Art & Life of SwarDrawS

By Monday all three of my sisters will have new addresses or no address! Paula closes on her new house on Monday. Also on Monday Cindy closes on her old house rendering her homeless. And Pam, well they are leaving Kentucky tomorrow to stay with Cindy, the one who is homeless come Monday.

Cindy is scrambling to find a townhouse they can rent for her family of 7 with 2 cats with enough room for Pam's family of 6 and one cat temporarily. Ooooh, good luck with that! If anyone can pull it off it would be Cindy.

Sherry calls today and tells me the guy she is with who won't take her out on a date asked her to marry him. Oh yikes! At least she has the sense to not jump at that offer.

RAW and Hollace are off to visit grama for a few days so it is just me and Cloudy (big ferousous, vicious beast Cloudy---that is in case you know where I live). Today a neighbor girl that Hollace has been playing with at the park came over. She was so sad when I told her she wasn't home. She came to apologize and ask her to come to the park. I called Hollace to ask her what Angel was apologizing for and she can't remember.

This week Hollace has been cracking me up walking around in my old high heels and has carefully packed a purse with "purse" things including an iPod she made from a plastic box little playing cards came in. Also something clicked in her head a couple weeks ago when we tried to purge some of her old toys and clean up her room. We wasn't able to purge much but now she is all about keeping her room tidy and organized. That has never happened before! It has been two weeks now and all is still good. She is so grown up lately.

My doctor gave me a prescription for my GERD then I asked him for an extended one to use the mailorder pharmacy. I didn't realize until I got the prescription that he wrote it for solutabs which you let melt on your tongue and not the capsules like I had. I was pissed since I paid for this. I called him and while he won't admit anything, he wrote me another script, gave me a months worth of samples and a "coupon". Well that coupon turns out to be a $35 rebate for co-pays for every time I fill the script. Wow, you can't beat that with a...a....uh, it is late and the end of that lame saying just left my head. So on that note, good night!

Posted by swardraws at 11:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What do I got to say. I cut my nails so I can type like the wind so I better come up with something.

This week I met with Christina on shooting her wedding and I met with Mia on her last week at work. I think I am getting stiffed on an Ebay auction.

My stupid fault with the Ebay thing. I am trying to buy a Lightsphere flash diffuser so I can shoot the wedding. I ordered it from a guy. I got suspicious the moment I won the auction. Another "buyer" bid just enough (twice) to get me to my highest bid. Looking at that buyer I notice he is just a seller. Uh huh. Then this is where I was stupid, I didn't bother looking carefully at the way this guy wanted to be paid, no credit cards or Paypal. Only cashier check, money order or personal check. Harder to track fraud that way. I think I just kissed $36 away. At least it is only $36. It has been 6 days and I haven't heard word one from him though I have emailed him many times. Yep, bye bye.

Christina called me on my way home from work today. Zero 7 is coming to town and she wanted to know if I wanted to go. Hell ya! I think RAW would like to go too even though he doesn't listen to them (I am sure he would like them if he did) but I wouldn't know what to do with Hollace. We don't have a babysitter or know where to find one. Maybe we can have a sleepover date with someone? I am sure it will be a late night.

I found Pam on Yahoo IM the other night (never happened before) and she said Cindy sold her house. At the risk of sounding like grama, why don't anyone tell me anything.

Posted by swardraws at 12:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At work it seems that I all I do is attend meeting and brainstorm and even a focus group. I am not good at brainstorming with others. My original fear is saying something stupid but at these meetings I am concentrating on making it appear as I am contributing. I am on the marketing committee at work. Donna asked me what I tell people when I tell them about where I work. I fumbled all over myself. I know it is so obvious that I am a social misfit. I figure enough of these under by belt and maybe I can get over myself. Hey, today I finally found that list of therapists that I have been looking for for a long time now. I will call one soon. Also did I mention that Christina and Corey asked me to photograph their wedding? I am so honored and thrilled but I need to lighten up, loosen up and get over myself.

