Time to Random

Having made it through Monday, it is now Tuesday.  That means it's time to random things up in here.

• Mother nature has decided that we need some summer. Temps in the 70s. No wind. It's been really nice here.  All the plants and trees are sprouting green and threatening to bloom.  And just as they do it's gonna snow again.  That's just how things go here. Maybe we can get by with just a few rain storms.
• It was nice enough here to need to get the hoses around to water stuff. Bruiser helped.

• It has been nice so far--no bugs.  That won't last much longer.  Soon we will all be sporting eu de bug spray.  It's a lovely scent.  Better than the alternative of itchy bites.  Damn Mosquitoes.
• This weekend will be pedicure time.  It's warm enough to take the toes out again.  They need their summer coat.
• Poor Turbo got a cold this last weekend.  He's feeling better, but it's tough to be sick when it's nice out.  he avoided all the colds that ran through the house in April.  His number was up.
• Turbo's birthday is coming up.  We really have no idea what to get him for his birthday.  He's still interested in Legos.  However, he's also asked for a phone (that one is an emphatic NO), thinks he might like an mp3 player (but what kind to get him), might like a scooter, would enjoy a science kit, would like video games (summer is coming, not the time to get indoor activities). He's not into sports so that lets out an entire category of options. We are thinking scooter and maybe a new bike helmet.  He says he's out grown his old one.
• Why is it there's never anything worth watching on TV when the weather stinks, but let it get nice and all of a sudden there's tons of stuff to watch?
• Nick is itching to go camping. I kind of am too.  May not happen for another couple weeks though.  A cousin sleepover this weekend, next weekend is Turbo's birthday, then maybe camping.
• I have to dig out the flip flops.

That's all the random my brain can come up with this week.  Go see Stacy for more.

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

Low Key

That's just what this last weekend was overall. Not too exciting, mildly relaxing and low key.
Friday Nick and I ducked out of work early since we had had to work the Sunday previous.  I got the grocery shopping done and we didn't do much else.  I had crashed down some steps and I spent the evening sitting on an ice pack and watching a lovely bruiser develop on my lower left back. I was sore all weekend.
Saturday I picked up my mom and with the boys we headed to Ft. Collins and some excellent thrift store shopping. 50% off and at one $0.99 blue jeans made for a very economical outfitting of two small boys.  Although Turbo is not so small anymore. I was able to pick up several pairs of jeans for him to grow into. Mom and I had a great time.
Saturday evening Nick cooked dinner--sort of Mother's Day dinner for me.  Steaks on the grill and home fires and peas.  It was delicious.  And I didn't have to do the dishes. Turbo got a sore throat and wasn't feeling good after dinner.
Sunday Turbo woke up with a fever and sore throat still.  He was in lump on the couch mode for most of the day.  I hope he feels better soon.  He really doesn't want to miss the field trip this week for school.
Nick did take Bruiser out to garage and they made me a picture frame.  Bruiser still needs to paint it, but it is a cute frame and has his picture in it.
We had Nick's parents over for lunch Sunday too.  Nick's mom's birthday was Saturday and with mother's day, celebrating both at once was easiest.
Nick had his Archery thing Sunday evening, so I managed the kids.  Turbo was easy--he just rested on the couch.  Bruiser, well he skipped his nap and was in full on bear mode.  Cranky doesn't even begin to cover it. It was a relief to put him to bed.
While it wasn't an exciting weekend, it was nice.  How was your weekend?

Friday, Time to Confess

TGIF! And I really mean that.  Friday took forever to get here this week. I am so so so glad to see Friday. Now to get to going home time--the best part of Friday.  Before that comes though, it's time to confess:

• I ran this morning.
• It's been almost two weeks since I last ran.
• Weather and work kind of got in the way.
• But we are going to have good weather for a while so running is back on the agenda.
• I start a run of field trips with Turbo's school next Wednesday.
• They studied our state history and now they get to go see some of it.
• Turbo really wants us to go with him.
• We will take it while he still wants us around him in public.
• Our days are numbered.
• He turns ten the end of this month.
• I get to take the kids and my mom shopping tomorrow.
• Gives Nick a day to himself.
• There was just enough frost/water on the steps this morning that I slipped and fell down.
• Yep, clutzy me is roaming free.
• It's a wonderful thing when Mother's Day falls on a weekend I don't have to do laundry.

So what are you confessing today? Link up with Aubrey and confess it all!

Spin Cycle--Obsession

The Spin Cycle is about obsessions.  Not something I really have.  Well maybe.  If you count books.

I am obsessed with reading. Romances, historical fiction, adventure stories, true crime, histories, mysteries, humor and the list goes on.  I have eclectic tastes.  Really it's whatever catches my interest. As long as I can read I'm a happy camper.
Nick laughs at me sometimes about my books.  I have them in every room in the house, even the bathrooms. This fact drives Nick crazy.  He's not a reader. It makes me feel good to know I can grab something to read if I need it.

