Sacramento's natural air conditioning kicked in last night! The breezes from the delta cool the region so our air conditioners don't have to work so much. It's only going to be in the very low nineties today. That sounds toasty to some of you, but it only gets uncomfortably warm for an hour or two in the afternoon.
Jessica and I might go to Old Navy and TJ Maxx today after class. First we have to stop at Costco to put gas in the car. How does she not know how to put gas in the car, especially since she will be driving her and Andrew to school everyday in two and a half weeks???
School clothes shopping is upon us. Usually I take one kid at a time up to the mall to hit American Eagle, Aeropostale, Express, Vanns, Macy's, any all the other stores they love. This time I have to take both at the same time. At least they are not at the age where they bicker (too much). Jessica loves to give her brother fashion advice. I'm contemplating letting them get what they need while I stop in Ann Taylor and New York Styles. They are fantastic shoppers and know how to look for the deals. They always have a budget to stick to, I can trust them to make the best decisions. One of the hardest things to shop for is jeans for Jessica. For the longest time she was a zero short. Not many stores carry small sizes (due to the fattening of America). And to help our shopping experience, the stores that do carry short sizes always seem to put them on the very top shelf (I wonder if they understand that short jeans means short people will be buying them?).
The paper for my communications class is done and just needs editing. yeah! My final for Biology is Thursday....I'm in the homestretch here. My next class (some kind of History class) starts Monday. I get a two day break!!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Empty nest syndrome-is it all it's cracked up to be?
It's been just over a week since we've had no children in the house. Here are a few observations about life with an empty nest (those of you who have already reached this phase can identify with what I'm talking about).
1) never has the house stayed so clean
2) the grocery store has only been graced by my presence once this past week
3) the animals have become a source of enjoyment and entertainment
4) suppers are so much simpler. who wants to cook for only 2?
5) the laundry pile is almost non-existent
6) did I mention how clean the house is?
7) the house is quiet
8) radio and tv stations are tuned to what I like
9) the kid's bathroom is so...fresh!
10) the kids are missed so much, it almost breaks my heart to have them gone
I suppose empty nest is something you get used to. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Someday this will be my reality :(
1) never has the house stayed so clean
2) the grocery store has only been graced by my presence once this past week
3) the animals have become a source of enjoyment and entertainment
4) suppers are so much simpler. who wants to cook for only 2?
5) the laundry pile is almost non-existent
6) did I mention how clean the house is?
7) the house is quiet
8) radio and tv stations are tuned to what I like
9) the kid's bathroom is so...fresh!
10) the kids are missed so much, it almost breaks my heart to have them gone
I suppose empty nest is something you get used to. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Someday this will be my reality :(
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wow! It's been a busy week.
Elk Grove's Strauss Festival has been a local favorite for over 20 years. An orchestra performs traditional pieces while dancers tell a story. It is a wonderful event. A friend and I went last night and had a fabulous time! There are even fireworks at the end. It is a free event with a $10 parking admission, however, we hit the parking lottery when I went in the VIP entrance and realized I knew one of the girls working :) We brought snacks and wine. I know I've blogged before about Michael David winery in Lodi and how much I love their 7 Deadly Zins. Well, I bought their 7 Heavenly Chards for last night. It was the perfect choice.
Sacramento is the land of the hot, hot sun! However, there are certain advantages to living with the heat. One is the flowers! This beautiful bougainvillea graces our back porch. I put the pot here a few months ago and it is really taking off. I love the bright pink flowers against the backdrop of our pool. We also have 3 crepe myrtles in the backyard and they just started blooming. I love flowers, especially in the summer.
I was thinking this might be a quiet week with the kids gone, but it really hasn't. Having no kids this week gives us the opportunity to live a slice of empty-nest life. I must admit I have been wondering what we would do when the kids are gone, since we spend so much time with their various activities.
We might run up into Placerville wine tasting. A friend of Joe's pours at a winery up there. Plus it's a beautiful town, full of quaint little shops.
