In Other News...

Yes, things around here continue to be chock full of fun.  No, really, I mean it this time.

Very few people have more fun than Team Myers.  We are "this" close to being out of laundry, and the framing project has come to a shrieking halt and the grocery situation is dire.

In other news?  Today? is DEADLINE day. 

Hallelujah, Priase the Lord, Pass the Peanuts, do ALL the things. 

And I have to go drive Soccer Car Pool.   This is so NOT drinking martinis and celebrating. 

sheesh. 

Yeah... I'm audit staff.  Somehow?  Not a lot of e-cards referencing audit deadline.  Hmmm.

Thank you for tolerating FTL during this audit season.  Angst brought to you courtesy of GASB 63 and the newly annointed Net Position.  (WTH was wrong with Net Assets, I will never know)

K. Gotta go be a soccer mom.  See y'all soon (yes, that means BOTH of you, bah!)

Muah!

Charlie-girl

Vacation... the Replay

Favorite Bridge into Delaware

So.  Vacation.  With the chickadees (who I adore)(as you no doubt have realized)(and not even because I HAVE to)(Okay fine, sometimes because I HAVE to) A-hem.  

A bit of back story for you. 

(A digression?)(Say it ain't so)( too late) 

Growing up, from Ohio, to Connecticut, back to Ohio, to Upstate New York,  my family went camping for vacation. Each.and.Every.Weekend.  (which was actually super fun)(we were kids, we had NO idea how much work was involved in this)(my poor parents... good Lord) Set up ALL the things. Cook on a propane stove. Boil water for dishes. No coffee pot.  No electricity.  Bugs. Kill Me. 

To Review:  My version of camping as a kid?" Tents! and swimming! and s'mores! 
To Update: My current idea of camping?  Best Western instead of a Marriott.  #truestory

ANY. way.

When I was 16 (and had a job!)(actually 2)(some things never change, evidently)  I begged respectfully asked if we might, perhaps, just possibly, maybe, kinda could sorta "try" out a hotel for our vacation.  Dad, ever up for a goddamn teaching moment told me, " you research it, here's a budget and if you can find something, then we will go."  

PS ~  this?  was PRE internet.  (I know!)(Can you IMAGINE?) thus, I wrote to scads of Chamber of Commerce(s) down the eastern seaboard.  (The ocean was a prerequisite)  And received: catalogs.and.brochures.and.flyers.and.catalogs.and.brochures.and.flyers.  Good Heavens.  

I pored over catalogs, eliminating some resorts (as in ALL resorts) (umm, the word "resort" was not conducive with the budget)(trust me) Eventually deciding that the Bidlake clan MUST head to Delaware, and nowhere else would do.  (Ummm... I may have chosen this based on the applicable motel advertising complimentary popcorn and peach Hi-C in the lobby. All.the.day.long.) (Have I mentioned I was a fat kid?)(no, really, I was)(snacks DROVE this vacation choice)  

Best part?  In addition to the popcorn being delightful (!) Rehoboth Beach? was a hit out of the park.  My family has been going, well, since then.  We went together until I have to get a "real" (read: no vacation time for the first year)(humph) job, and my parents have gone every summer since then. (no, I'm not giving you the year)(Pretty sure the two of you reading know how old I am but I'm certainly not going to leave a map for anyone else)(heh heh) 

Oh My Word.  This is droning on for-ev-er.  Get to it, Charlie.  

SO. 

Last year, my father offered to take ALL of us to Rehoboth (okay, Dewey)(same thing) for vacation.  (even with multiple jobs, beachfront vacations do NOT figure into our little world)(yes, I know I buy a lot of shoes and clothes and ALL the things)(Hush)(there was a sale) 

And the family went.  And a new generation of seashore lovers was born. 

The chicks and the cousins

 
 And Dad, in his ultimate generosity, offered this to us AGAIN this year. (well aware of how lucky I am, trust me)(he's pretty fabulous all in all)

Turns out?  It ended up being just yours truly and the chicks this year.  Which makes for fabulous story telling.  Which I promise to do next time.  Pinky swear.  

