Ah-choo

I don't understand seasonal allergies. What's more natural than nature? You would think that evolution would have taken care of this problem by now. Everybody is all worried about harmful chemicals causing cancer and such, but that won't be what kills me. It will be anaphylactic shock from grass pollen. I'm not appreciating the cosmetic ramifications either. These hives on my face and neck really clash with my outfit.

Lessons from nature

This week I was bitten by a horsefly. Ever had that experience? Felt like a piranha bite--or so I'd think. Never actually had a piranha bite. I checked horseflies up online. Those are smart little buggers. The females use their arms to rip open your flesh to gain quick access to your blood, which is necessary for reproduction. This is also helpful because the victim will be more focused on the wound pain than on killing the perpetrator, thus letting the fly escape. It's been four days and I still itch like crazy.
While we are on the subject of creepy animals, here's another tidbit of knowledge for you. Remember the angler fish? (Think the scary fish with the light on finding nemo.) Well that's the female angler. The male is like a hundred times smaller and he latches on to the female with sharp teeth to fertilize eggs in exchange for safety and food. After a while he becomes fused there and just sort of exists. Sounds like a pathetic existence to me, but we are talking about a lightless underwater abyss, so I'm not sure anybody down there is having a picnic. Anyway, it got me thinking. Ladies, I'm all about strong, competent women and girl power, but let's not be angler fishes. Or horseflies. Let's just be people. The nice kind.

The problem child

Occasionally my mom will send me a copy of one of her journal entries from when she was my age. I enjoy comparing our lives in similar stages. The last one was a real gem. I quote, "Lindsey needs to learn respect for her parents and obedience. She will be our trial, I think." Hope I didn't disappoint.
For the record, I was four.

Still a book worm

Our weekly trips to the library are as much for me as they are for Alaina. I've always loved to read. I still get a wonderful feeling of satisfaction when I walk through the library doors.
I love kneeling down and scooting along the shelves as Alaina and I load our library bag with exciting picture books. Btw, I usually CAN judge a picture book by its cover.
I love the nostalgia of rediscovering books from my childhood. Like yesterday we read Roxaboxen, and I remembered not just reading it as a child--but living it.
Or singing the song in I love you forever  in the same melody that my own mom sang to me.
I know Alaina will appreciate it someday too...If I could just pry her away from the movie section.

Me no like forks.

I spend A LOT of time in the kitchen. Make breakfast, feed kids breakfast, clean up breakfast, make lunch, feed lunch, clean up lunch... you get the idea. Dish time is my thinking time, and here's what I am thinking today: for the most part, forks are overrated. Why don't we just eat most things with our hands? I mean, it would really save on dishwasher space, and Alaina's usually ends up on the floor anyway. Plus, we just create an extra thing to clean. Why don't we just skip the fork and use our hands? Our hands will clean themselves when we do the dishes anyway. Caleb will tell you that I'm a true minimalist; I usually make him share a cup with me during meals because dirty dishes pile up far too quickly in the Miskin home. This character trait applies to other areas of my life too. Like this week I am spending the nights at a YMCA camp as the night nurse. I brought pajamas, a sleeping bag, and a toothbrush. And the book I'm reading, of course. I'm not a caveman or anything.

Aspiration prevention

To the stranger who just gave my 6-month-old a Dorito, please don't be offended if I reject your future offers to hold him.