Where HAVE I been?

MIA. Or maybe MII - missing in inaction?

Time files, no matter what we do. August 2009 was long ago... It's March 2011. Already.

Thinking back to August 2009, here are the big events that come to mind:

Sons started and finished their junior year of high school. Both got their provisional driver's licenses, and exchanged them a year later for their regular licenses.

I traded in my beloved Mustang convertible for a used Explorer and a new Focus. The week they got their provisional licenses. sigh. oh - and two car payments, though one is a 0% loan.

Daughter started a real job April 1, 2010.

I was laid off May 4, 2010.

Daughter's roommate moved in with us for six weeks while they found an apartment. It was nice having them here; it was nice having them move ~30 mins away!

The reality that my sons were starting their final year of high school hit like a ton of bricks. OUCH. Suddenly I was morphing into 'one of those' moms: the tears; the fears; the drama; the changes! they'll be g-o-n-e..... in another year, lady. Get a GRIP.

After several attempts to get a grip failed, I decided I needed something to help me cope.

Project Life to the rescue! Love this product. I have written a moment from each day and taken a photo or gathered receipts or menus or something for SIX MONTHS already! Never thought that would happen. With only 4" x 3" to fill, it's easy. And I'm capturing all those last time we'll.... moments and those seniors-only events. Did you know they order caps and gowns in OCTOBER?? No advance warning. Geez, does Josten's want some high school kid's parent(s) to have heart attacks?

So I plan to become a more faithful blogger.
Really. Check back later this week.

they thank me for having FUN

The swim team end of season banquet has come and gone.

In preparation, I asked everyone to upload their photos to snapfish. I gathered the photos and created a photo book for the coach. I had a BLAST! I also created a slideshow from the photos, with some extras not included in the book. I had FUN!

When we showed up, I noticed a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. Very nice. During the banquet, the slideshow played throughout dinner. The presentations drew to a close. That bouquet was still sitting pretty.

I received the flowers in appreciation for the work I did with the photos!

Wow. I had FUN. And I got flowers. Do you think I'll volunteer to do it again? You bet!

Introducing the BOXWOOD girls...

Take three girls, two 9 yrs old and one 6 yrs old.

Ask them to be flower girls in their aunt's wedding.

Send the dress to each 9 yr old to verify the size.

It's a frothy candlight white confection, with the requisite full skirt, slightly puffy sleeves, tiny bit of ruffles - and an added magenta sash to match the big girls' sashes.

So, yes, it's a real PRINCESS dress!

(Enjoy the oohs and ahhs as each declares she feels just like a princess)

Now, these girls are flower girls.

You know what a flower is.

I know what a flower is.

The moms know what a flower is.

And the girls know what a flower is.

And we know the job of every flower girl:

STEAL THE SHOW.

Oh, no? Ok.

To walk down the aisle with some flowers dangling awkwardly.

Yup, flowers for flower girls.

So - what did my Dlilsis the bride choose for the walking floral arrangements?

The big girls will have round ball-shaped bouquets, each one a single different magenta flower with the same filler greens and berries.

(Roses, gerber daisies, astoemeria, carnations, hydrangeas)

The little girls?

The FLOWER girls?

Oh, why give them flowers?

How about:

Balls of boxwood, with ribbon loops to hold them?

Nary a flower to hold.

So, I've been calling them boxwood girls.

- My sons heard me and have been threatened with an early demise if they dare say that to anyone!

I'm betting with myself:

Which boxwood girl comments or complains first?

(Really -- How can you be a flower girl without flowers??)

Which son will say 'boxwood girl' outloud first - and who will hear him?

The Pandemonium du Wedding Begins

My Dlilsis is getting married Friday evening. Everyone except my family and my parents live out of state. We've got people flying in by plane and by car. Mayhem is to be avoided, but pandemonium is a certainty.

My schedule through Sunday:

Thursday:

• Make Sat dinner reservations
• Order sheet cake for Sat dessert
• Go out w/ DB2, 16 yr old nephew, my DSs and possibly 2 yr old nephew. Tasks: get tuxes, buy khaki pants for the 16 yrolds.
• Do some cleaning - giggle. straightening and 2 yr old proofing MAY get done.
• Get DD to nail place; maybe DSIL will be going.
• Get ring, etc cleaned.
• Try to find my reading for wedding one last time.
• Figure out rehearsal attire, make sure wedding outfit fits.
• DH has to pick up suit - 3rd attempt. Turns out he can't wear double vented jackets so they're removig the vents tomorrow.
• Find time to visit with friend {lilsis' boss}
• Rehearsal is 6:30 IIRC.
• Dinner is 7:30.
• Set VCR for CSI!
• Come home whenever dinner is over.

