It’s time for PPM (Proud Parent Moment!!!) B3 made the front page of the High School Sports section of the Charlotte Observer! Here’s the link. She’s the one on the ground, sliding into 3rd. We lost 4-3, but both B2 and B3 had great game.

Courtesy of The Charlotte Observer. Photo by T. Ortega GainesCourtesy of The Charlotte Observer. Photo by T. Ortega Gaines

Courtesy of The Charlotte Observer. Photo by T. Ortega Gaines

"Jan" Birch Photo from the Charlotte Observer 5/7/12

Yep, I’ve been quite the slack blogger lately. I blame Twitter and those addicting games of Words with Friends, Plumbers Crack and Office Nerd, Bejeweled,  etc, etc, etc,  . . .

The girls school softball team lost a heartbreaker last night. Our bats just didn’t show up, except for one girl. I felt really bad for her because she had a good game. This is B2 going for a tag on 2nd base that I swiped from the Charlotte Observer this morning. I love the look on her face, even if the paper did get her name wrong. It’s JEN. Oh well, I learned a long time ago that there will always be another softball game. Congrats to the winner.

That brings me to a comment by a parent from the opposing team. Another mom who has been a friend of mine for a long time and from the opposing team, sat next me at the game. Another one of their moms sat next to her. Well, our school has a rather flamboyant and rowdy student section. They’re not rude (much) and have vuvezelas. When they walked in with their green and gold outfits, I jokingly told my friend that they can get a little loud. Well, other mom said, “are more ‘civilized’. More civilized??? Really???  I held my tongue because our game hadn’t even started yet. So here’s what I wanted to say – “Civilized? More like the stone age with your eighties hair, < insert another vile and nasty comment here>, and mom jeans.” Who the hell does she think she is?!!!!

I was so pissed, I didn’t say one thing the entire game. In fact, I got up, went to the bathroom half-way through the game and sat back down in another section, just so I wouldn’t say anything.  I’ve come a long way. Five-years ago, this woman would have gotten an ear-full and I’d have been booted from the park by security. How’s that for civilized . . . bitch?!

Anyhow, playoffs begin this week and our next game is at home on Thursday. I don’t know who we’re playing yet. I’m thinking we’ll get knocked out around the third round. Pretty good for a bunch of uncivilized trash who can barely walk upright, don’t cha think? Okay, I’m over it.

B4 had his last Middle School lacrosse game last week. Spring sports are winding down, as is my status at work as “part-timer.” I’ve had reduced hours since I started working here back in 2006 because my kids to a charter school and there is no buses. B4′s last day is June 8th and then . . . gasp . . . I have to start working 8-5 EVERY DAY. I know, I know . . . the horror of it all. Now, don’t get me wrong, I work more than forty hours every week, but some of it is at home, on the couch, in my lounge clothes. How’s that for 21st century civilization?? I don’t even have dial-up anymore!!! Okay, seriously, I’m over it.

Sunday in between cleaning, laundry and airing out a bunch of stanky-ass shoes, (“uncivilized” teenaged boys have very smelly shoes) I baked three batches of brownies for a local Fire Department. A out-building belonging to a co-worker caught fire and she wanted to thank them for all their work and that the fire did not spread to the house. The brownies were part of the package. Yes, I did wash my hands often, thanks for asking.

Today is our primary election. B1 will be voting for the first time. I hope he doesn’t screw it up. I did a bunch of research on the candidates and created a cheat sheet for him and hubby. They can use it if they want to. Also on the ballot is NC’s Amendment 1. I wish it wasn”t. How about the government get out of the marriage business altogether?  It’s caused way too much controversy and those annoying robo-calls are coming almost every hour. Frankly, I don’t care who marries who, but good or bad, there are ramifications whichever way this vote goes.

I’m rolling along with the demon story, but I forgot my laptop this morning at home. I did get the litter box cleaned out, something out of the freezer for dinner, and a load of laundry in the washing machine before I left for work this morning, but forgot to put the laptop in the truck. Dang it. I guess I’ll just do another read-through of chapter 13. I’ve been making the changes suggested by my awesome beta-reader.

Well, better get back to work.

Is OVER! Everything went off pretty much without issue. I wasn’t real pleased with B2′s hair, which I paid $80.00. I think I can do it myself next year, because I spent an hour re-doing it this year. Our normal hairdresser was running a 5k in Durham.

