Thursday, April 30, 2015

Too Tired to Throwback Thursday

Last night, the Man-Cub and I volunteered at the annual Senior Sports Banquet. The banquet is a pretty big deal here in Petticoat Junction, and, it requires a lot of planning and manpower in order to execute.

After running around like a chicken with it's head cut off this time last year (Ha! I threw back a little something after all!) for The Teenager's graduation events, I swore that I would try to pace myself on the event planning, but, a friend of mine is the president of the Sports Boosters and I wanted to support her, so, I hit the school at 3:30 and didn't leave until 9:00.

I really like that woman. Otherwise, my ass would have been home on the couch.

Today, the couch looks really, really inviting; I am tired, sore, and unmotivated to go to work, but, it was a hell of a banquet and we are proud of our work.

I'm also proud of the Cub and the rest of the ASTRA kids, who spent the afternoon and evening serving food, filling water glasses, cutting cake, and generally being awesome.

This is what community is all about.


 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Rest in Peace, iPod Touch

While cleaning house on Sunday, my iPod suddenly stopped playing. Actually, it was playing, I just couldn't hear it.

After assuring myself that I hadn't simply gone deaf (that would have presented a whole new set of problems); I determined that the audio function on the Touch was kaput. 

Since the entire purpose of an iPod is, you know, music; this was kind of a major bummer. 

I use the iPod in the bathtub. I use it when I clean house (vacuuming is 99% more fun when combined with white girl dance moves). I use it when I am working at the hardware store (because people hesitate to ask me stupid questions if they think I can't hear them). I use it when I run, and, fine, I haven't been running very much (at all) recently, but, still! 

This is a tragedy of epic proportions. 


Rest in peace, Touch buddy. 

You'll be in my heart. 

Now, to research the best deal on a new model....

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Meanwhile, At the Zoo

The Teenager is counting down the days until school is over and she can come home. She's already finished her final papers for class (two weeks ahead of deadline, who is this child?), and she seems to be confidently staring down finals with nary a panic attack to be found (fingers crossed).

When she came home last weekend, she brought a carload of her belongings with her, so; she is that much closer to having her dorm room emptied by May 8th, which is her last day on campus. Now, her father and I just have to clear her room of the items that have slowly crept into it-the elliptical machine, inversion table, numerous suitcases, etc., etc.,-and she will be able to return to the nest from which she was so excited to fly.

Huh.

Anyway, in the meantime, she and Katie have been checking items off their "urban area must do" list; things like attending a Rockies game, perfecting their country dance moves at the local country bar, and feeding a baby giraffe.

Yes, I said feeding a baby giraffe; some people's must do's are stranger than others.




I hope they got it out of their systems, because that thing is not coming home with them.


Blech.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Rain Delay

I was up early this morning, in order to wake the Cub in time to catch the bus for his baseball game in a town about two hours away. Once he was on his way, I sipped a cup of coffee and tried to relax for a while before Hugh and I left to follow the team; it wasn't a bad way to start the day, but I still would have preferred to sleep in.

Once we were on the road to the game, it became apparent that there was going to be an issue with the weather, and, the closer we got to the town where the game was supposed to be played, the worse it got.

About an hour and a half into the drive, the Cub called to say that the game was being moved...to Petticoat Junction.

We flipped a U-turn at the first possible opportunity and headed back home, where I managed to sneak in a brief nap before heading to the school to claim my spot in the grandstands. I found a couple of great seats and we settled in to watch...the clouds roll across the field..


...and we moved into Hugh's truck to watch the games, free from the occasional sprinkles and cold breeze.

The boys, it should be noted, were completely unaffected by the weather, and, they won both games, quite handily.

Now, I am home and happily ensconced on my couch, with a cozy blanket and the promise of a good night's sleep to come.

Circle of life, yo. 

Friday, April 24, 2015

Friday Favorites: Spring Porch Decor Edition

Springtime means different things to different people; for me, it means a return to the porch. And, while the weather continues to present a challenge to spending quality time curled up on the wicker with a good book and a cup of tea; I have prepared the porch for just that.

Fingers crossed that I'll be able to use it soon.





I'm really loving the new color scheme and was super stoked about finding a rug that I liked. I've been wanting one for a long time but didn't want to spend the money on something that wasn't right for the space; this one seemed to fit the bill.

I am also loving the dragonfly pattern on the pillows; dragonflies hold a special place in our hearts and the porch is the perfect place to display them for many, many reasons.



The only thing I need to do now is to purchase the flowers for the flowerboxes; I'm planning to look for red and white petunias, which should go nicely with the other red touches in the décor.


I'm also thinking that red wine will pair nicely with the décor, but, I'm willing to sample the white, just to be sure.

Current favorites:


Thursday, April 23, 2015

Thursday Throwback

We are closing in on the end of the baseball season. Or, perhaps I should say that we are closing in on the end of the school baseball season; there remains a possibility that the Cub will play summer ball again this year, he's not quite made up his mind yet.

I don't suppose that I have to tell you that I love watching him play. I love almost everything about the sport (not the being outdoors in crappy spring weather part); I love the action, I love the competition, I love the fresh air and sunshine (see? Not the crappy parts), and, it goes without saying that I love the boys.

It has been a privilege to watch the Cub play ball for all these years; he's come a long way.



His pants fit better, for one thing.

