Confessions

It's Friday!  and a Friday before a long weekend!  Woot Woot!

This also means it's time to confess.  So here goes:

• I really wish I was here:

• We are really enjoying having this guy as part of our family:

•  He is so stinking cute and loves on all of us.
• listening to the giggles he produces when he is playing with Bruiser makes it all worth it.
• Even the messes.  
• But we haven't had too many messes.
• Looking forward to Monday and having the fence done, but not really looking forward to the process--it's going to be a lot of work.
• I must scale Mount Laundry this weekend too.
• Yippee!
• But there are a couple of Barbecues that will happen this weekend, so getting together with friends=good!
• I am thrilled that Bruiser loves his preschool.  
• Drop offs at daycare were horrible.
• So far he has had no issues with preschool.
• Wednesday was his first day and he barely said good bye to me.
• Happy dance that there were no tears, a bit sad that he is growing up so fast.

So are you ready for a long weekend?  What's on the agenda?
Do you have anything to confess?  Post it and join up with Aubrey and feel all good going into the weekend.

Routines

With school starting and a new puppy in the house, it's time to get back into a routine. Making dinner, sitting at the table, morning routines, all of it.
Summer really shot any routine we had in the foot.  We just kind of winged it and let a lot of things slide.  Bedtimes?  By 9ish most nights.  Breakfast, well they can have it eventually.  Dinner, umm, frozen pizza?
Yeah, now that school is on for both boys, such laxness won't fly.  So time to dig in and re-establish morning routines and evening routines.
Mornings aren't so bad.  I need to figure out an exercise program that fits into the time I have in the mornings.  Suggestions are welcome--I have maybe a half an hour to work with.
Then getting the boys up and moving, Turbo for grade school, Bruiser for preschool--even though he goes in the afternoon, We will be taking him to grandma's house some mornings. So breakfast for both of them--looks like I'm cooking breakfast.  Not my favorite, but I feel guilty of they only have a toasted Eggo.  I can do better than that.  I think.
In the afternoon, it's homework for Turbo, reading time for Turbo (part of his homework), and I get to get back to meal planning. Dinner runs smoother with meal planning, but it really is a pain in the butt. I manage about five dinners a week.  We leave two open for dinner out, leftovers, dinner with friends, etc. Or those nights when the thought of cooking dinner is just too much.  Everyone has those nights right?
Then some TV time as a family--no electronics, or limited electronics--and maybe a walk with the dogs--the puppy especially.
Bedtime for Bruiser is between 7:30 and 8:00.  Some nights he gets a bath before bed, other nights just a bit of extra hangout time, then a story and lights out.
Turbo heads to bed between 8:30 and 9:00.  Some reading time with mom, Harry Potter that we are tandem reading (I read a page, he reads a page) and then lights out after taking his melatonin. Such a great help in reducing the night terrors and sleep walking.
And finally a bit of time without kids for Nick and I.  Not a bad routine really, but it makes for a full day.
Now with a puppy in the mix the routines are a bit off--he is still very little and needs a lot of direct attention.  Happily, I have two very enthusiastic helpers in checking on what the puppy might be into.  the upstairs in mostly puppy proof.  Except Turbo's room, but it has a door that shuts. The puppy won't go down stairs yet so the basement is still not puppy proof.  That won't last long. Generally puppy proofing the basement is the weekend project.
Do you have a routine?  Or routines?  Do they make the day go smoothly?  having one helps me, but I have learned with kids the routine needs to be very flexible.

Wow! Busy, Busy!

OK, so I sort of fell off the blog world radar for a bit there.  But I'm back now and ready to tell you all about our adventures.
Last week we headed out to raft the Green River through Dinosaur National Monument.  We had a fantastic time.

The water level was low so we had a few rocky hangups and the class IV rapid we went down almost got us--the rock called Lucifer tried to snag us but we did a highside and slid right off it.  It was exciting.
It was a fantastic way to spend my birthday. There was even an 80s theme night--we all dressed up in 80s fashion.  The pictures are incriminating--to some.  I do have more pictures, but have not downloaded them from the camera.
We got back late Sunday night and Monday morning turbo started school.

