Thank you all.

[Wisconsin Beth]

God, this weekend was busy.  Living room is mostly primed.  I need to buy the new paint yet.  I'm waiting until I'm actually ready to paint so I don't have to mix as hard.   

I actually told DH on Monday that I didn't care where he went, what he spent or who he was with as long as he took the kids and wasn't cheating on me.  It took him FOREVER to get out of the house with the kids so I could paint.  I actually started while they were still there and got about 1/4 of the living room ceiling done while he dillydallied around. 

And it's pouring rain again today.  Blah. 

The camper is toast.  We need to clean out our stuff and try to sell it off to someone who needs parts and/or wants the base to make a trailer out of.  Mechanic told us it's not safe to use as is and we can probably get between $500-$800 for it.  If no takers we'll sell it for scrap. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

You know, the living room is coming together.  It's a relief or something.  I know exactly what I need to do, how to do it and just have to make the time to do it. 

1. Wash wall behind tv tonight and get gap above picture window spray foamed.  Also do under front door gap.
2. Prime those areas Thursday night.
3. Buy beigey paint and get it on walls.
4. Wash and wax hardwood floors.
5. Get old couch to the curb (will happen before I do floors actually.)
6. Get new to us couch from brother's house.
7. Arrange furniture and rehang pictures. 
8. Get new floor lamps and curtain rod for side windows.  New curtains?

That's all doable in the next week or so.  And it's not like step 8 needs to happen right away. 

I've got about 1 gal on Killz2 left and an unopened gallon of ceiling paint.  So what should be next up?  hmmm.  I'll have to think about that.  I may use the Killz on the box room in the basement. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dear Mom,
Please, when I'm on a roll and actually making progress on house stuff, don't try to tell me to "take it easier" and "not to put too much on my plate"  I need to work on the house while I can.  I know you don't want me starting projects and not finishing.  I know you don't want me stressed out and spiraling down again.  But would a "good for you" have killed you yesterday? 
Beth

[Wisconsin Beth]

Weekend was busy.  Worked on the living room a bunch.  On Sunday, we had my Dad's 75th b-day.  He was happy.  All 5 of us kids were there and 7 of the 10 grandkids were there.  And 1 SIL and 1 DIL.    House was busting at the seams and it was loud and full of chaos.  Cabe latched on to the boys (ages 32, 20 and 13ish) and they played ball in the backyard.  They heaved Cabe over the fence to retrieve the ball from the neighbor's yard once or twice too.    They're lucky he didn't see the cats that live in the yard, he'd have taken off like a shot and wouldn't have come back. 

Keira headed over for her friends, who came back to play in my parents house.  And pretty much ignored all of us for her friends. 

We got my Dad 2 T-bone steaks and a bag of gumdrops.  He's borderline diabetic but he'll share the gumdrops with the assorted grandkids, who will be coming in and out of his house all summer long. 

He's a great grandpa, much better than he was as a dad, in all honesty.  He's admitted to being somewhat afraid to play with the kids like he used to and to not wanting to strap Cabe or Keira into the carseat - because of all the stuff on child abuse and pedophilia.  He's not a child abuser or a pedophile but he does play a bit rough but not excessively so in my view.  He was "tying Cabe in knots" on Sunday (tickling and holding an arm and ankle stuff)  Cabe would say stop, Dad would stop.  And then Cabe would beg "do it again!"    But it sucks that he'd worry about being considered an abuser for doing this. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

It was a busy weekend.  Keira had a playdate on Sat. so DH and Cabe did the grocery shopping.  I don't remember what I did Sat. aftrenoon and evening.  I think bubbles outside with the kids was Sat. afternoon.  And chalk.  And we picked up a "stray" child who came by for the bubbles.  We have the bigass bubble bottle (actually, we have 2, the neighbors across the street donated one to us, I think they like seeing the kids outside playing.)

Sunday I did a crapload of work in and around the house.  I was a hot sweaty, stinky mess by the end of the day. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dear Cabe,
Please.  Stop getting into everything under the sun.  Last night you sprayed one of the expensive Kincaid paintings with what I think was vinegar - and it was/is your Daddy's favorite one.  I'm just hoping there's no permanent damage. 
I love you,
Mommy

[Wisconsin Beth]

God, I'm so tired.  Physically and emotionally.  I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel of laundry, kids, and work.  Running frantically to stay in the same place. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Still on the hamster wheel.  Saw Liz last night.  Rambled alot about family.  Talked some about crying on Monday night - Cabe swung and hit me in the eye.  And it hurt and I started to cry.  He apologized a bunch but I couldn't stop.  Finally I just left him and as I walked though the living room I told DH I was done.  Went outside for my shoes and sat on the front porch and cried some.  DH came out and then said he'd take Cabe if I dealt with the kitchen. 

