pancakes? no, cupcakes!

I'm waiting for the cupcakes to cool so I can frost and decorate before taking them to Schmitty's school. They do something called the cake walk, I still don't understand what that is. Sounded something like musical chairs but I guess I lost interest when it was being explained. Ralphie keeps calling them pancakes and then laughs when I emphatically correct him.

Bunco last night was a hoot. One of my friends there is so funny sometimes. Her comedic effect comes from the dichotomy between one's perception of her and her actual personality. She looks like she'd be very shy and meek but when she starts telling a story that is certainly not who she is. It's hysterical.

The book club is tonight. I'm a little apprehensive because I suggested the book. We'll see how it goes. (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time... or something like that.)

I should finish dishes and frost some cupcakes...

almost summer

I'm super excited because this morning I officially enrolled in a master's program. I'm going for an MA in International Relations at OU, a real university. My undergrad was at Bellevue University which was more like a buy here, pay here diploma. I mean, it served its purpose but I feel like I didn't really get much out of it. Maybe that's how everyone feels when they finish college?

It's been excruciatingly hot and humid here. I think it's cooling off a little today, the low 80s. The weather has been making me feel lethargic.

Thursday is Schmitty's last day of school and then we're off to Oklahoma for Memorial Day weekend. Yea summer! No more commuting!

Incidentally, I read Greek Tragedy yesterday and it made me shake my head. I feel sorry for her kids. Sometimes I can't help but think how dumb she is/was. Why the heck did she marry that dude? I've had this discussion with Mickity before, clearly it was mostly about money but still...

As far as I can tell he was a jerk from the beginning, although it has clearly escalated. I think his first (or one of his first) messages to her had something in it about he'll be the smart one and she can be the pretty one. I think that was before they had even met. My impression is that she needs constant validation so why she would choose someone that, from the beginning, belittled and minimized her is beyond me.

I started reading her because Yago did. Before we started dating he told me about her blog. He thought she was a good writer and gorgeous so I had to look and see what it was about. Now that I've been reading it for years I can't imagine Yago ever being interested in dating her. He quit reading the blog years ago.

Anyway, their arguments are appalling.

progress

I'm making progress on my list. I just enrolled in two master's courses at OU. I'm not sure what I'm going to major in yet, either Economics or International Relations. A lot of the coursework is similar so I'm taking a couple class that would count toward either one. The IR degree would mean a couple of weeks in Oklahoma to get all the requirements. It's entirely doable since Yago's family is in OK. It'd be about a two hour commute from his parents house though. Therefore, I might just stick with an Economics major.

I'm doing the course for the cyber transition in the Reserves too. All good stuff. Got me feeling more productive. I still need to work on the espanol though.

I ran across a blog the other day that had someone's list of 100 things she wanted to do this year. It included things like; go to a Catholic mass, plant something in a garden, go to ten new restaurants, etc. The last one was something like donate $10 to a charity for every item I don't mark off by Aug 24th. She lined them out as they were accomplished, it was a nifty idea. Of course coming up with a list of 100 things would take me a year! Still... I'm mulling it over.

The spring luncheon with the PTA is today. I'm not sure if I'm going. I'm a little sicky and although I'm looking forward to the salad I ordered I'm not really friends with the other moms. At least I know who some of them are this year. I'll go. But I'll be dreading it the whole morning and feeling uncomfortable during.

seriously?

I am having a bonafide crappy day. Maybe it's karma for my earlier post. I am so irritated with the Reserves right now I'd like to go scream at someone after I punch them in the berries. If I can't find someone in the Reserves to take my punch I'd settle for someone at the MDG.

I can't even explain all the ways I've wasted my day today without spending the whole afternoon writing about it which would just be another colossal waste of time. Suffice it to say, grrrr.

judging a book by the cover

I'm not sure if it's really a new phenomenon or not but I've noticed a LOT of memoirs recently. Maybe it's just because of the blogs I read... I also heard a story on NPR not too long ago about it. It's a symptom of how egocentric our culture has become. I'm always puzzled by people that want to spend their lives over analyzing every single thought they have and then express it to the world. Really? Who cares? I'm caring less and less. As soon as I see the word memoir on a cover I keep walking.