Muah!
 

Promises, promises...

Hello, my (two) darling readers! 

I promise I have a PLETHORA of fun posts coming up, but at the moment? 

I.am.buried.in.financial.statements. 

And those? Pay the bills. 

This?  Keeps me sane.   I'll be back. Soon.  Pinky swear

Thanks for reading my drivel ~ You're the bestest... #truestory

Muah! 

Vacation Cometh ( read: Drink Wine, Read (chick lit), Repeat)

Alas, before I get to GO on the aforementioned vacation, there is the requisite mad dash to make certain all will survive in my absence here ( PS: I am ADMIN, people)( read: the world REALLY should not be ending b/c I am departing for a few days)(However?  My Boss?)(Has Micro-managing down to a fine, and also exact science) 

Oh, I kid.  He TOTALLY knew I went on vacation.  The first day I wasn't here

You almost have to admire the man.  Almost.  But.  I think I have hidden completed all the filing, found the desk surface (spoiler: it's brown Formica)(Better when it is strewn with paper)

As a sidebar, I work in the Audit Department of a medium sized CPA Firm.  I am the proofreader.  Yes, this is as exciting as it sounds. (Actually, I kinda love my job)(#truestory) This means I read.financial.reports. for a living. (yup. on purpose, even)  Most of these reports are generated based on the Governmental Accounting Basis. (That would be GASB)(That is actually a group of men)(Oh, yes, I'm sure they are men)(sitting around and drafting new pronouncements to drive.us.me.crazy)

Any ~ Way.  ( I swear I have a point)(Stay with me)

We audit 31 school districts.  31.  All on a June 30 Fiscal Year End. 

Our State?  Has a Deadline for School Audits.

It is October 15.  

If you are familiar with Tax Land (why, yes, I DO work for the tax department as well)(*blush* I try to help where I can)(Ummm...yeah. I answer phones) School Deadline is OUR April 15th, but without clients in and out. Well, that and no wine at the office on deadline day (total discrimination)(Just sayin)

MY POINT IS...

The school financial reports start showing up at this time of year.  I should be taking at least two on vacation with me.(Each report = roughly 6 hours of work)(super fun whilst at the beach)

Sadly, the audit teams in the field are extremely a wee bit behind in report processing this year.   There is a new pronouncement (of COURSE there is) and the (2) reports I have proofed have nearly driven me to drink ( Oh I SLAY me)(that is SUCH a bad analogy)(grin)

I am, understandably, disappointed in this development 

And, this morning?  When I was finally taking a look at the paltry funds I have for the upcoming vacation?  And was quite puzzled as to WHY suddenly I have ummm...not.so.many.dollars? I checked back through said checking account.(<---- See what I did there?)

(this is, to be clear, the "household account")(very fancy)(errrm, I may have learned the hard way that I need a household account, else, the shoe budget takes precedence over, ummmm... ALL.ELSE.)(Well, not wine)

Said Household Account is for, well... Household stuff (Descriptive much?)( Money obviously well spent on that English and Writing degree) The Mortgage for example.  Which I religiously pay on time (my dad is on the deed with me)(long story)(but I am NEVER late with that payment)(trust me on this) (Not that I am late on other things, of course)(Oh, never mind)

Somehow.  In the midst of cursing navigating the change from Net Assets to Net Position and the Rewording of GASB Statement No. 63 on those first two school reports?

I.paid.the.damn.mortgage.twice. (yes, really)(so, September will be glorious)(I'll be practically wealthy)

Oh Vacation...  Evidently, I need you more than I even knew....   Hey Adirondacks... here we come. 

Oh, and also?  Bachelor #1?  A bit of a tool.  Bachelor #2?  Still in the running.  First official date (lunch and coffee totally didn't count)(real dates have to involve nighttime)(the world according to Charlie girl) is to take place after vacation.  Film at 11 (or, well, not)(but I will tell you stories)(if there are any)(fingers crossed)

Twirl, Baby, Twirl

Yeah, so it's DCI (Drum Corps International) World Championships Week. 

