Here Comes the Rain Again

It’s almost the middle of July, right?  Because I’m in Northeast Ohio and it hasn’t been warmer than mid 80s in a few weeks.  Right now, we’re getting hit with a thunderstorm and the temperature dropped into the 70s.  We've usually had some 90+ degree days by now but not this year.  I know I shouldn't be complaining but it's just weird.  In fact, the weather’s been all wonky this year, though.  When our old hometown of Greenwich, CT gets more snow than we do here, in the Snow Belt of the United States, you know something's wrong.

Today was the first day back at work after a weird work week (we had Thursday off for the holiday but had to work on Friday) and, naturally, the day took forever.  Between the email server screwing up for a good part of the morning (and again after lunch, but just for me because I'm special - no comments) and having to start the leg work for our FY13 audit (we haven't even closed last fiscal year yet but the auditors want us to start sending out bank confirmation already), it definitely wasn't my day.  The only thing that really worked was I managed to sneak in a 1 mile walk during lunch, and that was really nice.

Then I get home and what do I hear?  DD#3 asking for a human-eating lizard and DD#4 asking why we don’t own a thundershirt.  No, we don’t have a dog and, thus, have no need for a thundershirt.  Apparently she thought it might help her with thunderstorms.  I know she’s 7 and that she’s creative (putting it nicely) but DD#4 really takes the “I’m almost as weird as my Daddy” thing too far.  (Those who know DH in real life can vouch that DD#4's comments sound like something her father would say.)  At least she’s now arguing with DH about watching Doctor Who on his computer because the TV keeps going out because of the storm.  (Why yes, we do have DirecTV?  How could you possibly have guessed?  *snert*)  Listening to him repeat over and over that the storm has no effect on Netflix and that streams to the television via our Wii system is definitely amusing.  Nice that someone else in the house has to deal with the typical barrage of "Why?  Why?  Why?" questions for tonight. 

Wisely though, DD's #1 & 2 have been avoiding me.  Maybe they're afraid of getting in trouble for not doing chores or because they overheard the younger 2's conversations with me and figured I need a break.  Either way, I'm a little grateful because it allows me some "alone" time.  With 4 kids living at home, that doesn't happen all that often but when it does, it's appreciated.

I spent yesterday afternoon cooking meals for use during the week (breaded pork chops – which were last night’s dinner, barbecued chicken, and Yankee pot roast) and what does everyone want for dinner tonight?  Yep, you guessed it.  Hot dogs and baked French fries.  WTF?  DH was off work today (as he worked yesterday) so he could have cooked something or just reheated one of my pre-cooked frozen dinner options.  But, no, everyone wanted my lazy “OMG I totally forgot about getting dinner ready!” fallback dinner.  *grrr*  Although it was nice that when my ex-husband called, while I was in the middle of getting dinner prepared, that I had the handy "I'm in the middle of making dinner and can't talk" line available for use.  I really wish he'd remember that we're divorced, we're not friends (I tolerate him for the sake of our daughters), and I don't really care that he's nowhere near the area in Florida that's under hurricane warning.  It's like he forgets that we've been divorced 15 years.  I only have 1 1/2 years left of being nice to him, because that's when DD#2 turns 18.  I'll be civil to him for the girls' sake but I definitely don't want to be friends with him.  (Those who know the circumstances of our divorce definitely know why I don't want to deal with him any more than necessary.  Suffice to say, he's not a pleasant person.)

OMG, DD#2 just came out and told me that her conversation with my ex-MIL involved her weight.  DD#2 put on a few pounds this year but is definitely not obese by any stretch of the imagination.  Apparently her grandmother wanted to know how the dieting is going (note:  she isn't on one) and if she lost any of that weight she put on.  Seriously?!  Because she's no longer a size 3, you're going to start in on her?  Is it because DD#1 lost a full dress size since graduation, thanks to no longer eating the over-processed crap sold in the school cafeteria and actually exercising in the mornings?  One of these days, my ex-MIL is going to understand that I've always struggled with my weight (slow metabolism) and my girls seem to have the same problem.  They're not skinny twigs like their cousins.  My girls have to keep active to keep their weight at healthy levels and no matter how much they work out, they're never going to be a size 0.  (I can't believe I'm going to have to explain to her, yet again, that it's okay that my daughters wear a size 3 or 5.  As long as their doctor says they're healthy and they stay active, I'm not going to jump on them for gaining 10 lbs. or throw a party for them losing 10.)

