Thursday, August 28, 2014

three day weekend

Yeah, we get a three day weekend! Nice. Hubby and I have some painting to do. I'm going to meet a friend at B&N for a cuppa and a chat. We have a Boston Butt to pick up from church for dinner on Monday. Looks like a full weekend!

Neither of the ladies will be home. The oldest is headed to the gulf shore with a friend who lives down at the beach. The middle one is staying put as we will be over that way the following weekend.

Okay, off we go into Thursday. Enjoy the long weekend.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

very early morning randomness

Very early. Oh so very early. I woke at 4! Ugh! After tossing and turning and trying to get comfortable enough to fall back to sleep, I just went ahead and got moving. I'm dressed and ready for the morning walk. I have biscuits in the oven for breakfast. One cup of coffee has been downed and I'm ready to start the second one.

It is going to be a long day.

On the front page today: wine sales in grocery stores will get their chance in the voting booth, social media may stifle discussion, James Jones worked on "From Here to Eternity" in a local trailer court.

Quite the assortment!

Happy Wednesday.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

awake, or not

I'm not so awake this morning! Ugh! Feeling a bit fuzzy-headed.

But, it is time to take Duke for a walk and get on with our morning. I hear the boy starting to move around upstairs and while it is still pitch dark outside, the sun is going to come up soon.

Off we go.

Monday, August 25, 2014

ready, set, watch

In order for a book to arrive in time for the boy to take it to school today (Richard Wright's, Native Son) I had to either pay for expedited shipping or give Amazon Prime a free 30 day trial. I hate those 30 day trial things as I often forget to cancel and wind up paying for a full year's service. Ugh.

The book was delivered as promised on Saturday, and I saved $13 in the process. Plus, we watched three movies through the instant video aspect of Prime. This weekend we enjoyed the latest Star Trek with Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan, we watched The Avengers (he missed it when we went to see it in the theater), and we watched Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher. Star Trek was awesome, The Avengers was great, even the second time around, and Jack Reacher was okay. Tom Cruise is not Jack Reacher. But, Robert Duvall steals the movie in the final quarter of the show.

I'm not sure if we will keep Prime after our 30 days is up or cancel it, but considering this weekend was so hot that they told folks to stay inside, it gave us something to do after all of our chores/housework were done.

I also finished and started another Chicagoland Vampire novel. I cleaned closets and cabinets. I did laundry and cooked. Busy weekend....and we have next weekend planned! Three day weekend dead ahead.

But first, a busy week. Enjoy. Happy Monday.


Thursday, August 21, 2014

good things

It has taken a couple of weeks, but the new normal is becoming, well, normal. At home and at work, the oddness is wearing off and we are starting to find our way. That is a good thing.

I received three text messages and an email from our library letting me know that books 2-4 of the Chloe Neill Chicagoland Vampire series had been delivered and were ready for pick up. Yeah! So, after work I went to the library and checked them out and popped in the back to talk with the director. It seems that my phone call along with some pointed questions and comments from others may actually get the ball rolling in regards to how the library is managed/run. That is a good thing.

The hubby was able to come home early from Arkansas. That is always a good thing.

So, Thursday is here and the week is winding down and, yes, that is a good thing too. Enjoy the good things in your day!


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

clear

We have a slice of moon shining this morning and start all around. Usually when it is this clear, the air does not feel like pea soup. Ugh. Hot, humid, sticky, nasty, messy weather has settled in for the week. We have been quite fortunate that our summer has been as cool and comfortable as it has been. My electric bill has been reasonable this summer. That will come to a crashing halt with the next envelope from the utility company!

Oh well. This too shall pass.

In other news, I purchased and read a former critique partner's debut novel. Now, I met the protagonist of this romance story about 9 years ago. The author and I were in our local RWA chapter and were in the same crit group until the military moved her hubby to another base. She is a hoot and I'm so happy for her. She has had quite the journey. She is now a mama to two little ones, an officer's wife, and is still writing! I am going to do a review and get it posted online soon. Her book is called, "The Girl He Knows" and is available from Lyrical Press, a Kensington imprint. Way to go, Kristi Rose! So glad that Paisley and Hank are now available on bookstore shelves everywhere.


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

making it happen

We are going to make it happen this week. Loads of things to do at work. Really cleaning my house, room by room, after work. Taking care of paperwork, filing, and miscellaneous stuff here and there.

Great day yesterday as the town had a celebration in honor of being named the Best Main Street in America by Parade magazine. Very fun to see so many people excited about this wonderful honor. It was also super nice to run into so many folks the middle kid worked with over the summer and hear them compliment her.

I had to take an hour of PTO to attend, but it was worth it.

So, off into Tuesday I go. Let's make it happen.


Monday, August 18, 2014

scenes

The weekend was filled with scenes.

