WTF Wednesday

Actually the title of this entry is a bit misleading. It's been a WTF week but as today is Wednesday, I went with that.

I have been feeling really odd this past week. By the end of the day, I feel a bit sick, sometimes dizzy. Just kind of yucky I suppose. Nothing tragic but just not good. The weather has been changing to finally some fall like weather. Some rain, cool mornings, brisk windy days and lots of sunshine. I have had arthritis since I was a little girl. I can tell the weather with my joints and this week has been no exception. With the precipitation finally coming into the area, they have been achy all week. I know, I know, WAAAAHHHH!!! Trust me, I tell myself that a lot and I try not to mention it to anyone. CC sees it some. Especially when I am trying to work out. At times it feels as if my knees are going to give out. It can sometimes bring me to tears. It makes me feel weak. I have to slow down, lower the incline when walking. Running is totally out of the question. I thought I was going to fall the other day. All of a sudden my knee went crazy. It scares me when it feels that way.

I guess what is the worst is my body is beginning to feel old. I am starting the "I can't do (fill in the blank) like I used to". Not only that but I'm starting to get "fluffy". Well... Fluffier than I used to be. It is getting harder and harder to get weight off. It's really starting to depress me. I have a hard time with getting old. In my mind, I am still a young thirty-something. The rest of me is definitely not paying attention to my mind. It takes all of the fun out of shopping that's for sure.

I have been taking Aleve daily along with my normal dose of Glucosamine Chondroitin. The Glucosamine worked well all last winter on its own. Not so much this year and the weather really hasn't begun to get bad. I guess it's a good thing CC wants us to move south. Maybe all of the warm weather will help me keep from feeling the aging process.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

Friday was my birthday and it seems as if I have gotten a birthday week!

Last Friday I came home early as I did not feel well.  While I was there, the UPS truck came bearing gifts!  CC allowed me to go ahead and have it.  It was a  Toy Watch!  I had mentioned one time I thought they were really cool and we had looked at them on line as he had NO idea as to what I was talking about and HE ORDERED ME ONE!  :D  Here is what it looks like: 

You can go to the toy watch website
and check them out!  This one is a white plasteramic.

So, I got my gift early and I am very happy.  It is soooo refreshing to have someone pay attention to the things you say so you can actually be surprised on a gift giving occasion.  But little did I know, he wasn't finished...  ;)




CC is so thoughtful!  I decided to take the day off on Friday so Thursday he had cookies delivered to work for me and all of my staff!  I was very surprised  :)  I am sure my staff now loves him too! (Albeit not as much as me)!!

COOKIES!

On Friday, I decided to take the day for myself and go shopping.  As much as shopping is one of my favorite pastimes, it is the least favorite of CC.  Since his arrival I have saved oodles of money as I have spent time with him instead of at the malls.  LOL!  At any rate, I was in dire need of some new clothes so I headed across the river to Louisville to shop.  Oddly enough, we have two malls on the same street (even same side of street) that would practically be next door neighbors if it weren't for I264 running between them.  It makes it handy as what one mall doesn't have, the other one does!  I was able to do both malls in the same afternoon. Bonus!  My friend Sandy, who is retired but busier that she was when she was working, was able to meet me for lunch.  We met at the California Pizza Kitchen for lunch and a glass of wine.  It was a nice break in the day.  

Cookies are a happy thing!

I had put a roast on before I left and so no worries about supper.  I was able to get home around my normal time.  Unfortunately, CC wasn't.  He ended up having to work over at the hospital and
didn't get out of there until 7: 30.  That is really a bum deal.  Apparently it's going to be pretty common too.  :(  He said they waited around quite a bit in the morning for the patients to arrive and then were slammed after the lunch hour.  They were really busy after that.  There is no priority placed on lunch in that department either.  No one seems to care whether you get one or not, just concerned with if the patient has been done and when will they get the report.

It makes me feel bad.  No one should be unhappy in their work and this whole deal borders on miserable to me.  This is NOT what he wanted.  I just hope something opens up internally before he goes crazy in this current role.  At any rate, at least he was able to come home, get some supper right away and try to relax.

The son left the house and wasn't due back for a few hours.  He decided and I wholeheartedly agreed this was a most opportune time to get frisky!  So.... Here I am getting a birthday present when all of a sudden, "MOM!"  I shrieked!  We did not hear him come back into the house.  Tangent time..  That is really saying something as he goes no where without slamming doors and making all kinds of noise.  Not to mention all three of the dogs generally go nuts when they hear a door.  Anyway, the son was in the hall calling me wanting the keys to the garage out back as he needed to get some tools.  I told him to wait and I would be out.  Close call!!  He was gone again as fast as he had arrived and I did manage to get my birthday present!  YAY ME!

