Monday, February 21, 2011

Just A Bunch Of Gobblety-Gook (Plus Yoga!)

I really didn’t know what to write about, so I’m just gonna start talking at random and see where it leads. Fortunately, I’m not on any cold meds right now, so my head is firmly attached to my neck and all body parts feel as they should. In other words, I don’t think there will be any fog-related, incoherent babble. Well, just based on what I’ve written so far, I could be wrong.

 

The first thing I wanted to mention was this really cool bookshelf that is down at the bottom of my blog. All the way down there. Coolest. Thing. Ever. (Thanks Chanel for letting me steal it from you.) I love putting all the books (that I could remember) that I’ve read in there and then ranking and reviewing them. Okay, well, I haven’t actually gotten around to reviewing them, but it’s in the plan to do so. Feel free to peruse my book shelf and see if there’s something there that might tickle your fancy. I’ve even included books that I haven’t liked so much just so I can keep track of how many I’ve read over the course of the year. Maybe you’ll like one that I didn’t. Never hurts to try.

 

Another thing is I have a poll that I started over the weekend. It’s mostly out of curiosity because I really have no intention of changing the way I do things. But I have been wondering how many people go back and read the comments that the blogger may have left for you or the comments that other people read. Sometimes I start asking questions in my replies to comments and I don’t know if you’ll ever see them or not. So, vote if you so choose and if you want to comment on the poll, please feel free. I’d like to think of my blog (as I’m sure many other bloggers do) as an open discussion where we can talk back and forth. It makes life more interesting, doesn’t it?

 

Today my daughter doesn’t has school because of President’s Day and it’s really thrown things out of whack for me. I’m such a creature of habit, any little deviation from my normal day makes me feel all discombobulated the rest of the day. Today also happened to be my first day of yoga class so that’s a whole new element of my daily schedule that I’ll have to get used to. So instead of trying to sleep in and be lazy on my daughter’s day off, I was up at my regular “school day” time and had myself and both kids ready and out the door at 8:30 so they could play at my mother-in-law’s house while I tried out this whole yoga thing.

 

image credit

 

The class, honestly, went better than I expected. It was bigger than I hoped it would be, but like everything else I’ve experienced at the Y, I’m the youngest in the group by probably ten years, (although the majority of the class had a good 25-35 years on me.) But this time, it worked out in my favor because I’m still quite a bit more flexible than most of them. (Not all I don’t think because there are some freakishly in shape retired people there!) It was the start of a new session, but as the instructor didn’t recognize me, she came over and introduced herself and asked if I had taken any yoga classes before. I said no, but I had done it on the Wii. I laughed when I said it because I didn’t think it was going to make much of a difference, but it really did help. She told me that she would show certain modifications to some of the positions, and I could work at my own pace. But being the superstar that I am (just kidding, I’m actually nowhere close to superstar status,) I didn’t need to do any of the modifications to make it easier. Did I feel it? Oh yeah. Am I going to be sore? I think in some parts of my body I will be, but I really enjoyed it! Even the instructor after the class said I did really well (“I’m a natural” were her exact words) and that the Wii must have helped. (I don’t know why I giggle every time I talk about doing yoga on the Wii. It sounds so kidish. Oh well.)

 

After my class, I picked my kids up and at my husband’s recommendation, took them to McDonald’s for lunch. That was stupid on top of brain dead. With no school today, the place was packed and the play place was a nightmare come true. Kids were everywhere and adults were scarce. Even my kids were a bit taken aback by the commotion (ah, I’m raising them well) and didn’t feel like staying long. My daughter (much to my amazement) patiently helped her brother through the tunnels and showed him where I was sitting and watching, so they could wave. He was pretty scared so they only went through the thing a handful of times because he was going so…slow…But she was good and only left him sit once while she crawled up and around calling for him to follow her. But I watched in horror as big kids chased little kids trying to scare them and one big sister kept picking up her very small (maybe two year old) sister by the wrists and standing her on one of the play tables, then telling her to jump from the table to the stool to the floor. Um, hello, can we get a parental figure over here please?! We’ve got a big sister trying to maim little sister! (Parents/caregivers should come up with a code system like cops or doctors for situations like that. “We’ve got a 10-16 in progress! Requesting parental authority immediately!” Just a thought.) Maybe I should have been the one to step in and stop it, but frankly, I’ve seen it enough times where a parent goes ape shit on another parent for trying to tell their kids what to do and I just wasn’t prepared to deal with that. If we would have been at the school, yes, I would have been more comfortable stopping the behavior. But McDonald’s? Nope. Sorry. Maybe that makes me less of a good person, but that’s me.

 

That was when I decided it was time to go home (the kids had had enough trying to compete for tunnel space anyway) so I could get my little guy down for his nap and laundry started. It’s way late to be starting laundry (did I mention my whole day goes to shit when my schedule is messed up?), but I’m trying to get through it.

 

Oh yeah, a piece of good news. Remember when I talked about my son always wanting to be on the computer any time I would try to sit down at it? My husband and I ordered a laptop for me over the weekend and I should have it by the end of the week! Do you hear angels singing? Cause I do! I’m so excited because now I’ll be able to relax on the couch and write whatever, any time I get the words flowing in my brain! It’ll be great! No more having to pick between watching TV with Hubby or working on the computer. I’ll be able to do both! And in situation like now, where the neighbor comes over, rings the doorbell to ask if my daughter can come over to play and it wakes up my sleeping son. Goddamn it! Okay, deep breaths. Deep breaths.

