The other night, while flipping channels, I had a strange desire to see what they were selling on QVC.

You see where this is going, don't you?

Yes, my friends, I ordered something. I will blame it on the wine, as I had had two glasses by that point.

I give you this, the product of my tipsy dialing. Because what child's life is not complete without their own cot to use for trips to Grandma's house (no guest bedroom and they currently sleep on the floor) or for friends who sleep over (not that that ever happens yet, but the cots hold up to 80 pounds so they'll be around a while. Am I convincing you yet?)? I ordered one of each (pink and blue). I will have you know, though, that they were that day's special value, so I paid less than the price listed.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.T29083.desc.Playhut-Travel-Lounger-wRemovable-Slumber-Bag-Storage-Tote

I am officially turning into my mother.

Today when I was paying bills this no longer seemed like such a good idea. Huh. But they've already been shipped, and besides, they ARE really cute.

Aren't they?

Hello, my name is Danielle....

.....and I am a Twilight-a-holic.

I have fallen victim to the cult. I swore I would not do it. I scoffed at the stories of those ridiculous 30-somethings out there discussing some silly vampire books and swooning over some character named Edward Cullen. RPatz? KStew? What the hell were they talking about? I didn't care. I had bigger fish to fry, like where was my next glass of wine coming from? But eventually my curiosity got the best of me. I have done things in this order: Read Twilight, saw Twilight, read New Moon, read Eclipse, saw New Moon. I have one more book to read, and I am holding off for now. I am lacking the time, for one, but for two I know I will be distinctly depressed when I am done reading. Need to draw it out a bit. Savor it.

(I was just interrupted by my 3-year-old yelling and jumping up and down that she wanted Aqua Sand for Xmas after seeing it on TV. Not happening. That looks even more messy than Moon Sand, and that is not a mistake I wish to repeat).

Anyway - I digress. Bottom line? I have drunk the Kool Aid. I hang my head in shame. I am not worthy. I, my friends, have become a TwiMom. Heaven help us all.

On being PC........

So today Laynie's preschool class had their Thanksgiving feast. Basically, it's a huge potluck where half the kids are dressed as Native Americans and the other half Pilgrims.

Which brings me to my question...

Today while at preschool everyone was referring to the kids as Indians. However, when I got home and posted pics on Facebook, I sat there with a blank caption box in front of me for at least five minutes. Hmm......"Laynie dressed as a ______." Are we allowed to say Indians anymore? And I'm not making a joke. I truly don't know. Being PC today is so fraught with danger that most times I err so far on the side of extreme caution that it's a miracle I even open my mouth to speak. I ended up using "Native Americans" in the caption, as I did above, but I can't help but wonder if I might be being a little ridiculous. To be honest, I was surprised everyone was throwing the "Indian" term around today when you can't even tell a kid to sit "Indian style" anymore. As the mother of two kids, I'm here to tell you that there is no longer any such thing. Kids sit criss-cross applesauce, NOT Indian style. And while we're on this subject, and I swear I do not know, are we allowed to say black anymore, or is it strictly African-American? I feel like that episode of Seinfeld right now where Elaine thought she was in an interracial relationship, and every time she, George, and Jerry started talking about it someone would say, "Should we be talking about this?" The thing is, I really want to know.

Current health situation

Next year is my 20-year high school reunion. The problem is that I don't know WHEN next year it will be - could sneak up on me and be at the beginning of the year. Because of that, I have to start thinking about dropping this 20 (!!!!!!) pounds I put back on when I became the lazy sack of shit I was before I started this whole running business. So far, though, I have not been able to get back my healthy eating mojo. And I'm finding the holidays really aren't the best time to be trying to deny yourself (Halloween candy, anyone?). The problem I am running into is that after I lost all the weight I got rid of many of my bigger clothes and started purchasing more form-fitting items. This is a problem when you are trying to cram 20 extra pounds into a thin knit shirt. It is not attractive when your back fat is visible through the fabric of your shirt.

Anyway - at least I am cruising along with C25K. Did week2/day2 today, but on the treadmill since it is a literal monsoon outside. I am hoping the running, as it increases, will make me want to eat in a more healthy manner. For now, though, I just ordered Papajohn's pizza. Not really headed in the right direction, am I?

Good mood!

You can tell it's Thursday. I just spent at least five full minutes trying to get a picture of my dog with my laptop webcam to post on FB. It's obviously a carefree day.

Thursdays are good because they are the only day of the week that I do not have to be somewhere in the morning. That, in turn, translates into extended pajama time and lots of hazelnut coffee. What's not to like in that?

Today is particularly good because not only is it Thursday, it is a Thursday that feels like a Friday because Dan has off tomorrow. We plan on dropping Laynie off at preschool, exercising (more on that in a minute), and then hitting Big Lots to possibly do some Xmas shopping or at least idea shopping. I'm sure some iced coffees will be involved in some way as well, as there is a Starbucks right across the street from Big Lots. Dream morning!!!!