On Saturday, we spent the time doing normal Saturday activities.  We went to the gym, out to lunch, CC got a hair cut (well he got them all cut), and we stopped to pick up our menu from Commander's Palace that we had framed.  It turned out really nice.  This type of souvenir is one unique to us and I like collecting these types of things.  I took a picture of it with my phone so it isn't fabulous but you can see approximately how it turned out.
  We were really excited to finally have it on the wall.  We spent the afternoon sitting around, watching football and just kicking back in general.  He then said we were going out for dinner! He made reservations at The Oak Room.  I know there is one in Boston and one in NYC and probably a few in other places.  All of which are unique, not chain restaurants.  We have one too.  :)  Ours in located in the Seelbach Hotel.  Tangent time.. The Seelbach was built in 1905 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.  F. Scott Fitzgerald used The Seelbach Hotel as a back drop for Tom and Daisy's wedding in The Great Gatsby.  The food was absolutely wonderful!  We decided to have a three course tasting along with the wine pairing.  The Seelbach has a full time Sommelier so it has to be good, right?  For an appetizer, we had the Pecan Pie Salad which was lolla rossa, Woodford Reserve pecans maytag blue cheese ice cream, pear praline.  This was paired with a very lovely Reisling.  Our entree was the Montana Ranch Beef Tenderloin with roasted fingerling potatoes, baby carrots brussels sprouts, saffron aioli, port jus.  They served a Cabernet that had a lot of oak flavor to it.  I'm not big on Cab so I find it a difficult wine to describe.  For dessert we were served an apple  something with the equivalent of a hot Toddy to go with it.  The staff was right, there really wasn't a wine that could be served with it and the warmed bourbon was just the ticket.  They finished us off with Kentucky truffles.  Think of a bourbon flavored truffle.  VERY bourbon flavored...  The meal was excellent!  We had such a great time and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.  What an enjoyable evening!

Sunday we enjoyed coffee and the paper.  I left around 10am for another afternoon of shopping while CC stayed home enjoying football and playing with the girls.  The weather was beautiful and you just couldn't have asked for a better weekend.  Steaks and potatoes at home for supper and some cuddle time on the couch in the evening!  It was the best birthday ever!!!

Monday morning....

Well, today is Monday and CC has started his new job. So far he has arrived on time, made it to lunch and hates orientation. I hope it gets better as the week progresses.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

As sappy as it can sound and feel to type I just can't express just how happy I am.

It is like being in exactly the place you belong, where everything fits, and all is right with the world.

If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up.

The Pursuit of Happiness

It's what we all want.  To be happy.  Happiness can be elusive. Sometimes we lie, telling ourselves and others we have achieved it when in reality we have not.  Then there are also the times where we had it and threw it all away.  Lastly there are times where we had it all along but were too blind to see it.

I'm not really sure where I fit into that mix but I can say with certainty that I am happy.  CC makes me the happiest I have ever been.  It's almost like living someone else's life.  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Nothing good has ever happened to me that has lasted any length of time.  I'm really hoping this does.

CC has had a job offer possibly two from one hospital in town.  He wants the one that is currently up in the air but will take the other if he isn't offered the one he wants.  I know he isn't exactly happy about either.  He wants to be in the cath lab but there aren't any jobs in town in that department.  I feel bad about the fact he isn't going to be able to have work he finds enjoyable.  He deserves his happiness, at work as well as home.

I hope he is happy too.  He says he is.  I worry.  He has so many things on his mind I can't differentiate if any of his stresses and worries are due to me or not.   His mom is sick and doesn't seem to be improving, lack of work, etc.  I can't help with any of these things and I definitely don't want to add to them.

It's hard living here.  I know it is.  It's one thing to have different child rearing mindsets but when you are not used to children at all and are saddled with a spoiled teen, it has to be almost unbearable.  My son is not  horrible but he surely isn't ideal.  He is a teen, he is lazy, he is moody and he is self-centered.  I attribute all of those things to being a teen because I can remember being the exact same way.  There is a lot of me in my son and I guess that is why I tolerate a lot of it because I know it was how I was and I outgrew it.  One can only hope he does too.  But, I know all of this is hard for CC to watch.  He stands by, bless him, doesn't say anything and I know there are times when he really wants to.  He has managed to make it about 5 weeks so far living here.  It's a long way to two years if you are miserable...

Instructions Not Included

It's crazy how so many people want children without actually knowing what they are getting into.  Most often times when making large purchases, we will pick up items, read the box, compare to other items prior to investing money in the item.  We will surf the net, do the research, compare and contrast what is available and make an informed decision.  Interestingly enough, people just jump right out there and have children without any research at all. (P.S. They are WAAAAYYY more expensive than any huge flat screen television or high performance car you may consider).

