Into the closet; into the fray

I'm having weird nesting issues. I refer to them as "nesting" because I honestly have no better word for it. How do you explain my ridiculous epiphany that my closet smelled stuffy, and that all the clothes needed to be washed? Yes, all the clothes. I've gone through a couple nice piles of shirts, and a stack of pants already. I'm totally into this chore, too, so there's no stopping me. Brian's closet is next, because his is stuffier than mine, as well as more stuffed than mine. Sydney's is fine; I've sniffed it thoroughly, and it smells all nice and fresh. I've got my hands full with Brian's closet though, since he refuses to thin out the herd, as it were. This is weird, I know, but it's what's happening now.

And so I shall.

I'd rather be reading.

[Insert scary shark music here]

It occurred to me in the first 45 seconds of Jaws tonight that I had never actually sat down and watched that movie from beginning to end before. This was evidenced by the fact that I had never seen the first 45 seconds of the movie before. I didn't know that the girl who was eaten was at a drinking and pot-smoking party on the beach. I'd never seen her before she was screaming. Also, there was more boob than you typically see on a television broadcast of the movie.
Prologue: I had read that the new Jaws on Blu-Ray was a feat in image remastering. It is sharp and crisp. It includes hours of extras. It's beautiful. But the kicker that got me to get it was the line that, if you'd only seen Jaws on television, you had missed out on all the widescreen beauty of the movie, as well as the brilliance of its actors. Sadly, I would have to admit that I never had seen the movie in widescreen, and only seen it on TV. (Which also is the reason as to why I'd missed a few parts of the movie. I'd seen the ending a hundred times, but some bits in the middle, and the very beginning, were new to me tonight, simply because I tend to bounce around on my movie channels.)
So, Brian and I sat down to watch Jaws tonight. I was super excited, too. And it lived up to my expectations. I'm glad for the purchase, and am pleased to add it to our movie library. Unfortunately, Sydney decided to watch the end with us, against our advice and prodding to go back to her room. Long story, short: she's sleeping in my bed. She says it's because she's "uncomfortable" in her bed, but I think it's more that she got a little freaked out. After the tears about how unfair it is that people kill sharks "just for being sharks."
I don't know when I'll ever watch it again, but I am finally able to agree that the movie is better in a widescreen movie format, and that it's totally better when you can see how sharp the dude's teeth are.

I love bubblegum

I think I rocked my kid's world the other day. Every once in a while, I can surprise her, and I love that. The other day, I, in a move I thought benign, bought a pack of strawberry Bubblicious, just because it looked good.
She was all, "Can you blow a bubble?" I was like, "Yeah. Haven't I ever blown bubbles for you before?" She was emphatic, "NO!"
So, I chewed a piece of my bubblegum, blowing bubbles that impressed her, and then doing that nifty snapping thing once the bubble has popped before you pull the gum back into your mouth, that Howie HATED. (I won't lie, I smile every time I do it because, really, he hated it that much.) We discussed my favorite flavors, strawberry and watermelon, and how much I hated grape. She asked if I would show her how to blow bubbles. I told her that it would be my pleasure ... in a few years.
And then tonight, as we all wandered through the convenience store after dinner, Brian and Sydney both discovered a strawberry and watermelon combination bubble gum, and bought it for me. I was immediately asked to blow some bubbles. I did, and it made her happy. I foresee that during every stop in every convenience store for the rest of my life, my kid is going to pick up a pack of bubblegum for me. And that's super awesome.
There are so few things, I think, that I can amaze her with at this point (she still has no appreciation for my knowledge of all Disney song lyrics or pop culture trivia), so it's a real treat when we discover one.

