It's been so long between blogs that I don't even know where I left off or where to begin.
With that said, the workings on Bethany and thereabouts:
Kiddo and I are both sick. Again. The crazy weather here (86 at 5pm yesterday and an estimated 54 at 5pm today) along with the harvesting and burning of fields has got our sinuses/allergies (and a cold in Kiera's case) going crazy. I was so out of it this morning I thought I'd taken a little otc tlc, only to later realize that I hadn't even made a drink, so there was no way I had taken meds. Mom's making potato soup tonight--the only good thing about being sick.
Kiera's first concert is this week. We are in a mad dash to get a dress that fits properly (and by properly, I mean one she can wear for the next four years because I am sooo not buying another $100 dress + paying for alterations more than once!). Speaking of which, our butterbraid sellathon is over today and we managed to sell 50 (or so), which equates to $250 in Kiera's choir account. Since we're now reaching the 1k/year mark, these funds are desperately needed, and since the school set an individual goal for each kid of 10, I'd say we (and by we, I mean *I* since I'm the one doing it) deserve a pat on the back.
My weekend was extremely fulfilling and productive. I managed to do a little shopping, clean my car (Monk style), celebrate two birthdays (one party, one dinner), go to a cookout at my Mom's boyfriend's (where they presented me with a shiny new grill for my home), paint the front door (2nd coat), fix several minor things around the house and get it cleaned from top to bottom (all nearly by myself due to my (irrational?) fear of Kiera's super-contagious cold (six members of the family have had it already and it's the worst "cold" I've seen in my life--even sent my niece to the ER!). And after work last night (not technically the weekend, but still...) I made it down to the voter's registration office to update my address (and take my voting privileges off "hold"), Kiera and I enjoyed dinner on the patio of a local Mexican restaurant (in honor of the last "summer" day), and (finally) we got the garage cleaned out (we moved everything from the garage (aka Halloween party dance floor) to the attic.) I thought it would take hours upon hours, but we were done fairly quickly, thanks to my precious worker bee who moved while I organized.
Tonight my brother is painting Kiera's bathroom, and I'll be changing the fixtures out. I've also roped Steve into "helping me" tile in there (in a couple of weeks but before the housewarming party). I've got a ceiling fan to hang in the guest room, a new chandelier for the breakfast nook, and I want to get the border off Kiera's walls and then paint/wallpaper them. I need to put one more coat of paint on the front door and put new lighting fixtures in my bathroom. And after that--believe it or not--I'll be content for a while! [Exhales]
Oh--I'm also having mom get the bushes and flowerbeds in order...I guess I need to count that.
I guess now that I've typed it out, it does still seem like a lot, but the remainder of the list is nothing compared to what we've already taken care of!
Let's see what else:
Halloween party-I'm picking up the invites to that this afternoon (so nice to have friends who are graphic artists by trade (thanks, 2ME)), food is bought (mostly), and the majority of the decor will be hung the week beforehand. Kiera's a little disappointed that we won't have a fortune-teller, like in years past, and I'm racking my brain for a fill-in (hello? anybody?). We have a blacklight, but I'm looking for other lights to bring our dancefloor to life and then we'll be set. I think at this age you have to do little with them other than give them a stereo (and some boys) and set them free...not sure if that is a good thing or not.
Upcoming-Next weekend: one baby shower, one birthday party, one class reunion, one birthday dinner, one Halloween party and a lot more on the homeowner to-do list! (I'm overwhelmed already).
David Sedaris, Luke Bryan and Gavin DeGraw in Nov (yippee).
Memphis Miles-I'm sad to say I have not put near the effort into this that I had planned to. I need to get started asap as time is creeping up on me! Eek. Okay...next Monday I'll start the soliciting. Firm.
Housewarming-Nov 6th 2pm. More details/invites to go out soon.
As for now...back to work duties.
[Why does it feel like this has turned into another to-do and already-been-done list? Maybe this is my fragile psyche's way of remaining sane by (both) organizing things to be done and reveling in my accomplishments...hmmm. Well, whatever keeps the crazy at bay.]
