We pulled into the parking lot at 12noon. After sprinting from the parking space at the very back of the field to a spot on the hill under trees and right next to the gates, we spent the next 30 minutes setting up our tent, picnic tables, grill, and decorating with al sorts of parrots, leis, and Buffett signs. We had quite the set up!!!
The day was spent drinking margaritas (we had 5 gallons of 'ritas in a cooler!), grilling in the middle of a parking lot, and watching all the other crazy Parrotheads. No major drama for once during the 8 hour tailgating experience.
An hour or so before the show, we started packing it all up and back into the cars. Well, I decided that my intoxicated husband would lose my ticket (or me) if he was holding onto it for me. So I stuffed my id and some cash into the bra (hey, I didnt want to bring my purse into the show!) and tucked my ticket into my strap. It fell out. In the middle of the parking lot full of cars and party-goers. I ran back and forth from our picnic spot and the car looking for it. If someone found it, they could have sold my $50 ticket for at least $200....a hot commodity and I had lost it!!! Lucky for me, it was laying in the aisle right near my car and I found it before anyone else.
And so, with my ticket back in my possesion, we headed into the show. The weather forecast had called for rain late in the day but so far we had escaped it. That is, until we were nicely settled on the lawn for the show. 10 minutes before the show started, the skies opened up. There was nothing we could do but stand there and get soaked. That wasnt too bad; the fact that it was cold rain really bothered the girls.
And then the show started......with Jimmy Buffett riding a bicycle around the stage to Singin In The Rain! Hysterical and soooo appropriate! Buffett got on stage and announced that since there were thousands of people standing in the rain to hear him sing that he couldnt think of a good enough reason to take an intermission. His words were "How can I leave you standing in the rain just so I can go pi.ss?". HAHAHA! And so he played straight through until the curfew (its an outdoor pavilion so the curfew is 10:30PM).
And, wow! What a show. One of the original Coral Reefers (that's the band name!) was there to play....Fingers Taylor, an amazing haromonica player.
All in all, even though I had to ring the water out of my bra after the show, it was one of the best I have seen. I am already looking forward to next year.
PS----we have a ton of pictures, just not on my camera. As soon as Allie downloads them I will post some.
6/30/07
6/27/07
Margaritav.ille or Bust!
The concert of the year is only 24 hours away.....Jimmy Buffett! Well, really the show doesnt start until 8 PM tomorrow but the 10 of us will be at the beer place at 9 AM to stock up and head out to get our spot in the Premier Parking lot.
We are total geeks about this show. I realize that and I dont care!
Allie and I went to Pa.rty Cit.y and Tar.get earlier this week so we have all the munchies and tropical paraphanelia we need. Leis, grass skirts, parrots, and even coconut bras for the guys, of course!!!
Pictures will be taken and I will post the most innocent ones here later this weekend. All the other pics will be hiding away from the public's eye after this show!!!
Remember last year?!
We are total geeks about this show. I realize that and I dont care!
Allie and I went to Pa.rty Cit.y and Tar.get earlier this week so we have all the munchies and tropical paraphanelia we need. Leis, grass skirts, parrots, and even coconut bras for the guys, of course!!!
Pictures will be taken and I will post the most innocent ones here later this weekend. All the other pics will be hiding away from the public's eye after this show!!!
Remember last year?!
6/25/07
What is a Working Mom To Do?!
If you know me in "real life" and really even in the blog-0-sphere, you know that I adore our day care. Really, there are so few issues and Grace has thrived in her care. I love her.
Except today. I dont. I am mad today. In fact, I was mad all weekend but finally calmed down about it by Sunday afternoon.
At pickup time on Friday, day care handed all the parents a notice. It read:
1. Please bring a bathing suit and swim diapers for your child. We will be playing water games a few times a week during the summer. Great! Super! No problem.
2. Please dont send your kid sick to day care. (Day care Lady was diagnosed with breast cancer and is going through chemo....and yes, still caring for 6 kids during the day. She is my hero in that way!). A doctors note is required after a child is sick stating s/he is not contagious. Okay, no problem with that.