Books in the living room

My "Library"

More of the "Library"

Books in the family room.

My reading obsession is so bad that, if pressed, I will even read the phone book.  Yes, the phone book. It's not really necessary these days, what with the Kindle apps, you can have books available anywhere. At least I don't have to weigh down the suitcase and worry that I will run out of reading material before we get back.
As far as obsessions go, this one is mostly healthy.  It doesn't impact those around me, much.  I try not to get consumed in a book to the point I tune out everything around me. It does happen, but only with new books.
I keep trying to share the love of books with the guys in my family.  It hasn't really caught on with them.  Nick has read some books, but he doesn't pick it as his first activity.  Turbo doesn't like to read. He likes graphic novels, but not regular books.  We have been reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone together. He likes the story, but the reading is not his favorite activity.  Bruiser might turn out to be a reader.  He likes books and he has had fun learning letters and I think he might take to reading, but you never know.
So what's your obsession?  Spin it up and let Gretchen know, she'll link you right up.

WWTK-Of Randomness and Mother's day

Time for Wednesday's We Want To Know.

1. If you could be good at any sport, which would it be? Swimming.  I swam in high school, but was not great.  I like it and it would be nice to be better.
2. How do you like your coffee, or what is your go to at the coffee stand? I'm not a huge coffee fan.  If I do have it, it has to be creamy and sweet.  At the coffee place I go for the chai tea most of the time.
3. What is your favorite TV show? Why? The big Bang Theory or Mythbusters.  Both shows are fun, funny, and entertaining.
4. If you could get or give one thing for Mother's day, what would it be? Get, well I already got a Kindle Fire, so maybe a nice mother pendant/necklace.  To give, well my mom has just about everything she wants or needs, so time spent with her that doesn't involve kid care. She watched Bruiser for us so time with her when she's not expected to watch little people might be the best thing for her.
5. Do you have anything special planned for Mother's Day? Nick's mom's birthday is Saturday, but we are all busy that day, so we are combining the celebration of her birthday and Mother's Day into a barbecue Sunday for lunch. After that, I want to take a nap, not have to do dishes or cook for dinner and just enjoy the good parts of being a mom.

Want to play along?  Grab the questions and link up with Kensie and Scriptor.  They would love to have you join in.

Tuesday Randoms

Tuesday and already it's so much better than Monday.
I don't have to present today.  I survived yesterday.  It wasn't too ugly.  With any luck I won't have to present for a while.  Crossing my fingers here. Now on to the random:

• I tried to paint my fingernails on Saturday.  It was less than successful. Toes I can paint just fine.  Fingers, not so much. It's lasting better than I expected. I may need to practice some more.
• We thoroughly enjoyed the Mythbusters premier.  But then, we are geeky like that.
• I will run again tomorrow, weather permitting.  I still don't like to run.
• We got a plecostomus (algae eater) for our aquarium the beginning of April.  It was a cute little 2 inch fish.  One month later, he's four inches and still growing.  He had quite the algae to feast on.  He's a happy fish and we have a clean tank.
• I survived my talk. Everyone thought I did a good job. Evidently, all the time in speech team and theater in high school finally payed off.  Inside, I was  basket case. Outward, no one knew.
• Sleeping in a hotel room is not easy. Too much noise, too hot, too cold, the list of sleep interrupters goes on and on.
• I am looking forward to getting home and seeing the boys. they will be asleep, but I can go peek in on them.
• Still enjoying my Kindle Fire. easier to travel with than a netbook even.

That's all the random my brain can come up with this week.  Go see Stacy for more.

And join up with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk To Us Tuesday. no rules, just fun link up.

Didn't Feel Like It

This last weekend just didn't feel like a weekend.  Part of it was that we had to leave for work stuff Sunday at noon. That does put a dent in the weekend.
Friday evening, we hung out with the kids and had a mostly normal evening.  I got a bath, Nick watched some movies and the boys took over the upstairs TV and watched Animaniacs.
Saturday I finished the laundry my mom helped start.  I did tons of laundry.  This week, the sheets, towels and some blankets that needed washing all came together for a trip through the washer and dryer.  Thirteen loads of laundry later, there's not much left in the house that needs washing. I'm sick of laundry.
Sunday was quiet, Nick and Turbo went to shoot Archery and I hung out with Bruiser.  My mom came over at 11:30 and we headed out to pick up our coworkers that were riding with us up to Gillette.
A cocktail reception, some time alone in a hotel room, and Monday morning comes far sooner than I want it to.  By lunch my presentation will be over. Come on lunch!
How was your weekend?  Ours sure didn't feel like a weekend.

