Write From Karen

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The small, insignificant, day-by-day things that happen in my life.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

We went and looked at more sofas today – they’re all starting to look alike. And we’re discovering that it’s much easier to buy a dark one; there’s simply more selection. We finally gave up on the search – the color will really depend on what sort of hardwood floor we decide on.

Which means, we need to pick a hardwood floor out. And that’s what we did. Well, we didn’t pick it out, but we began the “official” search. We went to a hardwood liquidator and though I saw a few I liked, nothing really “spoke” to me. We then went to Home Depot and we grabbed about five sample pieces to take home with us. Our biggest issue is: we want contrast. We have an oak dining room table and an oak entertainment center (our living room and dining room are, in essence, one big room) and we don’t want to pick a floor that too closely matches those pieces.

Then it would be like, “where’s the furniture??”

I picked out three that I liked, Kevin picked out two darker pieces. I wasn’t crazy about his pieces. We brought the samples home, placed them on the dining room table and all three pieces I picked out? Match almost perfectly. Kevin’s pieces? Look much better.

Grr. I hate it when he’s right. lol

So. It looks like we’ll be going a bit darker on the floors than I thought. We’ve only just begun to look. We need to check some pictures out to get a better idea of what we want.

The boys talked me and Kevin into signing up for Steam accounts. That’s just a site you can go to and download games onto your computer. We all downloaded Quake (we all played that game eons ago and had SO MUCH fun with it. We would all be in our own rooms, on our own computers and yell tips and tactics to each other – we were all on the same team). When Dude noticed that the game was on sale through Steam, he encourage all of us to load the program onto our computers again and that’s what we did. Then we all got onto the same server and as a team, ganged up on the monsters. There’s a chat feature in the game and we had a lot of fun giving each other a hard time.

Example: Me: “Rats! I missed my ride!” (Referring to an elevator my character needed to get on to get to the next level). Dude: “Your ride just squished me.” (His character was standing too close to the elevator and it squashed him. I guess you had to be there).

We laughed. We yelled. We got killed and we had a great time together. I would love to find more cooperative games like that because truly, it’s so fun doing something all together like that.

A family who kills monsters together, stays together. That’s my motto.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Dude and I went up to the school to pick up his schedule today. I was asking someone where to buy a parking permit when I turned around and Dude was looking at his schedule with a puzzled look on his face. When I asked him what was wrong, he said that he was only scheduled for two classes.

*sigh*

I wasn’t surprised. I had been emailing his counselor off and on at the end of last school year because the classes he wanted to take weren’t available. Apparently, there are some classes they only offer certain number of times and then they can only hold so many students.

Which I think is both annoying and sad. Annoying because I think seniors should get first dibs on classes. After all, many students are building their scholastic portfolio and it can often times be important when applying to colleges. Sad because the school district can’t afford to hire teachers to teach more of the classes the kids want to take.

It’s a double-edged sword.

So, we made a trip to the counselor’s office. Only, she was busy, so I told the secretary we would return after we bought a parking permit. Dude had to fill out some registration information, show his schedule, his license and then pay $35 dollars (!!) in order to get the decal. Kind of a pain, but at least now he can drive to school, which is a very real possibility as I hope to get a (part-time?) job very soon.

We went back to the counselor’s office. The place was even MORE packed. Apparently, the school went to a new system this year and there were quite a few “glitches”. Dude didn’t want to wait, but I knew if we didn’t take care of it right then the first day of school would roll around and he wouldn’t have a clue where to go.

So we waited around.

We were on the verge of giving up and leaving, when the people in her office finally left. I peeked my head in her office, told her my name and reminded her that we had emailed about his schedule a few months back and she saw us. She was very nice, if not a bit harried, and I felt sorry for her. This must be hell for her to try and get 300 students situated.

Unfortunately, Dude only had about three classes to choose from – they were the only ones available for the time slots that he had open. One was an art class, and he’s already had so much art, he really didn’t want to go down that road again, so he ended up picking Business Law, and a Science/Research class on Meteorology. The counselor told him they were harder classes, which Dude wasn’t thrilled to hear, but I personally think he’s up for it. He’s a smart kid, if not a bit lazy, and I think a little challenge will be good for him.

He just needs to get in the mindset that this first quarter is going to be a WEE bit busier than he thought.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Took Jazz to band camp an hour early today. There are a few freshmen who need a little extra help with the marching drills and the co-sectional leader wasn’t pulling her weight, so the sectional leader asked Jazz to come in and essentially do her job for her. I had to get Jazz up at 5:45 a.m. in order for him to get dressed, eat some breakfast and still leave in time to go by Krispy Kreme doughnuts – he wanted to give his fellow saxophone players a little treat.

