Monday, July 30, 2012

I know what I'll be doing for the next 2 weeks.

I told everyone that we weren't going to watch the Olympics.

No special reason why we weren't.

I just didn't have the desire to watch it. I liked the gymnastics, but if I didn't catch it, no big deal.

And then I kept seeing all the Facebook updates about the opening ceremonies and decided to give it a shot, just out of curiosity.

I was sucked in.

Then I told myself I was just going to watch 1 tiny little race.

After cheering loudly, arms pumping wildly, and scaring my family, I am sucked in fully.

Our TV seems to be stuck on the channel showing the Olympics. I can't stop. I want to see it all. Every single little race. I can't even say why. It sounds so boring. No offense, but I could care less about the cycling. And water polo? Really? But still, I sat there, enthralled, like it was the greatest show ever. I don't even understand HOW to play water polo. It involved half-naked men wearing shower caps, a ball and some nets. So cool.

What's wrong with me?

My TV's volume is currently at 60 after normally being around 20. I never turn the channel, unless I recorded the Olympics overnight, I will watch those recordings. I cheer loudly, scream at the judges and sigh with disappointment after a swimmer doesn't do what I want him to do. That's me. The Olympic couch judge. Be warned. If you sit near me during this time, you may be subjected to my yelling and tossing of random objects.

I'm  reviewing the schedule online and picking out the shows I want to watch, then I write them down and record that section on my TV just so I don't miss it. Forget other shows. I am sucked in to the Olympics.

If you are also into watching the Olympics all day long, please feel free to join me. Come on over and get sucked in with me. We can cheer them on, boo the judges and watch the sycronized divers.

Which is probably the best thing I've seen so far.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Fabulous Friday.

If I have to watch one more episode of Caillou....

Sorry. It's on TV right now and VERY distracting! I can hardly handle my own super whiny kids, let alone some annoying, oddly bald, 4 year old that's on TV.

Today is garage sale day. It's an official day that happens every Friday in my house.

Garage sales can happen between Thursdays and Sundays. But the day we go out is Friday. And we only go "out" if the garage sale is near our house and I can walk.

Today was a special day.

I found a hose reel for my husband for $5.

Aren't you excited?

That's not why it made it special. For him, sure. He's probably thrilled.

It's special because I found a magical toy that I had when I was a child and brought back some amazing memories.

See that house? It's a Fisher Price Little People Tudor style dollhouse from 1980. Isn't it pretty?
I let the kids look at it for a few minutes. Now it's hiding in my room.
I may play with it during their nap time.
They were fighting so I had to take it away.
I want to hoard it all for myself. 
I'll share it. Eventually.
But I don't really want to.

Look at the inside!
It's so pristine in it's oldness!
There's even WOOD PANELING!
I heart this house.
It's in great condition but didn't come with any accessories.
Which is fine since I only paid a $1!!
Yes. One whole dollar.
I'm a saver.
These are a little spendy on Ebay. I checked.


Aren't you jealous?
You should be.
I might allow you to come over and play with it.
If your nice to me.
But you have to bring your own people.
Otherwise we will just end up staring at it.
Which is what I plan on doing with the rest of my day.

I hope you're having a good Friday!
If mine gets any more exciting, I may need to take a nap.







Thursday, July 26, 2012

How a home remodel may turn into divorce papers.

Jalon and I are great together.

He's my best friend and to him, I'm the most annoying person in the world and I'm not sure how he stands me.

But we manage to get along and for the most part, we are on the same page about everything.

We have managed to pick out many houses together, we have similar tastes in design and wall color, and when it comes to decisions, our opinions are very close to the same.

Except when it comes to the HUGE house remodel that we are planning.

We are either the smartest or dumbest people you will meet. We have decided to do the ENTIRE remodel all at once. This includes the kitchen, basement, garage and part of the living room.

Seems awesome, doesn't it? I get a brand new kitchen (and bigger too!), my husband gets his huge garage that I will have lots of parties in, the basement will be nice and neat for the kids and our living room window will be not foggy anymore. Our neighbors are going to HATE us! Actually, I'm pretty sure most of them do already, but now they will actually have a valid reason for it.

