Friday Odds and Ends

May 16, 2014

Happy Friday, Readers!

Boy, what a whirlwind week here.  Sunday, of course, was Mother’s Day and the Listen to Your Mother-Boulder show, and let me tell you, those women rocked it! It was exhilarating and inspiring and funny and sad and just…wow. It was a little nerve-wracking for me, having to sit onstage and hear these women just kill it, knowing that I was going last and hoping against hope that I wouldn’t disappoint when it came to be my turn.

Does that sound selfish?

Seriously, though, everyone brought their A-game, and I was terrified that I’d mess up! Gaa! Thankfully, once I walked up to the podium, my hideous case of the Nervous Nellies evaporated. I just suddenly felt so thrilled and honored to be there, sharing a stage with these women I’ve bonded so closely with in a few short months.

I also fretted over the snowy weather, but I needn’t have worried. We still had a full house. My only big regret was that the shitty weather prevented Mama and Daddy from attending. They got a foot of snow where they live! Crazy spring weather in the Rockies…

But that’s okay, because by summertime, the performances will be accessible via You Tube, so they didn’t really miss a thing. I’ll make sure and give a holler when the videos are up.

I was so revved up after the show that I didn’t fall asleep until 2am–thank GOD my awesome husband took Monday morning off work so I could get some rest. Does that man know me or what? He knew I was going to be a wreck afterwards!

And truly, I have been weirdo all week. Exhausted and worthless at some times, overjoyed and energized at others. No rhyme nor reason, but the man has been so tolerant and helpful with all things house/girls/school. I’m a lucky girl.

Speaking of school, it’s the last full week for the girls. And yeah, the end-of-school freakshow is in full throttle mode. Can I just mention here how hard I suck at the end-of-school freakshow?

I suckity-suck.

I don’t want to attend any last-minute activities (and why, why, do they always cram a bunch of them in those last weeks?)  I don’t want to help my children with end-of-the-year projects. We have a shit ton of those, too. I don’t want to attend end-of-year luncheons (2). I don’t want to monitor field trips to the zoo (Miss M.) or attend award ceremonies, even when my own kid is receiving an award! I. Am. Horrible.

It’s doubly hard for me to focus because a week from today, my ass will be in a plane, flying to ITALY. Ack! I’m so excited for this adventure, but can I tell you something? I’m also really agitated and apprehensive.

God, do I ruin everything?

Yeah, I do. Even the good stuff.

You see, we’ve been scrimping and saving for this trip for four whole years. So everything has to be perfect. Even things we can’t control, like the weather. I’m sick that way. It’s just that the Travel Gods sort of hate my ass, so I never know what to expect, although I can pretty damn well expect some form of assholery, so I get all jangly inside just thinking about it.

Ok, I’ll shut up.

Ok, not quite yet. I want to tell you a few details about the trip. The Minxes will be in Houston with hubs’ extended family. I’m waiting for the guilt to kick in but so far, nada. I know they’ll be spoiled rotten and getting tons of cousin-play and adventures to cool places like San Antonio. They’re in good hands.

I do feel a little guilty about the Mozz-Man, but we actually shelled out for him to have a “doggie suite” at the doggie spa, so I have the feeling he won’t miss me at all. Hmph.

As for hubs and I, we’re starting our travels in Venice (aka: the most ridiculously over-priced city in the universe).

Then it’s off to Florence and Rome and, finally, Capri. I campaigned mightily for a few extra days in Capri, the place of blue-green waters and lemon-scented air.  My husband is a history buff, so I know he’s going to push us at whirlwind pace through Venice/Florence/Rome, and I wanted a chance to catch my breath after all of that running and history-ing.

I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Even the inevitable assholery parts.

I’ll end this post with a little Mozzy anecdote. Mozzy is absolutely gorked out over his first experience with spring. He thinks spring is the bombalooza. All he wants to do is scamper around outside and chew sticks and roll in wet, stinky dirt. He’s intoxicated by the smell of new flowers and fresh bird shit. He wants to eat all sorts of greenery that makes him throw up and chase our garden-eating rabbits.

Watching the Mozzerator puppy-tumble into spring makes me feel a little bit like a kid, too.  His joy over the longer days and the warmer winds is palpable. His antics force me to slow down and remember and appreciate the little gifts life throws at you sometimes.

I’m learning from a dog.

 

He’s a pretty good teacher.

Much love to you, readers.

{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

Jody May 16, 2014 at 7:18 am

You are not allowed to be stressed out in Italy. It is antithetical to the culture. That said, I am a big believer in taking a vacation from your vacation from time to time. Don’t be afraid to just sit sip wine and people watch and feed the pigeons for a few hours whenever you feel like it, okay? Everything is so beautiful there – take time to look.