It's "time".  "My clock is ticking". "But all my friends are having kids..." These are phrases heard when the decision is made to start a family.  No logic involved.  You don't have to have a license  or a permit or even show proof of income.

It sounds good at the time.  You spend 9 months preparing for the birth of the unknown.  Boy or girl?  Red head or blond?  Tall? Short? Healthy?  You just never know what you are going to wind up with but we dive in and embrace it.

When they are born, you are caught up in the newness of parenthood.  You don't seem to mind the puking pooping mess that seems to constantly spew from the little one.  Some people even respond to it by saying, "Awwww... Isn't he/she cute?"  All of the firsts begin to happen.  Rolling over, crawling, walking, first words, etc.  We are hooked.  Then.... the challenges begin...

Toddlers can be extremely willful.  I believe some of this stems from genetics but the rest is just a child's innate desire to test their parents (or any adult) every chance they get.  "NO!" Becomes their word of choice.  It is the start of the never ending battle for independence.  If you didn't have patience by this time, you best start getting some).

School starts, another first.  We are all happy and teary-eyed watching them get out of the car and go into the school for the first time.  They stop wanting hugs and kisses goodbye. Mine went so far as to tell me I had to do it before we reached the school because he didn't want anyone to see if I absolutely had to do it.  They really begin to fine tune their personality at this point. Even at this young age, the kids begin falling into their cliques. You have the social, social and smart, jocks, kids that just get by, the attractive, unattractive, and so on.  Some things never change from generation to generation.

Middle school fuels the division between the groups.  They still need you but only when they are in trouble or need money.  The migrate from one group of friends to another.  It sometimes happens so fast that you miss entire groups altogether.  They begin having girl/boyfriends.  A social life.  And, without the ability to drive, your role changes to that of chauffeur.  Parents become nothing but the personal taxi of their offspring.  The kids will join clubs, sports teams, etc.  You spend a lot of time in your car, waiting outside of the school, outside of a friend's house, picking up other children going the same way.  You find yourself leaving work early, going in late, to accommodate their schedules.  Before you know it,  you are doing your weekend chores during the week because you have just been informed your weekend will be spent sitting on bleachers, or in a field for some marathon sporting event. AND, you have been designated to bring water, snacks, etc. for the entire team.

Tangent.  Some facts about sports in middle school....
-Practices are generally held after school. (This is good).  However, they seldom last long enough for you to transition from work to the school for a timely pick up. (This is bad).  You need to leave work early on practice days.... (This is also bad).
-Many middle school sporting events are held during the week (This is good). Some of them begin early, almost right after school causing you to leave work early yet again if you are going to watch (this is bad).
-Coaches will often call you about transportation for other team members whose parents are unable or unwilling to attend. (this is neutral).  But, if the parents never show up at the event, you can be stuck taking them home (this is BAD.  At least where I live.  Only three middle schools in the county so trekking across a county can take a considerable amount of fuel and time).  My advice is to by a car that will only hold you and your offspring.  "Sorry coach, no room".

Okay, back to middle school..  This is where you really wish there was an instruction manual.  The things you witness or hear about that go on at this age, you cannot seem to remember ever happening when you were in school.  They begin having sex, (at least a few of them), they talk about it, etc.  You can only remember maybe some intense kissing at this stage..  They go on group dates.  They meet at the movies (no mom you can't stay and watch one, even if it is in another theater).  So, you have to keep yourself occupied until the appropriate pick up time.  They make weekend plans by Wednesday so you make your own plans, just to find out Friday night they have changed several times since then and therefore have ruined the ones you have made.  The constant request for money begins.  It began with the obligatory funding for participation in sports, clubs, field trips, etc.  It begins to blossom out into spending money.  For a kid who can't drive, they ask for quite a bit of it.  (This intensifies by the way.  See high school).  You begin to doubt whether or not you are cut out for parenting, long for periods of time where your kiddo is staying with a friend so you can slow down and breathe, and dread whatever is coming next.

We eventually survive and make it to high school.  This is where you really want the manual.  Decisions you make, can set precedent.  It's worse than the supreme court.  Kids have a fantastic memory for what you say when it is what they want to hear or if it was something you okay'd in the past but now think you should have handled differently.  When the situation arises again, going against a former decision is noted, called out and argued until you break.  You begin to believe your child would make a great lawyer.  Funny thing is, they DON'T remember to do what you asked five minutes ago.  "Would you please bring up your laundry?"  Child says, "Can it wait until a commercial?"  You agree.  5 hours later, no laundry and a "I forgot" when you ask again. (This is coupled with a look telling you that you are a pain in the ass).  Money flies out of your bank account.  Money for sports, class ring year books, school fees, dances, entertainment, orthodontics, cars, insurance, gas, clothes. Shoes for basketball, wrestling, running, etc. It never seems to end.  I also spend a large amount of income on food.  There is 5-6 teenage boys in this house at any given time and they eat nonstop.  CC calls them a plague of locusts.  Apparently no one else's parents bother to feed them.  They all eat here.  I need to begin charging a cover at the door...