Sacramento is the land of the hot, hot sun! However, there are certain advantages to living with the heat. One is the flowers! This beautiful bougainvillea graces our back porch. I put the pot here a few months ago and it is really taking off. I love the bright pink flowers against the backdrop of our pool. We also have 3 crepe myrtles in the backyard and they just started blooming. I love flowers, especially in the summer.
I was thinking this might be a quiet week with the kids gone, but it really hasn't. Having no kids this week gives us the opportunity to live a slice of empty-nest life. I must admit I have been wondering what we would do when the kids are gone, since we spend so much time with their various activities.
We might run up into Placerville wine tasting. A friend of Joe's pours at a winery up there. Plus it's a beautiful town, full of quaint little shops.
Monday, July 20, 2009
One of my favorite books!
Frank McCourt, the author of Angela's Ashes, died this past weekend from cancer. Angela's Ashes is one of my favorite books. It is funny, poignant, sad, and just so full of life. Many of you may have seen the movie, but I would urge you to read the book too. The movie is a poor substitution for this glimpse into the daily struggles of a poor Irish boy.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday!!
So I'm looking all over for Jessica's flat iron. It's not in the bathroom where it should be. I have a sneaking suspicion it is at Camp Menzies with Jessica. A flat iron at camp? Oh well, I think I took a curling iron to camp when I was sixteen.
Super hot today! That is not preventing me from wearing my new Ann Taylor 3/4 length sleeve white cardigan (I bought for my birthday). The A/C is always cranked at the grocery store...which is where I am headed in a few minutes.
Off to the store we go. I love to take one of the kids (only one, not two) with me, that way I can tell them what to get while I just push the cart :) We are having fish tacos tonight with corn and black bean salad. Of course I have none of the ingredients on hand but it sounds so good it's worth a special trip.
Comedy night at Laguna Town Hall, starts at 8pm. Tickets are available at the door for anyone who did not pre-order. The Stolzman's will be there will a crisp white pino on a HOT July evening. Anyone want to join us??
Super hot today! That is not preventing me from wearing my new Ann Taylor 3/4 length sleeve white cardigan (I bought for my birthday). The A/C is always cranked at the grocery store...which is where I am headed in a few minutes.
Off to the store we go. I love to take one of the kids (only one, not two) with me, that way I can tell them what to get while I just push the cart :) We are having fish tacos tonight with corn and black bean salad. Of course I have none of the ingredients on hand but it sounds so good it's worth a special trip.
Comedy night at Laguna Town Hall, starts at 8pm. Tickets are available at the door for anyone who did not pre-order. The Stolzman's will be there will a crisp white pino on a HOT July evening. Anyone want to join us??
Monday, July 13, 2009
Back from camp!
Jessica has made it back. And not as dirty as I thought she'd be. Oh well, she's sixteen and a girl, what do I expect? Anyway, she had a great time and can't wait to return on Thursday. This next trip is a bit shorter, only 4 days.
The four of us will only be home, at the same time, for 4 days this July. Jessica and Andrew are taking turns flip-flopping the camp schedule. I don't know if this is good, or bad....I do know it is preparation for when she goes to college.
The four of us will only be home, at the same time, for 4 days this July. Jessica and Andrew are taking turns flip-flopping the camp schedule. I don't know if this is good, or bad....I do know it is preparation for when she goes to college.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Decisions
I took this picture of Bailey and Sisko yesterday, aren't they cute?
What to do today? I have homework for both classes, but that won't take too long. It looks like some light housekeeping is in order. We'll have to make a trip to Lowe's and Home Depot to pick out tile for the laundry room. The week of the 19th both kids will be gone, which means it is a good time to pull the washer and dryer out of the laundry room to tile and paint it. The counter is old, but it's too much effort to change. Normally we would have gone some where fun (can you say California coast?), but I have to be here for my Bio class, so instead Joe has decided to re-do the laundry room. Yeah!
It is going to be 90 degrees with cloud cover today which means humidity. I've been reading the Anchorage weather and it looks beautiful. Wish I was there.