Poorly timed AC issues

Today I woke up to the problem of the airconditioner not working. This was really bad news. Today starts a long oppresive heat wave (the next few days near 100). Because of this forecast I was treating it as a snow day and staying inside where it was confortable and clean house. This news compromised my plan.

RAW asked the neighbors who they knew for AC repair. He called that guy and that guy talked him through a repair. I guess the ground wire came loose. We now have air and it cost us nothing. That could of been an expensive experience. We owe that guy our future business.

We now can see Hollace's floor. Still working on seeing the floor or table surfaces in my computer room but it will happen. I am in a purge mood and the pile going to Goodwill is growing.

Remember Hollace's penpal named Hollace? This little girl with the help of her dad googled her name and found Hollace. Then I found out they only lived in Racine and then that her dad worked where I did. I think it is her dad who is scheduled to come and install some software for me on Monday. Small world huh

Dentist

I am already missing Dr. Walker. He always had such wonderful things to say about my teeth. Well he retired and we seen his replacement last week. A young guy from where I am from. He was born in the hospital by mom's house. Anyway he thinks I need some work on a tooth or two that look decayed under the old fillings. I have noticed that things looked off there for a long time. Why didn't Dr. Walker ever say anything? I probably should get it fixed now so I can avoid root canals He also thought Hollace had some precursor for cavities in her new molars so he is going to seal them next week. I guess we aren't perfect. ;-)

Posted by swardraws at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sherry and Andrea came up by 9:30 so we could catch the 10:51 train to Chicago.

We took the free trolley to Navy Pier and had lunch. Not a good idea to eat at a sit down restraurant at Navy Pier, over priced and the 18% tip is forced on you. When all was said and done I think I ended up giving him an additional $5 for a tip, sheesh.

Sarah as begging for everything and I was being a stick in the mud aunt. I eventually let her and Emma go into the fun house. Sherry and Andrea went with and me and Hollace stayed behind. She didn't want to go.

After Navy Pier I tried to lead them to a walk to Milliunum Park but it started remind me of the time I took the whole clan racing back to Union Station from the pier. I don't know where the hell we were going. I didn't realize that Milliunum Park was close to Art Institute which is too far from Navy Pier. Well maybe not that far but I didn't gear anyone up for the trek we took.

The kids ran around and got wet at the Park. I remained the stick in the mud and just watched. I started to get overheated in the direct sun and eventually had to find a shady spot.

Andrea asks me where we were going next and I told her back to the train station. She instantly got bummed. She was hoping for some shopping.

We head out to a trolley spot and wait and wait and wait. I thought I gave us enought time to make our 6:35 train but that darn trolley just wouldn't come around. It finally got here at 6:35 so that gave us time to eat at Union Station while we wait for the 8:35 train.

Everyone was beat becasue the next day I was the first to arise at 10am, then the 7 year olds at 10:10. Around 10:45 Sarah comes in from the camper where she, Sherry and Andrea were sleeping. Sherry comes in at 11 and Andrea shortly after still half asleep.

Now we wait for Cindy and family to come and pick up the girls. Her transmission problems only cost her $130 and that includes towing. I guess the pan was loose.

They come, stay for a short bit then try to leave. They almost forget Mac ;-). He was busy playing in Hollace's room and didn't want to go.

After they leave, Sherry, Andrea, Hollace and I head for the mall so Andrea can get some shopping done. I bought a new purse. Eventually me and Hollace leave since it doesn't look Andrea was going to finish up for awhile. We brought separate cars so they just get on the tollway from there.

On the drive home I hear from Paula, she bought a house.

Posted by swardraws at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fourth of July is now over and we are on the sixth now.

Saturday, RAW took off with the camper an hour before me and Hollace yet only got to CP 15 minutes before us. It sure is a bitch to get to Indiana on the Tri-State. I can't wait until they get the construction done, it is b-a-d. Both RAW and I tried (different) alternative routes to avoid the construction to no avail. I found myself stuck in traffic in downtown Harvey and it was a little scary.