My kingdom for a tire

Well, I've had a morning so far!
There was a big rock in the middle of the street on the way to school this morning. Honestly, it was kinda rolling along and looked a lot like a piece of paper, so I didn't work too hard to avoid it. Come to find out, after the loud sound of impact, that it was, indeed, a really big rock.
So, the rock ripped a big hole in my front driver's side tire. I was able to make it to Sydney's school parking lot, where I sat and called AAA and then waited for the tow truck. Brian came by to survey the damage, but as there was nothing he could do, I sent him on his way to work. The tow truck arrived, the guy changed my tire to the spare, and I made my way to Discount Tire.
Reasons why this didn't piss me off:
1. I did it to myself.
2. The front tires needed to be replaced anyway, and Brian and I had discussed this multiple times over the last few weeks. So, here's our "Do It" sign. Now, I've got two new tires in the front, and the guys even pumped up the spare, which was a bit low because of its years of non-use.
3. Early morning on a Tuesday with no weather to speak of made my wait for the tow truck relatively short, and the AAA guy was rock-solid awesome.
4. Discount Tire is located across the street from my Starbucks, so I was able to procure a cool beverage while I was waiting for my new tires.
5. I had no one else to deal with this with me, so I didn't have to listen to anyone else bitch about the inconvenience or the lack of fun this adventure was for them.
Something that did piss me off:
1. The impact with the rock forced my already-irritating windshield crack to lengthen by another six inches. I was hoping to save the windshield replacement for closer to inspection time and registration, so the sticker thing wouldn't be too much of a bother, but it seems that will no longer be in my cards. But I'll see if I can get used to it a bit, and if I can live with it for a couple months.

I've got issues with stuff

I've got issues today. And they're political, as well as randomly newsworthy.
I used to be a big fan of Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. When he was a member of the Patriots, and excelled at being amusing on Twitter (though not-at-all productive on the field), I thought he was awesome. I quoted him. I read his tweets to Brian. I showed off the pictures he would tweet to my family and friends. Then, he got booted from the Pats. Bad. I stopped following him. Then, well, he headbutted his wife. Leaving the Pats was one thing, but hitting his wife because she (allegedly) found condoms in his bag? Incredibly bad form, Chad. If I wasn't out before, I certainly am now.
Oh my god, Paul Ryan. I honestly don't even know where to begin with this dude. Seriously, he's a blight on American politics, and the people, and he's picked to run for Vice President? Could Romney pander to the Tea Party any more than he just did with that guy? He's a crazy, right-wing extremist of the worst kind: personhood (declaring that an embryo is a person, from the moment the sperm meets the egg); more than 91 percent cuts in government programs over the next 40 years is his economical plan; supports a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage; and would ban several kinds of birth control, including some birth control pills. I can't think of a worse guy to have influence in the White House. Ladies, the War on Women has just met it's biggest supporter, and Mitt Romney wants to put him in the Vice President's chair.
Robert Pattinson made his first post-Kristen Stewart scandal appearance on The Daily Show tonight. It was awesome. Jon Stewart brought out some ice cream. As they took a bite, Stewart says (I paraphrase), "You are better off. Kick her to the curb." It was super funny, because he said it in his best bitchy college girl voice. Fantastic! Now, can we just get back to being excited that there is only one more Twilight movie for us to suffer through?
Did you know that Olympians defect when they're at the Olympics? It hadn't occurred to me, but it makes perfect sense. Apparently, seven Cameroonian competitors and coaches have not been heard from since the end of the Games. And four members of the Congo contingent also are missing. I think this is awesome. All the power to these people that have the strength and courage to ditch their homes and try to make a better world for themselves. ... But there's still no confirmation that some losing Olympians are forced to walk home after the Games. I've checked, Mom.
I don't watch Shark Week. For some reason, it doesn't interest me. At all.
Also, I don't know why a caftan. But it's sassy.

Back to me!

The Olympics are over. Now what? Well, I suppose I'll figure out some way to entertain myself for the next 18 months, until the Winter Olympics in February, 2014. Maybe some television? A movie or two? A couple books?
Now that I can reclaim my life from NBC and its channels, I feel like my options are endless. I sit here this morning wondering, "What movies are on Netflix?" "I should get back into my Nook book." "What about the farm?" "I SHOULD TAKE A NAP."
Because actually, this sudden bit of independence is more the result of Sydney being back in summer camp for a couple weeks, and then back to school. It's incredibly quiet in my house. And the good kind of quiet. Just me, Oliver and Daisy.
I went to the gym this morning. I'm avoiding some housewifery until I call Mom, catch up on the farm a bit, and finish the blog here. Also, it's just nice to have no one around to pull me in any direction that I don't want to go. This week, especially Thursday's Date Day with Brian, will be an incredible treat for me.
Like a cupcake.