The Happiest Place On Earth will be experiencing a visit from the Stolzman's this year. That's right, we're blowing of Thanksgiving again and going to Disneyland. We leave Wed. morning and get to the hotel about oneish in the afternoon, and we're at the park by 2pm. The park stays open late each day that week. We'll go Thursday and Friday...come home Saturday morning. Saturday is when the real crowds begin. We have experience when it comes to avoiding the crowds, and we always have a game plan. The only thing we are doing different this year is having a house-sitter instead of putting Bailey in the kennel.
The King Tut exhibit is at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park until March of 2010. If it works out we'll go when we pick Andrew up from Camp on August 2. His camp is just north of Santa Rosa, not too far from SF. If it doesn't work out then we will definitely make it some other time. The last time the exhibit was on the west coast was in LA about 6 years ago.
I guess I should mention, although I feel like I whine about it a lot...my conversation with my college counselor....
I have a choice between a half dozen math classes, two of which I'm already scheduled for, and three science classes, one of which I've already taken. I need to put one more of either on my schedule. The two science classes are onsite classes, one in LA and one in La Mesa, which are not options for me. Two of the easier math classes are not being offered before next June and the other two are HARD. So, where does that leave me? Well...I pleaded to have an independent study class for one of the sciences. I would have one month to do all the coursework, like I do now, but it would only be me. Apparently it is more difficult to get permission for this kind of program when there is already a class schedule for the month. I asked to have it in October. If they deny my request then it's back to the drawing board. I know it's not such a big thing...but I do not want to have classes in June of next year. It's the last summer before Jessica goes to college and will be our last "family" vacation opportunity. That means a lot to me.
Almost time to do the 5 miler with Joe and Bailey. Got to run.
What to do today? I have homework for both classes, but that won't take too long. It looks like some light housekeeping is in order. We'll have to make a trip to Lowe's and Home Depot to pick out tile for the laundry room. The week of the 19th both kids will be gone, which means it is a good time to pull the washer and dryer out of the laundry room to tile and paint it. The counter is old, but it's too much effort to change. Normally we would have gone some where fun (can you say California coast?), but I have to be here for my Bio class, so instead Joe has decided to re-do the laundry room. Yeah!
It is going to be 90 degrees with cloud cover today which means humidity. I've been reading the Anchorage weather and it looks beautiful. Wish I was there.
The Happiest Place On Earth will be experiencing a visit from the Stolzman's this year. That's right, we're blowing of Thanksgiving again and going to Disneyland. We leave Wed. morning and get to the hotel about oneish in the afternoon, and we're at the park by 2pm. The park stays open late each day that week. We'll go Thursday and Friday...come home Saturday morning. Saturday is when the real crowds begin. We have experience when it comes to avoiding the crowds, and we always have a game plan. The only thing we are doing different this year is having a house-sitter instead of putting Bailey in the kennel.
The King Tut exhibit is at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park until March of 2010. If it works out we'll go when we pick Andrew up from Camp on August 2. His camp is just north of Santa Rosa, not too far from SF. If it doesn't work out then we will definitely make it some other time. The last time the exhibit was on the west coast was in LA about 6 years ago.
I guess I should mention, although I feel like I whine about it a lot...my conversation with my college counselor....
I have a choice between a half dozen math classes, two of which I'm already scheduled for, and three science classes, one of which I've already taken. I need to put one more of either on my schedule. The two science classes are onsite classes, one in LA and one in La Mesa, which are not options for me. Two of the easier math classes are not being offered before next June and the other two are HARD. So, where does that leave me? Well...I pleaded to have an independent study class for one of the sciences. I would have one month to do all the coursework, like I do now, but it would only be me. Apparently it is more difficult to get permission for this kind of program when there is already a class schedule for the month. I asked to have it in October. If they deny my request then it's back to the drawing board. I know it's not such a big thing...but I do not want to have classes in June of next year. It's the last summer before Jessica goes to college and will be our last "family" vacation opportunity. That means a lot to me.
Almost time to do the 5 miler with Joe and Bailey. Got to run.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Back to the Land of the Living!
The flu bug has come and gone. I still have some residual achiness, but the nasty stuff is just an unpleasant memory.