She looked beautiful though. The dress fit as best it could, but as more girls met to take pictures, I saw many of them pinned, taped and otherwise squeezed into those dresses. Here’s a full pic of the dress, and I have to post a pic of all the beautiful girls.

She spent the night at a friends house, came home around eleven am, and promptly laid around the house all day. She did vacuum the living room and do her homework, but that’s about it.

Tonight is B2 and B3′s last regular season softball game. They are the 4A Southwestern Conference Champs (I think that’s right) and will start the playoffs on Thursday. They went to the third round last year which is good. There are some real powerhouse softball school teams out there. We’re good, but few of our players actually eat, breathe, and sleep the game.

B4 has his last lacrosse game tonight as well. Here he is in a game last Thursday. He’s in the blue. His team has had a pretty good season and now we’re looking into summer camps since he’ll be on the high school team next year — all five foot nothin’ of him. I pray he has a growing spurt this summer. Chapel Hill has one and I’ve heard the new Charlotte Hounds professional lacrosse team will have one as well. Their season opener was on Saturday, and although they lost, it was a lot of fun to watch. B4 went with some friends, but hubby and I watched in on television.

B3 dropped her phone and broke it yesterday. A friend is giving her another smart phone to use until she can get a new one. Does anyone else’s kids have that one  friend that has access to “low-cost” electronics? My kids have a few. Do I even want to know? Here’s a pic of her and her sister before prom. Do you think B3 will look good in B2′s dress? I hope so, because she might be wearing it, after I get the bottom repaired. There are a few snags and rips.

I got chapters 3-6 back from my beta reader and will probably spend this week going through it. I’m over 65K on the word count which I’m thrilled with.

Well, I made brownies for my co-workers and I have to go and cut them. I hope everyone has a wonderful productive day.

Since both softball and lacrosse were cancelled because of the weather, I worked most of the evening on a new look for the blog. It’s simple and clean. I guess that’s the look I was going for. WordPress has so many great themes, one would think it would be an easy decision to pick a great one and go. Well, not so much. It’s an agonizing decision. One theme looks good, but there are parts of it that aren’t customizable, One theme is customizable, but some of the fonts are horrendous, another one looks great in the preview but looks awful with my stuff in it, etc, etc.

Two great things happened this past week. Hubby got the garden planted, so in just a few months, we’ll be swimming in fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers and green beans. I know I’ll be canning the tomatoes and the green beans. If anyone knows how to freeze or can squash so it won’t get soggy, please drop me a comment. I also want to make tzatziki sauce with some of the cucumbers. That should be a challenge.

The second great thing that happened is that hubby and I paid off all but a small portion of our credit card debt. We have just enough on each card we want to keep, to keep it open. Now, I’m not going to post an exact amount we owed because it is embarrassing, but we had amassed a small fortune in plastic debt over the years. It was painful and costly, but it’s finally over. Now we can easily pay of the balance every month, if we are diligent. I hope we will be. No . . . wait . . . we have to be.

I’ve been writing every day at lunch. EVERY DAY. It’s slow progress, but it’s quality. At least I think it is anyway. My beta reader hasn’t returned chapters 4-6 yet. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. But when she does, I have chapters 7-11 ready for her. I’m polishing up chapter 12 now and roughing out chapter 13. I thought of another ending for this book. I have a couple of ideas now, but I guess I’ll just keep writing and see where these characters end up.

I had to tweak my 2012 goals a bit, but it could have been worse. I’ve updated them on the side bar. I also updated my reading list and I’m a little disappointed I haven’t read more books. I also thought I’d have tons of ebooks loaded on my Nook tablet by now. I don’t. I have one. One e-book. That’s it.

I need to blog more. Not only does this keep me focused, but it’s a journal of the kids growing up. The photos, documenting what’s going on with them, funny stories – they’d all would have been lost to time, if I hadn’t blogged about them here. I’ve backed most of it up and one of these days, when I retire or before this totalitarian government shuts down the internet, I need to print it out. All eight years of it. I’d be crushed if I ever lost it.

Well, it’s time to go pack lunches for tomorrow and ready the coffee pot for the morning rush. I hope everyone has a wonderful evening.

On Monday, I drove to WV to visit my mom. Thankfully, the weather was mild and pleasant. We had a good visit, despite the circumstances. I drove back on Wednesday, went to work on Thursday, and have today off for the Good Friday Holiday.

