Not Me Monday

All My Kids 123 inspired me to start this today. She got the idea from this lovely lady. Let's face it...coming clean can be invigorating and freeing.

Let's get started.

1. I DID NOT eat an entire bag of smoked almonds on the way home from the grocery store just now.

2. I DID NOT let my daughter's clean laundry sit in the laundry basket for 2 weeks...causing her to search and search for her clothes.

3. I DID NOT eat 25 pumpkin cremes last night before going to bed.

4. I DID NOT let my children shower for 45 in my bathroom a few nights ago...til the water ran cold and our well gauge was very low. Hey, it was the most peace and quiet I'd had in a long time!!!!

That's all that's coming to mind now. I'm going to have to eat some more creme pumpkins for further inspiration.

What are some of your confessions?

Best Laid Plans

Hello. Remember me? It's been awhile, I know. Had a case of the blues. And a severe case of the "over-worked, under-rested, going crazies." Really, that should be an official American Medical Association diagnosis.

What's been goin' on with me? Well, in the last 14 days I have done some running, taken an ice bath after running (BRRRR!), semi-successfully run a household by myself for 10 of those days while Animesh has either worked or traveled, packed snacks and lunches for school, fixed dinners my children wouldn't eat, washed 143 loads of laundry, read a trillion stories to kids, found Trevor's shoes for him at least 45 times, attended a fun 20th high school reunion, cleaned up 37 poop piles around our house left by our aging beagle, slept a total of 29 hours, consumed 900 cups of coffee, biked with my friend Lisa and then swam in Boerne lake with a million snapping turtles (they LOOKED like they were going to eat me!) and a little crab who nearly pinched my ankles off, and pasted on a fake smile for the world to see each and every morning. It's been a little exhausting. Okay. A lot exhausting.

Please don't misunderstand. I am blessed. BEYOND MEASURE! I am just explaining my absence in blogland. I have been too tired. And, too blue.

So, I'm back...and I was all fired up about my post for the Gaitor Bait Triathlon that was this morning. I had it all planned. Since Animesh is in Mexico for work (I'm sure consuming tequila is part of the business meeting), Mom and Dad took the kids last night for a sleepover. I dropped them off and headed to pick up my race packet for this morning's big race. I was stoked. I was going to have the entire evening to myself...alone in the house. More importantly, I was going to be able to sleep without having little visitors wake me in the middle of the night. I would be well-rested for the race!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOO!!!!!

Yesterday I dropped off the kids at my parents and then picked up my race packet. I then headed for the pet store. Spridle needed food. As I'm driving I receive a phone call. It's Animesh's new partner's wife. She's in labor with their 4th child. And, she's in need of a babysitter. For their 3 kids. Who, coincidentally, are the exact same ages as the 3 little Indians.

They are new to town. They have no family. And, they needed the help I had offered so many times.

I couldn't believe it. My best laid plans were foiled. While I believed whole-heartedly that I was meant to be child-less last night, God had other plans. He reminded me yet again how He is really the one in control. My focus was on giving myself a break. His goal was to help help me remember how we're on this earth to serve each other...therefore displaying His love for the world to see.

Don't get me wrong. I did shed some tears of frustration. I did experience disappointment and sadness. But, I ended up having a great time with those 3 precious children who made me miss my own little ones. The daddy arrived home at midnight after their precious baby girl had been born. I got to bed about 1:30 am. No triathlon for me this morning...couldn't drag myself out of bed at 5am...but I'm thinkin' I got a better reward than a plastic gold medal.

And, I didn't have to swim with those snapping turtles. Or the pinching crab. OR the ghost of Mr. Alligator.

And, I slept in this morning.

Thanks, God. You helped me realize for the zillionth time that maybe my best laid plans aren't always the best. And, I've got the Gaitor Bait t-shirt to remind me.

FOUND!

