I met Ellen!

It's about time too! LOL. I finally got to meet Ellen (NY State of Mind), a fellow JLander from the days when AOL was good to us.

2 years ago Ellen was coming through our town on her way home from vacation to visit her sister in law and family. We had hoped to get together then, but our schedules just didn't allow it.

The next summer she got a different job and wasn't able to make the trip.

So finally we made plans for this year. Since her SIL's family is near me ( our kids are in the same school too), we talked via Facebook, making our plans and I followed them to Myrtle to the condo. We left about 8:30am for the 1:15hr trip.

It was like old home week, except it was one day.

TnT went with me too. Miss T didn't hesitate, anytime you say Myrtle Beach she's in the car. I told Tom that he'd enjoy meeting these people, especially since they were from his neck of the woods....NY. And talk they did!!

It's a good thing I can speak NYeese -

Ellen's husband met us all in the garage and gave us our parking passes. I went over to greet him with a hug just like "long time no see". Then it was up to the room.

Wow! Ellen is more beautiful in person. She was just as expected; warm, sincere and fun. And her kids! Double WOW. The daughter (10) accepted us into the fold and immediately took a liking to Miss T, as did the son (15).

Now about that..............

Well, let's just say - Ellen, we may have to begin saving money NOW for the wedding ROFL.

The girls played in the pool and the boys (hmmm the men count too - 5) played in the surf. The weather was beautiful and the water was perfect for wading or swimming and the guys got in some boogie board time.

Lunch was a delicious meal of bread, salad, meatballs and rotinni cooked by the Inlaws and consumed by all....twice! Guess it WAS good....

The kids stayed busy on the Nintendo's when they weren't in the water. Luckily those games interact so they could play "teams" and I learned a new trick. You can buy an adapter to house all the games in one place on a miniSD card. Thanks "J"!!

After waiting the traditional "one hour after eating" (we didn't intend it that way, we were just talking and cleaning up) we spent the rest of the evening on the beach.

The "boys and girls" played frisbee; I took pictures while us ladies (and Tom) watched the game. SHOW OFFS!!

Hmmmm that's funny. Tom is always among the ladies.....well, we all know his legs don't let him participate in much, so he's better off hanging out with us. Except we can't tell all our secrets when he's around.....

Back up to the room to shower off and get ready to leave.

Only I really didn't want to leave. I could have stayed and talked all week (I know Ellen is glad I didn't). It was the best day I have had in a long time! A much needed "me" day with some good people. I am so very glad we were able to meet!

I would post a picture of us, but trust me.....no one wants to see me in my bathing suit ROFLMAO!!!! Let's just keep that to ourselves Ellen.

Now Miss T wants to go to Long Island. Hmmmmm wonder what for?

2 months later......

Wow has it really been 2 months?

Bad me BAD ME.

Seriously, bad me. My heel spurs still hurt. The cortizone shot lasted good for about a week, then slowly lead back to the original excruciating pain. As long as I keep it stretched it's not too bad....but as soon as I sit (here to write this) for a while or sleep BAM !! Just careful to not step wrong, think I'll try accupuncture now....just got to remember to call.

In the meantime, that makes me walk funny and that throws my hip/back outta whack so it's off to the Chiro.

Bear with me, I might get long winded,

Tom is good at the no drugs/no drinking game. Continuing AA 3x a week and looks forward to it. 7 months next week FREE!! What a great accomplishment.

We went to ECity for the court date (April 08 when he did the Uturn and got stuck and DUI). Trial by jury - that's what he wanted. Went up Sunday night to be in court bright and early Monday morning 9:30am. Waited.......and waited, and...

Waited.........they picked a jury for another case and said "come back 2pm tomorrow". OK, easy enough.

NOT.

Tuesday was a bust, did not hear Tom's case, so I had to head home to work Wed & Thurs, leaving him there in the hotel room. Said I'd be back Thurs night/Fri morning or before if he needed,

Thursday afternoon they started his trial, I drove up after work, arrived around 11pm and hit the sheets saying "take the cab in the morning and let me sleep in" which is what he did. ($550 for hotel for week) I arrived 11am in time to hear the Patrolman give his testimony and our cross exam. Then Lunch.