It's been 1 day and already we are annoying each other. He asked me to pick out a wall color to go with our kitchen and I panicked. I can't do this on a whim!?!? I need hours, days, maybe even weeks to decide what I want to do?! I CAN'T WORK UNDER PRESSURE! I need Menards or a Home Depot. Lots of paint samples in my hands, magazines to compare to and google images for backup. Where's my Redbull?! Don't you understand that this may take more than just a 5 minute stare at a computer with 25 colors to pick from?!

He said "You haven't picked one yet?"

"ARG! It's been 3 MINUTES! I need more time! I can't do this! I am going to bed!"

So you can clearly see that this remodel is going so well already.

It's stressful. I'm excited to get these things done, because it will be better and give our family the room we need to survive as the kids get older. I think the only way my husband will keep his sanity in check is if he has a larger garage to escape to and a basement to hide in. The kitchen will be the key to my sanity. It doesn't need to be much bigger, but a little more counter space would be helpful and a "real" kitchen table to eat at would be fantastic.

But, these things come at a cost.

And I'm not only talking monetary.

What I didn't anticipate was...well, lots of things.

1. I didn't realize how long my kitchen would be out of commission. Like 3 weeks of no cooking. That's...I'm freaking out. There are no words to describe how much this bugs me. I like to cook. I love being in my kitchen and I am not a huge fan of eating out. OH MY GOD MY KITCHEN I NEED MY KITCHEN I NEED TO BAKE PIES ALL OF A SUDDEN WHAT IF I CAN'T MAKE POT ROAST. Ok. I'm done.

2. During the process of tearing down and rebuilding a brand new garage, we will not be using the backyard (my haven, my garden and the place the kids reside during the day because they would drive me up the wall otherwise) and that's making me a little nervous.

3. The living room will be out of commission, maybe not as long, but now the kids won't get TV along with no kitchen and no playing outside? I'm going to have to get a prescription for some Prozac again. There's a window to replace and expand and the basement stairs will be moving to the living room instead of the kitchen.

4. And the basement. This would be the place I would take them when all that other crap is happening and we would just live down there. But now that this is being redone...I'm not sure where else to go.

Maybe we could just live in the hallway, with the bedrooms and the bathroom. There are 4 bedrooms and a bathroom to play in. Put the microwave in my bedroom and we can just pretend, right?

I'm thinking there are some more tense moments caused by stress and a tight living situation that will arise from now until December.

Just in time for the most relaxing time of the year. Christmas. Perfect.

Toss in the regular things in our schedule, school, twins therapy at our house, Jalon heading to school again, after school activities/sports and hopefully a flu or two and you will have my version of hell.

Except it will be in a beautiful and completed home, which is what I've always wanted.

It will be a huge accomplishment if we can celebrate Christmas as a family with good presents and not by opening a divorce settlement.

Bonus points if we can do this without sleeping in different rooms after fighting about what back splash to use in the kitchen.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Retro Housewife cookbook from the 40's/50's.

stole took borrowed inherited some old cookbooks from my Parents that had once belonged to my Grandparents and at first was enthralled at how people lived/entertained and fed their families. Then I looked at the recipes.

I was grossed out.

I even threw up a little, right in the back of my throat.

I find it very interesting and a little funny how a housewife lived and cooked then and some of it was just begging to be shared. I may be the only one that finds these funny, but mostly because of how I live and cook for my family in 2012 compared to 1940-50.

I separated it into 4 categories; Recipes, Preparation/Entertainment, What the Hell? and I would actually do this. A couple pictures wanted to go into more than one category but unfortunately What the Hell? became a bit too crowded. I didn't think it was fair to the rest of them.

So here are the books I looked through and found the MOST entertaining/disgusting.


I really wish I was/had been closer to my Grandparents because I now have about a million questions that I really, really, really would like to ask.

First of all, did Breakfast REALLY look like this?
MY breakfasts consist of Cheerios stuck to the table, milk spilled on the floor and grape juice stains that don't come off until afternoon time. Pretty Breakfasts my ass.

My first category consists of Recipes.

*Warning* These recipes were picked because they gross me out. If you throw up on your computer/cell phone, you cannot blame me. What would further shock me is if someone admits they would/did eat these.

I have also warned my husband that if I get angry, he may find me creating a random recipe for dinner one night. Once you read them, you will realize how horrifying of a threat that actually is.

I don't know if you can see this. But it states that the flavor is developed by first sauteing the uncooked macaroni in hot fat. I'm scared of hot fat. I don't think I want to consume it. What the heck is hot fat? I know that people use butter/shortening/oil as fat now. But could you just buy a can of Fat from the grocery?