Today Bruiser goes to his first day of Preschool.  He is so excited to go.  It will be good for him.

The other big news from the Jones household is our new addition.  Meet Thule, pronounced Tooly, our new puppy.

He is nine weeks old and already a very loved part of our family.  Guinness tolerates him, Piper hates him, but the rest of us love him and find his antics very funny.
And that brings us up to date on all the happenings around here.
What have you been up to?
And now for WWTK:  Back to school edition
1.) When do schools go back where you are? We started on Monday.  It's the same day that the university in our town starts.  It is crazy around here.
2.) What does “back to school” mean to you? New wardrobes, new supplies, the end of summer freedom, bedtimes enforced again, routines established again.
3.) As a kid/student, did you enjoy going back to school or was it a nerve-wracking experience? I liked school, but was always nervous about going back to school.  I liked college better--less social pressure.
4.) Is it starting to feel like Fall yet where you live? Yes it is.  The mornings are almost cool enough for a sweater and it won't be long before the first frost.  Heck, we could have snow before the end of September.  October definitely.
5.) What is the best part about the last four months of the year? Having a routine--crazy though it is.  We settle into a routine and schedule and things run smoother for all of us. The holidays are fun, but I like fall for the predictableness of it all.

Link up with Kensie and Scriptor.  They would love to have you join in.

Summer is On the Way Out

Summer is winding down--calendar wise, not weather wise.  Well, I guess even weather wise. It's been cooler in the mornings and the days are definitely getting shorter, but it's still hot during the days, unless we get thunderstorms.
Any way, this is the last week before the boys head to school.  Fifth grade for Turbo and preschool for Bruiser. It's a big day for them both. Bruiser has wanted to go to school with Turbo since he could walk.  He's ready.  I'm not so sure I am--he's my baby.
We went school shopping Saturday.  Found a few good deals at the thrift stores and got Turbo outfitted for the year--provided he doesn't grow 5 inches between now and Christmas. I think I'm safe on that front, for now.
I used the newish washer and dryer this weekend.  Laundry went so much faster.  I got through four loads Saturday afternoon and evening and the rest on Sunday.  Even got the sleeping bags into the washer. They are drying right now.  The new washer has a buzzer for the end of the load that we can turn off.  The old dryer had a buzzer that we couldn't turn off. It went off three times at the end of the cycle.  Not so nice for that last load late at night. This one is much nicer.
Nick and Turbo got a head start on the fence redo by removing some sections that were in the yard dividing the front yard and back yard.  Labor Day weekend is all about fence rebuilding.
I have just about determined what I am taking clothes wise for the float trip.  It was fun putting together an 80's outfit for the theme night, which happens to be my birthday. This is going to be an adventure.  But sounds like we will have a blast.
I've been fighting a migraine since yesterday--not a really bad one just a nagging not going away one.  Makes me crabby, snappy and no fun.  Hope it vacates soon.
So how was your weekend?

I Confess

Time to confess it all.  Let's hear it for Friday!  If we make it feel good it may come around more than once a week.  Or not.

• I have not been feeling my runs lately.
• I've been slacking.
• Only doing a mile each morning.
• I think it's because it's been getting darker and I feel like going into hybernation mode.
• Or at least not getting up at the crack of dawn to go run.
• Time to move the runs to the afternoon, I'm thinking.
• Got the newish washer and dryer moved in.
• How adult does it sound that I'm excited to use them?
• Something is seriously wrong with me.
• I won't be around next week.
• At least after Wednesday.
• Floating down the Green River.
• Turning 40.
• Lots going on next week.
• There will be pictures.
• There's going to be an 80s theme night.
• The perfect way to usher in my 40s.
• Then school starts.
• Shopping this weekend.
• I will be the thrift store boss and spend a fraction of retail prices for kid clothes.
• But tonight, I think there will be wine, or maybe rum.
• Cause there should be TABs on a Friday night.

