That's really all I got. It's late. I am going to try to throw up Napa pics from the fall, if I can stay awake long enough. Life is crazy -- so much to update.

 

Needless to say, I had a great getaway weekend with my bff. A lot of fuzzy memories, but it was fun. I have more pics-- just haven't transferred them yet. I'll add it to my list of things to do.......damn list.

 

OK, so maybe no Napa pics tonight. It's damn near tomorrow.

 

Bed.

 

Til next time.

I am nominating myself for the Bloggers Hall of Shame.

 

I have all of these great ideas for entries and I am filing them, sort of, in my mind. Most of the ideas come to me late at night, especially when under the influcence of Cabernet. (But don't all good ideas?)

 

Anyway, the entries are right under the surface. The surface, of course, being life. This is the busiest time of year for me at work. At last count, I am responsible for about 40 pages of the next issue, all of them dealing with advertising clients. This means everything must be perfect because we're dealing with dollars. So, I am on.....all day.

 

Then, it's time to put on the mom hat. Commute about an hour, pick up the kids, storm through a drive-through of some sort (bad, bad mommy.....), stuff oldest daughter into tights or leotard...or even a snail costume (long story)......and entertain the toddler all the while. Then it's back home, bath time, bed time, and finally I mean it this time dammit bed time. Ok, the dammit is silent, but it's there.

 

Then there are all the randoms of life -- the unexpected "joys" of motherhood and wife-hood. Hubby signs up for softball. Weekly softball. Good for you, honey! You have a night out to do something just for you. Yea you. Oh wait...... my night? Lost in there somewhere I guess. I suppose commuting is my downtime. Oh let's see...... there's getting a broom and trying to unhook a stuffed animal that was tossed in the air during the "throw game" that landed right smack dab in the middle of the huge iron mantel decoration thingy on the wall. Nice. In between, we've mixed in having furniture re-stained, switching furniture around from room to room to accommodate a new couch and new bedroom furniture...... Small Fry is just beginning to toilet train (ugh)......we're booking vacays (YES!) for April  (Vegas) and June (Atlantis....DOUBLE YES!)......Oldest is in her first play and is AWESOME at it (snail reference here). She is too darn cute, and a natural, I might add......

 

Looking forward to: OK, so I (sort of) take back the hubby reference above. I am headed out on Friday to go visit my BFF. I haven't seen her in about a year. I miss her to death, and we are all set to have some serious fun.......whether it's on the front porch with a beer or out and about, I don't care. I'm just excited to go. A short plane ride to San Antonio and the fun begins. Also looking forward to: A big Girls Night Out with mis amigas later this month.

 

It's hard to remember carving out time every day to blog. I know I will again. I just think with Big Fry and Small Fry in such transition this year -- Kindergarten and toddler-hood -- I am losing more spare time than ever before. I am definitely looking forward to summer for the kids to sleep in a bit and for evening activities to CEASE. I think we all need a break.

 

Work is so incredibly busy -- in a good way -- but I'm in panic mode to meet deadlines and come up with something somewhat creative issue after issue. Working with advertisers is very behind-the-scenes a lot of times.......it's tough, but rewarding. For example, the g'rents kept the kiddos a week ago for spring break, giving hubby and I a few days to "play." We went to two events for free related to my job.....and it was just so amazing. Wonderful food and wine. A good time. I feel so lucky to be associated with such an incredible company and amazing people. That's why it's not a chore to work -- it feels good because I care about it and the product. It's the balancing the work/mom thing that has me dragging........

 

Small Fry is getting a little easier to care for. She seems to have climbed out of the Terrible Twos early -- so far. In fact, she's an absolute joy to be around these days and just keeps us laughing. Big Fry is doing a little better, as far as adjusting to school and everything that's so new. There are still "down days" but the theater class has really helped her feel more confident, as has her church choir experience. The weather is warming, which gives us more chances to get outdoors and burn off some energy which is a nice change.

 

And...... drum roll please..... I am proud to announce that I have lost 12 pounds! I began my trainer....when was it again? January, I think.... Anyway, since that date I have lost 12 pounds mostly as a result of dietary change but also some exercise. I still have a cheat day now and then but I have really changed the way I eat and think of food. I feel better. My clothes fit better. It's a good thing. If I lose five more pounds, I'll be the weight I was on my wedding day. Granted, my body doesn't look the same thanks to Small Fry and Big Fry....and well actual fries.... but hey, 35 is just around the corner so i can safely say that despite gravity, if I can weigh the same I did in 99, then ...drinks on me. Sadly, though, one of the ways I've done this is by cutting back on drinking..... a glass during the week now and then and some on the weekend....but my nightly pour....not so much. But that's OK.

 

What else? Cute clothes. The spring clothes bug has bit and I bought as a result. Fun though. Especially going down a size. Woo hoo! Now I'm fighting the urge to buy spring stuff for the girls. (They don't need it now. Repeat, They don't need it now.) Oh, and I received wedding photos of my ex husband and his new bride. That was weird and an entry waiting to happen.

 

OK, so cleaning up the kitchen, getting bags ready for tomorrow and a TIVO'd Dancing with the Stars premiere AND the coolest new show EVER on TV--The Riches--await.........Once I get this current issue out the door, put to bed, locked up....however you want to say it.....I'll be back in blogland FULL FORCE. I have been "reading" everyone though and LOVE NJaney's wedding photos, btw. Check them out. AWE. SOME. And Ronna's new sweetcheeks, Emma -- CUTE! I am still keeping up with everyone and plan on commenting as soon as cross some more things off of the never-ending to-do list. On that list is UPDATING this blog and linking to more people. Agh! It never ends, does it?!

 

Til next time.....

I'm alive for Those Who Care.

 

I'm buried down here somewhere underneath....

 

Work.

 

Work.

 

More Work.

 

Deadlines.

 

Laundry.

 

More Laundry

 

1,334,887,998,004, 876 activities for my oldest child.

 

A messy, disorganized car.

 

Trying to get spring break planned out without getting fired and/or committed to Horizons with Brittney.

 

Or both.

 

Figuring out travel plans for two different trips (crossing fingers) and a wedding so my daughter can be a flower girl in a $188 dress.

 

Trying to decide which street corner to stand on this weekend to pay for said dress.

 

Furniture. Oh the decisions......couch is being made. Need to choose the right coffee tables, etc.

 

Furniture delivery. And entire set of bedroom furniture gets here Saturday morning. We have two days to decide what to do with the old stuf and empty out all of the drawers.

 

Horizons sounds relaxing.

 

Chasing around a two year old. Trying to chase her to the potty. She really loves to sit on it. Yep, that's it. Sit.

 

Trying to figure out how to "break up" with her longtime sitter so she can be in daycare and learn something besides, "iwananak." (I want a snack.)

 

Trying to find time to run a zillion errands, pay bills, organize stuff around here, send out some thank-you's and other correspondence, shop for particular clothing items I need for upcoming events. Hell, I'd be happy if I could just stop long enough to put a full tank of gas in my car.

 

A messy house. (Even though the cleaning gal was here last week.)

 

Is it time to get my oil changed? I think so. So add that to the list.

 

I have so many stories due at roughly the same time, even I'm getting confused as to what's what.

 

....... So yeah, I'm down here somewhere.....under all this stuff.

 

I'll try to come up for air soon and visit more.

 

Good Lord, who am I kidding?!