I'm generalizing but it seems everyone who has one of those blogs is chasing a book deal or some sort of media. So you were fat and went on a diet, big deal. So you went to two ivy league schools to become a lawyer and are still insecure, big deal. And? How many memoirs do we need from each of these self-absorbed noodle brains? You couldn't cover your dumb stories in one book? You need to write several books about your pedestrian struggles for everyone to read? Why are publishers lining up for this?

Honestly. I have my own life. Don't we all? Aren't we all a little too busy to spend entire days picking apart every decision we make or every encounter we have? I'm too busy to care about yours and I'm certainly not going to pay you to be so self-indulgent. Get real and do something worthwhile with yourself.

Am I snarky or what today? :)

phew

Today is over. I had my hearing with the VA DRO (decision review officer) today in Lincoln, NE. By last night I was extremely stressed and snapping at everyone. ("Stop blinking so loudly!") I stayed up late with a pile of paperwork from the VA and the Internet to write a statement.

After I finished the statement I felt much better, I'd expressed everything I'd wanted to. Even if the VA didn't change its mind I knew it wouldn't be because I'd been misunderstood or filtered through a doctor. Just that was a great relief.

So at the end of my testimony I read my statement. The DRO said she was inclined to reinstate my compensation and winked at us. (us: Yago went and testified with me) I won't know anything for at least a month but I'm cautiously optimistic.*

*Not as cautious as Yago... because he's one cautious motha@#!* ;^)

another mother's day

I must say, my Mother's Days have gotten markedly better since Yago entered the picture. Although he tries to pretend he's a big scrooge that doesn't care about holidays and presents he's very thoughtful.

He's not one to buy jewelry but he always makes me a fabulous meal (my favorite) and does nice things for me. This year he made the Chicken a la Olive, chose a nice bottle of pinot grigio, and bought half a dozen strawberries dipped in dark chocolate from an European chocolaterie.

We also planted flowers and enjoyed a couple of drinks with our neighbors. The Venezuelans always make super food too. I had arepas for the first time. In Venezuela they don't have tortillas, they have arepas. They're made from cornmeal but look almost like pancakes. You split them in half and then stuff them with whatever you're eating... kind of like a taco. Super!

The boys even behaved really well yesterday. Schmitty was exceedingly polite and forthcoming with the hugs. He must have wished me a Happy Mother's Day half a dozen times.

I'm already looking forward to next year.

ha ha!

I found the background designs that I spoke of a little while ago! Aqua Poppy Designs... Anyway, there's a limited number of free ones and I'm not about to pay $45-$175. So now I'm trying this on.

pics picks

By this evening we should be grilling out hot dogs on our new deck! Woohoo! They started last night and say they'll finish today, very good news. Maybe I'll have some pictures to put up.

Speaking of pics... DeVetter Fitness wants a blurb about why I like boot camp and a picture of myself that I like. Really? A picture I like of myself? Ain't got one. I've been through the archives, I'm stuffing my face in most of them. Hmmm, that's interesting. They want to run testimonials in a newspaper advertisement. Maybe I'll send a picture of someone else.

I guess that's why I couldn't have done the online dating sites even I'd wanted to. You have to have a nice picture of yourself. Ick.

sleeping (not so) beauty

I finally overslept and missed bootcamp. I missed yesterday because Schmitty had an early field trip and Yago's car was in the shop. This morning I overslept and feel like a slacker.

I was out late last night with the book club. I was the first to leave at about 10:15, I couldn't believe how late it was. Everyone was telling such funny stories. One girl was so funny I was crying, I kept wiping my cheeks but the tears continued. I do so love a good belly laugh.

