Brandon's Puppy

First Week

So far, Brandon’s had a great start to First Grade. He’s behaved wonderfully, he’s paying attention in class, he says he likes his teacher and class mates, he’s been very efficient when we sit down during homework-time, and even did rather well on his first spelling test this past Friday. The only bump in the road, and this has nothing to do with him, was getting a couple of the things on his supply list.
I had purchased some essentials during the summer because I wanted to avoid the madness that ensues during the first week of school, but I ended up going to four different stores during three different days last week. His teacher requested six composition notebooks, and of course that was the one item out of stock at every store I went to. At one of them, an employee misunderstood me and directed me to the netbooks aisle. I thought maybe they just hadn’t re-stocked the supplies area and were going to give me some straight from the box. But no, it was just a phonetic misunderstanding. I thought it would be at least another week (i.e. when the back-to-school shopping frenzy dies down) before I found the elusive notebooks, but yesterday morning my mom found them at a discount store near her house. Thank goodness for helpful grandmas!

Let the New School Year Begin!

There's much Brandon told me about his first day of 1st grade, and his teacher, and his classmates, but I'm just too tired to remember it all right now. And, he's asleep so I can't ask him. More tomorrow. Good night!

Last tastes of freedom

for Brandon, that is.

Since FridayThursday, we've been doing lots of fun stuff, a last hoorah for the boys (particularly B) before school starts. On Thursday evening, we had dinner at my dad's, something we hadn't done in a while. It was chaotic and exhausting, but I miss those weekly dinners a lot.
Friday evening hubby picked me up after work and we took the boys to the Miami Children's Museum, followed by dinner at Five Guys. What a treat, two of our favorite places in one night!
Yesterday, our first stop was Matty's preschool, which was hosting a "Family Fun Day". We were there for about an hour, then we headed off to the mall to meet Curious George. We had lunch at the mall (Cajun Grill...yum!), then ran some errands. In the evening we headed to V & M's house for dinner and dessert.
This morning, hubby prepped a batch of his world-famous waffles and we're headed over to V & M's for breakfast. Who knows what other yummy goodness the day will bring!

Just a small aside: if you're wondering how to lose belly fat, eating what I've eaten the last four days is not the way to do it. I feel like I've gained 10 pounds! But the kids have been having a great time, so it's all worth it.

This evening, B and I will pack his new backpack with essentials, and lay out his new uniform for the first day of school. My big boy is starting First Grade tomorrow!

The positive side

After reading C's post, I realized that my previous entry is just too Debbie Downer. We all know what a positive person I am, and that post was just a small moment of weakness. I'm borrowing from my friend and will now share my own summer highlights (in no particular order):

1. The love affair continues with my FNJ.

2. Hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.

3. We went to Orlando for my cousin's beautiful wedding. And, we got to hang out with WB and sherlock. And, we took the boys to their first trip to IOA and Universal (also their first trip with grandma and Titi).

4. Hung out with my girlies a bunch of times, including spa day!

5. Our A/C repair last month cost next to nothing.

6. After a 6-year hiatus, we visited Key West again.

7. Save for whatever random items the teacher requests, back-to-school shopping is done!

8. Found out several loved ones are expecting, and am very much hoping other loved ones have the same news to share soon.

9. There's a brand new baby girl to spoil in our grupito.

10. Managed to get myself a nifty little part-time gig, which I will share more about on a later date.

11. Lots of birthdays and holidays spent with family and friends.

Wow, that's much better!

I need a money tree

When it comes to our finances, we end up taking one step forward and two steps back. We found out last week that Matty's school increased their fees. That news comes just a few weeks after hubby got demoted. We were hoping to finally enroll the boys in the affordable health insurance I found last month (yes, we are all currently insurance-less), but sadly that has to wait just a bit longer.
I keep trying to remind myself it could be worse, but it's a bit disheartening when our expenses are getting bigger and our paychecks smaller.

My new favorite meme

Posted this meme on FB last week. It's my new favorite! Want to play along? Put the link to your post in the comments, or just leave your answers.

Your life according to ONE ARTIST:
Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like (or think will actually do this) and include me. Try not to repeat a song title. It's harder than you think...

My Life, by Billy Joel

Your Artist: Billy Joel
(I get extra points since the note title includes a Billy Joel song title too!)

Are you male or female: She’s Always a Woman to Me

Describe yourself: Modern Woman

How do you feel about yourself: You’re Only Human

Describe where you currently live: Miami 2017

The first thing you think of when you wake up: River of Dreams

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Vienna

Your favorite form of transportation: The Downeaster 'Alexa'

Your best friend(s) is/are: Honesty

Your favorite color is: Shades of Grey

What's the weather like: Summer, Highland Falls

If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: Last of the Big Time Spenders

What is life to you: This is the Time

What is the best advice you have to give: Get It Right the First Time

If you could change your name, what would it be: Laura

Your favorite food is: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

Your soul's present condition: Keeping the Faith

How would you describe your love life: You're My Home

Some advice

A warning to those of you who wish to visit our lovely Sunshine State: don't plan your Florida vacations during the month of August. Typically, that's when the hurricanes like to come out to play.

The rain was non-stop throughout the county all day long. Today's news report announced that a tropical storm named Ana may became a hurricane and strike Miami in five days. Then again, she may lose strength and fizzle out. But, already on her tail are Bill and Claudette. Guess this means I'll be visiting the grocery store for storm staples within the next couple of days.

Mermaid or Whale?

My boss sent this to me. I'd choose to be a whale too. Which one would you choose?

A Mermaid or a Whale?

