Post It Note Tuesday ~ PICNIC

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Happy Tuesday!

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If My Life Were A Reality Show

I went last Thursday with my Twitter pal @KT_Little to a local casting call for the Bachelor/Bachelorette. While I was only in attendance as a wingman, I still found the process quite interesting.

Although my friend Mimi was incredibly disappointed that I didn't try out, the whole "of brush with reality tv" thing got me to thinking.... What if my life were a reality show?

I mean, aside from the desperately needed TLC from Ty and the entire Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew, and probably an intervention from the Mission: Organization team on HGTV, what exactly would reality tv at my house look like...

A girl's night out on the town?

Eating out in VIP fashion...

Hawt dates with beautiful men - maybe even Ryan would notice me!

And of course, constant hounding by paprazzi.

Would my children be at increased risk of corruption..

... due to my long hours on set?

Or would they remain good kids, unscathed by the pressures of Hollywood?

There are many scenarios to ponder, if my life were a reality show.

And truthfully, if I consider what little reality TV I have actually seen, I don't think my life could handle anymore chaos, shananiganizing, and nonsense than it already has.

So I'll pitch that dream, and embrace what my life really is -

Perfect imperfection, on display exclusively to those I love.

In the Words of the Beatles, Life Goes On

It seems as though the last month has passed at a freakish pace.

I began a new, full-time job near the end of March. I was confident I was ready to take it on, just slipping it in to the unfilled space in my daytime hours. How different would life be? It's not like I had all sorts of things I was doing while the kids were at school.

Boy, was I mistaken!

As I write, I see FIVE baskets of clean laundry wrinkling before my very eyes. I know I should be folding them and getting them put away, but I can't seem to lift myself off of my rear to begin.

I look at my reader, and it seems as though I will never get through all of the posts I'd like to read. Let's not even talk about the pile of sort of started books on my bed-side table.

My DVR is bursting at the seams with shows I'd like to one day watch. My flower beds are filled with the remnants of fall. I know my blooming tulips are chastising me from their messy beds.

BUT!

Yes, there is a but...

I have been to Illinois to visit Fave Cousin and her brood. I went back the following week to lay my beloved Grandma to rest. My children have had sleepovers the last two weekends, and I played cosmic bingo with my girl Dar and her daughter last weekend.

I am maintaining an A average in school. My new boss signed me up this week for insurance pre-licensing classes. Within the next year, my role will transition to recruiting and training! I'm excited.

Although Minnesota has been unnaturally cold this spring, I keep telling myself that summer is right around the corner. That means Glamour Girl's wedding and the Big Fat Family Roadtrip!

Although I feel like I am constantly falling behind, I am still taking time for the important things. Friends, family, and myself. There will always be laundry to fold. There will always be books to read.

Just like the Beatles said, "Ob-la-di Ob-la-da Life goes on!"

I'd Rather Be Napping... Or Getting a Massage

I'm gonna give it to you straight.

I'm tired. So very tired. Life has been full of ups and downs already this year and I'm not sure for how much longer my body can keep up.

The Girl is finishing her second week of the new "school". While I am not entirely sure how I feel about the kids she is currently spending her days with, I believe that this is currently the best option for her. Her language has become foul and she is full of sass. Maybe it's the school. Maybe it's pre-adolescence. Either way, I either need earplugs or duct tape...

I am completing my second week of school. While not overwhelmed with the content, I am frustrated with the language skills of the people I am participating with in discussion. Oy! It makes me sad to have so much of my blog reading time being taken up by people that have difficulty spelling their own names.

Monday I leave to go back to Florida. If any of you happen to live in southwest Florida and happen to LOVE cleaning, hit me up. I'm not too proud to accept help. Anyone that has mad wallpaper removal skills and wants to help paint should let me know, too! Heck! I'll buy the cocktails! My goal is to tear down wall paper, repaper, and paint two bathrooms. I also have to paint a kitchen, finishing sorting my grandma'a personal effects, change the doorknob on a closet door so we have a private storage area still in the home, buy some linens, and finish furnishing the home for my seasonal renters. Did I mention I am going alone?

Due to the constant chaos that is currently consuming my life, I am sad to say you will only be seeing me on Tuesday next week. Possibly even the week after that. On the bright side, The Frilly Coconut is currently hard at work revamping Only Parent Chronicles. I have seen the new header and am crazy excited to see what she come up with for everything else! She is wicked talented!

Until Tuesday....

Home And Exhausted

I was out of town over the weeknd, in Chicagoland visiting family.  Saturday was spent at my aunt's house.  There was a BBQ to celebrate the memory of my uncle.  He lost his battle with leukemia a year and a half ago. I was so happy to see my cousins, their kiddos, my brother and his family, and spend the day with all of them.  It warmed my heart every time Fave Cousin's kiddos crawled up in to my lap to snuggle.  

Sunday was spent on Lake Michigan watching the Chicago Air and Water Show.  The picture above is one I took as we approached Chicago on the boat.  We drove in from my dad's harbor in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Needless to say, I'm very tired.  I have much to write but need to collect my thoughts.  Happy Tuesday to you all!

Monday Odds and Ends

I had an amazing FEX post prepared for yesterday and fotoflexer wasn't cooperating. *sad panda*  So, next Sunday FEX will be back - hopefully my collage will work - and Fave Cousin will be off my ass for awhile.