In pageantry land (where the sky is really, really pretty) this is HUGE.  I never had the chance to march drum corps (My parents insisted I WORK during the summer)(I know!)(Possibly still a tiny bit bitter) 

The camaraderie of summer tour buddies endures forever, and it is.all.over. Facebook this week, 

And I love to watch it from the fringes, because, even if I didn't march tour (and by marching said tour?)(get incredibly skinny every summer)(dammit)  I still "get it." 

Pageantry, or "twirls"  as I more affectionately call it (I have swayed many friends to that term)(proud of self)(just sayin)  has on overreaching similarity, whether we marched High School Marching Band (check) High School Winterguard (check) Independent Winterguard (check) or Drum Corps (sad face)

What these kids do is nothing short of amazing, and this weekend in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy, they will wrap up a season which began months and months ago, covering for some, entire portions of the country.  On a tour bus. Rehearsing in strange stadiums, on borrowed football fields and sleeping in random gymnasiums, armories, and on the bus. 

I love that I work with so many drum corps people during the winter season, as now (a scant 20 years past my age out year)(Performers "age out" at 22)(because they SHOULD)(but that's a soap box for another day)  I am getting an increased awareness and understanding of the mechanics of tour, of on the road, of on the fly rehearsing and of crazy tan lines (true story)

So ~ there's a brief testament to the wonderful world of drum corps. Not even sure why I brought up the topic, save for Facebook is saturated with it this week and, someday?  I may get out there to see it.(doubtful)(stupid schedules) But I promise you?  I will live vicariously, to be sure. 

 Oh, and should you want an idea of what I do all winter?  Go here:  What is Winterguard?
 (OMG!  I added a link.  Who now thinks she is WAY too cool?) 

'Cause? Trust me.  You will hear all.about.it.all.winter.long.  (Okay, not really)(but it is pretty fabulous stuff)(and pretty much consumes me)(all.winter.long)

A Tale of Two Bachelors... and a Box Wine Party

 

 

 

 

So... one of my dearest friends and I several months ago, decided we MUST have a Box Wine Gala.  And Gala we did.  A fabulous group of ladies gathered under tents to sample ALL the wine this past weekend. (spoiler: there was A LOT of wine)(It was glorious)(We are SO doing this every year)(Next year there will be a band)(True Story)

 

We decided to start small, with a group of 12 women.  And Pierre. (He's one of my gay husbands) (I have several)(Also a True Story) I work in pageantry, after all, people.  There's maybe 4 straight men total. (And they're all married)(sigh) 

A-hem. 

Twinkly AND Sparkly Attire was Requested

We DID provide snacks (lots and lots of carbs)(absorption properties, and all)(NOT our first rodeo, people)(as the non gluten girl in this bunch, you can IMAGINE how much I had to eat)(occupational hazard... I was HOSTING, thankyouverymuch)

The lovely Mrs. Lane, Winner of the Twinkly/Sparkly Award

Prizes were awarded for being the "sparkliest" (totally a word)( I was a ENGLICH LIT major, after all)(THERE's a useful degree)(Whoops... back on task)

1st Annual Box Wine Gala Group Photo

 Peter and his group of "hot chicks" (His straight friends get pretty irritated by all this)(heh heh)

Who has More Fun?

See, Now I'm just piling on photos because I can.... But WOW, it was a gorgeous day. (Sidebar:  I seriously can.not get a handle on the whole racerback thing)(Useless info?  You're welcome)

...and then... there came the Dance Party.  Thankfully, few photos exist

Errrmmm.... I'll admit I am a bit fuzzy on the dance party portion of the afternoon evening. (In my defense?  I had no children, plus a safe ride home and had fully planned on doing ALL the things)(and I DID make it to church the next day)(#noheathenshere)(#dontaskwhatthesermonwas)

SUCCESS!  See you Next Year!

