Have you ever had one of those days when you feel like you are wound so tight, yet know you could completely unravel in an instant? You've tried to disperse the weight of whatever has you twitting so that your shoulders can relax a bit, as opposed to being hunched somewhere up around your earlobes? You've tried to rationalize why certain things bother you, and while you may come up with a few answers, the reality is that you feel more foolish for realizing that you are carrying baggage over twenty years old? Terribly out of style, as well as awkward and heavy. Did you ever put on your big girl undies and decide to just head outside to shoot hoops, in an attempt to get over yourself? How about turning at just the wrong moment, and catching the basketball in the face...and having THAT become the moment you can't keep it together anymore? Then you try to stifle the tears, so that the child who nailed you with the ball doesn't have to feel like they are the sole cause of the day's pain. Just a quick, head slightly tilted, walk to the bathroom where you get to cry your eyes out until you feel a little better-ready to gather up your thread again. Oh, you haven't had one of those days? Maybe it's just me...
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
No vacation from random!
I set the bar pretty low for myself today, as when I checked the weather report, it made mention of the temperature reaching 96. To avoid the risk of bursting into flames, I assured the children that we would not stray beyond fifty feet of air conditioned spaces. I am now sitting in front of the computer, with every ounce of motivation completely gone from my body. I decided to make sure that tomorrow's temperatures were still predicted to be dabbling below 80, when I saw that today's high is now listed as 86. I feel so lame now, as if I should've made a more ambitious plan. I was settling in nicely to my threat of combustion concerns keeping me from any attempts to expend energy. Now I suppose I should put another load of laundry in, as the 48% humidity doesn't even seem like enough to fall back on.
Stacy is rallying the rebels once again this Tuesday to get our random thoughts together. She also has some unbloggables that she is not blogging about that are keeping me glued to my seat (as if I needed one more reason to stay still). Click on the link and see what other random things folks are airing out!
Moving on...some random vacation sightings...
I was absolutely, positively rooting for the crab...he lost.
Nothing rocks like the Pilgrim Pod!
Where was I when the mustache revolution came? We saw everything from 'stache-shaped fried egg corrals, to mood mustaches, to dog chew toy Kong-like mustaches, to these...
OK, I sort of understand the sign as I am sitting here at my desk, but at 55 miles per hour, I might've swerved and hit it. Luckily we were on foot.
I don't know exactly what to say about this one...or what accent to use when I think of something (other than it being in Hahvad Yahd).
Stay cool!
Stacy is rallying the rebels once again this Tuesday to get our random thoughts together. She also has some unbloggables that she is not blogging about that are keeping me glued to my seat (as if I needed one more reason to stay still). Click on the link and see what other random things folks are airing out!
Last week someone commented to me that they were "out of shape too". Uh-oh, that "too" meant in addition to me. I mean, it was no secret to me that I wasn't exercising or eating as well as I could, but I guess I hadn't taken it to the next level of realizing that I was actually out of shape. I guess I thought that the beach I had just run up (much faster in my imagination) was steep enough and far enough away from our chairs to warrant being a bit out of breath. My bad...really bad. We walked (and sweat) enough in Boston for it to count as exercise. Upon returning home, of course, I had to look at the weather forecast before putting any jogging plans in motion. Too hot yesterday and today, as I have already mentioned. Right now I am burning off all sorts of energy resisting the temptation to put the frozen chocolate chip cookie dough balls I put aside on reserve into the oven (or to pop them in my mouth frozen).
Moving on...some random vacation sightings...
I was absolutely, positively rooting for the crab...he lost.
Nothing rocks like the Pilgrim Pod!
Where was I when the mustache revolution came? We saw everything from 'stache-shaped fried egg corrals, to mood mustaches, to dog chew toy Kong-like mustaches, to these...
OK, I sort of understand the sign as I am sitting here at my desk, but at 55 miles per hour, I might've swerved and hit it. Luckily we were on foot.
I don't know exactly what to say about this one...or what accent to use when I think of something (other than it being in Hahvad Yahd).
Stay cool!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Paradise or punishment?
I love books! I love everything about them, and it makes me truly happy to be surrounded by their inviting pages. It stands to reason that I also love book stores...to a point. That point being when I have to make my way to the exit. Rarely, if ever, has there been a time when I left a book store with "all I wanted"...because I always want MORE! It is also worth mentioning that I will almost never pay full price for a book, and almost never buy hardcovers.
This is what I was faced with on our recent weekend jaunt to Boston, when we ducked into the nearest place to find a restroom. The Coop at Harvard Square? Are you kidding? The front door is at the end of that magical row of bestsellers, all the way across the store from the stairs!
The walk up to the THIRD FLOOR to get my daughter to the necessary destination was bad enough, but the walk down, with less focus, was even worse news. The husband and son were waiting outside for us, so I dragged myself along. We quickly decided to take a stroll through Hahvad Yahd (some random thoughts on that next time).Of course the gates we eventually passed thru, on our road to nowhere in particular, put us right in front of a different book store...help!