Lots to do today. Andrew needs new soccer cleats. He missed club practice on Monday and Tuesday because I was too sick to take him to get new cleats (I don't know why Joe didn't, I think Andrew was just too busy playing video games he forgot to mention it to his dad).
I have to call my college counselor today. The call was postponed because I was ill. When making a call that unpleasant it helps to be able to focus 100%. Most likely I will have to double up another month. The thing is...I didn't want to double on a month when I was working too. It might be the only way. I'm committed to not taking classes in June, at least classes that are on site.
Speaking of next June...the four of us will probably be heading to the northern state I call home. I would love to go into Denali park and then maybe to Seward. We'll have to see how it all plays out.
This weekend is shaping up to be a nice one. Low to mid 80's today with gradual warming in the beginning of next week. Wednesday is the Boy Scout Summer Court of Honor (which I am organizing). Our troop is very large, over 100 active boys. Of course they won't all come to the Court of Honor, but I have to plan like they might. Everyone is so helpful that it really is not that hard, I just have to delegate appropriately. I have class in the morning (I might skip) because the frozen foods have to be bought that day, and somehow we HAVE to see Harry Potter too. It is opening day here and the four of us are at home at the same time (that only happens a few days this month) so off to the movies we go.
Ok, off to take Bailey for a walk. Usually I run it, but I don't want to push it today. And I think we'll go the shorter 3 mile route.
Lots to do today. Andrew needs new soccer cleats. He missed club practice on Monday and Tuesday because I was too sick to take him to get new cleats (I don't know why Joe didn't, I think Andrew was just too busy playing video games he forgot to mention it to his dad).
I have to call my college counselor today. The call was postponed because I was ill. When making a call that unpleasant it helps to be able to focus 100%. Most likely I will have to double up another month. The thing is...I didn't want to double on a month when I was working too. It might be the only way. I'm committed to not taking classes in June, at least classes that are on site.
Speaking of next June...the four of us will probably be heading to the northern state I call home. I would love to go into Denali park and then maybe to Seward. We'll have to see how it all plays out.
This weekend is shaping up to be a nice one. Low to mid 80's today with gradual warming in the beginning of next week. Wednesday is the Boy Scout Summer Court of Honor (which I am organizing). Our troop is very large, over 100 active boys. Of course they won't all come to the Court of Honor, but I have to plan like they might. Everyone is so helpful that it really is not that hard, I just have to delegate appropriately. I have class in the morning (I might skip) because the frozen foods have to be bought that day, and somehow we HAVE to see Harry Potter too. It is opening day here and the four of us are at home at the same time (that only happens a few days this month) so off to the movies we go.
Ok, off to take Bailey for a walk. Usually I run it, but I don't want to push it today. And I think we'll go the shorter 3 mile route.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
4th of July
Julie and Joe
Jessica and Madeline
Janie, Julie, Cathy, and Trisha
Andrew and Joe
Joe, Keith Brase, and Andrew
Trisha's husband Scott
My good friend, Princess Trisha!
My blogging time has re-invented itself as Facebook time. Marie, this is your fault. She pressured me for months to join FB, but my resistance was futile and I joined. My membership began one month ago and I must admit I am loving it! It's a lot like blogging, but not as brief as twittering. It is a medium that extends to more people and is interactive in nature. Having said that, the reason I'm blogging tonight is because I have more to say than can be typed into one short paragraph.
No vacation plans were made for this summer because I committed myself to finishing my degree, and college classes were what I needed to concentrate on. This month, July, both kids will be in and out of the house for their camp commitments, and their absence gives me the opportunity to focus on schoolwork and not them. My biology class continues (it is 8 weeks) and my grad level COM class started today (4 weeks). The science class I had scheduled for this month was canceled today. No reason was given (not that it matters) and I am very upset. I bent over backward to get into that class. I rearranged my whole schedule, PAID extra, had to fill out accelerated study paperwork, and basically had to motivate my psyche into accepting the amount of work that was facing me in July.
