All Skate, Everybody Skate, No more shoot the duck!

Can someone please tell me what that means.  A friend of my brother's used to say that and I didn't know what it meant then and I still don't know what it means today - so if you know tell me - I've been waiting for the answer for 20 years. 

We took the kids ice skating yesterday.  Alex went 1/4 around the rink and had his fill.  The girls on the other hand loved it.  There was a lot of falling but they did a pretty good job.  If we get them on the ice more often they will probably be pretty decent skaters.  Me - I don't ice skate - I'm from Iowa we don't skate or play hockey :- )

So what have YOU been doing?

Oh, you wanna know what I have been doing?  Well since you asked, I've been making beds and doing laundry and lunching with friends and watching the dog sleep - you know - the usual.  Oh and there is that "I had a psychic reading thing"  WHAT?  I KNOW!  I'd like to say it is something I had on my bucket list and can now cross it off but I don't have a bucket list (do you have a bucket list?  Really, tell me what it is - this kind of stuff fascinates me) so I have no excuse than I've always been curious.  And no it wasn't like Miss Cleo or something it was a local psychic who was recommended by a friend - so I did it - I was intrigued. 

We had our call on Wednesday and she was very nice but didn't have any big revelations to tell me about myself - I was hoping she might mention my hidden Oprah potential or something.  She did say this is going to be a summer of happiness for me (not in those words exactly - she went through the year month by month and it all seems to be sunshine and happiness once the sun begins to shine and the thermometer rises).  News on my career is that I probably won't have a job until next year but everything will be okay in the meantime.  Well that's a relief - let the shopping begin (okay, fine I'm not  naive enough to throw caution to the wind but sometimes I wish I were).  She talked about other stuff in my life but it is personal information and I'm not inclined to share right now but it was interesting and somewhat exciting.  BUT here is the bottom line - although I do not think this person was a "hoax", I think she really believes in her craft and seems to be a great observer of the "human condition" BUT, as much as I'd like to be otherwise I'm a cynic at heart - although if you see me and I seem to be walking on the clouds and happier than you would normally expect remind me of the psychic thing - I could become a believer.   Oh and by the way, I'd actually endorse a psychic reading with a "reputable" psychic - it's like therapy at half the cost.

So there you go - and WHAT have you been doing???? 

TTFN...

I wish I could sleep...

I haven't been sleeping well lately.  If I fall asleep I wake up in the middle of the night and can't find Mr. Sandman again.  Or else I just can't fall asleep.  I have no idea what the deal is.  My mind keeps working and my body is restless.  I toss and turn and stretch my legs all to no avail so I have resorted to getting up in the middle of the night and doing something.  Tonight (or rather this morning as it is 2:00 a.m.) I am doing this - writing.  I really have nothing to say but it is something to do. 

I guess I could move along and make out my to-do list for tomorrow.  Let's see:

• Prepare Tax Information
• Set up some appointments
• Work on resume
• Return emails
• Go to Target
• Walk the dog
• Read to the 2nd grade class
• Meet a friend for dinner

WOW, with the exception of two or three items that list is lacking in substance.  Maybe I should add something like audition for Jeopardy or memorize the Dictionary.  NO wonder I can't sleep - no stimulation.  I better work on that.

Speaking of stimulation or the lack thereof - Bieber Fever is rampant in the house.  With two seven year old females it was inevitable.  Sunday we were able to "enjoy" the wonder of Never Say Never the Bieber Boy's story.  It wasn't too bad but a little long - although two girls I know were absolutely enthralled.  I mean he is a cute kid but he certainly isn't any Shaun Cassidy. :-) 

Okay I think I might be tired now - or maybe you are just tired of me.  I mean really, it's a possibility.

TTFN...  Sweet Dreams.

Waiting for the thaw...

I am in the doldrums of winter (I can't tell you how many times I had to type out doldrums before I got it right - my fingers have a mind of their own and o before u was not what was on their mind).  I'm sick of looking at dirty, crappy, ugly snow higher than mailboxes.  I'm sick of two lane streets reduced to one lane because there are big piles of snow encroaching into the traffic flow not to mention people who insist on parking in the street because - well I don't why but it is irritating (where is the neighborhood covenant which states no street parking?).  I'm sick of cold temps and dirty snow pants and grimy boots and a foyer which becomes covered with sand on a daily basis from the street and the parking lot and the driveway and the sidewalk and the playground.  I'm sick of winter. Oh shoot I'm whining again.  I hate whining so let's call it complaining or venting or airing my dirty laundry or something other than whining because I don't do whining ;-)

And since I'm "venting" and all - I think I am now used to being at home but not so much that I don't feel guilty about being at home.  Guilty and a little sad.  I know I am smart, I know I am strong, I know I am employable but right now I feel - well one word sums it up - LOSER!!!  But, in my most ambivalent style, I'm not ready for a new job yet.  I know that sounds selfish but I have worked since I was sixteen and I'm tired of working for awhile and the HotY is fine with that - if only I could tell my brain to shut up and let me relax.  UGH.  On a better note my family is enjoying many home-cooked meals and a cleaner house.  That's a good thing - right?  And you lucky people - you get to read all my random thoughts more often - I mean how good is that (said totally tongue in cheek - oh and cheek is one of those words I always have to think about spelling because I might say check instead.  Loose, Choose, Lose, Chose are four more that I actually have to slow down and think about before I put them down - just thought I'd mention it). 

Anyway, winter doldrums - that's where I am at.  We are expecting a "spring" thaw this weekend.  There could hardly be a more anticipated event.

TTFN...

Well it might not be obvious...

but her fur really is growing out - it really is - trust me.  And I don't know what is up with the wonky eye in this picture.  Okay, fine, she is not the most photogenic dog in the world but we'll keep her - most days...

When does the fun begin...

do you remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait to be an adult because adults had all the fun?  You could get up when you wanted to and go to bed when you wanted to and do whatever you wanted to do whenever you wanted to do it - there were no rules - there were no parents, just 24 hour fun all day every day.  Being an adult - it is a blissful life - to a child.  Any adult over 30 will tell you - this adult stuff - NOT fun.  You might not have parents telling you what to do (and really let's be honest - do parents ever stop giving their "opinion" to their children?) but there are bosses and spouses and doctors and teachers and neighbors and just other adults in general that tell you what to do.  There are bills to pay and conferences to attend and meals to make and houses to clean and children to teach.  Seriously, does that sound like fun to you?  I know, there are moments, moments when it is fun, but some days fun seems like a fleeting dream.  Oh to be a kid again - it was so much fun...  Did I mention today - not so fun.  I was mad at the HotY, the kids were not listening and the house that was so clean only a few short days ago is once again a mess.  I'm hoping tomorrow is not so so so - adultlike because I don't know about you but I really hate to listen to myself whine. 

Oh before I go and while we are talking about perceived reality vs. real life reality let's talk about the oh so understanding Bachelor Brad just a little bit.  I mean really is this guy for real?  If he is really this sensitive and caring and understanding I don't think he should be a husband he should be a priest - well except for that part that likes to "intimately" explore every relationship so he knows which bonds are real.  He seems to be doing a lot of exploring :-)  I have a feeling that any engagement which comes of this little fantasy may be short-lived - I know - call me cynical but we shall see...

I know that was totally random but I didn't want this entire post to be one long whine.  It's all about balance.

TTFN...  look for one month regrowth pictures of the dog later this week.  Her fur is growing back slowly but surely.