3. Day care will close early on July 3 and will be closed July 4. Okay, that is manageable. We will remain closed until July 15. WHAT!? They are closed for a week and a half and gave the parents a week notice. A day here and there is no problem. But now, all the working parents have one week to figure out what to do with their pre-school age children for a week and a half.
I have no idea how we are going to manage it.
And I still have to pay her for the time she is gone. You know, paid vacation and all.
This is my only complaint with our day care; short notice on extended time off like this makes life much more difficult than it needs to be.
Except today. I dont. I am mad today. In fact, I was mad all weekend but finally calmed down about it by Sunday afternoon.
At pickup time on Friday, day care handed all the parents a notice. It read:
1. Please bring a bathing suit and swim diapers for your child. We will be playing water games a few times a week during the summer. Great! Super! No problem.
2. Please dont send your kid sick to day care. (Day care Lady was diagnosed with breast cancer and is going through chemo....and yes, still caring for 6 kids during the day. She is my hero in that way!). A doctors note is required after a child is sick stating s/he is not contagious. Okay, no problem with that.
3. Day care will close early on July 3 and will be closed July 4. Okay, that is manageable. We will remain closed until July 15. WHAT!? They are closed for a week and a half and gave the parents a week notice. A day here and there is no problem. But now, all the working parents have one week to figure out what to do with their pre-school age children for a week and a half.
I have no idea how we are going to manage it.
And I still have to pay her for the time she is gone. You know, paid vacation and all.
This is my only complaint with our day care; short notice on extended time off like this makes life much more difficult than it needs to be.
6/22/07
I Heart Summer
Hot weather. Lazy weekends laying by the pool. The annual Jim.my Buff.ett concert.
But you know what my favorite part of summer is? The traffic.
Yep, I said it. Traffic is my favorite part of summer.
During the school year, it takes me over an hour to drive 19.2 miles from my house to my office. Not during the summer; it took me 43 minutes today INCLUDING the stop at Starbucks.
Love that.
But you know what my favorite part of summer is? The traffic.
Yep, I said it. Traffic is my favorite part of summer.
During the school year, it takes me over an hour to drive 19.2 miles from my house to my office. Not during the summer; it took me 43 minutes today INCLUDING the stop at Starbucks.
Love that.
6/21/07
Grace the Beanstalk *UPDATED*
Before Grace was born, Hubby and I went to the police station to have the infant seats installed. It was great as the officers should us all the tricks and gave us some really good advice and pointers about car seats.
Things that I otherwise would not have thought of like: 1) the left side of the car is the most dangerous so if the baby seat cant be placed in the middle seat, then always put it on the right side; 2) pool noodles and towels are great at getting those stupid bases at the perfect angles, and 3) once the shoulders of the kid are taller than the highest slot for the shoulder harness, the kid is too tall for the seat to protect them correctly and it is time to shop for a new seat.
This last tip has got me all worked up now.
Grace is very tall for a 3 year old. 97% for height and 75% for weight. Clearly, she is tall.
Her car seat, which I LOVE, is giving me shivers. Her shoulders are slightly above the last harness slot on the seat. But now, as I research this, I cant find anything about height issues with a car seat. Weight issues are addressed everywhere but apparently, height is just not important. But if it wasnt important why have hieght guidelines on car seats?
Grace has a booster seat in Hubby's car and she fits in it fine. The seat belt lays where it is supposed to and she is old enough to understand the seat and how it works.
So what to do.......move her to a booster in my car or wait til she literally outgrows the current seat?
***UPDATE***
After a little (I say that with sarcasm!) by my friend Bri and I, here is what I found: Britax claims that children can stay in this particular car seat (the Marathon Cowmooflauge) if the shoulder starp/harness slot is lower than their shoulders as long as the child's ear is shorter than the top of the restraint/car seat.
And so tonight, we check out Grace's ear height!