Time for Confession

Woo Hoo!  It's Friday!  This has been a longish week.  I'm really ready for going home time today.  So let me confess and then I can get on with the day:

• Next week is going to be stressful.
• Well at least until Monday noon.
• By then my talk and Nick's talk will be over.
• To say we are both a bit stressed over this is and understatement.
• We will muddle through, but really, not looking forward to it.
• Camels are not sexy.
• Nick informed me of this this morning.
• Dreams about camels are even less sexy.
• I really like my Kindle Fire HD.
• So do both boys.
• Bruiser likes that he can actually do stuff on it.
• Turbo likes the novelty of it.
• This morning was a morning that needed a bit of caffeine.
• Stupid insomnia.
• Now, if they instituted an afternoon nap time at work, I wouldn't need caffeine.
• My mom is helping with the laundry today.
• She's watching Bruiser and since she's there, I got it all sorted, and she's going to do the washer to dryer swap for me.
• If she folds itm I'll take it as a bonus.
• I will have to refold some of it, but hey, any part I don't have to do is a bonus.
• Allergies have started.  
• THe trees are jsut beginning to wake up, but it's enough.
• Dumb cottonwoods.
• Ahh, "spring" in Wyoming.

Tuesday evening at our house.

 Have anything to confess?  Link it up with Aubrey at High-Heeled Love.

Spin Cycle--Bucket List

This week the spin cycle is bucket lists.  What do you wnat to do before you "kick the bucket" so to speak.  I did a post on this last year, modified a bit so it was more a before I turn 50.  Let's revisit that list shall we?

Death Valley.

1. Visit one national park a year. (Preferably ones I haven't been to yet.) We visited Death Valley over Spring break.
2. Learn how to use makeup correctly. I'm working on this one.  I have foundation that looks right with my skin, still need a good go to lip gloss and I need to work on doing my eyes better.
3. Swim in one of the great lakes. I put my toes in Lake Michigan last summer, I think that counts.
4. Ride a gondola.
5. Ride a scenic railroad.
6. Go to a Broadway show.
7. Go scuba diving.
8. Learn to cook exotic food.
9. Learn to surf or body surf.
10. Learn to swing dance--with Nick.
11. Ride a hot air balloon.
12. Go zip lining.
13. Visit the Smithsonian.
14. Go to Mardi Gras.
15. Go back to the Grand Canyon. We went back to the Grand Canyon over Spring Break--but I want to be able to go spend more time there.
16. Visit the US Virgin Islands.
17. Learn astronomy.
18. Build a village around a model train layout.
19. Learn about wine.
20. Learn crochet--make a useful project. I have part of a project put together.  Need to do more.  Maybe next winter.
21. Get a make over.
22. Swim with dolphins.
23. Eat lobster in Maine.
24. See the Northern Lights.
25. Visit a lighthouse.

Grand Canyon.

So, in the last year, I've knocked out five of these.  Not too bad. Now for the before I die list.  It includes everything up there plus:

1. Visit all the National parks in the western US.  If we manage that then we can work in the eastern US.
2. Be a campground host at a national forest campground for a summer.
3. Drive highway one in a convertible.
4. Visit a spa and be pampered.
5. Visit the Smithsonian Museum.

Not a huge list and I'm sure it will grow.  And change.  That's the beauty of a bucket list.  It's very adjustable.

 What do you want to do?  Spin it up and link up with Gretchen.

WWTK--It's a Thin Line

Between honesty and dishonesty sometimes.  The questions for We Want to Know are all about those little things that everyone does but may not be exactly honest.

1.) You found a twenty dollar bill in the parking lot on the way into the grocery store. What do you do?  Honestly? Pick it up and pocket it, unless I see who dropped it.  There's no way to know who it belonged to.  Now if it was a large amount, say over a hundred dollars, that I'd turn in to hte customer service desk in the grocery store.

2.) Is it considered stealing to take pens from a bank? What about extra napkins or plastic forks from a fast-food restaurant?  I often take a pen from the bank--they have whole cups of them.  I also take extra napkins--they never put them in the take out bags.  I like to have them in the car for those emergency spills.  Not so keen on the plastic forks so I don't take those

.
3.) If you know about something "illegal" going on at your workplace but you are not involved in it, should you tell someone or do you stay quiet?  It really depends on what the activity is and who is doing it.  I'm pretty non confrontational so I'd probably ignore it.

4.) You accidentally scratch the paint on the car next to you in the lot. You know you got there after them so it is your fault. Do you tell them or leave?  I usually just leave--door dings happen.  Something more damaging, I'd fess up.

5.) You won the lottery - be honest - how much would you give to family members/friends? I give to family members--my mom and Nick's parents.  They've given us so much, it would be nice to give back.  My brother, no.  I wouldn't give him anything. I don't have much other close family so it wouldn't be an issue. Nick is a no brainer--we are married after all.

So grab the questions and link up.  Kensie and Scriptor would love to see you join in.