13 comments:

  1. Yep, the smallest change in my routine messes up my whole day. I just want to immediately lay down and read.

    I love the cartoon! That's how yoga can make you feel sometimes.

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  2. I avoid eating out on school holidays for that very reason. CiCi's pizza is a mad house on school holidays.

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  3. AH! You're a Phillipa Gregory fan! (I think I suspected or knew that before...but the bookshelf proves it) I've read all of her books. LOOOOOOVE them. I'm interested in Dark Queen and Twilight Queen. They seem like they might be right up my alley. I'm so glad you love your shelf!

    Yoga sounds like fun. I'd like to try it one day. But, you know, not in a glass full of strangers. I think I'd need a friend to go with me.

    Congrats on your soon to be there laptop! I love mine. I take it with me everywhere. It's so awesome.

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  4. I laughed out loud at your "we've got a 10-16 over here" hahaha. I've often wished we had that when I see stuff like that at playgrounds, parks, and indoor fun zones. I can't stand when parents/caregivers aren't watching close enough. I know sometimes it's hard with the 4 kids I have...but I at least try so dang hard.

    I have read a good deal of Phillipa Gregory but I just can't get on board with a couple. I know incest was more common back then but sometimes I think she goes a bit far with it.

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  5. P.S. I usually go back and check the comments to see if I got a response. Sometimes I forget.

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  6. I go back and check comments for follow ups and the like. I have tried the email comments thing and it can kind of clogs up the in box.

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  7. I'm so glad that you posted that poll, Hannah, because I had been wondering the same thing myself. I always reply to all of the comments because I'm so thrilled that people were moved enough to leave them.

    I think that they should have hoses in McDonald's so that when the urchins get out of hand, you can just spray them down like any other wild animal. The fact that your kids were taken aback by the insanity really speaks volumes about what a brilliant mother you are, dearest.~

    Cheers to the new computer, too!

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  8. I feel ya! Having my kiddo home on no school days really cuts into "me" time. I try really hard to see it as extra time with her, but I'm ashamed to say a small part of me still wishes she were back at school.....

    Exciting news about the laptop! Hope you enjoy it!

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  9. I don't usually make it back, and I had that same thought myself. It is tough to have a conversation over blog comments. Facebook comments and their notifications are nice, and would be cool on a blog too.

    My schedule has been a wreck since I quit my fancy pants job in Sept. and started consulting. I kind of like it, but some days I just don't get much accomplished. After 2 years of ludicrous stress and schedule maintenance, i am enjoying the disorganization. McDonalds - yuck.

    The Yoga cartoon cracked me up. I am NOT a natural, in fact Yoga is unnatural for me. While I am calm, I am not flexible. I am a natural at couch laying. In fact, i am doing exactly that now with my laptop and I am so happy for you to get to do the same. Prepare for the husband eye rolling...it's coming. Special Agent is playing a computer game at present, so would not notice if I were on fire, but normally is wondering if I am "ever going to put that thing away..?".

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  10. *Trying to remember all he wanted to say throughout*

    The poll: Why yes, yes I do go back and check, both on my own blog and on others. (especially now that I have my computer back)

    I'm sure you've already seen my many testimants to yoga on my blog, but it really is wonderful. So peaceful and relaxing, but it kicks your ass too. Good stuff.

    And, I probably wouldn't have done anything at McDonald's either... for the same reason you did: I fear the ape shit...

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  11. ms. caboo, I thought the cartoon was really funny too. I haven't had that thought go through my mind yet, but hey, it's only been one day of class. It's bound to happen.

    OT, you are a much smarter parent than I. It never even occurred to me that it would be a nuthouse until I walked in. And by that time, it was too late to turn back. A lesson was learned yesterday.

    Chanel, the Dark Queen series is really good. And bonus (although I don't know why other than it's just cool) the author only lives about an hour from where I do! And thanks for your feedback on the poll.

    Jewels, is it bad to admit that I started laughing too when I had the 10-16 thought pop into my head? I get so frustrated when adults are not paying attention to their kids. I know everyone has different parenting methods, but good grief. At least watch to make sure they don't kill each other. And I really have no idea how you manage to control 4 kids! I lose my mind with 2. You're amazing!

    George, I hear ya on the clogging up the inbox. That's why I switched to an email address just for blogging. I forget what blogs I commented on if I don't get the emails. Thanks for your input!

    Kat, the results so far from the poll are surprising me, but I still like responding to everyone's comments. And I love the hose idea! Thanks for thinking I'm doing a good job with my kids. There are days I think I am and days I think I'm failing, but I suppose that's pretty normal.

    Megan, don't be ashamed. I feel the same way. Days off are hard. Maybe if I had more "me time" in the evening, it wouldn't bother me as much, but I really depend on nap time to destress a little.

    Onion, it would be nice if the blogs had a more FB way of comment notifications. That way you wouldn't have to wade through all the other comments that aren't directed at you. I'm a natural at couch laying too. :) My husband is on his laptop a lot when he's home so if he starts giving me grief about being on mine, we'll both have to put them away. Fair's fair right?

    Paul, thanks for your input on the poll. It's been interesting hearing what everyone thinks about comments. The yoga was a good experience and I was really afraid to give the class a try. Not so much for the actual exercise (although like you said it kicked my ass), but just being in a new situation. I'm such a coward in that respect. And your last line made me laugh! Ape shit is always scary.

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  12. I'm so proud of you for getting out of your comfort zone and doing the yoga thing. :D

    That McDonald's sounds like my worst nightmare. Unsupervised children... bleh.

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  13. Thanks, Hero! I'm pretty proud of myself too. And yes, McDonald's was awful.

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