Things that I otherwise would not have thought of like: 1) the left side of the car is the most dangerous so if the baby seat cant be placed in the middle seat, then always put it on the right side; 2) pool noodles and towels are great at getting those stupid bases at the perfect angles, and 3) once the shoulders of the kid are taller than the highest slot for the shoulder harness, the kid is too tall for the seat to protect them correctly and it is time to shop for a new seat.
This last tip has got me all worked up now.
Grace is very tall for a 3 year old. 97% for height and 75% for weight. Clearly, she is tall.
Her car seat, which I LOVE, is giving me shivers. Her shoulders are slightly above the last harness slot on the seat. But now, as I research this, I cant find anything about height issues with a car seat. Weight issues are addressed everywhere but apparently, height is just not important. But if it wasnt important why have hieght guidelines on car seats?
Grace has a booster seat in Hubby's car and she fits in it fine. The seat belt lays where it is supposed to and she is old enough to understand the seat and how it works.
So what to do.......move her to a booster in my car or wait til she literally outgrows the current seat?
***UPDATE***
After a little (I say that with sarcasm!) by my friend Bri and I, here is what I found: Britax claims that children can stay in this particular car seat (the Marathon Cowmooflauge) if the shoulder starp/harness slot is lower than their shoulders as long as the child's ear is shorter than the top of the restraint/car seat.
And so tonight, we check out Grace's ear height!
6/20/07
Beach Report
I am so tired of being in cars.
It took us 4 1/2 hours to get to VA Beach on Monday and it took us the same time to get home yesterday. And all day yesterday, in and out of the car looking at hotels and the convention center and all the other important meeting places at the beach.
But, the highlights from the trip.....
It took us 4 1/2 hours to get to VA Beach on Monday and it took us the same time to get home yesterday. And all day yesterday, in and out of the car looking at hotels and the convention center and all the other important meeting places at the beach.
But, the highlights from the trip.....
- sitting on the beach until 1 AM with a Coron.a in my leftover plastic Son.ic cup cause there are no bottles allowed on the sand
- meeting Bru.ce Sm.ith, former Buffal.o Bil.l and Red.skin.....seriously, he was the biggest person I have ever seen. He is huge!!!! And so nice.
- bringing home a new hermit crab for Grace. Last year, the hermit crab we bought in Oc.ean City only lasted a week or so. I wonder how long this one will survive at my house!
All in all, loved the beach. They told me to call if I wanted to take a vacation any time soon. Yep, I just might have to take them up on that one!!!
6/18/07
On the Road Again
The whirlwind trips now begin!Off to VA Beach for 24 hours. Sounds like fun but I doubt I will spend more than 10 minutes on the actual beach. Instead I will inspect conference rooms and office space and the ever exciting exhibit hall.
I know, I know. Tough job when it takes you to the beach!!
Back on Wednesday. "See" you then.
6/14/07
The Event
***Pictures will come later!***
The clock on my computer read 4:15 pm. I picked up my huge bag of stuff, grabbed the dress off the hook on my office door, and headed for the ladies room. Have you ever prepped for a black tie event at the office? Quite interesting I must say. Something about slipping on a new floor length dress in the handicapped stall of an office building bathroom; it kind of takes the romance out of the words “black tie”, don’t you think?
But at least I proved to the rest of the office that I do, in fact, clean up well! The running joke has now become that instead of jeans on Friday, we all must wear formal clothes! HAHA!
This event was only about 10 miles away in downtown DC. I left myself about 45 minutes to get there, knowing DC traffic. Yep, just over an hour (yes, over 60 minutes!!) later, I arrived and headed straight for the bar. And I found it! J
The event was for the Education Foundation of one of the meeting/convention industry associations. The main event of the evening is a few “talking heads” on the stage getting awards. But that is not the highlight. Really, the event was nice. The ballroom looked gorgeous. The table settings were spectacular. Even the bagpipers who were rocking out on stage were great. But the best parts of the evening happen at the hotel bar after the official event ends. Isn’t that always the case though?
