t minus two!

Two days left!!!! This is a very good thing. I can hardly face her today, ever since I saw the latest picture on her MySpace. She leaves very little to the imagination. I was so pissed when I saw it, I could couldn't get anymore work done for the rest of the day. I think I'm going to set her computer on fire. That would be cool.

Sky pencil!!!

I'm not sure what day we are at in the countdown... could be 9, could be 7. According to her myspace, she is leaving on the 6th, two days earlier than I expected. I'm okay with that.

Anyway, today we went to the Home Depot, and I finally got my dream shrubbery. That's right, the wonderful SKY PENCIL... two of them! I don't know why I have wanted one so bad. Maybe it's because of the ease in which I will be able to prune them, and their stately nature. I will feed them, and love them, and watch them grow. And I'm really not sure why I always have to sing it out... sky penciiiiiillllll....

Then and now

a twenty year timespan, almost...

It's crazy how quickly time flies, and I know we all say that once we get "old". But it's so weird the way certain things that you had when you were young, feelings, thoughts, etc. never seem to leave you, no matter how many years pass. I've been talking to an old "friend" lately, and I just can't get over how it feels like nothing has really changed between us. I mean, our relationship has changed of course, and yet it hasn't - it just still feels very comfortable, even though there has been a seventeen year time gap since we last spoke.

BTW, today is Day 11. So close...

Day 17

Apparently I'm not the only one who's fed up with her. Once again, she didn't come home last night. The big guy just asked me when she was leaving. 17 days. I wonder if he'll be able to go off of his high blood pressure medicine after the source of stress has moved out.

Day 22, Why I am so cool

10. And perhaps I will read this tomorrow and delete it all. But today, rock on!!!

Day 25

The week is almost over. Tomorrow is Saturday, but I have to work... one last SCAD Day before our summer hiatus. So I will take a little time tonight to play catch-up...

The trip to Chattanooga was great. It was so good to see Tonia, Big E, and their young'uns. The little guys were running around like wild, and I think it was hard on Tonia and E, but I didn't mind one little bit. It was a little weird at first, since we haven't all been together in like 7 years, but after the initial meet and greet in the parking lot, it was all just very comfortable, like a good pair of shoes. Keen shoes, my favorite. Anyhow, like I said before, our hotel was kind of in the ghetto, but really, I didn't care. I was so chill the whole time, not worrying about work, no time crunches, comfortable clothing, I could've been anywhere and I would've loved it. Well, anywhere warm. So, we went to the Tennessee aquarium, which has long been on our to do list. It was really nice. Not as good as maybe Baltimore or Tampa, but still, it was up there. My favorite fish? The giant puffer, of course! We went to some fun restaurants, made the regular pilgrimage to Walmart, and played card games at night. My only complaint about the trip... it was too damn short!

Day 31

Oh man, today was a doozy. We realized that we had not seen her, nor had any evidence of her having been home for about 48 hours, and she was not returning our calls. We were afraid someone had abducted her.

She finally called around 10:30pm and explained that she missed curfew last night, so she decided to hide out from us, rather than coming home. She told me she took a nap on the beach. Great, she's already acting like a homeless person. Stevie is going to brunch with her tomorrow, to "discuss" things. I wonder if we will have to kick her out before the countdown is over...

Day 34

Vacation was excellent, just what I needed. Will post details and pics soon. Our hotel was "in the ghetto" but the actitivites/time spent were awesome and much needed!!!

She has deleted her MySpace page. What gives?! Could it be a sign of good things to come, perhaps some self-control in the age of the WWW and technology? We'll see... Her recruiter called yesterday to check in and make sure she's not pregnant. How in the hell am I supposed to answer that question?!

My dad sent me some paperwork today to sign. He writes on the post-it note..."This is for some stocks. They will go to you when I am gone." How exactly am I supposed to take that?! I miss him so much.

Day 39, going on vacation

We are leaving her alone this weekend, she has the house all to herself. She may not even realize she is by herself. We haven't seen or talked to her for a couple days, and she may not remember or realize that we are going to Chattanooga for a few days. Lizard will keep an eye on the house and the feeshes for us.

I was really dreading this trip at first, because I find it so hard to forget about work, to let it go. But I spent a couple extra hours there tonight, wrapping things up, so I could truly leave it for a couple days. You know, I try to make it a point to not really talk about work here. But that explains why my blogging has been lacking in content lately. My whole life revolves around that W word. Or shall I say that SCAD word. The past couple weeks have been really tough, too. Two rolling heads in as many weeks. It puts everyone on edge. So I'm just glad to have finished up my week and have four days of nothing to look forward to. Hello vacation!!!

So I'm really looking forward to a few days of just doing whatever, and being spontaneous. No schedules, no meetings, no alarm clocks. Hanging out with friends, drinking, eating, spending time with my boys and being silly. And not having to clean the f'ing house. Please don't call me unless you're on fire. Even then, just call 911.

Day 41

Interesting... she was very excited today to be meeting up with her "favorite marine", a.k.a. the boy she was engaged to for three weeks. I wonder if the ring will reappear.

Day 47

Will there be an appropriate punishment for leaving the flat iron on (AGAIN) before she ends up burning the house down? I doubt it. At least we have good homeowners insurance.

