feeling a little dirty

Last month we were celebrating a full year without cable or satellite TV. It was pretty easy giving it up and even the boys had an easy time with it. However, due to some rather unfortunate circumstances, we had to switch around some of our utilities. And instead of handing Verizon $50 a month to screw us over on our phone bill (after baiting us with DSL and then telling us — oh wait, sorry, now that you’ve signed up you can’t get it) and another $50 to Cablevision for the high-speed internet we require, we figured we might as well go for their Triple Play for $100 and get cable for “free” so to speak. So for the last few days, we’ve all been in a TV coma. It’s weird having all these shows. And commercials! Oh, I didn’t miss the commercials. Everything from disability insurance to craft supplies to as-seen-on-TV gadgets. It’s kind of nice having the morning news when I wake up with Laura, though. So we’ll enjoy it over the fall and winter and re-evaluate our situation next summer.

eight is great

My oldest son turns eight tomorrow. Eight! Eight years ago around this time I was starting to feel my contractions and started to get the idea that a “birth day” was imminent. I had a difficult labor with Jake, one that resulted in a c-section. His heart rate started dropping and as it turned out, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. When he was born we weren’t concerned with handing out Davidoff cigars, just that he was healthy. And he was! He’s a crazy, creative boy. It’s hard to look at those baby pictures and realize that it’s the same little boy who is now reading “The 39 Clues” books and playing games on the Wii.

Time goes by much too fast. But even though birthdays bittersweet, I love them just the same. And I will do everything I can to make it a super-special day for him.

not in my job description

I had a surprise phone call this afternoon with a lead for some possible editing work. I was super excited because while I like writing, I miss editing. It just comes easier for me, and I’d love to get back into it. This is a freelance gig, too which is great. Gone are the days when I’d be shopping for briefcases to take to the office. My “office” is wherever I have my laptop. I’m hoping I can keep this up after all of the kiddos are in school. I’m not sure I really want to go back to office life. Maybe I’ll be able to swing it as a full-time freelancer after all.

cleaning day

I could really use a day without the kids around so I could do some deep cleaning. While I keep a pretty tidy house, I would really like to move all the furniture, vacuum really well, wipe down the baseboards, and take the covers off the bathroom fans and give everything a good wash. It’s amazing how much dust accumulates.

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be getting a day to myself anytime soon, so I’ll have to break up the tasks and do them little by little. I guess my mind is already in “fall cleaning” mode!

too hot to eat

I don’t know about you, but when it’s hot out, I barely have any appetite. It’s like the 90-degree-temperatures are almost a poor man’s phentremene. The idea of sitting down and eating a big meal is so unappealing. I’m having more small snacks, I guess and kind of “grazing” through the day. Fruit salad and yogurt are great, and I’m also loving those sundried tomato Wheat Thins. I’ll have a few bites every few hours and that does it for me.

I am constantly thirsty, though, which should come as no surprise! A big glass of cold water with crushed ice is just about the best thing on these ridiculously hot days. I think I’ll make some iced tea tomorrow; I haven’t had that in a while and I bet that would taste good too. I’m so ready for cooler weather. Fall? You can make your way to NY whenever you’re ready.

some people

You know, some people need to lighten up. Do you know these kinds of people? The kind where you make one little joke and then they have to jab one right back at you? The kind where if they had a lump of coal between their cheeks, they wouldn’t even have to squeeze for loose diamonds to come out? Anyway, today I seemed to come in contact with a lot of those people and I just have no tolerance for it. They are miserable to be around and it makes you wonder how happy they are with their lives.

junk mail

It’s hard to believe that we sold the wine shop just over two years ago. In many ways it seems much longer than that. So much has changed, including the addition of our little Laura to the family! What hasn’t changed, however, is all the mail we still get that is directed at the store — everything from wine tasting invitations to business insurance pitches to bag catalogs. Although we have no use for most of this material, it’s still fun to look through and reminisce. I also admit to having a fondness for the trade magazines we still get, especially Gourmet Retailer and Convenience Store News. I know, I know… that last one sounds utterly boring doesn’t it? But honestly, it’s kind of neat to get the back story on c-stores, see what they’re pushing, and what the industry is like in general. I like to live vicariously

forgetfulness

Ugh! Why is it that I can never go to the grocery store and remember everything I need to get? At least I remembered to get diapers, one of my main concerns. I can live without the chicken bullion cubes, but diapers? Nope — that’s a necessity! While I was out I also picked up some new fabric. I’m not sure if I want to do a lap quilt with it, or maybe a little dress for Laura… I have too many ideas in my head! I also picked up canning jars for brandied cherries. I think they’ll make fun Christmas gifts, especially since they have to sit around for three months to really soak up the alcohol. I guess all things considered, I remembered most of what I needed, LOL!

breakouts

What is it about the summer weather that makes my skin look more like I’m 14, and not 34? And I don’t mean in a good way. I guess all the sweat and humidity makes my skin extra oily or something. I could seriously use some good acne treatments for these irritating pimples! Oh well. Yesterday and today the weather has been beautiful, but I know this weekend we’re in for a nasty heatwave. I’d better get my Sea Breeze astringent and Stridex pads ready, LOL!

summer colds

So I think I’ve got a touch of a cold. I’ve got a sore throat and a bit of a cough It’s really nothing I should complain about. I mean, it’s annoying but it’s nothing compared to pneumonia or Mesothelioma. It’s just enough to make me grumble. I sure hope the sore throat goes away before my FNA biopsy next week. I’m nervous enough about it. I don’t want a sore throat to complicate matters further! So hopefully it will subside. I’m eager to get this FNA over and done with and move on to whatever treatment needs to follow. I like to be informed and in control of situations. Not knowing what is going on is very difficult for me.