catching up

The carnival was followed by work and early nights to catch up on some sleep. Then oldest and I were off to the Women's herb Conference in New Hampshire for the week end. It was amazing as always. I will blog more about that later. The kids start school September 1 and I have my fall cleaning all planned out. I have not blogged or read any blogs in almost two weeks. I feel so disconnected. I will be catching up slowly over the next week. Hope all is well with my blog friends.

2 nights down, 2 to go

Wednesday was slow in the beer garden - it always is. I was going to bring a book to read in the ticket booth and wish I did. The first hour I was there I was busy helping set up tables and chairs. I brought peanut butter and cowboy cookies.

Thursday we slept late and I made a big breakfast - bacon, eggs and toast. Then the girls and I headed out to pick up the t-shirts for the carnival and grocery shopping. The last grocery shopping trip I just bought the bare essentials and gave the rest of the grocery money to SIL for the kids food at the cape. This was a big trip. Pork chops and cole slaw made from the cabbage in MIL's garden and back to the carnival. Son came to spend some time in the dunking booth. Oldest works the food tent and I was back in the beer ticket booth. It was busier than Wednesday - which doesn't say much. I had to shut off my first person in ten years. Usually the beer pourers toss the customers out. I actually had to tell one woman I would not sell her any tickets. She was sloshed when she got here. Pissed at me she left for the bar.

Two more batches of cookies baked for tonight. Astragalus root capsules made. Laundry in process. Hubby is taking a nap and then we are spending the afternoon at the beach. Tonight is fireworks and hubby will bring son and youngest to see. Oldest and I will be working. Son didn't volunteer for the dunking booth tonight so he could ride the rides. I asked if he was paying. No - then I guess you won't be riding the rides. Tomorrow afternoon kids of the department ride for free. That is in my price range. He thinks rides are fun only at night (at carnivals) and he wants to go to his police explorer picnic tomorrow. Sucks to be him. Friday is our busiest night so tonight should be fun. I would much rather be busy than sit around.

Set Up

Last night was set up for the carnival. All the kids wanted to come. The two youngest thought it would be fun. Well, it is in a team work hard work kind of way. We unloaded the fence and posts from the trailer, set up the tables for the beer, unloaded the ticket booth, pounded in stakes and zip tied the fence to it, we moved tables and chairs. We were dripping wet with sweat and came home to water and cold showers. The kids and hubby had the last of the cake. I put my feet up and read for a few minutes. Hubby tucked youngest in. I contemplated making the climb up the stairs when she came running back down to kiss me. I slept sound.

Kids are home

The beach was a lot of fun. A few hours in the sun and surf and we headed to Mystic Village for some shopping and ice cream. We both bought some nail polish at Del Sol. Everything in the store changes color in the sun. White t-shirts with a black design suddenly are full of color in the sunlight. The nail polish is light indoors and changes to a vibrant hue in the sun. What fun. As I removed the hideous green from youngest's nails this morning I repainted them with my new sun kissed color. She was all excited when I took her outside and they changed color (even in the drizzly rain). Oldest is using it when she comes home.

Thursday nine Goddesses met around a friends fire pit. We called the quarters, blessed the full moon, sang, ate and laughed.

The kids called to say they wouldn't be coming home until Saturday. As much as I missed them I was excited because that meant hubby and I could go out Friday night. Friday morning I was went for an oil change and a few errands. I came home to an empty house. Hmm? Hubby called a little while later to see if I could help bring drinks and sandwiches to the fire call. A dump truck full of asphalt had tipped over near the resivour. No one was hurt. Instead of meeting my girl friend for tea ( I am so sorry I didn't call) I was feeding the crew. That night hubby and I went to the Gilson to see Johnny Depp - um I mean Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp.

Saturday I woke to a crisp, clear beautiful fall day. Oh, wait it's still supposed to be summer. Maybe that will arrive this fall. Any way I went to the memorial service for my SIL's father. I sat in the Catholic church and lightening didn't strike. Even my dear sweet aunt leaned over and whispered that one day she would go up for communion to see what the priest would do. LOL I have - years ago. I told one taste of that wafer going to the roof of your mouth and sticking like supper glue and the idea would pass. For all of those Catholic's out there - if it works for you - I am happy for you. It just does not work for me. But, that is a very long rant which I will spare you at this time. I have been to many beautiful catholic services - none in this particular church.