Resume trial and Tom decides to testify (OMG).....the DA tried to discredit him and then the Jury was dismissed. At 3:30pm the jury came back in with a NOT GUILTY!!

Wooo hooo.............until Saturday when he received a bill from the attorney for $4,500!! Are you kidding? No one ever said that there'd be more money than the original fee.

This takes its toll on me.....working, driving 4 hrs up there, worrying, money, worrying, driving, worrying...you get the picture.

Not Tom. He sits around listening to Talk Radio and just exists. No desire for anything. In an "I've made my bed now I'm wallering in it" mood.

Sucks for me. I'm 44 and my husband is a knot on the log! Hello.....this is not fun for me. We can barely agree on doing anything...no movies (he's not into that) no live shows, no trips to remote beaches.........


Now Depression.............

I have been in such a bad funk all year...yes all year.

Need a new roof on the house, which will mean fixing the ceilings, repair, mud, repaint. Do I have the cash? Hell no. Can we get an equity line? Maybe, but there goes another $$$$ per month to pay out.

My work load is piling up, need to start working longer....try telling that to the boss. We started another 7 unit building of townhouses which is keeping us busy. In the meantime the 10 renters we had have begun to move out.....I get to go take the pictures and assess the units.

These were brand new....so you figure there's going to be a "lived in" look now. Only the boss has lost his marbles. An 8x10 kitchen with vinyl on the floor has a 1" gash in it....he wants to hold out $800 (because he'll have to replace it if someone wants to buy the unit).

HELLO! Um, normal wear and tear (in NC) does not mean return to brand new condition. So this has actually made me ill! I know it's not my money but think about it.......$1,200 security deposit and you want to keep $800 for a small cut? Speaks like a miser to me. And yes, he's known to be "gimme gimme gimme while I takey takey takey" - trust me he does not reside in the real world. Can anyone say "Ebenezar Scrooge"?

I did put a bug in the ear of the tenant's father.......ask for photos and look up the regulations. Ooops, did I say that??

It's not just that....it's the little things like "fill out this (personal) for for me" when he can clearly see that I am swamped.

Then to come home to find out no one has even remotely considered DINNER. (Um Mr Mom, retired remember? Home alone)

There was dance drama throughout the summer over silly things -- think cat fight - "why is this kid doing that and not mine?" whine whine whine.

One parent was even sooooooo close to being asked "don't bring your kid back". OMG, if that had been me I would have been so embarrassed.

Friends? Where? HA! I can't even muster up enough enthusiasm to get together with anyone. My bestestfriendinthewholewideworld Cindilouwho even threatened to divorce me, and I haven't seen her or my gal pal T since JANUARY! Bad me, bad me.

I've blamed it all on being a one car family of 3 needing to be in 3 different places at 3 different times between the hours of 7am and 9pm. Who can do it all and still have time, much less want to do anything else?

So I bought a new car July 1....an '07 Endeavor SUV. It's nice. Has plenty of room for us and Ms Dancer's stuff for her competitions.

Did that solve my depression? NO.

But a light bulb has blinked......I've been slowly getting like this ever since the co-worker left for Texas. It makes sense now....with no other interaction in the office (just me and boss) I have been slowly sinking into my own depression.

Yes, I do see my girl pals at dance...but it's not the same as hanging out at the beach or getting together for a drink or meal. We're still stuck to the kids schedule, not on our own time. And of course the dance drama.......

Miss T is growing.....GROWING you hear me. Dance starts back tomorrow. She's "graduated" to the Jr Senior groups at the studio. YAY! She'll be 13 this Fall. I've reflected back to when I was her age (OMG!) and I've got to say I am thankful, very thankful to have such a great kid, drama free (for now). I was a pistol and drove my Mom crazy. (Memo to self...pretty soon you won't know anything according to your kid...they know it all.)