Do you have anything to confess?  Post it and join up with Aubrey and feel all good going into the weekend.

Traveling Thursday

With Gretchen out of town and the Spin Cycle on break, I thought, since this is the season of travel, I'd do up a post on how I travel:

How old were you when you first traveled? The first trip I really remember is when I was 4.  My aunt came and got me and we flew to Florida and spent time visiting Busch Gardens, and then up to Georgia to the Space Museum, I think. I remember flying and riding an elephant very vividly.

What is your favorite form of traveling: car, bus, train, or plane?
Depends on where I'm going.  A car trip can be fun--if you don't have a rigid schedule to keep.  Flying is good for far away places, trains are low stress.  I like to travel--but maybe not by bus.

Where did you go on your first road trip?
The first raod trip I took with Nick, when I was 21, was to Omaha to see some friends. That road trip was about 7-8 hours.  Before that we had driven home to see my family, but that hardly counts as a road trip, even if the drive home was 4+ hours.

 Where did you go on your first bus ride?
The only time I have evertraveled on a bus (that wasn't a school bus) was when I was seven and we ere taking the train to Wyoming from California and there was a derailment ahead of us on the tracks and they had to bus us around it.

 Where did you go on your first train ride?
We went from California to Wyoming for Thanksgiving. I got to see really deep snow that trip.

Where did you go on your first plane ride?
At 4, with my aunt from California to Florida.

Motion sickness? Treatment of choice?
I am blessed. I don't get motion sick.  I can even read in the car with no trouble.

Where would you like to go that you haven't been?
So many places. So little time and money. My top three places:
Hawaii
Alaska
Maine
Not wildly adventurous, but the geology would be fantastic.
 
Where would you like to go back to?
Disney World.  Clearwater Beach Florida.

Traveling alone or with someone?
Traveling with my sweetheart of course. He wonderful for taking care of the logistics.

Your ultimate travelling dream?
We would love to take the train from Denver to San Francisco. We also want to visit all the national parks west of the Mississippi. 

How do you travel, do you like to travel?

WWTK--This or That...

This week Scriptor and Kensie are asking This or That questions.
So, This or That:

1.) Water or coffee/tea/soda? Generally water, but I have a mug of Chai tea with creamer in it in the morning.
2.) Beach or Mountains? I love to visit the beach, but have to have the mountains nearby so a visit to them is liek going out the back door.  So definitely mountains.
3.) TV or a book? I'll take a book please.  Not that I don't like TV, but given uninterrupted time, I'll take a book any day.
4.) Lots of activity or quiet getaway? I like the quiet getaways more, but sometimes you need those high activity vacations.  Those are fun too, but I need a vacation from my vacation after one of those.
5.) Comedy or drama? Comedy, hands down.  I want to be entertained.  Drama stresses me out, so I prefer comedy that entertains me.

So, are you This or That?  Grab the questions and link up.

Link up with Kensie and Scriptor.  They would love to have you join in.

Tuesday Randoms

Ugh, so happy Monday is over.  Not that this one was so bad, but it was still a Monday. But now it's Tuesday and time to random up the place:

• We did it.  We applied to a semi-local dog rescue shelter for a puppy.  We have been approved.  We will have our new family member the end of the month. The excitement level in our house is quite high right now.  Larry will be a nice addition (however his name will change, we are thinking Thulë pronounce Tulie).
• Guiness will most likely adjust, but he isn't going to like us for a few days once the puppy comes home.  Piper will hate us but will get used to him.
• Bruiser starts preschool in two weeks. We are still working on the pooping part of potty training.  I hope things will click for him soon. At least he's cleaning up after himself, mostly.
• I found a new website that I find entertaining--Not Always Right--Stories from the customer service world.  Good stories about good people and stories about idiots and stories about jerks--all kinds of customer service.  I can relate because I spent several years in customer service.  
• Helping our friends move this weekend made me realize something.  If we ever move, Nick's idea of a fire and starting over hold vast appeal.  Moving sucks.
• I've slacked on the run twice now and only done a mile.  I am going to have to start running after work.  It's getting dark here in the mornings.  And colder--dipping into the mid 40s. Won't be long before the first freeze. Seasons are marching on.
• School shopping this weekend.  Thrift stores here we come. We can usually get Old Navy pants and cool shirts for Turbo for a quarter of the cost of new.  Since Turbo isn't picky (yet) I'm going this route for as long as I can.  With any luck he will learn the fine art of thrift store shopping so he will always be able to shop on the cheap economic side of things.

