I know a lot of you are envious of the So. Cal lifestyle. Sunny days at the beach & red Ferraris on the highway. Well, it's not all fun and games. No one really has time to go to the beach, and you can read about those little Ferarris.
This weekend was near 100 at our house. It is just plain hot. Ken had the annual Scout-O-Rama (or something like that) in Irvine. Unfortunately, one of his co-workers ended up in the hospital with his electrolytes all out of whack. That means, Ken being the ever dutiful scout, and a team player, left on Sunday to Palm Springs for a Golf Tournament (that this particular hospitalized co-worker was supposed to be working at.) He said it's closer to 105-110 in Palm Springs. He'll get home late tonight, and leave tomorrow for the National Meeting.
I know a lot of people have jobs that take them away from home, but there are times, when this particular job makes me unhappy (to say the least.) He gets to run off and leaves me here all alone, in HELL, waiting to hear from the insurance agent, driving kids all over the county, and trying to keep up with my job at the same time.
Hope you don't mind. Felt like whining a little today......
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Ken and the Ferrari
You know how men are about cars. Seems like from the time they can talk, they know the difference between a Chevy and a Toyota, a Malibu and a Camero. I don't know any of that. I know I don't like to have to lay down to drive, I know I'm not a big fan of red cars, I know I want a cup holder that can hold a big gulp. That's what I know.
So I have to tell you about Ken's run in with the little red Ferrari. Every man's dream right....nightmare in this case. I will preface this story with the disclaimer that, yes, I did tell him how stupid he is, and all involved are fine.
So, (my favorite word) Ken was going from work to a scouting event. He was going to get on "the 55" (yes, we're from CA and all freeways start with the.) It was mid day and traffic was un-characteristically light. As he was getting on the freeway on ramp, he discovered he was on the northbound on ramp, and he wanted to go south. So, does he continue, go a block and a half, get off "the 55" and get back on going the right way, NOPE. He decides to BACK UP ON THE ON RAMP! Really. He said he looked around and didn't see anything. By now you've all probably figured what happened next, but give me the pleasure of telling you. He backed right ON TOP of a little red Ferrari, that's right, drove right on top of the hood of the low rider.
For any of you who question the need for insurance, let me tell you we cannot afford a Ferrari. We are actually grateful that we have the extended 100,000 property damage coverage. Hopefully that will be enough.
The kids are having a hey day with this one. I did tell Jake that if he came home and told me he backed ONTO a Ferrari, I'd probably have screamed at him. But, I held my tongue as best I could. I didn't yell, but yes, I did ask him why he didn't just turn around.
Life in the OC, why couldn't we live in Montana. I'm pretty sure his Equinox couldn't run over a pick-up.
So I have to tell you about Ken's run in with the little red Ferrari. Every man's dream right....nightmare in this case. I will preface this story with the disclaimer that, yes, I did tell him how stupid he is, and all involved are fine.
So, (my favorite word) Ken was going from work to a scouting event. He was going to get on "the 55" (yes, we're from CA and all freeways start with the.) It was mid day and traffic was un-characteristically light. As he was getting on the freeway on ramp, he discovered he was on the northbound on ramp, and he wanted to go south. So, does he continue, go a block and a half, get off "the 55" and get back on going the right way, NOPE. He decides to BACK UP ON THE ON RAMP! Really. He said he looked around and didn't see anything. By now you've all probably figured what happened next, but give me the pleasure of telling you. He backed right ON TOP of a little red Ferrari, that's right, drove right on top of the hood of the low rider.
For any of you who question the need for insurance, let me tell you we cannot afford a Ferrari. We are actually grateful that we have the extended 100,000 property damage coverage. Hopefully that will be enough.
The kids are having a hey day with this one. I did tell Jake that if he came home and told me he backed ONTO a Ferrari, I'd probably have screamed at him. But, I held my tongue as best I could. I didn't yell, but yes, I did ask him why he didn't just turn around.
Life in the OC, why couldn't we live in Montana. I'm pretty sure his Equinox couldn't run over a pick-up.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Can I handle another teenager???
Do you remember that cute little boy with the green blankie, who was always happy, never much of a problem. I miss him....A LOT!
Michael has definitely entered the stage of "ugly teenage boy" and I'm not sure I can handle another 5 years of this. We fought valiantly for Jake, and I think we have succeeded in turning him into a productive, caring adult. Megan has always been productive and caring, and I totally understand the cyclical mood swings, and know when to give her space. Now, my baby, my love, has turned into a monster, and I'm not sure I'm ready for the battle.