It is too late to add another class for the month and I don't have enough time to fill out another accelerated study program form for August. Basically, I'm up the creek. So much for trying to plan the next year out. When the counseling office opens tomorrow I will be on the phone trying to add another class (NOT trigonometry, which is what I was trying to avoid) sometime next spring. Whatever I do will be based on finishing my degree in May. I have plans for June and WILL NOT take classes.
So, thanks for letting me rant and rave about this! Often I wonder if it's the right decision I made. I only plan on "working" for about 10 years once I finish, at least no longer than Joe does. This truly is for me this time which is why I'm so motivated.
Now that I've got that off my chest!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
It's been a good birthday, although I missed my annual birthday nap. I was reading a textbook and time got away. We went to a newly opened Sushi buffet in Elk Grove and had birthday pie when we got home. Joe and the kids gave me a new digital camera (those of you at the 4th of July bbq already experienced my gift) which is fantastic! I was always borrowing Jessica's, and Joe's is too large to easily fit in a purse.
So, life goes on. Jessica heads off to camp in the morning for 8 days. Her total camp commitment is 5 weeks, with a few days at home here and there. Andrew is here for two weeks before he goes back...just enough time to finish one of his summer reading books. He already read "Ender's Game" and did the assignments for that, now he is reading "Slaughterhouse Five". I've never read it but I might pick it up when he's done.
I guess the only pressing commitment I have for this week is to buy my tickets for opening day of Harry Potter. Advance sales have already started.
Jessica and Madeline
Janie, Julie, Cathy, and Trisha
Andrew and Joe
Joe, Keith Brase, and Andrew
Trisha's husband Scott
My good friend, Princess Trisha!
My blogging time has re-invented itself as Facebook time. Marie, this is your fault. She pressured me for months to join FB, but my resistance was futile and I joined. My membership began one month ago and I must admit I am loving it! It's a lot like blogging, but not as brief as twittering. It is a medium that extends to more people and is interactive in nature. Having said that, the reason I'm blogging tonight is because I have more to say than can be typed into one short paragraph.
No vacation plans were made for this summer because I committed myself to finishing my degree, and college classes were what I needed to concentrate on. This month, July, both kids will be in and out of the house for their camp commitments, and their absence gives me the opportunity to focus on schoolwork and not them. My biology class continues (it is 8 weeks) and my grad level COM class started today (4 weeks). The science class I had scheduled for this month was canceled today. No reason was given (not that it matters) and I am very upset. I bent over backward to get into that class. I rearranged my whole schedule, PAID extra, had to fill out accelerated study paperwork, and basically had to motivate my psyche into accepting the amount of work that was facing me in July.
It is too late to add another class for the month and I don't have enough time to fill out another accelerated study program form for August. Basically, I'm up the creek. So much for trying to plan the next year out. When the counseling office opens tomorrow I will be on the phone trying to add another class (NOT trigonometry, which is what I was trying to avoid) sometime next spring. Whatever I do will be based on finishing my degree in May. I have plans for June and WILL NOT take classes.
So, thanks for letting me rant and rave about this! Often I wonder if it's the right decision I made. I only plan on "working" for about 10 years once I finish, at least no longer than Joe does. This truly is for me this time which is why I'm so motivated.
Now that I've got that off my chest!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
It's been a good birthday, although I missed my annual birthday nap. I was reading a textbook and time got away. We went to a newly opened Sushi buffet in Elk Grove and had birthday pie when we got home. Joe and the kids gave me a new digital camera (those of you at the 4th of July bbq already experienced my gift) which is fantastic! I was always borrowing Jessica's, and Joe's is too large to easily fit in a purse.
So, life goes on. Jessica heads off to camp in the morning for 8 days. Her total camp commitment is 5 weeks, with a few days at home here and there. Andrew is here for two weeks before he goes back...just enough time to finish one of his summer reading books. He already read "Ender's Game" and did the assignments for that, now he is reading "Slaughterhouse Five". I've never read it but I might pick it up when he's done.
I guess the only pressing commitment I have for this week is to buy my tickets for opening day of Harry Potter. Advance sales have already started.
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