Read This

Because I've been too flu-ey to do much of anything lately, I've been sitting on the couch going through piles of books and magazines. I just reread Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

I think that book should be required reading. It has changed the way my family eats and the way I think about food altogether. Her chapter on veganism is the most eloquent opinion on the subject I have ever read. Veganism is a touchy subject around our house. More on that some other day.

Also, we have a manager for the store. There's no reason that you, my blog friends, shouldn't enjoy my rapid changes of topic just like my other friends.

Rock Star Things

Three things I couldn't live without right now:

1. My Kendra Scott cuff. On sale at Nordstrom. Makes me feel like a rock star.

2. Safeway brand Theraflu in berry green tea flavor. Also makes me feel like a rock star. Stupid flu.

3. Immersion blender. My son thinks I am a rock star because I froth his Swiss Miss.

Step On This

Getting a divorce was way less trauma than all the literature predicted it would be. There were lots of elements about my situation that made that conclusion possible, but I have never second guessed that decision.

However.

Blending a family with two sets of children from two previous marriages has been more difficult than anything I could have imagined. We failed here. Not so much a stepmother as a stepping stone.

Checking You Out

Here are two of the dolphins checking out the humans. They swim right up when you approach the pod. The Dolphin Research Center really does seem like a lovely place for the dolphins to spend their life.

training a dolphin today

Up All Night, The Reality Show

My son woke up screaming in the middle of the night because of the pain in his throat. I ended up falling back asleep right through the hacking and the crying to find this note:

3:30 a.m.
Dear Mom,
if you wake up and my voice is lost again,
it isn't now. I coughed up a gigantic wad of nosegoop
and my voice is fine. 3 catches:
1 ears a' poppin' occasionally
2 my voice is 2Hz higher
3 I don't feel great

I wish you were awake to hear my beautiful voice
signed
enfermo nino

PS penguin says hello

The Year of The Bug

About a week ago, a group of foreign buggies took up residency in my intestines. Every time I eat I get bad cramps. Having not been able to eat, I have not been able to run. Having not been able to run, I have been grumpy and tired. My friend said the exact same thing happened to her, so I guess it is a bunch of buggies making the rounds.

I sweat like crazy last night, so I was hoping it was the buggies making their grand exit, but here I sit, slowly trying to sip an almond milk latte and my intestines are going ARE YOU FRIGGIN' CRAZY. It has been far too long since I have eaten and as a result of this vicious cycle I am still looking at a Christmas tree and a house that is a disaster.

Anyway, Happy New Year. For me, I am hoping to start the New Year later this week when my son and I head to The Keys. His big Christmas present this year was that I arranged for him to be a dolphin trainer for a day.