Surprisingly, I’m not as far behind at work as I thought I’d be. I did work a bit remotely on Tuesday. Gotta love internet access.

Today, I got up at 5:30 and was out the door by 7:20. For the first time in ages, I was at the office early – only to find out that it was closed for a holiday. Seriously, I need to pay more attention.

Someone did say, “have a nice weekend” yesterday when I was leaving, and I thought, “you idiot. It’s only Thursday.” Turns out I was the real idiot.

Got home and went out to breakfast with part of the family. B4 and B2 are still at the beach with friends. B3 came home Wednesday about five minutes after I got back from WV.

It’s chilly outside (mid-sixties) and while Hubby played golf, B3 and I made a road trip to Barnes and Noble. I haven’t been in the store since November 2011. My membership expired so I had to renew that. I also bought a hard copy of DUNE by Frank Herbert, and hard copy of THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins and MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FROM PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs.

I already have the paperbacks of both DUNE and HUNGER GAMES, but I like hard covers. In fact, I’ve only purchased one ebook – ONE KNIGHT ONLY by Michelle Miles, which is awesome.

Speaking of buying books, I also pre-ordered UNEARTHED by Lara Stauffer and another non-fiction book about the aftermath of WWII.

Anyhoo, after we purchased our books, we looked around Hallmark and Bath and Body Works. I can’t stay in B&BW too long. I start sneezing. And don’t get me started on scent-filled teen stores like Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch. I can’t even go inside. (oh darn)

We grabbed an ice coffee and a smoothie and headed to another store where I had a $10.00 off card and some coupons. Picked up two pairs of sandals and a bathing suit. Then it was off to CVS where I had $12.50 in CVS bucks and 25% off coupons. I picked up various things we were getting low on. I’m really sticking to my New Year’s resolution to use coupons.

Then it was home where . . . we got our income tax return check in the mail! YAY! I promptly took it to the bank and deposited it.

After that, I been at the computer typing some handwritten pages. I’m making progress on the demon story and I’ve worked out a few kinks in the story. I’ve been diligent about writing at lunch time, but not as much in the evenings.

Honestly, I can’t see it changing anytime soon. I hope I don’t get so regimented to writing using a steering wheel as a desk, that I can’t write anywhere else. It happened years ago when I was writing serial fiction and it took a while to get my groove outside of an automobile. Oh well.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Here’s brave Kitty sitting inside B4′s lacrosse bag. He’s either very brave or very dumb because, as with any sports-related item belonging to a thirteen-year-old boy . . . IT STANKS!

We’ve taken to putting dryer sheets in his cleats, gloves, and helmet, as well as sitting everything outside on nice days, just to keep the smell bearable. I also wash it all, except his cleats, at least twice a week in hot water with detergent and Oxyclean. It’s working . . . a little.

The weekend was nice, but not long enough. On Friday, B4 had a lacrosse game and the girls had a softball game. Of course, a storm rolled through right around 5:15, so the softball game got cancelled. The lacrosse referees graciously waited for the storm to pass, and then started the game. We won 8-7. B4 scored one goal. Went out to dinner afterwards. I was starving.

Since I was off work Friday, I got most of the laundry done while waiting for the tv repair guy to arrive. Of course, he had to order the defective part, so now we wait. Thank goodness, it’s an intermittent problem or we’d be screwed. I’m even more thankful, hubby had the sense to purchase a five-year warranty.

Saturday was more laundry. It looked like it was going to rain all day, but the sun came out around 12:30 and I laid out in it, soaking up the vitamin D and getting rid of my pasty-white skin. Sunday was mostly the same, and I didn’t even leave the house. Weekends seriously need to be longer.

I was a bit behind at work because I took Friday off, but it could have been worse, I suppose. I got finished what I planned to do, so it was all good.

Today at lunch I worked on chapter 11 of the demon story, filling out some of the weak spots to move the story along. It looks good so far, but the output is s-l-o-w. I guess I’ll keep plugging away.

This week is busy with softball games and lacrosse. I’ve also picked up CLASH OF KINGS by George R. R. Martin. Maybe I’ll actually finish it this time.

$97.22 to fill up my truck today. I think the high prices are intentional, to force drivers into smaller, hybrid cars. I’ve never been a fan of government control of my life, either through laws or regulations. ..!.. That’s me giving government the middle finger. I am not a sheep.

