Day 128

Ahhh So much to watch! I figured I should start writing my blog first though. I can always watch my shows while the boys are at my Uncle's tonight. "My shows"...thank goodness I didn't say my stories...I'm on the verge of sounding like a 90 year old.

Not so much success in the homework department last night. Yes they did some, but after numerous complaints, they were told they could stop. ARGH! This meant we had to do some this morning. Again! It's such a pain! Anyway, I woke up feeling like a bag of dirt. My throat's all scratchy and I'm stuffed up. I heard Tim leave early. When I got downstairs, it was just Josh at the table. He must have been up really early today as he had already had his breakfasts and was reading. He wasn't reading his school book though. No, he was reading a novel. Which is great...at bedtime. Isn't it common sense that if you have to finish something for school, that's what you should be doing? Anyways, I made him switch books. Nathaniel came down, I got his breakfast. Zach followed. He chose his cereal, I asked if he was sure, and he said yes. I poured it. Was he eating the last 4 bites? Of course not. He sat there complaining. I told him he better eat it. I went in to make Nathaniel's 3rd course, and Zach disappeared upstairs. The only reason he returned is because I kept nagging him, and Heloise told him he just had to have some fruit. When he finally got back to the table I explained that the only reason she said that was because she didn't know I had already told him to finish his cereal. We went through the routine. The arguing, the elimination of things he enjoys. Not only is his DS gone (Until next week), but on top of that punishment, he doesn't get any TV today. He didn't care. I threatened to have him banned from the pool tonight at my Uncle's. As soon as those words left my mouth I realized that would NEVER happen. Especially when I wasn't there to see it through. So instead, I told him if he didn't start eating by the time I finished counting, he would be seated on the steps when he got home, and that's all he would be able to do this afternoon. That worked. Thank God.

Nathaniel finished his breakfasts, Zach finally finished his, and Josh did his times tables. When he finished, I told him to continue reading while Nathaniel did his times tables. Josh didn't like that, so he went up to his room "to read". Yeah, I'm sure that happened. He came down later telling me that Heloise said he had read enough and he could stop now. The 3 of us were ready and at the door by 8:40. Zach was doddling in the kitchen with Heloise. He was meant to be doing his flash cards but was not concentrating. As it got later, I got more and more frustrated as he was making the boys late again. Heloise decided he has to do his flash cards twice a day now, as he is too slow at it, and is forgetting how to read rather than progressing. She then asked me if I could make sure he does his hair and teeth each morning. (I thought he had been). So, making the boys wait even longer, Zach and I ran upstairs and I did his teeth. We ran back down, and I stuffed him into his jacket. Heloise had just left. The 4 of us walked out the door and briskly up the street. On the way we picked Sam up. - His sister Zoe is still a little sick, and now his brother Joe has an earache. - We walked to the school, and by some miracle, we were on time. Josh said goodbye clearly wanting to hug me, but afraid to do it in front of Sam, so I just rustled his hair and off he went. Nathaniel came up, and being silly gave me a huge hug and said goodnight. He says by the time he gets home from his Grandma's it'll be bed time so he should say goodnight now. So I got another hug. Zach and I went to stand with Noah, his dad, Xavier, his mom, and his brother. Michelle had already told me I looked stressed out. Boy was she right. Zach began to go in. He didn't give me a hug, so I stole one. I walked back to Michelle's car with her and we had a little chat. Then I walked home. As I approached the door, the rain began. Thank You Mother Nature! For waiting until I was finished.

When I arrived, I got changed, and left for my run. I was excited. I ran to the same spot as yesterday, but must have run faster because I got there 2 minutes early. I had to walk for a couple of minutes, and then I made up the remaining 2 as I ran up to the high street. I slowed down and walked for another little while, then ran for 10, and walked home. I was feeling the pain in my abs and my sides, but it was a good healthy pain. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. It's funny when you run, you tend to listen to the music and nothing else. But when you slow things down, when you start to walk...your mind doesn't stop. You think about the things that annoy you. The things that are stressing you out, and even things as odd as..."How many overweight old people do you see walking around?...Guess that's one good reason to keep working out no matter what". In the end though, you get sick of the stress and the emotions in your head, and you feel like running again. Which is a good thing. Maybe I'll be running the entire way in a few weeks. I also thought about how far I'll be able to run with my Mom when I get back. Will we run then go to Starbucks on the way home? Or will we come home and change, then go up to Starbucks? Oh how I can't wait for those days.

