariously through my sister and bragging that she is working the inaugural prayer service at the cathedral and will hopefully get to shake his hand. We’ll be watching your blog, Goo, to see how your day went. I haven’t called because I know you are super busy right now getting ready and also because I am a loser. I love you!!

Travel Games

We are safely back from our vacation to the midwest. The time there was great and a much-needed respite. The drive home was long. Our first two days of driving were not bad and we did not encounter the rain we thought we would. Maine was eerie as the mist was hovering over the snow-covered fields. The roads were clear but the sky was grey.

We have decided that the province of New Brunswick is basically Arkansas. The roads are crap and it feels like no one lives there. I swear, I think we doubled the population when we drove in. There are about 8 exits along the TransCanada Highway in NB and not one of them is anything other than an exit ramp. No gas station, no rest stop, no bathroom, no signage. On the way down we encountered a blizzard in this province and on the way back it was fog. Correction, FOG. Serious, thick, spooky, Hound of the Baskervilles FOG. We had about 2 feet of visibility and the road is not well-marked. No reflectors, no reflective paint. Just occasional signs warning you to pay attention to moose(s). Fortunately, we did not see any. I was afraid we’d have a Toyota v. Moose incident. We drove through FOG for about three hours.

Along the drive, we invented some new (to us anyway) travel games to keep ourselves entertained in the car*. Next time you’re on one of those long drives, when the kids are watching something in the back and you can’t listen to your own music because it will interfere with their show, try one of these. One is kid-friendly, the other … not so much.

1) Alphabet-geography game. Basically you replace each state in the US, or every country you can think of, with a certain letter or group of letters. For example: Cralabama, Crentucky, Croklahoma… Some of my recent favorites include Spelgium, Quussia, and Flafghanistan.

2) Innuendo. In this game, you simply add parentheses to certain words or phrases you see along the road. You can instantly turn something wholesome and sweet into, well, smut.
Like “Fresh Fudge” or Grandpa’s “Cheese Barn” or

Entering
“Manhurst” County


* These may have been funny only because we were very tired and stir crazy.

vacation days

Let's see. We've been here for three full days. We have just been hanging out with our oldest son Polio and other friends, eating at a few of our favorite restaurants, enjoying the down time. The DH and Sandbox are going to rehearse with the choir tonight while I kick back with my homies. (homies in this case means a couple of other almost-middle-aged-ladies holding G&T's).

Today I'm going over to my old workplace to see what's still standing. I'm going to try and talk shop enough to write this trip off as a business expense. That oughta work right?

Not much to report but I'm trying to get back in the blogging groove. Great to hear from you guys! In comments, tell me your favorite winter sport (to play or to watch). Mine are hockey and curling - NOT!

hey!

A quick recap since the last post:

Christmas - was all right. Rather subdued but the visit from Goo was a highlight. Lots of snow.

New Year's - was all right. Goo was still there and we had a small party. We had a dark-haired guest go outside and ring the doorbell and be the first across the threshold in the new year for good luck (like they do in Scotland?). Sampled some horrible Indiana wine - I don't recommend it.

January - Went to court and worked on some more high profile cases. Stress. Interesting. Good times. Also, lots of snow.

February - The DH turned 47. It snowed. Money troubles, the kids got good grades. More snow.

March - were going to travel to our old stomping grounds to see our oldest son and, of course, visit friends but decided to put it off for two weeks. The kids took it well. It meant we'd be there for Easter. Snow.

The day we left, we got a late start because we waited for the freezing rain to turn to rain. Then in New Brunswick, we encountered a freakin' blizzard. You know what a blizzard is? SNOW. The next day was high winds, but day three of the drive was beautiful and clear. We made it in time for church and had a great reunion!

Easter Sunday was more church and more reunion, inlcuding one with our favorite Mexican restaurant. After lunch, it snowed. Naps, then communal dinner with friends. Aahh.

Met our son's girlfriend. She's smart and pretty and has a good sense of humor. Day 1 has been good.