48 days

To _________,

I do not appreciate seeing your bikini top, encrusted with a rhinestone-studded playboy bunny, while your pants are so low, that I am about to catch a peek at the tattoo that you should not have, and that I wish to not know about. Please wear appropriate clothing at all times.

Thank you.
mom

49

Day 49. Took off a half day off to help Stevie work on his resume. But while I sat alongside him, lending support, I also processed a dozen expense reports. Work never stops. Then I took Sammy to his practice game. Sand gnat central. Sammy didn't do so well. Choke-n-poke, he needs to learn what that means. With a full count, you don't wait for another ball. He'll figure it out. At least he's fast... really fast.

Day 50

Its official. Today begins the 50 day countdown 'til E goes to basic training. 50 days can be a long time when you're pissed off. I just get kinda really mad when she leaves a note on the door to "please let Esther sleep", but she makes sure to leave a load of laundry outside her door, in the hallway. Apparently, this is a hotel. Please do not disturb the princess. But hopefully...my days will whiz by, and I will be surprised that the time passed so quickly. 50 days and counting...

On a side note. I am mesmerized by the baseball coach. He is totally hot and has very beautiful children. Met the wife, and she is very sweet and giving, despite her large hair. Damnit! OMG, thru the magic of the internet, I have discovered that he is a REVEREND. I bet he does not appreciate sinners.

catchup, ketchup, catsup

Well, two months goes by, and I don't have much to show for it. I did get that treadmill and downloaded Puddle of Mudd to my ipod, but I haven't given up the Pinot. Flavor of the moment, Twisted Pig. I bought it only because I liked the name, but it turned out to be a good one. I am running on a sporadic basis, and its helping the stress levels. Which is good, because I need all the help I can get. Actually, I think I need to jump on the treadmill right now. I've got a headache that won't go away, and my neurologist is pretty sure that they are stress-induced.

E is doing better. She came to her senses, left the boy, moved back home, and will be going to basic training on May 8. The countdown begins. She has been assigned her job, air traffic controller. Awesome! I am very glad that she is taking a better path in life, but damn, she makes me nervous.

Work is tough. I find myself having to make ethical decisions on a daily basis. What is the right, what is wrong. I think I have a good moral compass, but its just a lot of pressure. Run, Kimmy, run!

And the rest of the circus... Stevie is working some crazy overtime right now, lots of planes. And he wants me to help him re-do his resume, to post for a nice little promotion. The boys are both doing their sports now, another hockey season for Charlie, and a first attempt at baseball for Sammy. I've been really proud of his effort, and his natural athletic skill is apparent. Well, except for the time he took a fly ball to the schnoz. Luckily it didn't break, but there was definitely some blood. Papa is terribly grumpy lately. He had shoulder surgery and is tired of having his arm in a sling. He just wants to get back on the golf course, but his physical therapist said he would have to wait about 5 more months for that. Oh, and the twins... we've practically adopted Charlie's friends, Zaak and Ouzal. Sweet boys, I think I will keep them.

Oh, but a break is on the horizon. We're planning a little mini vacation up to Chattanooga, to go to the aquarium. A long weekend, and we're meeting our friends Tonia and Eric up there. I can't wait, I need a diversion!

Request for a date

BTW, Steve West, the only person in the living world who reads my blog... I know I totally bailed on you the last time I was in the ATL... but I'll be there this coming weekend, Thursday night thru Sunday morning. Let's set up a time and place beforehand, okay? Coffee, dinner, whatever. It's on me.

Day 6

We're all very sad now. No one's sure of what to say, or how to feel. Even Charlie is out-0f-sorts. He is always my rock, Mr. Perfect, but today he had a melt-down. He sulked, he went into a rage and threw things, he cried and then slept under a bed. We are all very disappointed and feeling rejected. So now I want a treadmill. I want to strap on my headphones, listen to Puddle of Mudd, and run until I puke. I think I'll just drink some more Pinot.

But on the bright side...
My hairdresser is totally awesome, and he always puts me in a good mood. He's a hair master, a shrink, and a total hotty, all rolled into one. Too bad I'm too old for him!

I also got an email from my old dancing partner on the island, Sergio, who just finished remodeling his house, so he sent me some pictures. WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? SER-GI-O! SER-GI-O! It's so nice to hear from old friends!!!

Day 5 of 2007

And today, while we were at work, she packed up her things and moved away. She left a note on the counter.

Day 4 of 2007

Today we were informed that she was fired from her job.

3 days down, 362 to go... Lord help me!

Well, thanks to the big E, 2007 is off to a roaring start!
Ugh... where do I begin?! Honestly, this one is a doozy, so as is my style, I'll spew just to get it off my chest, but with brevity...

• E was not doing well in school, so we felt it best to pull the plug before another $10,000 was spent on another semester.
• The following week, she was going to enlist in the Air Force and it seemed like a great fit... she scored a 92 on her ASVAB, ensuring her of a great career field, and she seemed totally focused.
• Two weeks later, after a nice Christmas, winding down the holidays, her ex-boyfriend/friend/maybe boyfriend again comes for a visit, and the next thing you know, she's got a ring and he's asking for her hand in marriage. Active duty Air Force is now not an option.
• Throw in some attitude, some tears and some illegal drug use, and quite honestly, I don't know what the f*** the outcome is.
• I do know that wine is now my best friend.

So, if you see me around this week, please oh pete, DO NOT ask me if I had a good New Year's!