2019: Checkpoint

Yadda and all.

1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?

Driven Houston to Dallas between midnight and 5 AM. I'd like not to repeat that ever again.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Nah.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

None babies around here.  Wait, a cousin had a baby this fall and he's really cute.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Woo boy, this has been a year. Sabrina's teacher lost her dad in an accident the day before school ended for the summer, so we went to the rosary for him.  Then, we lost Chris's mom during the Weekend of Misery. My cousin, Chad, passed from leukemia that we didn't know he was enduring, and my friend, Kelly, passed after a very long battle with cancer - both far, far too young.  And this past week, a sweet 11 year old boy from just around the block died.  It's been a lot.

5. What places did you visit?

Houston, Texas; Charleston, South Carolina. Points along the way.

6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?

As always: More surplus dollars.  A boatload of patience.  More and closer friendships.  Will power, fortitude, self discipline, and better ways to communicate.

7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 23: the day of Sabrina's elementary school graduation ceremony and her being given an award by her peers.  May 24: Sammy's middle school graduation and watching my boy completely break down because he was leaving such a special place.  June 8-10 (AKA the Weekend of Misery): Sabrina gets sick on a Girl Scout trip to NASA in Houston, so we do the midnight ride home (she is fine upon return); Chris's mom passes away while he, Sammy, and my parents are in a car a few hundred miles from their destination of Las Vegas (Sabrina and my flight is mercifully cancelled due to weather); on the return drive, the road trippers stop in Amarillo for lunch, where my father suffers a heart attack (he is treated very quickly and is now doing very well; the boys drive my folks' car back and the folks fly back a few days later). Whew.  August 14: Sammy starts high school and Sabrina starts middle school.  

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Survival.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Evergreen: Letting frustration win, again and again and again.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Thankfully, no. Let's do that again.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A Ring doorbell.  A new hot water heater to replace the one that gave out but did not flood the house on its way out.  Disney +.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My niece for welcoming our foursome to stay in her house and upend her life for 5 days.   


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Basically anyone who clings to arbitrary lines drawn in the sand for no other reason that they were on one side of the line when it was drawn.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Also evergreen: Day to day stuff.  Amazon Prime.  Taxes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Game of Thrones.  Disney +.  Finding useful gifts for people I love.  Awesome bargains I found.  Watching my kids have a blast at the beach.

16. What song will always remind you of 2019?

I know nothing of music this year. Something about an old road?

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Tough year, but I'm working on happier.

b) thinner or fatter? My mind tells me fatter every time i look in the mirror, but my clothes still fit, so meh.

c) richer or poorer? 'Bout same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Smiling.  Finding the upside. 

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Fretting.  Being annoyed.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2019?

Hosted a Christmas Eve dinner for my side of the family, then we went to Mass together and it was lovely.  Except that Chris said he wasn't feeling well.

We came home, cleaned up, somehow got the kids into bed, and let Santa do his business.  We finished much earlier than in the past, and Chris went to bed, and I followed (also earlier than in the past).

Christmas morning was happy.  The kids adored their gifts from Santa, we had donuts and pigs in a blanket.  We had trouble getting out the door to go to my parents' house because we kept forgetting things and having to turn around. More breakfast, then giftapalooza. We all watched Chris turn paler and quieter, then go sleep the entire afternoon and evening. I made him a clinic appointment for the next morning, then tried to enjoy the rest of the day. Epilogue: he had strep AND the flu.

21. Did you fall in love in 2019?

Um, pass.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

There was this little show called Game of Thrones. I watched the whole series the week before the final season started.  I'm glad I did it that way instead of having to wait years to see what would happen.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2019?

It was a Thursday?  Yeah, I don't remember.  I'm sure my family was nice to me, and that's all that matters.

24. What was the best book you read?

Evvie Drake Starts Over, and not just because the author is an internet friend.

25. What did you want and get?

My Wifi thermostat installed (I've been waiting on this for years).  A new computer desk (see next year's list for said desk assembled and put in place).  A good start to high school and middle school for my kids.

26. What did you want and not get?

Skinnier.  Peace on earth.  Children with consistent table manners.  And where is that rich benefactor?