These are a few recipes for sandwiches, just in case you wanted to try something new. My favorite has to be the peanut butter mixed with dill and pickles. Doesn't that sound...tangy?

Really? This doesn't need any more words. But it says to stuff the squirrel and truss as a bird. I shuddered a bit at the thought of doing that.

This is gross. That's all. Just plain icky.

 
Here's that darn hot fat again. Bleh. It has cabbage so my Dad will probably make this one. Let's see if he actually reads my blog. I can see him saying something like, "I don't eat hot fat. Maybe if you used olive oil?"

My next section I've titled Preparation/Entertainment. Otherwise known as, I wish.

This is cute. A FULL out schedule for a dinner at 6. It even was thoughtful enough to include a tiny bit of free time. I could use my free time to get that darned laundry done. Thank goodness they put that there. Otherwise I would have just stood there and stared off into space until my next step came up. Now I can fill my free time with useful things. Like washing dishes.


Oh crap! How DARE they suggest I even do this! Entertain without a maid...that's just hilarious. I have things to do! Like stand there. With a drink in my hand AND look pretty. That's multitasking folks. Who else is going to do that? NO ONE I tell you.

Here's the next section, aptly titled What the Hell?

"The Fourth Meal"? Thank you for introducing us to dessert after bedtime and extra belly flab. I love the part where it says, "For breakfast, lunch and dinner you eat the things you think you should eat. But in between, you eat the things you like." Sure. That's a fantastic idea. Because I LIKE, donuts, ice cream, candy bars, Popsicles, potato chips, cookies....

This pictures is kitchen tools you should have on hand. Otherwise known as "Walk into my kitchen and I will harm/kill/maim you with the following implements." This looks like a medical book...

This part talks WAY too much about your digestive health. "Liquid foods, foods containing meat-juices or fruit acids are likely to encourage quick passage of food along the digestive tract." Or, eat this and you will poop right after. And There's a part my finger is pointing too that says "excessive fermentation". What the hell is that? Gut rot?

I really hope you can't read this. There was a recipe for Turtle soup on the next page. This section describes, in detail, how to "prepare" your turtle for the soup. If you can actually EAT the soup after doing what it states on this page, you may not be human. Poor, poor turtle.

Wow. It's a complete dinner in a jello mold! How exciting! You can see the noodles suspended in jello with peas in the middle. I'm so hungry right now. I must have a giant slab of that crap jiggling on my plate. It even says that it is the "delight of family and friends". Oh yes, delightful indeed.

Ooooh here's one with cabbage. Sounds crunchy and jiggly...how many meals can say the same?
You want the recipe now, don't you? Too bad. I'm hoarding it so I can make it for the next family
get-together. Everyone has to have a secret recipe, right? It's MINE!

Finally, I did actually find some things I may do someday. It's rare, but there's a chance I may get creative and bored in the same day.

This was actually a cute idea. Not for bed, but fun for a picnic in the living room maybe. But I would need 3 clean muffin tins and that's just not going to happen. For some reason mine are all rusted and beat up. They would be ok for my kids to eat out of, but I'm a little more picky.

Bacon Waffles. Seriously? I'm so in. I love the lumberjack dude too. Best idea they have come up with so far. Who knew that combining bacon IN your waffle would work? Yum.

I love looking through these books. It was so difficult to narrow it down to just a few disgusting options when there were so many! I picked the best, just for your viewing pleasure.

If you need any recipes, just let me know.

There's actually a tiny, small part of me that would like to try one. Just to see how it turned out.
 But not that peanut butter and pickle one. That can be left alone to die. Ew.

 




Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Pinterest is ruining my life.

I'm addicted.

There will need to be a Pintervention.

SAVE ME.

You will probably have to rip all electronic devices out of my sticky, grabby hands but it may just save my life. And my family. Trust me.

I. Can't. Stop. Pinning. Crap. Help. Me.


Ok, so the real problem isn't just pinning.


The real problem is that I think I can actually DO what I've pinned.

I love going through all those boards and searching for the new idea that will consume my brain until I do something about it. I will hunt through my husbands garage looking for steel wool or grout for the project in mind. I will turn normal every day items into useless garbage.

And I hunt through all the images, recipes and ideas, plotting, pinning and planning how I can recreate what others have come up with. I can do this for hours. Forget laundry, forget dinner, forget the fact that I have kids that may need to have their diapers changed. When Pinterest is up, I'm not all there. Not that I'm always "all there" as it is...maybe I should just stay off of Pinterest.



