(43-179) What's Going On...

Today's post, is a response to a writing prompt from Mari's "Memories And Thoughts" jar; which I told you all about in "There's Something About Mari."  The prompt I chose read "Describe what's going on around you right now, in detail."  

Now details aren't something that I usually have to be encouraged to share; for I am the Queen of DETAILS; in ways both good and bad.  I'm extremely detail oriented; Queen of THOROUGHNESS, as I told you in "Making Things Right," remember?  However, when it comes to telling a story; it may be said that sometimes I OVER share, or provide too much information.  If I do, I assure you that it's because I'm an overachiever, and a people pleaser; so I'm of the opinion that if you have to ask me for details, then I haven't done a satisfactory job of explaining - and I would hate for anyone to think that I'd left something important out or hadn't done a good job.  WHEW!  So, in DETAIL, here's what's going on...

I am feeling quite lazy today; and I'm attributing this to the fact that I haven't slept very well for the past two nights; because Lyndzi's been sick.  it started out as a sore throat, but she rapidly became congested and developed a nasty cough; so it's been difficult for her to sleep; and in turn, for me as well.  In addition to my lack of sleep, I have a sinus headache that I can't seem to get rid of; so I don't feel like doing much of anything; which is highly unusual for me.  Since I'm feeling so out of it; I thought I'd put my time on the couch to good use and write my blog; but given my present state of mind; I couldn't think of anything amusing, useful or moving to share; so I turned to my handy, dandy jar.  Thank you Mari!

As I sit and type; Luis is finishing up his paint job in the kitchen.  He's working on the wall that runs through our kitchen and family room, and this is the last wall, that he needs to complete.  After that it will just be the inside of two small windows that are about 16 feet high, some baseboards and a few touch ups and then he'll be done.  If you don't count a shelf and mirror that he's going to paint black for me.  I can't  say enough about how impressed I am with the job that Luis has done so far.  Talk about being detailed.  He's taped, he's cut in, he's painted, he's trimmed, and he's done it all SO WELL.  He's just a painting machine; and to answer your next question; yes, he loves it.  He's very pleased with what he's done so far, and he's enjoyed the project; according to him.  At the moment he's vacuuming the family room wall, to prepare to move into this room; which actually isn't good news for me; because it means that I'm going to have to get up from where I'm sitting.  I know, that's awful; I'm sorry.  It's not that I'm ungrateful; I'm just tired.

When I first picked this topic out of the jar, Lyndzi was sitting at the kitchen table, making clothes for her Barbies out of old soccer socks.  She made 4 dresses in total, a red, an orange one that even had a pumpkin broach, a white one and a royal blue.  Lyndzi's talent just blows me away.  Apparently not only can she draw, and sculpt; she can also use her artistic ability to design clothes as well.  Her talent seems to be limitless; God bless her.  As soon as Lyndzi completed her fashion line; she and Kelsie went into our playroom, so they could try out the new outfits on their dolls.  Lyndzi and Kelsie get along well, more often than not; and today was thankfully one of those days.  It was heartwarming to listen to them role play as their dolls; but that came to an end when  Lyndzi came to sit down with me, because she wasn't feeling well. 

While Luis is painting, Nicky is in the  guestroom / office / craft room playing Club Penguin and Kelsie is trying to collaborate with Lyndzi who is now back at our kitchen table, working on her latest design.  I am sitting, amidst a mountain of clean clothing that has been taken from the dryer and needs to be put away.  My house in in total disarray, due to the painting project and the displaced wall hangings; but for once, I'm just choosing to ignore it; and cater to my physical need to sit and move nothing but my fingers; as I type. 

It's now a few minutes; (oh, details;) seven minutes after five; and I just received two texts, which means that I need to start planning our evening and since I've really given you ALL of the details of what's going on; I guess I'll just say...
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING 

(43-178) Making Things Right...

I'm a fixer.  That's what I do.  It's my nature to try and help others.  I can't help but attempt to make things better or to provide assistance if it's within my capability.  I'm a people pleaser.  And although I want EVERYone to be happy; the people that I NEED to please the most are my family.  With that being said; it should come as no surprise to learn that I've already devised a plan to "fix," the fiasco that was my kid's first roller skating experience; which I wrote about in "Do Over."

