Convoy of Kids

Shortly after I arrive at work, shouts of children come drifting down the street from a cache of kids riding their bikes to school.   A few minutes later the walkers come marching along with packs and purposeful steps chatting away.

Our business park is between their apartment complex and a daily dose of education. The school year will be over soon, but that doesn't discourage the children after months of car-pool rides released to the out-of-doors with adult in tow for good measure.

This same school was the recipient of my employer's generous years of tutoring, science fair judging, PTA support and thousands of copies provided for all of the first-grade booklets that I folded myself.

It feels good to hear happiness in a convoy of kids.

Cookie Cutter Culture

Envying those wearing the latest summer styles (even guys are wearing them), I splurged and bought some colorful cropped pants, torquoise and orange.

 My daughter said after I told her of my fancy find, "You live in such a 'cookie cutter' culture, everyone looks the same."  After bursting my bubble, I got up the nerve to wear them. I even left the tags on just in case someone called me a 'dough head'.


Cheaper ones were found at another store and tried on to see if they would work.  How is it that some brands make you look like a stuffed walrus?  Sporting the pricier ones, I ventured off to work with lots of compliments. 

"Now I need new tops to go with them", I told the Mr.  After rummaging thru the closet, some stand-ins were located.  They will do until the right sale comes along. 

In the meantime I feel as stylish, as a 'macaroon' that is!

5 a.m. Fitness Fancy

When Julie, my sister, said she was attending the 5a.m. Krank & Spinning classes, I just couldn't wrap my head around it.  She'd joined the gym I go to and loved it.  No way would I bring myself to even consider it.  I was good with 6:30 or later. 

After waking up at 4:30 one morning with no chance of more sleep, I decided to 'do it'.  Why not surprise her, too.  Well the surprise was on me.


. 

Gina, the Krank teacher, is a real comedian to keep us laughing and working out. My first time there she asked me about the weddings. I played along, clueless what she was talking about, until I realized she thought I was, Julie, who has two weddings this month.

Now four weeks and at least a dozen 5am classes later, there's no sighting of Julie. But everyone calls me by her name. I don't even think we look that much alike. Especially since we have never been there at the same time.



 I just completed my fourth spinning class. What a killer. I average between 16 and 19 miles each time with 300+ calories burned. Embarrassed that I staggered out of my first class before it was over for fear of having a heart attack on the spot, I missed the finish line by only a few minutes. Two years was how long the gal next to me has been coming. No wonder this newbie couldn't compete. Each week my endurance gets better, but still no Julie.

Maybe I will run into her after the weddings, unless I fickle out on this 5 a.m. fitness fancy before my phantom sister shows up.

Falling Asleep on Four

My latest sleep aid happened by accident, while sitting in the Gospel Doctrine class one Sunday.  The teacher mentioned the curse of waking up in the middle of the night and the battle of getting back to sleep.  My ears perked up.  Her remedy was to recite The Articles of Faith.   That's one I hadn't tried.

Now to recall the once memorized thirteen articles.  "We believe..." 

Five were still there, but the other eight a tossed salad of jumbled words.  I remembered snippets such as the key word 'hands', the Bible, and the gathering of Israel.  It couldn't be hard to 'sharpen the saw' by getting them in order and description.  One Sunday morning I did just that, turning to the last page of the Pearl of Great Price.  Quickly they qued up correctly.  Instead of using the key words, I used a simpler method until they were clear in my mind. 

I then put it to the test at 3am one night, with a mental recitation.  Sure enough, it worked!  Most nights since applying this process from #1 to 13 and back again, I drift off.  More often than not, I'm asleep before completing #4.  It doesn't always happen that fast, but I love getting more zzz's now. 

"We believe the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are, first..." fall asleep...

Lots of Lip Service

I am totally out, of lip balm, that is. 

Empty handed is the worst feeling, when my lips are dry and I have no lip moisturizer to slather on them.   Taking lip care along whenever leaving the house is more important than phone, purse or credit card.  Panicky is a common feeling I have, when these smackers feel dry and there's no back-up.  

A nightly ritual of greasing them up is seldom omitted to prevent peeling, cracked lips.  No smooching is allowed after the stuff is on, as the Mr. hates the feeling of slimey lips.  He NEVER wears it!  I repeat Never!
A stick in every pocket, purse and post is required.   Gradually they disappear until I'm scrapping the bottom.  It was literally Chap-Stick heaven at my daughters.  She had the 24 pack on hand and insisted I take one after seeing my empty tube.  No, I'm okay, I said.  There is plenty in the lid.  Now I regret it. 

My next stop is at the big box, membership wearhouse for nothing short of a two year supply. It is definitely on my list.

The best of course is Burt's Bees.  My hair stylist told me about 'Chicken Butt'. I went the the IFA store to get it and all they had was 'Cow Udder'. I wanted the chicken. An internet search found 'Chicken Poop' for $5+. Maybe not!