So Benadryl is on tap, and we're moving forward with spring training (running, not baseball). It's been a while since we've really had a chance to catch up on all the little things, so let's get to it.
1. I got into my first patch of poison ivy of the season. In case you've never run with me on trails, you might not know that I am highly, highly paranoid of poison ivy. Snakes and wolves, whatev. But stick a sprig of poison ivy in my path, and I will freak the heck out. I especially like to make other people confirm that what I just saw was actually poison ivy. Also, when I get poison ivy, my favorite hobby is posting disgusting pictures of it online. Evidence.
Poison ivy fear has ruled me, but I'm fighting back. My current case of poison ivy started with mowing the lawn and pulling weeds. Even though I took a Tecnu shower afterwards, there was one irritated scratch on my arm that looked like the perfect entry point for poison ivy oils. When I started to see it spread last night, I went into the medicine cabinet and took the prescription ointment that the doctor gave my daughter last year. I know, I know, sharing meds is not allowed (quick, look the other way), but it was either that or curl into a human ball to cry in the corner.
This stuff is no joke. Today, it barely looks like my arm considered poison ivy an option. So if you start to see something crop up, get to your doctor and get the prescription ointment. It works! This is coming from someone who would rather not have an epidural when birthing kids, uses herbal remedies for every other ailment, and basically won't go to the doctor unless something is broken (or unless it's my PT or chiropractor). But this ointment, my e-friends, is a modern medical must-have miracle for poison ivy treatment, and I have tried every home remedy that ever existed (not provable, but kind of trust me).
2. After 12 miles of trail running this weekend, instead of the usually mud-caked sneaks, I came out with this.
Yes, that's what I was talking about with the pollen-ness of our state. All of that yellow-y dust is pollen. I even got stuck in a pollen storm the other day. That means you are suddenly surrounded by a thick cloud of swirling dust, but that dust turns out to be pollen. It's getting real, real up in here.
3. I'm employed! This Saturday, April 13th, a brand new, pretty darn amazing fitness club called Life Time Fitness is opening in our town, and I'm going to be working there part time.
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As a mom of four, there aren't a lot of feasible job options because there is a very slim chance that any job I could have would make daycare for four kids a smart financial choice. Unless I become Tim Cook, which I'm totally working on, but in the meantime, fewer options exist. That's why I love gym jobs. Your kids can come with you, and bonus, I get to do something that I'm already obsessed with doing, helping people (kids and adults) get their exercise on.
4. PPSA (pictorial public service announcement) from Flat Foot and Fancy Free (aka my sister).
5. I just realized that my favorite thrift store supports women's soccer. Dream combo: thrifting and soccer love.
6. We had the first of a series of birthday celebrations for the twinners. This one was an impromptu party with their cousin (visiting from California) who also has an April birthday.
Doughnut cakes are the best, by that I mean easiest. |
Cause she's Out Here Brinin'. That's a jar of brined veggies my sister brought to the party. |
Balloon volleyball with a quilt net. Legit. |
There was also a balloon prom. Dressing up your balloon with a Sharpie, required. |
7. Yum! This little pack of heaven would be a great transition dessert to ween yourself off of processed sugar. It's not cheap, but that gives me incentive to eat fewer of them. Otherwise, I might not come up for air.
8. We have an Injinji (and GU) winner! It's Phaedra from the blog Blisters and Black Toenails. Kind of a weird coincidence with her blog name and the fact that Injinji socks were all about blister prevention for me. Still working on the black toenails part.
I really wanted everyone to win this! But I promise that I will post any good deals that I see on these socks in the future. Thank you all for participating in the contest, and huge thanks to Injinji for sponsoring the giveaway prize pack.
Are you allergic to poison ivy? What do you do when you get it?
If you could have your dream job, what would it be? My other dream job was to work as a diplomat, which I think would turn out to be not as glamorous as I built it to be in my mind. Mainly I just want to travel all over the world and get paid for that.
What's your favorite birthday party activity? That balloon volleyball that we threw in last minute was pretty darn fun, but I also like a good dance party.
WooHoo - congrats on your new job - that gym looks huge!!!
ReplyDeleteYou will be great there!
It is! It's 105K sqft on the inside and then another 65K for the outdoor pool area. With giant slides and a graduated entry pool (is that what that's called?). Can you tell I'm super excited about the pool for summer?!