Some things never change, though; he still sticks his tongue out when he is concentrating on the game.

Anyway, one more JV game today and another Varsity double-header this weekend. The games are dwindling, I better enjoy them while I can.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Milestones

The Man-Cub had his first mention in the sports section of the Hooterville Daily Press today, in a story about yesterday's double header. We are very proud.

We are also proud of the fact that he was inducted into Honor Society this evening, along with a number of his classmates.

Hugh and I attended the ceremony and, I'm embarrassed to admit that I actually teared up a little; this does not bode well for me.










 He's only a sophomore, I can't be getting weepy at shit already; I still have two years to go.

As an aside, the kid really needs a haircut.

Sheesh.

Monday, April 20, 2015

And Just Yesterday, It Was Snowing

The baseball double-header that was cancelled on Saturday was rescheduled for today, and, the difference in the weather in just forty-eight hours is notable;

Saturday: Snow, sleet, freezing temperatures.

Today: Sunshine, Sunscreen, Sunburn.

Are you sensing a pattern?

Here is another one; the boys won the first game 9-2 and the second game... 9-2. Not even kidding.

The Cub got to play third base and he got a hit three-out-of-the-four times that he was at bat. That didn't suck.

It also didn't suck to sit in the stands with the sun shining on my face, not gonna lie.







Sunday, April 19, 2015

We Now Return To Our Regularly Scheduled Program

Well, two days later, it would appear that, if I am not talking about Paris, then I have nothing to say. Nothing could be farther from the truth, of course; I have lot's to say, and, some of it even makes sense.

I've been busy, y'all. Busy, busy, busy.

Mom arrived for a visit last Monday and we started a whirlwind baseball tour that took us to three games in far-off communities as well as home for one game. We also had a double-header scheduled for Saturday, but, Mother Nature begged to disagree and she snowed us out, which, ended up being a blessing in disguise, because, at Thursday's game, the Man-Cub caught a rogue grounder that somehow managed to tear the fingertip off his middle finger. And, yes, it was as gross as it sounds. Luckily, the wound was mainly superficial and required only bandaging and a few jokes about being in a state of perpetually flipping people off.

The school Athletic Director started it, I swear.

Anyway, the break was good for the Cub and he should be healed sufficiently to play in tomorrow's games, which, Mom won't actually get to see since she left this morning.

Of course, baseball wasn't the only activity that we enjoyed while Mom was here (I am a slightly better hostess than that), we also did some shopping, and, I'm happy to report; Mom left with several pieces for an adorable spring/summer wardrobe. She also got to spend some time with The Teenager, who decided to drive down for the weekend, and, she got to cook dinner every night. It doesn't get much better than that, am I right?

Seriously though, I really appreciated not having to cook, because, not only was the Cub's baseball schedule full, but my work load was as well, and, coming home to a meal that I didn't have to prepare was a huge blessing. Everyone should be so lucky.

Speaking of being blessed; the Man-Cub was nominated for-and accepted to-National Honor Society last week. The installation ceremony is scheduled for this Tuesday and I am so excited! I can now brag about both of my babies being Honor students. That makes me smart by association, right?

Right.

Now, I need to sign off, because, one of my duties for Day Job is the completion of a training manual, and, I'm supposed to have it done before this coming Wednesday. Guess who hasn't started  yet?

Yep.

Didn't have to be an honor student to figure that one out.



Thursday, April 16, 2015

Ok, Great Aunt Erma, Wrap It Up Already

This is the final Paris post. I know how disappointed you must be to hear that because your eyes appear to be glazed over; that's a sure sign of disappointment, right? I mean, it couldn't be that you have been bored into a coma or anything. Right?

Well, either way, I am going to make it really easy on you by not putting a whole lot of words on the page; I'm just going to post a few of my favorite miscellaneous pictures and call it good. If you've hung in this long, you deserve it.

First up, the view from our hotel.




We stayed at the Hotel Elysees Regencia and I cannot say good enough things about both the hotel and the staff. We had two adjoining rooms, and they were lovely, large, and very comfortable. Mom and Midge shared a room while Barbie and I bunked together, which, worked out beautifully since Mom and Midge prefer a cooler room while Barbie and I prefer heat.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the hotel was located within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. It was also situated near an adorable little bagel shop, where we grabbed breakfast on a couple of occasions.




I felt the need to take a picture of the staircase leading to the restrooms in the bagel shop because it was a classic example of all the bathrooms that we visited during our stay: located down a steep spiral staircase in a basement. How the handicapped and elderly manage to take a pee in a restaurant in Paris remains a mystery to me.

In addition to being in a great location, the hotel provided a number of awesome services, including calling taxi service for us at the drop of a hat, a continental breakfast, and, nightly turn-down service, complete with a chocolate on the pillow. The staff also arranged for us all to have massages one night and made our dinner reservation at Les Ombres, a restaurant overlooking the Eiffel Tower, on our last night in the city; two things that we appreciated very much.

 
After our massages, relaxed and happy


In short, Barbie did a great job when she researched hotels prior to our trip.

And, now, here are some random pictures that I took..








...and, I will wrap up the Paris saga with a picture that Barbie took; it perfectly encapsulates my experience in the city and I absolutely love it...


That's your Great Aunt Erma right there, kids; thanks for sticking around for the slideshow.