In my dreams...

I am a vivid dreamer.  I have very intense, very real dreams pretty much every night.   Last night was no exception, and I decided I should write some of these down because they are so random.  I usually have several dreams in one night, and they tend to last a long time, although it's possible they are only a few minutes long (who knows).  So, here is a summary of what took place inside my head last night.  See if you can figure out what it all means, because I have no idea.

I started the night in a game of ice hockey with two of my male coworkers, who were not very coordinated.  I was actually pretty good, which kind of surprised me, so I went and stole the puck from one coworker (on my own team) because he was no good at hockey, and shot a goal.  Then, I felt bad about it and decided to go play defense and block shots on our net, because there was no goalie for some reason.  The other team was scoring like crazy against me, and I decided this game was no fun and it was time to move on to another dream.

The next dream started with me and a crew of other people landing in a space ship on a remote planet to see what was going on with a colony there.  The colony had been abandoned so we went searching for all the people.  This took about an hour because we had to search through the buildings and structures...It was a little creepy, but actually very cool.  We finally find the colonists, or at least some of them, and it turns out that they had split into warring factions and were eliminating each other.  We were then attacked by the other group, and were fighting and just trying to survive while trying to figure out what they were fighting about.  Suddenly, a "presence from above" - a woman - spoke to us, and granted 5 of us the power of immortality so that we could help these people and end the war.  I was one of the 5.  I remember walking out into the line of fire, bullets whizzing by, and one struck me, but healed right away.  There was a hush from both sides of the fight as they realized that we couldn't be harmed.  You see, they hadn't seen the event with the lady that turned us immortal.  Unfortunately, in the chaos, the five of us got split up before we had a chance to strategize, and so went off to try and make things right between the colonists.  I remember feeling like we weren't going to be able to succeed because we hadn't coordinated our effort, and so I went off to try and find the leader of the group on the front line that was firing at me to try and work things out.  And another dream ends....

One thing about my dreams is that they very rarely finish, which is kind of disappointing.

Enter the next dream....I'm at a camp (about high school age) for gifted kids.  When I say gifted, I mean gifted in the way that we have certain abilities, like telekinesis, or flying.  I'm a flyer.  It's just something I can do in my dreams, and I know I can do it, so I fly a lot in my dreams.  I'm not very good at landing, by the way, but that's another story.  There is a period of time in the dream where I'm going to class, and socializing, and dealing with the usual teenage drama.  Then we have free time, so I sit down to chat with some guy who can levitate objects.  We strike up a conversation, and he tells me that he can fly, too.  He's certain that because I can fly, I can make other objects fly like he can.  I tell him that I've never really tried, but it it worth a shot.  I ask him how he does it, and he brings out a soda can (diet coke).  He tells me (and this is very specific) that he imagines that he is placing a band over the top of the can and attaching it to the can with tiny metal hooks.  He then imagines another hook at the top of the band, and concentrates on lifting the can with that hook.  And then he levitates the can.  So, I give it a try, and it works!  I'm pretty excited about this because I have tried to move objects in my dreams before, but never could, and it turns out I actually can do it.  I'm excited because this guy has showed me how to do it, and this means that I'll be able to do it in all my dreams from now on.  Somehow, I am able to remember that I have these kind of skills from dream to dream.

And, then Kayla came in and woke me up.

Next Tuesday

80 charts, 45 minutes, over 200 people in the audience watching me.  Wish me luck!  I could tell you what it is about, but then I'd have to kill you.

I'm 35...really!

My blog has stated for the last year that I am 36 years old.  With my birthday only a few short days away, I've reallized that once again I have shortchanged myself a year.  I'm actually going to be turning 36! 

I've done this to myself 2 years in a row, and I'm not sure why I can't seem to remember how old I am.  I always thought my mom was crazy as a kid when she had to think about how old she was when someone asked. 

So, when you hear me tell you that once again this year I am 36, you'll know I'm not starting to shave years off because the 40's are right around the corncer, but rather, I have just totally lost my mind and cannot recall how old I am - or where I left the car keys. 

