(43-83) Taking Care Of Business

I don't know why it's always so much easier for me to put  everyone else's needs before mine.  If I know that one of my kids or Luis needs something done; I'm Jenny on the spot; and I'm trying to be better about taking care of  myself as well. 

October is the month that I typically have my physical and mammogram; and I have both of those scheduled.  I always take both exams very seriously and this year ESPECIALLY.  My physical is on Wednesday; and I wouldn't say that I'm nervous, because like I've said before; other than being overweight, I believe that I'm in perfect health.  BUT, I really don't want to have to address my weight with the doctor; since I KNOW what I need to do.  My mammogram will be one week later; and I'm not concerned about that either; because I'm sure that as always, everything will be fine.  So OK, I've got the physical covered and the mammogram attended to; so what's that leave; ahh yes; the dreaded, dentist.

As much as I fear, hate, despise, going to the dentist; I do go for my check up and cleaning every six months.  My last check up was in July, and I was told that I had a tiny cavity in one tooth.  Now if the kid's dentist had told me this about one of them; I would have scheduled an appointment on the spot, and for as soon as possible; but because it was for me; I put it off.  Now don't get me wrong, I didn't BLOW IT OFF, I just didn't make an appointment; but not doing so was very much on my mind; since I am the Queen of FOLLOWING THE RULES; and I knew that this was something that I had to do.

Fearing that the cavity would get worse, the longer that I let it go; I decided that it was time to take care of business; and I made the appointment for this morning, at 8am.

Although I still go to the office of the dentist that I wrote about in "A New Crown For The Queen;"  I now, see Dr. V; and she is the kindest, most gentle, dentist that I have ever met.  Dr. V and her assistant, Laura; always go out of their way to make sure that I am comfortable because they know that I have a larger than average dental anxiety.  I've mentioned before that going to the dentist is excruciating for me because, due to problematic sinuses I'm a mouth breather; I have a physically small mouth; AND I have a terrible, fear of needles.  Add all of these things up and they do NOT spell good dental patient; although I try; I really do; and I have gotten better.

Today's filling was actually rather speedy.  I was out of the office within 45 minutes and that includes the extra time that I spent chatting with Dr. V and Laura. They seem to find me amusing; and you know that any time I have a responsive audience; I'm just like the Energizer Rabbit; I keep going and going and going...

I won't go into any details about the filling etc; because really, who wants to read about that; but suffice it to say, that if you live in my area and you're in need of a dentist; I highly recommend Dr. V at Your Family Dentist which is at 83rd Avenue and Cactus; in the Safeway shopping Center.  If you have any questions; feel free to email me.

So, what have I learned today.  Once again I've been reminded that things aren't always as bad as we seem.  I was apprehensive about going to the dentist, but in the long run; it really wasn't bad at all and I wasted precious time being nervous about it.  I also reminded myself that just as I'm responsible to take care of my family; I also have to take care of myself; because I am just as important as they are #1 and #2, if I'm ill or less than; then I'm not going to be as helpful and available to them.  I hope that you all  realize the same.  Take care of YOUR business; so that you can be the best you that you can be.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-82) The Hostess With The Mostess

You were introduced to my friend, Mari; when I wrote the appropriately, titled "There's Something About Mari."  In this post, At the risk of sounding disrespectful, I told you  that "Mari is the BEST scrapbooker that I know."  And I also said that Mari is remarkably creative; and she is.  So suffice it to say, that a crop at Mari's house isn't your run of the mill crop.
I consider myself a very detail oriented individual, but I must give credit where credit is due and admit that I pale in comparison to Mari.  I could go on and on about Mari's special talents but I think I will just describe the crop to you, so you will have a better understanding of why I lavish so much praise on Mari.

Mari has an EXTRAORDINARY, home; and when I say it's extraordinary; I'm not referring to the architecture but the way in which Mari has created an warm, loving, immaculate, family friendly home, and adorned it with tasteful and creative accents for the different seasons or holidays.  I have never been at Mari's home when it didn't look like it could be photographed for any number of magazines.  Honestly, it's the kind of place that I'd love to live and I admire her immensely because of it.  From the fall garlands and wreaths that trim her front door, to the candy corn wreath that she made for her formal, living room.  As soon as you approach Mari's home; you are captivated by the spirit of the season.
Other than using the rest room a couple of times, ( I know, tmi;) I didn't spend much time in Mari's house last night; because her crop was being held in her hobby house.  Yes, I said hobby house.  A number of years ago, Mari had her own little craft retreat built in her backyard.  Last night there were six of of us there including Mari; but she can comfortably seat eight.  Now when I say hobby house; let me tell you that if this conjures up the image of the most perfectly decorated, shabby chic haven; you'd be correct.  As usual, Mari hasn't missed a step.  From the curtains on the windows, to the crafty decor; Mari's hobby house is a place I always enjoy spending my time.  It's a girly getaway, if only for an evening.