As a coping mechanism for myself when it comes to having to leave some books behind, I have started to keep track of things that look appealing in a little book in my purse. There are currently ten books in my queue on the shelf at home, so even I can accept the fact that the pile doesn't need to be any higher. The reason my library has gotten so large is that a friend turned me on to the local used book stores. He mentioned the notion with thoughts of me getting some money for a few boxes of books I had convinced myself to part with. He did not realize what the trade in implications might be for me. I refuse to acknowledge that there is any fuzzy logic with me getting twice as much credit for the box of books as I would get in cash...credit that I can then use to purchase books that are marked less than half price. Nirvana? Almost!
Back to Bahston...we were traveling light and I had left my mamma bag at the hotel, so I had no pen nor paper for my therapeutic list. Then I realized that I did have a camera around my neck, so I decided I would try a different documentation tool. I can almost guarantee you that I would not have remembered a single one of these titles once I got around to trying to find them again. I thought I would share them here just in case you wanted to send me a little gift. Seriously, I thought perhaps if you loved or seriously disliked any of these titles, you could let me know and I would adjust their standings in my little book of lists accordingly.
Later, after checking out at the Coop (we had to return for the same reason as earleir in the afternoon) with the one purchase I decided to allow myself (The Happiness Project...softcover AND 30% off!), my daughter and I saw this book, flour, again. I picked it up only to find it was recipes from a Boston bakery. I told my daughter I could've bought that under the guise of souvenir, as opposed to just buying another book. She gave me a sweet smile and guided me out of the store. (That 20% off sticker is sticking its tongue out at me now!) Season to Taste was actually the one I was trying to document!
OK, anything here look familiar, as I don't know what I was trying to capture?!?! Oh, and there is one that I didn't photograph...13 things...or 13 questions...anybody? I thought it was in this group, but I might've lost my mind (and family) by then! (I do know it was not William and Kate or Glee.)
This is what I was faced with on our recent weekend jaunt to Boston, when we ducked into the nearest place to find a restroom. The Coop at Harvard Square? Are you kidding? The front door is at the end of that magical row of bestsellers, all the way across the store from the stairs!
The walk up to the THIRD FLOOR to get my daughter to the necessary destination was bad enough, but the walk down, with less focus, was even worse news. The husband and son were waiting outside for us, so I dragged myself along. We quickly decided to take a stroll through Hahvad Yahd (some random thoughts on that next time).Of course the gates we eventually passed thru, on our road to nowhere in particular, put us right in front of a different book store...help!As a coping mechanism for myself when it comes to having to leave some books behind, I have started to keep track of things that look appealing in a little book in my purse. There are currently ten books in my queue on the shelf at home, so even I can accept the fact that the pile doesn't need to be any higher. The reason my library has gotten so large is that a friend turned me on to the local used book stores. He mentioned the notion with thoughts of me getting some money for a few boxes of books I had convinced myself to part with. He did not realize what the trade in implications might be for me. I refuse to acknowledge that there is any fuzzy logic with me getting twice as much credit for the box of books as I would get in cash...credit that I can then use to purchase books that are marked less than half price. Nirvana? Almost!
Back to Bahston...we were traveling light and I had left my mamma bag at the hotel, so I had no pen nor paper for my therapeutic list. Then I realized that I did have a camera around my neck, so I decided I would try a different documentation tool. I can almost guarantee you that I would not have remembered a single one of these titles once I got around to trying to find them again. I thought I would share them here just in case you wanted to send me a little gift. Seriously, I thought perhaps if you loved or seriously disliked any of these titles, you could let me know and I would adjust their standings in my little book of lists accordingly.
OK, anything here look familiar, as I don't know what I was trying to capture?!?! Oh, and there is one that I didn't photograph...13 things...or 13 questions...anybody? I thought it was in this group, but I might've lost my mind (and family) by then! (I do know it was not William and Kate or Glee.)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Oh, it's Tuesday?
I am on vacation time here in Cape Cod, so the actual day of the week was a bit of news to me. I find myself longing for the days when the kids were wiped out enough to turn in before 9:00 so that I could feel like I had time to unwind before 10:00 rolled around. Maybe I just wish that I could lose that feeling of being compelled to tuck them in, and I could be the one hitting my pillow at 9:00. Who am I kidding? I will tuck those people in even if they are throwing objects more offensive than stuffed lovies at me! Moving on...
Well, it is now officially past my bedtime, but I was having trouble with the AV equipment. I need to be bright and perky in the morning for my son's birthday (as I am sure perky doesn't even begin to describe what mood he's working on!). He is turning 14...FOURTEEN? I just accepted the fact that he was thirteen about 5 weeks ago!
Since Stacy has been kind enough to host Random Tuesdays from her vacation in Iowa, the least I can do is shake some random sand out of my suit and join the party. Click on the link to see what other folks have been sharing today.
