1:07....Is That a World Record?

Hello all!  It is bright and early on Tuesday morning.  I am trying to get back into a routine with posting and had a couple of things to share from yesterday.  Let's go!

Last night as we were all tromping upstairs for bed and I was trying to maneuver past Cooper who was being blocked from going upstairs by a gate.  It is not an easy task.  He really wants to bust through that gate and you really have to use your body to block him while wedging your way through the gate. Sometimes he tries to bite you, somethings he growls real angry, sometimes he just let's you walk through and gives you his really sad eyes. You never know which Cooper it will be. As I was stepping through the gate with a running monologue aimed towards Cooper, I said something that made Harry laugh so hard.  I mean he laughed so hard, he couldn't breathe, he was laying on the floor, rolling around clutching his stomach.  So, so hard. It was not forced or fake - he was in hysterics. Of course, Chip and I were laughing too.  Once he was able to compose himself we were trying to figure out what made him laugh so much and he tried to reenact it, but it was just not coming across as all that funny to me and Chip.  Which was even more funny. It was one of those moments that I just want to remember.  Harry said "Mom, thanks for that.  I am sure I have never laughed that hard in my entire life."  So, no idea what just happened, but you are very welcome.

I am leaving for Iceland in nine days!  ACK!  I have been working so hard, I haven't even thought about what I am packing to wear.  This probably means I will take too much.  That is always my default.  I only want to take one big bag for the ten days I will be gone so I need to get busy with some packing strategy!  Just get me to a waterfall already...even if I am wearing my robe and hiking boots.

We have had a delay in getting Chip's driver's permit because I could not find an original of his birth certificate.  I have four copies, but no original.  I went on-line to order an original and the website said it would take 10 to 15 days.  I ordered it April 19th.  Early May, I started calling their office to see when I might receive it and was on hold for so long, I gave up. I called a couple other times in May and specifically remember being on hold for 38 minutes one day and 46 minutes another day.  Last week, six weeks since I placed my order I finally committed to be on hold until someone answered.  I dialed the number and after one hour and seven minutes a human finally answered the phone. The very first thing I said to the human was "I am not sure if you are aware of how long your phone queue is taking, but I have been on hold for an hour and six minutes."  They said "Wow, that's long."  Then they explained they were really backed up and it was really taking about two months for each request, not the 10-15 that was posted on their website.  But since I called, they were able to move my request up on the list.  I received it yesterday.  So my PSA to you....if you are waiting on a copy of a vital record, just get on the phone and commit to hold until you get a human. It helps. And of course, since it took so long for the birth certificate, the Verification of Enrollment form Chip needs from school to get his permit has expired.  Will start chasing that today, I guess.  Is this kid every going to drive?

Is one hour and seven minutes a world record for being on hold?  Can any of you beat that time?

That is all I have for today!  Get out there!  Make Tuesday AWESOME!!
 

Hello Party People!

How the heck is everyone?  And by everyone, I mean my six very loyal readers!  Are you guys good?  Hot enough for you?  Are you still out there?  Have you missed my random rambling?

Let's pretend like you did miss me and need to catch up on what is going on around here! 

1.  I am working like a dog on a proposal.  Do dogs work 60 hours a week? Cause that is what I worked last week!  Intense, time consuming, spreadsheets on top of spreadsheets on top of spreadsheets.  I would like to say there is light at the end of the tunnel but I am just not sure.  It may be a train headed right for me!  Working proposals is one of those things where you feel like you have it all together and then one little thing changes and the whole thing goes to hell in a hand basket.  I have been to hell in a hand basket about three times this week. It is not fun there. And a hand basket is a terrible way to travel.  Almost done! 

2.  Harry got a job with the Express Baseball team!  Momma is so happy!  It is only a seasonal position as the Communications Assistant, but it is doing exactly what he loves to do!  He will be writing, doing post game interviews with the player of the game, maybe live tweeting, all the things that make him tick!  Last night, he posted his first post game summary article that you can read here if you are interested!  He is thrilled!  I am so appreciative to my extraordinary friends who put a good word in for him!  Thank you!!!! 

3.  Harry has also interviewed this week with two colleges for jobs that will hopefully start after the Express season is over.  He has not heard back from them yet, so fingers crossed that one of those works out and can be a follow up to this work he is doing now!  Or wouldn't it be magical if the Express job turned into something full time and year round?  A momma can dream! 

4. Speaking of colleges, my Chip started college last Tuesday, taking a summer history class at the local Community College to forgo taking history next year as a Junior in high school.  It is a six week course that runs Monday through Thursday for two hours.  It seems like as soon as I drop him off and get home, I am turning around that picking him up!  Harry did the same thing the summer after his sophomore year and it was totally worth the effort to secure the sacred Off Period in high school! 

5.  My poor Cooper is suffering from boredom with his mother's increased workload.  We hit the dog park at 6:45 a.m. twice last week to beat the heat and also the teleconferences.  My sweet friend Lori is kind enough to meet me out there and it really has been pleasant!  And BONUS you get to the see the sunrise and the sky look like it is on fire!  I actually got out of my car and thanked God out loud for giving us such amazing beauty. 

6.  I made this concoction last week with brown rice noodles and it was delicious. A little bok choy, bean sprouts, broccolini, carrots and chicken. Both of my boys ate it!  So, basically it is a MIRACLE on a platter.  

7.  Best news of the week....my Love Box group FINALLY got together with our Love Box Family!  It was awesome!  I am over the moon happy that we get to walk alongside this foster family!  Seven kids!  Five of them are under six!  Woo Hoo!  We romped at Catch Air and treated them to a meal at a pizza joint.  It was so fun and I can't wait for the next time! 

Well, that is it!  All I have for the night.  My brain is empty.  I am toast.  

Hope all is well and you guys will shoot me an email or leave me a message to let me know you are still out there!  Have a fantastic weekend!