Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Outbreak

I've made an interesting discovery regarding my psoriasis.  I think.  Here's the story:

While I was working at camp, I ate a half a bag of Twizzlers.  This is kind of a camp tradition of mine.  I'm doing a job that requires me to sit and stare at a computer for hours on end.  It only makes sense to reward myself with Twizzlers after each segment of work.

So, on Saturday, I ate like a half pound of Twizzlers.

And, by evening I had like 20 new psoriasis spots and my scalp was going crazy with itching and flaking.  I'm not even exaggerating.  I also felt agitated and nervous.  For no reason.

A  couple of years ago, my camp pal Cara told me she had to give up Red Dye 40 because of migraines.  No more Twizzlers for her.

Hmmmm, I thought.  No other dietary changes except for a Twizzlers binge and the biggest outbreak of psoriasis since I first got infested in April?

Sure enough, I Googled the heath effects of red dye, and I realized that products containing this poison are probably not great for psoriasis.  In fact, Red Dye 40 probably has the following health effects:It causes hyperactivity, anxiety, cancer, allergies, skin and eye irritations (duh), and maybe reproductive health issues.  Other countries have outlawed Red Dye 40, but here in the US, it's still widely used.

And it's probably causing some of my goddamned psoriasis.  I'm eliminating food dyes from my diet, probably.  A doctor I know also sent me a list eight other foods lepers should not eat.  It includes alcohol, red meat, and, cheese and condiments.

We'll see where this leads.

Monday, July 28, 2014

I Forgot About Having to Work

The other day, I posted in the comments that I would blog every day until school started.  I forgot that I wouldn't be able to blog that much while working at Camp!

It's really tough to write blog entries up there.  First, I couldn't remember the internet password at the house.  Then, I got really tired.  The barriers!

But, now I'm back to being committed.  My new barrier is not thinking of any topics.  My topic I guess is it's another Bachelorette finale.  They made me think she was choosing Nick, but instead it appears she's choosing Josh.  Bad move, Andster.  I think Josh is kind of a tool.  No offense, Josh.  It's not because you're a former athlete.  P.S., Josh, what's your job now?

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Down the Homestretch

We're cruising into the last week of July.  It's been a truly restful and enjoyable summer, so far.  There are only a few things left I want to do, and these include: long bike rides with the children, camping with one or both children (It's looking like one.  It's looking like Mac.), and finish setting up my classroom.

I'm making progress.

I'm feeling accomplished.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Love/Hate

Mac does his own thing.  It's really hard to get him to do what you want him to do if it's not already what he wants to do.

And just because he USED to want to do the thing a month ago when you paid for it, that does NOT mean he wants to do it now.  He might never want to do it again, actually, or he might want to do it in an hour.  You just can't tell.

So, you can imagine this child as a Suzuki violinist.

Some of the time, it's a complete and utter nightmare.  Yesterday, I reminded him that he'd promised to practice upon arrival at our home after soccer. 

"I hate violin," he said.

"I hear you," I said.  "But, you're also really good at violin."

"I'm good at hating it," he continued.

"Yeah," I said.

"I love to hate it," he smiled.

I think he loves to hate everything.  I'm not sure what that means.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Ariana Grande

I have some news: Dan is fasting for 12 hours.

My concern for today is Dan's fast.

He had to fast last week for a different test, in that he wasn't allowed to eat or drink after midnight for a test that was scheduled for 9 am.  I happened to notice Dan cooking a frozen pizza at 10pm.

"What are you doing?" I queried.

"I have to fast after midnight, so I'm going to eat a pizza until that moment."

Round Two started last night at 9pm.

"I'm fasting," he said to me at 9:02.

"How's it going?" I asked.

"It's miserable," he said. "I'm supposed to be snacking.  I love to snack."

9:10.

"I'm so hungry," he says.

9:30.

"It's been 30 minutes.  My mouth is dry."

9:35.

"This fast is killer."

You can imagine why I retired at 9:36 for the evening.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Now Can I Kick It?