Every sentence starts with "Tsk." I asked him to help me clean up a mess the dogs made in the garage (I'll save that story for another post) and got the "I cleaned the garage last week" reply. Well, I fed him yesterday, I took him to soccer practice three times last week, I paid for a year end trip to the San Diego Zoo.... What is the point of what happened last week, when I'm talking now? Here's the clencher though. So I scold him and explain that his attitude is somewhat self centered, and I would like him to talk to me with some respect and I get the pout. And I'm not talking little lip out pout. I'm talking full sulk, can't sit up straight, body goes limp like a two year old pout!
Some would say he spends too much time in his room playing video games, I say, the more time he spends in there, the better his chances of living to the ripe old age of 15! Pray for me.....
Happy Mother's Day
Michael has definitely entered the stage of "ugly teenage boy" and I'm not sure I can handle another 5 years of this. We fought valiantly for Jake, and I think we have succeeded in turning him into a productive, caring adult. Megan has always been productive and caring, and I totally understand the cyclical mood swings, and know when to give her space. Now, my baby, my love, has turned into a monster, and I'm not sure I'm ready for the battle.
Every sentence starts with "Tsk." I asked him to help me clean up a mess the dogs made in the garage (I'll save that story for another post) and got the "I cleaned the garage last week" reply. Well, I fed him yesterday, I took him to soccer practice three times last week, I paid for a year end trip to the San Diego Zoo.... What is the point of what happened last week, when I'm talking now? Here's the clencher though. So I scold him and explain that his attitude is somewhat self centered, and I would like him to talk to me with some respect and I get the pout. And I'm not talking little lip out pout. I'm talking full sulk, can't sit up straight, body goes limp like a two year old pout!
Some would say he spends too much time in his room playing video games, I say, the more time he spends in there, the better his chances of living to the ripe old age of 15! Pray for me.....
Happy Mother's Day
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Car Trouble
I know a lot of you think I make up some of the things I write in this blog. Nope, not even exaggeration, just how my life rolls. For example, car trouble.
We've known for quite some time that the van was on its last legs. The transmission would drop into gear just about every time we would drive it. I had no idea how much gas was in the car because the gauge would go up and down whenever it felt like it, sometimes from full to empty all in the span of a drive up window. Anyway, Jake called last Saturday while he was borrowing the van for some teen activity and said the "Service Engine Soon" light had come on. We told him it was time to come home and get his own car. We took the van over to our neighborhood service station (yes, they still have those, a few anyway.) We really like the mechanic there because he seems to tell you the truth even if he ends up losing the "sale." At first he said it was just the fuel sensor (duh, we knew that) and it was an easy fix and he could do it early Monday. Well, Monday comes and he said they looked a little deeper (why, I don't know.) Yes, the transmission was ready to drop, and something about head gaskets, valves and blah, blah, blah.....$4,500. No thanks, we'll just sell that piece of junk.
So, after some deliberation about new, used, who would drive what....we decided to get a smaller used car for me to drive for a year or so, and then we'd have something for Megan should she ever be prepared to drive alone (which I seriously doubt.) We tried the dealership and they said $1000 scrap metal for the van. He suggested CarMax. We went there and by some miracle when they did the test drive the transmission didn't drop into gear? Apparently they are a little less thorough than our neighborhood service station so they gave us $1,700 and we chose a small Nissan hatchback. Why does it take so long to buy a car? CarMax has no haggle pricing, we have excellent credit, they had already told us what they would pay for the van, and six hours later we drove off the lot with the new car.
Next day, I drive it to work. I make plans with some friends to go to lunch. They say, oh, we'll go drop our car off at the car wash and you can pick us up and take us in the new car. They leave, I get in, the car won't start....REALY.....these are true stories. I try and try, I try to call them, they don't answer, I don't have the number for the friend we were meeting for lunch, the service department at CarMax leaves me on hold for 10 minutes! Finally the friend I was going to meet for lunch, drives into the parking lot, "Where have you been?" I explain and she says she'll drive and pick up the car wash twins and we'll do lunch. Only problem, she has a two door Honda Civic, and we are 3 old broads (the term can be used both ways.) After a comedy of errors we get into the back seat and head to lunch. I'm wearing a long skirt and can't stretch my leg far enough to get out of the back. I try putting both feet out, but I can't budge. It literally takes five minutes for the two "broads" in the back to get out of the car. We sit through lunch laughing, but quietly thinking, "someone still has to get back there to get back to work." I being one of the younger old broads, am elected to repeat my performance in the back seat. We stop at the car wash to pick up the other cars and we all decide someone else should drive us back to work, as this would be humiliating in front of co-workers. But, we had to get out of the car at the car wash. The attendant who vacuums before the car goes into the wash watched in amazement as we tried to get out of the car. I was laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants. He started with just a smirk, but ended up in a full belly laugh before the two of us were hoisted from the backseat. Great fun.