I look at all those amazing ideas and think "Why the hell didn't I think of that?"

"What's my problem? Is my brain missing a piece?"

"Who does this?"

"They must have a lot of time on their hands."

"Ok...I can do this!"

That last thought...that's the one that gets in me into trouble every single time.

I had to call my husband today because I could not find steel wool in the garage. Here's how our conversation went:

Me: "Do we have any steel wool?"

Jalon: "Ummm...no. What are you doing?"

Me: "Can I use this big saw on the workbench? It's huge...I'm not sure I'll be able to turn it on. Do I cut stuff on the garage floor? Would that work? Or do you lean the piece of wood against something? I'm so confused."

Jalon: "WHAT are you DOING? If you chop a limb off, which you will, DO NOT call me. I am not going to save you. Do not bleed out on my garage floor."

Me: "You are a liar. You would too save me. But your right...I would cut something off. Ok, no saw. I can use the handsaw though, right?"

Jalon: "What are you DOING!"

Me: "Nothing now. You don't have any steel wool or a saw. I'm getting nothing done today."

Jalon: "You scare me. If you can tell me what you are doing, maybe I can help you?"

Me: "FINE. I'm trying a new idea I found on Pinterest where you combine coffee grounds with vinegar and put in a jar with steel wool and it will create a stain for plain wood. I wanted to re-do our coat rack thing because it's too boring."

Jalon: "Leave stuff alone. Don't touch anything. Why do you feel the need to mess with stuff? You may need a job. God forbid you do what you should be doing, like getting the kids rooms ready for the move this weekend."

Me: "So much for supportive husband role. I was doing that stuff. I'm bored of that. Plus, this is considered organizational...right?"

Jalon: "I'm locking the garage from now on."

My husband just doesn't get me. Or my need to re-create Pinterest stuff.

Seriously. It's that bad.

My husband is not on board with half the crap I come up with. Which is too bad really, because in my head, I'm a genius. Maybe I have some hidden, untapped, potential that just needs some nudging and a little less suppressing. You never know.

Just wait. One of these days I'm going to do it. Then he'll be sorry. Then he'll give me an all-access pass to the garage to do what I will.

One day I may actually shut this computer off and DO SOMETHING.





Monday, July 23, 2012

50 Things you never wanted to know about me but I'm going to tell you anway.

Longest blog title ever.

Matched with the most boring blog post ever.

Just for you.

I don't always share this information. My husband may be the only person that knows ALL of these. Some know a few. Some will not know any or care about them either. That's OK. I just want to get it out there so you understand how weird I really am. Or maybe how normal I am. Depends on who is reading this.

1. I don't like frosting. I tend to scrape it off of cakes and donuts. It's gross. Unless I make it. Then I can handle a tiny little bit. And if I eat a cupcake, I rip off the bottom half and put it on top to create a cupcake sandwich. Less mess that way.

2. I love reading Garfield books. The comics. I even laugh out loud. My husband knows this one and I have a feeling is slightly embarrassed by me.

3. I can't stand eating plain vanilla ice cream. Unless it's covered with chocolate sauce and candy.

4. Chocolate chip cookies are the best dessert in the entire world. Unless they are competing with Monster cookies. Then it's a tie. If you don't know what Monster cookies are, I feel so sorry for you. Come over and I'll make a batch for you.

5. Fall is my favorite season. Followed by winter. I like being chilly. Summer is fun, but I'm not liking the heat.

6. October is my favorite month. Mostly because it contains my birthday and Halloween.

7. Halloween happens to be my favorite holiday. Followed closely by Christmas.

8. Any holiday that contains bag fulls of candy happens to be my favorite.

9. I love candy...or anything containing sugar. (Are you seeing a pattern here?)

10. I actually like watching some cartoons with my kids. Phineas and Ferb is the best. Also, Charlie and Lola is cute.

11. I love movie nights at home with my kids and husband. They are the best. I'm a homebody. Plus, I don't have to shower.

12. I enjoy having parties and having friends/family over for them.

13. I get very nervous when I have to go to someone else's house.

14. I will also avoid situations where I may actually have to meet new people. I get too anxious meeting new people.

15. I go to the State Fair every year for the food. But not the unique food like everyone else. I like cotton candy, mini donuts and shaved ice.

