The 25th Hour ~karenjcardoza.com~

Since Al was off last night we were able to take the boat out today.  We spent a few hours on Narragansett Bay and it was like a sheet of glass.  The boys fished while I read and relaxed.  Although they didn’t catch anything, we had a nice time and plan on doing it again when he’s off  next week.

Luckily, we left just in time as there were severe thunderstorms with hail this afternoon and evening in the area.  Jake and I did get caught in later while at Lincoln Woods in afternoon but I still got my walk in with the girls before it really came down.

Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous so I hope to get my errands done, yard work,  and clothes on the line early so I can kick back

poolside with a book in the afternoon.

I LOVE YOU!!

About 15 years ago, my husband and I made a decision regarding how we wanted to spend our Christmas holiday. I had two toddlers and he was working 3rd shift at the time and Christmas Day was a rushed, stressful time for us. So, we declared that Christmas Day would be a family day and we would remain at home. We respectfully declined all invitations from family and friends and reassured them that it wasn’t that we didn’t love them or appreciate their offer but we would be staying home for a low key day. (We see Al’s family on Christmas Eve and my family on a Saturday near Christmas to exchange gifts so staying home doesn’t mean that we don’t get together at all, just not on Christmas day too.)

No longer did we have to drag our kids away from their newly opened loot, dress them up in Holiday-wear and put up with the sounds of cranky, over-tired kids. Our Christmas mornings are now leisurely affairs often involving lots of coffee and lounging in flannels all day. It’s Heavenly!! Now that the kids are older, a little has changed but not much. Instead of getting up early to play with toys, they stay up late, then sleep the morning away, getting up in time for the ham dinner that I prepare. I still get up pretty early but lounge with a book or online enjoying the early morning peace and quiet.

This year, we’ve added 2 little girls to the crew.. Bella, who joined our family in June and just today, Chloe, who is snuggled up and snoozing right beside me. Once again, I’ve got lots to be thankful for and I’m so glad to have spent the day doing things that make me happy.

I’m glad to say that I made it through the very busy weekend. Some people love to have lots of invites and things on their plate but the older I get the harder it is to keep going non-stop. This weekend, we had 3 great invites, which standing on their own were events to look forward to, but squished into 2 days was a bit too much.

It was a busy work week and some unexpected things foiled my plans to get my shopping done early in the week so I ended up going on Friday night and didn’t get home until late. Ernie arrived Friday and crashed at our house for the weekend as well.

Saturday night, we had our 25th high school reunion. And, while there weren’t nearly as many people that attended as our 2oth, the crew that was there had a great time. Naturally, Ernie was the star attraction as always and his travel from San Diego proved to be the furthest distance again this year. After lots of dancing, Karaoke, and laughs, our night ended in the usual manner with French Fries in the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday morning came way too early and we headed to Logan’s christening and dinner. Luckily, the game was on in the restaurant, and I got to watch at least some of it with family and an ice cold Guinness They were running behind so we had to leave before the cake and dessert and headed home to change for our third event, Danny and Laura’s wedding.

The wedding was a chance to catch up with the cops and friends that we haven’t seen in awhile and while the company and party were fun, we were running out of steam. So, closing the place was out of question. Besides, my feet had just about all they could take, so we left before the dancing really got cranking. Ernie was still making his rounds and was planning on coming home at a decent hour to catch up before he scheduled to leave this morning.

So, the back is screaming a bit from wearing heels almost non stop and I’m tired today but it’s nice to have the day off. I got up early and Bella found her favorite place to crash while I checked email and uploaded my pictures.

It was a great sports weekend for me with the Pats win and I’m happy to say that the Red Sox swept the Angels. They’re moving on the ALCS and will have the week off before playing on the 12th. Still waiting to see how the Yankees fare in this little divided household.

So, on this rainy Columbus Day Monday off, I’m totally going to enjoy hanging out at home catching up on the usual weekend stuff, drinking lots and lots of coffee, and catching some puppy kisses

It’s been a long week.. and at the same time it’s been a very short week. Short because there was absolutely NO way to fit in all I had to do. I’m coming to the realization that I really don’t have time in my life for everything that I want to do right now. Here it is Friday night and I’ve yet to do a post-game podcast… I was up until 3:00am this morning just to get the tailgate done. That is not something that I’ll be able to continue doing in order to function.