They know EVERYTHING!   Nothing you have to say is right.  You are stupid.  ANYONE can tell them something but not you.  They will insult you, hurt your feelings, treat you like a servant and then turn around and ask you for a favor.  The entire world revolves around them and you are just lucky to be in it.  Now they have girlfriends, have sex, drink etc.  Stuff they don't tell you about but you know is happening.  Kids nowadays ask parents to buy alcohol and let them have a party where everyone stays the night.  NO!  Not here. Not this mother.  I'm sure all the other parents are buying their kids Hummers and Porsches for their first cars too but not here.  Really?  How stupid do I look?

At times it looks as if I will never survive.  I also look at the son and wonder if he will ever mature enough to take care of himself.  The whole thing is wearing me out...

Crescent City Coolers are Fabulous!

Well, we finally got to take our New Orleans trip!  Our planning took place in June.  About time huh?  CC was able to cover our trip well in his blog.  Feel free to read up and get the details there.  :)

This was my first trip to New Orleans.  I had such a wonderful time!  The traveling by train was fantastic!  I wish we had a better rail system. I would like to travel by train more often...

Train Depot

CC in our sleeper

The weekend weather was great!  The humidity was relatively low until Monday so it wasn't too bad walking around seeing the sights.  We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Avenue Inn.  It was on St. Charles and the streetcar ran right in front so it was easy getting to and from the Quarter.

Avenue Inn

Labor Day weekend is a great weekend for travel as you don't have to take as many vacation days from work.  However, you should always check the city where you are going for any festivals and activities that may be occurring during your visit.  We found out after our planning that Labor Day weekend was also the weekend for Southern Decadence (Gay Mardi Gras).  We got some sights we did not expect!

That is no kilt!

Christmas ornaments for sale

St. Louis Cathedral from across
Jackson Square

We visited St. Louis Cemetery Number One.  We saw St. Louis Cathedral and many of the old buildings in the Quarter were something to behold.

St. Louis Cemetery

One of the beautiful buildings in the Quarter

We ate wonderful food as well!  Cafe Pontalba had a wonderful breakfast.  It is right in Jackson Square with a great view of the cathedral.  Red Fish Grill was an excellent choice CC made for lunch.  It was a good place to enjoy great food and get out of the rain shower!  We had a Ferdi at Mother's Restaurant for supper the day we arrived.  It was excellent!   Cafe du Monde was another excellent breakfast choice.  Who can deny themselves those wonderful donuts?  Muffalettas could not be had at Central Grocery as they were closed for the holiday.  We settled for the Muffalettas at Frank's next door.  It was very good although CC says not near as good as the ones at Central Grocery.  We went to a place called Snug Harbor for dinner and some jazz music.  The food was good and the music was great!  CC describes the happenings during the show in his blog.  Needless to say, it had the potential to be a highly entertaining show!

Waiting for the music at Snug Harbor

Our big night out was Monday night, our last night in the Big Easy.  We went to dinner at Commander's Palace.  It was one of the most memorable dining experiences I will probably ever have.  The service was impeccable.  The food was out of this world!  We opted for the Chef's Playground with the wine/cocktail pairing.  Basically, we sat down and they just brought us food and drink of their choice and we ate and drank!  Again, CC covers this well in his blog.  I finally was served an oyster that I liked!  I have to say that I have been trying to like oysters for many years.  I have tried them every way I can find.  Crispy Oyster Meuniere is the ticket!  I must say that they had a cocktail that was out of this world!  A Crescent City Cooler.  I liked it so much, I had to ask for the recipe.  It has Cruzan Guava Rum in it.  Who knew rum came in guava?

Before we knew it, it was time to go home.  Like our other vacations, we have such a good time that it seems like it flies by.  CC was getting sick a bit come Monday so I suppose it was a good thing it was time to go home.  We didn't have to like it though...

At the NOLA airport.  Going home,
BOO!!!!!

It was a wonderful vacation spent with my favorite person on the planet!  Trouble is, we have not planned our next one.  We need to get on that!

CC is almost better from his cold.  It really wiped him out!  He has been down all of the week following our trip.  He is almost better now so for that I am happy.  :)