27. What was your favorite film of this year?

Probably Toy Story 4.  Although Captain Marvel was surprisingly fun.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

I'm really hoping for a new or strengthened friendship in the future, particularly a local one.  I have lots of friends across the internet, but I'd really like someone close both figuratively and literally.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Inner peace.

Slightly modified from last year: the ability to communicate anything to my husband (and OK, children) and have him understand instantly and completely.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?

Ironing is clearly not a skill I possess.

31. What kept you sane?

Caffeine.  Naps.  TLI.  Long showers.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Still not fancy. I enjoy following the British royals more than ever, so we'll put that here.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Boy, that's a loaded question. Moving on.

34. Who did you miss?

Everyone I lost (which is too long a list this year) and everyone I don't see often enough (which is most everyone). As usual.  
 
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.

Take a deep breath.  Take another.

2017: Checkpoint

I'm sorry if this comes off a little grey this year.  I'm hoping for more rainbows & glitter in 2018.  I put Sabrina in charge of that...

1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?

Visited my brother's family & stayed in his house.  Went on vacation via airplane for which I had to shell out $$$ for many tickets.  Got completely verklempt over my son receiving numerous middle school awards.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Pish.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A couple of cousins added to their broods.  But I haven't held a squishy newborn in some time.  Bummer.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, not this year.  Whew.

5. What places did you visit?

San Antonio, Texas.  Portland, Oregon.  Vancouver, Washington.  The Oregon coast/Pacific Ocean.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

We'll just double down, OK?

More surplus dollars.  A boatload of patience.  More and closer friendships, both in person and across the internet.  I need some buddies. Will power, fortitude, self discipline, and better ways to communicate.

7. What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Hmm.  May 30, the middle school awards ceremony.  Some day in October when Sabrina was elected to student council (the date is not significant but the memory is because I tried my darnedest to be on student council my whole academic career and never succeeded).  Not a lot of specific dates this year, but nice moments for sure.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Making it through?  Keeping my cool (mostly)?  Eh.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Once more with feeling: Letting frustration win, again and again and again.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Strep plus a nasty virus at the end of spring break and over my birthday.  That's about it, thank everything.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My husband will say his new car, but I don't believe we needed one, so not that.  We finally finished replacing all the windows (except the weird one in the bathroom which can stay because it's weird), so perhaps I shall go with that.  Suuuuuper boring.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Last year's answer just carries straight over: as we wind up this year, it feels like nobody behaved very well, at least at large.  The Ladies Internet continues to be compassionate, insightful, and kind in so many ways.  

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Anybody fighting and yelling because differences exist.  That's a vague but direct answer.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Still - and more - true: Amazon Prime.  Taxes.  Also, new car.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Any time Amazon showed up at my door?  It didn't take much this year.

16. What song will always remind you of 2017?

I have been noodling over this question for days, and I have no answer.  I didn't even know Despacito was a thing until I heard it on a 2017 review show.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?  Honestly, a bit sadder, but hopeful for 2018.
b) thinner or fatter?  My rings are looser on my fingers, so I must be headed in the right direction.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer.  Stupid taxes.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

This remains ever the same: Catching myself before I get annoyed with the kids, particularly for interrupting me.  Spending time with lady friends.  It bears repeating, I need more friend time.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying.  Now and forever.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2017?

Christmas Eve dinner at our house, just us, the kids, and the folks this time.  Lots of leftovers.  Mass in a very warm chapel with not the best selection of music, but that's OK.  

Santa business.  Terror over a big present that could not be made to work.  Much fretting.

Christmas morning nailbiting.  Kid delighted by Santa's last minute apology for a reindeer stepping on an important gift.  Parental relief.  Giddiness over other kid finding a gift she was sure she wouldn't get.

Family togetherness at the folks'.  Pickle hunt that went on far, far too long.  Much eating.  Much revelry.  Much tired.

21. Did you fall in love in 2017?

With my Ninja coffee maker.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Didn't watch all that much.  I saw quite a bit of this season of Outlander and that was fun, especially after reading the first book.  Now I want to read the rest.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2017?

Tried to recover from multiple germs.  Got a pedicure to help that along.

24. What was the best book you read?

I finally got a copy of The Royal We, and it is much fun in the light of Harry & Megan's engagement.