16. I love, love, love to cook for other people. But I get really nervous when I have to eat someone else's food. Except for family. Not sure why...but I'm not very trusting.

17. I listen to country music when I'm cleaning. Or driving. But that's it. And I slow dance in my living room. Alone. My husband refuses to dance.

18. I don't watch movies or read books that have a chance of making me cry. I will only do happy endings.

19. I hate crying.

20. I am a messy person. I create clutter wherever I go.

21. I have tried a million hobbies and they don't usually stick. But I have a desire to learn new things and then get bored after I figure it out. Scrapbooking, knitting, decorating, painting, sewing, scrabble tile necklaces, beading, cake decorating, stained glass (still like that one), and running (also still like this).

22. I don't like eating apples plain. They need to be dipped in caramel or baked in a pie. It's the only fruit I have to force myself to eat.

23. Fall and winter are my favorites because they are cooler, but also because I'm a huge fan of hot dishes and chili.

24. I hoard books.

25. I love board games and cards. Except for monopoly. I refuse to play that game. My favorite is Apples to Apples and I will try to talk everyone into playing that one every time.

26. I suck at monopoly because I suck at managing money.

27. I also hate learning new games because I won't win. I'm not overly competitive, but I need to at least stand a chance in order for me to play.

28. I hate shopping because I don't like trying on clothes.

29. I am also not a fan of my body when I try on clothes.

30. I hate reaching the end of a book series and tend to get very emotional when it's over as if the characters were part of my life.

31. Which is why I re-read my favorites over and over again. I've read Harry Potter dozens of times and after finishing #7, I will go back and read #3 or #4 just so I can pretend it's not over yet.

32. I don't take painkillers after surgery because I hate that "drunk" feeling.

33. Which is a reason I don't drink. I'm a control freak and get very panicky.

34. I also don't look good naked, so I had to stop drinking too much.

35. I was just kidding about #34 Mom. I swear.

36. I have an obsession with stars. The kind I can decorate with. And apparently hearts. Since they are all over my house. And roosters...although that was more of an accident since I don't actually like roosters. Unless I'm eating it.

37. I don't like drinking anything that wasn't injected with some sort of caffeine. Seems like such a waste...like decaffeinated coffee. Who invented that? Idiot.

38. I refuse to kiss my husband after he eats peanut butter or liquorice. Ew. That breath is the worst.

39. I also won't share food or drinks with ANYONE. EVER. That's just icky.

40. I have movie star crushes on Colin Firth and Gerard Butler. It's the accents.

41. I'm a huge book snob and will physically harm you if you tell me how good 50 Shades of Grey was. Ick. Do not get me started. That rant could take me days to finish.

42. My favorite movie of all time is While You Were Sleeping. Although, all Harry Potter movies are right after that. I'm a sucker for comedy/romance movies.

43. I also am a sucker for romance novels. And happy endings. *sigh*

44. I love storms and had dreams of being a tornado chaser. I would even pretend I was one after I obtained my license and would go hunting for them during storms. I'm lucky I'm still alive.

45. I love sitcoms. Old ones, new ones...whatever. I can watch Friends, Roseanne, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls and Samantha Who...over and over again.

46. I like running in actual races because of the stuff you get. T-shirts, medals, hats, socks...whatever. It's all so cool.

47. My play list for running is currently the Twilight soundtrack. But I also like Florence and The Machine.

48. When I write, I listen to film scores from Twilight series and the Harry Potter series.

49. When I retire, my dream is to buy and RV to travel the U.S. for the rest of my life. Just the U.S. I may fly across the ocean eventually. But there may need to be drugs involved.

50. I always believe I'm right. Don't even try to tell me I'm wrong. It won't work. Trust me.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Typical Thursday

1.
More outside pics today. Just because I can.
My kids pose so well for the camera.
It's hard to resist.
It's hard to resist this adorable face! Even when she's digging in the dirt...

These blue eyes get me every time.

"Do you want me to poke out your eye with my stick? No?"

"Ok...I'll poke out my own then."

Peek-a-boo!

Monkey girl can't climb too far.

Just throwing this one in there. I have a pumpkin growing. Holy crap. It's a big one.

Playing pirate ship.

Kisses anyone? Fish lips is handing them out for free!

"Leave me alone."

"Fine! Take a picture of my face and get out of my way!"