I’m really quite impressed with how seriously he takes his responsibilities in band – he simply lives for this stuff.

I spent the morning alternating between getting some work done and trying to stay on top of the sinus headache that took me by surprise around lunch time. I drank my cup of coffee at 1:00, and the headache miraculously disappeared. Remember, I’m down to ONE cup of coffee per day now, at mid-day, and I don’t drink any other form of caffeine the rest of the day. If my body can’t handle one cup of coffee, TOUGH. I like my coffee, I’m not giving it up.

Since this was the last day of band camp, Jazz got out at noon. This was also the day he needed to pick up his schedule … he was only scheduled for three classes. (He needs four classes).

*SIGH*

What is up with not getting these schedules right?? So, I emailed the counselor, told her that Jazz was missing his first period class and what now? She emailed back and said the only class they had available for that time period was a forensics, CSI-type of class and the kids loved it. Would he like to take that?

Well really, what choice did he have? Oh right, NONE. So yeah, he would like to take that class. Luckily, he does seem interested in the subject matter so hopefully, it will all be good. But I have a feeling, because it’s worded the same as Dude’s Meteorology class (Science Research and Design) that it’s going to be time consuming, as in, a big-project-that-Kevin-and-I-will-likely-have-to-help-with time consuming. So, both boys have two science classes EACH this 1st quarter.

*SIGH*

Jazz passed out when we got home. This past week has been really hard on him and he was dead tired. He slept for an hour and a half.

The band had its parent preview tonight. That’s when the parents get to see what the kids have been working on all week. I took quite a few pictures using my new zoom lens – it was the first time I’ve used it – and I’m really hoping they turned out okay.

The show was awesome. The kids only marched the first two sets, they’re still working on the last two sets, but we are liking what we see so far! The director said it was amazing how much progress they have made, it was pretty rare for them to be this far along in the program this early in the season. It’s also really neat to see where the kids start and then watch them again later to see the new and interesting things they add later.

The weather was great. A bit overcast, but there was a cool breeze so it was quite pleasant.

As we were leaving, I ordered a band jacket for Jazz. I sort of wish they had band jackets for parents.

I love Oh life because they send you an email at 8:00 p.m. every night asking you how your day went. You reply to the email and it automatically posts to your Oh Life account.

Thanks for reading.

(photo credit)

The small, insignificant, day-by-day things that happen in my life.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

I currently look six months pregnant. I think I’ve mentioned that I occasionally have intestinal issues – it’s safe to say, I’m having problems!! I woke up several times last night with extreme pressure, one time I even cried because it hurt so much. Without going into too much detail, I think I have IBS – at least, that’s what my Google searches have produced. I’m just about to the point where I’m ready to throw in the white towel and go to the doctor. Fortunately, these “attacks” don’t happen very often, I’ve learned, through trial and error what sets them off – sort of. It’s really hard to explain what I’m feeling, but it’s pressure, bloating and trapped gas, all rolled into one uncomfortable package. It usually only lasts a day or two and things start moving again *ahem*.

It’s hard to live life, let alone focus on any sort of work, when I have these “attacks.” I’ve had to pace myself – get some work done, lay down for a bit. Kevin wanted to go out to lunch (we usually go out on Wednesdays), but the thought of eating just made me ill.

If there’s one good thing about these “attacks” it’s that I usually drop a few pounds before it’s over.

Don’t feel sorry for me, I could go to the doctor, I’m just too stubborn to do that. And if I’m right and it’s IBS, there isn’t a cure for that – only treatments. So I guess, in my mind, why go to the doctor if all they’re going to tell me is, “Sorry. But you’ll just have to watch your diet for the rest of your life.”

Well duh. I know that. Why would I want to fork over a few hundred dollars for someone to tell me that?

Exactly.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I’m feeling better. Not 100%, but I’m no longer doubled over in pain, either. Whatever it was (or wasn’t), passed. This does not mean I won’t spend some time (later) figuring out what is causing these intestinal problems, but for now, life may resume. Thank God.

I got a lot of work done today. I turned my computer off feeling very satisfied with myself. Though I ran into a bit of a snafu on one project and waiting to hear back on how to handle it, the project is done and ready to go on my end. One of the reasons I got so much work done? I stayed off Twitter. Seriously. I love Twitter, but it’s a TERRIBLE time suck. I’m thinking of just forgetting about it entirely. Well, maybe not entirely, but definitely not as often.

