I Just Don't Care

My birthday is next month. I'm not all about embracing getting older. In fact, most aspects of it suck. I do have to say one advantage of advancing in years is: the less I give a damn what people think of me. I admit as a teenager and young adult, I did care a lot. I try to encourage my children to rise above peer pressure but it can't be avoided. It's part of growing up.
Here in the 'burbs adult peer pressure has evolved into "keeping up with the Jones" or even more desired "surpassing the Jones". Thank goodness I got off that bandwagon. There are times I feel different or weird compared to the majority of people in my community but then again I don't care. Here are a few examples:

• I drive an 8 year old minivan. No shiny SUV for me. Honda Pilot is a hot choice as well as new models from Acura, Lexus, Volvo, and Chevrolet. I hope I can continue to drive the Mountaineer Mobile until I can get by with a smaller car. Plus it's fun to see how thrilled my son is to drive a minivan.
• Most homes looked like they were decorated by an interior designer and many were. If you read my blog on a regular basis you know I hate clutter but I am blessed to live with 1 packrat, 1 outright slob, and 1 packrat/slob. My never used formal dining has been transformed into my daughter's craft room. It is always a disaster.
• Because I don't have to go into an office everyday, it is not unusual for me to wear the same thing maybe twice (sometime more) during the week. Yes, they are washed between wearings well most of the time.

Is there something fit for print you want to share?

Giant Mushrooms

All's Good

Unusual week. Last Sunday my son and I drove my daughter 4 hours to drop her off at camp then turned around and came home. He has his learner's permit and was a big help. Thursday I drove westward to visit an old friend from college. I came home Friday. My parents were kind enough to combine a trip staying with their friends near my daughter's camp and picking her up. She comes home in a few hours.
I was really worried about my daughter as far as having a good time and not being homesick. She isn't the most outgoing person so for her to say she wanted to go to camp for a week not knowing anyone took us a little by surprise. We were proud of her determination remained encouraging. To myself, I thought: this is going to be great or a disaster. Throughout the week the camp posted pictures. She did look happy.
A little while ago she called after my parents picked her up. The cell phone reception was terrible but I could make out her saying "I had so much fun". That made my day. I can't wait her hear about her adventures.

UPDATE: My daughter told me next summer she wants to be a "tweeker" meaning you stay for 2 weeks.

Very Random Facts

Blog blankness. Here are a few random facts that may be considered weird. Maybe not.

• I don't really like holding babies. I was fine holding mine when they were little. My husband on the other hand loves to hold babies.
  
• I eat most leftovers cold due to laziness I guess.
• My hair feels really dirty if I don't wash it everyday.
• I freak if my arms are pinned down. When I've had my surgeries, I asked the nurses to secure my arms after I was under.
  
• I don't eat veal or lamb. Rarely do I eat pork except for bacon.
  
• I wrecked as passenger on a motorcycle while wearing a mini skirt.
  
• I share a birthday with Courtney Love and O.J. Simpson.

What is random and weird about you?

Home and Work

My plans were to be in Asheville this week for a few days. If you've never been to there, it's a great place with a little of everything including fantastic restaurants and the largest home in America the Biltmore. Surprise, surprise it didn't work out. Everything happens for a reason. Turns out my son had bad swimmer's ear. I had to take him to the doctor. He still isn't feeling great. If I had known last week I would not be going, I would have been very upset. Now I am fine.

I've got this vibe right now to do things around the house so I won't fight it and will stay out of work as originally scheduled. I've posted about my daughter and I planning a garden. We started composting. Currently it's in a container but I ordered a composting bin. My husband will be surprised. Hey, it was on sale and free shipping. The compost is kinda gross but actually not as bad as I would have thought. Other projects include major clean up and throwing away of items in my daughter's room since she isn't here at the moment. I ordered black and white prints of pictures I've taken and need to get frames. I have a lot of peaches from Saturday's visit to the farmer's market so I'm thinking a peach crisp will be good tonight with vanilla ice cream!