So back to the car....I finally get a hold of the service department and they agree to send a tow truck. Once the tow truck driver gets there he asked what the problem seemed to be. "It won't start" I say. He sits down and immediately starts the car. I'm livid. He tries two or three times and it still starts, then, he looks at my key chain. The dealer had given me two keys when we walked out and I hadn't taken the other off the key chain yet. He tried the other key, and it wouldn't start. Finally I feel a little vindicated. Turns out the copy of the key they made doesn't have the special little chip in it that you need to start the car (cars are really smart these days.)
End of story. Car works fine, just need a new key from the dealership. Megan is excited about the possibility of it being "her car." But for now, she keeps practicing.
We've known for quite some time that the van was on its last legs. The transmission would drop into gear just about every time we would drive it. I had no idea how much gas was in the car because the gauge would go up and down whenever it felt like it, sometimes from full to empty all in the span of a drive up window. Anyway, Jake called last Saturday while he was borrowing the van for some teen activity and said the "Service Engine Soon" light had come on. We told him it was time to come home and get his own car. We took the van over to our neighborhood service station (yes, they still have those, a few anyway.) We really like the mechanic there because he seems to tell you the truth even if he ends up losing the "sale." At first he said it was just the fuel sensor (duh, we knew that) and it was an easy fix and he could do it early Monday. Well, Monday comes and he said they looked a little deeper (why, I don't know.) Yes, the transmission was ready to drop, and something about head gaskets, valves and blah, blah, blah.....$4,500. No thanks, we'll just sell that piece of junk.
So, after some deliberation about new, used, who would drive what....we decided to get a smaller used car for me to drive for a year or so, and then we'd have something for Megan should she ever be prepared to drive alone (which I seriously doubt.) We tried the dealership and they said $1000 scrap metal for the van. He suggested CarMax. We went there and by some miracle when they did the test drive the transmission didn't drop into gear? Apparently they are a little less thorough than our neighborhood service station so they gave us $1,700 and we chose a small Nissan hatchback. Why does it take so long to buy a car? CarMax has no haggle pricing, we have excellent credit, they had already told us what they would pay for the van, and six hours later we drove off the lot with the new car.
Next day, I drive it to work. I make plans with some friends to go to lunch. They say, oh, we'll go drop our car off at the car wash and you can pick us up and take us in the new car. They leave, I get in, the car won't start....REALY.....these are true stories. I try and try, I try to call them, they don't answer, I don't have the number for the friend we were meeting for lunch, the service department at CarMax leaves me on hold for 10 minutes! Finally the friend I was going to meet for lunch, drives into the parking lot, "Where have you been?" I explain and she says she'll drive and pick up the car wash twins and we'll do lunch. Only problem, she has a two door Honda Civic, and we are 3 old broads (the term can be used both ways.) After a comedy of errors we get into the back seat and head to lunch. I'm wearing a long skirt and can't stretch my leg far enough to get out of the back. I try putting both feet out, but I can't budge. It literally takes five minutes for the two "broads" in the back to get out of the car. We sit through lunch laughing, but quietly thinking, "someone still has to get back there to get back to work." I being one of the younger old broads, am elected to repeat my performance in the back seat. We stop at the car wash to pick up the other cars and we all decide someone else should drive us back to work, as this would be humiliating in front of co-workers. But, we had to get out of the car at the car wash. The attendant who vacuums before the car goes into the wash watched in amazement as we tried to get out of the car. I was laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants. He started with just a smirk, but ended up in a full belly laugh before the two of us were hoisted from the backseat. Great fun.
So back to the car....I finally get a hold of the service department and they agree to send a tow truck. Once the tow truck driver gets there he asked what the problem seemed to be. "It won't start" I say. He sits down and immediately starts the car. I'm livid. He tries two or three times and it still starts, then, he looks at my key chain. The dealer had given me two keys when we walked out and I hadn't taken the other off the key chain yet. He tried the other key, and it wouldn't start. Finally I feel a little vindicated. Turns out the copy of the key they made doesn't have the special little chip in it that you need to start the car (cars are really smart these days.)