The “Eat, Love, Pray” movie comes out today. I have mixed feelings about this book and I haven’t even read it! I’ve been reading the reviews on Amazon and that has piqued my curiosity. But I heard on the radio that it’s about a woman who suddenly decided she didn’t want to be married anymore and went on a journey to “find” herself. I’m going to have to read this book now, if nothing else, to find out what the story is really about.

I need coffee.

Thursday, August 13, 2010

The thermostat in my car got all the way up to 104 degrees today!!! I was like … shocked! I was also worried that my car would overheat because how hot does it need to get before it starts affecting your car engine?

Speaking of cars, Jazz wanted to go out to lunch today so I thought this would be a good opportunity to take Dude out driving, you know, just to make sure he doesn’t get too rusty because the boy never goes anywhere, hence, the boy never drives himself anywhere. Since it’s been so hot and the car hasn’t been opened up (or started) in over a month, I went out to air it out. I tried starting it: it wouldn’t start. AARGH! I was annoyed. We had just spent a chunk of change replacing the ignition box/starter thingy.

I complained to Kevin, but he couldn’t look at it as he had a luncheon date with an old colleague. So, Dude and I took off in my car and we went up to meet Jazz for lunch. We ended up eating at Steak N’ Shake and though we missed Kevin, it was nice to have my boys to myself. The boys stuffed their faces (okay fine, I did, too), we got Jazz back to school so he could finish out band camp and we came home.

Dude and I drove up to the house and the first thing we noticed? The black car is gone. I didn’t panic, I just figured Kevin got home early and took the car out for a run – and that’s what happened.

However, after about thirty minutes, I started getting worried about him because here is my handicapped husband, (but not for much longer!), out in a car I didn’t trust in 100 degree weather. You can see why I was worried, right? So I checked messages to make sure he hadn’t called to tell me what he was doing and I nearly had a heart attack when I heard the voice say, “You have one URGENT message.”

Say what??? So, I called to check and thank GOD, it wasn’t from, or about, Kevin. Now I’m spooked. So I called Kev’s cell phone, only he didn’t answer. I wasn’t too terribly worried because he has told me that he will no longer answer his phone if he’s driving (I don’t answer mine while I’m driving either. Actually, I never answer mine, but whatever). I leave him a message figuring his phone will notify him he has a message and he’ll check it when he can.

It wasn’t five seconds after I hung up that I saw him driving up. He had not only gotten the car started (duh), but he had taken it to get it washed. He said it was running great and that he had to give it a bit more gas before it would start up. Still, I’m a little nervous; I’m not sure I trust this car very much and my boys will be driving it. We’ll just have to make a point of making sure it’s started/driven once or twice a week.

I had a very productive day, work wise. I’m cranking through my emails and now have them down to about three or four (trust me, this is a good thing). I got permission from the school district to work on another site and will be uploading their brand, spanking new website as soon as I finish here. I can’t tell you how satisfied I am with myself. I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I’m making progress and not feeling quite so buried.

I’m nibbling on chocolate – I have a feeling I’m going to regret that decision in the coming days. Apparently, I never learn. *sigh*

Saturday, August 14, 2010

“Good morning sunshine.” This is how Kevin greets the boys every morning. This is funny because the boys are anything BUT sunshine early in the mornings. Jazz is naturally a morning person so once he has a few minutes to wake up, he’s pretty much okay. But Dude is NOT a morning person and takes a least a few hours before he’s feeling civil enough to speak. Me? Well, my eyes are open and I can answer questions when asked – I think that qualifies as awake, wouldn’t you?

Kevin and I went sofa shopping today. I know what you’re thinking, “But Karen, didn’t you JUST buy a sofa, loveseat and chair like, three years ago?” Why yes, yes we did and don’t you have a good memory! However, the fabric we selected, though totally awesome and the color is to die for, is not wearing well. We’ve been noticing bald spots. BALD SPOTS! On a set of furniture not even three years old! UNACCEPTABLE!! And now that we think about it, we’re not quite sure we even LIKE this particular style because the seat is too long and you sort of have to sit sideways to get comfortable and the back is not high enough so you get a crick in your neck whenever you try and lay your head back.

We checked out three different places and we found one we really liked. Our problem? We’re not sure what color to get because, wait for it, we’re ripping the carpets out of our living and dining room and putting in hardwood floors. Only, we have oak furniture, so we want a dark floor, which means that our sofa /loveseat combo? Should probably be light, as in either tan or taupe. We plan on looking at flooring tomorrow.

Don’t you love shopping for one thing only for it to lead to something else entirely? I’m pretty psyched out about these changes, but my pocketbook? Not so much.

I love Oh life because they send you an email at 8:00 p.m. every night asking you how your day went. You reply to the email and it automatically posts to your Oh Life account.

Thanks for reading.