Itchy Eyes

I have to admit that I really feel like it would feel heavenly to pretty much scratch my eyes out right now. I have pretty bad fall allergies and on the days the wind blows, I get so many allergens in my eyes that they look like I'm high and I'm sure I look like someone possessed because I can just rub and rub and rub my eyes until they hurt. Oh well, they'll only last for another couple of weeks. Here's to Benadryl and Zyrtec-D!

Plumbing

I have to admit I went to the library and got a book on plumbing. I decided a while ago (and I'm just now getting around to it) that I need to know something about everything. So, having recently taken advantage of the requesting of books from all over the county, I came in possession of a book about plumbing. Wouldn't it be great if I could know enough to caulk around my sinks and tubs? I'd feel very very accomplished if I could change out fixtures. And maybe I wouldn't get the run around when I needed something fixed if I could give an idea of what the problem is. Or maybe even fix it myself. Lofty goals, I know, but this is my attempt to be an educated person. For so long I've been doing the mothering thing that I've gotten to know alot about topics that have to do with children, like disciplining, potty training ideas, crafts for preschoolers, and the like. But now I think it's time to broaden my horizons and learn practical things that don't necessarily have to do with parenting. Moderation and balance in everything...including knowledge.

Sweet Potato Chips

I have to admit I've found a new favorite snack. It consists of Costco's Fire Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and homemade sweet potato chips. My mother in-law clued me in to the sweet potato chips and I'm not sure whether to be grateful or perturbed because I could eat SO MANY of those!!! I cut them into chips, shake a little smoked paprika on them and bake those puppies on 350 for about 10-15 minutes (depending on how thick you cut them). If you like them more crispy you can cook them on each side to crisp them up. I'm usually too impatient to let them crisp up so I just cook them through and then just use them to dip into that yummy hummus. Is it ridiculous when you can't wait to feel hungry again so that you can eat some more? Okay, so maybe I'm overdoing a little bit, but truly I eat them almost every day. Yum, yum, yum....

Chocolate-covered Almonds

I have to admit I just polished off about 30 chocolate covered almonds. Once I start popping those, I just don't seem to have much self-control. I guess the self-control is going to have to come in the form of not taking the first taste because I am a goner after that. That's pretty much the way it is with all snack food. I am actually quite good and not buying any junk food. On those off days, though, that I find myself weak in the grocery store, I swear I gain about 5 pounds. Once it's in my house, there is no self restraint. Moderation? What is that? Gluttony, here I come!!!! I guess it comes down to that fact that we each in our own way have to find the best way to exhibit those heavenly qualities we so desire, like self-control.

Today

I have to admit I am completely drained today. No catastrophe happened, it has just been exhausting. Little things like children tossing things out of the shopping cart (nothing breakable luckily), tossing rocks into the pool (the little tiny ones that get stuck in every place in the filtering system), children not being very obedient, my husband's ever-changing work schedule and lots of noise seem to just chink away at my energy until my normal tank and my reserves show up empty. Thank heavens for bed time to rejuvenate so that tomorrow I can be a better mom and have the drive to be productive again. As for the rest of tonight, I'm going to curl up with a great book or veg in front of a sappy romantic movie. Food for my soul, I tell you, food for my soul.

Kids say the darnedest things

I have to admit sometimes I laugh out loud at what my kids say. Yesterday I was cooking in the kitchen and I heard my kids grunting and screaming at each other. As I walked out to see what the problem was, I heard my son yelling exasperatedly at his sister, "I kidnapped you fair and square!" I couldn't even suppress my laughter.

This morning while we were all playing together, my son was taking some of my puzzle pieces. When I asked him not to, he replied, "I like to steal stuff". Only out of a child's mouth right?

Les Miserables

I have to admit yesterday I went to my first play that wasn't a college or high school production and it was FANTASTIC!!!!!! My friend's sister had kidney stones and couldn't go (sad for her) so she asked me to go. Can I just say that there are some incredibly talented people out there!!!! I've always considered myself somewhat of a singer, but I'll tell you what, never in a million years would I want any of those people to hear me sing. I had goose bumps practically the whole time because the music was so tremendous. The orchestra was amazing and, though I've never thought about it before, I actually stopped to think yesterday about how talented the sound tech was because everything sounded just like a recording. Who knew that there was such talent in the world? I'm joking of course, but I think I got my first taste of something that I've got a newly discovered insatiable appetite for. "Wicked" is showing here in March and April of next year and I think I'm definitely going to have to go. Any takers to come with me?

Allergies

I have to admit I hate having fall allergies. Who knew that allergens would be more abundant (or maybe just potent) in the fall? I certainly didn't. But I'm more than a little tired of taking a Zyrtec D right before bed and still waking up at 2am every night to blow my nose a few times to get all that yuck out. Last year my allergies lasted for about a month, but I'm really hoping that things will cool off sooner and hopefully cut down on the allergy time. Otherwise the people around me are going to wonder why I can't have more social poise than to snort and snuff everywhere. And the sneezing?! It's like I can't control my whole body heaving as it tries to expel the allergens. BLAH! To those who are in my vacinity when this happens, I'm just going to put out a general I'M SO SORRY!!!! I didn't realize how loud my sneezing had gotten either until I was sitting in my kitchen and all of a sudden I hear my 2 year-old daughter yelling "AAAACHOOOOO" as loud as she could. I had to laugh when I realized she must think that I'm trying to sneeze as loud as I can. Okay, I'll admit sometimes at home I try to let it out loud, but usually the sneezing is so violent that it's just how they come out. I just hope they realize I'm not trying to do that before they do something I'll regret in public. Happy fall, y'all!

A sweet Sweet Tri

I have to admit I had so much fun doing my triathlon. I went into it having trained some, but I didn't think I was going to do as well as I did last year, but I reached my goals for this year. I wanted to break 1 hr 30 minutes and I did that which also achieved my other goal of beating last year's time. So all in all, it was a GREAT triathlon. I convinced my sister and brother in-law to do it with me. I think my nervousness before the race drove my sister crazy because I was pointing out everything little thing that maybe I should try or that I thought was a drawback and she just kept saying to me, "You've got to STOP! You're making me so nervous!" But how can a jabbermouth like me stop the total onslaught of words streaming through my brain from just pouring out my mouth when there's that much adrenaline pumping through me? I honestly was exhausted even before I got into the pool to start because I had had adrenaline for about 2 hours just coursing through my veins. When it was all over, I really felt like I had run a marathon because of the adrenaline drain. Next year my goal is to take another 10 minutes off my time and NOT get so nervous! Happy tri-ing!