25. What did you want and get?

The right teacher fit for 4th grade for Sabrina.  A continued smooth journey through middle school for Sammy.  

26. What did you want and not get?

Lessened tension.

Netflix.

And that rich benefactor must be crawling here.

27. What was your favorite film of this year?

I took myself to see La La Land, which was a treat.  Just this week, Sabrina and I saw The Greatest Showman.  So, musicals.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

Not really.  I'd like to change that.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Teleportation.

Always, always, always: the ability to communicate anything to my children and have them understand instantly.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

No holes, no lint, not falling off, not skin tight, no visible underpinnings.  Let's go.

31. What kept you sane?

Laughter.  Texting.  The Ladies Internet, for sure.  Caffeine.  Prayer.  Same, same, same.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

No fanciness to speak of.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Blergh.

34. Who did you miss?

Anybody I didn't get to spend much time with.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.

Growth is good. Relax your grip.

Random Cleaning Post

I started the great ramp up to Thanksgiving prep work today (which leads to Saturday when we host all of Chris's side of the family, so I have a little more time but also have to decorate for Christmas, so, still busy).  Thanks to having older children who can stay out of the way and not demand my presence every 3 minutes, I was able to get the kitchen and bathrooms scrubbed top to bottom.  (Yes, I wish they could help, but despite my training, they have not mastered any cleaning techniques whatsoever.  I'm thinking boot camp might be in order in the foreseeable future.)  And just because I'm a glutton for punishment, I also cleaned out the drawers in my bathroom, which I have not done... ever. 

It was like some dirty, toothpaste covered museum.  Some of the makeup would have needed carbon dating to determine its age.  There were free range q-tips and bobby bins in every single drawer.  And used toothbrushes?  I don't even know.  I found the curling iron I used in college.  I doubt it even heats up anymore, but there it was.  Why does Chris have so many electric razors and trimmers?  He only has 1 face.  Why did I save every lotion and cleaner sample I have ever touched and never used any of them?  All told, I think there were 27 tiny dentist visit sized floss packs and at least 9 travel toothpaste tubes.  And countless toothbrushes (this time, I'm talking new ones).

It was a bizarre experience, and I think the trash can has more in it than the drawers now.  Just in time for the kids to go to the dentist and bring home more samples.

Date Night

We were gifted last minute theater tickets, so we are pretending to be grownups while the kids get spoiled by their grandparents. I'm even wearing makeup. But if I stay awake through the whole thing, it will be a miracle.

Check Your Girls

Today I took care of all my lady business.  So may this serve as a reminder to the ladies who need to visit their doctors and have their mammograms.

The idea of my first mammogram was frighteneing.  I'd heard so many stories of squishing, pulling, and stre-e-e-tching that I was certain I'd come home in a cloud of pain with my upper respiratory area hanging down to my ankles.  None of that happened.  Sure, your boobs are going to be jostled around and tugged, resituated and sandwiched between plastic plates.  But it doesn't feel like they're trying to cold roll your flesh into a pancake.  And it can be pretty fast.  I was in an out inside of 15 minutes today.  So I have a bit of time to kill before going to meet my new doctor.

I don't like change.  Is this a surprise?  No, not to any single person on this planet.  So when my lady doctor of over 14 years up and quit practicing and gave me 2 weeks' notice, it's a wonder I didn't a) go screaming up to her office and beg her to stay, b) dissolve into a puddle right then and there, or c) both.  Don't get me wrong, I was good and angry (still am - it felt like being fired).  But I still had to get stuff done, so I did.  I made an appointment.

I was fine.  Everything was fine.  The new doctor is fine.  It's still weird, and hey, what wouldn't be after 14 years, but I can deal.  She didn't ask any awkward questions and got me to open up about a few questions I was hesitant about bringing up myself in a relatively comfortable way.  Actually, the worst part was when they asked to take my picture for their files.

After taking care of all that, you bet I went straight for the biggest hamburger I could find.  I deserved it.

Movin' and Groovin'

For 12 years, I have run 3 times a week.  But I'm not a natural runner.  Every step is earned.  I will never win a race.  I will never enter a race.  I keep at it because I need to do it, both for my physical health and my mental health.  It's what I do.

