I just want to sleep in!

When I was in college I would sleep in till 10am or later on Saturdays. Usually this was a result of staying out late with friends, staying up late watching movies, or a late shift at the Residence Hall desk or RA duty. But I LOVED lazy weekends. I would even go to church on Saturday night, just so I could sleep in the next day.

Then I got a job where I had to work early morning. BLECH! If I slept in on my days off, it completely threw off my sleep schedule, and getting into work by 3:30 in the morning was hard enough. Then grad school came along, another job working weird hours, married life, and now one child later, and sleeping in means sleeping till at least 7 a.m. on a weekend.

I try to sleep longer, but usually Alex doesn’t let me. Other times, my body just wakes up by 7 because it thinks something is wrong, that I’ve overslept for work or hit “snooze” on my alarm about 5 times too many. Even this weekend I was hoping to sleep in a little. But we’ll likely be picking up the new car Saturday, plus I have to pick up a food club order at church. And Sunday morning is Race for the Cure, so that’s another early morning.

I guess it’s all just a part of growing up… but man do I miss sleeping in!

Finally an Event Photo

It only took me two weeks, but finally, here's a photo of me and co-worker/friend Jess at our big, fancy event. I'm proud to say I bought this dress 5 years ago for my high school reunion, and it STILL FITS! Even after having Alex!

Another Friend is Moving On

My friend Erin is moving to Florida this week. Orlando to be exact, so at least it will be an AWESOME place to visit. Erin and I both worked together at the TV station. She started a few months after me, and we bonded in between trying not to doze off and being slightly abused by a sleep deprived Executive Producer. (This lady was MUCH more pleasant when she worked day shifts, as we found out.) We instant messaged each other constantly. She was my sounding board on so many occassions. We went shopping together, we went out for dinner, we stuck together at the Christmas parties. She definitely made my 8 years at the station more enjoyable. From our shared love of "Hello Kitty!" stuff, puppies, pandas, cute animal kickers, and of course, candy, we had a lot in common. Even after I left the station, we emailed each other about every other day, if not every day. Now she and her husband are off to greener pastures in Orlando. I'm so happy for them, but sad that she'll be so far away. I know we'll still have email and phone calls. I went to her going away party last weekend and it was very hard to say farewell. We were both crying. I'm sure there will be at least one more tear-filled phone call before she leaves for good. So EDK, Deuce, Precious, LAME-O... I'm gonna miss you! You better email me all the time!

Favorite quotes:

"Just do it!"

"Don't you get it?"

"PANDAS? WHERE?"

"Puppies? Where?"

"I putting my uterus up for sale on Ebay."

"I'm not going to make it."

"What a mo-mo!"

"Is it precious?"

"They were ever so tiny!"

Is this a sign of desperation?

I drove to two different Target stores tonight to buy the "Sex and the City - Special Edition" DVD because I have a gift card to burn, and neither store had it. I didn't have the energy to truck it over to Wal-mart, and didn't want the second trip to be a total waste, so I bought Alex a puzzle. He has since professed his love for said puzzle.

Upon arriving home, I attempted to order the special edition from Target.com, but it wouldn't let me. So I said, "Screw it." Logged onto Amazon.com and 10 seconds later got my confirmation email that my DVD was on the way. God, I love technology! Should have the movie in time for the weekend. Not that I'll have time to watch it between going to a wedding Saturday, running Race for the Cure Sunday, and going to the last Brewers game of the regular season Sunday. (MAN I HOPE THEY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! THAT WOULD BE FREAKING AWESOME!)

Where did she go?

I just realized it's been over a week since I've posted anything. And I have a ton to catch up on!

We managed to test drive three types of cars, the RAV-4, the CRV, and the VUE. I think we're leaning strongly toward the RAV-4. We really like the hidden storage, the back gate opens to the side, and I think we'll be able to get the 4x4 version. (important, given last winter's 100+ inches of snow!)

I've had to reschedule getting my haircut 3 times, which puts me almost a month overdue. I'm going to attempt to get it cut tomorrow night, but may have to take Alex with me so Craig can go visit the car dealership without a 3 year old climbing all over him. JOY! I'll pack lots of snacks, books and toys.

My book club finally met last week, too. We hung out by the fire pit, sipping wine, snacking on smores, talking too loud (me) and discussing a pretty great book, "Belong to Me" by Marisa de los Santos. It's the continuation of her first novel, "Love Walked In." "Belong to Me" was good, but the author's style changed a bit. This one wasn't as lyrical as the first one. Still, it was a great story with characters we already knew and loved. It was my turn to pick, so I selected, "The Girls" by Lori Lansens. Looks like a good one!

