Random Thursday Thoughts...

I have had a lot of quirky random thoughts running through my head today and since my writing has been less than inspired lately I figured I might as well share. I mean, what have I got to lose, it isn't like I don't eventually end up sharing everything anyway.

So first, I have noticed there has been an epidemic of people calling me "Ang" lately. I'm not saying I mind but typically the "Ang" tag is usually thrown out there by people who know me well. People who are an immediate part of my life. People who I consider a friend and I assume feel the same way in return. BUT that being said, even among the intimate group there are some people to whom I have never become an "Ang". Angie yes, Angela sometimes, but the "Ang" thing just never seemed to come from their lips and I was fine with that - it's all a personal preference, although in the past week some of the "Angie" group of friends have actually started to become "Ang" callers. Again, I want to make it clear I don't mind at all, and typically it isn't such a big deal - but there have been a handful of people just this week (or maybe I just noticed it this week) who have begun calling me "Ang". It kind of makes me wonder what it is about. Has something about me changed. What? What changed me from "Angie" to "Ang" for them? It's a ponder...

Oh and on a tangent - here is a little trivia about me and my name. I used to HATE my name. HATE IT! I wanted to be Susie or Beth or Jennifer or Velvet (remember that doll with the plaid dress and "growing" hair) or anything but Angela or Angie. As far as I was concerned it was a bad name. But then somewhere along the line (and really I'm ashamed to say it probably wasn't until I was a young adult) I decided to embrace my name and love it. I didn't even realize it until one time during a doctor's appointment the young doctor asked me if I liked my name (while I was in the dressing room changing no less). Ffter I got done thinking "wow that is a weird out of the blue question to ask me while I'm changing my clothes" I said Yes and I realized I meant it. I liked my name. He then went on to explain he and his wife were expecting a baby and Angela was one of the names they were considering. At least it didn't seem quite so random then. I wonder what they named their little girl? I guess that will just have to remain up there as an unknown mystery just like the "Ang" thing (I don't think I have used quotations this much in my entire life).

Anyway, the other thing I feel a dying need to discuss is toothbrushes. This thought isn't quite as random as you would think as one of the columnists in our local paper was discussing the rules of toothbrushes - like no matter how immediate your connection sharing a toothbrush is pretty much off limits and I couldn't agree with her more. I just wish my daughters agreed because they seem to be under the impression that toothbrushes are equal opportunity household items. They have used my toothbrush, they have used each other's toothbrush, they have no sense of boundaries when it comes to teeth brushing. I've tried to talk to them. I've tried to buy different colored brushes. I don't know maybe it is a twin thing - but still - YUCK. USE YOUR OWN TOOTHBRUSH. Not doing so is gross!!!

Okay, that's it. My ramblings for a Thursday. Aren't you glad you stopped by - so much information in such a little space :-)

TTFN... have a good night.

Parenting - it's a hard job...

UGH! Parenting. You would think I had never done this thing before but as I'm trying to guide my daughters through the trials and tribulations of second grade I am realizing how some things were soooo easy with Alex. His elementary school years included teachers and paras and counselors and parent advocates and case managers telling us what to do along the way. There was a plan and things pretty much went as planned - well until about fifth grade - but that's a different story for a different day. Anyway, with the girls it is MUCH different - seriously, I am winging it most days. I have no idea if I am doing the right things. I consider it a good day if I remember to sign papers and get folders into back packs (and really some days - it doesn't happen). I have to admit most days I feel like a failure as a parent. I actually let them skip dance every once in awhile, have candy after school for a snack and watch tv. If I was a real parent we'd have play dates and swimming parties and study time with apple slices and milk. I'm sure that is how it works in every other family - right??? So for today I'll just hope and pray that they grow up to be healthy, productive, well-adjusted adults. Did I say UGH already?

Sorry to be Debbie Downer tonight but I'm just feeling overwhelmed with life. I hope you understand.

Here's to a better day tomorrow...

I'll be putting this on the list of things I'll never do again...

So earlier this summer I started having my nails done on a regular basis. I found a great salon and I just kept going. One day I decided to really live on the edge and have an acrylic tip attached to one nail that just wasn't living up to the expectations of the other nails. I know it isn't like acrylic nails are anything new but I had never done them before. So I got the tip and I liked it - I really liked it and the polish stayed on that nail much longer than the rest (ha, so much for the underachiever status of left hand index finger).

Next time I went to have my nails "done" I threw caution to the wind and said give me a full set of acrylics. So she did - and she did a great job and the nails looked perfect. BUT once I had a full set I didn't like them. They were too thick at the tips and I couldn't use my nails as screwdrivers or scrubby pads any longer. I couldn't even give a decent scratch to a mosquito bite. So I had them taken off assuming my nails would go on as previously living. WRONG. My nails are ugly, and scratched up and weak and they hurt. I know - who knew? See where vanity got me? Sore nails. So acrylic nails - been there, done that - not doing it again. I've learned my lesson but I'm wondering how long it will take them to get back to normal - anyone???

And the real lesson in all of this is I have long nail beds (it's a good thing - long nail beds mean your nails never look short and stubby) so there was really no need for the acrylic nails other than the allure of PERFECT nails. From now on I'm settling for above average :-)

TTFN... take care of your nails - acrylic is NOT the answer

It's an annual thing...

Today we made our annual trek to view the fall colors in the bluffs and valleys of our own home state as well as neighboring state (should state be capitalized???)

I'll get into more about the trip later this week. Tonight it is just the pictures. Oh and FYI - these pictures were taken with the iPhone. I think they turned out pretty well considering they were taken with a phone.

About my daughter - what's her name...

So Lauren has feelings which become hurt very easily. She is the pleaser in the group and can get upset if she doesn't think her efforts have been noticed. Tonight, while playing a game (I think it is called Buzz Word) Lauren insisted she had previously said the category we were getting ready to play - something that no one could recall and no one could recall it because WE HAD NEVER PLAYED THE CATEGORY BEFORE. No matter how much we tried to convince her that we had not played this card she insisted that we had, finally disolving into tears and claiming we never remember anything she does or know anything about her - which was followed by the following facts which she claims we couldn't possibly remember about her like, what her favorite thing to do in the winter is and what her favorite color is and what she likes to do on stay home days and then her parting words "by tomorrow you won't even remember my name" put the HotY and I over the edge. We were laughing so hard tears were coming from our eyes. This probably didn't help matters and certainly did not win us any parent of the year awards but it was just so dramatic and if you know Lauren it is all about drama. If she hurts her foot she may never walk again, gets a hang nail and her finger might fall off, and let's not even get into the dire consequences if she bumps her head. So her parting words were just so-so-so--- Lauren. We finally stopped laughing long enough to reassure her that not only did we remember her name but we knew her favorite activities and her favorite color but I couldn't bring myself to claim we remembered playing the category she insisted we did - BECAUSE WE DIDN'T PLAY IT BEFORE and that is my last word. That girl - she can be so stubborn.

TTFN...

Awkward silence...

I have not been able to put a finger to the keyboard in weeks. I want to write but I have nothing to say. It's like that awkward silence when you are with talking to someone and you don't want the conversation to end but you just don't know what to say. It's exactly like that. So just like when you want to say don't go in that instance I'm saying don't go now - stick with me. I'm sure I'll figure out something to say sooner or later - in the meantime hang in there with me - Deal???