My children, however, have an innate talent for running.  They have long legs (where those came from I have no idea) and natural gaits and I can see how far they could go (figuratively and literally) if they choose to develop their abilities.  But they can't stand it.  Oh sure, Sammy doesn't mind running a mile in PE class every now and then, but the interest ends at the finish line.  Sabrina would prefer not to push off the starting line. 

I hope that one day this will change and they might pick up running, at least for enjoyment or health or stress management or whatever.  No pressure.  Just a little sweat.  I wouldn't mind a running buddy (as long as they don't leave their old mom in the dust).

Inadvertant Organization

I accidentally cleaned out my closet today.  I really had no intention of doing that today, or any day in the near future really.  It just... happened.  It started as I stood in the closet, trying to figure out what to wear today.  I looked down at my sandals sitting out and thought that since it's well into November (despite recent 90 degree temperatures), perhaps they were not the most appropriate footwear options these days.  So I decided to swap out sandals for boots.  But to do so, I had to move a pile of jeans, which made me wonder why I had so many jeans because I don't really wear jeans that much and do they even fit anyway maybe i should just check.  And then I went through all my jeans.  And skirts.  And pants.  And sweaters.  And what about the shorts buried in my dresser that I never wear?  And t-shirts? 

Suddenly, it was hours later, I was still half dressed, and I had multiple giant bags filled with stuff to donate.  And a still full closet, by the way.

Nobody in the house needs a stitch of clothing for Christmas is what I'm saying.

I'm on a diet now.

Argh

While Sammy fought mightily to bring his box fort plans into existence, he got so frustrated and angry that I honestly wondered if he was going to turn green and quadruple in size.  Clearly frustration leads to rage in this kid.  I wasn't surprised to find myself carrying his frustration as my own each time he hit a setback.  My muscles would tense up , my temples would throb.  I wanted to help but really couldn't (both because he wanted to do it by himself and because there's a certain amount of doom coming in trying to make sturdy walls out of cardboard and duct tape).  I knew what he was going through because that's how I feel when I get frustrated over something I can't fix.  I don't don't go quite to Hulksmash, but I really get the impulse.

I'm a fixer, for better or worse.  Better when I succeed and someone gets back something they thought was gone forever, or at least forever changed.  Worse when I'm expected to fix something and I can't or it can't be.  When I am the foregone conclusion.  I hate failing, especially when there are eyes on me.  I want to scream.  But I'm an adult, so I don't - I just internalize it and cause continuing damage to my bodily organs.

Sammy doesn't get upset over failing to fix; he gets upset over failure to realize his visions.  But it's pretty clear neither of us likes the feeling.  We are definitely mother and son. 

(This story brought to you by a black screen tablet that refuses to reboot and is driving me absolutely batty.)

2016: Checkpoint

Let's keep a good thing going.

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?

I'll start with the ugly one: buried a friend. Not my parents' friend or grandparents' friend. My friend. I'd prefer not to do that again.

Took my kids to Las Vegas.  Took my husband to Las Vegas.  Went on a car trip with 6 people in said car (to Las Vegas).  Made an actual Christmas list for myself.  Sent a kid to middle school.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Uncle.

Last year: I'm about 6 months behind in my photo organizing (a perpetual annual goal), because the bazillion Disney photos terrify me.  But I'll get to it as soon as Christmas is down and the house is put back together.

I did manage to get this done.  Buuut, I'm now 6 months behind on THIS years' pictures.  So, lather, rinse, repeat.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.  My niece did, but she's all the way in South Carolina, so not close to me geographically.  But an exciting little addition to the family, I must say.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I really didn't want to visit this question this year.  Sadly, yes.  My friend, Erica @alldressedup, a very wonderful gift from the internet, passed away in April.  It still hurts to say out loud.  It probably always will.

My cousin, Mike, also died this summer, very suddenly and very surprisingly.  We weren't close, but he was family, so it's a significant loss.

And then there were way too many famous people who figured into my formative years.  Even though these weren't personal losses, well, they were personal losses and they make me sad.
2016 took too much is what I'm saying.