End of story. Car works fine, just need a new key from the dealership. Megan is excited about the possibility of it being "her car." But for now, she keeps practicing.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Oh, What I'd Do for a Life of Leisure
It has been crazy busy at work lately. I think I've worked 10 hours nearly every day for the past two weeks. Would be ok, if I was an hourly employee, the salary thing sucks when you are working crazy overtime and getting nothing extra in the paycheck!
When I started working it was a part time assistant position. The General Manager at the time was pretty self-sufficient, and I found myself wondering what to do a lot of the time. Because I didn't enjoy being bored at work, and I really wanted to work up to full time (full paid benefits!) I started asking for other areas where I could be of assistance. That grew and grew and suddenly it appears I have my hands in just about every department. Now we have a new GM, who actually wants me to assist him, and all the little time filling tasks that I took on are overwhelming me. I guess I should have kept my mouth shut back when I was bored....
Another funny story from work....
I often go to lunch with a group of ladies from the office. Only problem, they are all in their 20's or early 30's. I like to call it Jodi and the young chicks. So, now the "young chicks" are planning a girls weekend to Vegas. I looked at the invitation list and noticed again, I was the only one over 30 invited! I thought how fun, me and the girls hanging out, then I thought again. Clubs, dancing, flirting with guys, staying up late, getting drunk.....I passed that stage before most of these girls were born! So, either I'll have to plan an "old chick" trip to Vegas or I'll just stay home and bask in the glory of at least being cool enough to get the invitation.
Guess I would miss all that fun if I didn't have to work. Glass half full, right? I'm working on it (not really.)
When I started working it was a part time assistant position. The General Manager at the time was pretty self-sufficient, and I found myself wondering what to do a lot of the time. Because I didn't enjoy being bored at work, and I really wanted to work up to full time (full paid benefits!) I started asking for other areas where I could be of assistance. That grew and grew and suddenly it appears I have my hands in just about every department. Now we have a new GM, who actually wants me to assist him, and all the little time filling tasks that I took on are overwhelming me. I guess I should have kept my mouth shut back when I was bored....
Another funny story from work....
I often go to lunch with a group of ladies from the office. Only problem, they are all in their 20's or early 30's. I like to call it Jodi and the young chicks. So, now the "young chicks" are planning a girls weekend to Vegas. I looked at the invitation list and noticed again, I was the only one over 30 invited! I thought how fun, me and the girls hanging out, then I thought again. Clubs, dancing, flirting with guys, staying up late, getting drunk.....I passed that stage before most of these girls were born! So, either I'll have to plan an "old chick" trip to Vegas or I'll just stay home and bask in the glory of at least being cool enough to get the invitation.
Guess I would miss all that fun if I didn't have to work. Glass half full, right? I'm working on it (not really.)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A Right of Passage
Many of you may remember my tale of the 16th birthday bash from our Christmas letter. I'll go deeper....
I turned 16 once, even one of my kids had turned 16, so what's the big deal? If you've ever seen "My Super Sweet Sixteen" on MTV you'll know, it's not what it used to be. It's not about the innocence of that first kiss or even the thrill of the driver's license. If you're a girl in So. Cal, it's ALL ABOUT THE PARTY!
While we tried very hard to make Megan's day special, it pales in comparison to some of the thousands (an exaggeration of course) of parties she's been to this year. It appears that every weekend someone or another is having a party. She's at one right now and there is an invitation sitting on the table next to my chair. They range lavishness, but all are a big deal, trust me. We've probably spent more on gifts, make up, hair accessories, etc. this last year than most boys spend on a lifetime of birthdays.
One girl from school invited her and a bunch of her friends to a party on a yacht in Newport Harbor. Now this isn't one of Megan's good friends, just someone she knows. Apparently this particular girl wanted to make sure her party was big enough, so she invited half the school. A stretch limo hummer picked up Megan and about 10 other people. There were at least 3 others around town picking up other kids all over town. There was a DJ, a full buffet dinner, sparkling cider was flowing all night. The guest of honor changed at least three times.
Here's the double standard. Jake turned 16 while we were here in the OC. He went to two parties (and they were for girls!) Why do the girls get the big Sweet 16 parties? They get the wedding later on that is pretty much all about them, right? What do the guys get? Don't tell Jake that I noticed this inequality or he'll be hell bent to right the wrong. But I was just thinking what is the right of passage for the non-Jewish boy? But then again, maybe I don't want to know. Sometimes guy things gross me out.