I've twittered a little about this but not sure if I've blogged (so many options). The software at work is now Internet based so I can work from home. Awesome, awesome! I only work part time. I can set my own schedule but considering it takes me 30 minutes to get there, we have limited office hours and I don't like to be in the building by myself, and my kids crazy schedule, the hours I can actually get into the office have been fewer than I would have thought. I look forward to this change.

So now I have a new coworker: She's moody, lazy, whiny, and disappears. Hmm, not different from most people I've worked with.

My Sunday Views

The Neuse River near Oriental NC:



Unfortunately we were only there less than an hour.

Gardening in Suburbia? We Will See.

My kids have personality traits that can annoy the (excuse me) hell out of me but I'm trying to stay positive here and I won't dwell on that subject. On the flip side they possess other qualities which truly amaze me. My son - I am envious of his athletic ability and his self confidence both on and off the field. He has an ability to shake things off and move on with his life. My daughter has a level of sensitivity and caring that is awesome. She's artistic and creative. I'm sure she would love to spend a few days with SugarMama baking, gardening, and sewing.
My daughter is all into this new channel called Planet Green from Discovery. She's long wanted to have a garden which is funny since she doesn't like most vegetables. Anyway I felt guilty for not encouraging her so now we are going to have one. I talked to my blogger friend Slowly She Turned for information. She referred me to the Square Foot Method of gardening. Since it is officially summer today we will actually plant later. We will do the prep work now including composting (a little gross but we will see). For now I buy. I just got back from the downtown Farmer's Market loaded with: peaches, strawberries, squash, cukes, bagged salad, mini pecan tarts, and cinnamon rolls.
If any of you have gardening advice or really any advice I am all ear (since I can only hear out of one). Enjoy your weekend.

Thursday's Wrap Up

My last 2 posts were about finally meeting up with Beth and SugarMama last night. I'm too lazy to put links so just scroll down if you want to read the earlier entries.
My first impressions of them - they are both prettier in person. I'm not saying they don't photographed well because they do but that's what crossed my mind. We had a great time talking about family, friends, blogging, gardening etc. It came out there is a lot of good material I don't blog about. I have to say some interesting events have happened with those around me but I keep in mind anyone can read my blog if they know I blog. Most people don't. If you recall I turned down an interview with a local paper for that very reason.
A few of you asked for pictures. Did I take any? No! I was just too wrapped up in the talking I guess. Hopefully Beth and SugarMama will send me the ones they took.
It was an 1 hr and 15 min drive to SugarMama's. Half the time is on country roads. On the way home I noticed a beautiful moon. I snapped a not so great picture. I was a little concerned I had not pulled off the road enough and afraid someone would come after me with a gun or their dogs for being in the driveway.

I got home and talked with my daughter about her latest project. I'm still not sure what it is:

Reputation

Apparently I have a reputation. Well not me, my toes. I'm meeting up with Beth and SugarMama tonight and both mentioned my feet. The funny thing is I'm not this really pampered, made up all the time girl. My fingernails are short and unpolished. I do like to paint my toes during the warm season. I'm not sure why I started taking pictures. I don't care to be photographed otherwise.

The First Time

This is the week my "pretend friends" as some have called my blogging buddies come to life. Blind as a Bat Beth has arrived in NC. We're meeting up with Sugar Mama. I'm excited.

Whimsigal of The Road Less Traveled and I tried to get together for dinner tonight but it didn't work out. We both live in the same area so I know we will see each other very soon.

Actually I've been fortunate to meet many bloggers: BlueRidge Blog, Allison, Gnumoon, Popcorn, Katie, Trish (actually I knew her before her blogging), and Mikey.

Not bad for someone who is a secret blogger.