Not even 24 hours after he went missing, Spridle was returned to us safe and sound. He barely made it a mile yesterday when a dear neighbor--whom we've never met--brought Spridle home to us. The family took him in about 8pm last night...letting him sleep with their own dogs...feeding him...and keeping him safe. This afternoon the mother asked her teenage daughter what she would do if she lost a dog. The teenager answered, "I would put up signs!" They headed to the mailboxes to see if any had been posted. Lo and behold, there was Spridle's picture and our phone number. The sweet family delivered our very exhausted beagle this evening.

The kids are thrilled. Animesh and I are relieved.

And you can be SURE that Spridle will be sporting that very noisy collar from now on.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, support, kind comments, phone calls, and emails. I am definitely feelin' the love.

Lost

Our remaining beloved beagle, Spridle, escaped from the house last night.

It was bound to happen. We have finicky doors, and the kids had been running in and out all afternoon yesterday...celebrating the cooler temps by playing on the playground. We found the back door ajar. We couldn't have set it up any better for our precious dog who loves to wander.

By the time I realized he was gone, the darkness was settling upon our neighborhood...which doesn't have any street lamps. Animesh drove up and down almost every street around here...yelling Spridle's name and shaking the treat bag...to no avail.

Neither of us slept well. I was consumed with guilt...and wondering if Spridle was thirsty, sleepy, hungry, safe from the wildlife. Animesh was up late posting signs at the mailbox. We emailed our "lost pet" coordinator in the neighborhood--a necessary person given the hundreds of acres that compose our subdivision--so we hope and pray the word is out.

I hopped out of bed early this morning...praying that I would find Spridle curled up on our patio somewhere...begging to be fed. He loves to eat.

Eerily enough, it will be 6 months tomorrow that we said good-bye to our little Kirby. I'm not ready to say good-bye to Spridle, too. He is our first-born. We got him a month after we married when we first moved to Ohio. He's been such a gentle companion for our children. He tolerated Kirby with kindness.

Please come home, Spridle. Please.

Monday, Monday...

Ahhh. Monday morning. My favorite day of the week. No, I'm not kidding. It really is. The weekends are great, yes, but there's something about starting fresh at the beginning of the school/work week. There's something about routines and schedules and knowing exactly what is coming next and sticking to a time regimen that just makes our family function better.

This morning it is a cool 65 degrees...I shot this photo 10 minutes ago from my back patio. It feels awesome out there...I'm headed back to the patio after I post this...until Trevor wakes up. Priya and Deven have already left for school with Daddy. It was a later night than expected, but it was wonderful. We had Animesh's TWO NEW PARTNERS over for dinner (yes, after 10 years he finally has some help), and they are terrific. One of his partners has 3 children the exact same ages as our kids. The kids (all of them) got along fabulously and played outside till the swing set faded into the darkness.

I should have a triathlon to report about, but the race Saturday morning was canceled. No one knew exactly what Ike was going to bring, so the coordinators decided it was better to be safe than sorry. The tri is re-scheduled for the 28th...which is fine by me...since Lisa and I rode the bike route last week and discovered a freakin' horrible hill about half way through the course. Have at least another week and a half to psych myself up for that...or to chicken out altogether. The latter is sounding more appealing with each passing day.

Thankfully, Ike never even made his presence known in our neck of the woods. The same cannot be said for my two friends in Ohio...as of yesterday they've lost power indefinitely. So have my friends in Houston...where new devastation is still be discovered on a daily basis. Please remember them in your prayers.

It's a busy week ahead...need to fit in a long run for the 1/2 marathon training...PTO meeting and dinner...Daddy going out of town...ending with my 20th High School Reunion this weekend. Dawn and I are making a girls' night out of it, so it will undoubtedly be fun and interesting...although we'll be missing our other high school peeps...Vanessa, Yvette, Nancy...

I cannot believe I just used the word "peeps." I promise, it won't ever happen again.

Wet & Wild

I have been glued to the Weather Channel the last 3 days. Just 72 hours ago Hurricane Ike was headed towards the Texas coast (well, it still is...) but the San Antonio area was in the direct line of fire. Now, the storm has shifted its path northward, but those of us here in South Texas will still, most likely, feel its dangerous effects.