One of the threads reminded me about Dad's aunt - the town lush.  So I asked him about her last night.  Talked some about it with Liz. 

Told DH about the hamster wheel thing when I got home. 

Sounds like we're getting a free wooden swingset from my sister's neighbor.  My BIL's going to help us with it.  My cousin's willing to let us borrow his pickup truck to move it but won't help because he's got a bad back.  So we're staying in town this weekend because everyone I need to talk to will be at a graduation party for a cousin.  I wanted to go to Door County but we really need the swingset, in my opinion.  So mixed feelings on that.  I'm hoping on Sunday we can do the swingset stuff. 

Not sure I'm going to make a full day at work today.  My officemate wants me to stay because I'll keep HER awake.  But I think I'm going home once I get my crap dealt with.  I need to load the med units for Summerfest in and write up my notes from a meeting last week.  So we'll see. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

God, I don't want to be at work.  It's sunny and warm outside.  But I really need to get those notes written up.  I'm toying with taking tomorrow off.  Or maybe Monday.  Or maybe the rest of my life.  Well, not really that last one. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Actually, taking off for the rest of my life sounds good right now.  I am totally unmotivated at work. 

[taz157]

I was totally unmotivated at work once I turned in my 2 week notice. Since I don't think you are going anyway, I don't think that's the issue.

Granted, I'm not very motivated to pack up our house though. There's just a lot of stuff and it's a little overwhelming.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Nope.  I carry out health insurance.  I'm not going anywhere.  But I'm bored. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dear DH,
You are 43 years old.  DS is 3.5.  Kindly act your age instead of his. 
Thanks,
Beth

*-*-*-*-
Keira wants to go camping.  Our camper is dead.  She suggested tents.    We've been kicking around the idea of going to my parents trailer this weekend.  Weather is supposed to be kinda icky (low 70s with rain) and it's a tiny place.  Being stuck inside with 2 kids will not be fun.  But I'm thinking we do it anyway.  Esp. since this is the closest to camping I can get her right now. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

We're going to Door County this weekend.  I've got 1/2 a day today and I'm going to go home and pack for me and the kids, along with the "normal" food. And start packing up the van. 

When DH gets home, he needs to pack up his stuff, load it in the van and we can go.  I'm not sure when I'm picking up the kids.  I may do it while DH is packing.  If he's moving fast (unlikely) we may get them on our way out of town.  We'll see. 

We're off Monday so it's a 3 day weekend for us.  Monday's my 43rd b-day.  Lucky me, I get to spend 4 hours of it in the car with DH and the kids for my birthday.      We're also stopping at Bay Beach, the awesome Amusement Park aimed at kids 7 and under near Green Bay. 

We're also going to The Farm, one of those historical farms with animals you'd have seen on an 1800s farm in Door County.  With corn to feed them.  Kids should like that.  They have in the past.  And hopefully they will sleep like the dead.  It's quiet and dark in the trailer.  The kids sleep where the dining area is, near the front.  And we don't open the shutters in that area. 

The weather's supposed to be 70s the whole time we're up there.  With rain on Sat. but clear skies on Sunday and Monday.  I hope it's warm enough to get into the pool.  It's a campground so there's some swings, a pool and lots of space to run around in. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

We didn't get to The Farm.  Or Bay Beach.  Kids were driving me nuts and DH's sinuses were driving him nuts.  So we came home on Sunday.  Bay Beach aggravates his sinuses or something.  He's been miserable after every trip there.  And instead of paying $20 for us to get into The Farm or $28 to get into Plum Loco Animal Farm, we went to a working dairy farm, with an ice cream store attached.  They have yummy ice cream plus some baby animals, miniature horses and fainting goats.  And something Cabe decided was a yak (big hairy brown cow at any rate.)  Plus a sandbox with an old tractor to climb, a Rainbow activity area and a bunch of play houses.  We were there for 90 minutes or so, give or take a few. 

Yesterday was my birthday.  It was a good day, overall.  Scott made me breakfast and dinner.  Lunch was some of those wafer cookies.    I got to hang out with my Mom a bit while we vacuumed out the van.  Took the kids though the car wash too.  Did a quick run though Target.  Got a brief nap in and then mowed the lawn, whacked down the trees growing out of the neighbor's window wells that face our house.  I was tired of looking at them.  So if the neighbor notices or cares.  Took out the tree growing too close to the garage too.  And trimmed our side of the bushes that split us from the same neighbor as the window wells.  He'd gotten most of the bushes so I just finished it off.  I don't expect him to come into our yard to do them.  The previous neighbor did but whatever.  Started doing laundry around 8pm and got a couple of loads to fold and put away tonight. 