Friday:

• Be at hair salon by 12:15 with DSILs for hair care.
  (Hopefully check out DD's marcel waves if our paths cross.)
• GET GAS at the cheapo place near the salon.
• Home ~2pm.
• Feed the gang: 7 of 8 grands, 3 moms, 1 DH.
• Get everyone dressed - DH gets to tie four ties!
• Put clips in boxwood girls' hair.
• Get moms moving; as DS1 said, we're the slow ones.
• Take photos of the three ushers and three boxwood girls and three moms - oh and one 2 yr old and one DH too.
• Leave by 3:45 for church; family photos.
• Wedding at 5pm.
• MORE photos - why?
• Reception until 11 pm.
• If someone wants to gather afterwards, it isn't going to be HERE.

Saturday:

• DD has dentist appt at 8:45am; she must have a really sore tooth!
• Brunch at my parents' starts at 10am. {MORE people than their 50th anniv party last year!}
• DD thought she had to dress nicely. I told her I was wearing jeans. she was aghast - until I told her the next agenda item:
• Wander a local downtown Autumn Day and make a scarecrow with the kids.
• Car show there and at a local airport.
• Find time to pick up cake.
• five of us - out to dinner for our anniv
• Everyone - immediate family, sibs, etc - at our house for cake, for anniversary.

Sunday:

• recover?!

TODAY was the day... 25 years and counting

On this day twenty-five years ago, I married my love in St Louis, MO. We've been blessed with a good life so far - and I pray that our good fortune continues.

What happened today?

• DH went to work,
• I don't know where the hours went.
• DD got sick at work, so she hopped an earlier train.
• I picked her up after scrambling to take a shower, get dressed, eat -- all after 2:30 pm. sigh.
• DH had filet mignon thawing for dinner.
• We decided to go to Ruby Tuesday/
• DS1 never likes sudden plans so he grumped.
• DH & I realized we didn't want to go out so we ordered Italian.
• They screwed up one item - shrimp with butter/garlic sauce instead of clams & shrimp with rosa cream sauce.
• I called, they sent the right thing.
• DH picked up his new suit for the wedding.
• NOT, he can't wear double side vent jackets so now they're removing the vents.
• We watched TV.
• He went to bed.
• I'm following.

Gifts??

• I got a 5 diamond 'journey' pendant on a gold chain.
• DH got a plaque with a folk art castle and the saying 'they lived happily ever after'; I bought it at MOA, MN in May.
• We got a Waterford votive holder and PF Chang gift card from my parents.
  

And there you have it, folks: Proof that life goes on just like usual when a big milestone is in the middle of the week, especially two days before a sibling's wedding.

Woohoo, aren't WE the exciting couple??
Wouldn't you like to know?

Kids' Questions....

DS2, DH and I watched the entire debate.

sigh - that made listening a tad difficult for me.

DS2 kept asking great questions

- but I wanted to listen to the candidates talk!

I think his 'best' question was:
DS2: "Where's Bush?"Me: "What?"
DS2: " Why isn't President Bush there?"Me: "He's not supposed to be there. He's history, almost."
DS2: "Then why is it called the presidential debate if the president isn't there?"Me: "It's just the candidates."
DS2: "Then why isn't it called the presidential candidates debate?"Me: "I don't know."

The Weekend

Saturday and Sunday were, well, Saturday and Sunday.

Nothing special, really.

Breakfast: French toast and sausage Saturday and pancakes and bacon Sunday.

Lunch? what's that?

Dinner: hot dog Saturday and meatloaf with noodles [ick; potatoes were rotten] Sunday.

more cookies than I'm willing to admit.

I never left the house on Saturday.

So Sunday I HAD to get out.

Ready to snooze?