So in case you've wondered what's been happening with me, I've just been busier than usual. Not a bad thing, but I've just been so busy I haven't had much time to read or write much of anything lately. My event a week ago went very well. I need to dig through and see if any of my pictures turned out. Race for the Cure is next weekend. I'm hoping to get in two or three more traning runs this weekend. Thanks to all of you near and far who donated! If you still would like to donate, check out my giving site by clicking here. I'm hoping I'll be able to run the whole 5K! I know I can do it! So that's it. Life is just super busy right now. I've got another post I'm going to schedule for this week. Hopefully October will be a little more calm!

Finally Friday

We managed to test drive a car Wednesday night, thanks to my meeting being canceled. We drove a Honda CRV. Not bad... also looking at the Toyota RAV 4 and the Saturn VUE. So, if any of you want to brag about your car, please... by all means!!! Plug away!

My big event is tonight. The proof of the stress is in the two giant zits on my chin. I'll be dressed up (fun!), but working (not really fun). VERY much looking forward to a drink in the bar on the top floor of the hotel afterwards. (I promise to take/post pictures this weekend.)

The hard part about this crazy week has been getting home late. I won't be home till after Alex is in bed. I talked to Alex about this tonight as I was rocking him before bed.

"Sweetie, mommy's going to be home really late tomorrow night."
"But why mommy?"
"Because I have to work late. But I'll come in and give you a little kiss when I get home."
"But I miss you when you have to work late."
"I know, I'll miss you too."
"I'll miss you and I'll be sad and I'll cry."
"Oh sweetie. You won't cry, you'll have fun boy-time with daddy."
"Yes I will cry."
"But we'll have all weekend together."
"Oh. Okay. I love you Mommy."

-sigh-

Broke my heart just a little. But I also love these little conversations. It's a realization that he's such a little person now. I mean he really is having these thoughts and feelings and I'm just amazed. I'm amazed that he can convey these thoughts at just three years of age. I treasure these times! I also love that he's a snuggler and let's me rock him a little bit before he hops into bed.

In potty news... Alex has pooped on the potty every day since Tuesday. Thursday it was three times... including the one time he went in the urinal at school. I gagged a little at the thought of that, but the teacher claims it's actually happens every now and again. Blech. But I feel like maybe we've turned a corner!

The Home Stretch

The busy-ness continues. We had the first of our three fall weddings last weekend. Craig's cousin got married, there was cake and cookies at the reception, Alex was a dancing fool, a good time was had by all. Will post pictures once I get some emailed to me... we forgot to pack our own camera. But since about 400 other people had theirs, I'm sure we'll get one or two!

This week I have meetings Wednesday and Thursday, a black-tie gala that I'm helped plan on Friday. Craig will be gone for the day Saturday for a bachelor party-baseball game. Next week I have a haircut, dinner with my friend Erin who's moving to Florida, book club, and then we'll hopefully head back to Illinois so I can go to my friend Lacey's bridal shower. I figure round about November 2nd I'll be able to breathe.

Of note...
Alex pooped in the potty at school today. There was much rejoicing heard from the Northwest side of Wauwatosa.

Attempting to look at cars with a three year old is challenging. But hilarious all at the same time.

Racing for the Cure

When I started running seriously back in February, I had a mission in mind. Two years in a row I walked the 5K Race for the Cure in honor and memory of Craig's, Joyce Neaman. Five years ago, she passed away. Twice she fought breast cancer. She was tough in her fight, sweet in her disposition always. I walked in honor of her.

Now... it is in her honor that I will run. Race for the Cure is Sunday September 28th at Milwaukee's lakefront. It will be a beautiful day, as it always is. I invite everyone to come down and experience Race for the Cure.

This is a fundraising run, and 75% of the money raised stays right here in Milwaukee and goes to breast cancer research. Please consider making a donation. No amount is too small.

Completely swamped

I am sorry for the recent lack of posting and commenting. I wish I could blame it on all the work I've done writing, but that would be a half-truth. I can only blame it on work. I am completely swamped with work. Had a great weekend... as hoped for there was much time spent outside, lots of reading and crocheting (taught myself a new stitch and how to crochet in a round!), some grilling out and some dining out. But then back to work yesterday and WHAM! Smacked in the face with tons of work. Work that is invading every spare second inside and outside the office. I have a special event that is a week and a half away. Plus I'm planning another smaller event, a news conference, and a huge black-tie fundraising gala for November. BUSY is an understatement.

Add to this three weddings, a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, a good friend moving far away from me, a Brewers/Cubs game at Miller Park that is probably going to be extremely significant come the end of September, another 5K (Race for the Cure) and a three year old whom I adore and a husband whom I adore, and well, there's not much time for anything else.

I hope all of you in bloggyland are well. I will try to get caught up on reading all of you soon and get back into the swing of commenting.