As for the exercising, I started this blog way back when when I was doing the couch to 5K running program. Things have a way of going full circle, because I am doing it again. Just restarted yesterday. Of course I probably didn't really NEED to start at week 1, but psychologically it is helping me totally ease back into this exercise thing, so I'm doing it all over from the beginning. I am one that does better when I have a set schedule of what I am going to do, and couch to 5K fits that bill. Goal is to get back into shape for the Monument Ave 10K again in Richmond in March. I plan on registering on 12/1 when registration opens. When I've spent money to do a race, I tend to do better with training.

So this morning Laynie cried for at least 10 minutes because Jake forgot to give her a kiss before he got on the bus. He hugged her, mind you, but didn't kiss the top of her head as usual. Love it! Every afternoon when the bus pulls up I have to be on the lookout for it, and when I see it coming I have to let Laynie out the front door so that she can sprint for the corner and throw her arms around Jake as he debarks. I'm going to try to get it on video today. Definitely something I want to remember.

Off to refill the coffee mug and maybe get some laundry in. Maybe. Today Laynie and I have to go on a leaf hunt. She is supposed to bring different leaves into preschool tomorrow for a leaf collage. That is the one and only thing on my agenda this morning. I have decided to pretend that school does not exist today. It feels good!!!

Overwhelmed...

Feeling overwhelmed. In times like these it helps me to complain about it, so complain about it I shall.

Today I am literally making chicken tenders, french fries, and salad for dinner because I literally have no foods in the house that go together. I have a weird mish-mosh of stuff, and nothing together makes a meal. Do other stay-at-home moms actually have time to do real grocery shopping and plan meals? Because I sure as hell don't.

I can't remember the last time I filed paperwork of any kind. I'm starting to get buried in it.

My laundry situation is unspeakable right now.

I have a test due Wednesday that is NOT open book and I do not know any of the material yet.

I'm starting to get a sore throat.

I need to pay bills.

I need to vacuum.

I need to find time to read the first Twilight book that my SIL loaned me. (Okay, I guess that one shouldn't be on this list ha ha).

I need to do some shopping for a couple gifts, and I need to get Laynie a couple things for her preschool Halloween party before Friday.

I need to buy Halloween candy.

I need to find a way to do all of this while functioning at a low level of sleep deprivation, sleeping no more than 6.5 hours at most a night.

I need to find a way to wean myself from playing Bejeweled Blitz on FB, because I am doing it when I am supposed to be working, and thus I am not getting very much work done and am making no money, which then contributes to financial stress. I am seriously thinking at this point I need to go cold turkey.

I need to remember this is all just stuff. Stuff that doesn't really matter and that I should not allow to bring me down. I have a happy marriage. I have two healthy kids. I have a good life.

And when all else fails, there's always chocolate and beer.

Life and times....

I've been feeling like blogging again lately, but I think of it at odd times when I have absolutely no time to devote to writing an entry. Right now is one of those times, but I'm determined to get something down. In an effort to be brief, I will summarize the life and times of me....

• I've packed on 15 pounds and have not been exercising. Oh, was I not supposed to eat everything in sight all summer long? Guess I didn't get that memo. Anyway, this past Monday I started trying to eat more healthy again and even took a power-walk yesterday. Go me.
• Jake in first grade all day, Laynie in preschool three mornings a week. I am spending the time studying and doing school work for my anatomy and physiology class. I go to Panera, get a multigram bagel and a large hazelnut coffee, and sequester myself.
• Lost my job but found another one to replace it, but I'm not making near as much money and the financial stress is no picnic. I am working a set schedule, which I thought I would hate, but it has actually helped me manage my time better. I work Sunday - Thursday from 8P-12A. Downside - I walk around looking like a zombie straight out of the Thriller video due to the dark circles that are perpetually under my eyes.
• Tomorrow Dan and I are gonig on an honest-to-goodness date. To the uninitated, that means we are actually leaving the house without kids. We are driving up to DC for dinner and then catching a Nats game. Can. Not. Wait. Even if the beers are 7.50 each at the stadium. My in-laws are going to watch the kids for us. It is for our anniversary, which is not until next week, but between my working and the colonoscopy hat Dan has scheduled for that day, we figured we'd celebrate early!! 9 years.
• I often wonder what in the hell I used to do on the computer before Facebook. Seriously. Actually, I often wonder what in the hell I used to do with MYSELF before Facebook. Talk about an addiction. I literally get annoyed when people have not updated their statuses in a while. Don't they know their sole purpose in life should be to entertain ME?
• Busy October coming up. Dan is turning 40. The big 4-0. Good God in heaven, has it really come to this?
• Last prereq class before I apply to nursing school in February. Ready to get this show on the road.
• Fries are burning. See, I told you I didn't have much time.

Over and out.