Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

3:42:33 PM EDT
Feeling Grateful
Hearing Pumpkin and my dad occasionally chatting

Today has been a good day!

Pumpkin Muffin and I slept very late!  I guess we both needed that!  Then, we went to lunch in our little townie luncheonette!  Yummy! 

While there, Pumpkin was recognized by a town councilwoman as the 'talented girl who wrote the fabulous 100th Parade poem!'  Then, the waitress also bestowed Pumpkin with kudos for her poem as well!  I was beaming with pride, and Pumpkin felt like quite the celebrity again!

Next, we hit Borders with a coupon and got a surprise for the boys and 2 more books for each other. 

The boys read the Artemis Fowl series, and finally Eoin Coelfer has released a new one!  Yay!  We thought it wasn't coming out until Septmber so they will be thrilled!

Here are this weeks Thankfuls!

1.     Iced COFFEE!  Yum.  I make my own using my Keurig.  I use 2 k-cups on the smallest setting, so it makes the cup really strong.  Then, when you add the ice and it melts the coffee still stands up!  Yum!  I do still get an occasional Dunkin Donuts Iced, like yesterday on the way home from the Scout camp.  Ilene, myself and her daughter Peanut all got one.  (decaf for Peanut, of course!)

2.     My daughter tells me everything.  Lately, there has been a few disturbing incidences with a certain girl being inappropriate.  I am glad that Pumpkin and I can talk about these things together.  I believe in giving kids all the information they ask for as well as making clear what the right choices should be for them.  So far, so good.

3.     The family camp visit!  It was great to see my boys mid-week, which helps with making it to Saturday, when they come home!

4.     Ilene!  I couldn't have made that trip without you!  It was really nice to have the time together to chat,too! 

5.     Air conditioning.  Yesterday was 94 and today is 95 degrees so far.  Yikes. 

6.     Bungalow dish.  A yummy family favorite!  It is a quick pasta and meat dish that was a childhood favorite of my mom's, then mine, and now Pumpkin's!   And, thanks to my dad for making it!

7.     Books.  I love my books, and I am so happy my kids do too!  Hammer is reading the Complete Sherlock Holmes Vol 1 at camp and was almost done with the thousand page book yesterday.  Pumpkin walked in from the store today at 2pm and has not stopped reading since!  LOL  My book is calling to me...

8.     A personal windfall.  A prayer was answered.  Thank you, God.  I am blessed.

Well, that's it for now!  Have a great Thursday and be thankful!

be well,
Dawn

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6:27:06 PM EDT
Feeling Adventurous
Hearing tv and Pumpkin Muffin...

I saw my boys today!!!  And, I got lots of hugs and kisses from my babies!

Not enough... but it will do until Saturday! 

Here are some pictures!

Here are the boys in front of camp circle and then another view of the camp circle area.

 

It was so nice to sit and chit chat with Hubby.

He took me up to see his favorite view and we just talked for a while, alone.

Here is the view:

Gorgeous right?

Fuzzy and Hammer walked me over to their tent and said, 'Now, Mom, it's a bit messy; prepare yourself.' 

I said, 'You mean you boys aren't keeping it up to 'mommy' standards?'

Hammer said, 'No way.  Three men are in here mom!'  Fuzzy said, 'Yeah, no chance!'

I was surprised, when I looked in and I told them so!  It really looked pretty good!  Three cots, in a tent, with three bags that they are living out of and it really was neat!  LOL

I think I may have rubbed off on those boys more than they even realize! 

Here is Fuzzy next to the tent!

Since they are with their dad, they get to sleep with him in our own tent.

The other boys are in tents on platforms provided by the camp.  Here is a picture of DogBoy's tent! 

It was really nice to get to see them mid-week.  :-)

More later...

be well,
Dawn

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12:16:13 AM EDT
Feeling Pensive
Hearing KISS in my head... and mostly silence...

I am really missing Hubby and my boys tonight. 

I have this really vivid memory of us driving in the car in Vermont and singing KISS 'Calling Doctor Love' out loud with Hubby.  We were holding hands and the kids were rocking along with us.  So, that is the song title for tonight.

Pumpkin is feeling the lonely tonight, too.  I just got her through a little crying jag.

Pumpkin wanted me to stay near her as she fell asleep, so I did this meme.

Past and Future Meme

Past

Ten seconds ago  I was trying to decide whether or not to do a meme.
Ten minutes ago I was calming down a melancholy Pumpkin Muffin who was shedding a few tears while missing daddy and her brothers.  (daddy a lot; the brothers, just a little)
Ten days ago was the Saturday after the 4th of July and I think we just relaxed most of the day.
Ten weeks ago was sometime in the beginning of April and I would actually have to read in my blog archives to tell you what the heck was going on in my life then! LOL
Ten months ago was the beginning of the school year for the kids, and it started really late due to construction at the school!

