Our weather has been very summer like and that means I've been outside gardening rather than inside blogging. I do want to take some time to jot down a few notes on what's been going on in my life recently. With my memory, I have to make a point to journal or I will forget.
Mother's Day ~ We spent the day in Kenosha visiting with DMIL. We browsed some interesting antique stores, walked along the lakefront and enjoy a late lunch/early supper at Kaisers. My boys gave me a Lady Antebellum CD and a stability ball. I'm really enjoying both gifts.
The following weekend, DH & I met DMIL at ElkHorn,WI for a morning of antique flea marketing. We found an old soda pop bottle crate for the boys' coke bottle collection. We thought it was cool because it has Kenosha painted on the side. Kenosha is where my husband's family originated from. Most of the other antiques were over priced, but it was still fun to enjoy a stroll in the sun looking at interesting items.
Later that week, my parents arrived for an extended weekend visit through Memorial Day. (Photo is of my dad and DS13.) For our anniversary they gave us a new de-humidifier for our basement. I didn't think our basement was that humid, but the machine is pulling out over a gallon of water every 12 hours. I've been using the water for the garden. We could hook up a hose and drain the appliance, but I like giving the garden the free water.
The garden is coming along nicely. I have planted the following this year: Roma tomatoes, Grape tomatoes, swiss chard, spinach, beets, sugar snap peas, garlic, potatoes, popcorn, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, Italian broccoli, sugar baby watermelon, french cantaloupe, and a honey dew melon. I've run out of room for the carrots and more popcorn, but my boss and my neighbor have offered me garden space if I want to use it. Another neighbor shared with me both garlic chives and regular chives. I planted them near the garlic. The garden is keeping me very busy.
My tooth is healing. I had a crown put on. The drilling and sensitivity has really upset my nerves. Dealing with increased grass pollen this year is also not helping me feel any better. It is slowly healing and getting better. I'm now only taking Advil every 12 hours instead of every 6. It has really slowed me down though. I'm looking forward to feeling better soon.
While my parents were here, we had several cookouts and meals with extended family. They also took us out to lunch. Its going to be a challenge to get back on track eating more healthy.
I also need to punch up my exercise routine because the Dirty Girl Run is a little over one month away. My sisters and I are getting excited, but I will admit, I'm starting to get a little nervous. I know I can hike a 5K no problem, but honestly, I've never done so covered in mud. I mentioned to my sister I may just bring a change of dry socks in a zip lock baggie to change into after the first mud hole obstacle and she said if I do that, she will push me back in. LOL! My son will probably shoot video, so I'll be sure to share that.
Speaking of the boys, they are doing great. DS16 has been working on several filming projects, some for fun, some for business. DS13 is learning more and more about bike repair. He's been riding quite a bit and of course, things wear down or break, so he's been learning how to make repairs on his own to save money. I suggested to him if the police officer plan doesn't work out, he could always end up running a bike repair shop. He's still planning on being a police officer.
I've been inspired to begin an Artist journal - not an art journal. An Artist journal has of course art in it, but it also can become a personal journal, noting details of daily life. I've always hated the way I draw and I think I just need to stop thinking that way and start drawing. I will improve over time or learn to love my unique style.
I really have to take the time to stop and journal more frequently. I really can't remember things very well, certainly not dates, so keeping notes really helps me.
Am I actually taking a few moments to journal what's been going on?
I'm finding it difficult to comprehend there are just two weeks left before we begin a new year. Seems like Thanksgiving was yesterday, literally.
The weather hasn't helped. Its been warmer than usual so we have no snow on the ground. It feels like I should be gardening, but then I look at the calendar and know the snow and ice will come any day now. I don't have any cold frames or a greenhouse so nothing really will grow.
I'm anxiously anticipating date night tonight. DH and I are going to see Cage The Elephant. They always put on a super high energy show. I know its going to be incredible. I'm really hoping it helps DH's mood. I think the stress from work and our days of less sunlight have been bringing him down.
This afternoon I'm bringing Pepparkakor cookie dough over to a friend's house with the hope she can help me roll out the cookies very thin. I haven't enjoyed good Pepparkakor cookies since my grandmother had made them. The store bought version doesn't compare.
I decided not to do much baking this Christmas knowing there will be plenty of goodies around. Its always a challenge to get through this season without over doing the sugar quota. I'm focusing on raw veggie appetizers I can bring to the parties we'll attend instead. I will probably bake a batch of soft gingerbread reindeer cookies for the boys.
I got my haircut and now its not growing. She cut it too short. I warn them every time, as soon as you snip my longer hair, it will spring up and appear much shorter. I wanted shoulder length and ended up with chin length. I'm getting used to it and people tell me it looks cute, but I really hate not being able to pull it back into a pony. I swear it just looks shorter everyday too. It doesn't seem to be growing out.