Tonight I should be dying my hair (thanks again to my father for passing on the “graying WAY too early in life” gene) and maybe painting my nails.  Instead I’ll end up doing the chores that the kids blew off today because, silly me, I didn’t write a list of what I wanted them to do.  You’d think they would be capable of looking around, see stuff to be done, and (oh I don’t know) just do it.  Or that DH could remind them during the day.  But no, if it’s not written down by Mom on the Boogie Board (love that thing!) on the refrigerator, apparently it doesn’t get done.  Then, again, there have been MANY days where I’ve written stuff down and they still didn’t do it.  *double grrr*  I should be happy that at least the dishes were washed, even though they weren't put away.

Well, since I’m the one doing chores tonight, I guess I’ll pop on some Foo Fighters and grab the broom.   ¯¯One of these days... the ground will drop out… from... beneath your feet¯¯

See you later.

I've Turned Into George Banks (and I'm Pretty Sure That's Not a Good Thing)

When did everything get so expensive?  I'm serious here.  DH & I make a decent living, we don't live beyond our means, I don't have flashy jewelry or buy only designer clothing, DH doesn't have expensive hobbies... but it seems everything is so expensive nowadays.  We were wondering what we could afford to do this summer as a "last family vacation" before DD#1 leaves for college and OMG.  Everything's outrageously priced.  And that got me thinking.  $14k for 9 months in a dorm.  $800 for a 2 night stay (midweek) at Cedar Point.  Being excited when I saw gas was under $3.60 a gallon.  When did all this obsessing over the cost of things happen?  And then it dawned on me...

I've become the female equivalent of George Banks from the remake of the "Father of the Bride" movies.

While I'd normally be flattered to have anyone say I'm the female Steve Martin, I'm not sure this is the character or persona with which I want to be compared.  I mean, George is funny, loves his family, and really means well but he's also overly neurotic and a tightwad.  Actually, while I'm thinking of it, when did I become obsessed with how much I spend?  There was a time (before children) when I thought nothing of paying more than $200 a pair of shoes.  (Don't ask me how much my Christian Dior black suede pumps cost.  I'm still having nightmares about that one, even though I got over 15 years of wear out of them.)  Then... children came along.  And all my disposable income went towards stuff for them.  Musical instruments, cheerleading uniforms, soccer cleats, new eyeglasses, summer camp, school fundraisers, and more.  It's amazing how quick these little expenditures add up!

I swear I was on the verge of re-enacting the "hot dogs and hot dog buns" scene from "FotB" (you know, where George flips out about having to buy a package of 12 hot dog buns for 8 hot dogs and that he's not going to pay for one extra thing he doesn't need) when looking at potential vacation spots.  Why do I have to pay for a ride ticket for me at Cedar Point when there's no chance I'm going on any rides (thanks to the stupid pinched nerve in my back)?  Why can't I just get a pass to allow me to stay in the hotel and have access to walk around the park, watching my kids go on rides?  Why do I have to pay for ONE MORE THING I DON'T NEED?

Man, if I'm freaking out about this stuff now, what will I be like when the girls start getting married?  Will I be arguing about an Armani "nuffy-blue tuxado" the morning of?  Will I be offering to build a grandstand at the church for throngs of people to watch but steadfastly refuse to allow more than 150 guests at the reception?  I can only hope I wouldn't be tacky and rude enough to snoop through their future in-laws' desks, then break a mirror in their bathroom.  But, then again, I'm pretty sure George Banks wasn't intending to do that either.