Being a take the bull by the horns kinda girl; there was no way that I was going to allow my kids first foray into skating to be their last.  I told Michelle M that I had to get my kids back to the skating rink ASAP, in order to right the wrong that was their last experience and she offered to join me along with her son.  I checked the Great Skate website and was delighted to discover that they offer lessons; and for a price that was not to be believed; so I called to verify.  I was able to confirm that they give skating lessons on Saturday mornings, from 9-10 and the price is only $5.50 per person; which includes skate rental and admission to the public skating session that immediately follows, from 10-1230.  Holy cow!  Is that a SUPER deal or what?  According to Bob (the very nice man that I spoke to;) they don't take reservations for the lessons; they just recommend that you arrive at 845.  There are no more than 8 students per instructor; and they separate the classes by experience level; as well as adults and children; so a beginner adult would not be in the same class as a beginner child; since adults and children learn differently.  Additionally, because I am the Queen of THOROUGHNESS, I would like to add that they also offer a lesson package of 5 lessons for only $25.  That's a $2.50 savings if you're doing the math; but the point is; I think that's a FABULOUS find.  5 hour long lessons, skate rental and 2 1/2 hours of skating after each lesson, for only $25; now that's a SPECIAL!  For now I'm only going to have my kids take the one lesson and see how they like it; but, if they'd be interested in learning some more; I think that this opportunity would be difficult to pass up.

I am SO excited about this lesson.  I feel like it's my way of making things right; and I only hope that my kids will learn how much fun skating can really be.  We are planning on going on sat. Feb 5, in case any of you would like to join us.  My friend Jenny, who's bringing her 3 kids; joked that the moms could bring their scrapbooking stuff and I actually think that's an incredible idea.  They have plenty of tables and you could still watch your kids.  We could plan a scrap -n-skate; or skate -n-scrap or something like that; but not THIS time.  No, THIS time I just want to sit and watch my kids ENJOY skating, or at the very least; have a better time than they did on our last visit.  I just can't wait!!!!!
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-177) Gotta Dance!

#30 of "100 MORE Random things About Me," was "I wish that I danced more - A LOT more;"  and I know that I've mentioned how much I LOVE to dance, in several other posts as well.  I was a "Dancing Queen" at Bar Mitvahs and sweet sixteens; and then when I was a senior in high school, I went to The Hippodrome, in London (during a criminal justice seminar that was offered through our local community college;) and one night was all it took; I was hooked, and I couldn't wait to turn 18 so that I could head right to New York City and go dancing.

When I was 16, the drinking age in New York was 18, but by the time I was 18, the drinking age was changed to 19; and then it went up to 21; so not all clubs were admitting 18 year olds who didn't have fake I.D.  Chippendale's; however, turned into a dance club once their famous show was over; and they thankfully let 18 year olds in; so that became my regular hang out.  I never saw the show (not there's anything wrong with it;) just trying to make the point that I merely went there to dance.  During college there were all kinds of dance clubs to go to; after all, it was the Hamptons.  We also had weekly dances on campus as well; so I could shake a tail feather on a very regular basis.  During the summers, I worked at a bar, and dancing was a big part of my job.  On weeknights each club would have an employee night, so we went out dancing just about every night of the week, and worked on the weekend.  After college, I moved back to Rockland County, and even though I had a job, I still managed to go out several nights a week to go dancing.  When I met Luis in Puerto Vallarta, there were tons of dance clubs to go to, and we did; and then even after we got married, we went dancing quite a lot at Pleasure Island in Orlando.  With all that having been said, I think it's safe to say that  dance has been a big, no, not huge; but an important part of my life.  dance was / is something that I really enjoyed/enjoy; which is why I find it disappointing that there aren't many places (at least in the Phoenix area; at least that I know of,) where people over 20 something can go to dance; because if there were such a place, I'd totally go.   So Phoenicians, if you know of such a place, email me and we can go check, check, check it out.

In the meantime; I think I'm gonna just keep getting my groove on like I did this morning, IN MY CAR.  I didn't care who was looking, laughing, or watching.  I got down, "Boogie Oggie Oggie'd,"  I put on my "Boogie Shoes," and I did the "Last Dance."   It was just all about me, for me and  I went to work in a GREAT mood.  What a way to start the day!  You know I love me some Classic Disco.  THIS I have mentioned many times before as well; and today I found a station (it's not new; just new to me;) and it was a blast from the past all the way to work.  Thank you Mega 104.3  I had Boogie on my brain, for the rest of the day, thanks to my disco drive.

I definitely sense some dancing in my near future.  Between the disco lights and music at Great Skate taking me back to the day, and this morning's old school tunes on the radio; my toes have been tapping, "I've got the music in me" and I just gotta dance!   Let me know if you want to join me.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING