Seriously Cranky

I have been really cranky at home lately. I wish that this wasn't the case, but in fact, I keep finding myself snapping at my kids. I used to be on a med for my auto-immune issues that would help with chronic joint pain. I stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago in conjunction with being gluten-free so I would have a better "base line" for my health. Plus, being gluten-free is supposed to help with inflammation so I was just hoping I actually didn't need it anymore. But, I can't really decide. I do not have as severe joint pain in general, but I threw my back out 1 1/2 weeks ago (again) and that particular joint is terrible (sacral, left side) but the rest of me feels OK (word of the day) joint-wise but emotionally, I am leaving a lot to be desired.

Car and I just keep butting heads. MK and I seem OK for the most part, but that younger one can really push my buttons. Example: Saturday she found an over the shoulder sports bag in the basement. It looks something like this -

She asked if she could use it for school. I think I mentioned that my kids go to a Catholic school and that said school likes to send home several very heavy textbooks for studying and homework at least 4 nights a week. I said, "No way, you have to have a two shoulder bag for school." So, she switched all of her lacrosse equipment to it instead. Fast forward to the next day. She finds another one of these bags in the basement. Hubs gets a lot of freebies at cable events. She brings it up; decoratively duct tapes the front of it, then comes to show us her bag and how excited she is about it. I said it looks great. She shows her dad and then says, "Ok I am going to switch it over to my book bag now." Umm, "What?" This ended in a lot of stomps and door slamming, by me. Did I stifle her creativity, did I overreact to something not that big of a deal, and did I not choose my battle wisely? Yes, yes, yes. But I don't care. I am sick and tired of the blatant disregard for anything I say at all by the 10 year old. It is unraveling me at high speed. And, this is making me realize, I should probably be adding meds to my daily quota, not taking them away.

Seriously Delish

My mouth feels like my taste buds are exploding into fireworks right now, but in a good way. I sometimes make this bean salad referred to as Cowboy Caviar. I hate the name but it sure is tasty. Now that I have been gluten-free for almost 7 weeks*, I have needed to come up with more creative dining choices, especially for lunch. I made this traditional Cowboy Cav a few weeks ago and was in the mood again today. After preparing the dressing, I realized I did not have all of the ingredients, like 2 of the main ingredients, so I improvised and made my own. 

Because I am so thoughtful (word of the day) I am going to share it with you all today. You.must.try.it. Then comment here so you can tell me what you thought.

HK's Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Ingredients
2 Tbs red-wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp hot sauce (I used Tabasco - use less if you don't like things hot)
2 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1 firm, ripe avocado
1/4 of a fresh lemon juice
1 can black-eyed peas (drained and rinsed)
1 cup sweet corn kernels (defrosted, or drained if canned)
2 tsp diced sweet onion
1/3 cup diced red pepper
1/3 cup diced cilantro
1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts drained and diced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix vinegar, hot sauce, oil and garlic. Toss to combine. Peel, pit and cut avocado into 1/2 inch pieces, add to dressing and mix gently. Squeeze juice of a 1/4 lemon over the avocado.
2. Add drained peas and corn to the mix. Add the chopped sweet onion, cilantro and artichoke. Gently mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serve with gluten-free (or not) corn tortilla chips and/or put over lettuce. Enjoy!

I ate half of it for lunch today

*I weighed myself at week 6 and I have successfully gained an additional pound. I am eating less, more lean and green, exercise 4 days a week and I am up over 5 pounds total in 2 months. I hate being 40. #40seriouslysucks

Seriously Peace

I think I have mentioned that my house is not big, in fact, it is quite small, and I don't really have a problem with that considering I am the one who has to clean it. But, there are moments when I want just one more room, in the back, with a door that locks from the outside so I can just have some peace (word of the day).

Our "office" is one wall of our kitchen. I normally LOVE that our computer space is in our kitchen space as this is where we always are. I know what my kids are doing online, I can help them with homework, or stop them from watching one too many kitten videos on YouTube. But, because I am spending more time on the computer than I normally even do typing this blog, I have realized that sometimes I just want some privacy.  So, I guess I need to add laptop to my list of wants (and $50K to put the addition on the back). I am currently typing day 18 of 30 this morning so that I can check blogging off my list of to do items today. While typing I have had Car over my shoulder, "What you doing mom? Blogging? Is it about me?" Why yes, dear, now it is. Hubs is listening to some country singer on YouTube, he says I can have the computer now, but he still wants to hear the song. But I, of course, just want some peace and quiet to think about what I am going to write. I put my head down on the counter to reiterate this point and when I pick it up, they are each over one of my shoulders reading the screen to mock me.

The song ends, Car and hubs are heading out for errands and finally I can concentrate. Hubs walks back in with the Bona box (hardwood floor mop that I ordered on amazon prime) sticking out of him and says, "Look hon, you still give me a Bona after 17 years of marriage."

#nonsense #dotheyevergrowup

Seriously Singing

MK did the first reading at First Friday mass today. I was not able to stay for all of mass, but I was there for the first half (I'm such a Half-lic). The hymn that was sung by the choir at the start of mass was On Eagles Wings. This is one of those hymns that I know every single word to because I too, went to Catholic grade school.

Once in my early 20's I was out with friends over the summer at a bar in my hometown. I ran into a group of guys that were still all friends with each other from my grade school. They graduated a year ahead of me, but none of them had gone to the same high school as me. So, I had not seen any of them, I don't think, since they were in 8th grade, about 8 years prior. It was a huge bar, one or two of these guys came across the bar to talk to me. We were catching up over a few beers, reminiscing about grade school,  and our shared history (word of the day).  Then, out of nowhere I start singing On Eagles Wings at the top of my lungs (I have a weird feeling I was over served) and these two guys join in. Next thing I know we are singing so loud in what I think was an attempt to get the other group of guys across the bar to hear us and join in. I have no recollection if they did or not. I think we next broke out in the little ditty His Banner Over Me is Love, with motions! My friends had totally abandoned me at this point but I don't think I cared.

Every time I hear either of these hymns I suddenly crave a Natty Light,  and can't help but think of that smoky bar and the camaraderie of those classmates. Probably not the correct intention of a couple of church hymns, but it's a helluva memory!

Seriously Dreading

Today it is beautiful out, finally! I should be so exited to take on today, but nonetheless, not so much. I am working today, which is not a problem, looking forward to that because then I don't even have to really think about all the other stuff going on. I know this is not the case with most working moms. My job is the type that when I am there, we deal with each client and project as it comes in, we set realistic deadlines and we do what we can in between helping customers. I know my boss stresses some about it all, but the rest of the shop girls can just punch out when our day is done and not worry about a thing work related. 

And, on the flip side, while at work, I do not really think about what I have to get done the rest of the day. I am able to put that out of my head because there is nothing I can do about it while at work. That is a lovely thing. I do check my texts at work, but I don't check email until I get home. 

After work today I have to take MK to the orthopedic. She has been having consistent knee pain since last July. I kept thinking it was going to coincide with some sort of growth spurt, but that's not the case. She can no longer go up on pointe at ballet because of the pain. She takes Advil before class and uses a heat pad every day. It's one of those mom-worrying moments. I am sure I am over thinking it like I tend to do, but I am just praying this doesn't turn into anything long term or serious. It brings back so many memories of my ortho appointments throughout my childhood due to gymnastics injuries. 

Then in addition to the appointment this afternoon, hubs and I have an event tonight. The event itself is a positive awards kind of thing, recognizing those in our county that help those that need it. The organization serves the homeless, the hungry, the emotionally and physically handicapped, immigrants, the marginalized and the vulnerable. My husband is on the board of directors and we go to the annual Celebration of Charity event each year. It is a humbling (word of the day) event to attend. But it is also incredibly boring. Tonight they are honoring not just one, but two politicians plus a priest. I am sure the speeches will be short and to the point, right? I am taking bets on two things. How long the event will run and how many people I will catch nodding off. 

Seriously Dairy Fairy

I swear I was born in the wrong decade. I think I should have been a 50's kind of mom. About 9 months ago I started using a dairy delivery service. Yes, I have a milk box on my front porch and yes I do get glass quarts of milk (for the most part). I absolutely love it! And it is not just a milk delivery, they are a full service operation bringing me locally produced foods including meat, pies, breads, eggs, pasta, sauces, pierogis, granola, honey, empanadas, pizza, pickles, cookies, you name it, right to my front door, every week! I have to place my order on Friday's by noon for the next week's Wednesday delivery. So, guess what? Since I have absolutely no short term memory left in my brain, it is like Christmas morning every.single.wednesday. About 7am each week my dog starts barking and I know my milk and goodies have arrived.

Our family favorites - chocolate milk by Ronnybrook Farm,  Peg's Eggs, Noble Pies chocolate bread (for MK) and the gluten-free zucchini muffins are a little taste of heaven. The favorite is the Lowland sweet (word of the day) Italian sausage. Best sausage I have ever put in my mouth. period.

This morning's delivery

Seriously Tuned Out

A friend reminded me of this story tonight. Seamas, our exchange student was very, very excited that we had a piano in the house. The 2nd day she lived with us she asked if she could play. I, being the pleaser that I am said, "Yes, of course". Day 3 we all wake up at 4am to the pounding on the piano. Apparently, I needed to be more specific about when she could play the piano. Day 4 she began at 8am after she ate a hot dog for breakfast. Things were not starting out well.

She had not taken lessons in a few years, and now that she was in America and only went to school for 7 1/2 hours a day versus her normal 12 hours, she had A LOT of free time. But none of this free time was spent with us, she spent her quality (word of the day) time playing Korean video games on her laptop or playing the piano. She had one particular song she played over and over. I later learned it was the theme song to a Chinese soap opera.

We interviewed 3 separate piano instructors and she finally settled on the instructor my MK uses. She paid for a one hour lesson a week, by the month in cash. We never saw where she stored her money in her room, she had no bank account, but in the end we think she brought $5K with her in cash in her suitcase with her sports socks.

Back to the piano, once she started lessons she wanted to practice every.single.day. And, at first, this was either during homework time or during dinner and I was close to combustion. My piano is in my front room, my house is not large, there is a front room and a back room (kitchen) on the main floor. That is it. There was no escaping the pounding of the ivories. And while some of the music was lovely, most of it was scales and more scales over and over. And, she played for 3 hours at a time. Did I mention every.single.day? So, by day 9, I had to devise a plan.

I created her a piano schedule. This piano schedule directly correlated with my kids other activities when we were out of the house. It went something like this - Monday 3-4 (Car basketball), Tuesday 3-4 (MK's piano lesson), Wednesday 5-6 (Car ballet), Thursday 4-5 (MK ballet) Friday 3-4 (to get it over with) Saturday - Off (she had her lesson, isn't that enough) Sunday - when we are at church.  She was not happy that I only gave her one hour a day. So I added in, any time we are out of the house, feel free to play as long as you would like. Then I laminated it and put it on her bulletin board.