Jennifer Apodaca's Blog, page 86

Wednesday Rainy Randomness

So I just walked into a wall. That’s gonna leave a bruise. Good thing it’s my upper forearm rather than my face that took the brunt of it.

I blame Maggie.

So it’s been raining all day, and Maggie doesn’t do rain. I have to drag her out on a leash or use the trick of getting her into the car and taking her to a favorite spot. So anyway, the rain had stopped for a while and I was trying to get her to come outside with me. She jumped off her chair, came part way, then noticed it was still damp outside and turned around.

I turned to look at her and BAM, I smacked my left forearm right into the corner of the wall and sent a jolt of Ouch through much of my upper body.

Honestly, I need supervision at all times. Or I either get into trouble, chocolate or manage hurt myself. True Story.

Also, someone needs to tell Wizard to stop laughing

Speaking of blame, this weekend, Wizard announced, “Witch, you got me addicted to coffee.”

I laughed in his face. “Wizard, I’ve made the same pot of coffee the same way for three decades. For two and a half of those decades, you only drank a half cup on weekends. Think hard now, what’s changed?”

“You did it. I know you did.”

Men!

So how’s your Wednesday going?

P.S. I had a whole other ranty blog written, but when I told Wizard about it at dinner, he strongly suggested I delete it. So I did. I’m really ranty when it’s rainy and I don’t get my usual amount of exercise.

P.S.S. I’m gonna have a bruise on my arm, how can I make this Wizard’s fault? He wasn’t even in the same room…he just heard the thud. Suggestions??

Weekend Roundup

We had a nice weekend. Rain is moving in, but the weekend was actually beautiful with coolish weather and clouds dotting clear skies. We are surrounded by hills that are gorgeous in this kind of weather. About mid-August, it’s just dry and barren.

Anyway, Saturday we went out to visit out grandson, Tubro. Here’s a pic of the two of us. As soon as Turbo saw that his mom was taking a pic, he pulled back and posed, which made me flash my crazy, demented smile

My head looks as big as a horse’s but the important thing is Turbo, LOL! Also, I got to see CPA boy for about 15 minutes too, and he looks fantastic. The last two tax seasons took a toll on him due to things beyond his control, but this year is going better. He’s striving to take care of himself  and keep up with his workouts to manage his stress and pressure. Of course, we all know the real secret is having a great partner in life, Special K.

Sunday we headed back out to middle son’s to see him and his wife (both CPA Boy and Middle son live an hour or more away, depending on traffic). Maggie came with us and played with her cousin pups, Jett and Hazel. Maggie’s getting better with them, and she adores Middle Son and my daughter in law! Then we took Maggie with us to go to lunch–that was a first for her. She was well behaved with us out on the patio of the restaurant. I split a Fresno Fig Burger with my daughter-in-law. It’s a gourmet burger with fig marmalade and goat cheese. I’d never had it before, so I figured why not try it? It was delicious!  (And yes, I can, and sometimes do, eat an entire burger, but we were sharing appetizers too so there was plenty of food).

Both days were so lovely. As I’m writing this blog Sunday afternoon, Wizard headed over to Youngest son’s to give him a hand with something at his house, which means he gets to see all three boys in one weekend. I stayed home to write this blog See? You all are important to me too.

So that was my weekend with no words written Friday was a frustrating writing day, but it’s a new week with endless potential!

How was your weekend?

Friday Five

TGIF! Did ya’ll feel the rush of the week speeding by?

Also, if anyone reading this lives near the devastation in Nashville, Tennessee, I’m thinking of you and hope you and those you love are okay.