Staying Put

All my life I've taken trips frequently. They were not usually big adventures but we are fortunate here in NC to have both mountains and coast within driving distance. Yeah, last year we did go to Wyoming, Idaho, Michigan, and Mexico. The year before my husband and I went to the Caymans. We traveled to St. Croix and Florida in 2005. Not to mention all the trips to the mountains and beach. We have family in Vermont as well. Now I've stayed within a 90 mile radius of my home since the championship in December. We haven't gone camping in 2 years. Completely unbelievable for me. I never could understand families who didn't take vacations, who never seem to leave the area (if they were able to financially and otherwise). I guess we have some obstacles mainly our son. His summer football practice schedule is pretty all consuming. At 15 he isn't thrilled about leaving his friends and going with us on weekend trips. Letting him stay with others can be scary and it is beginning to be a little much for my parents to watch the kids. I admit I am resentful. I'm fortunate enough to have a job which allows me flexibility but for other reasons I'm still here. By the time my son is gone, my daughter will be going through the same issues (well not football). I know I should enjoy whatever phase our family is in at the moment. I realize it won't last forever. In a blink of an eye, they will be grown. Still I'm pouting.

Seeing $$$

Here's a hot topic: Gas Prices! I am curious if you are doing anything different in light of the recent rise in costs. My coworker (a single woman) was planning on buying a new car. Months ago she had decided to downsize her Toyota Highlander to a Rav4. At the last minute she changed her mind and got a Prius. I'm still driving my 8 year old minivan around. It's not the greatest on mileage but it is better than a SUV and was paid off years ago.
I have a 24 mile round trip commute to work. For several reasons, I'm going into the office less times during the week and working longer hours while I'm there. Soon we will be able to access information from home-yes! I live out in the suburbs however grocery stores, drugstores, and my kids' schools are nearby. I try not to run into "town" on a whim but rather consolidate my errands in conjunction with going to work.
With that said, in the near future I will be driving a lot. In a 24 hours period, I will have to be at our coast then the mountains. Even with these gas prices, we are still planning to attend all the home ASU football games which is about 2 hours away from our house as well as few away games. My son's high school football team has a majority of home games but of course we will go to his away games, too. Others may think differently but these events are important to our family.
Even with the gas prices, I believe I feel the increase in groceries even more especially this summer when the kids are home. Keep in mind my son is a large football player trying to gain weight and has friends over. We mainly eat in. I can't say we all sit down and eat together but there is food in the house. I can easily spend $200+ a week at the grocery store.
How's it going with you?

Very random - here is the necklace my husband bought me while we were at the Farmer's Market this morning.

Coming Up Mushrooms

I was surprised to find these with the high temperatures we've had and little rain.

Airing my Clean Laundry

Originally uploaded by ASUJoan
never done this before but it was so hot and my deck could fry an egg so I thought "why not?" They were dry in less time than if they had been in the dryer. Crunchy - if you read this, you'd be proud of me.

Just Didn't Know

Last night we were flipping through channels and found the show I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant. Wow! What was amazing was these women came across as intelligent. I can't imagine finding out I was pregnant as I was in labor.

Bring on the Summer

FUTABing (Feet Up Taking a Break). Busy but good week. At work I'm involved in a software conversion and the annual audit. On the personal side, all the end of the year school stuff. I proctored at the high school yesterday and will go back tomorrow. My daughter is having her "graduation" from elementary school Tuesday. Their last day of school is Wednesday.

I'm looking forward to summer though this is the first year in a long time that we do not have vacation plans. The kids have some things in the works but so far no family trip. My son only has 2 weeks free from football practice. We may go somewhere. In the meantime, I'll look back at our pictures of Wyoming and Idaho from last summer.

What are your summer plans?

Moving At a Snail's Pace

This picture sums up my last week or so. In an 8 day span, I was out 4 days with my children for one weird reason or another (virus, injury, allergic reaction to the unknown in the classroom). Thank goodness everything seems to be fine now.

It's My Hobby - Okay?

I'll take a break from spiders for a few days.