Frustrations Left and Right

We are all frustrated with the weather. That's for sure. Last night felt more like October than July.
We have had more rain than I can remember in a long time. Lake Johnson, kids canoeing through the yard type rain. A good solid week of killer heat to follow. Of course it was the week I was at a show, on the pavement, under a tent, feet in the ice chest (trust me, I was being polite by not offering those few and far between customers a cold drink). Now, and since (of course), cool, cloudy, rainy, blah, blah, blah.
BBQ for the 4th, poured rain. Plans for Great America, poured rain. Friends over to swim, poured rain.
I'm beginning to believe we should have bought an Ark and not a pool.

So, tomorrow the in laws start arriving. The weather is better and headed up in the 80's and beyond for at least the next week. Yeah! We're thrilled. Finally, the pool will warm up again (see, the last time the water got int he 80's and even hit 90, of course, I was at that stinking, and I literally mean stinking in so many ways, show and no one could use the damned pool. No adult home and I was gone 14 hours/day). So, with excitement, we check the water temp, 82°, great! Pull back the cover, test the water and all looks good (on paper). In person, not so much! Cloudy water. SOB!
We may be new to pools, but I spent many a year as a lifeguard and around pools. I know cloudy = algae and algae = frustration. Lots of frustration. and NOT lots of swimming.

So, warm weather, sunshine, warm water does not equal (need to look that symbol up) swimming.
end rant/ off to work on pool.

NOT EVEN.....

Swine Flue was going to keep me away fromthe opportunity to personally ahnd over this diploma.



Not much more to say. Party planning, end of year activities, mom and dad descending on us have foiund me perched on the precipous for what seems like an eternity. Then to have the flu make it's way through the school and take it's toll on our house too was the last straw. Needless tosay, handing over that diploma was the sweetest for so many reasons.
Now, summer

Taking the Plunge

well, eventually, we hope. The pool purchase is done, installed, finally full of water (can't wait to see that bill) and up and running. Now, if the weather would cooperate we might be able to swim without contracting hypothermia. It will be our luck to have a cool summer (like those snowless winters after you break down and spring for the big ass snow blower).
As with any major experience, there were lessons learned. First off, it's like buying a boat. The day after you buy it, you wish you had a bigger one. Of course, no matter how savvy a buyer you think yourself to be, the salesman still gets you in ways you are NOW wise to and no matter how many times you learn this lesson, you still need the refresher course; the cost is never the cost. The extras involved always cost as much as the initial purchase.
After all that, still, it's worth it. The mud pit of a backyard (after burying electric wires), the headaches of getting it all set up, the outrageous cost of said wire (now I know why it's the hot item to steal from construction sites), blah, blah, blah..........I still believe that hot, stifling, humid til you feel choked day will come and all will be forgotten as I float in the cool water, drink in hand and relax in the comfort and privacy of my own back yard..............................................
..............and dream of the next expenditure (deck, landscaping, pool house, toys and of course a rugged blender that can withstand the elements :)

Summer and Sore

What a weekendd! I never plant anything before Memorial Day. Many plant at Mother's Day, but being a lifelong Chicagoan, I am well aware of the late May frosts and cold soil. Outside of Pansies, which I love, I hold out for a touch of color until we are fairly sure the frosty nights are a thing of the past.
This does make visits to the garden center a bit more challenging. Things are more picked over, the stores are much more crowded and I get overwhelmed with getting everything in the ground or potted quickly. Usually I can spend a few weekdays shopping and browsing, thinking of color combos and what I want where. Not this year. Time is not my friend this year. Graduation and a few other obligations have put me on the fast track. Thus, I found myself at the garden center not once, not twice, but 3 times this weekend. Memorial Day Weekend. Busy as hell, everyone is shopping for plants weekend.
Oh, My, God!!!!!!!


Now I sit, enjoying the plantings, the water fountains, the perennial garden and the deck with a nice glass of red. and the rain. :(

Fun Run

Not two words I usually use in the same sentence. Walk yes, run........not so much!

Well today was the first annual Fun Run at Culver Elementary. Can I just say, it was incredible. A full community event. The perfect storm converged on the field like nothing the likes of Culver has ever seen before.

80+ teachers/staff
540+ kids
dozens of volunteers
massive donations from local businesses
help from the park district, teen center and even a news reporter.
85 degree weather
blue skies
the jazz band playing The final countdown and I can fly
The pledge was recited, the anthem sang and Bam, off they were in full fanfare.

1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 mile and 5K walks and runs. There were medals, music, and tons of sun! A warm spring day filled with spirit, energy and determiation.
It was heartwarming to see such teamwork, commaraderie and inspiration. I was overwhelmed. really.

Great job by all.

Been a Long Time

It seems I have neglected blogging this month. Why is it that the times you need to blog the most, you don't. Time, I guess. The school year is coming to an end and though it is always busy and hectic, I must say, having a graduate makes it all the more intense. Add party planning, end of year activities, out of town guests and prepping for the High School into the daily routine and things just seem to spill over everywhere.
The excitement and the exhaustion go hand in hand. I must say all the project type work assigned to the kids full of spring fever and 8th grade-itis is no help either. I really do think the theory of keeping them focused and engaged with such things s a misnomer. The end result is just stress, stress and more stress.

I ave taken to long walks every morning with Gonzo. This has been a healthy task on so many levels. Cardio, stress reduction, decrease apetite, more conscious food choices and the chance to enjoy the spring blooms and sunny mornings. I'm still working on the clearing my head part. There's just nowhere to move all that stuff.

Feeling a little Poetic

or maybe more limmerick (ish)

The Ode to Bitchwork

Here I sit on the etsy forum
Trying to maintain my decorum
Bitchwork calls from every room
I really should pick up a broom

Site help, business and etcetera
I stop to read of all the frettia
I hear of others getting the ban
And really should wash pots and pans

The laundry calls, the bills need paying
A maid would be nice, I’m jes sayin’
Thoughts of dinner and its not even lunch
Promos on etsy, I need a bunch

Closets need cleaning, the dog needs a bath
Only so many hours, you do the math
Scrubbing toilets, shampooing the rugs
Oh, look there’s a new thread in bugs

Vacuum the carpet, make the bed
But I’d much rather start a new forum thread
Spring is here, the windows need washin’
But there’s “Dildo in the road”, proceed with caution

The dust is so thick, you can write your name
Doing bitch work all day really is lame
The truth of the matter is it’ll never get done
As long as the dang computer is on

But if I don’t do it, no one will
Can’t someone on etsy, invent a pill?
Afterall, it’s no secret, I’m better at craftin’
Than I’ll ever be at pillow battin’

So this is my fate on a Friday morn
Bitchwork it is so I avoid scorn
Cooking, cleaning, laundry and more
But beware cause someday I will even the score