Tag Archives: lists

Monday recap of Ultra Super Exciting Weekend!!!

Posted on November 17, 2008 | 12 Comments

hello all! Still overworked and underpaid, but thought I’d swing by for some quick recaps. Since we last spoke, I:

1. Rocked all night with Chris, Will and the other Coldplay boys. Their opening acts (yes, multiple) were cool, too. Can’t go wrong with a band whose lead singer references The Flying Burrito Brothers in his banter.

2. Spent a raucous movie night at my kids’ school, watching Kung Fu Panda and learning how to break wood. No, I wasn’t one of the lucky folk picked to actually break wood (I took pictures for the yearbook instead), but I now know how to balance my weight and find the right pitch to grunt at it should I ever in the future think it a good idea to break wood in half with my fist.

3. Caravaned (sort of) with my supersized family to rural Illinois to surprise Sister No. 4 for her birthday party/co-party with niece turning 14 and watch my nephew play in the state championship football semifinals (they lost). Then we trekked back to St. Louis for a supersized Italian dinner and copious wine.


The next morning. Only half of us made it up in time for the walking tour of the riverfront.

 

4. Stuffed myself, one thrill-seeking son, one birthday girl niece and one recently licensed nephew in the tiny elevator/torture chamber that takes adventurous souls to the top of the Gateway Arch. We were the only ones brave (foolish?) enough to go. It was cool, I’d do it again!


The spot of red in the green here is No. 1 son, firmly on the ground

Today: I blog at KidLit Central, where I introduce you all to the delightful lauramanivong . Come over and say hello!

Tonight: I meet up with the above Lovely Laura and Fanboy to see The Brothers Green! Whoot!

Tomorrow: I have lunch with long-lost elementary school BFF Michelle!

Ongoing: PTA!!! Fundraiser job!!! Freelance project!!!! No sleep!!!! Floundering NaNo manuscript!!!! Trying to revise CLEMENTINE for super secret agent!!!!

See you all in four weeks!
 

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Midweek distraction from real work

Posted on June 25, 2008 | 4 Comments

What does that song have in common with these eight?

“GirlShapedLoveDrug” by Gomez

“Everyday People” by Sly and the Family Stone

“Waiting for Wednesday” by Lisa Loeb

“Lurch” by Buen Chico

“Fester” by Joe Deans

“Props” by Pugslee Atomz

“You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate

“Goody Two Shoes” by Adam Ant

Come on. This one is really easy…

(Inspired by 99.7 The Boulevard’s “Nine at 9″ theme-based playlist.)

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Hello Live Journal world!

Posted on April 1, 2008 | 19 Comments

I’ve been away only a short time but it feels longer. Spring break passed in a whirlwind, although at the time it too seemed much longer… 


Fort building with Mom – my hideout for much of Spring Break

Other highlights in my world:

  •  Regan (my laptop) and I compromised. I pretend she isn’t possessed by evil forces intent on destroying my world, and she continues to inexplicably freeze or shut down just when I need her most. OK, not much of compromise, but I’m afraid of her. She knows I hope to replace her. She’s seething.
  •  Women’s Health magazine featured several six-word memoirs from Not Quite What I was Planning, and guess who the editors included? Yay! They created fabulous artwork for my memoir. Check out the April issue, page 94. I tell you, seeing this was even a bigger thrill than finding out I’d been chosen to be in the book. The editors read it, got it, and celebrated it. *happy sigh*
  • No. 1 son turned 11. 

    He’s growing into quite the future man.
  •  No. 2 son built a worm farm. 

    Isn’t he entrepreneurial?      
  • My wifi router died, another reason I’m not online often.
  • I’ve had tons and tons of freelance work, which is much needed because… 
  • Husband and I finally bought a king-sized bed! 

Picture this: A six-foot tall reverberating snorer. A six-year old sleep talker who flails. Me contorted in the middle. All three on an incredibly shrinking, eighteen-year-old double mattress. I usually awoke to numb arms and multiple aches because I couldn’t move.

 

No longer, my friends. I’m still stuck in the middle, but I have room to languidly move arms and legs at will. The snores seem farther away, as does the morning breath, and the dervish that is No. 2 son asleep causes nary a blip during my slumber.

 

Granted the oversized– and did I mention pillow-top? — bed in our late 1930s bungalow means we have about 32 inches on two sides of the bed and about 38 at the end for furniture and traffic flow. But who cares when we’re finally getting sleep! Well-worth dealing with Regan and no wi-fi for another several months.

 

On the horizon: A book launch celebration for [info]elizabethcbunce  this Friday! A writing powwow Saturday afternoon with

[info]lizzy_lyn 

and

[info]kidlit_kim 

! KU in the Final Four! The Police with Elvis Costello in May! 

Must return to freelance work. The credit card statement that includes the bed and new bedding purchases arrived yesterday. Shudder. Happy Spring, all!

 

 

 

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March Madness!

Posted on March 20, 2008 | 2 Comments

I’ve been away for a plethora of circumstances. I’ll give you a little peek into my world these last eleven days:

1. My computer, henceforth to be called “Regan”, taunts me each time I power up, freezing for no reason, shutting down without provocation and doing everything short of spewing split pea soup at me. I threatened her with replacement but she merely laughed in my face, knowing full well I don’t have the money. Right now she’s watching, waiting, storing up an electrical charge to get me…

2. We’re on Day 7 of Spring Break. Today is only the second day of sunshine. The count thus far: five full-blown wrestling matches, seventeen screaming fits, three losses of computer privileges, two one-on-one basketball games with No. 1 son, four forts built with No. 2 son, and one breakdown by Dad to purchase the Transformers Movie.

3. Go Jayhawks!!

4. In others’ news, my friend Deanna received an email from from Ze Frank, geek extraordinaire (insert binary solo in his honor), who asked about this painting. My friend Angie won a “Healing Through Art” award for her poem “LIttle Girl Lost.”

5. That’s all for now. Regan has been very patient while I posted. I don’t want to wear out her good humor, as I must check my email periodically.

Happy Vernal Equinox, everyone!

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Today, so far

Posted on January 17, 2008 | 12 Comments

6:48 am – Shouts of “Halleluia!” wake me from a deep slumber. No. 1 Son dances into my room, shouting, “The roads are so bad, there’s snow everywhere. And NO SCHOOL!” 

7 am – Husband and I force reluctant beagles outside for their morning business run.

7:10 – Shivering dogs with their best “pity me” look come back inside and launch into their daily “FEEDMEFEEDMEDEEDME” dance around my feet.

7:12 – The buzzer sounds to signal round 1 of the wrestling match to determine which son gets to choose a video game. I send sons to separate corners and demand they first make their beds, get dressed, eat breakfast and brush their teeth.

7:14 – Round 2 starts prematurely. No. 1 Son flings jeans at No. 2 son, leaving a nasty red burn mark on his neck. No. 2 Son wails.

7:34 – Husband with his best “pity me” look leaves for work. I shoot back my own.

7:40 – Sons finish breakfast.

7:41 – The buzzer sounds to start round 3.

7:45 – Harry Potter wins. Boys settle into quiet play.

8 am – I wrap up in blankets and settle down to peruse LJ and CNN newsfeeds. 

8:45 – I venture into boyland and demand they take a break from the video game. 

8:45.5 – Buzzer sounds to start round one of whining match. Pity me.

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