Today's Harvest Picture

Check it out! 2 pumpkins! Whoo Hoo! AND those bell peppers? The size of my small child's head. They are awesome.

Metaphore-schmetaphor

This morning we attempted a 1 mile walk around a local lake. We got there early but thought we were late. I forgot to pack water bottles and thought geesh, it's 65 degrees out and only a mile....we'll be fine, we'll park by the playground, and end up there in an hour.

Right. As we passed the parking area that we were supposed to have parked at had we gotten the time right, we noticed the now parked there vehicle of one of the moms. Gah. We could see them ahead, but the wind was just right that they could not hear our "yeowing" or see our frantic excited hand waiving.

We ran. We paused. We panted. We walked fast. We paused. We panted. Lil'Bug pointed out that now they were WAAAAAY ahead of us. At some point we could also see them at the playground; we were at the first 1/4 mile marker.

I gave up and sat down. Those of you who know me know that I've been battling the blues lately, the mean blues. I laid down in the grass and looked up at the blue blue sky. Yup. A turkey vulture was circling.

Lil'Bug sat next to me and pointed out the spiderweb on the bridge iron, the turtle swimming just beneath the water's surface, and the really big frogs everywhere.

I miss these things while we are busting ourselves to try and catch up with everyone else. It took us three (YES 3) hours to walk the rest of the way. Turns out it is TWO (2) miles around the lake and the 65 degrees was quickly 95. A kind jogger lady saw us (and likely overheard me telling my sister on the phone) and reported to the park ranger that a small woman and her helpless tot were about to become dehydrated road jerky at mile marker 1.75.

We were soon after driven by golf cart to the nearest water fountain and lectured on being prepared with water bottles. Humph. As we walked back to the car, Lil'Bug saw the playground. I told her if she was too tired to walk there (not carried) then it wasn't safe to play. She took off running. How???? Where do kids get it???? I want some.

While I didn't meet up with my mom friend, the walk, almost killing me, lifted some of those mean blues. I think I can see the forest for the trees now.

She Has Your Eyes

When a car cuts me off, speeding on the freeway, I don't curse at the driver. I make a conscious effort try to hold back the curses instead of throwing them out into the world. Why? That driver may be on his way to the hospital to meet his baby in the NICU or say goodbye to his wife at the airport or any number of things that are pretty important. I pray safe passage for that traveler. I apply this to many things: moms having a rough day with their kids, rude people, etc. I try to see it in a different way and pass on good tidings to them instead of it making me grumpy.

BUT.......

Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about children + TV. Help me out here. At x family dining experience we saw a mom put a portable DVD player in front of her three year old (only child with them) as they sat down. It was on through the entire meal. They handed him food instead of giving him a plate and letting him eat. Really, that makes sense with the expensive electronic parent on the table. No one talked through the entire meal, not to baby, not to each other. It was painful to watch. Tell me there is a medical reason to plug a child in to Elmo while eating out? I need something to stop the cursing. Right now all I could think of was a prayer for a spilled drink and that's not very nice.

The whole thing has me thinking again of pitching our TV or locking it in a closet, but we use it as a tool not a parent. Sometimes it is nice to cuddle with Lil'Bug and watch Beauty and the Beast.

Oh, and funny unrelated tidbit: Lil'Bug declared at the end of Sunday night dinner (baked fish, squash, green beans, and carrots), "That was nice Mom. It tasted like hot feet."

From the mouths of babes. Next time, less Slap Yo' Mama. :)

One of Those Days

Have you ever had one of those days? You know those days? The kind of day where you come home from the (insert activity here) and the dishes are not done and are two days expired in the sink, someone (likely you) forgot to put the washed clothes in the dryer and now they are also stinky expired, the trash needed to go out and your dog (with the cat helping) tried to do it for you, vomit, kid decided she wants to splash in puddles in the living room (in not water), and then on top of it all you've been cranky and blew up at your best friend so now she's not just mad, she's actually decided not to be your friend anymore ever (much like the Jr. High drama that you thought you'd left behind, you know, like 20 years ago) so you don't have anyone to vent to, bring you tea, or lend comfort in a rough time.....and then when you vent to your dearest husband he tells you to deal with it and reminds you, in the most loving caring way, all of the above is of your own making?

You know, one of those days.

I am having a week like that. So, my brilliant idea was to post this and ask for anyone who reads this to share YOUR most rottenest day. I'd like some company in my misery. :)