My red truck is layered with a thick, yellow coat of tree pollen, turning it an ugly orange. Worse, my head is pounding, my eyes are bloodshot, and I didn’t know my body could product so much snot. I’m a mess. It’s supposed to rain some tonight and tomorrow, which will help a little. On the bright side, I love the greening of the trees, the colorful blossoms and the warm temperatures.  I would love to go and purchase some allergy meds with  decongestants, but since government now requires that the consumer has to provide a drivers license to purchase it, I’ll just stick with my home remedies.

I spent yesterday afternoon at B4′s lacrosse game. I remembered to give him some ibuprofen before the game and his knee didn’t bother him. He had three goals, one good assist, and we won 8-5. The team we played is coached by a coach that used to assist on our team. It’s their first year and they did awesome. Obviously, they’ve been coached well, had good sportsmanship and played a really good game. It was a little concerning in the first quarter, because they quickly scored two goals.

The girls had a softball game and played the number 1 team in the state. We lost 14-1, but a few of B2 and B3′s friends play on that team, so it was a reunion of sorts. They are actually a normal team with an awesome pitcher. We all know her routine – rise ball, rise ball, change-up, but actually making contact with the pitch is a whole ‘nother issue. She’s going to do great things and she’s worked very hard to get where she is. I wish her well.

I stayed up way too late finishing CATCHING FIRE, by Suzanne Collins. Lack of sleep is probably contributing to the bloodshot eyes, but it was worth it. B3 said she didn’t care for MOCKINGJAY, which I’ll probably start over the weekend. I have to get some sleep tonight.

I wrote in the truck during lunch yesterday and tweaked chapter 1 a bit. Today it will be typing up my handwritten pages for chapter 11. There aren’t any games tonight, so perhaps I’ll get some more work on it . . . all the while doing at least five loads of laundry.

The weather has been gorgeous lately, except for the weekends. It would be wonderful to have bright, sunny weather on the weekends, when I’m not working. I’m in need of a natural, golden tan. B2 is going to the tanning bed, but I’m not that shallow . . . yet.

B4 had an orthodontist appointment this morning and will probably get his braces on in August. He’s the last one and oh . . .  that hot, little Porsche convertible the orthodontist drives around? Yep, I bought that for him. He has yet to thank me for it, though.

It seems the younger two have come to expect something after visiting the orthodontist. B3 must have her java chip frappuccino from Starbucks and B4 has to have his Cajun fillet biscuit w/Bo’rounds from Bojangles. When did I allow this??? The other two never expected a jaunt for a treat after their appointments. I’ve grown soft in my old age.

B4 forgot to ask for hot sauce (he can barely eat without it), so I pulled into the parking lot where we saw a rooster hanging out. Not sure why it was there or where it even came from. For any of you who don’t know what Bojangles is, it’s a fast food chicken joint.  Kind of risky for a rooster, don’t cha think?

I had to drive all the way back over to work last night to call a supplier in Australia. What a pain!  There was no way around it, and after my contact and I finished making fun of each other’s accents, we got down to business and hopefully, I have product en route. I hope.

Tonight the girls have a softball game at South Meck. I guess I’ll drive over there. I can only hope that the team won’t have a meltdown like they did on Friday. Those are too painful to watch.

Saturday, B4 had two lacrosse games. The first one was a massacre against an older travel team. Score ended at 11 -3, but B4 managed to score. That’s all I can ask. The second game we won, but I can’t remember the score. The opposing team played tough, with their coach being “tossed” from the game.

B4 got a penalty after he got slashed and threw an “F” bomb that the referee overheard, and also got “tossed” late in Q4.  I think he’d been beat up enough though and I didn’t say anything except for “that’s embarrassing. Don’t do it again.”

I’m almost done re-writing / editing chapter 10. I forgot my laptop today, so I guess I’ll have to finish it tomorrow. I’ll just write some more of chapter 11 today during lunch.

That’s all for now.

RIP, my big baby boy Ray, or Rayburn. He was a stray kitten that I fed with a tiny bottle, until he was big enough to stay outside. He was huge, more like a bobcat than a feral house cat, and I was the only one he’d let pick him up and love on him. He died Wednesday.

He had three sisters, one died as a kitten, one we had to give away and the runt, Boo, still lurks around the house. She likes B3′s room and is afraid of everyone, unless they’re eating something with tuna in it.