5. What places did you visit?

Las Vegas, Nevada.  St. Louis, Missouri.  Chicago, Illinois.  Kaukauna, Wisconsin.  Austin, Texas.  Many points in between.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

Same as last year: More surplus dollars.  A boatload of patience.  More and closer friendships, both in person and across the internet.  I need some buddies.

Adding this year: Will power, fortitude, self discipline, and better ways to communicate.

7. What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June 2, the day Sammy graduated from elementary school and Sabrina had to say goodbye to her favorite teacher.  July 27, they day we took Chicago by storm.  July 31, the day Elvis came to my great aunt's 80th birthday party.  August 22, the day I sent Sammy through the doors of middle school for the first time.  (And obviously the day of the answer to question number 1, but we'll try to keep it positive from here on out.)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I have no idea.  Did I accomplish anything?  Probably helping/teaching Sammy to study for his first ever semester exams and him doing really, really well.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Well, this one's on repeat, too: Letting frustration win, again and again and again.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Coupla colds (one during the Las Vegas trip, but, eh).  Sabrina kicked my big toenail right outta my foot.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Let's see. The new comforter that makes my bedroom feel like a hotel.  A futon and TV stand to finish off the playroom.  The last 2 window blinds I need for the whole house, although they're yet to be hung.

The Hamilton soundtrack.

I'm actually proud of the things I didn't buy, but instead put on a Christmas list, both  account and giving other people some actual ideas for gifts to give me.  Not that anyone had to give me anything.  But they asked, so I did.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

This is a tough one to answer because as we wind up this year, it feels like nobody behaved very well, at least at large.  The Ladies Internet continues to be compassionate, insightful, and kind in so many ways.  Lin Manuel Miranda.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

We'll just chalk this one up to politicians.  Nuff said.

14. Where did most of your money go?

What money?  Day to day stuff.  Amazon Prime.  Taxes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I can't think of anything that warranted 3 reallys.  Our trips were giddily anticipated.  Christmas morning because I thought I did a really good job this year.

16. What song will always remind you of 2016?

"Can't Stop the Feeling," Justin Timberlake. I can't stop that song.

Anything Hamilton.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? I wouldn't call it sad.  I'd say more cautiously concerned and slightly gunshy.

b) thinner or fatter? Like I'm going to get up and go measure. My clothes fit, so, eh.

c) richer or poorer? I think this one is basically a wash.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

This remains ever the same: Catching myself before I get annoyed with the kids, particularly for interrupting me.  Spending time with lady friends.  It bears repeating, I need more friend time.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying.  Now and forever.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2016?

After 2, it's becomes a tradition: we hosted a Christmas Eve dinner for my side of the family, whoever happened to be in town.  This year, it was my parents and my brother's family in from Washington state.  I made fancy prime rib again and my oven will not forgive me for a long time.  We went to Mass together and it was lovely.

We came home, cleaned up, somehow got the kids into bed, and let Santa do his business.  I watched the NORAD Santa Tracker a little too late and finally went to bed.

Christmas morning started off perfectly.  The kids adored their gifts from Santa, we had donuts and pigs in a blanket, and generally enjoyed life for about 40 minutes until Sammy started feeling poorly and went down fast with a stomach bug.  He didn't let that stop any of us, and we spent a nice day ay my parents' house, opening presents and eating while Sammy holed up in a bedroom with lots of movies.  He bounced back the next day, so even though Christmas Day wasn't what is would have hoped, he wasn't down for long.

21. Did you fall in love in 2016?

Weird forever.  And so this answer shall stay.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I really like American Wife and Speechless.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2016?

What birthday?  OK, I had one, but that doesn't mean I have to think about it.

24. What was the best book you read?

I'm enjoying Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple right now. The Hamiltome.

25. What did you want and get?

A smooth transition to middle school for Sammy.  A more relaxed holiday work season for Chris.  Somewhat less little girl drama for Sabrina.  A fancy coffeemaker for me. (Somebody has to set the bar low.)

I did finally get the window blinds and futon I listed here last year in the not get section.

26. What did you want and not get?

Skinnier.

And where is that rich benefactor?

27. What was your favorite film of this year?

We  just saw Moana this week, and I just loved it.  Big thanks to @Pamie and @Lin_Manuel.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

I feel like I'm getting closer to some of the moms of my kids' friends (isn't there a better term for this?).  Must initiate more random coffee/lunch stops.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A jet pack.