Talked to my BFF too.  Only about 15 minutes but it was so good to talk to her again.  I missed her and the kids destroyed the first 4-5 letters of the alphabet of my phone/address book.  Which is where her cell number was written down.  And she doesn't check email or her landline anymore.  We're trying to set up a date to hang out. 

So all in all, I had a good b-day.  And I only work 2 days this week and then am off for 4. 

And my BIL agreed to help me deal with his neighbor's swingset on one of his upcoming days off.  So I'm taking the day off and renting a Uhaul.  I'll need to sand and restain it and maybe replace some of the wood.  And buy a trapeze bar for DD.  She's been having a blast with them lately.  And I'll need to get a crapload of sand for the sandbox area.  Hmmm, maybe I should rototill the area we want to stick it in.  We know we'll lose most of the weeds, er grass, in the backyard.  And the patio is more than likely going to have to move too. 

DH is very worried about the floor underneath the fridge in the kitchen.  So kitchen reno might be happening sooner rather than later.  

[Wisconsin Beth]

Uhaul is booked for 7/19.  I need to tidy the backyard where the swing set is going to go (ground needs to be leveled and the wood from the previous owners swingset needs to be removed as we're going perpendicular to it.  We're taking both parts - 4 swing swingset and fort with slide, sandbox and other parts, including monkey bars.  The monkey bar part I don't want.  The wood is splitting and some of the bars would need to be replaced.  So we're going to leave that part off and attach the swingset there instead.  I think we're going to indulge a couple of feet from the swingset.  I don't know that it will fit in the backyard otherwise.    And I don't want space for 4 swings.  As a bonus, I talked to the current owners of the swingset and they think they may still have the manuals for it. 

I stopped at my mechanic's yesterday.  He may have someone who'd buy our camper to make into a towing trailer.  And he's going to keep an ear out for a crappy row/john boat for us, for the land up North. 

Parents are back from Door County.  Sounds like everyone had an amazingly good time. 

I walked a ton over the 4 day weekend and my bone spurs are acting up again.  Stupid feet. 

Cabe's getting up at 330am again.  So I'm really, really, really, REALLY tired right now.   

[Wisconsin Beth]

Why, oh why do my kids not want me to get sleep?  Cabe didnt' want to go down last night.  Keira was up twice.  I'm pretty sure I was up with Cabe around 230 as I have a vague thought of "well, I told him not to get up at 330..."  And I think I fell asleep on both kids' floors. 

I did exercise last night.  Walked 2 miles.  My feet are sore but not like they were on Monday.  I don't know if that's improvement or what. 

I've got hard callouses on my feet.  I'm going to grab some of the info on Doxie's bedding cost thread and see if I can make them softer.  I spend a lot of time barefoot around the house and yard (I have a God given right to be able to walk on grass!) and I cannot sleep in socks so I can lotion up my feet but it doesn't help a whole lot. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Well, last night's trip to the gym included my "free" personal fitness assessment.  Where they try to sell you individual training.  The thing is, I could really use some help with this.  But it's cost prohibited even with DH's raise. 

I'm going to do a crapload of work outdoors this weekend. 

DH's screwed up his right shoulder.  We have no clue what he did or how.  So I'm pushing him to call the doc today to get an appointment next week.  And he's going to try heat and ice this weekend. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

We have new cookware!  DH and I did a Kohl's run as we had a 30% off coupon.  A boxed set of Cuisinart Stainless Steel pots and pans (11 pieces total) was on sale for $189.  So I think we paid $132 + tax for it.  My teflon is dying and DH won't use it.  He's got a couple of glass pots and some weird "green" non-stick pans.  So I made an executive decision that the next set of pots and pans was going to be stainless. 

They're oven safe up to 500 degrees.  They're dishwasher safe but non-lemon soap is recommended.  They're stainless steel but there's a layer of alum. in between the steel layers (so it's ss/alum/ss.)  And they're so nice and shiny!  They won't stay that way but boy it was fun unpacking them last night.   