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Abby May 16, 2014 at 7:21 am

Holy shitballs, you do have a lot going on! But thankfully it’s mostly all good stuff, even though like you I tend to take the best things ever and somehow turn them into a stress or some kind of fiasco. However, I have faith that like everything else you stress about, it will all turn out wonderful and great and I will be forever jealous.

Keep rocking it, woman.

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ayalaa May 16, 2014 at 7:57 am

Smiles…so happy it went so well and sorry your parents didn’t make it.

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Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri May 16, 2014 at 8:28 am

Kitch,

Sounds like you’ve been good busy. That’s a great place to be.

You will absolutely love Italy. I cannot wait to hear about your travels. The minxes will be great in Houston (I lived there for 3 years). They must check out the Children’s Museum (one of the best in the country).

Safe travels, my friend. xoxo

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Jennifer May 16, 2014 at 10:49 am

I felt the exact same way the week after LTYM. It is amazing and wonderful and fabulous and then it is a dead stop that makes for a hard landing.

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Erica May 16, 2014 at 12:20 pm

Kitch, you never disappoint. Have a guilt-free and worry-free trip! Oh, and take lots of pics of all the yummy food you eat! xoxo

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Biz May 16, 2014 at 2:24 pm

I can’t wait to see the video on YouTube – I have no doubt that you did awesome.

And hooray for a grown up vacation! My FIL is from Florence, came over here when he was 12 – and Tony has spent several SUMMERS there growing up – yes you read that right SUMMERS!

We have yet to make the trip, and with Tony’s health not sure we will, but in the meantime I will live vicariously through you – hugs!!

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Tiffany May 16, 2014 at 3:49 pm

May is bananas! I can’t wait to see your performance and hear all about Italy!!

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Mr TKW May 16, 2014 at 4:58 pm

One thing I have to remember when we get back from our trips is to scour the house for concealed weapons. Our son, when home alone, keeps such things around to handle would-be home invaders. I’ve found softball bats and knives in the weirdest places!

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S in AK May 17, 2014 at 11:42 pm

Softball bats and knives seem reasonable to me! ; )

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Barbara May 17, 2014 at 4:36 am

Don’t worry, you’ll have a marvelous time. No kids. Just you two. Enjoy the time together in such a wonderful country. The art, the cuisine, the churches…I loved it all. Lucky you!

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Shannon May 17, 2014 at 6:31 am

Congrats on LTYM! I can’t wait to see the video!
I eagerly anticipate all of you Italy stories and pictures. It is at the top of my list of places to visit. Please, eat some gelato for me.

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Pamela May 17, 2014 at 7:40 am

I love all of this.

Your kids get out of school early!

So happy about Italy!!!

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Pam May 17, 2014 at 2:16 pm

You were AMAZING and brought your A game just like everyone else did at LTYM and Italy is going to be amazing!!! Please have a gelato for me. Enjoy!!!!!!

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S in AK May 17, 2014 at 11:42 pm

So much of what you share seems so familiar. There isn’t anything I can’t find to stress. It’s nice to watch you be so successful with/despite all of it. Also, I am charmed to the tips of my toes by the love your husband shows you. Finally, I, also, am looking forward to the vid. Hope your trip is totally assholery-free.

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Alison May 18, 2014 at 11:56 pm

OMG I am so excited for your couples-only trip to Italy!! Not enough assholery will negate the trip.

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Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes May 19, 2014 at 11:39 am

Sometimes dogs are good guides, because they go by their instincts.
And a foot of snow…really!In May!

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elizabeth May 21, 2014 at 4:23 am

I cannot wait to a.) watch your performance on YT when it’s up and b.) hear about all of your travels through Italy. Just make sure to insist on stopping often for pasta and gelato if Mr. KW insists on covering lots of historical ground in Rome/Florence/Venice. It’s only fair!

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Mary Lee May 21, 2014 at 9:46 am

Your trip sounds quite wonderful. And the Minxes in Texas. . . wow! I hope Texas is ready for them. Sounds like a special adventure. Have they been before?

I hope you have a turbulence-free (and that includes ass-holeryness), sunny, 70-degree, romantic, perfect accommodations, not-a-single-bump-in-the-road trip.

Buona gianata! Ciao! Ciao!

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Lisa @ The Meaning of Me May 24, 2014 at 8:55 am

We can learn a lot from our pets…kind of wise in their own annoying and weird little ways. ;)

The trip sounds wonderful but I admit I would very likely be feeling much as you are. More in recent years, I let things stress me out to a ridiculous degree and I can’t even go to dinner and a movie without wondering if Kidzilla will be somehow adversely affected. Damn that guilt thing!

Please tell me how yours are finished with school??? We aren’t finished until June 13th and I want to pull my hair out!

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Dawn in Mi May 24, 2014 at 7:13 pm

All of that and what can I say except…HE’S ADORABLE!!!

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