Buns of Steel

Yesterday was my 6th month dental checkup and got a clean bill of health. We took the day to hit up Costco and do a little shopping. Over the weekend we got our information packet for our Alaska cruise. We noticed several bits of news that we need to address prior to departure. One of these is that we are to dress in formal attire two of the evenings as we are to dine with the captain. Oh Boy! The dress I wore to Nolan & Anneliese’s wedding does not fit at the moment. It is too big. John made the comment that our trip to Medford yesterday would be as good as any to find something new to wear.

Being the cheapskate that I am, I started by looking at Ross Dress For Less. After much time and many changes of garments we left for the mall where I decided that maybe the best thing to do is to purchase a black formal skirt that I could wear both nights with a different top. So, I am now the proud owner of a black formal skirt. Unfortunately they did not have my size so I had to decide to either by it a little big or a little tight. I opted for the latter and vowed to join the gym!!! I also found a silky dressy shirt that was on sale, more than 75% off the original price. I am now on the lookout for one another dressy shirt, and a black pair of dressy shoes.

Tomorrow is Fitness Club time. I think John and I will be doing it together as we get a huge discount if you join with a partner. By June I hope to be much firmer than I am now and fit into that skirt perfectly!

A Weekend's Work

John and I spent the weekend catching up on our yard work. We built a new raised strawberry bed and planted delicious looking strawberries in it. The next step will be to build three lids with a wire mesh to keep the birds from eating all of berries.



I miss the beautiful cedar that once graced the side of our driveway. We had intended on keeping it as it gave a sense of permanence to our house. Unfortunately we had to cut it down as the root system was buckling the driveway. John built a new planter to fit on top of the stump that is left where the former cedar tree once stood. We engineered the planter so that it can rotate. This way we can give it a spin every so often giving the trailing petunias a reason to turn their little heads toward the warming sun; otherwise you end up with beautiful cascades of flowers on the south side of the planter and NOTHING on the north side. We will show those petunias. By George, we are smarter than they are!

 

$355 Eyelashes

Yesterday I was stuck in a caravan of cars heading north, all held back by the dreaded tourist who was out on a "Sunday Drive." When we got to the place where the road widens with the addition of a passing lane, I joined the crowd to pass Mr. & Mrs. 45MPH. Suddenly the blue minivan ahead of me slowed down urgently. His bright break lights caused me to do the same. What is going on? It did not make sense until I saw a Highway patrol car sitting on the shoulder of the road. Most of the cars in the passing lane merged into the slow lane. Not I. Why should I? I was not speeding. I was just working up to 55 MPH. I forged ahead! Then it happened. The red and blue lights starting twirling and the cop took to the road, came up behind me and signaled me over. What on Earth?

I watched as the cowboy approached me from behind. I was ready with my proof of insurance, car registration, and driver's licence in hand. The offence: tailgating! Can you believe that? His newly acquired laser gadget developed for this purpose showed that I was too close to the blue minivan. I felt like saying, "No dah, he slammed on his brakes when he saw you, the chicken shit," but I kept quiet. I played the dumb old lady card that had no clue what he was taking about. He asked if I knew the length of my car to which I responded with fumbling action to measure the interior of my car with my hands. I removed my sunglasses to show my desperate attempt to work out an answer to his question while batting my eyelashes furiously in frustration. He obviously thought that I have no sense of length. I figured I might as well try to milk his perception of me. It worked. He gave me a warning and a little brochure to read. Did you know that the cost of a tailgating ticket is $355.00? WOW. I'm glad he let me off because I did not deserve a ticket. I was not THAT close to the blue minivan despite the fact that he slammed on his breaks.

I think John is jelous of my free ride. Lately his charm has not been working for him like it used to. I guess all good things must come to an end Johnny boy. It's my turn now.

Bikes And Helmets Go Together

I love the spring testing schedule. Poor kids, happy me! The last two weeks I've been putting the kids through mock a test to prepare them for the real thing in May. What I love about this is twofold: a. I don't have to do any prep- just follow the prescribed directions. b. while the kids work quietly I get to do other stuff. It gets better. During the two week testing window I will not even see most of my classes. Both CE and DNHS will be on special testing schedules and because I am an itinerant, I can not be at either place at the time needed to be given testing responsibilities. This is definitely one of the perks of my job. To put it in a nut shell, I'll be done with my work day by 11:15 AM all of next week. Woot!

Teddy has an ear infection in both ears. He was so good at the vet yesterday and as usual, the vet was impressed with Da Boyz's weight and general health. Teddy does need his teeth cleaned so I'll have to put out another small fortune for that visit. The vet suggested I try giving Teddy Claretin to help him deal with all of his allergies. Benedril has not been doing much for him. I guess his body needs a change of meds.

I got a distressed call from Susanne yesterday. Ron was riding his bike home and got hit by a car. Wearing his helmet saved his life!!! His left leg is majorly swollen, he has a concussion, his hip is very painful, and he is pretty beaten up but lucky for him he did not break anything. We hope he'll be allowed to come home from the hospital today.

On another note, I hear a "Thump-thump, Thump-thump," somewhere and it sounds familiar!

Random Thoughts

Wow. What a heat wave we are having. Awesome. Today I had to bring Da Boyz to school with me because they have a vet appointment in the afternoon.

Since it is Earth Day I thought I'd use that as an excuse to take my classes outside on the lawn while Da Boys visit and distract us from our studies.

Last Saturday there was a Salmonella contamination posting for pistachio nuts. Guess what we ate in SF? Yep, pistachio baklava! No doubt that did the trick!

I was too tired to go on my regular walk this morning. I did just one lap around the neighborhood instead of four. Maybe all the sugar I've eaten since Sunday is catching up with me. I know. John and I had agreed to a 40 post-Easter fast of all sugary stuff. Saturday I took him out for Mexican food since on his actual birthday we were having company. At the end of the dinner they serve a sugar/cinnamon-coated corn tortilla with whipped cream and strawberry sauce. As John reached for his, I reminded him of our fast to which he replied "But it's my birthday" and proceeded to eat his chip. I said "So now you are going to tell me you want a birthday cake too." To this he responded with a BIG smile. For the last few days we have been eating lots of leftover cake and other goodies. Darn that husband of mine! I can't do this alone!

Springitus

Spring is here and my mind has all but checked out of work. Yep, I'm just putting in my time. 40 work days to go and counting until summer vacation. I don't think I've ever had a case of springitus this bad before.

We just got back from a trip to SF to see the kids. We had intended on being home on Sunday so that I could return to work refreshed on Monday. Plans are made to be broken. We ended up staying away an extra day because we all got a case of the creeping crud and I was in no mood to travel. Nolan thinks it may have been Salmonella. There can be only one thing worse than losing your cookies repeatedly over a period of 3 days and that is doing just that when you are company at someone else's house. Yuk! Not only was I embarrassed, but I was ashamed of not being able to carry my weight with all that had to be done in preparation for the Easter Feast that was being put on. In addition I felt horrible for possibly infecting other. My only consolation was that I had good company. If there had been a competition I'm sure I would have won the hugging the throne contest.

Today is a beautiful day. I just spoke to John and he just had to tell me that he was out in the hot tub before he goes putting around in the yard a bit. Way to make me feel better about being at work my love!