I have always wished for a more bathing suit appropraite body, and have also pretended that I have no idea what steps I could take to achieve one (that don't involve chocolate chip cookies...like the ones that just came out of the oven...see?). I have gone the path of least resistance and now just tell myself that I won't be the worst sight on the beach. The overall theme this year seems to be the two piece bathing suit...bikini style, as opposed to the frock with swim mini I wear. I both applaud the confidence some of these women have that they have found the most flattering beachwear, and am disappointed that I have to see them wear it. Seriously though, the dudes have their own spandex basket of issues.
Tai chi anyone? I suppose it was my responsibility to make sure my kids didn't go careening into this guys with their boogie boards, so why was I secretly hoping they'd take him right out?!
Then he decided to take a run with his "C is for Crack" shorty suit. I know, it's a huge beach, but is 11:00 a.m. really the time for serenity?
I spent a bit of time consulting with my brother as to whether this guy had undies built into his super shorty shorts, or if that was his bright white fanny flapping at us. I might as well mention the chin strap holding his hat on...hard core!
I was not completely convinced that this mom was really doing much to help her daughter get that wet suit on. Instead, I thought maybe the efforts were more likely to cost at least one of them a bathing suit item.
For anyone on the verge of dehydration, who didn't pack a water bottle, I am sure they were relieved by this "Express" line.
I didn't bring my camera today, so my boogie boarding prowess was not captured (phew). Unfortunately, I saw the most sunburnt woman EVER! Her burn lines were different from today's suit, so I knew she was a vacationer who was not about to sacrifice a day at the beach because of some silly old first-degree burns. Maybe she won't be there tomorrow when the burns are second-degree. Bright angry red, verging on magenta...ouch!
Moving outside, where I am always green with envy when we are here, there are hydrangeas growing like crazy. Most of them around town are a beautiful cornflower blue, but I do love these lace top ones too!
Ooh, also happening outside were these fabulous pizzas on the grill. I don't see a reason for me to not eat these every day. It seems like whatever I would ordinarily cook might be yummier like this! (And I am fairly certain that the addition of that much dough into my life each day would fit right in with my toning regime.)
Well, it is now officially past my bedtime, but I was having trouble with the AV equipment. I need to be bright and perky in the morning for my son's birthday (as I am sure perky doesn't even begin to describe what mood he's working on!). He is turning 14...FOURTEEN? I just accepted the fact that he was thirteen about 5 weeks ago!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Latest reason to celebrate
Well I learned a lesson this week that I am fairly certain should've already been planted in my brain somewhere. Rest assured I will file it in a more accessible spot now. In another moment of my glamorous life as a house cleaner, I managed to get hit in the head with a vacuum cleaner. I didn't realize how many stairs from the top I had cleaned when the sucking monster must've decided to lunge down upon me. The noise of the appliance itself prevented me from hearing any warning signals of the impending attack. One second I was eradicating someone's basement stairs of kitty litter, and the next I was almost sent down the remaining stairs to meet certain doom. It hurt. That might've gone without saying, but I didn't want you to think I had been grazed by a lightweight Oreck. Please make a mental note, that if you do find yourself in a situation where you are forced to vacuum stairs, put the giant sucking machine at the bottom of the staircase. You're welcome!
The best I can do at moments like these is to consider the blogging possibilities, or even responsibilities. There is a chance that you may find the tale amusing (because it wasn't you) and that is fine. It also might be my duty to pass on this public service message about the potential perils and precautions involved with housework.
My efforts were recognized this week by Kathy at The Midlife Woman. Sashay on over to her blog to weigh in on the topic of midlife redheads wearing purple shades (absolutely), and to see that I made it on her list! I was so excited, and had my own brief Sally Field "they really like me!" moment. I was quickly whisked back to reality by the looks on my children's faces suggesting that they had no intention of breaking out the pom-poms and cheer squad for me. I reminded them that I cheerlead for them, on a daily basis...What? That's in my job description? Oh yeah, that's right! So I would like to give a big thank you to Kathy for making me feel like someone was rooting for me out here in the blogosphere...you made my day!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The best I can do at moments like these is to consider the blogging possibilities, or even responsibilities. There is a chance that you may find the tale amusing (because it wasn't you) and that is fine. It also might be my duty to pass on this public service message about the potential perils and precautions involved with housework.
My efforts were recognized this week by Kathy at The Midlife Woman. Sashay on over to her blog to weigh in on the topic of midlife redheads wearing purple shades (absolutely), and to see that I made it on her list! I was so excited, and had my own brief Sally Field "they really like me!" moment. I was quickly whisked back to reality by the looks on my children's faces suggesting that they had no intention of breaking out the pom-poms and cheer squad for me. I reminded them that I cheerlead for them, on a daily basis...What? That's in my job description? Oh yeah, that's right! So I would like to give a big thank you to Kathy for making me feel like someone was rooting for me out here in the blogosphere...you made my day!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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