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Thunder

I love thunderstorms. The crackles. The boomers. The heavy rain. Trees swaying heavy branches. I love when they begin in the middle of the night. 4 am style. My favorite.

Overtime

I have a love-hate relationship with overtime. Stinky has been on "vacation" since the 17th of September. Seems like it always goes by the speed of light. Between sick kids and weddings and the mile long "honey-do" list, we have barely had time to high five each other in passing. He has been working some overtime in dispatch to help when they are under staffed. Last night he worked overtime on patrol (GTSB-which he really enjoys). At first I was a bit miffed, I miss him, but then he asked if I would like to come out and ride along...ahh yeah...of course I do. Back in my dispatching days I used to love to ride with the deputies and cruise the county. Tonight was no different, except, I was riding with my husband...okay...it was a little different...better! It was a great experience to see him at work. I admire him so very much. It enforces many of the qualities that I fell in love with...sorry...had a moment there...but really, my love-hate relationship with overtime was further to the love end last night. I was able to see him at work, keeping the streets a little safer, (as we used to say in dispatch...right Meleah?) We went to an accident, made traffic stops, assisted motorists, and arrested a OWI. In addition, I was out of the house, quiet time (sort of). I even brushed up on my map reading skills...yeah...I still have it! Maybe back to dispatch some day? Overtime...a new found warm fuzzy.

Congratulations Tree and Keri

Matt's good friend "Tree" is a married man now! His bride Keri is a sweet gal. They are like peas and carrots. The festivities began Friday night in Lisbon! The Crown Regal Reception hall was the venue. (If you are getting married in Lisbon, this is a FINE establishment.) After the rehearsal and dinner, we moved the pre-party to Whitey's, also in Lisbon. Matty and the rest of the groomsmen tied a good one on. It was loads of fun. Even for me the sober driver. Had to get my hubby home somehow...haha...cheers to Tree and Keri and one last night of "Freedom."

The festivities really began the next day as last minute things were done. Ahem...hungover? Yes...I think there were a few that fit this category. Hair of the dog they say. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Matt looked mighty fine in his monkey suit. The ceremony and reception were well underway. There was drinking and eating and dancing. Such fun! After the party came to an end, Matt and I escaped (in Mt. Vernon) to a private retreat for the night. A suite for two, complete with a hot tub! I even told Matt I wanted to live there. Seriously...it was really nice. We slept in until 10:30...together even. What a fabulous weekend.

Saturday Night Fever

One too Many

We went out on Saturday night. We do not do that very often. It was Heather and Mala's last night in town. Not that we really needed a reason. We headed to a local watering hole, the one we seem to always go to when we do have an adult night away. It was a bit crowded due to the football game...yes...we won...but not too crowded to have a few (too many) drinks. We sat outside in the front garden patio. It was a little warm for my liking, but even warmer inside the bar. We talked and laughed and drank. We practiced rolling our tongues, I'm not sure why, other than Molly cannot roll hers, and we enjoy taunting her. We sipped a few shots and attempted to get the DJ to play Gloria Gaynor (I will Survive!) He didn't that beeping jerk! We also had a lot of fun flipping the bird to the camera operator...hmmm, again I am not sure. We even ended up on the dance floor at the end of the evening. This is s VERY big step for some of us. I am known as the "little girl in the cheetah dress" on the dance floor. (Long and embarrassing story...another time or maybe not.) We ended up at my BFF's and I finally was able to get a cab home at 3:30am. Molly slept in her clothes and Clint mopped the floor. It was a long night...but Sunday was the really long day. Hangover with 4 kids...UGH! It was good times and fun memories, we did however decide we need to do it more often so we don't feel like we have to make up for lost time! Everything in moderation.

Tired

I am tired. Really tired. I think it is a cold coming on. Maybe too much excitement in the last week. Too many adult beverages. Change in the weather maybe. High pollen count. Not sure the cause. The result, I'm tired.