I went to:

• Starbucks for a grande no-fat no-whip mocha and no lemon pound cake - go me
• Staples to get my corporate discount and Staple Rewards;
  the network was dead last Sunday when I bought things.
• Staples again {{I didn't even get to the car!}}
  for something to hold 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 paper pads upright
• Borders for "any magazine with an article about biology" for DS1.
  {{Luckily Scientific American has a special issue on cancer available.
  Science is NOT a popular magazine focus, let me tell ya.}}
  -- I also bought
  Arts & Crafts Homes, American Bungalow,
  {{and my favorite style of architecture and home decor is??}}
  Cloth, Paper, Scissors, and Artful Blogging
  {{and my favorite hobby is??}}
• JoAnn's to return an Ott lampbulb and a thread organizer.
  My light decided to work again, and the organizer just didn't organize my Adirondack alcohol ink
  -- and to buy keep-up-the-strapless-clothing tape,
  Scotchgard to protect the show dye,
  ten of those photo albums that hold 36 4 x 6 photos
  and more, but I sure can't remember what!
  {{Can I blame my forgetfulness on age yet??}}

Ok - WAKE UP.

I'm done.

Today was absolutely gorgeous.

Bright sunshine, a brisk breeze, and cool temperatures.

It wasn't sweater weather yet, but the summer heat was gone.

Perfect day to eat in the park!

But I wanted company.

When you work FT, you don't know many stay at home people.

But my parents are retired!

Ah-Ha, I asked my parents to join me.

They agreed.

Mom even offered to drive since she needed gas.

I slogged through my shoulder exercises,

showered,

dressed, and

got downstairs just as they arrived.

I intended to grab a tablecloth

- a little formality for the casual setting

- something new for the park tables

But I forgot.

Imagine that.

WaWa for lunch - salads for the ladies, a hoagie for Dad.

Mom had packed soda, cups, ice, and a tablecloth!

You can imagine my surprise!

We've eaten in the park before.

Never thought about a tablecloth.

Yet,

today,

both of us had the same thought.

Of course, Mom remembered

and I didn't.

Go figure.

Lunch was great - soft breezes, nice conversation

Until

Mom and I talked about fastening bras behind your back

when your shoulder just won't cooperate.

That was the end as Dad protested the topic.

Like he doesn't know what we were talking about!

r-i-g-h-t.

You can try to claim innocence, Dad, but I'm on to you.

Gas, Flag Football, and Migraines

Sunday...
I planned to run a loop of errands
But the 94 F temperature and high humidity changed my mind.Monday...I planned to stop at the cheap gas place after physical therapy.
But I forgot, was in the wrong lane, and whizzed past.
Monday evening...

DH coaches and DSs play flag football; games are on Monday nights. Last week's game was a slaughter - our team won by some awfully lopsided score. I hoped they wouldn't repeat the same thing this week.

The phone rang about 30 mins into the game. [You didn't think *I* watched flag football, did you? You'd be mistaken.] It was DS2 asking me to pick him up; he was getting a migraine.

Strangely DH AKA Coach didn't have motrin with him. I swear the man ALWAYS has OTC drugs in his pocket...

Can you guess where this is headed?

I grabbed my keys, purse, motrin, water, and empty plastic bag and jumped in the Edge.

That would be the Edge I intended to fill with gas.

On Sunday.

On Monday.

Almost to the field, I realized the handy-dandy OMG display read "6 miles to E".

... where is the nearest gas station?

... will I make it from the field to the station?

... what will DS2 say when I announce our stop?

... why didn't I take the Mustang - the car with a full tank?

... now I'm going to have to switch vehicles. (Do you get migraines? The smell of gas is totally to be avoided. Trust me.)

DS2 was waiting at the parking lot.

DH? He was the width of four football fields away.

Coaching.

On the opposite side of the field.

DEAF.

He finally heard me.

Umm, dear, I need your keys. Here are my keys.

I could see the brain s-l-o-w-l-y move from football strategy to "keys??"

Yea, umm, I haven't gotten gas in the Edge.

It's oh, maybe 4 miles to empty.

Would you get some gas in it on your way home?

I'm taking DS2 home.

Bye!

Yea, that's how his seat unreclined, his rearview mirror moved - and the same happened to mine. That's a big annoyance in our marriage. Rather trivial to be big, huh?

If I still kept keys for every vehicle on my key ring, I wouldn't have had to speed-walk.

I would have simply called him and told him I tossed the Edge keys in the console and DS1 knows the lock combo.

But I put my purse on a diet.

So I got a bit of exercise.

The migraine child?

He took motrin, stayed downstairs until DH and DS1 came home, heard the score and went to his room when DH grabbed the TV remote. He must be ok; he went to school.

The game?

Slaughtered. Same lopsided score as last week. This time, our team lost.