The thing in the suitcase

My mom told me a story recently about her friend that just went on a trip from Florida to Scottsdale, AZ a couple of months ago.  When she packed her suitcase, she put a layer of tissue paper over her clothes, and then put her nice outfit (for a formal event) on top.  As she opened her suitcase to unpack, she took out the formal outfit, and then noticed the tissue paper moving.  She immediately closed the suitcase, and screamed for her husband to come over.  When he arrived, he unzipped the suitcase and lifted the tissue paper.  They both screamed at what they saw - a rather hideous, unidentifiable creature.  He yelled to his wife the get the camera, and as he snapped a few photos and leaned in closer for a better look, the creature reared up on its hind legs  hissed at him, and ran off.  Here is what they saw...let us know if you can identify it, because it looks to us like they've just unleashed an alien species into the Scottsdale ecosystem.  And, no, they didn't call any authorities - sorry Arizona.

Excessive Foaming?

We inherited a hot tub with our new house.  Now, Andrew and I have no time to care for a spa, but we have good intentions.  We visited a pool store to inquire about how to actually care for this thing, and they recommended a spa purging treatment.  Now, the instructions say that you should run the jets unless you see excessive foaming.  Andrew and I went out after 15 minutes and this is what we saw...

I'm pretty sure we don't have the right stuff for long term hot tub care.  Anyone know the name of a good hauling company?

Sorting

OK, so some people think it's a little strange that I like to sort Skittles and MnM's by color.  And I concede that, yes, It might fall into the realm of "odd."  But, apparently its genetic.  I discovered Matthew eating his dessert of MnM's the other night, and just burst out laughing.  He didn't see what was so funny about it. 

We're still here

Yes, we're still here!  But it's football season, and that means BUSY!

A handsome man sat next to me on the couch last night.  I reached over and held my hand out, introducing myself, "Hi, I'm your wife."  OK, so that's maybe a little bit of an exaggeration, but seriously, our lives get crazy during this time of year and we really only see each other in passing.  But don't worry, we've had 9 years of practice, and we'll come out just fine. 

It doesn't help that my work is ultra busy lately, too.  I've gone into work 12 straight days now.  Unfortunately my work requires me to actually be on site to do my job - no working from home.  Weekends are when I can actually get work done without so many distractions and meetings.  I even came down with a nasty cold last Friday, but had to come into work anyway to meet a deadline.  But don't worry, I've only got a month and a half left of such craziness.

So what's new?  Matthew has lost his two front teeth, and is loving first grade at his new school.  He's playing soccer, and was a superstar last weekend - scoring three goals in the fourth quarter to beat the other team 3-2.  Andrew and I argued and both tried to claim credit for his athletic prowess.  He's also taking (ice) hockey lessons, and loves it. 

Kayla is in pre-K, and has developed a love of homework.  I think it makes her feel like a big girl.  She's doing gymnastics, and has no fear, of course.  She's still feisty as ever, but a little more agreeable these days.  She still can't control her hands, touching everything in site.  Will she ever outgrow that?

Matthew and I are already conspiring together on our yard decorations for Halloween this year.  New house, new yard, endless possibilities.  He seems to have inherited my fondness for Halloween, and is always coming up with great ideas for decorating.  Kayla wants me to sew her a Minnie Mouse costume - trouble is, I don't know how to sew.  But it's flattering that she still thinks I can do everything!

Enough rambling for now.  I've got tons of pics to post...stay tuned..

My Near-Win at a Contest

I enter radio contests - I admit it.  I keep thinking I'll win something someday, and that someday almost came this past weekend.  Here's the story...

I entered a contest in August for this local radio station for a "$10,000 bathroom renovation featuring a deluxe walk-in shower and bathtub."  Sounds pretty good, right? 

So, I get a call last week from a guy saying that I've been selected as a finalist.  Cool, I thought!  But, they probably have called about 100 people with this same news.  When I asked them how many finalists there would be, the guy wouldn't give me an answer.  The catch was that I had to show up at the California Home and Garden show at the Fairground this past Sunday before 5 pm, check in, and they would announce the winner at 5 pm.  If I wasn't there in person, I wouldn't win. 

