Life is never dull

Chris has been working crazy hours. No real surprise. I think he has worked 14-15 days straight now. He leaves at around 5:50 am and gets home around 9 pm. Some days he gets home early (between 7:30-8 pm). I miss him but the show must go on, especially when I am supposed to be raising money (read: last post) and training for a 60 mile walk. (Plus, taxiing Wilson to and from swim lessons, in Bellingham, and keeping up with everything else that being mother entails.) Needless to say, I have felt a bit overwhelmed and unorganized but I’m finally seeing the light. My paper work is getting caught up, the house has been reorganized, and my training is coming along.

Life is a work in progress. 

As far as my training goes, I have been creative. I walk 1-2 times a day, but that is not always ideal when you have two children in a stroller and are attempting to walk/hike for 2+ hours a day. Things can get ugly, which is why I have joined a gym and hired a sitter... 

Yay!! for me.

My first day at the gym (with free child care) is tomorrow but I have had our sitter for a little over a month now. Her name is Mollee. She is great. She is a college student at Western WA and the kids love her. She comes on Saturdays. She gets here at 8 am and I walk for 3-4 hours kid free. It is bliss.

side note: One day I even got some chores caught up. Plus, last week she came over during the week so I could go to the doctor and a movie.  (As far as the doctor goes: I went to the dermatologist. I just found out, from him, that melanoma also has a hereditary component and I will be seeing him again in a year, as I have had two pre-cancer places removed or burnt this year. As far as the movie goes: The Help is fantastic. I cried the whole movie, but still it was so good.)

Back to the sitter--What in the world took me so long to get a regular sitter? I should have done it years ago!!! (fyi - I found her on care.com and would totally recommend the site.) It has been so great having her, but this past weekend I was on my own again because she had to go out of town.

On Sunday I decided walk during Nora's nap. That would maximize the time that I could walk with the kids (actually sitting) in the stroller. (Many times they get bored and want out and it takes me twice as long meet my mileage goal.) I walked a little over one mile with the dogs, then dropped them off and picked up the iPad for Wilson. My hope was that I could listen to music and Wilson could watch a movie while Nora slept. Sweet.

Everything was going according to my plan. Nora looked tired and was singing her sleepy song, and Wilson was happy to be in the stroller. Perfect. I was actually thinking to myself, “Maybe I don’t need to have Mollee EVERY weekend.” until…

•One hour into the walk Nora was still awake. Both kids were happy but restless.

•Two hours into the walk Nora was awake... and screaming. 

•Two hours and 15 minutes later Nora was still awake and still screaming so I detoured to the beach.

•Two hours and 20 minutes later both kids were throwing rocks into the bay and were happy.  

•Three hours later Nora tips the stroller over and screams. The seagulls surround us with concern because she is. just. that. loud. (she was fine. don't worry.) 

•Three and a half hours later the kids are in stroller. Wilson now has phone and Nora is content. 

•Three hours and 45 minutes later my stroller seems off balance. Flat. tire. Ugh. I attempt to move Nora to the non-flat side (of course it is her side that goes flat!). She screams.  My ear drums bleed. Not really, but she is that bleeping loud. "I can do this." I tell myself as I force Nora to sit and smile at Wilson. (He was being so helpful.) 

•Four hours later I call my neighbor Mary. No answer. 

•Four hours and 1 minute later I call Chris. He is still at work... He wants to talk, but I politely tell him the situation and that I have to go. 

•Four hours and 10 minutes later (I told you he wanted to talk.) I phone my other neighbor, Marie. She immediately knows I need help (she says I have a tone when I need something) and says, "What have you gotten yourself into now?" I laugh, then tell her where we are (Near the marina. 2 miles. down. hill. from our house) and ask her if she is able to get my Tahoe and pick us up. Luckily (which is hilarious after last week’s event) I left the keys in the car. 

•Four hours and 30 minutes later we arrive home.

Life is never dull.