Do you not know what causes that?

Caught Red Handed

Okay, so knowing I've lost 8 pounds in the last month and my appetite, I thought I'd be nice and provide my body with anything I felt like eating the other day, as long as I ate (because I wasn't hungry).  So I decided I wanted a sweet tea and Wendy's fries. (I'd already had my veggies.) So I drive through McD's for tea and then the Wendy's guy almost doesn't give me my fries - "Hey lady, what's the nerve bringing that here?"  He was smiling and I said, "You serve sweet tea?" He shook his head. I said, "When you do I'll come here for it..."  Then he informed me it's on its way.

Crash

My HD crashed.  Not only did it crash, but I lost several thousand words and chapters of my latest book due ridiculously soon.  Depressed.

I don't have a pregnancy category!

I just realized that I don't have a pregnancy category - which is really weird for me.  I was coming just to have everyone sending positive thoughts my way tomorrow so that I can channel that to my friend having her baby tomorrow.  I'm so excited for her and the entire family as they can't wait to meet their little one. I know her pregnancy seems to have gone on forever.

Mug Shot

I forgot to mention that Aaron spotted me hanging out at a phone booth in NYC, as did Amy and Avram.  (Maybe it's an A thing...)

It's NaBloPoMo!

Curious?

Ghosting

ghosting n. leaving candy at someone’s door, knocking, and then running away before they answer.

This is from the Double Tongued Dictionary. I love it.  I think I'll try it...

Mindless Eating

I tend not to think people who like science have great personalities, but Brian Wansink at least writes really well and with an entertaining eye.  He's also got a lot of great information on the science of eating and eating cues.  CNN ran a piece today that will give you a glimpse. I also highly recommend his book: Mindless Eating

Where do I start?

Well, it's been a wild couple of weeks to say the least.  It started off at the Lamaze International Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.  The good news is that I figured out how to fly and NOT drool on myself for days afterwards - Xanax!  I actually worked on a plane.  It was great to not have panic attacks.  And lest you believe it to be a one time trick - it worked every time. I rode four, count them, four airplanes in two weeks!

In AZ I gave two presentations and lead two special groups. They were fun and exciting. I also enjoyed just relaxing with my good friend, Pat. I also picked up some goodies for friends who are CBEs. My room was way far away and it felt like a real hike, but it had a nice view of the mountains.

I came home for about 40 hours.  In which I went to HS open house, had a dinner date, shopped like a mad woman, fixed dinner for 15 guests for Rosh Hashana, did a radio interview, and went to services. I left services to go to the airport, and changed my clothes in the parking lot.

ICEA was fun, though I was wiped out. I had a good time with my room mate, Teri Shilling, even though I think I drove her a bit nuts.  She did get some good laughs in, mostly at my expsense. We had dinner with Penny Simkin, Kathy McGrath and Rachel Miller one night which was so fun to just sit and talk. We also spent a lot of time talking to Debby Amis and Jeanne Green while at ICEA, though they had led a training seminar at Lamaze, but they were busy then and unavailable for converstaion. I did two more presentations and helped Teri lug her two 74lb (EACH!) suitcases to her sessions.

I made it home in time to spend some girl time with Laurie and Paula.  We stayed out until 2 a.m.  Then back on the road with the kids for school, brunch, our first book club and stamping!

Some memorable highlights from the week:

• Ada insists on telling me how to drive. If I go the "wrong" way she tells me all about it.
• Hilary apologized for a flare up she had - which was very mature of her.
• Grandy (my mom) had a birthday and I took grandma to see her.
• Grandma informed Mom that she wouldn't live much longer. (Grandma didn't know why we were laughing so hard.)
• Clara and Owen are loving soccer and ballet.
• Lilah has fallen and scrapped up her knees again!  Poor baby. Though she is pleased with her new shoes.
• Isaac is not liking homework, but glad to be back in Tae Kwon Do and chess.
• Benjamin, after a lengthy conversation about the role of electricity in the body, including the ability to pass that electricity on, concluded: "So if it's a lightening storm outside, don't walk around holding hands..."
• The fish is alive, even after I cleaned the tank, but the boys declare that the tank still smells.
• Kevin is very, very, very glad I'm home.

It's payback time...

We're finally getting a brick and mortar Apple store.  Not only in my town, but where I could walk there if I wanted to do so.  But guess what else? That's right, I'm flying out tomorrow for the Lamaze International conference.  I hate to fly. (Sorry had to get that in there...)  But wouldn't you know it - the Apple store is opening TOMORROW.  How cruel...

Ever had one of THOSE days?

I am. Benjamin left today for Orlando to visit my dear friend, April. He made this trip last year, but was a bit nervous after surgery, etc.  He'd also forgotten about the plan ride until today.  He was a nervous nelly all day. Check in was a breeze and the electric cart guy offered us all a ride - what a treat! So we finally get him to the airport and wait for two hours for him to board. (I planned to get there that early so that he wouldn't worry about traffic, security, etc.)  We actually had fun watching planes, playing trivia for Starbursts and riddly riddly ree.

  So then we finally get going. The girls wanted to go to the bathroom. First we couldn't find one open to the public. When we did we had to put all four of us in a stall, which totally messed up the automagic flusher. Isaac waited patiently outside. I know we looked like a bunch of clowns coming out of a VW! We all headed for the grocery. I've really been trying hard to make dinner at least twice a week, including one new dish.  So tonight we were going to try Peanut Butter Hummus.

The kids weren't the best at the grocery store. I think it was my frayed nerves, but they kept stepping on my shoes and blocking my cart.  I wasn't a happy camper.  I rented them a movie for some peace when I got home.

We took some food to grandma's and put our groceries away at home. I started the movie, hoping Owen and Clara would nap.  I fixed dinner and a dessert (Yogurt pie).  Then April calls. I'm assuming she's calling to say Benjamin is on the ground. Nope, after circling for 45 minutes the plane got diverted to Palm Beach because it was low on fuel. I sent Benjamin a text message to tell him we knew what was going on and that April was not leaving him. He didn't call or return the text.

So I just kept working while we all watched the movie. Finally Kevin brought Ada home and we sat down to dinner. It was one disaster after another. Spilled this, whiney that... you get the picture. Even after I finally did scream (I'm really working on that one!), Kevin still didn't offer to take anyone with him to Tae Kwon Do. April called, Benjamin finally made it in after flying for almost 5 hours.  Poor kid, he said he was mad, but the threat level hasn't been raised and no planes were diverted, so it couldn't have been that bad.  Way to go, Benjamin!

So now I'm sitting here eating the left over Cool Whip and Ada, Owen and Clara are in bed at 6:20 p.m.  No one is yelling now...