Staycation
Monday, August 17, 2009 at 12:55PM It's been 100 degrees for weeks, and our air conditioner's out. American Home Shield sent a tech out last week who rigged it to work until it went out again. The next tech immediately saw it was the compressor, and said significant damage had been done since the first lazy ass had to hurry home to his six pack. Grrrr. Now the soonest they can get this specific part is THURSDAY. So it's 90 degrees in the house. Children are living in their underwear. And I'm resisting the urge to lock myself up in the freezer.
Jason on the other hand has turned into an expert in "wind patterns". He woke up at 4:30 this morning to cool everything down with his special recipe of Fan Placement. It's kind of cute, but I also find it annoying that he seems to regard this as an adventure. Especially since he is working from home today in the bedroom, next to the portable air conditioner. Glad someone's cool today.
I can't complain too much though, because I just got back from yet another girls' trip. This has been quite the summer for girl-time. And my husband has been super tolerant of all of it. So I guess he can have the air conditioner for one more day.
Here are a few photos from the weekend. All of which I almost didn't post because I'm starting to think my life here looks one dimensional...as if all I do is whoop it up with my girlfriends. And it's ironic because I found myself crying more than once this weekend about how out of balance my life has been. For longer than I care to admit, my days have consisted of nothing but work. And as we head into another school year, I feel scared that I will yet again be "that" mom who is always misplacing flyers and forgetting about pajama day. I'm feeling slightly desperate about putting together a routine that allows room for ALL the aspects of my life (including white space). The overwhelming part is trying to smash 60+ hours into about 20. And also the fact that I hate routines.
I don't know know what the answer is, so I'll just liven it up with some pix. This was really a stay-cation. We rented a house on the river and experienced our own Texas "backyard". My stomach muscles are still hurting from laughing. And my underarms are still raw from tubing. I couldn't find my waterproof case, so there are no pics of us floating down the Comal river. It was my first time. Fun and I'm glad I did it. But after 3 hours of moving at a snail's pace, I was more than ready to get out.
From left to right:
Pam: is kind of quiet at first, but has a crazy streak that surprises you sometimes. My favorite thing about her is that she lives and lets live. She doesn't try to control people or situations, and just goes with the flow.
Me.
Tina: will always have one more glass with you. Her friends are really diverse because she accepts people for who they are. She's also always been there for me when I really needed someone. Like when she watched my children when I went into labor. And when she pulled my daughter out of the bottom of her pool. Twice I never saw her go under. My stomach still flips when I think about it.
Courtney: is the one Nordstrom calls when they get new shipments. She's also so pretty that she gets away with making dirty jokes look cutesy. And I love her because she screams as loud as I do when the DJ plays "Big Butts" or any other old school rap song.
Kristen: is a dancer, and has the body of a 20 year old. I spent the whole weekend looking at her legs, in complete awe and amazement.
Michelle: is someone I admire for her ability to be balanced, and know her boundaries. She doesn't let little stuff bug her. She laughs heartily and easily. And she rocks a Depends diaper like nobody's business. :)
Judy: is a physical therapist. She has the best stories, and a no-nonsense approach to life that makes big problems seem smaller.
Suzanne: teaches Tai Chi. She's a voracious reader, and one of the people who made me cry this weekend when she read out of her book Zen For Martial Arts. I know that sounds random, but it was exactly what I needed at that minute.
Love them.
This was at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. YIT YIT!
The western version of Shorty Get Low Low Low.
So we also went to this place called "The Watering Hole" (because it's cool to be cattle?). This is where Tina found a boyfriend. Apparently you're never too old to feel up a stranger's armpit. Geesh, that looks like it left a mark.
So one Christmas we had a party and played the White Elephant game. It was so much fun, that now we find excuses to play throughout the year. This time was the best because we found the Capital of White Elephant gifts right down the street at Helen's Treasures. I'd gone in originally to find river shoes. She asked me if I wanted them "new or 'seconds'". I said "new, size 9". She handed me a pair of bananas. When I asked her if they were mens or womens, she said "It doesn't matter." Nice. :)
I told you, White Elephant Heaven.
Not the least of which was an OPENED bag of Depends. Because apparently incontinence comes and goes. And why would you waste all those good diapers? Give them to Helen! Or Michelle, who ended up "winning" them...along with a pair of wooden clogs. Best shot of the weekend.
And now back to work. Later homeys.
Reader Comments (7)
I loved the way you described your friends. And my favorite line was "she handed me a pair of bananas."
God I miss you, and "can't wait" for your birthday!
xoxo,
You seem to be such a fun group, that we hope that you might be beta testers for our new online version of the white elephant gift exchange.
It is set-up so that those that live close and those that have moved away can join in the party together next time...
http://albinophantblog.com/albinophant-the-white-elephant-party/
God, I love your blog. Oh, and you. I love you too.
I love the pics from your girls weekend! I want to take some time off and have a similar girls' weekend, renting a house nearby and laughing our butts off. That sounds like it should be a yearly event!
Kisses!
xoxo Leah
Maile's potluck birthday - my house - can't wait!