7th grade will start in just over a week....hard to believe.

OK, foot feels a bit better....back to that place she calls her bedroom. I'm working on it - alone! Watch out!

Happy Day...Happy BD StepDad!

Did I tell you that about 2 months ago I took a 2 mile walk in my Keds (shoulda been my walking shoes, I know)? Well since then I've suffered with plantar faciatus and the horrible heel spur.

Today I had Dr visit #2....I had decided that I needed the cortizone shot YAY me. He walks in and says "Hey you ready for a shot?" and I shot back "Yeah, whattcha got for a chaser?".

I am sooooooooo hoping this will work long enough, at least let me have a good summer. Right now I can only take one store at a time, even if it's the grocery store - that sucks!! I'm a shopper!!!! It's my therapy!!

Then it was off to the chiropractor...needed a visit. This foot pain has me walking weird and throwing me off kilter.

Nevertheless the BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION was to continue. I picked up Rib Eyes and salad fixings and a bunch of potatoes for baking and headed to Moms. Called Nanny to come on too. NINE people plus 2 small kids....I'd say that was a nice 71st birthday party.

OH YEAH......yesterday Miss T learned (finally) how to ride a bike! Yes, 12 years old (almost 13). I had given up, thinking she'd never give it another try. She is so proud of herself....literally living on that bike.

I remember back when...........when I would live on my bike too. It was the best freedom for me, just riding, wind in my hair, sneaking down to see the boyfri....

...wait a minute! She'd better NOT!

I do remember though....nice....and I was 12, riding my bike to the end of the road so my Mom wouldn't see me talking to him. OMG!

I'm not ready for THAT!

Hmmmm funny, I've been remembering that time a lot lately. Maybe it's because Miss T is at a "crossroads" of life, one that I can relate too. Maybe I'm just remembering my first "love" fondly. Yes, fondly.

Monday Muse

We had a great weekend and Father's Day.

Saturday my nephew came over for a swim. He is going to be a fish soon....I was actually able to convince him he could float with his water wings on without the tube too. "LOOK AT ME SWIMMING" he said....LOL. He did great. We're working on the "keep your mouth" closed rule.

Later TnT&me went out to eat at O'Charley's....I do love their Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad. Would you believe that at 6pm the temps were 97 degrees still???? Gosh it musta been over 100 Saturday and close to it on Sunday.

Tom kept saying "Kohl's is having a sale" several times during the day, and I ran with it...we went after dinner. Miss T picked up some goodies, of course. Jeans were buy one get one....picked those up for the fall. So glad she's getting BACK into jeans.

Even though I tried to keep a headache all weekend, we still managed to have some fun time.

Father's Day we took Tom out to "Bonefish Grill" - it's his favorite. He enjoyed a stuffed Mahi with rice pilaf. Then an ice cream from Dairy Queen later in the afternoon hit the spot!!

Did I call my Dad? No. Did I think about it? Yes.

Did I go see my Step Dad? YES.

Afterall, he's been the best Dad for 31 of my 43 years.

But he cheats......Tuesday just happens to be his birthday. So he gets the best of both all wrapped up in one week.

That's alright.....my birthday is soon too....hehehehe.

June already and it's almost over?

Great time of day...I can't believe I haven't posted before now.

A lot going on just not all at one time.

The dance year is officially over, recital was great!! Miss T learned the value of eating before dancing. She had to come out of her acro routine because she was dizzy and began to shake. I said "seeeeeee? I told you to eat properly". Why don't they listen? Bet she does now.

We start the summer dance program June 30 with technique classes. Miss T is almost convinced to go back to clogging this year. The teacher asked her about it and she is thinking about it. She hasn't done that in 4 years.....she did for 5 - 3 years competitively.

www.clog.org

And I was hoping to cut back next year.....sigh!

Mr Man is doing great. Received his 5 month chip last night in AA. He's so proud of himself. In the past his idea of "handling things" was to drink or drug it away but now he is really trying to deal with things head on. The minor brain farts still appear, like "um you wanted me to have dinner ready?"....hmmm oh I don't know, you've been home all day while I was at work.