Friday brought the arrival of The Man's son from Colorado Springs.  He will be here for a month.  While The Man and I do not live together, his son will be spending the next month under my roof for a number of reasons.

1.  The Man lives in a 3 bedroom townhome with 2 roommates.  The only place for his son to sleep there is on the couch.  Here, The Boy has bunk beds and the two of them can share a room.  (They are only 10 days apart in age AND they get along.)
2. The Man works 13 - 14 hours a day, 6 days a week.  By staying here, his son will have someplace to be with adult supervision AND other kiddos to play with.
3. I cook.  The Man goes out to eat.  Need I say more about that?

On Saturday, my beloved son returned from a week at Boy Scout camp.  It has been chaos here since.  Some highlights from his trip include kids from his troop being chased by a bear (they were camping in northern Wisconsin), a huge thunder storm resulting in a canoe 30 feet from his tent being struck by lightning, a woodtick embedded in his belly (EW!), and bringing home a urine filled canteen ("Mom! It was dark, it was raining, and there were BEARS!").  Needless to say, he is excited to go back next year.

Today, The Girl's BF and the BF's older sister spent the day here while their mom was at work.  The girls used to be our neighbors and moved near the end of the school year.  They informed me today that the relative they were living with (their mother was evicted from the home they were renting in my neighborhood) has kicked them out and they have been living in a hotel for the last month.  It breaks my heart that their mother is such an irresponsible pain and that they're no longer just down the street.  My home used to be their safe haven.  Their mom has tried repeatedly to use me as a free childcare for the girls already this summer.  I would love to help, but I can't afford to feed 5 kids every day.

I also found out over the weekend that I will be able to go to Chicago in August for a Memorial BBQ in honor of my Favorite Uncle.  He lost an ugly battle with Leukemia just over a year ago.  I'm super stoked to see Fave Cousin, her hubby, and their kids as well as my Favorite Aunt and a whole slew of other cousins and family members!  I don't get to see my family anywhere near enough.

Anywho, stay tuned this week for some exciting stuff!  I will be hosting my very first (real) giveaway this week!  Also, during DuckFest, I won a Stickman cartoon!  That will be debuting right here at Only Parent Chronicles THIS WEEK!!!

Loose Ends

I'm gonna be honest with you.  I haven't been around a whole lot since DuckFest.  I don't have any reasons or excuses.  The monsters got out of school last Tuesday and we have been trying to settle in to summer.

For those of you that participated in DuckFest, THANK YOU!  Thank you so very much!  In all, we raised $1186.  100% of that money is in a bank account for JD's future.  As an only parent, I know I worry plenty about what to do for my kids when graduation day comes. (I know plenty of married parents that worry, too.) I just hope that the kindness of all of the strangers that rallied around Daffy's family during this time gives JD and his Daddy some hope for a happy future.  I know that it really warmed Daffy's heart.

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You may remember just over a month or so ago I made a commitment to get my life, my body, and my house all back on track.  I am happy to report, as of this moment, my living room and my daughter's room (minus the closet) are clean!  Can I get an AMEN! Hahaha...

While I have fallen off of the Flylady wagon, it was mostly intentional.  I decided there were some rooms that needed some extra-special attention before I had rugrats in the house 24-7.  The baby-steps, while great for building habits, weren't meeting my immediate needs.  I do plan to start implementing the routines on FlyLady soon, buuuuuut, I have a couple more rooms that need some TLC first.

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In other news, you might also remember a post I had written back in May, talking about me wanting a dog...  Guess what!?!?!?!?  We have a new family member!!  Everyone, welcome Natty!

Playing with her ball AND holding her lion.

Smiling for the camera.

Natty is a 2 year-old, black Great Dane!  We adopted her from The Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue over Memorial Weekend.  The kids and I are already smitten and feel like we have won the doggy lottery.  She is soooo awesome!  She is adjusting well and will be going for her 1st vet visit next week!

I already have a favorite Natty story.  She LOVES riding in the car.  The other day, The Girl and I were leaving to have lunch with The Man.  As we were walking out to the garage, Natty slipped by and went and stood at the back of my SUV, like she was going to go with.  I could not get her back in the house to save my life, sooooo...  I put her in the back of my SUV, took her for a short ride around the neighborhood, came home, and she went right inside! Hahaha, can you believe that?  What a turkey.

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Anywho, now that the kiddos and I are settling in to a summer routine, I hope to be seeing you every other day, at least!  If you can't find me here, I am also contributing at Lose It Bitches and Keeper of the Cheerios.  Also, don't forget about my Blog Frog community! That place is currently a virtual ghost town!  Head on over, start some discussions, give it some life! 

Happy summer to all!!!

Wordless Wednesday; Things That Make Me Smile

You may or may not know, but the last week has been a difficult one for me and my closest bloggy friends.  Today, my dear friend Daffy lays her sister to rest.  It breaks my heart, and while I long to be by her side, she knows that I am with her in spirit and I am only a BBM away.

After all of the sadness of the past 7 days, I’ve decided to share with you things that rarely fail to put a smile on my face.

Happy Wednesday.  Make sure to tell the people you love that you love them.  Tell your friends you appreciate them.  And spread kindness all around you.

Summer parties at the lake

Fireworks with my kids

People watching at the Minnesota State Fair

Live music

Football games

Baseball games

This man

These kids