Recently, in large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said: THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans).. They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Barren Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity
crisis. Fish or human? They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention how could they have sex?
Therefore they don't have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a piece of chocolate with my friends. With time we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, *Good gosh, look how smart I am...*

Seeking new soles

Why is it that the day I wear uncomfortable shoes is the day I end up walking the most while at work? Not only did I walk two blocks to Chipotle to meet a friend for lunch, I was back-and-forth at the office all day because my printer wasn't working so I had to print from a different office. I'm down to one pair of brown shoes, and they have been bothering me lately. As cute as they are, they are just not very functional. I'm an old soul, I'd much rather wear Danskos than Manolos. So I'm giving myself permission to go shoe shopping...let the hunt for comfy brown flats begin, fashionality* optional!

*yes, that's a word. I just made it up!

Random

I'm so glad my comments are working again! Come on, people, show me you love me!

It's just after 6:30pm, and I'm still at work. I'm off the clock, but I'm taking a few minutes to check my personal email (and write this post) because our home computer was attacked by some worm and is with my IT guy. Thankfully, he was able to retrieve and back-up my documents for me, and it looks like the computer won't need to be re-formated. YAY!

Poor B, I promised him last week that I'd get home early all this week to be able to take him to the park. The playground in our community installed a whole new play area, including swing sets (which it didn't have before). He's been aching to go, and I keep having to postpone our visit. I have to make a point to leave early (i.e. on time) tomorrow to take him.

Today is my beautiful nephew Mikey's 6th birthday! I can't believe the boys are already six...and starting 1st grade in just two weeks! I think these children need to stop growing, at least for a little bit so that we can enjoy their baby-ness a bit more.

Alright, I'm outta here, still have to get home and make dinner for three men at home. Good night!

back in business

comments are up, people. WOOT!
Go back to my last few posts and give me some love and attention, please!!

potentially dangerous

I discovered something today: did you know Walmart accepts paypal as a form of payment when you buy something online? I had no idea! Thanks to this new discovery, I am pretty much done with Brandon's back to school shopping, he just needs a couple of pairs of pants (which I'd rather he try on in person anyway). No, I didn't go overboard, I just got him three long-sleeve polos for those five days of "cold" weather we get in Miami.
Yes, Target is my retailer of choice, (I'd be really screwed if they accepted paypal) but this does have the potential to be very bad. Sometimes I have "extra" money in paypal when our checking account does not, and there are times during these monetary circumstances where some retail therapy is needed for me to stay sane. So, yeah, let's hope I temporarily forget this newfound knowledge when the circumstances present themselves again.

Incomunicado

I know, comments are down. The spammers got me again so my host shut down any forms of feedback for the blog. I need to get a hold of them and have them fix it. In the meantime, please enjoy the pictures I took during our time in Key West in the entry below. I hope to have this place back to normal soon.

I think it's time to consider a big move for this little blog....

At Key West

Taken near the beginning of the Seven Mile Bridge, headed South. Brandon was floored when we told him the old bridge used to contain a railroad track!

Looking for fishies and other sea creatures off the pier on White Street.

During lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Hubby and I figured out we've been to 6 of the 143 restaurants: Key West, Miami, Sunrise, Orlando, Nassau, and NYC. That's not to low a ratio considering we're not very worldly travelers. We're definitely stopping at the original in London when (hopefully when and not if) we go to Europe for our 10th wedding anniversary.

The Key West Aquarium has a Touch Tank, where visitors can touch and feel starfish, horseshoe crabs, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and of course live conch.

Matty preferred to experience the tank without the touching.

Brandon really, really wanted a picture with "Bruce". Could it have anything to do with the fact that he watched Finding Nemo three times in the car on the way to Key West?

I think this turned out to be a great shot. This guy was in a tank!

Yup, he loved it! Ironically, out of all the places to stop for Key Lime Pie in Key West, we stopped at the franchise that has a location 2 blocks from my job.

Beautiful. Nature never ceases to amaze me.

Key Deer

Big Pine Key is just a short distance southward after crossing the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. It's the home of of the Key Deer. Just a few feet after passing the first "Deer Crossing" sign, we saw this little guy on the side of the road. We stopped the car and watched him for a while. This rare sighting made our little road trip just a bit more special.

Things

Our A/C is now working properly. FIL came by last Thursday and determined it was some relay switch doohickey (technical name) outside that allows the big fan outside in the big metal box (another technical term) to turn off and on when the unit need to cool down. The part cost a meer $10, for which I am so very, very grateful. FIL came by earlier today and replaced it, and now our house is nice and cool again. Our thermostat has needed replacing for a while, so spending $50 on that is next on the list.

We drove three hours South and spent the day in Key West yesterday. Hubby's been wanting to do that for a while, and our upcoming anniversary (Tuesday) was the perfect excuse to "take advantage of our own backyard", as my friend C told me. We got there around 1pm, drove around the island for a bit, had lunch, took the boys to the Key West Aquarium, walked up and down Duval Street, and went to the pier to watch the sun set. It was an awesome day! I'll post a few pictures tomorrow as I'm just too plain lazy to do it right now.

We were thinking that maybe next time we drive down to the Keys, we would stay there for a couple of days. I'm ashamed to admit that we've never done that, and we're native South Floridians. My cousin Y stays at a rv camping lot every weekend through the summer, and she says it's a calm, relaxing time, so long as we don't do it during one of the holiday weekends. Perhaps we will budget for a little late summer getaway...

I'm coming down with a cold and it's hubby's fault. He's been nursing a sore throat and cough for the last few days, and he shared it with me even though I asked him not to. Dayquil and Nyquil will be my new best friends for the next few days.