2.
Now a poem.
Just because.

My husband likes to leave
his dirty socks on my floor
I might just heave
If I see them once more.

I find them all around
my living room floor
They sit in a smelly mound
that he once wore.

Maybe I'm a little crazy,
who can really tell?
He's not usually this lazy
Maybe it's just to hear me yell.

My daughter thinks they are
her own special treat.
She pulls them on her hands real far
then yanks them on her feet.




My husband isn't a lazy guy
I think it's just to make me a nut.
Take off the socks and let them fly
then giggle as Mo pulls them up to her butt.


The end.
I have laundry to do.
I will have to fight Morgan for those socks.
She wore them like that for nap time.
I'm so grossed out.
But I had to share.

Welcome to my world.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Reasons for Running.

I know I've been posting like crazy about running and all the crap that I've been doing with running.

And I'm sure you are sick of reading about it or maybe when I say "get out there and do it" I'm offending you. Or, better yet, maybe I've inspired you to try something.

Either way, I think putting out some background information about WHY I run, may be helpful in understanding why I post so much about it.

Running isn't easy for me. It doesn't come naturally. I'm not the best runner, I'm not very competitive and I'm not as in shape as I wish I was. I probably look like a crazy person running from zombies when I run. I listen to music loudly, sing along and even dance a little when I hear a favorite and I just go.

Running for me is my escape.

It's MY time. Only mine.

I don't have to think about anyone or anything for the time I'm out there. There are no kids demanding my time, no menus to plan, no house to clean and no appointments to schedule. I don't care about what I look like, who might see me, what could be jiggling or moving when I run.

It's just me and the road.

(Sorry if that sounds like a commercial.)

I go at 5:30 a.m. and it's the best time of the day in the summer. The sunrise is stunning to see, it's quiet, it's cool and it feels like the world is mine. I turn on my music and take my time. There's seriously nothing like it. I've run in the evening, while that's nice too, I tend to have more on my mind at the end of the day that's harder to shake off. In the morning, I get to hop out of bed and hit the road, without much thought about my day, because it hasn't really started yet.

When I'm done with my run, I head home, shower and get ready for the day (unless I lay down and conk back out until the kids wake me a half hour later). It's such a perfect way to start out the day that I have started to look forward to it, rather than dread it. I get to make a smoothie, make the kids some breakfast and when I run, I'm in a better mood throughout the day.

When I started working out in the gym, I hated it. I hated running on the treadmill and I would make so many excuses to talk myself out of going. SO MANY excuses.

My list of excuses kept growing longer and longer, until I just stopped going. For example:

1. It's raining.
2. It's too cold to go outside.
3. I went to bed too late last night.
4. I ate too much crap the night before.
5. I haven't had enough water lately.
6. I didn't shave my legs.
7. My bed is soooo warm.
8. I have my period.
9. My kids woke me up last night.
10. I have too much to do today and the gym won't be one of them.

Once I cleared out all my excuses and told myself that there were going to be no more, I just decided to run. That's it. Just get out there and run, but not inside, I was going to stay outside this time. No matter what.

I found some freedom, running outside.

That's why I write about it. That's why I encourage others to try it.

I also suggest a great book that was a big inspiration lately. I bought it and read it in 8 hours. It's that amazing and will challenge you or inspire you. I promise.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-to-run-christopher-mcdougall/1100830697?ean=9780307279187

It's called Born to Run- Christopher McDougall. I was amazed by this writer! I couldn't put the darn thing down. He discusses the Tarahumara, a society that was literally born to run and you can't help but be fascinated by them and want to learn more. There are some magnificent characters that you get to meet throughout this book that show you that anyone can be a runner. There was so much research done regarding running barefoot and concludes with one epic race at the end. The author uses his own techniques throughout the story to see if they make him a better runner and you just can't help wanting to run after reading this.

It made me want to get up and just see how long I could run.

What's also interesting that I found out from this book, that all my excuses I had previously, were completely invalid. These were people that ran in EVERY element. Including Death Valley in the summer. It's funny when I look outside and think, "it's too damn hot to run". Then I read about people doing full out ultra marathons in Death Valley when it's 135 degrees. That's hot. Melting shoes, skin melting, passing out HOT.

http://www.badwater.com/ Here's a link, just in case you are feeling curious or crazy. I would never do this. Ok, I'm not going to say never, because I just get a little more crazy every year that passes, but I really don't want to do this at this point in my life.