DeleteKnock on wood...I've never had poison ivy, but I'm sure I'd be super allergic to it. I'm ridiculously allergic to mosquitos in that my little tiny belt will morph to the size of a quarter (or larger) within 10 minutes of being bit (and not scratching). I'm currently working on getting my dream job, which would be to teach environmental education to kids with special needs. I'm developing a program for that for the place I interned at last year..so let's hope that works out. My favorite birthday party activity is eating. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your job! Lifetime Fitness is an AWESOME gym!
And Florida mosquitoes are the worst. They have tons here in AL too, but I swear the ones in FL are more vicious! And your dream job sounds really amazing. You would be perfect at that!
DeleteOh-oh-OH...Rachel Miller...tell me more about your program you're developing. I'm rather fond of the environment, and I'm a special education teacher. I would totally love to introduce my school to the Edible Schoolyard concept and work that into my language arts classroom. It CAN be done; my assistant principal is majorly fond of nutrition and exercise.
DeleteI have never had poison ivy- thank goodness because I have heard it is terrible. My dream job- ? My favorite birthday party activity is munching on food and saying hi to everyone.
ReplyDeleteFood is winning as favorite activity. This is why I like you people!
DeleteCongrats on the new job! That is exciting. I think my dream job would be owning my own running store or maybe a combo bakery/ running store. Then I could hang out with awesome people around awesome stuff and stuff myself with baked goods. This idea is genius! Happy birthday to the twins- looks like a lot of fun going on!
ReplyDeleteCarbs and running together -- I think you might be onto something with that combo.
DeleteHappy to hear that you have found a job that you like. Sorry that you will have less time to entertain your friends with the stuff you put out.
ReplyDeleteI might just use my time more wisely now.:) It will only be about ten hours a week to start, so it's not like I'm going to work at a bank or something (cause you know how those bankers get worked).
DeleteWhen I was a kid I wanted to be an interpreter at the U.N. Still think it sounds pretty good!
ReplyDeleteYes, translator is my other dream job too!
DeleteCongratulations on your new job!! So exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteCongrats on the new job!
ReplyDeleteThat little girl has a beautiful face - not to be creepy, or anything - I just sucked in my breath when I saw her. Your neice? (dislaimer - I'm an artist, so always looking for gorgeous portrait material....)
ReplyDeleteYes, that's my niece who was visiting us from LA. She is really so beautiful!
DeleteI haven't had poison ivy since I was 12. Sounds like it grows just to get you! I hate to itch, so I'm sure I would hate it.
ReplyDeleteI sort of have my dream job, but sometimes I wish I could be a Pundit. Go on different news shows, etc and give my opinion. I think I could do a better job. Although I do practice a lot, in my opinion. heehee
Good luck at the new job! Sorry to hear that you got poison ivy again! EEK! Congrats Phaedra! Another Ontario chick. Love it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job! It sounds like a great place to work. Hope you enjoy it there!
ReplyDeleteI have a terrible time with poison ivy too and have prescription ointment. I'm not sure if it's the same as what you have but it works miracles!
I am a member of lifetime fitness here in Kansas...it is the best gym ever. First place that ever felt family friendly. It's like a resort. I've been known to go there, drop off my kids at the kids center, hit the hot tub, then get a massage, get my nails done and have lunch and go home. Jus' sayin'.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!!
Hi Yo Mamma! I live in Helena, run, blog, moved to Helena from Stuart FL in 2011, and am a member of the new LTF as well! Whoa! No kiddies though! Excited to find your blog. Maybe we will run into one another - pun intended. :)
ReplyDeleteBelatedly...wow, congrats on the new job. How exciting. You'll be amazing at it - what are you going to be doing?? And that pollen is ridiculous!!!
ReplyDeleteYay for the new job. My skin freaks out over grass clippings, in the form of welts, don't think I want to try poison ivy. Eastern Oregon mosquitoes are big enough to carry you away and they hurt when they bite.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the job! I used to be a member of a Lifetime Fitness and it was quite fancy and awesome!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the job! i wish lifetime was closer to me in ATL...i have several friends that go and love it! never had poison ivy-but i'm a believer in prescriptions for it!
ReplyDelete