And that, my lovelies, is the tale of the First Annual Box Wine Gala.  We made a pact that what happens at the Gala stays at the Gala however, so if you are reading this?  Promptly forget everything you just learned, mmmkay?  Thanks, you're awesome. 

Oh... you want to know about the Bachelors TOO?  I'll be back with that tale.  It is only just beginning, after all.   Muah!

Internet Dating... Bachelor #1

Hmmm.  Where to even begin.  

So, yes.  the internet dating "thing."  I go back and forth on my thoughts here (and... who's shocked?)(No-one?)(Moving on, then.) 

Years ago, when I first jumped off this cliff jumped on this bandwagon, I made a deal (with myself)(I don't ALWAYS share my crazy)(well, not right AWAY anyway)  I would take each.and.every.first.date.I.was.offered.  

No need to inquire as to how many second dates happened.  If memory serves?  There were 12 first dates.(and two seconds)(Yes, two)  I have since abandoned this logic. (may not have been my brightest moment)(truth in advertising here at FTL)  BEST part about that summer? (forever known as "the summer of reckless dating")  Approximately ten of those twelve dates?  Same restaurant. (It's a small town, I have LIMITED options for dining)(and I prefer not to pay my sitter for the extra hour commute to civilization town)

Any. way. 

For some ungodly reason (Ummm, I'm insane?) I thought, "Hey! Let's me, myself and I do a month on Match.com.  (Until I forgot to cancel it)(now it's two months)

And, I am pleased to say, Bachelor #1 made his debut (via a lunch date)(Safety first, kids) a few weeks ago.  Then, ALL the girlfriends descended.  No time for dating, there is wine to drink! and sun to sit in!

(and liquor store clerks to... yeah. Never mind)  

This type of logic may have factored into the liquor store clerk situation

 
And to his credit, Bachelor #1 was very understanding about all of this, and completely disappeared gave me some space for a week or so.  And, ummm?  I'm a girl.  We, uhhh, OVER analyze ALL the things.(If this is coming as news to anyone, we need to get you out more)(just sayin.)    

I decided he had probably met someone else closer to home (crazy man drives nearly 2 hours to take me out)(I know!) and went back to trolling the waters of Match.com. (ooh! and I'm totally having lunch with a DOCTOR this week)(I know!)

Ummmm... but then Bachelor #1 was back.  And, evidently?  Still interested.  Sigh.  This is where my special brand of crazy kicks in. This.just.gets.confusing! (inner dialogues ensue: Which guy did I tell THAT story to?)(Dammit, did I wear that to date #1 or #4?)

PS: I realize these are completely #firstworldproblems, trust me

So anyway.  We went.  We had dinner.  We had, I think, a lovely time.  I "sorta" heard from him the next day (random text)(all seems fine)(but then he disappears again)(and then I'm confused again)(who wants to live in MY head?)(exactly) 

And that, my lovelies is the tale of Bachelor #1.  Lunch with the Doctor (we shall call him Bachelor #2, I believe)(cause I'm orginal and creative like that)comes up later this week.  Stay tuned.  

Muah! 

  

Note to Self... Sometimes? You really CAN'T go back

Trust me on this one.  Pinky Swear.

So.... those of you who enjoy my Facebook ramblings, may recall a few weeks ago when a (YOUNG) man asked yours truly out. (Yes, he is the clerk at the liquor store)(Yes, I am there, errrmm... frequently)(What? I'm social, OK?)