Maybe I should just go to sleep and forget about vacations, money, Steve Martin movies from the '90s.  Perhaps I should be grateful I'm not turning into Freddy from "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."  Of course, this could all just be a sign that I need to drive to Pittsburgh on July 1st to see Steve perform with Edie Brickell and The Steep Canyon Rangers at Heinz Hall.

C'est la vie.

Update on My Not-So-Exciting Life

A quick update on life and stuff...

I’m depressed that the kids have completely wrecked the house… yet again.  I swear, I don’t know how they do it.  One day, the house is clean and completely organized (a/k/a “company ready”) and the next, I go back to work and it looks like a tornado has gone through.  WHY?!?

They’re filming the sequel to Captain America next door to my office, so we get to deal with tons of cranes, etc. to set up the “shoot” for the next week.  Actually, they’re only filming one day (Monday) but it looks like it’s going to take them 4 days to set up and 4 days to disassemble.  Oh well, could be worse.  When they were filming on the West Side of Cleveland, they shut down a major highway (and a bunch of roads downtown) for TWO WEEKS.

DD#1’s dorm has been reserved and the first payment made.  I’m still stunned at the cost, though - $14k for 9 months.  “Oh, but that’s for a double room (only one roommate) and includes telephone (local & long distance), TV and cable, WIFI, use of the fitness center, use of one of the communal kitchens on each floor, and a private bathroom. “  Yeah but that’s still more than the cost of my first car.  Holy shit!  Thankfully she has/had some awesome grandparents (my late mother left her and DD#2, because #3 & 4 weren’t around when she passed, money for college and my ex in-laws are paying the majority of the dorm) to help with this.  Oh, and this doesn’t include the $7k in tuition for the fall semester and the approx. $800 in books and materials.  *smh*

We spent Thursday and Friday of last week with DD#2 at the doctor’s.  She sprained her ankle three months ago and about a month ago we noticed some rash-like discoloration and swelling in her lower leg.  First our pediatrician sent us to a dermatologist because of the rash.  Apparently it’s not a real rash but just discoloration.  However, combined with the swelling, it could have been a sign of lupus.  Several blood tests later and, thankfully, it doesn’t appear to be lupus.  So, back to the pediatrician’s last Thursday.  She noticed the swelling and it must have really concerned her because she sent us to see two rheumatologists at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland on Friday.  Over two hours of examinations later, and no one seems to know exactly what’s going on.  It could still be lupus (they ordered additional blood work) or it could be the sprain damaged some still developing blood vessels and they need time to “repair” themselves.  Either way, the doctors ordered more blood work (done on Saturday), an MRI (being done this morning), and physical therapy & orthotic shoe inserts (to help fix her gait, which has been thrown off because of the sprain.)  Hopefully we’re going to get an answer soon.  The good news, though, is that she can still spend a week in July as a counselor at her former summer camp (and be “the boss” of DD#3 & #4 who will be campers there this summer.)

Does anyone else do this:  Spend a day on the weekend, cooking for the upcoming week?  I spent Sunday prepping and freezing meals for during the week.  This way, I can call on my way home, ask DD#1 or #2 to take one out of the freezer, plop it in the oven at 425 degrees, and by the time I get home, it’s reheated and ready to go.  All I have to do is put the oven down to “keep warm” status, make a side dish and some veggies, and we’re good to go.  It’s almost like having a housewife (albeit one that doesn’t do laundry or wash the dishes) and we don’t have to order takeout or live on pasta.  Sorry but I’m not cooking a full dinner every night after working all day.  Once in a while, fine.  But every night?  Nah, just not gonna happen.

For those who are interested, this week’s frozen meals included marinated pork roast, barbecued chicken breasts, meatloaf, steaks with a red wine reduction sauce (I’ll have to share that recipe here later, it’s absolutely amazing and pretty easy!), and a pound of ground beef (cooked and frozen, ready to be added to a casserole when I feel like assembling one.)  Add in one pizza night and pasta (with a jar of my own spaghetti sauce that I canned earlier), and we’re good for the week!  Oh, I also cooked a pound of bacon for use in sandwiches and salads later during the week (convenient and so much better than the precooked stuff sold in the store – mine is much leaner and crispier.)