A few weeks ago, I ran a 5K with Sheffy.  Not to be braggy, but the kid is a natural.  He hasn't run 3 miles in a row in maybe a year, but he ran these 3 miles in an average pace of 7:12. 

Up front, I told him that if really wanted to get the fastest possible time, he'd have to let me pace him.

"Okay," he said, earnestly, nodding.  We studied a pace chart, and he lobbied for something in the 21s.  No, I said.  I don't think I can do that.  Let's go for something in the 22s.

He ran right next to me, following all of my directions, until we could see the finish line, at which he out-kicked me.  Way to go, kid!

I ran another 5k last night, and Shef proposed a wager.  Could I beat his previous time?  If so, I get to play a round of golf with him during which he offers a sincere compliment on every hole.  If not, he gets three extra days to finish his book of the week.

Who won?!

I did, of course. #nailedit



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Whole World Askin'

I've been having calendar problems.  There are a bunch of little things that I'm supposed to do or have been invited to. I note these in my mind, and then I promptly forget about a billion other things that conflict with that first thing.

This is cumbersome, and it makes me feel stupid.  I even have a calendar online to help, and I'm still messing up all the time.  Luckily, I just read a book about what to do when you screw up.  It said to practice acceptance.  Deep cleansing breath.  Move on.

As such, I went to candlelight yoga last night.  This is a mix of Vinyasa and Restorative yoga.  Restorative yoga is clinically proven to lower cortisol and burn belly fat, so on top of the zen, there's that.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Another New Thing

Have you heard of Barre Class?  If not, here's what you need to know: it's an insanely hard exercise class based on Pilates and some ballet stuff. 

Don't even say anything.  Dan already made plenty of jokes about this being "right in my wheelhouse," what with my sub-par coordination and complete lack of flexibility.

And yes, overall, I find the class to be sort of impossible.  I have to modify some of the exercises because I'm just not that strong.

That's okay because we don't need to be the best at everything.  It's okay to do things just for the personal benefit, and not to compete with any other ladies in the studio.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

New Stuff

As you may know, I'm a life-long learner.  As such, I love to try and learn new things.  Here are some of the new things I've tried this summer:

Travel Baseball Momming.  Report: I like baseball momming.  Baseball is a fun game during which you can chat with other parents who will then teach you the rules of baseball, which can be complicated, as it turns out with the infield flies and the tagging up and the covering of the throws.

Rosetta Stone Mandarin. Report: I love doing Rosetta Stone to learn Mandarin. I get to wear a headset and practice saying things like, "These people are drinking tea."  I'm really good at it. I get like 98% on all of the lessons.  The only problem is that my family laughs at me when I'm doing it.  So, what else is new.

Barre Class. Report: This is a new exercise craze.  I'm actually a late adopter.  What you do is you go into a studio and use some props and absolutely obliterate your muscles while sometimes holding on to a ballet bar.  I'm serious, the sweat it was a drippin'.  I didn't know quite what to expect when I went.  I described it to Dan as a workout based on some ballet principles.  Hmmm, he said.  Sounds like it's right in your wheelhouse, Kace.  As if.

I'm also doing some old things like violin and running and watching Bridesmaids.  Summer is rocking over here.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

EQ23: EQC = Marginally Successful

I meant to get 30 equations done by June 30th, but I didn't get them all done.  You know what?  That's okay.  I tried.

Also, Mac just said, "Mom, what if there's a booger the size of your nose INSIDE your nose?"  He said this while pointing up his nose.

These are special days.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

EQ22: BtSD = EoSH

It was so weird.  I had Back-to-School Dreams last night.  Usually these dreams arrive in early August, but today is just July 1st.  What's going on with that?  Is it an End-of-Summer Herald?

It is true that I'm working a couple of days next week with my teaching team.  And then, I'll likely start reading school books and compiling ideas for next years sixth graders.  I AM inordinately excited to be teaching all sixth grade, when in the past, I've taught 8th and 7th, or 7th and 6th.  I'll have energy and time to pursue other academic and professional interests, most likely.  That's the plan.

But, still, I was unnerved by the dream.  I should be dreaming of golf and novel reading, to be honest.