This seemed like a fabulous idea at the time ( And, ummm? FLATTERED, much?)(Totally had to buy extra wine this weekend for a party)(Also? Totally went out of my way to go when he was working)(Because, evidently?  I am twelve.years.old)

I will say that the voice of reason started to whisper in the back of my head right about then. (Sigh) Knowing full well I have one night a week to "date" (true story)(my calendar is a wee bit tight) perhaps I should be reserving said one night a week for, oh, I don't know... gentlemen of a certain age? (I am rarely this sensible)(I don't expect it to last) 

Here's the thing.  When I was in my late mid twenties?  The men of my generation weren't quite so, umm... determined.  This young man was NOT taking no for an answer. (gulp)(To his credit, he is very sweet)(And knows full well how I old am)(Well...okay, he SORTA knows how old I am)

I had a HOUSEFUL of guests over the weekend.  They, too, thought this was fabulous.  And they thought they should ALL come along.  To meet the boy.  And his "buddies."  At a college bar. (Oh, yes)(Go right ahead and do THAT math)

I should perhaps take this opportunity to mention shortly after arriving at the bar (we didn't see them right away)(totally thought I was getting out of this)(not so much) I was informed by said young man that he is planning to marry me. (WHA??) Ummm... additionally, he informed me immediately after I told him I have two children, thankyouverymuch, that I will be having three more.  All Boys.(Again, WHA???)(Well, of course all boys)( I may have choked on my wine)

Can.not.make.this.stuff.up. 

Sidebar:  My house guests were COMPLETELY enjoying this show.  Especially when the "boys"  texted later that they had plenty of friends, and we should come over and "hang out" (In student housing)(Damn, I didn't get those kind of invites when I LIVED in student housing) 

We, however, after drinking ALL the wine in the finger lakes over the long weekend?  Chose to politely decline, and disregard the continued invitations (They are persistent, these boys)(Should this saga continue?)(I'll be sure to fill you in)

So... this here interweb-ey dating "thing"

I have, at various times in the last few five eight years, found myself to be single.  This was always sometimes my choice, sometimes my horrible poor choices in men and sometimes their choice (I know!)(Can you even IMAGINE?)

Thus, I have had, let's just say, some "experience"  with the PLETHORA (seriously, there are a kajillion)(totally a number) of sites out there.   Because I am also blessed with perennially single friends (Errm, no offense)(It's not us, it's them)(really)we have collectively visited ALL the sites.  (well.... let's just say, there are some which are more "specific" in terms of what the, ummm, "participants" desire)(Yeah, we haven't dabbled in those)(It takes all kinds, evidently)

A-hem.

So.  I now have the research, experience and history to speak authoritatively (trained professional here, people) on said sites.  (Opinions are my own)(Well...and my single girlfriends)(wine may have been involved)

Ready?  (I'll be brief)(stop laughing)

1. eHarmony.  Realize too late (while at work) that one REALLY needs to set aside a half day for the quiz.  Half-ass  pay detailed minimal attention to the questions.  Answer them as fast as you can. They.go.on.forever.  (Oh, you say to me, "but this is how we get matched on ALL the levels")(Uh-huh) Send in your fee(NOT small)(But I'm getting Married! you say to me)(Uh-huh) Submit Profile.

.......wait for the magic......
 
find future husband.  Seven.States.Away.(true story)(well, except for the future husband part)

2. Plenty of Fish.  FREE! (yay!)(what frugal men must be on this site)(until they solicit umm... let's just say, "services") OMG. Cannot.Log.Off.Fast.Enough.The End. 

3. Singlesnet.  This is tricky.  It's free. (sorta) One of the 2 parties needs to be a paying member in order to communicate (advice: Always make the boy pay)(Of course I'm liberated)(But let's not start a precedent here, mmmkay?) Also? Why, why, why so many men without.their.shirts.on?

4. OKCupid.  To be fair, friends have had luck here (and GOODIE for them, we say!)(not sure who this sudden "we" is I am referencing)(Moving on)  I had a lovely dinner with a man 22 years my senior.(He really was darling)(not quite my cup of tea)( He actually DID take me out for tea)(true story) 

5. Chemistry.  Trying to be eHarmony, but a bit racier (see above, re: this are ONLY my opinions)(don't get mad Chemistry people) More quizzes. More "deep" questions.  Also?  Gentlemen? A five paragraph essay? A bit much (see above: covertly doing this at work)

6. Match.  Yup. The biggie.  The one we all know about. (The one I KEEP forgetting to tell Paypal to STOP paying) Meh, it's fine. Same men, different screen names. (yawn)(but, *bonus* you can block those gentlemen (term used VEERRY loosely) requesting "services") Oh! and they have "mixers!" Get together! Meet ALL the singles! At cooking class! And the Bowling Alley!(shoot me)(it's just not my thing)(but really, go!)(mingle to your heart's content!) 