Join up with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk To Us Tuesday. No rules, just fun, link up.

Busy, Busy

We had a pretty busy weekend.  I'm sore but I feel good about what we did.
Both Nick and I were very tired Friday night.  We didn't do much, just rested after a long week. It was nice to do nothing.We did sort of feel a bit fuddy-duddy as we were looking more toward sleeping in rather than going out.  But that's what happens to parents. I did finish the laundry Friday night.  My mom had helped to change loads during the day. So laundry conquered on a Friday night. Nope not a mom at all.
Saturday morning we went to help some friends move.  Lots of hauling boxes and standing unpacking. I was pretty sore Saturday night. We had the friends over for BBQ ribs and company.  It was a nice way to end the day.
Sunday we went and got some fence sections so we could put up a better fence at our house. These were unused sections of fence at our friends house.  So score free fence!  There is some assembly required, but the fence sections will replace the chain link we have running around our front yard. It's all cedar fencing and will look so much better. We just figured our how we are spending Labor Day weekend. We are so fun and exciting.
We also got a newish washer and dryer--that match! Our friends took their washer and dryer with them and didn't need the washer and dryer in the new house, so they gave them to us. Kind of excited about them.
As for the rest of Sunday, we were very lazy.  Nick did go shoot archery league so I took that time to run the vacuum at the dust dinosaurs in the living room and got Bruiser through a bath.
Not an exciting weekend, but busy for sure.

Confession Time

So, after having survived another week, it's finally Friday!  Just a few hours until going home time! then bring on the weekend! Yeah, just a bit excited here, so let's confess:

• Not sure why I'm excited for this weekend.
• It's a bunch of laundry, helping friends move, cleaning house, and other mundane stuff.
• Maybe even a spin with the vacuum.
• I'm still excited.
• I only ran 1 mile today.
• Insomnia kicked my butt last night and a mile is all I could do.
• I still did something.
• We are renewing our membership to the rec center in town.
• I may, just may, start running there when it gets too clod and dark outside to run.
• Or I might get the Zumba game for the Xbox and do that in the morning.
• I survived the dentist.
• It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
• Now to keep going regularly.
• Our anniversary was pretty great.
• Dinner at the local BBQ place, a bit of shopping, a drink or two.  
• Really nice.
• It's good to be married to your college sweetheart.
• We had hail yesterday afternoon.
• Dime sized.
• Nick's poor tomatoes.
• This is their second bout with hail.
• They should be OK.
• I really hope so, there are a lot of tomatoes out there.
• It's hard to grow tomatoes here.
• Those were doing really well though.
• We shall see what they do.

Do you have anything to confess?  Post it and join up with Aubrey and feel all good going into the weekend.
 

15

Years that is.  Fifteen years since Nick and I made it official.
We were young, but not that young when we got married--I was just shy of 25 and Nick was 24.

We had been together for 5 years.  There was a lot of "about darn time you kids did this".  Especially from his side of the family.
We had a great honeymoon.

Then we came home and got on with having a life.  and these guys:

I love them even if they are goof balls.
I love my hubby, who has made this all possible--Nick you are a fabulous guy, you put up with me and my neurosis and it really is as Robert Fulghum said:

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.”

I love your weirdness too!
Too bunches of years to come!

Cute couple, no?

Still kissing fools.

