Early Morning

Last night was a late one. It began with Gin Rummy, which I lost. The cocktail, a French Martini, was really good, though. Then the boys, mine plus a few stragglers watched The Mummy, while I read one of the many books I picked up from the new, most amazing library I found.

We live in a pretty cute little city, but it has the worst libraries. Coming from northern CA, where there were some great libraries and then Boulder, CO, where...oh my...my dream library existed.

I could walk the boys along the creek, stopping for a tea along the way before coming to a big, beautiful 'mother-of-all' libraries.

We spent an awful lot of time there.

And then we moved here and the library nearby is just OK.

The other night on a drive, we discovered a big newer library near the ocean. And better yet, it has lots of books.

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So, back to last night. My girlfriend picked up the boys from basketball and stopped in as she was dropping Alex off. Her son has been filling the extra chair at our table this week.

"Mizz B...what's that smell?"

Ummm...roast chicken.

The boys run to the oven and open the door.

"Mommmmm! I am so staying here for dinner!"

My girlfriend (who cooks, by the way) was trying to tempt them with the food she had a home but it was a no go, so Austin stayed for supper.

I dreamed all my life for these moments.

Never mind that they doused everything in Tabasco.

sigh.

This morning I got up early and worked in the garden. Lots of little weeds and the final eggplant came out. It's now empty and I am so ready for the Spring planting. There is a huge tomato sale at a local college...they have a horticulture program and raise seedlings, and I have been browsing the catalog. I've narrowed it down to like 34 varieties.

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Matthew was out of the house early...he is at a car show with some friends. He got the 'car gene' from somewhere, but not from his parents. He and a group are getting dressed up and going to dinner tonight...it's the Winter Formal, but they decided not to go. Too expensive ($65/each), too far (Knott's Berry Farm) and too boring (according to them). So, they're getting all dressed up and going to Nick's.

Alex is out of the house already, too. He and Kyle are shooting free throws and then are going to play video games.

All day.

M has been playing Brian's new wii game...Super Mario Galaxy and has been having a blast. He won it yesterday only to discover a new land, so he probably won't move.

All day.

Brian is cuddling with his dad. In his matching PJ's. Too cute.

The cats are still trying to catch the mouse.

I am going to walk my neighborhood and catch up with the girls, finish cleaning out my laundry room and make a chicken pot pie.

And read.

All day.

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Oops!

We've been hit.

And I never, ever, not once thought it could happen to us.

Identity theft.

I wasn't going to blog about it, but it has taken over the last few days of my life and will probably take many more to fix.

On Monday, I received a call from my local Costco saying that my check was returned for insufficient funds. I actually laughed at the guy on the phone.

Out loud.

In fact, I told him...it is impossible.

Now, on his behalf, I am sure he hears this all day long, since this is all he does. But in truth, it is nearly impossible for us to bounce a check. We bank at a credit union and our checking account comes with more overdraft protection than we would ever need. Enough to pay our bills for close to 3 months. I'm not saying that we have never dipped into it, but at 22.8% interest, it's not worth it and I can count on one hand how many times we have used it.

So, I tell the Costco guy that he must be mistaken. And he tells me he's not.

So I get off the phone and call M at work. I tell him that I've bounced a check...and he laughs.

I'm telling you...it's just not possible.

While we are talking, I get online.

And then I freak out.

I have my card. M has his card. I have my checkbook and not one check is missing.

But someone has been shopping.

There wasn't a whole lot in my checking account...M is paid only once a month and this is week 3, but there was a ton in the overdraft and it is maxed out.

Shopping.

I was on the phone to the bank while I was driving to the bank. The police are involved. We have an attorney.

Apparently, it all came from my debit card. I'm not sure exactly where, but by following the paper-less trail online, we have figured out close to when it happened and it was at either Chili's or Cheesecake Factory. A restaurant. I gave my card to the server and they copied down my card number and that little 3 digit code from the back.

And then they went shopping.

And by they, I mean she. She is a girl in her early 20's and she lives in Compton. Because of privacy laws we are not even supposed to know that, but our friend is an attorney and has friends at the police station. She bought herself some mighty nice things, including a Dell computer and many items ($6000.00 worth!) at the Apple store...online.

That's a lotta iPhones.

She was smart...until she paid her gas bill.

With my card.

What I never knew was that you can charge and charge and charge and it will go straight to your overdraft.

I could have been doing some major shopping of my own all these years.

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Live and learn.

She was also experienced.
She spent just under the 'go to jail' prosecution amount of $10,000.00.

Good for her.

She will never see the inside of a jail cell, but she will go to court. It'll take years, or so I've been told. There are just too many cases like this out there. The policeman who came to the bank to file the report was so sweet. I wasn't being especially kind at the beginning and I had to stop and apologize to him. He sees this all day...in fact, mine was the 8th similar complaint that day. He was just doing his job and I was in, well...in panic mode.

Fortunately, we will get our money back. Our accounts are frozen this week until the new ones open and the credit union where we bank, which deals strictly with teachers, will handle everything for us. It will take awhile and aside from one bounced check....and they even gave me a letter to give to Costco, it will be OK. The crazy part is that it happened so fast.

Anyway, we will be OK.

We've had things happen before and it all worked out. Last year my car window was smashed and my purse stolen. That was horrible. Quite a few years ago, someone went to Jamaica on our American Express card and it took them 10 months to work it out. That's 10 months of us making payments on a four star really cool deluxe trip that we never took, but in the end they fixed it.