I spend every day working with these people. We negotiate contracts, talk about room setups and technology needs, and I let them tell me why I should place my meeting in the city they represent. But it is so rare to get the chance to get all dressed up and just hang out. And I had such a blast last night.
After a glass or two of wine too many, I headed home. And got home safely. At 12:30 AM. This morning was a little rough, as you can imagine. But not as rough, I imagine, as another friend of mine who sent me a text message at 2:46 AM, just leaving the hotel!!! We were trying to hook her up with someone at the bar….apparently he is a wimp, according to the text message. But anyways……
So last night was awesome. Only another year to go until I can get all dressed up again!
The clock on my computer read 4:15 pm. I picked up my huge bag of stuff, grabbed the dress off the hook on my office door, and headed for the ladies room. Have you ever prepped for a black tie event at the office? Quite interesting I must say. Something about slipping on a new floor length dress in the handicapped stall of an office building bathroom; it kind of takes the romance out of the words “black tie”, don’t you think?
But at least I proved to the rest of the office that I do, in fact, clean up well! The running joke has now become that instead of jeans on Friday, we all must wear formal clothes! HAHA!
This event was only about 10 miles away in downtown DC. I left myself about 45 minutes to get there, knowing DC traffic. Yep, just over an hour (yes, over 60 minutes!!) later, I arrived and headed straight for the bar. And I found it! J
The event was for the Education Foundation of one of the meeting/convention industry associations. The main event of the evening is a few “talking heads” on the stage getting awards. But that is not the highlight. Really, the event was nice. The ballroom looked gorgeous. The table settings were spectacular. Even the bagpipers who were rocking out on stage were great. But the best parts of the evening happen at the hotel bar after the official event ends. Isn’t that always the case though?
I spend every day working with these people. We negotiate contracts, talk about room setups and technology needs, and I let them tell me why I should place my meeting in the city they represent. But it is so rare to get the chance to get all dressed up and just hang out. And I had such a blast last night.
After a glass or two of wine too many, I headed home. And got home safely. At 12:30 AM. This morning was a little rough, as you can imagine. But not as rough, I imagine, as another friend of mine who sent me a text message at 2:46 AM, just leaving the hotel!!! We were trying to hook her up with someone at the bar….apparently he is a wimp, according to the text message. But anyways……
So last night was awesome. Only another year to go until I can get all dressed up again!
6/12/07
To Go Or Not To Go....To Pre-School
Last weekend, Grace went to a birthday party for one of her day care friends. While the kids played after cake and ice cream, the moms sat around the table and chatted. For whatever reason lately, we have gotten together with the kids after day care ends....cookout, birthdays. Its really nice actually. I see these women every morning and evening but we rarely actually talk beyond the "good morning" as we pass in the driveway.
Bad news this weekend though....one of Grace's favorite day care buddies is not returning to 'Ghani's (the day care woman) house. She is off to pre-school. This little girl (we will call her M) and Grace have been together at Afghani's since they were infants; when Grace started all day care, she was 3 months old and M was 6 months old. They have essentially grown up together and now M will not be there to play with everyday. It makes me sad. She really is a sweet little girl and Grace adores her.
So of course, with the mention that M is leaving day care for a structured all day pre-school and knowing the other 3/4 year old (we will call her S) that Grace adores, is in a 3 day a week pre-school program, now I am confused on what to do with Grace.
Do I send Grace to pre-school or leave well enough alone?
She is getting enough of the social skills she needs at day care. And she is getting a bit of instruction as well....knows her ABCs, can count to 10 in spanish and 20 in english, and knows how to share, etc, etc, etc. So what benefit would pre-school be? Well, the structure of a school day. Grace is very set in her ways and is used to her little world revolving around her. Even at day care. Sure there are other kids there and Afghani is so good at handling all of them together. But for the most part, if she wants to color and the other kids are reading, she can go to the table and color. At pre-school, her day would be more structured and she would have to follow the teacher's schedule and instruction.
But she is so happy at Afghani's. Do I disturb that peace? I know that either decision is a good one but what is the right one?!