Go figure. It's very exasperating. Like raising another kid.

I am getting tired of only having one vehicle. It's such a chore to be able to get around to all the things that I do and Miss T that, we're borrowing my Nanny's car once or twice a week so that Tom can bring her to dance and get himself to AA meetings. But until the court stuff is done, I can't see buying anything just yet. Maybe in September when prices could be better and I can arrange decent lending.

Tom still wants a boat so bad he can taste it...but I've reminded him, those are luxury items. He doesn't "deserve" that yet.

I'm hoping for a great weekend....some of the girls are in from out of town, I've been invited for a night on the beach. And one of my besties invited me to the pool at her house just to catch up.

I think it's time for some ME time!!

TGIF

Thursday's are my Friday's....nice!

I get to sleep in while Miss T is at school and tomorrow Mr Man is taking my car to get 2 new front tires. It's amazing how fast you can wear out a set of tires.

Guess I shouldn't be too surprised...it's the only set of wheels we have right now and I'm not running out to buy another one. Not until this court stuff is settled.

My nephew dropped in on me Thurs morning before I went in to work. I think his Grammy put him up to it -- asking if I had any cake left. I had made the decorator's buttercreme icing -- they all love it.

When I said there was only one piece left, my Mom quickly said "What? It's only Thursday!".....I made it Monday.

Hey, I like it too!

My new camcorder arrived too! I ordered one from Tiger Direct. Since my battery in my old one was deader than a doornail and costs about $80, I looked into getting another camera. Picked up a Canon for $139 and it's so compact. I think I'm going to like it. It's charging and I plan to play around with it later.

Small enough to fit into my purse....sneak it in to recitals and competitions without much bulk. Not too bad for vacations either. Compact!

I still want a new camera.............just hate to spend THAT kind of money. Maybe I'll ask Santa to help out.

Foot pain and other stuff

A couple of three weeks ago I set out to take a walk with some other dance mom's. I didn't plan this...and I wasn't in the proper shoes. Just some Keds.

OUCH

I have a heel spur and now it's aggravated the plantar fasciatis so the Doc wrapped my foot/ankle tight and said to leave it like that for 2 days. Wrote me a Rx for super dooper anti-inflamitory and some cream. Come back in a month.

He did say he was glad I was wearing the tennis shoes I came in with (Avia's). I have enjoyed these. My NB and Nike's just weren't doing it for me.

Very glad he didn't slice my foot open and start digging around. He of course wants to avoid that. Hello! Me too!

So what's up?

I had an enjoyable 5 days off and boy was it hard to come back to work today.

Last Thursday Tom had a court date, only to be put off until June 18th - the state hadn't received the results of the lab work. So much for the right to a speedy trial.

Friday....home alone! Oh yeah! Nice.... Later in the day I did something scarey....I opened an investment account. I decided to take a certain sum and buy into some stocks...haven't made a purchase yet, waiting for the right moment. Boss daytrades, so I'm expecting some good tips from him. Still waiting....

My niece had her 1 year old birthday party (a week early) and it was beautiful weather on Saturday for that. She's been sick but she was such a good little hostess that day. Even her big brother was a trooper.

Sunday was lazy....jumped in the pool finally. All that rain in the weeks before had dropped the temps, but they were right back up to 80! Afterwards, we went out to Macaroni Grill for dinner.

Monday we grilled burgers n dogs for the family. I had invited everyone, but my niece wasn't feeling well, so her mom and brother didn't come over; the brother was working; the baby bro showed up and did his famous back flips into the pool. Mom, stepDad and Nanny joined us. We just sat around, lazy, talking, laughing.

Miss T had the dreaded EOG's last week....but she just called to say that she passed them with flying colors...I knew she would. Why do they scare those kids like that? All these tests are for is to grade the teachers...poor kids.

Now it's back to the full dance schedule. I hope we have good things coming up for the summer session.

Maybe now I can get back to PSP'ing....