I also prep some veggies and make my own bagged salads (Target has reusable produce bags for $1 each and they’re the perfect size for this.  The ones I bought from Crate & Barrel are better for buying fresh produce but are too large for salads IMHO.)  That way, I can control exactly what goes in, it’s better for the environment (no more “individual use” plastic bags to dispose of), and quite frankly, it’s cheaper to buy several heads of romaine lettuce at Sam’s Club and other veggies like carrots, celery, baby spinach, etc. and make my own.  I’ve also found that DH & the DD’s are more likely to make a salad to eat with their lunches than if I just left the stuff in the fridge, unprepared.  All they have to do is grab a bag, portion out what they want, add some dressing, and *voila* salad.

Today during lunch, I need to plan out some dinners for next week and start working on my shopping list.  Since the highway’s back open, I’m tempted to make a run to West Side Market for meats on Saturday morning.  I’ll buy produce there only if I’m planning on using it in the next 2 or 3 days.  For whatever reason, it never seems to last as long as the stuff from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.  Maybe I should just stop by the farmer’s market in town on Friday, after work.  (I still can’t believe they’re not open on the weekend… only Fridays.  WTF kind of farmer’s market is that, right?!?)

Bye for now.

All Stressed Out and No One to Choke

My oldest daughter is graduating high school Saturday.  While I'm happy for her and am excited for the party we have planned for Saturday afternoon, there's one part I'm dreading - having to get the house to "guest" level of clean.  You see, I'm OCD and if I had my way, my house would be perfectly organized.  Unfortunately, I live with five other people and only ONE of them (DD#4) thinks like me.  The remaining 4 are, well let's just say, not as concerned with organization as we are.  So, while my house was cleaned and organized this past weekend, it's a wreck tonight.  And, naturally, no one is doing anything.  I'm about to grab my daughter's softball bat and smash the WiFi router.  But then I wouldn't be able to post this blog update and I'd be forced to get off Facebook and stop playing Crack Crush... uhh, I mean Candy Crush.  (I know I'm not the only person addicted to it.  Right?)  Plus I'd end up having to buy a new router and I don't have time to do that this weekend.

So, I really should be washing the dishes - or yelling at the kids to get the dishes done.  Then there's the whole sweeping and washing the floors.  I have a love/hate relationship with my floors - all the floors in our house are either hardwood or tile.  I love the convenience of just sweeping up messes but damn do I hate having to wash the floors.  Granted it gives my upper body a nice workout but I just don't want to do it when there are people home.  Maybe I can do it tomorrow afternoon, while DH is at work and DD's #2, 3, & 4 are in school.  DD#1 will be home but she's too busy freaking out about the possibility of tripping over her gown to really be much help.

Couple all this with the fact I need to find time to dye my hair (prematurely grey and I don't need the various comments about my 1 1/2" of grey roots), get my hair cut (hopefully I can get that squeezed in tomorrow morning), make the blueberry muffins that I didn't make last night (did I mention I'm addicted to Facebook?), go to Walmart and buy paper plates/tablecloths/cups/etc. for the party, and give myself a mani/pedi.  So what am I doing right now?  Sitting on the couch, writing another blog post and trying to ignore the constant nagging feeling that I must be forgetting something that's super important for this weekend that I don't have on a list yet.  Yes, I am a list-maker.  It keeps me sane.

Oh well, time for me to get off-line and get started.  Otherwise you'll be seeing a blog post Saturday night about how everything fell apart because I was too busy blogging, making pretty collages on Pinterest, and playing Candy Crush.

*****No recipe to share tonight.  DH made dinner... well, he started it and I ended up cooking the rest of it.  (Homemade version of Hamburger Helper - 2 boxes of organic shells and alfredo sauce from Whole Foods with a pound of extra-lean ground beef, browned and drained, and half a bag of frozen organic peas.  Not a typical meal for our family but it was surprisingly delicious.)