The weather?

Changed.

Yesterday it was high 80s, humid, and oppressive.
Today, it's 67 F, dry, and light.
I should have known; DS2's migraines are turning into weather predictors, poor child.

The Edge?
Got $20 worth of gas.
Still needs more.
And gas has gone up ~$0.25/gal since the gauge hit E.

Procrastination.
Never pays.

Today was a day...

Just a day.

DD is at school, in her last college residence.
She lamented that she didn't want to go as the last bit of empty space in the Expedition was filled.
Ever notice how possessions increase to fill all available space? that's 'nuther topic..

Her last year.
Her last move from home to dorm.
Two more semesters.
Plenty of late nights, b-o-r-i-n-g classes, parties, chats, papers to write.
This is it.
Next September, there will only be two children dreading and anticipating the first day of school.
I didn't cry. I didn't sniff. Really.
But I think I'm going to cry now.

I will be the mother of a college graduate!
No way.
Oh I know I'm old enough. But...
there's something that sounds soooo old when I hear "I gave birth to a baby who is now a college graduate."

She called hours later to ask what to do with the widdle bubbles filled with liquid all over her back. oops. Her sunburn is getting icky.
oops. She really didn't want to peel.
But come on - no sunscreen and hours on the beach??
I told her to do nothing. At all.
But if she MUST touch, wash her hands with soap and water first.
The remnants of this burn could look really great - not - for the wedding, in under six weeks.


I spent almost two hours and over $100 in a small locally owned scrapbook store today. The ENTIRE store was 50% off Friday and Saturday {today}.
yes, that does mean I purchased over $200 worth of scrapbooking materials. OMG.
Bad - ok, not bad.
I found two more sets of Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink, so now I have 18 colors and 4 metallics.
I got some transparent 1/8" thick acrylic pieces.
Lots of paper. stickers. fiber.
I put everything away already! I swear.

I was feeling a bit guilty.
Then the mailman arrived with a heavy 8.5" x 11" x 6.5" box for DH.
Electronic Media postage rate.
DVDS!?
I refrained from opening it.
TWENTY-SIX DVD CASES would fit in that box.
yup, I did measure a DVD case {5.5" x 7.5" x 0.5", TYVM} and figure it out.
And at the ridiculously low price of $5 each, that would be $130.
Nope, I have no idea what the actual cost was; don't wanna know!
DH hasn't opened the box, but says there's about 10 DVDs. Sure, dear. Whatever you say.
Guilt? What guilt?? No guilt here.

Maybe I should do some scrapbooking.
Really.

~~ I dropped DS2 at work - he's a lifeguard, woohoo.
~~ I grabbed a #6 at Taco Bell {two beef chalupas, one hard beef taco, diet pepsi}.
Duh-me! I forgot "TB chalupas" aren't chalupas. Yea I ate them anyway.
Anyone interested in a soggy hard shell taco? Got one right here in the frig for ya!
~~ Called to reschedule my eye appt for an hour later.
~~ Got home, ate, showered, dressed, dilly dallied with the comics.

~~ Left the house about 10 mins AFTER I was expected at the eye doctor's office.
~~ Hey - it's Saturday, Labor Day weekend AKA "Let's go school shopping at the mall!"
The mall under major construction.
The mall with at least 1/3 less parking.
The mall with a multi-story parking garage under construction.
Yes, that would be the mall with nary an empty parking spot - until you realize the bus lot is now a car lot. sigh.

~~ Walked in to be greeted with "Ah, there she is!"
~~ When you've seen the same doctor for over 15 years, he knows you.
You're not a Lenscrafter customer walk-in any more.
OMG; I didn't realize it's been that long, but he pre-dates the birth of my sons.
Who will be 16 in about seven weeks. Nine days after lil sis' wedding and 11 days after our 25th anniversary. double and triple yikes!! !!!
My eyes - oh me eyes. I want crisp perfect vision.
But I've reached a "certain age". Curses!
~~ My prescription changed minutely. So I keep these glasses. sigh.
~~ I came home, played around, read and turned on the radio! NO TV. NO xBox 360. NObody home but me, me, me.~~ The movers arrived, hot and sweaty. Ready for food.
~~ DH ordered a pizza. Within minutes, DS2 called to get a ride home.
~~ I went to fetch kid and pizza while DH showered. (Thank God for small favors!)
~~ We've eaten. I've read the newspapers.
~~ And here I sit, typing away.

