Is it wrong?

Is it wrong that I fantasize about mopping the kitchen floor in peace?

A Rough Patch

We hit a rough patch about a week ago and have yet to come out the other side. What's happening, you ask? Well, first both kids seem exhausted most of the time. They have both had short summer colds come and go which is tough. They are not just tired, they are exhausted. Crying for little reason and generally moody. It's also been a busy few weeks which means trying to make the square peg of grumpy and tired children fit into the circle hole. This past Sunday we were laying low so everyone could get some rest. We had just one thing planned, a quick trip to Costco to get household essentials. We were going before lunch to be there near opening time and get out before the masses arrive. The best laid plans!
Two grumpy kids take longer than normal to get out of the house. The 2yo was even difficult to secure in her carseat. Then we finally arrived to Costco about a half hour later than planned. Not too bad. The place was packed! Like many parents we have a system for this sort of shopping which hinges on the kids sitting in a giant apartment sized cart for the entire trip. I should have turned around when the 5yo insisted on walking! It quickly disintegrated to the point where we were, to my horror, THAT family with two crying kids in Costco.
Here's hoping we find a smooth patch soon!

My new BFF Mindy Kaling

I just finished listening to Mindy Kaling's book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" because I spend a lot of time in the car, driving for work and my kids I listen to books. In this case it meant listening to Mindy read her own words. As someone who has been making lists for most of my life, I especially loved her use of lists.
The thing about audiobooks is that it's as if the person is speaking just to you which is why I now feel as if I know Ms Kaling, as if we are friends. Don't worry Mindy. I promise not to stalk you or even bother you should we see each other shopping at Target. Cross my heart.

Driving Papa

My dad is 80. At his age there are issues that crop up. It's expected and understandable but still unnerving.

Today is his follow-up appointment from an out patent surgery he had last week.
Did I mention he is 80?
Here is a tidbit of today's conversation.
Dad "I know you don't like AOL"
Me "What I don't like is that you pay twice for Internet service and the service you get form AOL is actually free"
Dad "they kept sending me a message about something called 1touch or some such thing and it kept popping up until I said OK to it. It's some sort of service that insures you don't lose your files. Ever since I downloaded it my computer is running really slow"
Me "this is from AOL?"
Dad "well ip popped up while I was on AOL and said it would help me but then it took a long time to load and now I can hear it running (insert modem noises here)"
Me "do you need something to store files on?"
Dad "well I saw an add for this Carbonite and It says it will take care of it"
This went on for another 20 minutes.
Looks like I'll be doing some IT at my Dads this weekend. :/

I'm Fat part II

Two weeks ago I saw a living social deal for medical weight loss. It was nearly the same time that I weighed myself and with shock and alarm found I was at my heaviest in a non-pregnant state.  Thankfully I am still not as big as I was when I was pregnant, but that's a small consolation.
So anyway. I decided to go for it. Paid the $49 for two weeks of medical oversight and shots. Today I go to my first appointment. WISH ME LUCK!

Last Night I dreamt of San Pedro and the USS Iowa

Yesterday after our regular saturday morning breakfast with the grandparents we decided to take the kids to San Pedro and the cabrillo marine aquarium.

From there we went over to the Ports o-Call to eat lunch and wander. When the hubby and I were kids the Ports O-Call was a destination where you would take out of town family for a day of ocean adjacent food and fun. Today it's a bit rundown and many of the shops are empty. The ghost of it's former self is lurking all the time. But there are still some cute little shops and the amount of fresh seafood available is overwhelming.
So anyway, we met our friend Joe and the five of us spent a couple of hours walking around. Totally unplanned, we just happened to be there the very day that the USS Iowa was moving into it's permanent berth at the San Pedro waterfront. Three football fields of steal and guns made it's way along the San Pedro waterfront as we stood and watched in the early summer sun.

Maybe it won't mean anything to my kids or even anything to us later in life but it sure was fun to be accidentally part of this historic moment in the life of this giant ship and the people who served on it.

I'm FAT!

Since having my kids I I have struggled with my weight. I am sure that a part of this is because I waited until my late 30's to have kids and so my metabolism was starting to slow down anyway. In my mind I am 140 lbs. At 5'7" thats not skinny, but it's also not fat. Unfortunately, in this alternate reality I live in I am actually quite a bit heavier. I mean quite a bit.
Last summer I went on the Atkins diet and did well. Since then I have had loads of false starts and stress eating (work, kids, schedules, health of parents, finances, and just life in general) which have landed me in this situation.
Today we do the weekly grocery shopping and I will be picking up items for my diet which will start tomorrow. If I am not well prepared there is not way it will work. So. Wish me luck and check back in (ha! as if anyone is looking anyway!) for my progress.