Delinquent at Nine and Ten

Our little, big town is preparing for a mayoral election with large signs posted all over the city of the candidates' names. The girls find it entertaining to read the name of one of the candidates every time we drive through town emphasizing on the first half of the candidate's name. 

With that in mind, we now fast forward to today's events. Child #3 was the social butterfly today. She was invited to two different birthdays outside of our city. I spent the afternoon taxiing her around while Child #1 and Child #2 stayed home with the Handyman.

Later in the afternoon, the Handyman had to run a few errands leaving Child #1 and #2 for a half hour. Upon his return, there were election signs in our yard for our neighbor who was running for the Alderman election race. Ironically as the Handyman noticed the sign the same neighbor drove by. Being the nice neighbor, the Handyman waved. The neighbor's reaction wasn't exactly reciprocated, no wave with a strange look for the Handyman. Puzzled, the Handyman shrugged his shoulders, but then he took a second glance at the election sign noticing the neighbor's name was crossed off in black Sharpie marker. The name that was rewritten with the same black Sharpie in large letters was VOTE FOR DICKMANN. This is the same name that is on all the mayoral election posters all over town.

Sneaky behavior, defacing signage, controversial opinions at the age of nine and ten, we are in so much trouble. These children are definitely the Handyman's children. I will take no credit for this behavior. Tonight I will need to research some boot camps to be ready for the teenage years that I'm not looking forward to.

Go ahead, let out the sympathy sigh now.

Heat Wave

With the temperatures rising to 30-40 degrees, the Midwest is having a heat wave and the snow is starting to recede. I was able to make my first outside run for the year. It was heavenly. Believe me it's been a really long winter here. I haven't ran outside for over 3 months. I think this might be a record. My relationship with the treadmill is rocky these days. We needed a break.

Once I was outside, the caged in feeling was placated. The dirt on the side of the road was perfect. Soft and not too muddy, almost pillowy-like. As you can image, the softness of the dirt makes the impact feel  like you're running on a cloud. I love it.

Afterward, I felt great. My lungs were a little sore, but manageable. The cooler air tends to cause me to hack up a lung after a run, but I view it as cleaning out the dust from the inside environments I'm forced to be in throughout the winter. Transitioning from cold to warm is a killer on the lungs.

We won't think about the next day because that's when the muscle soreness sets in. Of course none of this will deter me from jump starting my running routine outside every year. The temperature and ice can only delay me. I refuse to be caged in.

Live, love, and enjoy! Go for a run...or walk.

Serious Conversation

Child #2: "Mom, when I brush through my hair, the ends are really ratty."

Mom: "That's probably from the chlorine. I'll trim your hair after your swim lessons end this week. The chlorine kills your hair."

Child #2 "So we shouldn't swim then?"

Mom: "It's no big deal. I swam competitively for 8 years and my hair recovered."

Child #2: "Is that why your skin looks like that? Because of the chlorine."

Mom: "Are you saying I look old?"

Child #2: "No, just your skin."

Mom: "You mean I have wrinkles on my skin?"

Child #2: "Yeah. It's all wrinkly. You probably should use an iron."

This conversation was said in all seriousness until I couldn't hold it anymore and I busted out laughing. Child #2 followed with a chuckle or two. Maybe her thinking isn't too far off. We have an iron to iron our clothes and we have flat irons to iron our hair.

Mistaken Identity

Mornings aren't always my best time of day. It's hit or miss. This week I woke up late one day, but I was able to quickly put myself together in a blue top, black blazer, and grey slacks with my new Mary Jane shoes that I bought online a month ago. In my haste to get out the door, I didn't exactly check myself in the full length mirror. I was able to get to work on time and start my day.

On further inspection under the brightly lit fluorescent lighting in my office, I discovered my new shoes were purple instead of grey. For some reason, when I bought the shoes, I thought they were grey or maybe I was dreaming about grey shoes. I don't know what happened, but it was quite hilarious when I realized the shoes didn't exactly match my outfit. Oh well, next time I'll just switch out my blue top for a purple one. It's all good. I enjoy making silly mistakes. It keeps me grounded.

Have a great week!

Musical Notes

Apparently singing releases feel-good chemicals from the brain called endorphins. Who knew? So we can assume someone who is singing or humming a tune must feel happy inside, which makes sense since I enjoy singing along to the songs on the radio while I'm alone in the car.  It's relaxing and fun. It's a moment in time where I can put aside all worries or concerns of my day to enjoy a simple song.

Now is the first statement true when someone else sings?

Most of time it doesn't bother me if someone else sings (even out of tune), but when you wake up to three different children singing three different songs it's not exactly relaxing or fun. Especially if they are trying to compete who can be the louder singer.

Maybe it's just old age, but the louder the volume gets in my house the more I just want SILENCE!

On the flip side, maybe I'm doing something right in raising my children to be happy people. They are comfortable and confident enough to share their singing voices with the world. Not sure if the world will be as comfortable to receive their voices, but who cares as long as their happy. Right?