After almost 4 years, I took the boys in for a wellness checkup. I couldn't believe it had really been 4 years, but honestly, they've never been sick in all that time and with all of the changes in our health insurance coverage, I never scheduled wellness checkups. As luck would have it, our current insurance meant the boys could see their original physician, which they were happy about. It went better than I had expected.
Our doctor hasn't always been homeschooling friendly. I've tried over the years to educate and enlighten him. I was surprised he didn't make an issue out of it this time, and I actually found a homeschooling magazine in his waiting room!!
I was also surprised they didn't fight me at all when I asked they NOT give the boys the flu and HPV shots. These are two I definitely think they can do without.
Of course after visiting the office, I'm in full out germaphobe mode. I always feel like we get sick AFTER we visit a clinic for the obvious reasons. I did try to schedule earlier morning appointments hoping our exposure would be less. It would be more healthy if doctors still made house calls don't you think?
My parents will be here this weekend and we'll celebrate at my sister's house. Next weekend there's another party at my sister's with more of my family attending. I like being able to celebrate in smaller gatherings. Its less overwhelming and you actually get to spend time visiting with people rather than touching base for a few minutes.
Christmas Day we'll be home, in the nest. I plan to wear yoga pants all day.
I most likely will not have to drive in to work much the next two weeks. I have projects to work on from home, but we'll have no lessons now until after the new year. Another perk to my job, semester breaks!
I'm going to try filming customer service videos with my son, who's really taken an interest in film making. I've told him it would be good practice experience to help me write, film and edit these clips for my workplace. Maybe someday he'll make a living doing what he loves to do!
I didn't get any Christmas cards written, and I won't have all the perfect gifts for everyone, but I do feel like I'm managing to not become overwhelmed. As they say, "Martha Stewart doesn't live here and that is a good thing!" I'm having enough of a challenge trying to maintain healthy habits.
Sleep has been difficult, but I think that's midlife hormones. I can go to bed at 11:30pm and wake up wide awake at 5:00am. Of course the crash comes later!! Some nights, I just can't fall asleep no matter how hard I try. I seem to go two days without sleep and then be able to sleep one or two nights. I'm trying not to stress over it. I think it will all balance out eventually. Unfortunately, I'm always ready for a nap when I have to leave for work!
I've just looked at the clock, expecting it to be earlier than it is. This means, when you consider we've just pushed back the clock, I've really lost track of time!
We've had a great weekend. My parents came down for a visit and it was fun sharing the weekend with them. I didn't make any progress on the home improvement front, but it was still a great weekend. They've headed off this morning, to make the rest of the family stops on their tour. I'll see them again Wednesday, at my Uncle's funeral.
We watched some fun TV, Sharktopus on SyFy and the Simpson's Treehouse Of Horror. Now I can put away the Halloween decorations and get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I have an idea for a home business the boys and I can work on together, but its going to take an investment of a few hundred dollars of equipment. I'm going to start saving for video transfer equipment. I found our old 8mm camcorder tapes, and I really want to save them to DVD, along with moving our wedding VHS tapes to DVD. I started thinking about how since the boys enjoy everything computer or video related, they may enjoy learning about this and helping me with this project. Then I started wondering if others would pay us to move their videos and photos to DVD as well! We'll have a lot to learn, but even if this never turns into a business, it will be great to preserve our family's memories on DVD. I'm also hoping its a way to foster along my son's interest in video production.
I had a strange stress dream about work. I had piles of work to do and I was running out of time. I kept wanting to escape away from the desk to the pool deck, but every time I did, I would trip and fall. Once I almost fell into the pool. I think this was my sub-subconscious keeping me on task on the desk! LOL!
At the end of the dream, a co-worker was driving me and Mr. Grumpus home. Mr. Grumpus is a grumpy old man who swim regularly at the pool. He lives up to his hidden nickname 100%. In the dream, Mr. Grumpus told my co-worker and I he loved us, (in a brotherly way, not romantic.) It has me thinking this morning, maybe I shouldn't think so negatively of Mr. Grumpus. He's probably grumpy because he doesn't feel loved.
I'm so blessed to have a loving and supportive family. The weekend went by too quickly and now I miss them. DH will have to work late tonight too. :(
I suppose I should stop feeling sorry for myself and get my walk in before I look again at the clock and wonder where the day went.
Our weather has been very summer like and that means I've been outside gardening rather than inside blogging. I do want to take some time to jot down a few notes on what's been going on in my life recently. With my memory, I have to make a point to journal or I will forget. 