I remember my Pumpkin Muffin being really mad about that and crying when we got the call!  The year started finally around the 19th, I think! 

Ten years ago Hammer had just completed kindergarten, and I had 2 toddlers, 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 to deal with also!  Busy times...

Future

Ten years from now I can't even imagine what life will be like!  I do hope the kids will be out of college or near to being out.  I hope they will be happy and settled.  I hope that I will still be generally healthy, and able to enjoy some 'couple' time with Hubby!
Ten months from now will be next May and it will be so very busy as Fuzzy will be nearing 8th grade graduation!  AND, Pumpkin Muffin will be going on her 6th grade outdoor education and team building trip to a Ymca camp from a Wednesday to Friday.
Ten weeks from now will be near my Hubby's birthday on September 20th, and it heralds the beginning of my favorite time of year.  Fall, and all the holidays fast approaching!  Yay!
Ten days from now will be Saturday the 26th and I have no idea what I will be doing!  LOL
Ten minutes from now   I may be getting off the computer and heading to bed!
Ten seconds from now I will be copying this meme from my test journal and into my regular journal for your enjoyment!  LOL

Well, that was the meme!  It did do its job, which was to get my mind distracted and for Pumpkin Muffin to fall asleep while listening to the 'tap tap tap' on the keyboard.

Tomorrow, Ilene and I will drive out to the camp for a visit!  I can't wait!  I really do miss them.  I will be able to make it through the rest of the week after getting some hugs and kisses tomorrow.

Pumpkin Muffin is spending the day with her friend, Tiara.  She doesn't want to miss her bowling.  I also think that she knows she would get too upset seeing her dad and having to leave him again.  It will work out better this way.

I forgot to tell you all that the Jimmy Buffet restaurant 'Cheeseburger is Paradise' that we went to on Saturday night was really good!  They made GREAT margaritas (I only had one but I thought of you all) and all the food had an island twist to it.  We shared a giant sampler of appetizers, and then Hubby and I both had the quesadilla for dinner.  Dessert was chocolate nachos... OMG, awesome!  I would recommend it, if you have one near you!  The website is the name with no spaces and .com.

Well, time for me to read a page or two and try to sleep. 

be well,
Dawn

ps... can you tell by tonights lolcats that I am missing my honey?

 

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8:37:52 PM EDT
Feeling Restless
Hearing Pumpkin plus a spare...

This lolcat reminds me of b-rated horror movies!

Here is a fun little meme I found, please copy it and try it yourself! 

If you came to my house… 

You would see: our overly friendly yellow lab running about you excitedly trying to figure out if she should ignore us telling her not to jump on you, because she really wants to try to lick your face.

I’d probably feed you:  Hmmm.  Depends on the time of day, but for dinner let's go with a salad and a good cheesy baked ziti parmagiana. 

And offer you this to drink: Water, iced tea, soda, beer or wine.  I'd go with chianti to accompany the Italian cuisine, but wine isn't necessary.

I’d undoubtedly ask if you’d read:  The latest James Rollins book 'The Last Oracle', which I read earlier this week.

I’d want to play this music for you: Depends on my mood, but maybe some Mozart for background music to chit chat, but it could be anything from Led Zeppelin, to 80's Madonna, to Josh Groban.

I’d want to tell you about: The boys being at Boy Scout camp and how much I was missing them.

I’d probably suggest a game of:  Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit. 

I would definitely show off:  I am not really a 'show off' type, but since we just redid the kitchen, I would be happy to show that off!  Along with a picture or the hideous dated scariness it was before!  lol 

I might get on the computer and show you: The aforementioned picture of the old kitchen, and maybe the pictures from our Vermont vacation.

If it was a long enough visit, we might watch:  Well, that would depend on you, of course, the guess gets to pick!  We have several Monty Python, Mel Brooks, and Speilberg flicks to chose from.  Also, all the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings films.  Lots of action, comic book related, and comedies to chose from here!  LOL

 The boys are gone.

I miss them so much already.

It is going to be a long week, I can tell. 

Pumpkin Muffin had her friend, Tiara, staying over tonight.  Tomorrow, at 10:30 am we head back for her doctor's visit and shots.  Loads of fun.

I promised her lunch afterward, then I will bring home her friend. 

They are watching movies.  One of them is '27 Dresses' which Pumpkin has been dying to see.  I plan on reading.  Maybe cleaning out my bedroom closet and some drawers.  It is the kind of thing I do when Hubby is gone. 