Really, child, I am listening

Lately I've been really restless listening to my kids - all three of them. I try to pay attention, really.
But - admit it, you know what I'm talking about - there are times when listening is the hardest thing a mother has to do.
It's not the tale.
It's not the tone of voice.
It's just simply I do not want to listen!

Doesn't that make me a horrendous mother?
Toss me out of the motherhood clan?
Deny me my perks as a mother?

Shouldn't I feel guilty? Horribly guilty?

I don't.
I do not.
I have no feelings of guilt.
There. I said it outloud. Well, I typed it for all to read.


A friend confessed she was tired of listening to her children.
I'm glad to know I'm not alone.
What a relief.

I know she's in the motherhood clan.
Has all her motherhood perks.

And does not feel guilty. At all.

So, yea, sometimes I just look like I'm listening.
Really, I'm hearing but not listening one little bit.

I guess this means that I can't be totally annoyed when my children do the same to me.
Nay, I can still reprimand them for not listening.
After all, isn't that one of the best motherhood perks?
Do as I say, not as I do?

yup, sometimes it's just the way it is.

labor day weekend

Friday, August 29:

• Only six weeks until the wedding {DlilSis}.
• Six weeks minus two days to our 25th wedding anniversary.
  Saturday DD is moving into her on-campus apartment.
• DH and DS1 are the grunts. They will unload an Expedition-size load into the apt, then move all her summer stuff from the off-campus place to the new place.
• Lucky them. Shucks - I won't fit in the vehicle and someone needs to drive DS2 to/from work. [not really, but that's ok].
• DS2 is working from noon to 8pm.

That means I have the house to myself from noon to 8pm. Of course I have a 2pm eye doctor appt. But that still leaves hours!

DS2 is working 8 hrs/day through Monday, so we won't do anything special. alright, we wouldn't do anything special even if he wasn't working. Just sounds better having an excuse, kwim?

Hitchin' and Birthin'

Weddings and newborns mean pure love and optimism to me.

Weddings: two people promising to love and cherish each other until the end of their days. How many couples do this each year? Even though the divorce statistics are sky-high?

How do two people decide they are going to get hitched?

It's got to be pure love and optimism.
Or magic spells.
Or temporary insanity - 'temporary' enough to last through the entire wedding planning saga.

Yea - what does get us to the church on time {or close; I was ~15 minutes late}?
Just how many arguments, frustrations, and tense moments are logged in memory files between the engagement and the wedding ceremony?
I know we had several.

Yet.
We hitched.
And we're together.
It'll be 25 years in October.

Pure love and optimism.
That's got to be why.Or insanity. Can't call it 'temporary' after 25 years, now can we?



Newborns: living evidence that two people trust in the future.
Seems that in ordinary conversation, everyone believes that the world is in worse shape than in their younger years, certainly worse than their parents' generation.

How do two people decide that they are going to birth a new person?
It's got to be pure love and optimism.
Or magic spells.
Or temporary insanity - 'temporary' enough to last through ~40 weeks of pregnancy.
Yea - what does get us to the hospital in time for delivery?
Just how many bouts of morning sickness, swollen ankles and nights of interrupted of sleep are logged in memory files between the positive test and the birthin'?
I know we had plenty.
Yet.
We created a new person - three in fact.
And we're raising her, and her brothers.
It'll be 22 years next February.

Pure love and optimism.
That's got to be why.
Or insanity. Can't call it 'temporary' after 22 years, now can we?
Weddings and newborns mean pure love and optimism to me.

The Shore - with the kiddos

I have the vivid red back to prove where I was today. It stings, though the spray blue gel does kill the pain.

The kids woke ME up! Think they wanted to go?
We gathered the required supplies. Very little compared to the younger years. We stopped at WaWa and stocked up on hoagies, Doritos and sodas.

And a bag of ice to keep things cold. I'm not sure we NEEDED ice.
The water was very cold - it reminded me of a mid-May dip many years ago.
I even walked barefoot on the sand; I don't think I've ever done that before.
I KNOW I have never done it in AUGUST.

The kids had a deck of cards, which occupied them for quite awhile.
I *think* they spent more time annoying each other, and trying to fit on one large towel.
They looked like a litter of puppies, with legs and arms going every which way.
I laughed, and took pics so I will always remember.

The high at home was 79; it's 62 right now.
I told you it was not a real August day.
Oops - I just looked again and it's now 61.