Hellloooo there!

Hello!  A little about me...

I'm Mary.  I live in Northeast Ohio (by choice) with my incredibly patient husband and 4 daughters who incredibly try my patience.  I'm also one of the biggest cheerleaders for the city of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, in general.  Maybe it's because I'm not originally from here but I do appreciate and love my adopted hometown.

I work for a world-renowned nonprofit organization which I will not name in this blog... ever.  Sorry, but I don't want my blog tied in any way, shape, or form to my employment - I really like that "getting a paycheck" thingy.  I will share that I work in Finance and there are weeks where I feel like I need Peter's occupational hypnotherapist from "Office Space" to get through the week.  (Wait, do they really exist?)

I have an unhealthy obsession with Facebook and if I could find a way to get paid for playing on Pinterest, I totally would.  I don't really watch much TV, just "Sherlock" (the BBC version, not that crappy American thing with a female Dr. Watson - WTF?), "Mad Men", "Boardwalk Empire", "Doctor Who", "Warehouse 13", "Vikings" (is that still on?), and "Game of Thrones".  Occasionally I'll watch part of an episode of "Saturday Night Live" but I loathe reality TV and that's all that seems to be on nowadays.

I have a twisted sense of humor (the night I met my husband, we bonded over Monty Python) and I tend to regularly put my foot in my mouth.  I'm a fan of Kevin Smith so that should give you real insight into my humor right there.  If a movie has Alan Rickman or Sean Connery in it, I can just about guarantee I've seen it multiple times.  I regularly quote lines from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", "Empire Records", "Love, Actually", "Dazed and Confused", "Office Space", "Idiocracy" and every Brat Pack movie ever made.  "Dodgeball" may be the funniest movie of the last 10 years (no, I don't care if you agree with me or not.)

I come from a huge family (I'm the youngest of 8) but only speak to 2 of my siblings regularly, and both my parents and my husband's parents are deceased.  As such, I've created a lovely patchwork "surrogate family" of extended family, friends, and ex in-laws.  (Much less stressful that way.)  In fact, I'm one of the few people I know who's friends with their ex-husband's parents!

I have been battling major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, etc. for more years than I care to admit.  Later this month, I will hit my 7 year "sober-versary" and I'm really proud of that.  (Yes, I'll probably share my story with you all but just not tonight.)

I spend more time at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's than any place outside of work and home.  And West Side Market is probably my favorite thing about living in Northeast Ohio.  If you live near Cleveland (or find yourself here one weekend), WSM truly is a "must see" place.  The month they were closed earlier this year because of the fire was the longest month of my adult life.  I cut down our meat consumption and used up my "stash" from the freezer, to avoid buying anything from the grocery store.  Seriously, their butchers and the quality are that good.  

And I'm a frustrated domestic goddess.  One part that I truly miss about being a stay-at-home housewife and mother (other than extra time with the husband and kiddies) is being able to spend my day cooking, organizing, and crafting.  Yeah, I'm one of those people who actually make all their own holiday cards every year and deliver baked goodies to the neighbors every winter.  I make and "can" my own jams, spaghetti sauces, vegetables, etc.  I'm hoping we'll have enough organic fruits and veggies from our garden this year to "put up" enough jars to get us through winter.  I'm trying to bring my family to a completely organic, non-GMO diet but how strictly I follow that directly correlates to our weekly grocery budget.  (If money's tight, I'm not going to forgo apples and grapes because they're not organic.)  I use reusable grocery bags and produce bags.  I even make my own pre-bagged salad mixes and store them in smaller reusable produce bags (Target sells these bags for $1 a piece - still much cheaper than spending $3 for a prepackaged salad mix at the grocery store and it's better for the environment.)

Why am I starting this blog, you say?  Well, my life is truly stranger than fiction and I need some place to record it.  Oh, and I like to share recipes, housekeeping tips, and crafting ideas.  Might as well file them all into one space, right?  And, naturally, I encourage you to try them out or share your own ideas... or just laugh at my mistakes.

Sláinte!

Mary