7. Christian Mingle.  OK.  Sure.  God has a plan, I get that (No, I really do) Errrm... but when one sees the IDENTICAL profile one has seen on four.other.sites. (I swear I don't stalk)(It was research) (sheesh) with the obligatory:  "May God Bless You" added? And sometimes, for flair? A scripture verse?(really, guys?)(a LITTLE effort?)(too much to ask?) 

Whew.  So, there's my initial recap. (still reading?)(you TOTALLY get a sticker) 

Up Next?  Helpful Hints for the Internet Dater.(for realz)(I am NOTHING if not informative)

For the Love...

So... A Blog.

Alrighty then.  Here goes.  For the five two people who MAY read this, here's a random list which make help to understand the rambling posts which are sure to follow. (Occasionally)(When I feel I have something to say)(Which?  Oh, please... when DON'T I have something to say) (A-hem) 

1.  "Real" Name: Cheryl.  What most people call me?  Charlie (that was my dad's concoction) (When I was 11)(so, NO, I don't think its because he suddenly had wished for a boy)(I don't think)

2.  I'm really, REALLY good at demolition.  I own a house built in 1841.  This means lathe and plaster walls.  The demo stories?  Inevitably don't end the way I want them to (although I keep trying)(And I run a mean Sawzall)(whilst wearing my pearls)(I have standards, people)

 3. The RE- construction part which comes after said demolition?  Yeah, Not so much. (I'll no doubt have MUCH to say this summer as I attempt to frame the wall I took out)(A year ago)(What? I got busy)

Wall Demolition, Summer 2012 (what? The soccer game was cancelled, we had to do SOMETHING)

4. I work in the world of Pageantry (No, not honey Boo-Boo)(Although I DO count "Mr.Todd" from TNT as a close friend)(Ummm...Toddlers and Tiaras?)(No, I don't watch it)(Oh! Umm...Unless you're on, Todd!  Then I am, of course, GLUED to the screen) My pageantry world?  Marching Band and Colorguard. (I call it"twirls")

5. My two chickadees mean the world to me (except for when they're driving me crazy)(It's not a far drive)(but still)

6. My car is a wreck.  I blame the chickadees (It's my own fault)

7. I operate a small dance studio and teach Pilates/Barre class.  You know, to like, grownups.  About 3 months into teaching said class?  I realized I should maybe "put up or shut up"  So, I'm in the process of losing some pounds.  This becomes a tedious process.  I refuse to give up coffee creamer. or gin.or wine.  So, more exercise it is.

8. There are days I will skip dinner in order to have a cocktail. (Not enough that it's a problem) (Trust me, I've asked around)(It was a very scientific study)

Detroit Airport. Terminal C. Ummm...They know me there... is that bad?

 9. I'm attempting internet dating.(ah-gain) Prayer is welcome

10. I'll never pretend to be a serious writer.  I have an overwhelming love of parenthesis.  I write how I talk. (I have a problem staying on task)(true story)(I'll get to my point)(eventually)

11. I'm trying to become a runner.  I kinda suck at it. But it makes for interesting stories.

I actually don't run in Chucks.  But they're way cuter than my running shoes.

12. I live in the middle of dairy farm country, and favor stilettos and black dresses. (I totally blend).

13. I have no idea what I'm doing here.  But my FB friends think this is a good plan. (If they say it on Facebook, it must be true)(right?)(....crickets....)

I'm now going to fly in the face of convention and leave this at 13. (bad luck?)(oh please)(wait til you hear read about me TRYING to fly anywhere)(Every.weekend)(all.winter.long)  

....and here we go :)  Thanks for coming along for the ride...ummm, Read? Yeah. Read.