There are others that run barefoot over rocks, some that run through snow, over mountains or in the wilderness for days. I'm amazed by these people. I'm inspired by these people who don't let these excuses get in the way of their passion for running. They just want to run. I want to be that person. I will be that person. One day.

I just wanted to share this small part with you. Not sure if it's helpful or encouraging. But these are my motivators, my reasons for running, my escape from "normal" where I can just be me for a half hour. Hopefully, one day, much longer than a half hour.

My next "challenge", I'm hoping to do this next year, is a 13-mile Half-Marathon.
http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=register

Scares me. I'm up to 3 miles on a good day. But, no excuses...right?

Monday, July 16, 2012

Monday Funday...Not.

Quick review of my day so far. It's noon. The day needs to be over now. Here's why it's not going as well as it should:

1.
It's supposed to be hot. Like 105 degrees hot.
Not just a little hot...
BUT this is like the sun has a fiery tongue that licks your face off.
HOT.
So I decided to be brave and head out to the new Splash Pad near our house.

That's not my kid. Also, I didn't take the picture, but you get the idea. Lots of fun for free.
Except for the kids that don't like water.
Like Morgan.
Declan wasn't a fan either.
Evan had the time of his life.
At least I didn't pay for it.
I would love to go back, if I had an assistant that would chase Declan.
He ran away from the water.

Then I get home and decide to play "water-park" in our own backyard.
Declan loves this.
Morgan still hates water.


Morgan swings.

Or dances on swings? Not sure what's going on here...

Pouting after she was splashed accidentally. Not sure that lip could stick out any further.

What the diseased pool "water-park" looks like.

Declan. He loves to play in the pool.

ATTACK! That darn giraffe...he deserved to get his neck chomped on.

More splashing. Morgan was hiding.

Pretending he was in a pirate ship.

Scaring the crap out of me...he loves to do that.

Side note: Do NOT use those Swimmers to replace diapers. Just don't. Your child will poop in it, swim after pooping, thus creating a gigantic diarrhea mess in the swimmer. When you go to remove it, poop and the poop "juice" will slop and drip everywhere. Then the child will slip in it and poop slop will fly all over your kitchen floor, creating a bacterial hazard that will require bio hazard suits and bleach. After cleaning this, you will swear to warn all others about this darn hazard. Diapers have nice, Velcro tab things, making poop removal easy. Swimmers just slide off, so the poop will also slide with it. I'm so grossed out by just writing this. I'm sorry if you are too.

2.
I discovered the other day that there were bee's going under our siding near the dryer vent.
This was in the backyard and I was worried about the kids.
I told Jalon about this 5 days ago.
LAST NIGHT, he decides it's time to take action.
Except, there are no exterminators available for a reasonable fee on a Sunday evening.
SO, like most men, decides to take action on his own.
Jalon vs. The Bee Hive.

Apparently, the bee's have created a Hive (in the basement wall) that resembles the Hilton in Hawaii.
And just as sleazy.
Gives me shivers just thinking about all those bugs crawling around in our walls.

Then he noticed they were flying around our basement.
After going all crazy with the bug swatter, he decided a couple cans of bug spray was required.

So he sprayed them.
And instead of killing them, just made them even more mad.

Now we have pissed off bee's taking over our basement, where my in-laws were sleeping.
My Father-in-law tried putting on his socks, where bee's have learned to hide, just to sting unsuspecting humans.
Who knows what else they are plotting at this very second.

I had to step in.
Called Jay at work, told him it was time.
Time to call the Orkin man...or whatever uniformed person kills bugs.

I will have to sell a small portion of my soul to be able to afford this, but if it removes the bugs, totally worth it.

But, my husband has already created some small "damages" during his killing spree.
Some sheetrock, the ceiling and my poor dryer had to be unplugged.
Despite what this picture looks like, the dryer is the only thing messed up.
 The rest of the room is supposed to look like that.


This is my laundry room. Not exactly the prettiest thing you've ever seen, but it gets the job done. Quit judging me. I didn't pick that wallpaper.
 It was designed by some weirdo, hopped up on crack in the 60's.
At least that's what I imagine when I look at it.

 I'm pretty sure I need that to be hooked up in order for this to work.

I can't do laundry today?
Darn it!

Guess I'll just HAVE to put my feet up, read some Harry Potter and eat ice cream.
Take your time Jalon...take your time.