Three ITEM!'s, no waiting!

ITEM!: My house is so quiet. There's no lonelier feeling for me, as a family, than after a visitor goes back to their home. I never feel as far away from everybody as I do at that moment. It could be the second I drop them at the airport, or the moment we wave goodbye, or maybe not even until the next day, when there's nothing to do but the laundry. I know I have issues when Mom goes back to California. I get all kinds of sad, but I have to deal quietly, because it's usually all about Sydney crying in that instance. And I wasn't surprised when the house was quiet after Liam and Kyle left on Thursday, as they were the fifth and sixth people in the apartment. And I knew that I would miss Katy once she was gone. Still, today's absolute quiet and stillness took me by surprise. And all that was left to do was the laundry.
ITEM!: I had two events on tonight's Olympic broadcast ruined for me because of headlines on sidebar articles that were posted on page's for articles I read that had nothing to do with the Olympics. This is unfair. I don't think any results should be posted in headlines. It's a cruel and unusual punishment for those of us who, you know, read.
ITEM!: Tomorrow is the day for the Closing Ceremonies for the Olympics. First thing in the morning is the gold-medal game for U.S. men's basketball. Then, other things. But mainly, the Closing Ceremonies are tomorrow night. And not a night too soon, either. I'm done with the Olympics, folks. I'm tired. I miss books. I miss my farm. I miss other television. I miss reading the Internet with no concerns about spoilers. I miss being able to avoid Ryan Seacrest by staying away from only Fox and E!.

Yay slumber party!

So, we've had some company lately. Katy has been here since Monday, and leaves tomorrow, which is beyond sad for me. I miss her terribly when she's in Arizona and I'm here. And two of Brian's nephews were here Tuesday through this morning, as part of their cross-country road trip. Liam and Kyle took up residence on the sofa and air mattress, making this a very full house of six people in a three-bedroom apartment. I loved it. I love, love, love having a bunch of people in my house. It makes the place feel like a big, awesome slumber party. We all went to Galveston together yesterday, and searched for seashells and had lunch. It was a great day, and we were all sad to see the boys leave today.
Sydney is thoroughly enjoying her time with her cousins. She cried when Liam and Kyle left, and I know there will be more tears tomorrow when we take Katy to the airport. I hate that we're so far from our friends and family. Alas, the best I can do is promote visits and trips. ... And get us into a house that has a dedicated guest room with a queen-sized bed in it. Then people will have no reason to say no.

A big ol' cut on the finger

Is is sacrilege to be totally ready for the Closing Ceremonies? Remember when I mentioned that we are getting Olympics fatigue? Well, it continues. But we're still staying up to watch it, and enjoying it besides, so I can't complain at all.

I cut my finger today. While cruising along the beach to day with the kids, we came across a piece of concrete that was not a shell. It was stealthily handed to me, and I thought that it would be cool to try to "skip" it out into the water. Who knew that it would have a super sharp edge that would slice right into the meat of my finger pad as I flung it into the water. Did you know that such a thing would make a finger bleed instantly? Or that when bleeding on the beach, the only place to wash off the finger is in the SALT water? It honestly hurts a lot. I can feel it aching, pumping with a bit of pain every time my pulse beats. And it's in one of those places that will get split open every time I do anything, making it possibly one of the slowest-healing wounds ever.
So, here I sit, with a Dora the Explorer bandage wrapped around the index finger of my right hand ... totally a finger I use all the time ... like, when typing. Weird. I'm not used to this.

"Here's my number, so call me maybe..."

So, here's something interesting: every once in a while, something happens that makes me feel like an old lady. Case in point, my new love for the song, "Call Me Maybe," by Carly Rae Jepsen. It's been a popular song for a good portion of the summer, and has been a trendy song to lip-sync to in YouTube videos. I've seen a couple of these videos, but didn't really decide I liked the song until a couple days ago. I've downloaded it onto my phone, and it's been a pretty regular dance party tune since then. In fact, we listened to it all morning today, and on the way home from dinner tonight. My favorite result of this song being played so much is Sydney learning the words and dancing along.
What makes me feel old is that I can sit back and be all, "Young whippersnappers been listening to this for a while, and I'm just discovering it? I'm cool now!" And that it really has been around for a while cements my uncoolness for all that is "current." I need to start listening to the regular radio, I suppose. But I hate people talking, and commercials, on my radio. You see? An old woman thing.