Always, always, always: the ability to communicate anything to my children and have them understand instantly.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?

I like what's in my closet and I shall wear it.

31. What kept you sane?

Laughter.  Texting.  The Ladies Internet, for sure.  Caffeine.  Prayer.  Same, same, same.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Hamilton kind of took over significant portions of my life, so I'm going to say Lin Manuel Miranda here.  Not in the traditional fancy sense, but in the I really want to be your friend and hang out sense.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Ugh.  I'm trying to stay upbeat, so we'll let this one lie this year.  I hope to have beautiful, positive things to say 12 months from now. Hopehopehope.

34. Who did you miss?

Everyone I lost and everyone I don't see often enough (which is most everyone).

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.

You do you and keep working on who that is.

Good Thing I Checked in Advance

You know what's super fun and great for your ego?  Trying on outfits for your upcoming (ahem, tomorrow) high school reunion.  Yeah, that really sucks.

The dress I had planned to wear was perfect in my mind, and it coordinated so perfectly with my fancy trench that I will probably need when the temperature drops like 40 degrees in the next 24 hours.  But i put that sucker on this morning, and oh my, no no no no no.  Was the material always this thin?  Where did that lumpy bumpy roll come from?  Is it even possible to find undergarments that work with that neckline?  Gah!  So, time to ransack the entire closet.

I tried a few things, but nothing felt like it would give me the confidence I would need to see and be seen by ladies I haven't been in the same room with in [redacted] years. Back when they (note I am not saying we, no not even close) were all size negative 4, had nary a single line on their faces nor a care in the world.  I know time has marched on for all of us, but in my anxiety-addled mind, they are still living in a perfect chrysalis of a teenage dream.  And I'm the old lady who lived in a shoe.  Or something like that.

Anywho, I pulled another dress from the recesses on my closet that I've never worn and frankly didn't think I'd ever fit in, but I'd already destroyed my self image, so why not give it a whirl?  Not only did it fit, it looked pretty good.  Hey now! 

Problem is, this dress is bright freakin' red.  I mean RED red.  This is going to take a lot from inner me, which I can do, but now I have to change everything else I was planning to wear - jewelry, makeup, nail color.  But not the shoes.  The shoes are awesome with everything.  So I just made a mad dash to the store for new nail polish and I hope I can pull this all together without looking like a streetwalker trying to get into a country club.  Fingers crossed.

And really, let's get down to brass tax: God bless Spanx, forever and amen.

Ringtone

So Sabrina did not end up with strep as I'd feared (because I almost overlooked it a few weeks ago, thinking it was probably allergies or a cold because she didn't complain about her throat), and only had a cold.  By Friday morning, she seemed to be feeling somewhat better (or at least was getting really good at powering through) and made it through all her activities, happily even.  She was her regular insane self this weekend.

You know where this is going, don't you?  I am the next lucky recipient of said cold.  I could feel it coming on yesterday, but I was really hopeful I'd caught it in time to wage war against it.  Wishful thinking.  I now feel like this:

This is me phoning it in.  I really do want to write about more interesting things, but my energy is down to nothing and I have 3 people who apparently cannot function enough to feed themselves of get where they need to be.  Tomorrow really needs to be better.

Obligatory

It turned out that Sabrina just had a cold, so she was able to rally  and drag her mother along for her 1000s of activities today.  And up until this very moment, I not only didn't have a chance to think about writing today, I completely forgot about it.  Clearly, I need more caffeine to get through a day like this.  I have put a Ninja at the top of my Christmas list.  Tired lady needs some coffee.

Mondayest Monday

This morning, I adulted like a rock star, taking care of my mammogram and all the rest of my annual lady doctoring.  Then, I came home and cleaned the house in anticipation of the meeting that would be happening here tonight, re: Girl Scout cookies.  And then the monsoons hit, and the neighborhood flooded.  Like police barricades and flashing lights and no-you-can't-go-this-way flooded.  A few people made it for the meeting, so I gave them towels and cookies and helped them dry off their soggy shoes.  Now I get to clean up the puddles and muddy spots.  Monday, be done now.