I cant believe we are at the point we have to think about school!!! It seems like just yesterday I was holding my newborn baby girl. Where does the time go!?
Bad news this weekend though....one of Grace's favorite day care buddies is not returning to 'Ghani's (the day care woman) house. She is off to pre-school. This little girl (we will call her M) and Grace have been together at Afghani's since they were infants; when Grace started all day care, she was 3 months old and M was 6 months old. They have essentially grown up together and now M will not be there to play with everyday. It makes me sad. She really is a sweet little girl and Grace adores her.
So of course, with the mention that M is leaving day care for a structured all day pre-school and knowing the other 3/4 year old (we will call her S) that Grace adores, is in a 3 day a week pre-school program, now I am confused on what to do with Grace.
Do I send Grace to pre-school or leave well enough alone?
She is getting enough of the social skills she needs at day care. And she is getting a bit of instruction as well....knows her ABCs, can count to 10 in spanish and 20 in english, and knows how to share, etc, etc, etc. So what benefit would pre-school be? Well, the structure of a school day. Grace is very set in her ways and is used to her little world revolving around her. Even at day care. Sure there are other kids there and Afghani is so good at handling all of them together. But for the most part, if she wants to color and the other kids are reading, she can go to the table and color. At pre-school, her day would be more structured and she would have to follow the teacher's schedule and instruction.
But she is so happy at Afghani's. Do I disturb that peace? I know that either decision is a good one but what is the right one?!
I cant believe we are at the point we have to think about school!!! It seems like just yesterday I was holding my newborn baby girl. Where does the time go!?
6/8/07
Around the East Coast in 5 weeks
Part of my job is travel. I dont really mind it. I work my butt off when I am on-site at a meeting but I have had the chance to visit cities I normally wouldnt, like Louisville, KY (one of my faves now!) and Austin, TX, and Denver, CO.
However, I prefer to spread the travel out. I do not like to take 1 or 2 day trips all over the place each week for a few weeks. I would rather just take 1 whole week and get everything in. No packing and unpacking constantly. Its just easier. And I dont have to constantly miss Hubby and Grace. 
But nooooooooooo, thats not the way we are doing it this time around. Where am I headed to? Virginia Beach, Baltimore, Providence Rhode Island, Lousiville Kentucky, and Tampa. Not bad cities but still.
5 cities to see for my conference in 2010. Each city needs at least 1 day of site time. And all the sites need to be complete by the end of July. And there are only 3 weeks between now and then that are available!!!! ARGH!
Looks like I am doing a ton of packing and unpacking. Maybe I will just live out of my suitcase for the next while even when I am at home.
6/6/07
Ice Cream and Ribs...Now That Just Sounds GOOD!
Ever just need a night away from your house? We did. L and I took ourselves out last night. Ice cream for dinner. Yummy. But dont tell Grace cause I never let her do that!!!I mean, seriously, how good does that ice cream look!?!?!?!?
It was a needed few hours out with L. The whole gang gets together and has a blast but sometimes its just so nice to ditch the guys and do girl stuff.....like having ice cream as a meal and shopping.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Poor Hubby can't win this year. First came surgery. Remember that? Yea, it su.cked. But he is recovering well and back to his normal schedule.
Last week his side was really hurting. The same side surgery was on. After a little nagging, he finally went to the doctor this past weekend. A cracked rib. Yes, thats right. When Grace was playing and wrestling with Daddy, she cracked a floating rib!!!!
Seriously, what else is going to happen!?
6/1/07
Tears
Yesterday apackage arrived at the house from a good friend of mine, Bri. She sent me a belated Mothers Day gift. In the box was a birthday part invite for her daughter, an adorable preppy-girl outfit for Grace, and a book. I was psyched about the bok cause we have been reading the same 3 books at bedtime for the past few weeks and honestly, I was ready to toss them all away. But Bri fixed that with the book in the package.
And after I read it to Grace last night, I had to find the tissues.
So thanks, Bri. A wonderful book. Well it was wonderful from what I could tell through the tears!!!!
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