Powering Down

I have become what I loathe. Last night I found myself in the middle of girls night with a strong case of Twitter-itch. Not to be confused with jock-itch. I could blame it on my lack of dinner and a bit of wine but really it has more to do with my affliction known as Twitter addiction.

I like me some social media and networking, I do.

Symptoms include:

-Wanting, scratch that, "needing" to check Twitter about every 2.5 seconds. If I can't. It's a big FAIL.

-Believing with all my black heart that UberTwitter is quite possibly the prettiest symbol to don my Blackberry screen. I can extol the virtues of UberTwitter to total strangers. A 'squee' is usually involved.

-The need to be 'in the know' is always at the forefront of my mind. However, all I end up knowing is what is happening on Twitter, that Jon&Kate (a show I don't even watch) are feuding again courtesy of Mamapop and a bunch of other nonsense that no one cares about except about four other bloggers. It's pretty futile and I'm quite sure it makes me a dork.

I could go on but my attention span and writing capabilities are almost nil due to Twitters 140 character limit. Facebook now just makes me cranky. Network Blog um, thingies exhaust me. I'm a member of like ninety bazillion now.

So here is the thing. Starting Monday I will be powering down and logging off from all this stuff and focusing on the quiet. Silence. I will revisit what actually goes on in my brain and the world around me. I think that the idea of hearing my dishwasher hum and the birds outside beats the sounds of Speidi. I'll only use Twitter to send out my posts and other work-related writings. There will be no blog networking sites. No Facebooking. No DVR on while an audio book plays on the CD player and trying to read work emails while sitting in the school car line. I'll read. I'll listen. In 'powering down' I think I'll not only clear my mind but also find I can use it more effectively. Maybe I will actually want to write again.

Either that or I'll crack from the lack of "news" and run crying and gasping for my Tweets declaring my love for you all in 140 characters or less. I'll wager that Facebook will still make me cranky though.

If you want to join me in this week-long challenge. Well, go right ahead. #silence.

Can You Live Without Your Phone?

What can't you live without? Food. Water. Air. Shelter is nice too. But it's been proven that humans can live without it.

Could you live without your phone? Even if it were just for a day, could you part with that little device that holds so much of your "at my fingertips now" information?

Does the idea of even being without your phone give you a case of the vapors or break you out into a case of the hives?

My Blackberry had a little issue with email yesterday (read: it was like, "Ding, ding, ding, bong, bong, bong...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh" You know, dial up circa 1995.) so I took it to the Verizon store for a quick check-up. Turns out I had to leave it at the store for an hour, which was fine except that I would have to come back with two kids versus one. I felt a brief bit of terror as I exited the store but it was nothing compared to the guy in line in front of me.

They told him they would upgrade his phone and plan at no additional cost if he wanted to wait until the next day. They would overnight it to him. A fantastic, shiny, new phone and like a bazillion more minutes. I don't know who this guy knew to get that kind of fast, efficient service but he was still not pleased. He wanted it now. The dude didn't even own a smart phone and he was acting this way. Did I mention that he was under 18 because his Mom had to be there to give permission? Yup. The idea that he couldn't have his cell phone for less than 24 hours created such symptoms as flapping arms, sputtering, foot stomps, whines, pleading, and countless utterings of, "But MOMMM!!!! My phone!"

Watching this spectacle it made me physically want to throw my phone away from me as if it burned to the touch. Silence is golden after all. Oh, wait. Never mind, I have two kids and a snuffling, farting dog. Silence is impossible.

Another Scintillating Blog Post

In other news-

TD has eaten a pound of yogurt this morning. Literally. How do I know? Half the two pound container is now gone. The girl has to have the healthiest digestive system on the planet. She should be Stonyfield Farm's spokesperson or ambassador to the non-yogurt eating out there. TD's digestive tract could kick Jamie Lee Curtis's digestive tract in a dueling yogurt fight any day of the week. Bring it on Ms. Curtis! TD double dog dares you.

She has also informed me that it is Cuppy's birthday. That time of year again already? Where does the time go. To celebrate she has instructed that we all eat Halloween candy. That is the way Cuppy wants it. She's clever. It must be all that yogurt she's eating.

I can't stop scratching. My hands, wrists and ankles are on fire. I feel possessed by well, a scratchy itch monster or something akin that. What else makes your nerve endings feel like they are bouncing off the walls?

My Blackberry isn't receiving emails for some reason. It coincides with my iPod going all wonky on me. I know some people can have this effect on electronic things, but really? Both my lifelines at once?! Air. I need air. Blood. Leaving. My. Body. Can't. Twitter. Must. Call. For. Help. Curses! Foiled again!

Find me here and here. Where I show I can um, actually write and not in this brain dead sort of way.

I'm Like Forrest Gump Just Without the Scraggly Beard

Saturday morning I ran seven miles. I've never run that far before, 6.2 being my longest run until then. I did better than I thought, only stopping to walk for a minute when I hit 6.5 miles. I just couldn't get over how tired my legs felt or how tight my hip flexors were becoming.

Back in May when I began training for the 5k I thought 3.5 miles was far. I never thought I would want to run beyond that. I have always liked running, feeling that high and how cleansed my whole being feels after a good run. I just did quick 20-30 minute runs without any concept of my mileage or speed. It was purely for fun and as a form of exercise. Now here I am at seven miles. I didn't think that I could run for so long alone and like it.

At about mile 5.5 this song by The Donna's, came on my iPod and it re-energized me to the point where I ran my fastest all morning and uphill. I think I might have thrown a few air punches as I belted out the lyrics too. I believe spit flew through the air with gusto as well. I started thinking about my upcoming 10k and how I need to use it to qualify for my first half-marathon. 13.1 miles. How did I get to this point where running is now my thing? I drool over Road ID's (black please!) and wick away shirts. I peruse running websites on a regular basis and love talking about it all with other runners.

I can't get technical about it or that scientific though, I thought. I realized then and I know I said it aloud as I thumped across a wet, leaf strewn sidewalk, "I'm like Forrest Gump. I just felt like running." So I did.





Don't forget to head out and VOTE today!

Scenes from Halloween

Brace yourself- kid pics ahead.

Giant peacock attacks Strawberry Shortcake. News at 11.

Steven Adler carves a pumpkin. And yes, we really do call her that on a regular basis.

Peacock and Shortcake make nice for the sake of hunting candy and other miscellaneous loot.
And, no that is not a wig that TD is wearing. I really did color her hair hot pink.

Red Rum & Laments- This is Halloween

Just like the Christmas holidays and the start of the summer, there are movies that I simply love (read: MUST) to watch in order to truly feel the spirit of the season. What? You don't watch Jaws *every Memorial Day? Just me? Huh.

Parenting Advice for when your children need "correcting"? I kid. Is there anything better than 'The Shining' at Halloween?


Jack's Lament is truly one of the best songs for singing out loud in your car while cruising down a country lane. Or while stuck in traffic on I-95. Hand gestures are a must.




*like a dolls eyes...

Overheards- The Cardboard Box

V: TD, did you take a nap today?

TD: Yes Momma, I took a good nap. I slept in a cardboard box.

V: You slept in a carboard box?

TD: Yeah, it was comfy. I like it better than my bed.

I looked at H and said, "Well that's great. Her future is already mapped out isn't it?"