Maybe I will be back with another meme, too!

be well,
Dawn

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4:04:12 PM EDT
Feeling Excited
Hearing kids...

I will miss my honey this week.

A lot. :-(

And, my boys.  :-(

But, they will have a wonderful experience at Boy Scout camp, I am sure. 

Our switch to Io went very smooth yesterday, except for the fact that the guy was late.  We chose the am block of 8-11am.  He showed at noon.  Feh.  It could have been worse, though.

One thing that is really cool, is that our caller ID shows on the tv now!  Very cool, it helps to know if it is worth running to find a phone or not!  LOL

Today, Hubby has been doing the 'chicken without a head' packing thing.  I sit back mostly and let him do the whole thing for camping.  After all, I won't be there.

And, it is good for him to see what I go through packing for the whole family!! 

Tonight we are going to a new restaurant!  Cheeseburgers in Paradise!  It is a chain owned by Jimmy Buffet!  I have always wanted to go to Key West and have a Margarita... I will pretend I am there tonight at dinner!  LOL

We are going out with Bob and Ilene.  Bob is driving Hubby, my boys and his son, DogBoy, to camp tomorrow!  Gotta love him! 

be well,
Dawn

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5:35:19 PM EDT
Feeling Determined
Hearing kids...

A quick shout out to the website icanhascheezburger.com where all my LOLCAT pictures come from! 

It is Thankful Thursday time again!

1.     (men shield your eyes) I thought that I was getting a stomach virus, but it turned out to only be my period, which sometimes makes me sick, just before yelling 'Surprise, I have arrived'!

2.     Coffee.  OH MY HEAVENS... I DO LOVE IT!

3.     Hubby, who loves to chase me around even when I don't think I look like I should be chased! 

4.     My Mommy, who gave me a Borders gift card for books.  I really needed that, thank you, Mom!

5.     My kids, who were hilarious at their doctors appointment today.  Our doctor is wonderful and laughed along with us!  It turns out the office messed up and only the boys were checked out.  Pumpkin goes on Monday.

6.     My doctor's office, who are rescheduling me since I was feeling miserable this am. 

7.     My Dad who has made a yummy smelling homemade sauce and pasta today for dinner. 

8.     There have been some recent changes in the Boy Scout troop that my sons are in and I am feeling happy and relieved about them.

                     

Hubby and the boys have a meeting tonight in final preparation for their week of Boy Scout camp! 

I am going to miss them so much! 

Tomorrow, we have the cable company coming to change our service.  I don't know when I will be able to get online.  We already use their internet, so we are adding their phone and cable which will save us tons of money!  Wish us luck!

be well,
Dawn

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4:11:16 PM EDT
Feeling Groggy
Hearing kids...

Me, too, Kitty!  LOL

That one cracks me up! 

Anyhow, I definitely 'pushed it' too much yesterday.  I had to do my Enbrel shot yesterday, which was two days late due to a new insurance procedure (annoying, but it did work out), and usually I do it on Sunday and I 'veg' out all day.

As you know... yesterday - extra kids.  2 extras, M and Mish slept over.  Muffins were made at 9:30 pm, tv watched until after midnight, and then early morning wake up! 

So, after bowling today, I came home and conked out for an hour and half nap.  It felt great.  I am still a bit groggy though!!!

Pumpkin bowled an 84 and an 85, and Fuzzy bowled 135 and 104.  Good games!  It is really hot again today, but not sunny.  Looks like a thunder-boomer may come through soon. 

Maybe it will cool it down some! 

Anyhow, I was browsing on technorati and saw this meme.

5 Things in My Main Bathroom That You May Not Have in Yours

1.     A sharps container, for disposal of my Enbrel syringes.

2.     Boxes of alcohol swabs.  Yes, for doing shots, but also great for getting ink off of things, pimples, disinfecting phones, keyboards, etc.

3.     A ceramic sand castle.  It's a candle holder.

4.     Sand sculptures that the kids made in plastic bottles.

5.     Seashells, some painted, but all found by the kids!

Okay...now you play!!  LOL

be well,
Dawn

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3:22:33 PM EDT
Feeling Inquisitive
Hearing Kids... mine plus one spare so far... but the day is young! LOL

It took a while, but I finally figured out why I am having such a hard time with the sun this year! 

I looked back in my medicine log and I started the Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate), last August.  It takes about 3 months to get up to snuff.  Then, you add back the Enbrel and I am taking Methotrexate . 

So, last year I didn't notice anything.

The Plaquenil and the Methotrexate both have photosensitivity or sun sensititivity as side effects.  It can manifest as becoming easily burned and/or rashes and/or other skin problems. 

