Neil says in the 14 years we’ve been married, that I’ve gotten weirder. The term “flickr freak” was bandied about. As you can see, my finger is on the camera trigger. I should point out that I wasn’t insulted by that comment, and that Neil is not exactly the most normal person I’ve ever met either. We are well-suited to each other in our oddballness.
I wrote this post last night, in my head, while lying in bed after midnight. I made a deal with myself that if I were still awake at 1:00, I’d go downstairs and type it up – no point in wasting precious time waiting for sleep that won’t come, right?
As it turns out, I was awake at 1:00, but I felt so close to dozing, I stayed put.
I’m blaming caffeine for my little bout of insomnia. I’ve become more succeptible to it’s stimulant properties as I’ve gotten older. I’ve been having very little caffeine lately (especially since giving up my Dr. Pepper iv drip for Lent) but yesterday I went completely caffeine crazy without even thinking about it. At least, I didn’t think about it until after midnight when my body was so sleepy and my brain would not stop bouncing from subject to subject like a hyped-up schoolgirl.
Yesterday morning, I treated myself to a Peppermint Mocha Frappaccino. Caffeinated drink #1. Then in the evening, Neil and I went to an Indian restaurant for our anniversary, where I skipped the authentic beverages in favor of a tall, cool glass of Coke. Caffeinated drink #2. Before leaving the restaurant, I had a cup of coffee (which, by the way, was delicious – I think there may have been some Indian spice of some kind in it). Caffeinated drink #3. And lastly, while watching LOST, I uncharacteristically decided to brew myself a cup of coffee. I normally drink decaf at home, but I’d just bought a chocolate truffle variety I wanted to try, so caffeinated drink #4. And none of this occurred to me until it was far too late.
One thing I learned last night: counting caffeinated drinks is not as effective as counting sheep supposedly is.
My mind hopped from topic to topic, including (but not limited to)
- Eamonn’s Birthday on Saturday, and what on earth I am going to do with a small handful of 6-year-olds. My self-entertaining children have left me so ill-prepared for dealing with other kids who may or may not require a cruise director, that any kind of social activity with them frightens me just a little bit.
- What am I going to serve when the kids go home and the family comes over to celebrate? We just had one of these parties a month ago, and I hate to duplicate the menu too, too much.
- When will I have time to make the two shirts I’m thinking of making myself before Saturday, and will there be enough of the bamboo fabric to cover both patterns?
- The series finale of Life on Mars was vaguely dissatisfying to me. I love it when the sweet, sensitive, handsome hero gets the girl. That happened here, but then it didn’t, exactly. Poor, sweet, sensitive, handsome hero. I said as much to Neil before he fell asleep.
- On an unrelated note, Neil wants us to only watch shows with ugly people from now on. Heh.
- How should I transport my buttons to the yarn shop tomorrow? They fit so perfectly in the little plastic tub I have them in, but I don’t want to give that up.
- The buttons would be nice in a kraft paper bag with tissue paper. I’ll do that. (That’s one issue solved)
- What am I going I wear tomorrow? (I didn’t know then, but I know now, so that’s something.)
Today, I’m laying off the stimulating beverages. Right after I finish this cup of chocolate truffle coffee.
Are you going to have enough warmth/sunshine to just send them outside? That’s what we’ve always done and we have never had a boredom issue. We have a table of food out, stuff to climb on, balls on the ground, and sidewalk chalk. Oh, and beer for the parents so they stick around and chat. Works like a charm up to the age of 10. We have 11 coming up in two weeks, and I have a glimmer of concern over keeping the 11 and 12 year olds occupied, but I’m sure it’ll work out.
I’m going to go drink my one cup of coffee now. Thank goodness it’s a huge one!
See what Sarah Jackson has been blogging about: baked oatmeal
If Saturday is like today, the weather would be perfect for some outdoor activities. Unfortunately, our back yard is not exactly kid-friendly at the moment, with a falling down patio fence (leading to a 6-foot drop) and a swing set that needs some serious attention. My own kids can work around these things, but I’m not so sure about a half dozen 6-year-old boys…
The weather has been so crummy and cold around here this year, we haven’t had a chance to spend any time in the back yard, making it company-ready.
(Of course, I’m out in the back yard right now, but am I cleaning it up? No. I’m goofing off on the laptop. Duh.)
Oh boy, I know about the mind racing thing! I try to avoid caffeine after 5:00 PM or I’m laying awake plotting the next six months of my life. Then I start worrying! It doesn’t matter what about. Once in a while I’ll forget and have tea, which does it to me too. I’ve made a rule. If I’m not dozing in an hour, I get up, go to my recliner, get my blankie, and take in a huge boring dose of Nick at Night. Usually works-and saves me from a lot of worrying!
See what Marty has been blogging about: Finished Object
Mm, yes, the late night tv thing works for me, too, but unfortunately I usually too stubborn to get up and try it!
I LOVE coffee. Not pop so much, but coffee…drool! When I was nursing and preggo for about a decade I limited my intake for the babes…now when I could go wild, I have one cup in the morning and one cup when the twins nap post lunch. Delightful time in my day, I must say…
See what Lee-Ann has been blogging about:
I used to only have coffee when somebody else was making it. Neil hates the smell of coffee brewing, so our coffee maker only came out for parties. This Christmas, though, I got a personal one-cup coffee maker, so I am having it a lot more often. Usually decaf, though. I’m not enough of a connoisseur to know the difference.
1st off..I absolutely LOVe coffee. 2nd- for the party try playing freeze dance, kids love it! Turn on the music, dance your pants off, stop the music..everyone has to freeze! Worth a shot right? Happy Anniversary to you and Neil.
See what kashoan has been blogging about: Fingerless mitten and Button Challenge
There’s an idea. I bet Eamonn could help us pick out some really funky music, too. Thanks for the suggestions.
I had caffeine fueled tossing and turning last night, too. Which is really un-good ’cause I am doing my annual bout of insomnia. For me, that means waking up a couple hours earlier than normal.
Entertain a group of six year olds – setup the Wii with a bunch of multi player games (borrow extra controllers) and have a tournament. Offer silly rewards for random accomplishments in the game. We used to use foam clown noses.
Toss them outside with balls and join in.
Menu duplication is perfectly acceptable. Just make different icing on the cake or something. Different napkins.
And: congrats on the buttons in the yarn shop!
See what Elaine has been blogging about: My First Spring Show
I was thinking we should avoid the wii, but I’m glad it’s there just in case…
Balls in the back yard – I like that idea. Too bad it’s too late to order a big pile of blow-up ones from Oriental Trading. Ooh, that gives me another idea – bubbles!
Maybe I’ll run to Target and buy a bunch of bubble-blowing stuff. They’d like that, I bet. And they could bring their own bubble stuff home with them as a party favor.
And, yeah, I’m not going to go nuts trying to diversify the menu 🙂
Congrats on 14 years! It sounds like your found your match!
I’m also Flickr freak!
See what Aime has been blogging about: Advice Please