I debated actually going because it just sounded like a hassle, and I was sure the chances would be low.  But then curiosity got the best of me.  So, Sunday afternoon I got in the car and made the trek to the fairgrounds with Kayla

I got there just in time, and we checked in at the radio station booth.  Turns out there are only 12 finalists!  So, now I'm feeling pretty good about coming all the way down here.

They line us up as it gets closer to 5, and make an announcement about the contest, and describe our fabulous prize.  Turns out, the prize is this freaking $10,000 handicap tub thingy... 

So, now my mind is racing.  I mean, what the heck will I do with this thing?  Don't get me wrong, it's a very useful thing for someone who needs it, but clearly I have misinterpreted the contest.  But, the contest didn't say it was a handicap bathtub!  I certainly can't bathe kids in that, and it's not going in the master bathroom, I can tell you that!  I start thinking that maybe my mom will want it (unlikely), or maybe I can sell it on eBay, or maybe I can just make a run for it before they announce the winner. 

Meanwhile, they are handing out keys, and one of  those keys will unlock a padlock next to this fabulous prize.  I make Kayla pick out the key for me, because I'm still considering my options.  A drum roll sounds somewhere, and the first victim, I mean finalist, approaches the padlock.  She inserts her key, and opens the padlock!

HALLELUJAH!!!  I think I heard about three other sighs of relief in the line around me.  I've never not wanted to win something so badly in my life! 

So, the lesson here is...read the fine print people, read every word, or just don't enter radio contests. 

Pear Budget

After moving into a new house with a big new mortgage, and big new property taxes to pay, we knew we needed to create and maintain a budget.  But, we have very limited time, so we needed something really easy and convenient to use.  Enter Pear Budget. 

What is it, you ask?  Well, it is a really simple budgeting and expense tracking service - way easier to use than Quicken or Microsoft Money, and perfect if you're new to budgeting or just overwhelmed by other methods of keeping track of your spending.  There are no fancy bells or whistles, and I have to say that it is awesome, and works great for us.

So, give it a try.  They have a free 30-day trial so you can check it out. 
http://www.pearbudget.com/

Sorry Coach! Better luck next year...

I signed Matthew up late for soccer this year, and he was put on a long waitlist.  He's been excited about playing again this year, and then was pretty disappointed about the possibility of not being able to play. 

Then comes the first email to all of the parents on the waitlist...
"If you are willing to be a head coach, your son will be placed on a team."

Hmmmm, I think.  Andrew can't do it with his football schedule, and there is no way I can do it with my work schedule this Fall.  So, I reply back that I'd love to, but just can't.  I felt pretty good about saying "no," because, well, it's difficult for me.

Then comes the second email two weeks later...
"There still are not enough teams for everyone on the waitlist this year.  But, if you are willing to be an assistant coach, then your son will be placed on a team." 

Assistant coach - hmmmmm, but I still don't have the time.  So, I reply back that I'd love to but won't be able to go to all the practices.  The response back was, "No problem!  You can miss a few practices, and here are all the forms and classes you have to take to become a volunteer."

Crap.  So much for doing better at saying "no."

I filled out the forms and sent them in, and figured I'd somehow make it work.  Yesterday I got this news...
"Thanks for volunteering, but we were able to find enough coaches and won't be needing your help as an assistant coach.  Your son has been placed on a team"

Thank God!!!  I think I actually verbalized this rather loudly at work- I couldn't even pretend to be disappointed. 

Today I got an email from Matthew's soccer coach..."we need volunteers to be referees."  

Hmmmm, let me think.  HECK NO.  Me, in the gold, striped, collared shirt and knee high socks, dealing with annoying parents?  Oh, I don't think so.  My son is already on the team, Mister, so you have no leverage now.  This time, I'm not even going to email back.  That's pretty darn close to saying "no", if you ask me.  Small steps...