Now I don't call Mari the Hostess With The Mostess, just because she shares her hobby house with us; oh no.  What would you call someone who sets out Styrofoam cups with each of her guest's names on them, each one hand designed and inclusive of pumpkin bendy straws.  Then she provided a favor for each guest. We were all presented with a little, pumpkin purse that contained a Stickles, a spool of ribbon, a crysta,l spider sticker and a pumpkin sticker.  As if that wasn't enough, Mari had set up a candy bar; (in addition to the dainty, dishes of candy that she had placed on the table.)  The candy bar, had various sizes of glass containers and canisters, filled with everything from Lemon heads, to orange and white Nerds with a scooper, my fave; pretzel M&M's, as well as Halloween gummies, Jelly beans, 2 kinds of candy corn (regular and caramel,) Hershey bars, Mr. Goodbar, York Peppermint Patties, Reeses's  Peanut Butter Cups and Halloween themed lollipops; and as if that wasn't enough; she also had some gorgeous, Halloween cupcakes for dessert.  The candy bar was an awesome, array that made you smile just to look at it.  Mari provided plastic bags (and I'm not talking ziplocs;) with lush pipe cleaner ties; and being the Hostess With The Mostess; Mari's generosity and ingenuity didn't stop with the candy bar, cups and favor; NOOOO; she also provided an opportunity to do a make and take of a fabulous necklace; using a washer (not a dishwasher or a washing machine of course; but a washer from something that I can't explain because I was too busy focusing on writing my blog last night; to be able to give you that information.)  But what the washer is from isn't the point; although I'm sure that some of you would like to have instructions for this craft and see a picture of the final product (which maybe I can provide at a later date.)  How's that for A Bumpy Ride?  Let's round the curve... 
Besides for the make and take; Oh yes; there's more... Mari devised her own version of "Let's make a deal;" the only catch was; we didn't have to provide anything (like a nail file from your purse;) we just got to pick gifts.  Mari's teen daughter, Taylor; served as host for this game; and one at a time she would offer a woman an item, or give them the opportunity to choose what was in a purple bag or a green bag.  On my first round, I won a chipboard, FAMILY album.  On my second try, I won a Heidi grace 347 piece card stock punchout of numbers and symbols; and on a subsequent turn, a flower shaped chipboard album with paper.  It was at this point the we took a brief intermission from the game; because Taylor had to excuse herself; and upon her return, she was dressed in her prom gown and did her best Vanna White impersonation.  Taylor gave us all such a great laugh; and she was a beautiful, and charming hostess; following closely, in her mother's footsteps.  The game resumed (I know; hard to believe) and on additional turns I won, rhinestone brads, shimmery pumpkin stickers, Bazzil jewelry boxes; and an acrylic, picture cube; which Mari assures me will look adorable, once I adhere some rub-ons.  Now is it any wonder that it took me 5 hours to write my blog last night?  Between trying to catch up with friends; enjoying all that Mari had offered us; and playing umteen rounds of "Let's make A deal," I got very little done other than my blog; but I had a terrific time.
I finally finished the layout that I started when Jenny and Tina had come over.  The one that I had written about in "Calling All Scrappers;" since I was looking for advice about photographing my layouts and how to get rub on letters off."  Well, I went with Julie's suggestion and covered the rub-ons with a piece of the same color paper that the layout was done on; and it turned out just fine.

I had a glorious, time at Mari's; just as I always do.  I mean how could you not.  When I told you that Mari has a way of making you feel special; I meant it!  It is an honor to be one who she bestows with her thoughtful ways.  I love to look at all of her latest craft projects and I am just blown away by her imagination and her perfection.  I encouraged Mari to submit her work to various magazines and blogs; but she's so modest about her creations, that she's reluctant to do so.  I wish that i'd taken pictures of Mari's hobby hideaway, so you could experience the loveliness for yourself.  But I hope that my description of Mari, her hobby house, and everything that she did last night; have done her justice.  Just imagine the most special scrapbooking experience that you could ever have; and you'll know exactly what it was like to be there.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING 

(43-81) Opening Day

We began our opening day of soccer season at 6am; and were on the soccer field by 7.  We got the field set up, and our team arrived by 730.  It seemed that the opposing team was going to have to forfeit because they only had 3 players; but the referee agreed to wait an additional 10 minutes.  The ref also agreed that if the team had to forfeit, we could lend them a few players and at least have a scrimmage.  By the end of the ten minutes; 2 more players arrived; so we agreed to play just 5 on 5 instead of the usual 7 on 7.