One lady who always has to "one up" everyone declared this month's selection as the worst book she'd ever read. She continued by saying she only reads non-fiction and she's the only person she knows that reads non-fiction. The book club is good for her because it forces her to read fiction. (As if fiction readers are dolts.) I kind of wanted to say something about how she is NOT the only person who reads non-fiction, I read plenty of non-fiction. But I declined the invitation.

I have to take Schmitty to the orthodontist today and apologize to a neighbor for not only being an ass but being wrong in my assitude. I know you're all shocked. I sure am! :)

gala season

Schmitty's Golden Gala is coming up the first weekend in May. This year's theme is buried treasure with the attire listed as "casual chic" or come as your favorite pirate. ??? Really, I don't have a favorite pirate. Maybe Captain Featherhead from the Wiggles or something. Casual chic? What does that mean to rich people?

Last year's theme was island party. I just wore capris, nice t-shirt, and sandals. But this is a tad more complicated. Yago thought we should go all out and be pirates but I'm not comfortable with that. Factor in the expense and I'm not really "on board". Casual chic I may wear again if I figure out what it means.

Last night Yago looked it up. I had said I thought it just meant no jeans and t-shirts. He thought chic meant black. The website he found suggested some dark jeans with a trouser cut and quality accessories, to include a fedora or thick gold bracelet. I giggle to myself thinking of Yago wearing a thick gold bracelet.

I'm thinking the hand me down black shirt Mickity gave me for some Del Rio clubbing* with some black dress pants and strappy high heels. In fact, I decided that will be my outfit this morning. Perhaps I'll get (or even make) some accessories to make it interesting but I'm 95% sure that's what I'll wear.

I know, I know. This was a fascinating post. You're welcome.

*I'm wearing said shirt in the wine and cheese party picture on fb.

get real

Is there any limit to Yago's energy today? Crikey. I woke up this morning and he had baked peanut butter and jelly muffins from scratch AND done all the dishes. He ran to the store while I sipped my coffee and read the paper. Now he's home again cleaning the windows. I mean outside with a squeegee. Seriously? I'm plopped in front of the computer and he's right outside, looking at me, with a darned squeegee.

He's already run plans by me for the afternoon. They include story time and a hike at Fontenelle Forest. (??) 3:)

Tonight some neighbors are having a wine and cheese party, two of my favorite things! We're going out to dinner first and then heading over for some socializing. I really love our neighbors.

I should hit the shower and contemplate shaving my legs today. Ciao!

trying on

I'm trying on a new template, we'll see how I feel about it in a couple of days. I went to bunco the other night and got the blog address of another wife, she has a cool template so I thought maybe blogger added new options. Nope. I don't know how to really personalize things and don't want to risk screwing up what I have so I just really try not to mess with much.

I also had to update Ralphie's age, he's three dang years old now. Geez.

red eye

I'm up early for boot camp this morning even though I went to bed late. Make fun of me if you must Mickity, but I was up late playing bunco with the OSC. It was fun, there's a good mix of people of varying ages and stages of military careers.

I realize now that things I despised about my neighbors at Laughlin AFB I just misunderstood. Women didn't give me a look because I was active duty, it was merely disappointment that I wasn't available during the day. I'm always looking for stay-at-homes (or unemployed people) to do stuff with during the day. It wasn't judgment...

I got out of bed early thinking I'd have extra time with my Internet but somehow it flew by and I must go to work out. I'm not feeling it this morning and if it weren't so darned expensive I might be tempted to skip it today.

time

Last night I was laying in bed thinking about time, what a mystery it is. When I start thinking about it my brain hurts. Where does it go? How exactly is it passing. Yago just moved his leg, what happened to that moment when his leg was over there? How is it passing?!

Ralph is finally making REAL progress on the potty! We haven't had any accidents in a while now! I'd stick more exclamation points in this paragraph but you get the idea.

Schmitty's doing well too. He did really well at piano practice yesterday and today he's doing his little Lance Armstrong presentation. Yago's going to try to go see it with us, I think he'll do great.