I should check a few calendars and make sure it really is August. In NJ.

Feet are NOT flippers.

I don't care what the commentators say. Long feet are NOT flippers. Really.


My sons, almost 16, have long feet.
For over three years, one or the other or both have had to order their sneakers: Look at the pretty pictures. Does it come in your size? Yes? Are you sure you like those? Ok, order them.
Luckily Daddy takes them shoe shopping. With checkbook in pocket. To the one local old fashioned shoe store. With catalogs available for those with hard-to-fit feet.

Maybe one, rarely both, will come home with a shoe box. They don't have many choices. They've gotten over the requirement that their shoes can't match. When each picks out the same style as THE ONLY one he'll wear, well.

Yup - DS1 wears size 12, sometimes narrow. DS2 wears size 14, narrow. They're not even 16 yrs old yet. They're still growing. They each own one pair of shoes at a time.

Their feet are DH's fault. *I* wear a size 9, narrow. OTOH, DH wears size 15 narrow. See, I told you their feet are his fault.

It's the first Dog-day Saturday

It's the first Dog-day Saturday, so what do I do? Spend hours tromping from store to store w/ DD. Now, I admit I was the reason for several stops. And we hit three in one mall. [blech! malls! the constant AC was welcome today.] We found dyeable strappy 1.5 - 2" heels she'll wear as one of my lil sis' bridesmaids. FIVE DOLLARS! Gotta love sidewalk sales, except by definition they're not air conditioned.

Heat + humidity + shopping = blah me. Wiped out. Glad I wasn't driving.
And that was before we arrived at the airport 30+ mins early to pick up DD's BFF.

Have you paid major airport parking fees lately? In May, I used the long-term priced as short-term parking - because *I* got lost going to the non-airport parking and time was sliding away. I forgot I was paying, not my employer. sigh. I thought the price was wrong - that was a tank of gas, not 3 days parking. Wasn't it? No.

So I directed DD to a nearby parking lot. There, we sat. Windows open, no breeze, black asphalt. For 43 minutes. We talked; no major revelations. It was HOT. Humid.

But it was NOT Houston-August-hot&humid. For that I am grateful.

We timed our arrival just right and BFF popped in the car. Silently, I applauded my decision to hang outside the airport. THE PARKING RATES WENT UP AUGUST 1! yikes. Note to self: avoid on-airport parking, enjoy gourmet dinner instead, still save money.


I'm too tired, hot, lethargic and b-o-r-e-d myself to distract anyone. I need to be nudged [ok, shoved] into action: to crank pc back in time to a restore point pre-trojan, to do my exercises for 3rd time [must do them 4x day!]


Would you tell DD & her BFF that they need to turn down the volume? there is no insulation between basement and 1st floor - or anywhere else for that matter. I told them - they vacated the basement for DD's bedroom. I guess there is some insulation - I can't hear the movie anymore.
Time to do the exercises.

Gads! Dinner convo w/ the kids

Kids! What would I do without the laughter my children generate?

Towards the end of our so-so Chinese dinner from the place that used to be fantastic but changed owners and staff....

DS1 attempted to pierce a rice grain w/ a skewer. At least his elbows were off the table. With everyone's attention on him, the pressure high, he finally succeeded. Then he promptly ate the rice grain.

DS2 said "wow" - in that bored teen tone I love [not].

DD said "Your fans are cheering so loudly we can't hear them."

Yea, we laughed. Kids.

It always happens!

The phone rarely rings. I sat down at the puter and the phone rang. DD is going to be at the train station at 4pm; could I pick her up? I'd rather not drive that far, and DH can get there w/out even leaving work early.

Hung up, pondered taking phone w/ me to PC. Didn't bother. Of course - it rang again.

This time it was DS1, done early w/ swim practice, wondering if I was going to pick up him [and bike] - I'd told him I might before he left. Sure, why not?

Yes I left the phone in its cradle again.

Will pick up DS1, go get gas and some lunch, then come home. Can you tell I'm having difficulty containing my enthusiasm??

I'm betting DH will leave work early so he can come home and change before picking up DD. ooooh - maybe not. He went to work in jeans and sneaks today!! {Like he's normally stuffed in a suit w/ tie - not. Casual pants, shirt w/ open collar, 'real' shoes.}
Just realized DD talks to me in the car. Did she want me to pick her up for a reason? sigh.

I'm going to run out of here before the phone rings again!