It’s been a busy week for sports. B4 had two lacrosse games and won both of them, scoring one goal in each game. The first game of the week got him a little banged up. Now, along with his ailing foot, he twisted his knee. It only bothers him when it’s convenient, i.e. taking out the trash, taking his laundry to his room, etc. When his friends come over and play with his new lacrosse goal, it doesn’t seem to be a problem. Go figure.

Today, he has a two games beginning at 2:30.

The girls softball team had a heartbreaking loss Friday to a school that has a good team, but we’ve always managed to eek out a win. It all changed last night. B2 didn’t field one clean ball, but still managed to get the outs. B3 missed a critical pop fly in left field. Pitcher walked more batters than usual, and there were some errors at second base. No one’s bat seemed to work after the first inning, and we ended up losing bad six to two.

I’m not sure what the schedules are for next week. I’ll get them tomorrow. B1 is at the beach (again) but is coming back tomorrow. Ah, to be nineteen and have a friend with a beach house.

I filled my truck up with gas yesterday – $94.17. OUCH!!!!! We also received some bad news about a family member’s health. It’s treatable and beatable though. We all just have to stay strong and positive.

I’ve been writing every day during lunch. Well, actually I’ve spent most of the week fixing a few errors on chapters 7,8, and 9. I’m over 56k on the book, but since it’s on my thumb drive downstairs, I don’t know the actual word count. I should get caught up this week, and start writing again. I’m not solid on the book’s ending. It keeps changing. I’ll just keep writing and see where it takes me.

Can’t say enough good things about my beta reader. She is awesome. After we get done with it, my fourteen-year-old is going to read it, and give me her feedback. She doesn’t know that yet.

Well, I ‘d better get moving. Hubby just told me that we’re taking the Jeep to the lacrosse game, instead of the Suburban. yay. That completely changes the outfit. I need to add a pony-tail and a ball cap, scrap the shorts and tank top, and add capris and a short-sleeved shirt. I also see pollen-filled air flying up my nose and a miserable day tomorrow.

Happy St. Patricks Day! Don’t forget to wear your green!

Wow, I can’t believe I’ve neglected the blog for so long.

First of all, Happy belated Birthday to B2, who turned seventeen on 3/2, which was a Friday. On Saturday, she promptly (and legally) purchased a ticket to an R-rated movie. Ah, teenagers and newfound independence. I can barely remember what it was like.

Softball and lacrosse has started, so my evenings are booked. The girls’ team hasn’t lost yet, but they’ve had two games canceled due to wet fields. B4 has had a heck of a lacrosse season so far, scoring the first goal of the season for his team, and three goals in his game on Thursday. His foot is giving him problems and I suspect it’s a minor stress fracture. He’s staying off of it pretty much, because I know if I take him to the doctor, he’ll be out for the season. We’re also soaking it regularly in epsom salt, wrapping it, and I bought him some heel inserts for both his regular shoes and his cleats. Fingers crossed we can make it through the season.

Hubby was out of town last week, so I was running around like a madwoman. Worse, I didn’t do any laundry. Needless to say, my basement looked a lot like a laundromat yesterday. This morning, hubby headed off to the grocery store, and I drove to Costco to replenish the cupboards.

Today, B4 and I will be making hot wings, and I’ll fry some chicken for later this week. This will probably be the last time I cook until next weekend.

Allergy season is in full swing, and I don’t know if my allergies are especially bad this year, or my thirteen-year-old gave me his cold. Whichever it is, I’ve been miserable since Thursday.

Yesterday, B4 cleaned his bedroom. I mean, really cleaned his bedroom. It was disgusting. Four trash bags full of clothes for Goodwill, and four bags of actual trash later, it was clean. Everything is organized and neatly folded. We’ll see how long that lasts. He has an old PS2 which I was going to take to Goodwill, along with some old games, but hubby got pissy said I couldn’t. So now, what the hell are we supposed to do with it??? He’s turning into a hoarder.

B1 has been on spring break all week and our house has been the meeting house for all of his friends. My neighbor told me that my driveway looked like a used car lot, everyday by 2 pm.  There was absolutely no food in the house by Friday.

The demon story is coming along nicely, but slowly. My beta reader has edited Chaps 2 and 3, and is waiting on chapter 4. I have chaps 4, 5 and 6 ready for her to read. She is doing a fantastic job, and I even got a grammar lesson. She’s tired of seeing the same error, over and over and over and over again.

I’m currently on chapter 11 and I have been writing every day during my lunch hour. 

Today, it’s all about getting everything ready for the coming week.