WWTK: All Over the Place

It's a bit disconnected this week on We Want To Know--just random questions, but it's still fun, so let's go:

1. Which actress would you choose to play you in a movie? This one is tough for me.  The answer my hubby would like is Sandra Bullock.  Maybe Cameron Diaz? Someone sort of out of sync with the rest of the world--or who can play that well.
2. Would you rather drink Coke or Pepsi? I'm not too picky.  I loike Pepsi, but prefer Cherry Coke to Cherry Pepsi. I love the Vanilla Coke, but like the caffine free Coke with vanilla vodka better.
3. Is there anything you are looking forward to this month? Strangely enough, my birthday.  We are going on a float trip to Dinosaur National Park and it sounds like it will be a blast. Makes turning 40 a bit easier to deal with. I also get to meet the lovely Stacy from Stacy Uncorked.  They are heading west and we are a pit stop on the way. There also may be a meet up with Michele from It's a Dog's Life as they are also headed west, well northwest and we are on the way again.
4. Would you rather have a cat or a dog? We have both, but I'm partial to cats. I would love to have a short hair siamese cat some day. We are also looking for a puppy.  A mixed breed because Guinness is getting older and his hips are not aging well.
5. What is something you feel strongly about? Every one is entitled to their own opinion, but don't force me to think the way you do. Tolerance would go a long way in our world, but people don't seem to have much of it anymore.

Now you grab the questions and play along.

Link up with Kensie and Scriptor.  They would love to have you join in.

It's Not Monday Randoms

So, Tuesday has rolled around again.  It's better than Monday, but only just.
It is also time for randomness.  So let's get to it:

• Got fun news last week.  Stacy, of Stacy Uncorked will be moving the end of the month, and they are staying in our town on their trip west.  I get to meet her and her family.  Excited, yep, that's me!
• I can't believe that it's August already.  It seems summer just started, how can it be almost over? 
• I ran two miles on Monday.  Two whole miles, all at once.  Never thought I'd do that without something large and angry chasing me.  
• I go to the dentist tomorrow.  Dread is a mild way to state how I feel about this trip.  I loath the scrapping on my teeth--but since I deposit lots and lots of tartar on my teeth scraping is inevitable.  Full body shudder.
• You can tell it's summer.  My commenters have disappeared.  I know it will get better, but it is a bit disheartening to see so few commenting.
• We finally did it.  We got a DVR for the upstairs TV.  We also mounted it up on the wall.  It's nice to be able to see it over little boys heads now and to be able to rewind when they talk during the most crucial moment of the show.
• Dishes suck.
• Wine is wonderful.
• I got a full night's sleep last night.  In bed, with hubby not snoring.  Heaven, now can I get about a dozen more nights like that?  I might just feel caught up on my sleep.

Join up with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk To Us Tuesday. No rules, just fun, link up.

So, Here's the Thing

We had a great weekend.  We took a couple days off last week and ran away--not too far, just to the mountains.  We had a wonderful time camping.
We had friends join us on Friday and much fun was had--even if we did try to tip the camper over.

The weekend started easy for us on Thursday.  We shopped, packed and got out of town by three. Up to the campsite and set up by 4:30. The fire ban had been lifted so we got to have a fire.

Friday we headed back to town so we could help our friend come up with her kids.  Her hubby had to be out of town for work, but she was determined to come anyway.  It was while we were setting up her pop-up camper that we neglected to set the jacks on the back.  Were merrily trying to set up the beds when the whole camper tipped on it's end while we were both at that end of the camper.. Scary, but then funny.

Kids ran around like kids are supposed to, even her 17 year old daughter was engaged and fun to be with.  She even helped cook.

We were graced with a fabulous sunset Friday night.  Being out to see things like that is why we go.

Saturday we took everyone to the lake and Turbo caught several crawdads, with help from the other kids, but Turbo was the most dedicated.  Nine crawdads ended up in the cookpot and were quite tasty.

Another fire Saturday night.  It was a bit colder, so the fire felt nice.

Sunday came too soon, but getting home early and having time to unpack, unload and all was wonderful. I even got a nap.
All in all, a wonderful weekend.  Too bad there isn't more time in summer to do more of them.  Back to school is creeping up on us far too fast.
How was your weekend?
Ours was a perfect summer camping weekend.