Well, I have some showering to do so I can attack the day! Ra-arrr!

on the list

So I'm working on SOS (AGAIN!). I'm determined to do it this time though. It's so boring and I haven't taken a test in so long I'm nervous. I never developed study habits, mostly I've just gotten by on good looks. :) Anyway, having to study is very difficult for me.

I also am enrolling in an MBA program. After years of debate I decide to go with what I had instead of starting over to do something I would (or might) be passionate about. I can't stand the thought of starting a career nearing 50 when my competition would be 25. Plus it'd be too expensive. Anyway, I'm happy that I'll be doing something instead of continuing to contemplate the pros and cons of different decisions.

My kids are growing up too fast. Ralph is the age that I love the most. He's completely funny and unaware of being funny. He went down a slide Friday night and yelled, "That hurt my nuggets!" when he got to the bottom. It was funnier because he was holding his hip, not his nuggets. Anyway, I dread him being sassy at Schmitty's age and Schmitty being a teenager. Ugh.

is this thing on?

I made a joke on someone's FB status that no one but Mickity and Yago will understand, and Mickity isn't even this person's friend. Apparently they're going to Berlin this weekend and wrote, "Berliner I will be." I commented, "You'll be a donut?" I guarantee they won't understand it but I couldn't help myself. It was a bit from Dress to Kill.

We got our Internet fixed yesterday, it had been intermittent for a long time. (intermittent = doesn't work when you really need to look something up) The cable leading in to the house was bad so it's been replaced.

I went to a second-hand store today and bought way more than I was supposed to. I was only supposed to get cleats for Ralph but wound up with cleats, four other pairs of Ralph shoes, a lamp, a coat for Schmitty, and a shirt for Schmitty. I don't really know what to say to justify the purchases except, well. Nothing.

I think I'll take a walk with Ralph and the dog real quick and then get the nap going.

ah-rooo!

We went to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City over the weekend, had a great time. It's nice to go somewhere out of town every now and again.

They had a MagiQuest game that kept Schmitty interested and lots of activities for Ralphie. MagiQuest was kind of a treasure hunt thing. You have to buy a wand and then find certain treasures or items throughout the hotel in a specific order. He seemed to enjoy it. For Ralphie they had story time and crafts, even a midget dance party! Too cute.

Now it's back to chores and errands. Bleh.

spring!

So much to do now that I'm off. Yesterday Ralph and I went to Fontenelle Forest to play and this morning we went to story time at the library. There are some pictures around somewhere...

I met with a county VA service officer (or some title similar to that) last week. I was supposed to get a face to face board to dispute their findings but something got lost somewhere and now it looks like I've missed my opportunity. I'm stressed out about this dumb VA disability thing because I KNOW I'm right (as I generally believe myself to be) but don't have a medical degree to prove it. It's frustrating. I'm not out to defraud the government or the VA but it feels like I've done something wrong. As though I must defend myself when really I just want them to uphold the correct decision they made in 2001.

Better news is that I won this month's competition at bootcamp. I kept a food journal for a while and got a $30 coupon at a local salon. All I have to do now is wait for my hair to grow back where it was burned off in the (unfortunate) perm incident. I colored it myself for the very first time last month and it didn't turn out too hideous. Although what I did won't be confused with highlights done at an expensive salon anytime before hell freezes over!

Time to play Clue with Schmitty. He's out on spring break.

so sue me

I was supposed to give up the Internet for Lent but I started cheating early on and now I'm basically full on checking blogs and FB.

I have a friend that hooked us up with his neighbor's old basketball hoop. I picked it up yesterday and the boys have been playing with it non-stop. I'm so happy that they're so happy, if that makes sense.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful this week which has me very excited. Yago and I have been doing yardwork today, discussing plans for our landscaping. It's so nice to be OUTside. Don't let Yago know I said that.

Well, I'm supposed to be making dinner so I gotta run. Something like rigatoni with a green olive pesto.

Smooches bloggy, I've missed you!