Not usually one for over-reacting, I buckled and bought cases of bottled water. If our power goes out, our well water will not provide for us. We've secured our loose items on the porch...the kids had a great time carting patio furniture cushions and plant stands into the garage. They were a mixture of nervous excitement and fear...special sleeping arrangements are in order for the evening. Daddy gets the boys in our bed. Priya and I are hunkering down in her bed. And all of us should be exhausted come morning.

Animesh and I kept asking each other if we were doing all of this work for no reason.

We certainly hope so.

Please keep those on the Texas coast...just 4 hours away from us...in your thoughts and prayers. The strong winds and storms we might receive will pale in comparison to what they will undoubtedly experience.

Grease LIGHTNIN'!

My very first experience in a movie theater was when my mom took me to see a double feature of Grease and Saturday Night Live. I think I was only 8 or 9, and looking back on it now, it was totally inappropriate. I don't think my mother even knew what these movies were about, and, thankfully, most of the overtones were totally lost on my naive little brain.

But, the music. OH! HOW I LOVED THE MUSIC! I owned both soundtracks shortly after seeing the movies, and I would spend hours in front of a mirror singing every single song that blasted from my record player. Yes, I said record player.

So, imagine my pure delight when my friend, Patty, sent this to me this morning. It is priceless.

All you moms out there will definitely enjoy it.

Me and my Shadow

I suspected that when school started and I was left alone with Trevor on Mondays and Fridays, he would give me a run for my money. Trevor is constantly being entertained by his siblings, and I just assumed he would expect the same from me. He does, after all, have a history of being high maintenance in the entertainment department.

I couldn't have been more wrong. Or more pleasantly surprised.

Ya see, I've never really spent so much time with one of my children as a 3-year-old. Priya was just 18 months when Deven was born. Deven was only 2 when Trevor was born. I've almost always had at least 2 kids home...or, if I DID manage to have only one, they were pretty young and still in need of diaper changes and naps.

Let me tell ya, this 3-year-old stuff is fun.

Friday morning Trevor suggested we play outside in our jammies after Animesh took the older two to school. The temps were cool, the sun was peeking out from behind the trees, and, in Trevor's mind, it was the perfect time to ride a scooter. I must agree that it was, and I was so grateful Trevor persuaded me to leave the dirty dishes in the sink and to relish in some play time with him one-on-one.

Later, after my dr. appointment, we went to Target and then to lunch. Thankfully, he suggested Chilis and not McDonald's. He sat across from me in the booth as we shared chips and salsa, and we engaged in such interesting conversation I felt as if I couldn't get enough. The observations, viewpoints, and facial expressions offered by this young child never cease to amaze me. Plus, he's just so darn cute to look at.

Later, when we were driving to the school to pick the kids up, Trevor said to me from the back seat, "Mom, it was a fun day with just you and me."

Indeed it was, my sweet baby boy. Indeed it was.

Breath of Fresh Air

It is cool this morning. 73 degrees here in the Texas Hill Country. We are typically 5 degrees cooler than San Antonio on most days, and the past couple days it has been noticeably pleasant.

Yesterday morning Lisa and I took advantage of the weather and rode our bikes together. We had trained together for the Danskin Triathlon, but we hadn't ridden side by side since May.

It felt good to enjoy the fresh air...both literally and figuratively.

Lisa's friendship is like a breath of fresh air. She is positive, upbeat, and kind. She is funny, loving, and tender-hearted. As always, it was a joy to spend the morning (and lunch afterwards) with her.

I brought along my little point-and-shoot
to capture the scenery. We asked a
stranger to take this one...
in front of this charming,
small-town post office we always pass.

The sky really was this blue...

I shot my shadow as I cycled...very, very slowly.

Good ole' country road.
Wouldn't be complete without
a fiberglass cow sign, now would it?

Of course, it's always exhilarating when
one of these whooshes by us...
swaying me on my bike ever so slightly...
causing me to feel tiny, human, fragile,
and yet somehow powerful all at the same time
when I manage to not fall off.

Thanks, Lisa, for another great ride, awesome conversation, and your unconditional friendship. I love you!