The Torpedos looked terrific in their Turquoise jerseys; and within the first couple of minutes; they'd scored 3 goals; and a win seemed well within reach.  Kelsie amazed me, when she took to the field.  She really came to play.  What a difference from the player that she was last year.  The families were all fired up; and cheered enthusiastically.  And then, just as I expected; someone yelled "Go Tornados;" and thankfully, it WASN'T me.  I politely corrected him; and we all encouraged the Torpedos; who, by half time, were winning 7 to 0.

We had a team of 10 today, so playing 5 on 5 allowed us 5 substitutes, while the other team had none. Luis felt that there was no need to have a shutout; when the kids were supposed to be there to have a good time; so he decided to put some of his newer, less skilled, players in defender positions; so that the other team would have an opportunity to score.  Is it any wonder that I love this man?

The Fireballs scored 3 goals; and the game concluded with The Torpedos winning 9-3.  I commented to my friend, Jenny; that "winning feels so much better than losing;" but honestly, I didn't mean that in a rude way; I was speaking from experience.  Sara, (another Torpedos mom;) heard me, laughed; and asked if that was going to be the title of tonight's blog.  Sara then told me that last night's title "Sometimes Size DOES Matter;" really made her chuckle.  With that I pulled out my bag of gargantuan, grapes from my cooler.  I told her that I didn't think that my pictures had done the grapes justice and after laying her eyes on them, Sara fully agreed.  I think it was Sara's husband, Tim; who suggested that I should have taken a picture of one of the grapes next to a quarter.  I thought that was an incredible, idea and I was very disappointed that I hadn't thought of it last night.
All that viewed the grapes, were shocked by their size; and after tasting them, everyone agreed that they were the sweetest grapes that they'd ever tasted.  When we got home, I asked Luis to take a picture of one of the grapes and a quarter; but he wouldn't.  His exhaustion won out over his desire to cater to my obsession and so I had to settle for just mentioning the grapes again, in order to convey their actual size.

OK, enough about the grapes.  After the Torpedos victory, we went to watch Lyndzi and her team, TNT.  Lyndzi played goalie for the first half.  She had one perfect play and another that wasn't quite as successful, but both times; she gave it her all.

By the start of the second half, my friend Tina had joined us; TNT was winning and Lyndzi played forward.  Now Lyndzi is not a runner and Luis often comments that Lyndzi has been walking since she was 10 months old, but she still hasn't grasped the concept of running.  Just the other day during practice, one of the mom's had told me that she thought Lyndzi was a very good goalie; and I thanked her and said that it was a good position for her, because she didn't really know how to run.  I likened her lack of running ability to what it might look like if the Snuffaluffagus was running; so imagine our surprise as we watched Lyndzi dribble the ball down the field all by herself.  No one tried to intercept her at all; until she neared the goal.  We had been sitting on the edge of our seats watching the complete, control that Lyndzi had over the ball and felt so bad for her as she was stopped short, before getting the opportunity to shoot for the goal.  Lyndzi was clearly disappointed and in the cheeriest of voices; we heard our Little Mary Sunshine, shout "Darn it!  I think that she was probably just frustrated with herself; but our sweet girl, took it all in stride.  TNT won anyway; and we were able to take a lunch break until noon; when Nicky's team would warm up.

At 1230, Nicky and his team, Little United; were ready to play their game, and they took a very early lead.  This is a new team for Nicky and he's been really trying to prove himself.  He worked hard, and did all that was asked of him; so in the last ten minutes of the game, the coach subbed him in as a goalie.  I was nervous about Nicky giving goalie a try because he hadn't attempted it in 4 years.  I think I was holding my breath, as I waited for the other team to take a shot at the goal; but Nicky rose to the occasion, dove for the ball as it was called for; and kicked the ball out out of the goal in an admirable way.

Little United played so well today, that I lost track of how many goals they'd scored.  Their win was our third of the day; and our whole family was very satisfied; but worn out.
We drove home and the kids dragged themselves out of our minivan, with barely enough energy to take a shower.

I immediately, took my extremely, sunburned self into the shower; because I had to get ready to go to scrapbooking.  I packed up a minimal amount of stuff; and my laptop, since I was going to have to write my blog at the crop; and that's exactly what I've been doing for the past 5 hours.  Yes, I said 5 hours.  Which I think proves 2 things.  1.  That I am truly dedicated to this pursuit AND 2.  That I absolutely, cannot blog efficiently with a lot of people around.  OK, In my defense of the 5 hour timeframe, I'll concede that  I've taken a dinner break, and actually went with Mari and our friend Brooke, to pick up dinner; AND I've been distracted by conversation; and other things that I'll tell you about tomorrow; but nonetheless, 5 hours have elapsed since I started this blog and for better or worse; I REALLY need to conclude. So, barring anything unforeseen, or ridiculous occuring on Sunday; you can expect me to fill you in on this fantastic crop then.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING