Peapod Pink

Y'all know I have a penchant for documentaries. Here's another one that I would recommend (if you have a strong stomach).
I'm getting really tired of being shocked and dismayed. I was already aware of most of the concepts presented in this film before I saw it, but it is still shocking and depressing to be reminded. I've been making a feeble attempt to buy more locally produced food, but have gotten away from organics somewhere between having 2 kids and having 4. Those feeble attempts just haven't been enough to ease my conscience. It doesn't help that I wasn't motivated toward organic for health reasons, I was motivated by ethical reasons. This film was a reminder.

Sometimes I am troubled by so many things that I feel like no one else cares about, I want to pack up my family and run away from the suburbs as fast as I can. I contemplated erasing that last sentence, but honesty prevailed. What's the point of keeping a journal if you don't talk about your feelings, right? I like to pretend no one actually reads this, then right before I hit publish...I remember there are actually quite a few of you lurking out there. Hello quiet people (waves at screen). Once every half century I actually check my stat counter and remember all of you are out there, and I am not just talking to my self.

On to happier matters. This guy is absolutely in L-O-V-E with Julianne. He is drawn to her like a moth to a flame lately. He kisses her relentlessly, jumps into her arms, squeals and runs to her every afternoon. He insists on sitting pressed up against her on the couch no matter where she sits. And despite her introverted nature...she quietly eats it up. I honestly think that it is helping her mature emotionally. The more he treats her like a rock star, the more she develops a little bit of swagger. It's awesome. I'm so glad he's here.

Watch out. Here comes a pathetic vent about something which I logically know is unimportant...but nags at me nonetheless.

Okay, so I know it is December. I probably violated some sort of rule when I tried on my new Modbe suits that came in the mail yesterday. But seriously?! I need to get Jillian Michaels back up in this place and burn that freaking 10 extra pounds off! The sight of my own stomach makes me want to cry. A friend of mine says that my self flagellation is due to me being a perfectionist. My husband agrees with her. I mean really, is 10 pounds more than my self proclaimed IDEAL weight really that important? The BMI charts suggest that I am on the low end of normal weight. The BMI charts clearly haven't seen my severe case of muffin top.

I don't care what other people weigh. I generally don't even notice other people's weight at all unless they are dangerously obese. So maybe I'm a little screwed up. I blame it on spending 27 years of being really, noticeably thin, while eating like a horse. Getting older stinks. Am I being obsessive about 10 measly pounds? Yes, yes I am. I have strong feelings about not letting things snowball. First it's 10 pounds, then it's 20, then the next thing you know you're completely unhealthy. I'm also secretly afraid that my hypothyroid is behind this, and I'll never be 104 pounds again. That would make me sad. I really need to channel some of this angst into action.

Thanks for not calling me a skinny B. I understand that no one really wants to listen to someone my size complain about their weight. It's just...my squishy belly bothers me just as much as someone bigger. A squishy muffin top looks no better in size 2 pants then it does in size 12 pants...trust me. If anything it is more noticeable in the size 2's.

Vent over. Yes, I know it's petty and vain and stupid. I like to keep things honest here.

The girls had their first recital tonight. Here is the video! Not too shabby considering that they just started lessons 3 months ago, and J has severe stage fright. We were proud...Grammy cried...ya know, the usual.

Recital from Erika on Vimeo.

It's that time of year again!

December is here and we went out to get our tree last night. We managed to get it up with lights and garland by 8pm, then put them to bed. This afternoon the kids put up the ornaments. I took a lot of pictures and did very little in the way of helping them. I have strong feelings about the tree being a "family tree" and not a "decorator tree". So, it is far from perfect and I'm sure our motley crew of ornaments are somewhat bunched up and imperfectly placed. But my little love muffins did their best, and it looks great to me!
My choices seem to be ugly pictures with flash, or blurry darkish pictures with no flash. You can see I prefer no flash. I'm sure if I had actual photography skills I could remedy that. ;-)

Okay, so maybe public service announcement is an overstatement. But, I just ordered 2 swim suits from Modbe because they are going out of business tomorrow. In case you love their suits, like I do...go grab them up now because tomorrow night they close down. I admit, I didn't need 2, but since it was my last chance, and the total price for 2 was less than I paid for 1 last spring...I couldn't resist. I guess I won't need to buy any swimwear for awhile.

I took this photo of Leia one day last week when she passed out on the couch at 9:30am. She was having some issues with monsters in her room that were causing her to get some poor rest. Fortunately, she now has a flashlight for her room and there have been no more monster sightings since. It is strange that we've made it through the first 2 kids without ever having any monster fears, or darkness fears. I guess there will always be new things to experience with each of these peas.

Last week was insanely busy as I decided to attempt to squeeze in 22 hours of work when I normally do 10. What was I thinking? And it was Thanksgiving week nonetheless. It wasn't too painful since Daniel had 5 days off, and I wasn't running kids all over as usual. I got almost all of it done in the late evening hours, so the kids barely noticed...but I sure felt it.

We enjoyed spending some time together with everyone home. We spent Thanksgiving with my parents and brother, watched our Gators kick some Seminole butt, took the kids to Chuck E Cheese, and got some things done around the house. Sadly, Xander thought that everyone was going to be home permanently and did not do well when sisters and Daddy went to school and work this morning. He hugged and kissed and waved furiously as they tried to leave. He also hugged and kissed furiously when they got home this afternoon.

I had fun substituting for Bella's Sunday school teacher yesterday. I always think my kids are crazy until I have the opportunity to spend time with their peers. It's a good reminder that they are actually really easy children. It's good to get perspective.

This afternoon we are off to pick out gifts for our angel tree child. The kids are annoyed that I don't know his name and keep asking about it, but other than that...it should be fun. Hopefully my oven won't fail me and will actually cook my lasagna as timed while we are gone. We are meeting Daniel to pick out a tree afterward and I expect to come home to a fully cooked dinner.

There are endless things that I've been meaning to blog about...but I've got to hit the road. Happy Belated Thanksgiving!