Now, it’s time to share five random things about our week. Here are mine:

I’m writing when I can, and although my internal editor is screaming like a banshee, it’s hard to hear her over that big gag I put on her. I’m just moving forward!
Tax season is a weird time. CPA boy is ONLY quiet during tax season and I find myself randomly worrying. This week, I told Wizard I’m going to encourage CPA Boy to get a check up after tax season. Wizard told me that my Mom Radar needed an adjustment as it was stuck on Crazy. He’s not wrong. Really. CPA Boy is very good at taking care of himself and he has a wife who makes sure he does. My Mom Radar definitely needs an adjustment
I’m listening to Jessica Simpson’s autobiography. I bought this book on impulse when someone on Twitter raved about it. I’m not having the exact same experience, but I do like that she tries to be positive in general, and more specifically body-positive. She talked about a model she’d met who was anorexic and died in her 20s. Jessica seemed truly changed by that experienced, and that touched me. I loathe diet culture. I’m all for trying to be healthy and strong, or having personal goals. It’s just when we try to force unrealistic expectations on any body (male or female) that I have a problem. As for me, I’m trying to celebrate all the parts of me that work and I can rely on to get me through my day
Yesterday, I ended up doing a lot, which is kind of how this week has been–stuff just keeps coming up. Anyway, Wizard noticed that I was busy, and started pitching in by unloading the dishwasher and feeding Maggie while I was washing bathroom floors. People, that is love, ya know? I had those two things next on my mental list, and he stepped in and checked them off without me saying a word. I’d much rather have that kind of love and teamwork, then flowers any day of the week!
We’re going to try to see Turbo one day this weekend, and Middle Son the other day, but we haven’t firmed up those plans with the kids yet because it’s been a wonky week.

That’s my quick Friday Five. Now I’d really love to hear yours! I hope all of you have a great weekend!

Wednesday Cravings

I met Biker Witch for lunch yesterday, which was convenient because I’d been craving chocolate for days. I ended up getting this:

 

And I ate it all!

What foods do you crave?

Weekend Roundup

Happy March!

So the weekend happening–nothing remarkable. Although I did get a couple of scenes written (I wrote more scenes but deleted those just so my delete button doesn’t feel left out).

I’ve been writing toward some existing scenes, but deep down in the box of things I don’t want to admit, I suspect those existing scenes aren’t going to work. That makes my lazy side sad…she really wants to just finish the damn book.

But my pushy, bitchy, naggy side is singing, Na-na-na-na, not gonna happen! You’ll have to rewrite it alllll!! Add in an evil cackle here.

My lazy side is plotting her death, but unfortunately, my lazy side is…wait for it!…too lazy to actually follow with the plot

Today, I’m going to try to hit the gym, do the usual Monday stuff like laundry and back to the computer to write and see what happens.

How was your weekend?

Friday Five

TGIF! How is today the last day of February? It just started! Anyhow, let’s jump into sharing five random things about our week:

Wizard is pimping me out for my white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.  True story, he came home yesterday from picking up some parts, and said, “My friends at the store like baked goods and I told them about your cookies. Can you make them some?” I’m like…what’s in it for you? He laughed and said his discount. Whatever…
Today I’ll be buying macadamia nuts and white chocolate because it turns out I’m a pushover.
Our little serial killer took out another lizard yesterday. Don’t believe her pathetic attempt at an innocent face here. I caught her prancing around with the lizard in her mouth. She was very proud of herself. I made her drop it, and she did–unmoving on it’s back. Sigh. Also this chair is literally falling apart, ignore that. We’re semi-shopping for a new one. Wizard thinks it’s hilarious that we’re buying a new chair for a dog. What has our life come to?
I made Wizard dispose of the deceased lizard. Refer to #1 and 2 If he’s going to use me, I’m going to use him right back, LOL.
We may try to go see Turbo again this weekend if Special K isn’t busy, or I’ll keep my butt in the chair and writing. Or I could clean something, but I’d much rather write It’s still slow and my characters are rushing down blind alleys and into dark rooms with no escape plan, but I’m at my keyboard, following them into their folly, then deleting the evidence when necessary.

That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Happy Wednesday!

Not long after Maggie came to us:

And 2 1/2 years later…this is what living with me and Wizard did to her, LOL

Both Maggie and I are both aging, but we are still besties! Also, she HATES pictures. She’s either in witness protection or thinks cell phones are evil.

Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Roundup

The highlight of my weekend was seeing Turbo–of course! He’s so eager to see us now, but the true shining moment for me was when I hugged him goodbye:

It looks awkward because he refused to let me go. I tried to set him down a couple of times, but he’d developed a serious case of spaghetti legs. Then he got a fist full of my shirt, and held on. He didn’t cry, he just didn’t want to let go of Grandma It was sooo cute! He’s 23 months old and already knows he has Grandma wrapped around his finger.

When he’s not being a drama boy, his motto in life is pretty much: “Why walk when you can run!” He’s a fountain of energy!

Oh, and if you look down and to the right in that picture, you’ll see Max, the youngest of CPA Boy and Special K’s dogs. Max has had two major back surgeries and is partially paralyzed, which is why he’s on wheels. Max zooms around just fine on his wheels all day long. The only time he gets cranky is when they take his wheels off and make him rest, LOL!

Sunday, I did two things. First, I’ve met my goal of  doing stretch and strengthening exercises every morning when I get up at 5:30 for 6 weeks, so I bought myself another pair of exercise pants for going to the gym. It doesn’t sound exciting, but that was what I wanted, and it helps me stay motivated. I’ve been pretty committed to walking Maggie (often twice a day), going to the gym 2 to 3 times a week if I can, and doing these morning exercises. However, because I’m not long a youngin’, I’ve developed some soreness in my hip that I’ll have to work around that this week.

The second thing I did is made some progress on the book. I just keep telling myself to let Justice and Liza tell their story, and I really REALLY want to do this. It’s the hill I have to climb to get to the other side and recapture my writing mojo. I just love both this story, and writing, too much to stop. I have to mention that the exercise discipline is beginning to spill over into writing discipline. I knew it would, but I can’t tell you exactly why. My best guess is that physical exercise rests my brain from the tinnitus that constantly rings in my head when I stop. I really don’t hear it when I’m moving enough. In any ways, it doesn’t matter why it works as long as it helps!

So that was my weekend, how was yours? As always, I really do want to know!

Friday Five

TGIF!! Time to jump into sharing five random things about our week:

I’m happy with my new washer and dryer. Now that we have them, I aware of what a struggled it had become to get laundry done with my old machines.
My book stalled out this week and it took me a few days to figure out the OBVIOUS problem. Because I’m keeping some scenes I had already written, then rewriting or moving others around, things can get confusing, LOL. Anyhow, I just have to keep going until The End! “Write it now and fix it later” is my mantra.
Today, if all goes as it’s supposed to, I’ll get the permanent crown on my tooth. Yay! I’m hoping I can work after that, but dental work can irritate my neck so I’ll wait and see.
I made roasted red pepper and garlic humus yesterday. I like it, but it gives me indigestion. This isn’t exactly a surprise, I don’t do well with roasted garlic as a rule. But who cares, life is about trying new things! As soon as my mouth is up to it, I’m eating some more with the pita chips I love, enjoy it, then suffer the consequences if the garlic is still feeling mean However if I make another batch, I’ll try one without roasted garlic or veggies.
We are going to see our grandson, Turbo, tomorrow. Wizard hasn’t been able to see him in a while so he’s really looking forward to it. CPA Boy will be at work (tax season) and we’ll be able to give Special K a break for a few hours. I’m always happy about that since I remember the endless exhaustion of being a mom.

My week was pretty boring, and while it doesn’t make for exciting blogs, I have no complaints. Now I’d love to hear five random things about your week!

What Are You Reading?

My reading/listening choices are weird as usual. I finished listening to Leah Remini’s TROUBLEMAKER, and I just started  A WOMAN IS NOT MAN by Etaf Rum. I know, I know, very eclectic selections. My interests tend to bounce around.

My next book on Kindle is THIEF RIVER FALLS by Brian Freeman, but I may put that aside for a light, fun romance to change things up.

What are you reading?