The reality is… I have a puppy. The reality is… my job is taking much more time and energy this year than in the past. The reality is… I’m still having some problems with my back and am unable to sit for really long periods of time at the computer. The reality is… I Need exercise in my life to keep me sane, fit, and to help with said back but I don’t have much time to fit it in. The reality is… I’m 43 and I’m starting to feel it if I don’t get enough sleep…. Sigh…

So, apologies in advance, but I need to be spend some time soul searching and setting priorities right now. It’s obvious that there literally aren’t enough hours in my days (at least not this week) to do everything that I plan to do. Without saying, my family and Bella come first as does my need to stay healthy and keep fit and be the best teacher I can be. Following the Patriots and providing scoops for all of Patriots’ Nation is something that I take great pleasure from and totally enjoy but in the scheme of things, It is my Hobby. My family, health, and job are my reality.

Hopefully, there will be a last minute podcast tomorrow and continued tailgate updates and website updates but if not, Go Pats anyway!

I took Bella to the vet yesterday and she’s either got some kind of bite or a cyst. Nothing serious but just going to keep an eye on it.

The boys got home with the boat at 5:30 but then headed back out to get the electrical fixed on the trailer… (Yes.. I was adamantly opposed to using it with no breaklights even for a short distance let alone a long one.) They didn’t get home until 9:30 and stayed up until around 2:00AM taking the online boating certification test.

So… there is no way that we would have made it or fit the game in. We watched from our DRY place right here at home

This is what I’d love to be doing for the next couple hours but…. lots to do, lots to do!

…. due to Bella and da Boat. The little one woke up this morning with a lump on her back that I need to have checked out before sending her to her little getaway at Honey B and Rocky’s house. (Probably nothing and feels like a bite or something but I need to make sure before taking off.) So, they can only see her later this afternoon.

Al decided to just take Jake to the game in my place which was a great relief to me since I couldn’t be in two places at once. He just got a call that the boat is ready and can be picked up.. just in time for vacation. So, since it’s even after the time that we normally leave for Gillette and he’s still not home yet, we all just may be watching the game from the couch tonight. We’ll see.

I’ll post another update as soon as I know anything. And oh yah… Go Pats!

Seems like it’s been forever since my last post and yes, I’ve had quite a busy time of it since. I spent Thursday and Friday at the PECS training which cut my time at home short. I did get my hands on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as soon as it was released! My initial plan was to hit up BJ’s when it opened on Saturday morning but someone mentioned going to Stop and Shop at midnight (rather than Borders) to avoid the crowd. Lo and behold, I was in line at 11:54 and was HOME by 12:15! Rather than jump right in though, I chose to re-read the last 5 chapters of book 6 to get up to snuff. As of right now I’m up to chapter 12 (and I know that friends are dying to discuss it with me but I’ve been swamped and haven’t had much time to read… I’m trying!)

On Saturday, Kelsea and I took the train to Boston to deliver a sewing machine to a friend who needed to borrow it. There were plenty of HP7’s to be seen that day for sure. We met up with Kroosh and Whitney, had lunch and spent a couple of hours talking New Media and enjoying each others’ company. Saturday night was all about Bella and trying to squeeze in some reading.

On Sunday, Al and I went with MJ and Louie on the Bay Queen for a brunch cruise to Newport. None of us had ever been on it before and had a great time. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect that’s for sure. I was so hot walking around the shops that I decided to look for a pair of shorts.. I found a pair of striped Bermudas in my size but a look at the price tag of $168 and I decided that sweating in long pants wasn’t that bad after all!

Al’s anxiously awaiting the return of his boat from the repair shop (took in for an initial tune up, etc.) and wants to give it a whirl (or two) before carting it up to New Hampshire in August. My life has been all about Bella, trying to get technical stuff done on the websites and blogs in anticipation of Training Camp starting this Friday, and doing physical therapy for my back. (Of course, the usual MommyCab and Cinderella duties never cease and are just part of everyday life.)

Unfortunately, Bella is going to need surgery to repair her Cherry Eye and her consult is next week. I’m worried about the timing of surgery because of our vacation but I’ll have to cross that bridge when we get there. She’s doing well except for her backslide with the housebreaking. She goes every time we head out (multiple times) but still pees on the floor whenever she wants. She was doing pretty well with going out on a schedule, every time she woke up and after eating and play but I guess I loosened the reins too soon on the amount of area in the house that she’s got access to that now she’s peeing all over my parlor. Ironically, even if she goes out and pees outside, she’ll still do the “big one” in the house within a few minutes. Time for me to go back to square one and not give her opportunity to make that mistake. But for now… pure bliss….

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