The hazards of trying to live healthy.

I'm home from work today because I'm down in my back. Oh my! you may say....how ever did that happen? Well, it's because I was trying to be healthy. I should know better. Nothing good can come from eating things that are low in sugar, salt, preservatives or flavor. I'm living proof. Yesterday I braved the local Walmart and decided to buy healthier foods for me and my family. I'm not saying we survive on sugar cubes and high fructose corn syrup...we do eat fairly healthy. I mean my 13 year old's favorite food is pickled beets for shit's sake! My kids are not picky eaters at all. If I made a dinner consisting of only carrots, brussel sprouts and broccoli, they would eat it and wouldn't leave left overs. They have just gotten used to quicky meals of spaghettios and mac and cheese or drive thru grease burgers lately since I've been working my second job more. So I was going to do better. I stocked my cart with fresh organic vegtables, fresh meats and stuff that's good for us. Ok, I admit it....I did stock up on poptarts and oreos, but geez people, we're human! Anyway, I also grabbed a huge case of water and made myself promise that I would try to drink it instead of the half case of pepsi I down on a daily basis. I was so proud of myself that I forgot to lift with my legs and not my back as I put my case of healthy water in the back of the van. My back popped, I wimpered and knew I was in for a restless night. I was right. I came home and made Justin unload the groceries and I suffered in silence as I made my family their dinner of roasted country style ribs and homemade lumpy mashed taters (the lumps are a must in this household). I cleaned up my kitchen as best as I could....making Justin load the dishwasher because I feared that bending over would send me into traction. (That kid is a blessing...cause he does it all without complaining). I took my bath and almost couldn't get back out of the tub because of the pain...I won't even go into the fact that I only succeeded in shaving one section of one leg before my back was screaming and I gave up. I tossed and turned all night and had the damnedest time finding a position that was comfortable. So this morning I called a sub for my classroom and stayed in the bed alternating ice and heat on my back. I'm heading to the chiropractor this afternoon and hoping that he can adjust me back to my normal exersise avoiding self. And the lesson to be learned from this??? Pepsi is healthier for your back than water. I'm sure of it.

Goodwill Cheerleader and Teachers of the future.

So I'm not a big shopper. I don't really like to shop. I know, blasphemy and all that since I am a WOMAN. But I have my reasons. I can never find a bargain, and if I do, it's not in the size I need. I don't like crowds and I hate trying on clothes. It's a part of me I'm not ashamed of. My husband complains that I spend too much money, but it isn't on myself. I shop usually only when I have to...like if the kids are running low on socks. I think my kids think those things are disposable like paper towels. Anyway, I digress from the original reason for this post. I went shopping today with my sisters. No, not to the mall.....GAG. We hit the Goodwill! What an amazing place that is! I never imagined that I could have so much fun in a place where you shop! The bargins to be had! (I'm just gonna end every sentance in an exclaimation point for effect!) I found a mismatched set of china for a mere $10, a naked Barbie for a dime and my favorite find......a Barry Manilow photo cube paper weight!!!!! I was shocked and amazed at the yard sale wonders I found. And after the inital giggles and snorts wore off, I actually did find some good things. I got Grace some Old Navy jeans that still had the tag on them for $1.50. I also got Justin some t shirts, cause he's not picky and loves Goodwill/Yardsale castoffs. He's quirky like that. The best buy of the day had to be Piper's find. She is now the proud owner of a lovely Giraffe Halloween costume (still with tags) AND a Unicorn costume that looks like she's riding it when she puts it on. She was thrilled, so the day was a success! Of course there will be no convincing her that she needs to save these for Halloween....she'll wear them both around the house on a daily basis. Best $9.00 I ever spent. As we were leaving the store, Avery (my niece who is 6) was going to put the cart back up. Piper suddenly yells out, "That's it Avery, GO GO GO!" while clapping and jumping up and down. It was hilarious. She's the Goodwill cheerleader! Everybody in the store turned to look and we were all cracking up. She's a hoot no matter where we are. After we left, we went to my sister Amber's house just to hang out. Amber's girls are constantly playing school at home. They take turns being the teacher and tape tons of papers around the house to every surface they can. I happened to notice a row of these papers taped to Amber's pantry door, and began reading room rules written by a 6 year old. You have to love "best guess" spelling. Most of the rules were understandable. Have supplies ready, don't talk when the teacher is talking and raise your hand. But the one that will stand out forever in my mind......Keep your lood parts to yourself. Yes, you read that right. I broke down laughing at that one, and have to wonder what kind of classroom she's subjected to daily. I have high hopes for that one.....pole dancer maybe??? (Just kidding, don't get all ruffled about it) Well, I'm home now, keeping my lood parts to myself and getting ready to start another work week. I think I'm gonna add that one to my rules in my classroom....sounds reasonable.

Heartbreak breaks my heart.

I found out some awful terrible horrible news today. My sister was expecting her first child and went to the doctor today only to learn that there was no heartbeat. When her husband called and told me, honestly, at first I thought, this is a really bad joke. But I could hear my sister sobbing in the background and I knew it wasn't a joke. My heart broke for her. There are no words to make it better. Not enough I'm sorrys in the world to change it. She wasn't far along enough to even know if it was a boy or a girl, but it was still a baby. And now, a heartbreak. I know that there are those out there that would say, "Oh, it's terrible and all, but she can have another baby." I don't agree with that. She may be able to have another baby, but she can't have "this" baby. And this is the baby she already loved, already had dreams for, already knew growing in her body. I've never experienced this kind of loss, but being a mother of 3, I know that it's the worst thing in the world to even think of losing a child. And even if it wasn't born yet, it was still her child.
I dreamed several months ago that I had twins for her. It was a very strange dream involving her bringing her 2 dogs to the hospital to see the babies and her and her husband naming them Clark and Kent (must have been from my obsession with Superman). But after today, well, I knew that I may have dreamed that for a reason. I'm not clairvoyant, but sometimes things just stick in your head. And if there was to come a time when she were to find that she can't have children, I know that I'd offer to carry a baby for her. I wouldn't even have to think about it. It's a done deal. She's my sister. I have 3 children, so my life is complete. I would have no problem carrying a baby for her and gladly placing him or her in my sisters arms as soon as it was born. I can think of nothing that would make me happier. I hope that she doesn't have to take me up on my offer. I know the joy that comes from having that child grow inside you, and would never want her to miss that experience, but I hope that she knows that if the need ever arises, I'd do it in a heartbeat.