This time...well, it's pretty awful right now, but it was caught early.

So, I am in need today of my friends. M is running a clinic at a local high school and I am going to meet my crazy Greek friend, Maria on Balboa Island. I am planning on consoling myself with some amazing window shopping and something really great for lunch. I need to be at Brian's school in a little bit...it's pajama day, and they're doing a little parade.

Aside from some basketball driving afterschool, I think we are all in for the night.

Life is good.

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Growing Up

Learning to tie a tie...with Dad's help.

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Bread Day

Today was the day.

The 'get the house in order or you'll have a nervous breakdown and get really, really crabby' day.

Our bedroom had become a storage area and I just couldn't deal with it any longer, so I spent the better part of the morning shoveling it out. I multi tasked and paid the phone bill and did laundry.

What a gal.

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And then? Then I made bread! Sausage bread with spinach, to go along with Escarole soup. It's cold here, you know.

Like 65 degrees cold. Definitely soup weather.

I managed to go a whole day without getting in my car, though M is now pacing the house and wants to go for a drive, so I need to hurry.

Matthew is giving his trumpet a bath, Alex is writing an essay on candy, and Brian is playing Star Wars on X-Box.

As for me...I am off for a drive with that guy that I like so much.

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This and That

Saturday night's supper...I think they're on to me.

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Sunday night's basketball game...Alex is the tallest on our team. Every player on the other team was taller than Alex. We just don't grow them very big in our town....maybe it's the NorCal water?

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Great game...we lost by 2.

Tuesday's dirt. Small house...lotsa dirt.

It's been pretty busy. Last night I dropped boys off to practice and met up with some friends to see a movie...p.s. I love You. OK...and Enchanted. We sneaked into a 2nd movie. 4 middle aged wives of church workers. Anway, there was no one in the late movie so we talked the whole way through.

This morning came early and I had an early PTA meeting. Plus, I was in charge of snack...but January is so easy because everyone is on a diet and doesn't eat much.

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It was then time to count money from our book fair way back in early December, followed by a trip to the bank. Not my bank...but watch for a blog on our banking issues soon. My heart isn't strong enough right now.

I was home in just enough time to do the floors.
And feed the cats. And play Guitar Hero.

M is back at work and the whole phone system is down, so I am assuming he's coming home for supper. Brian is playing outside, Alex is on his way home from an afterschool tournament, and Matthew has practice tonight. Supper will be pork chops...or Stonefire Grill. I'm leaning towards Stonefire.

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Sunday

Cough. Cough.

Sniffle.

AH-CHOO!

Is it possible that we are STILL passing this cold around?

Yep.

Last night was a full table, though we lost 1 and gained 2 more.

Brian had a neighborhood sleep-over at his friend Nathan's house, two doors down. Matthew had Jenn over and Alex had Austin over...all at the last minute. It was a lively crew and fortunately I had made a huge hunk 'o meat and mashed potatoes, so everyone was happy.

The cute picture would go here, but blogger is not cooperating today.

That's OK.

This morning came early and off to church we went. After, we came home and had lunch and nappers were everywhere. Alex has a late game today, in town, so we'll be leaving in a bit.

It's been cold and drizzly here for days and I am so needing that sun to peek out. My mood is matching the sky right now...kind of gloomy and grey. The house is in shambles...OK, not shambles, but definitely out of order. Christmas stuff is everywhere. Leaves from outside are everywhere. People are everywhere.

I like the people, but I am tired of the mess.

Anyway, supper will be baked ravioli and garlic bread. Brian and Matthew can eat while we are at the game and the rest of us will eat around 7:15pm when we get home. Backpacks still need to be put together, but I have already warned every male in this house that they are going to bed early.

I did watch Music and Lyrics today and that movie just cracks me up. Gotta buy that one.

Maybe while I am at Costco, alone, this week.

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Last Day Off

On Monday, 4 out of 5 of us return to the hustle bustle of life.

And I get to enjoy a clean house for a few hours a day.

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Not much going on today...in fact, it is 4:20 and I am already in my PJ's. Alex is at practice and actually had rides both ways...shocker!, Matthew is practicing his trumpet and Brian is finishing up a blissful day of being outside with friends.

M and I took Maggie to be spayed and have already picked her up. Mollie is angry and hissing and growling at her...Matthew walked by her and told her to 'grow up'.

Too funny.

So, until something exciting happens...OH!...we are on rain alert....does that count?

Here's to today:

A man on my roof.

An asparagus frittata. Guitar Hero on wii...the songs were driving me crazy, so on went his headphones.
MORE guitar hero..and BTW, I can now play Slow Ride with almost no mistakes!
The guys. Denzel, in the blue, had 3 brain tumors removed the day after Christmas. Pathology isn't back yet, but he is doing amazingly well!
And while driving the crew to Denzel's house, who happens to live in a gated community...which in our town just cracks me up. Nothing ever happens here, so why have a gate? Anyway, I learned that gates aren't always motion sensitive and that anti-lock brakes work really well, yet sound HORRIBLE.

But at least I STOPPED. And why oh why did I listen to my 14 year old when he said, 'Run it!!" ????

Not something I will easily forget either, as I had a carload of boys.

Lovely.