Live from Tormville!

this date stunk

My husband and I went on a kayaking date tonight. And it stunk. Literally. 

We rarely kayak together anymore because to do so requires a babysitter, and I just feel like my kids babysit enough as it is right now, that we can figure out another time to go kayaking - like when they are at grandma's house! Even that hasn't been as easy as it sounds as my husband has been traveling and working overtime - but tonight, it worked. 

But it did stink. 

We went out to Bishop Lake - the same lake I went about ten days ago or so - and the water level was even lower today than it was then, even with the rain we had the last two days. And it was smelly. Like I had to hold my breath through the channels, smelly. 

And because my husband likes to go four wheeling with his kayak, he was REALLY smelly, like - we had to ride all the way home with the windows down, hose down the kayaks when we got home, and then throw our clothes directly into the washing machine smelly. 

We know how to date. 

Really. 

My mother-in-law is just glad we do our own laundry now, because she used to wash it back when we were dating and really did go four wheeling through the mud. Pictures somewhere. 

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And this date just stunk. 

My mom just emailed me a bit ago wondering where I am today as I've not posted anything. I know.  I was pacey all day. Nothing is concrete right now, way too many variables and possible scenarios for too many different situations and for a planner like me - although I've come a long way - too many at once make me edgy. 

There was a possibility that we were going to have to go pick up the kids this weekend - which we would do, given the word. Which we might STILL do, but as of this minute are not. But it would also throw of a whole host of things this coming week into a spiral - one being my company coming on Monday - they'd have to find another place to land if I bring a lice infested child home. And if that's what has to be, then that's what has to be - we'll roll with it - but the scenarios all play out in my mind, which does make it easier to follow through with any of them at any given moment.  

One kid wants to come home, the other two want to stay, grandma is fine either way (she SAID), and I'm hoping beyond hope that the lice is really gone this time (no nit sightings in two days) and I'll lose sleep wondering if we made the wrong decision no matter what I do. 

Then there is, of course, the dad thing. It changes daily and I live with my cell phone in my pocket. I probably should have gone out there today (it's 40 minutes to my dad's - give or take depending on construction and traffic) - but was hoping I could consolidate more things tomorrow with box deliveries, a couch removal, a photo shoot, etc..... but then I feel guilty, that maybe I should have gone today too anyway, especially since the expected boxes didn't even arrive today like I had hoped. (I use my Amazon Prime to order some of dad's food cheaper - and I order it to me so I don't have to worry about him trying to lift it into the house)

Bah. 

And then there's my husband. He was going to go to Canada next weekend. Then it switched to this weekend. Then it canceled. Then it got moved back to next weekend. Now they are trying to just get the Canadian office to take care of it. Truthfully, he won't know until Thursday if he's going out of town on Friday or not, but the planner in me would like to know earlier so that I can plan for the dog and the teenager and the out of town company. 

But that isn't my reality. It never has been. He had also planned to take two days off this week, but ended up in Indiana instead, leaving me with a torn apart kitchen. 

And then there's my desk. It's partly put back together, but I have to wait 72 hours before I finish putting it back together (so we don't wreck the varnish) and until then, I don't have a kitchen table. Did I mention I have company coming on Monday?

The planner in me is burying her head in the sand. 

And each decision I make right now sends a ripple effect along a too long chain of other people. 

This date stunk. 

Tomorrow will be better - a full day planned.  

Planned. hah. 

I'm a slow learner. 

living like a rock star

I did a lot of walking in circles yesterday, trying to adjust to life without the constant mom, mom, mom, momming.  I spent most of day running errands, waiting in line at Secretary of State with the teenager, and catching up on things around the house. I'm consumed with an urge to get as much in order around here as possible before the kids return and school starts. 

It felt good to be able to be totally on call for my dad without being concerned about my kids, without wondering if I can allow Wendy to go gallivanting or if I need to keep her home 'just in case' she needs to babysit. 

And with my husband working 16 hour days this week and my oldest working or wandering - it felt good to not have to make any dinner and just go enjoy some ballooning.  A great mental escape. 

After Denny's balloon launched, we turned to focus on Jerry's balloon. I wasn't quick enough with my camera, but out of nowhere flew in a pure white dove. She landed right on Jerry's balloon, stayed for a quick moment and then flew off. At the post flight meeting they said the same dove had landed on the tailgate and hung out for a bit. It wasn't a bit shy of people.  Not sure where it wandered from, but it made for an interesting topic. I was the only one who had seen it land on the balloon. 

There were lots of spectators for this launch. I had invited a few to come a little closer, but they got nervous.  Sonja commented that I know so many kids and they are all blond.  I laughed. It's true. 

Denny landed in the deep grass. I thought I must have taken the long way through it, but it was just as long the other way. 

So we *cough cough* had to walk Denny out. 

Someone has to document these things. 

I think Denny was enjoying his power at this point. 

Further! Further! 

I think he was going all John Wayne and riding off into the sunset.

It made for some great pictures, so I was cool with it. 

In chatting afterwards, we came to find out that Rick's (the passenger) dad (Mr. Eccles) was the gym teacher at the school my Mom went to (Lola Valley) - during the years she went there. How crazy is that?  George - one of the crew members - also went to the same high school as my mom, three years behind her.  It really is a small world. I never get tired of the connections. 

My neighbor texted me this morning - knowing I had been out ballooning last night and seeing my load up my kayak for an early morning paddle - that man, "You're living like a rock star" 

I met a friend at Bishop Lake for a 7:30 am launch. We went 2.55 miles in one hour and 23 minutes. We saw many cranes, a huge snapping turtle, baby ducklings and it was awesome. I'd start every day like this if I could. 

But real life awaits. I'll spend the rest of today playing more catch up, cleaning, purging (don't tell my kids) and waiting for my husband to tell me what to do with the van. We had it in the shop on Monday while I was gone, but something is still not quite right - wondering if something got bumped loose during the fix because it's a different problem now. 

Life is never dull.  *wink* 

Happy Wednesday!

be good