I also got new sneakers for working out and another pair of shorts and a sportbra.  I opted for cheap clothes because I'm losing weight.  Once I get down, I'll buy pretty stuff.  But right now I just need more stuff to work out in.  And the switch in DH's brain for "Beth is serious about this" seems to have been flipped and he's trying to be supportive as we move into new routines that include me eating better and working out alot. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I was home with a sick kid (Keira has bronchitis) and forgot to cancel my appt. with Liz yesterday.  Damn.  I meant to but after spending 1.5 hours at the doctor and phamacy, it completely went out of my brain. 

I went to the dentist this morning.  No obvious cavities.  Yay me!  We did X rays though so we'll see what those show.  But now my teeth have that "clean" taste, smell, feel to them. 

DH is grumpy and sick too.  I want to smack him with Drama's 2x4 lately. 

I'm really worried/scared about Friday and the swingset moving.  I really need to have the whole thing moved and rebuilt on Friday.  Otherwise it's likely not going to happen forever. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Well, I seem to be losing about 1/4 a lb every 24-36 hrs. at this point.  If I could stick to the calorie count MFP gives me (1540) I'd probably be losing more.  I'm hitting about 1700-2000 calories a day. 

[kilroy]

Good for you, Beth!  Slow & steady is the way to do it.  And whenever your life gets bonkers & you feel like you're going in six directions at once, just think of the calories it's burning

[Wisconsin Beth]

LOL.  I'll have to remember that.  And welcome Kilroy.  You were here. 

[kilroy]

  Yep, here and there, not too much for now.  Working my way in slowly.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Hell, I had a post and lost it.  Will try to rewrite later on. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I fixed the sink in the big bathroom.  Finally!  And DH thanked me for it too.    It was really nice to have 2 bathroom sinks again. 

Cabe's been doing better about pooping.  He also wants privacy when he does. 

Next project up is painting Keira's room. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Well, I'm on antibiotics for the extremely painful sore throat I came down with over the weekend.  Bah humbug to that.  The doctor's scale had me at 202, which is down 7 lbs from when I started myfitnesspal.com about 4 weeks ago.  I don't think I've ever used that scale before so I don't know how it measures against my "usual" scale.  But I'm assuming it's wrong. 

I should get a check for backpay soon.  I'm getting a 1.5% raise going back to payperiod 2, in Jan.  The Common Council has been sitting on it, since the Mayor announced he wanted to give raises without discussing it with them first.  So there's actually going to be 2 sets of backpay, one for 15 payperiods and then one for 3 or 4.  Yay! 

House is a pit because when we got back on Sunday, after we got everything in the house, I hauled ass to Urgent Care.  Scott dealt with the food but not much else while I was gone.  So I've been running loads in the dishwasher and laundry and getting stuff put away. 

Child care is all screwy this week as my parents are out of town for a funeral for one of Mom's cousins.  Sadly, this is the 1st of about 4 funerals we expect to have from that side of the family in the near future.   

Camping was fun and frustrating, often at the same time.  But I think next year will be the turning point.  Cabe will be 4.5 and I think that will help a lot. 

DH and I have a camper rented for the weekend of Aug. 23rd.  We're going to the land.  The kids are staying 1 night at my sister's and 1 night at Mom's.  We haven't been up there and need to check on it.  And we found a place that rents campers about 5 miles away. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I hate plumbing.  Stupid small bathroom toilet needs more work.  We had to turn off the whole house water this morning. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I have a new toilet in the small bathroom.  It's white and pretty (or as pretty as a toilet can be...) and I love it.   

Bud, the guy who did the toilet, is going to try to fix our garage side door.  The door is fine, the frame is toast.  And I've got a huge list of other crap for him to fix/take a look at.  Which doesn't include painting.  I'm hoping to Keira at MIL's for an overnight over Labor Day weekend and scrub her walls and get most of the paint on.  She wants to help and I told her she could so I need to follow though on that. 

This weekend the kids are at my Mom's.  DH and I are going to the land.  We've got a camper rented as DH didn't particularly want to tent again.  No power yet so we'll be cooking over a campfire. 

I had a playdate with Colleenz this weekend.  She's amazing.  I'm so glad we did this.  Her boy is so cute too.  I need a nickname for him.  Cabe was excitedly telling DH and Keira about him and the pools last night when we got home.    Keira really wants to go visit and play in the pools. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I worked hard at the gym last night.  I'm so close to hitting my 1st goal.  1 more stupid pound and I'll be under 200 AND have lost the first 10 lbs.  Come on body, work with me here! 

Now Mom's not getting the kids this weekend.  My sisters are splitting them.  We've got a start on the logistics for it too.  But in 30 minutes I went from "Mom's got them" to "A has them SAt. night and B has them Fri. night."  It was odd to say the least.