I turned 16 once, even one of my kids had turned 16, so what's the big deal? If you've ever seen "My Super Sweet Sixteen" on MTV you'll know, it's not what it used to be. It's not about the innocence of that first kiss or even the thrill of the driver's license. If you're a girl in So. Cal, it's ALL ABOUT THE PARTY!
While we tried very hard to make Megan's day special, it pales in comparison to some of the thousands (an exaggeration of course) of parties she's been to this year. It appears that every weekend someone or another is having a party. She's at one right now and there is an invitation sitting on the table next to my chair. They range lavishness, but all are a big deal, trust me. We've probably spent more on gifts, make up, hair accessories, etc. this last year than most boys spend on a lifetime of birthdays.
One girl from school invited her and a bunch of her friends to a party on a yacht in Newport Harbor. Now this isn't one of Megan's good friends, just someone she knows. Apparently this particular girl wanted to make sure her party was big enough, so she invited half the school. A stretch limo hummer picked up Megan and about 10 other people. There were at least 3 others around town picking up other kids all over town. There was a DJ, a full buffet dinner, sparkling cider was flowing all night. The guest of honor changed at least three times.
Here's the double standard. Jake turned 16 while we were here in the OC. He went to two parties (and they were for girls!) Why do the girls get the big Sweet 16 parties? They get the wedding later on that is pretty much all about them, right? What do the guys get? Don't tell Jake that I noticed this inequality or he'll be hell bent to right the wrong. But I was just thinking what is the right of passage for the non-Jewish boy? But then again, maybe I don't want to know. Sometimes guy things gross me out.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
A Match Made.....Near Heaven
I remember when Sweetie used to follow me around wherever I would go. If I was in the living room, she was on my lap, if I was at the computer, she was laying on a rug near my feet, if I was in the kitchen....just kidding, I'm never in the kitchen! You get the point. Anyway, it appears that Sweetie now has a shadow of her own. Our new Ginger LOVES Sweetie! She is warming up to the humans in the house, but she took immediately to Sweetie. It's comical to watch.
An example...yesterday Ken and I were heading to bed, where Sweetie usually joins us. She usually starts the evening in a little basket we have in the room, but sometime in the night she jumps up and ends up between us under the covers. So Sweetie went to her basket, and Ginger followed. Sweetie layed down, and Ginger circled and squeezed until there was enough room for her to lay next to (on top of) Sweetie. After a few minutes, Sweetie was done with the doggy bonding and jumped up on the bed. The problem, dachshunds don't jump well. Ginger circled the bed and tried several times to get up but just couldn't. So in pity, I leaned over and lifted her up. She immediately sought out her BFF Sweetie. Sweetie looked at me, and then jumped down and went back to the basket. Ginger, immediately followed. Then I think I heard an audible sigh from Sweetie as she jumped back up on the bed. You guessed it. Ginger started the frantic pacing around the bed trying to get up. Knowing that the alarm was still going to ring at 5:45, I picked up Ginger.....and put her in bed with Megan.
So what is happening right now as I am sitting at the computer typing? Is my loyal pug Sweetie sitting at my feet waiting for my next move? No, the two of them are curled up together on the couch watching Wheel of Fortune.
An example...yesterday Ken and I were heading to bed, where Sweetie usually joins us. She usually starts the evening in a little basket we have in the room, but sometime in the night she jumps up and ends up between us under the covers. So Sweetie went to her basket, and Ginger followed. Sweetie layed down, and Ginger circled and squeezed until there was enough room for her to lay next to (on top of) Sweetie. After a few minutes, Sweetie was done with the doggy bonding and jumped up on the bed. The problem, dachshunds don't jump well. Ginger circled the bed and tried several times to get up but just couldn't. So in pity, I leaned over and lifted her up. She immediately sought out her BFF Sweetie. Sweetie looked at me, and then jumped down and went back to the basket. Ginger, immediately followed. Then I think I heard an audible sigh from Sweetie as she jumped back up on the bed. You guessed it. Ginger started the frantic pacing around the bed trying to get up. Knowing that the alarm was still going to ring at 5:45, I picked up Ginger.....and put her in bed with Megan.
So what is happening right now as I am sitting at the computer typing? Is my loyal pug Sweetie sitting at my feet waiting for my next move? No, the two of them are curled up together on the couch watching Wheel of Fortune.
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