SIL called to ask if I could pick the kids up a little early. Youngest had developed a really bad head ache and was crying. The kids were ready to come home. They had a great time and chatted the whole way home. Son must be getting ready for a growth spurt - I'm pretty sure all he did was eat. And for supper he ate enough for three (or four) people. I baked Annie's mocha midnight cake as a welcome home. They loved it. Some down time on the couch a youngest felt a lot better. Some sinus meds and 13 hours of sleep and she woke up good as new.

This week starts carnival week. Monday set up. Wednesday to Saturday carnival and Sunday clean up. The kids are so excited. Me, not so much. They all want to help set up. Son wants to sit in the dunking booth. Oldest works the food tent because she is an explorer. Youngest has been talking for months how she can ride the rides for free at the matinee. She even told bio that she has wanted to go to the carnival for years and she/bio wouldn't take her but, Kim is. Fireworks are Friday night and the parade is Saturday. Hubby's rotating schedule works out that he will be off the week end and can take the kids. I will spend all but Saturday night in the ticket booth for the beer garden. Saturday I put wrist bands on the marchers for the free beer garden ( as I know most of the firefighters). Then it will be back in the ticket booth. I like the plexi glass between me and the beer drinkers (drunks).

Wednesday

Mother-in-love really enjoyed the Wizard of Oz. She thinks maybe we should see Wicked again to catch all she missed. Twist my arm. The Warner did an awesome job with the play.

Monday afternoon I was looking forward to coming home from work and jumping on the treadmill and then maybe to the beach for a quick swim. Hubby even had the treadmill already to go for me. Not! I received a call - carnival committee meeting. The last meeting before the carnival starts on the 12th.

Last night though I came home and jumped on the treadmill. Hubby went and picked up Chinese food and we made a little picnic out of it.

Today I am off to the CT shore with a friend. I'm hoping the rains hold off until late this afternoon. I will be home in time for supper and then off to the fire house for a meeting. Hmm, I'm beginning to see a pattern here.

Hubby wanted to know what I am doing Thursday because he was invited to go jet skiing with the boys. Go, have fun! I'm working and then going to a full moon fireside. Yeah! We are both excited.

I'm keeping track of my kid's vacation at the cape via facebook. They've been to the beach, the cape cod potato chip factory and a whale watch so far. Sounds like fun.

Lazy Sunday

Hubby and I spent the afternoon at the beach, came home to a nap and then headed to the parade. The kids left a message that they arrived at the cape.

This morning he is at rope rescue training. I'm going to pay the bills and maybe hit the beach with a book for a couple of hours. This afternoon I am taking my mother-in-love to see the Wizard of Oz. She has never seen it. I found this out on our way to see Wicked. I think she'll enjoy it.

A week with just Hubby

Sister and brother-in-love are on their way to the Cape today with their three kids. They asked if our three could join them for the week. Hubby dropped them off yesterday. The kids are so excited. I get to spend some time with my hubby, I don't have to shut the bathroom door or wear a robe (it's the little things) and they get to visit some place new. I am so excited for them.

We had his cousin EC and his girlfriend for dinner. They brought a yummy green salad and I made sausage stuffed mushrooms to start, fillet mignon and baked stuffed shrimp, hobo potatoes and for dessert carmel pecan blondies topped with my homemade vanilla ice cream. I was well past 11 when they left. We were so busy talking we lost track of time. I was only awake because I had real coffee for breakfast followed by a coke with lunch. Hubby fell asleep long before me which is really strange. We ended the night by setting our next dinner date. Next time I'm cooking and bringing dinner to EC's house. They left with a bag of goodies. I packed up leftovers for EC and blondies, soap and lotion that I made for girlfriend. I need a better name than girlfriend. Hmm? I really like her. She has still not met his mom - the infamous Aunt D. EC had told Aunt D she would not meet her until she could promise to be nice and hold her tongue. Any way, no sour notes to an awesome evening.

Today hubby and I are going out for breakfast. It is my favorite meal to eat out. I find cooking breakfast so tedious. Tonight Hubby is marching in the firemen's parade. I've opted to watch the parade rather than march. It has been far too long since I've been able to see a parade.