2x2x2x2

It was a girls getaway. More specific, an adult girls getaway. My BFF Molly, Heather and Mala headed East to Chicago on Sunday morning. Heather and Mala are here to visit (they live in San Diego). We left town with some directions on how to get there well sort of. We arrived in Cordova and decided to fill up the tank and eat breakfast. While fueling, I decided to ask some "locals" for directions, because the way we were headed seemed a bit "off". The were in fact a lot "off". After receiving some new directions, we asked about the local eating establishment and the answer we received was, "well I ain't got the diarrhea yet." Hmmm that sounds a bit shady, nasty, disgusting, too much information if I ever heard it. But, we decided we were hungry enough to check it out for ourselves. Breakfast was FANTASTIC! We all ordered pretty much the same thing...2x2x2x2 everyone differing a little bit. Cute really. We hit the highway after we finished and made great time. We only got lost once or twice. Strangely, we didn't see any hospitals either. Which concerned Mala a great deal! "Can you tell me where the f$#@ we are? And by the way, do you have any grey poupon?" When we figured out the location of Navy Pier, which was right under our noses the entire time we were looking for it, we parked and then I lost the car keys. Seriously. We found them after a mild panic attack on the back seat, right where I set them. In my defense, the parking garage was really dark. We walked Navy Pier all afternoon. Drinking Mojitos and Pina Coladas (they were strong and yummy), riding the 150 foot Ferris wheel. Laughing and basking in great conversation. We ate lunch at a Mexican cafe and headed back to the car. We began the search for a hotel room for the night. We decided to call some hotels in the informational brochures we had picked up from the Pier. We checked about 6 different places before the sillies set in. As I talked with guest services at one of the last places I called, I asked about rates. They asked the number in the party. I stretched the truth a teeny bit saying 2. Guest services then asked if we would prefer a king bed or 2 beds. I said whatever was cheaper. The rest of the car began chuckling. The king was cheaper, so I asked about a roll-away bed. They said they could do this for $10.00 extra. This for some reason made all of us laugh uncontrollably. In the pursuit of trying to get a good rate on the room we attempted to use Molly's Federal Employee ID and the guest services kept asking if we were in town on business or pleasure? After the 3rd time being asked that, the answer came out "our business is pleasure". It was so funny to us in fact I almost wet my pants and I was forced to end the conversation because he could not understand me I was laughing so hard! I do not think the gentleman on the other end thought it was that funny. That was the end of the calling for moi. Molly called a few more places and finally we found a room for a fantastic rate in downtown Chicago. The service there was great and we only saw a few freakish things and the bathroom was a bit moldy. But hey, it worked and was in walking distance to the Magnificent Mile. Split four ways it was just over $50.00! Heather had to pretend she was 17, but what a great rate! We decided to have Chicago style pizza for dinner after getting settled into the room. We headed to Gino's East. It was a cute little pizzeria with graffiti covering EVERYTHING. Our server was friendly. Maybe a bit too friendly, offering us way more information about his sex life than any of us cared to know. Seriously. We had rather disturbing images of him. The food was fab and the drinks were yummy too. After dinner we took Heather captive and made her go with us on the horse carriage. We took a thirty minute tour around the downtown area. Yes...we looked like tourists, oh well it was fun and relaxing. Our horse's name was Oprah. We fondled some wooden statues and laughed some more. After that we headed to the hotel to rest up for the big shopping excursion the following day. We slept in until 8:30. (Yes, that is sleeping in for some of us.) First stop, Disney Store. Chloe and Olivia made out quite well! I almost got in a fight with a rude man in a suit. We ate brunch at a restaurant called Eat the World Cafe. Such a cool place! Many different choices for food, all in one place. You can mix and match, pick and choose. Really great food! Ate too much, way too much. We walked off all the extra calories shopping the day away. Running in and out of the rain. It rained all day. We still had a great time. We ate dinner at the Hard Rock. Well we ate appetizers and had a drink. Hot Asian buns...mmmm. We walked back to the hotel to retrieve the car and start Iowa bound. We left the city right at 5:00...hmmm maybe not the best time to leave, in the middle of rush hour traffic. Molly and I were introduced to the Nintendo DS...yeah another thing to occupy time we don't have. So much fun to exercise the brain though. I think Molly and I may be finding the funds to invest in one. Thanks Mala for turning us into addicts. I drove the last stretch home, as Heather started to see horses! We arrived in town around 10:30 said goodbyes and gave hugs. What a great trip. Full of laughs, conversation, food, drink and best of all memories. Sorry we didn't find a hot dog vendor with sourcrotch, Mala. Next time.

New Experience

So, I had a new experience today...you know me...thought I would share.
We went to the mall today. As we were walking along, I notice a new kiosk that has taken up shop. "Eyebrow Threading". Due to the fact that I am always in need of an eyebrow plucking...my attention focused. As I approached the beautiful Indian (I am pretty sure she was Indian) woman, I ask her how "threading works" she proceeds to show me on my arm. Ah... yeah...sign me up...so I sit in the chair, yes, in the middle of the fricking mall, and have my brows and upper lip (yeah I am one of those lucky gals) threaded. I had 2 people walk right up to "view" my experience, which was MUCH MUCH better than a normal wax, however, talk about an invasion of private space. I told the woman that they needed a bit more of a private area to perform the procedure in. I told her if it were more private I could assure more people would stop to have the service rendered on their faces. You know...so that EVERYONE walking by wasn't free to watch "where you remove hair from!" Anyway...I am the mother of four I have no shame...I did it right there in the middle of the mall! And I will do it again! Awesome...that's the only word I can come up with. Less pain, no redness or swelling. Not to mention...not sure what your salon charges, but mine is getting a bit on the GREEDY side for facial waxing. (I pay almost $30.00 with a tip.) This cost me MUCH MUCH less.

It's 3:00 am

Yes, I am awake. I had a little restler. I think Jocelyn. So I decided to catch up on my posts. I am very behind. I have been trying to post everyday or at least every other day. good for me. Keeps my brain working. We had a good holiday weekend. Spent time with both of our families, and each other. Which was much overdue. I am getting geared up for my "mini-girls-getaway" this weekend to Chicago! Whoo Hoot! I am so excited! My BFF Molly and I am going to head out with our good friends Heather and Mala. They are coming into town from San Diego for a holiday. We are going to relax...yes, I said relax, eat good food and enjoy each others company for a couple days. We are road tripping to the windy city on a quest to find a Chi Town hot dog for Mala...This was on her list of tops she wanted to do in Chicago...I think we can manage that. Can't wait to see you gals...