We watched "Guardians of the Galaxy"! Fun stuff. We also watched "Saving Mr. Banks." No space-intergalatic action there, but still a nice movie. We went out to dinner (Carraba's) and we ordered in (Pizza Cafe). We went to church, we went to Target.  We watched the second episode of Outlander (I like this show, the slower pace is refreshing.) We watched the next the last episode of True Blood (ready for this one to end). I made a big Sunday breakfast complete with oven baked French Toast. I began to deep clean the house.

And we helped the oldest pack her things to move back to school. After she left on Sunday, the house seemed so much bigger. More empty. And cleaner! lol

She arrived back in T-town in good shape and sent us a video of her room, all put together and ready for the new semester.

The other daughter has been on radio silence as sorority recruitment is in full swing.

I miss them. A lot. We will adjust to our new normal and things will move along, but for right now, this Mommy is a bit sad this morning.




Thursday, August 14, 2014

legends

I've always enjoyed watching Sean Bean. He's just one of those actors who intrigues me, but the characters he plays have a bad habit. They always die! Even knowing that Ned Stark meets a horrible end didn't stop me from being distraught while watching that episode of Game of Thrones.

I have high hopes that TNT will not kill off Sean Bean's latest character, Martin Odom.  Shout out to my folks....watch this show. The oldest and I loved it.

In other news. I went and had my hair cut off yesterday. I'm too old to try and grow it out. Too much gray. Too little patience. Too much crazy curling going on. So, it is back to the layered short cut that I've worn for too many years to count.

Today is the going away lunch for the third person to depart the association. So, the day will be a short one. And, my boss should be back. And, M is going to stop in for a visit.

BANNER DAY!

Enjoy.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

latest

A couple of weeks ago my girls kidnapped me for a date night. We went to B&N and out to dinner. It was lovely. They bought me a book that night, a book of my choice. I selected Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane."  Although the novel clocks in at under 200 pages, it has taken me a while to read. I found myself savoring each page.

It is beautiful and scary and haunting. It deserves to be called one of the best reads of the year.

Off into Wednesday I go. Not sure if my boss will be in today or not as they all come back from their convention.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

why

Robin Williams is gone, and it seems from all reports that he took his own life. Why do those people that many of us label as geniuses seem to fall victim to addiction, depression, and other mental illnesses?

He was only 63, but had struggled his adult life with so many issues. He had the resources to get the best help. One would think he had a support system in place. But, it wasn't enough.

It is very sad. It is very tragic. It is such a waste. Like so many before him, Robin is now gone and his bright light and amazing talent will be reduced to what we can watch on film. No more creativity flowing from that brilliant mind.


Monday, August 11, 2014

back

Well, we went there and are now back. Delivered the middle child to her sorority house over the weekend and returned home yesterday. Lots of road in 48 hours, but a good trip. We had a great time visiting with some friends on Saturday night and the move in on Sunday was quick and easy. Couldn't ask for a better weekend.

This week starts my new adventure at the office. Friday was M's last day.

Lots of change. Lots of change.

One day at a time.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

another day

Another day. And then another. The first week of school is zooming by and the weekend will be here soon. We are hoping to leave by 9 on Saturday morning. It would be nice to arrive and have some time to relax before we meet friends for dinner. Still not sure of the timing of the move-in on Sunday. I'm hoping we can be done quickly and get back on the road to be home Sunday night. I'd rather not take Monday off from work. Still trying to save PTO for next year's trip to England!

No reading updates. I have started a new Neil Gaiman book, but haven't had the time to really focus on it.

Enjoy Thursday!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

midweek meltdown

Ooooh, the hot and sticky has returned. Ugh. We have had such a comfortable summer, it would figure that the first week back to school would be uncomfortable!

Not much else to report. The week is flying by and before I know it, we will be packing the minivan and heading east to take the middle one back to college. She is busy packing and reorganizing her things. She is attempting to travel light as moving out in December to come home and then head to London will be a bit of a task.

Off we go. Wednesday, be nice!

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

dropping like flies

Three departures in three consecutive weeks. Last week it was my friend, M. This week it will be my other friend, M. Next week it will be T from our IT department. Will that be it for a while? Or are more folks looking to leave? Rumors are swirling.

And in the meantime, those of us staying put are absorbing their workload. Makes for strange days.

The first day of school went well for the boy. He likes all of his teachers and enjoyed seeing some friends in his classes.

The ladies are starting to sort, clean, pack and get ready to head back.

Tuesday. Good to see you.


Monday, August 4, 2014

here we go

The boy will be getting on the bus in a little over an hour and heading off into his sophomore year of high school. Wow.

The packing will start for the girls' return to college.

The weekend went by and while we did get some things accomplished, I also had plenty of time to enjoy some R&R.

I finished two books. Don't bother with "The Registry." Blech. Poorly written, cardboard characters, ugh. I did enjoy "Some Girls Bite." Think I will see about finding the rest of the titles in that series.

And off we go!