Ernesto doesn't scare me

Well, it's raining. For the first time in my life, I'm actually paying attention to the hurricane watch on my news. It's a weird feeling, coupled only with the guilt of not being prepared for a hurricane, should it make landfall near Houston. This tropical storm, Ernesto, which is spinning around near Jamaica right now, doesn't have the potential to be anything here. Still, we've got rain today.
I remember, a hundred years ago, promising myself that I would experience every kind of major weather occurrence there is in the world. And I'm on a safe track, having been through a really hot, desert summer; a blizzard; and a haboob. What's left: hurricane, flood and a tornado. Am I missing something? Let me know.  I'm not running scared, by any means. Just watching and waiting, to see what happens.

Also, I'm beginning to suffer from Olympics fatigue. We've been staying awake way too late for the last several days, and it's starting to catch up to me. Last night is the second night in a row that I've fallen asleep in the living room (after the primetime broadcast), only to wake up and go to bed. I'm only too excited that once the Olympics is over, it'll be time for new television, too.

Goodbye chocolate muffins ... for now

I'm jumping back on the diet bandwagon on Monday. That is, unfortunately, not the best day to begin, since Katy arrives that afternoon for a few days. But Kim, JJ and I are diving back into our weight-loss challenge, competing for who loses the most weight before their big Bar Bounce in October. That gives me about eight weeks to lose the 10 pounds I'm shooting for. I won't be able to hit the gym until a week from Monday, when Sydney goes back to school, but my motivation is there. And I'm excited, too. I like having the competition. I also like shopping, and losing that weight will make my closet a shopping mall again, and give me a reason to pick up some new stuff for the winter. Which is my favorite season to shop for. Win, win, win!

Bugs make me mad

I got bit by a bug this morning. That happened, as if my walk with the dogs wasn't bad enough, which you read about earlier this week. Today, I was standing in the grass waiting, bag in hand, for Oliver to finish his poop, when I felt a sharp pain on my ankle. It turned out to be a little ant-like creature. I swiftly brushed the little dude off my ankle, complained out loud about how much that little bite hurt, and went about continuing my wait for Oliver. Then, a sharp pain in my finger. That little f*cker, I soon discover, leapt from my ankle to avoid my hand, actually landed on my hand, and then proceeded to bite me on the inside of my finger! And that hurt even more! I brushed the bastard off my finger, cussed him out, and then stood there, assessing the two minuscule bites that hurt really bad, like I'd been stabbed with a needle.
In a matter of the minutes between picking up the poop (insult to injury, really) and getting upstairs, I had not only developed an awful mood for the morning, but an ugly little welt on my sensitive finger flesh. Sometimes, I really do not like this place.

Sports I've obsessively watched being contested that, any time other than the Olympics, I would not have watched: equestrian eventing, whitewater canoeing, whitewater kayaking, gymnastics, judo, water polo, women's basketball, beach volleyball, rowing, swimming, and table tennis. Basically. everything that isn't baseball or football is way off my radar for three years and 50 weeks straight, before becoming an obsession for a fortnight or so. I love the Olympics.

Morning post: Texas Pet Peeve Edition

I used to enjoy taking my dog out for a walk every morning. I used to be able to wander around a big block in Boston, feeling the crisp morning air, the cold morning air, or the freezing morning air. For a couple months, it was kinda warm. I enjoyed cruising around the apartment complexes in Arizona, where there was some cool morning air, but mainly warm to hot, but not HUMID, morning air. Here is Houston, I'm not enjoying the morning walks.
As an apartment complex, this place is lacking a sidewalk throughout the property, thereby making any casual walker go through the thick grass, offering them up to the potential for poopy steps and mosquito attacks. So, we can't really wander very far or very long, making our "walks" more "stand outside by the grass."
Also, and I know I've mentioned this before, it's been pretty humid and warm here. What bothers me though is my own physiological reaction to that: I get sweaty while we're outside. And there's something fundamentally wrong with getting sweaty before one even has breakfast or gets ready for their day. It makes me feel icky, and cranky, before the day even begins, which isn't fair to anyone.