This year Cindy and Pam's families were there with the exception of Emma and Sarah how got left at mom's to hang out with Hollace.

On Sunday, I took mom and the girls to Fair Oaks Dairy Farm that has all kinds of fun stuff to do and see. We got to see a cow give birth and the milking carousel, then it was off for icecream and cheese in their store.

On Monday I went shopping without the girls

Tuesday was the holiday. Cindy and Pam (and the rest of the kids) were due originally around noon which meant they had to get out at 6am. I guess Shawn got sick so that put them behind so they weren't due until 2. Pam then called me and said that since Cindy took over driving from Tim (Pam was following Cindy's van) they are making good time and were only 23 miles away but Cindy was spewing oil all over her. Then the phone rings again and it is Cindy asking for Dad. Apparently the oil she was spewing was transmission fluid and her trannie blew up and she needed dad to rescue her 10 miles from home.

Needless to say we didn't make the parade this year.

Before the picnic, cousin Jeff, Lynda and their baby came by for a visit on their way home. I was suppose to see his mom that weekend but she didn't get back with me like she said she would. I kind of figure she might of been a bit uncomfortable with my visit based on the phone call from last week when I was trying to plan my trip.

The weather was perfect, the food was good and the regular cast of characters were there.

We went to the fireworks as usual except I drove the girls instead of Cindy driving. I loaned Jeff my tripod so I didn't even bring my camera.

Wednesday was when Pam and Cindy and kids (minus the girls who were going with me) were suppose to go up to Wisconsin where Pam has an interview on Friday. Instead they are trying to get someone quickly look at and fix the van.

I got 11 year old Willliam playing on my computer with Garage Band and he was all gung ho making his own music. Of course this prospect interested 14 year old Jeff so he had a turn as well. 14 year old Read was interested in if I had some Red Hot Chile Peppers on my iPod. Jeff has put in his bid on my old iPod for when i get my new one, stand in line buddy ;-). 11 year old Shawn (the kid Cindy is guardian for) stayed in the camper playing game cube on my little TV.

Me and the girls headed home.

Today we went out to Ikea and grocery shopping. By the end of the night, both Hollace and Emma were upset and angry with each other. Too tired and too much time together. It took me a long time to convince a stuborn and crying Emma that she can't sleep on the living room floor that she has to go to Hollace's room even after telling her that Hollace was sleeping with me.

Tomorrow, Friday, I have to work, work at home at least. RAW can take them to Artworks and we will go swimming. We will also schedule some down time so the girls don't implode again.

On Saturday, Sherry is suppose to come up and we all will take the train to Chicago. We will see how that works out.

Sunday, we get the girls back to Wisconsin

Posted by swardraws at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today I just couldn't focus. It was a Friday before I had a week off. I figured that was it. I felt all ADD and have for a couple days. It just occured to me as I was getting ready to write here but that is this months version of PMS. It also occured to me that I don't have the blues like I was getting there for awhile. I don't think I even got bitchy this month though RAW is and everything he does is driving me nuts......wait, that sounds like I am bitchy doesn't it? Well come on I am getting sick of him not using his time better. Hollace was in day camp for the last two weeks and yet he didn't do anything with the floor until tonight. He for some reason thinks the TV center should be way over the edge as opposed to centered on the wall and in front of the couch. I don't even want to tell him what I think about the small stupid blanket he keeps laying out on his side of our king sized bed or nag at him about getting rid of that Chrysler so he doesn't have to park his freaking huge truck on our front yard. Ok, breath, breath. It is ok to vent but don't get myself worked up at 1am.

For some happy news. Christina and Corey asked me to shoot their wedding. I knew right before Christina asked me that she was going to ask me. I was suppose to have lunch with Corey an hour later where he was suppose to ask me but she scooped him ;-). It should be fun, now I have to figure out how to get over myself and have fun with it. It shouldn't be like the mafia wedding I did last summer ;-)

Posted by swardraws at 01:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)