Better Days

So, I've been sporadic at best the last two weeks.  I was pretty sure my head was going to explode by Monday.  Tuesday night, after the kids were tucked tightly into their beds, I had some wine (2 bottles, ooopsie), watched some DVR'd TV (love, love, love Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends), and sorted my emotional shit...  I think...

That said, I'm back!  Last night, Bob Schneider rocked my world at The Varsity Theatre in Dinkytown.  He is my all time favorite live performer.  It's been three years since I've seen him.  I will not ever wait that long again.

Bob, rockin' the scarf

I'm not entirely sure why Ollie was in a bunny suit, BUT it made for some good laughs!

He's got skillz...  I dig it.

I'm flat broke, actually, more than broke, until Wednesday.  I think I learned a difficult lesson.  I now owe myself $1300.  I will pay it back. 

I've had no health insurance since October 1.  I need to get my but in gear and get all of my paperwork in the mail so insurance can be reinstated.  In addition, I am committing to myself to get any registration info in by December 15 so I can go back to school in the spring.  This fall has been an all time FAIL in productivity and I need to get myself back on track.

I did some bartering with a friend and now have a new water softner, chest freezer, and a keyboard with amp for The Girl for Christmas.  The Boy really wants an XBox.  I think, since I've pulled my head from my ass and will be more careful with my money, I will be able to swing it.

Glamour Girl is taking me to the Vikings game on Sunday.  That should be a blast.  The Boy is going camping this weekend with Cub Scouts (I need to go get him some extra gloves and hats.  It's his first winter camping experience!  I'm excited for him!), and The Girl has a hot date with her Godfather on Friday night.

I've decided I really like the man I've been seeing and I need to stop being shallow and letting stupid things stand in the way of getting to know him better.  He's very different than the typical man for me.  I'm beginning to think maybe that is good, but I'm not one to put the cart before the horse.  So here's to better attitudes and better moods!!!

Wannabe Hoochie Mama

Ok.  Not really.  But the thought did cross my mind.

As I've mentioned before, since being laid off, I've been bartending.  Usually that shoots to hell any opportunity for a social life...  Especially during the school year when babysitters aren't abundant.

BUT...

Saturday night, I'm going out...  Dancing.  I'm pretty excited.  I haven't been to a nightclub in YEARS!!  Like, at least 5 years.  Except for the time I took a 20 year-old girl I work with and her friend to an 18+ club downtown because they didn't know they way.  But that doesn't exactly count, because I was more in babysitter mode than girls night out mode.  I digress...

Granted, going out in downtown Minneapolis isn't like hitting the clubs in NYC, LA, or even Miami for that matter.  But clubs still have dress codes and people still dress up.  Herein lies my problem.  My closet isn't exactly stocked with nightclub clothes.  I have been shopping 3 times since making these plans to find something to wear with no success.  And it's not that I can't find something age appropriate or unskanky.  I cannot find ANYTHING!  I don't want to go out dancing in jeans or black pants!  I WANT A CUTE LITTLE BLACK DRESS!!!!  (Or any other flattering color for that matter!)

I'm going shopping again on Saturday afternoon.  I think I'm going to have to go to (gasp) The Mall of America!  Noooooooooo!!!!  I avoid that place like kids avoid broccoli!  (Actually, my kids love broccoli, but you know what I was getting at.)  What if I still can't find anything?  Is it possible for me to go shopping at THE largest indoor mall in this country and still come home empty handed?  And once I find something I think I like, how do I know I don't look like I'm trying too hard to look young(er than I am) and cute?

Ugh!  Is going out dancing really worth all of this stress?  Maybe I should just stay in with a bottle of wine... (Sigh)

You Go, Girl!

Since I lost my super fancy professional job in April 2008, I have been bartending at a bar and grill in my hometown.  I know, it's glamorous.  Don't be jealous.  I'll give you a minute to check that....

So!  Since I have been bartending, I have met so many young, fabulous women!  Some of them are mamas, some of them are not, but they're fabulous none-the-less. 

Tonight, I happen to be baby-sitting for one of the fabulous mamas.  She is currently involved in a child-support issue with baby-daddy #2, and isn't able to afford her normal evening childcare.  It's all good, though!  I'm home and happy to help out.  I mean, after all, her oldest is the same age as The Boy and having him here will definately limit the antagonism of The Girl.  AND, her youngest is the ripe old age of 13 months!!  Can we say FREAKING CUTE!!!  It's been years since I've had a baby!!!!  I digress...

So, Fab Mama was done with work at 9:00.  I get a phone call asking if I would mind if she stayed for a glass of wine with another of the fab women we work with.  I'm just putting the kids to bed and say, "Heck no!  Every mama needs some wine once in awhile!"  She's grateful.  I put four children to bed.

It's 10:45.  I've just wasted an hour and a half of my life watching Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (it just came out today, Matthew McConaughey is the same guy as he was in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - that movie was good, this one isn't so much - I'll never get that 90 minutes back) and I have a text message from Fab Mama.  She is wondering if I would mind if she has a 2nd glass of wine.  I say, "Drink up, sister!"  Yep, even more grateful.

Truth is, I bartend on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.  The kids sleep over at the baby-sitter's those nights.  If I'm done with work at a reasonable hour, I'm gonna hit the town!  I am MORE than happy to allow a fellow mama the same opportunity!  Mamas need kid-free time!!!  Fab Mama called me just before I started this post.  She met a man a week ago.  He popped in to see her.  She wants to go chat him up for a bit.  My response?  "Honey, have fun and wake me when you come for your babies.  This mama is gonna get some sleep."  (Need to save my energy for my time to play!)