Check.  Check.  AND, check. 

Crap. 

Well, at least now I know why I keep getting itchy rashes, red blotches and was so easily burnt in Wildwood.  My skin actually peeled and flaked for 5 weeks after that burn in Wildwood!

Yesterday, at Kathy's, my legs rashed up within about 20 minutes or so of being in the sun.   It sucked. 

Correction... it sucks.  It is not going to be easy to cope with this throughout the summer.  Thankfully, I do have friends that can keep an eye on the kids at the town pool when they go.  I am blessed.

But what about the other stuff?  Ugh.  I will he the chubby blond-haired, pale mommy under the umbrella, I guess!  No choice! <sigh>

I am frustrated today and want to scream how much I hate Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus.  Instead, I am venting here.

Thank you.

Today is Africa hot.  Ick.  93 degrees, sunny and humid.  Eww.

Pumpkin's friend M is over.  Fuzzy and Hammer are waiting for Mish to call them and come over later.  Tomorrow is bowling! 

The fun never stops!  LOL

be well,
Dawn

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8:16:13 PM EDT
Feeling Chillin'
Hearing Pumpkin doing piano practice... lovely sounds...

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Our 100th 4th of July Parade was just FABULOUS! 

Here are some pictures...

First here is Pumpkin in her special car, which ended up not being a convertible due to an early drizzle, and while reading her award winning poem at the parade closing ceremonies:

 

Next, here is Hammer, with the flag, in center waving at me, and the next picture is of Fuzzy and Mish.  Fuzzy with glasses and David Cassidy 'I Think I Love You' hair.  LOL

 

Yep.  I spared dear Hubby from being pictured this year! 

Kathy and my sweet nephew J came up to watch this special parade!  After the ceremony at the end, lots of people came up to Pumpkin and congratulated her on her poem and commented on how it was well-written!  Some were people that we knew, but a lot of people that were complete strangers came up to Pumpkin, and she was loving her moment of 'celebrity'!

Pumpkin went home with Aunt Kathy on Friday, and J was so thrilled!  I have never seen him leave our house so easily!!!  He was very happy to have his Pumpkin in tow! 

Saturday afternoon Hubby, the boys and I went skeet shooting!  Actually, only Fuzzy did the shooting, but it was very fun to watch!  I had never seen him do it before.  Hammer found it to be painfully loud and hung back, after watching his brother hit one or two.  Fuzzy ended up with a respectable 16 of 25 clay pigeons downed!

Fuzzy also decided that he wants to join their fall league!  I am happy when the boys find something that they enjoy so much that they want to get into it more! 

Then we went to the famous The Hot Grill restaurant for dinner!  Yummy!  Dogs all the way!  Fries with cheese and gravy!  Yummy! 

Yesterday was mostly relaxing around the house, although we did go out to Borders Books for a while and pick up the boys Merit Badge books that they need for Boy Scout camp. 

Today, we drove down the Garden State Parkway to Kathy's!  We had a nice visit.  The kids swam for a couple of hours, then had a nice lunch treat of Wendy's (thanks, Kath!). 

The house was so quiet without my Pumpkin, but I really missed her, so it was nice to get there and get my huggies and kisses, too!

Unfortunately, we needed to leave earlier than I would normally have left because Hubby messed up his doctor appointment today.  He showed up at 8:30am today, and his appointment was 8:30am tomorrow.  Ack.

He couldn't come back again tomorrow, and go to work late two days in a row, so he had to get back there later today at 4pm, and preferred to have our car to do it.  Men.

This is a tight week because the boys are leaving for Boy Scout Camp on Sunday.  Hubby needed to have his doc appointment for his physical and camp papers, and the boys have theirs on Thursday afternoon.  I have my rheumatologist appointment on Thursday morning, which makes it a real whammy of a day!  LOL 

Pumpkin is also having her physical and about 4 shots on Thursday.  Yep... should be loads of fun!  NOT!

However, let's not get ahead of ourselves!  After all, tomorrow is just Tuesday!  Let's see... just a sleepover of one of Pumpkin's friends so far... more could be added!  You never know!

It is summer time after all!

be well,
Dawn

 

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3:21:09 PM EDT
Feeling Mellow
Hearing Fuzzy playing with the kitten

Imagine!  I almost forgot it was Thankful Thursday because it is like a Friday around here!  lol

My thankfuls...

1.   LOLCats and icanhascheezburger.com

How can you not laugh?

2.     J-land - my sanity.

3.     My family - my heart.

4.     Coffee - my get up go juice!

5.     My pets - my comforters.

That's it for today.  More later about the upcoming weekend.  Hope you all have fun celebrating!

be well,
Dawn

 

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