When I arrived home, I had a note in the mail slot. It said M.Preddy had missed a parcel. DAMMIT! I'm not allowed to pick it up at the post office until after 2 now. The suspense is killing me. I think I'll pick Zach up, we'll walk to the high street and sort some things out at the bank, and by that time, I should be able to pick it up. Fingers crossed. I wonder if it's my scarf.

Anyway, now I'm just listening to music. I enjoyed a bowl of cereal, and have done my 15 minutes on the wii. I'll shower soon, and then walk up to get Zach.

Went to get Zach. I got the lean in again. Only this time, he ran at me! Wow! He must miss me with these longer days. Don't get too excited though. On the way home he asked where his mom was, and when she'd be home. He held my hand as we walked to the bank. It was closed. He held my hand as we went to the post office. Luckily, it was open! And although it was before 2, my parcel was there. Guess what it was...MY SCARF! and a cd of pictures from Adam's wedding! I'm going to be warm again!...sort of...Thank you Tara :D In the post office Zach was sitting on my feet. I asked if, instead of sitting on the ground, would he like me to hold him. The answer was yes. I held him until I got to the counter, and then after getting the parcel, he asked if I could carry him again. We made it across the street and a few steps, before I told him I had to put him down. My muscles were not having it today. I can barely move as the day goes on hahaha. Tomorrow will be interesting, but I'm hoping to not let it stop me. The wii told me today that I lost a pound. I hope it's right.

We walked home, and I made some hot chocolate for the two of us. We sat and talked, and I did some crossword. We listened to some music. Zach can be so smart sometimes. He asked who was singing. I said Jason Mraz. He said who sings the one about give you my heart. I asked which he meant and he said the one from the car. I realized he was talking about "Last Christmas" and told him that was Savage Garden. When he finished his drink, we opened his work book. He was trying to spell his own name, but forgot the Y. He told me that he couldn't remember what came next. I know that's not true. I explained that I knew he was a smart boy, and he knew the answer. He then asked if I could just tell him. I replied with a no, and told him that he has to be able to do it himself, because his teacher's won't tell him either. I said we had to practice so he could be ahead of the class. He told me he didn't want to be head teacher. I told him he didn't have to be, but he had to be smart...and this is where the little monster Zach came out. He said "But you tell me off when I'm smart". I told him that wasn't true, and before I could explain, he said "Yes, the other day when I said Hi and told you that was talking...you told me off for being smart" (COULDN'T YOU JUST SCREAM?!?!?!) I said Zach, that's being a smarty pants, and you know that's not the same thing...because you're intelligent. He started laughing. He is definitely smarter and more kaniving than people give him credit for. Anyway...we moved on to his flash cards, and after a half hour of attempting to read the word "come", Zach fell asleep on my lap. A little while later, I moved him to the couch. Heloise came in, scooped him up, and took the boys to my Uncle and Aunt's for dinner.

I then got my coat and my SCARF on, threw on some mitts, and headed out to the store. I picked up some soy milk, and some soup. I was looking for Chicken noodle...can you believe they didn't have CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP??? WHAT IS THAT?? I settled for chicken and leek cup of soup. Then I looked for Soy yogurt. I couldn't find any so I asked an employee if she knew whether or not they carried it. She said it wasn't where I was looking, and she took me to a different aisle. I thought it was a little odd that it wouldn't be refrigerated, but when she pointed, I dismissed my thoughts. I knelt down to look. Chocolate or Vanilla...hmm...chocolate. I had looked at the label, and it didn't say yogurt on it...all it said was dessert. But why would I second guess the employee? I picked up an apple, paid, and walked home.

When I got back, I got comfy on the couch, in the peace and quiet, and I watched an episode of Desperate Housewives while I ate my apple. When that finished, I decided it was time for dinner, and so I made my cup of soup. YOGURT TIME! Or so I thought. As I approached the fridge, I thought to myself...dessert...vanilla or chocolate...this isn't going to be yogurt! I bet you it's pudding! I opened the fridge, took it out, and sure enough...pudding. DAMMIT! Oh well. I guess it's a plus that it tasted pretty good. I guess I'll search for yogurt elsewhere another day.

Anyway, I caught up on the Office, and now all I have to do be completely caught up on my shows, is watch American Idol tomorrow. YAY!

Well...the house is quiet, and I'm enjoying it. I'm going to sit back, watch TV, and speak to some people. Good Night xx