Sweat 'n Stuff

I really haven't felt like blogging much lately. To be honest, I've been feeling a bit 'off'. There's an underlying irritability that keeps surfacing and I can't really put my finger on it. It's like a bunch of little things that when you add them all up, or think of them all at the same time, equal one big BLAH.

Now for those of you that know me in real life, don't you go thinking that this has to do with the fact that I turned the big.....well, that had a birthday on Tuesday. And for those of you that just read my blog because you get a kick out of my weirdness, you're probably thinking I'm even weirder now. Yes, my birthday was on Tuesday and I didn't even do a post for it. I really couldn't think of a single thing to say, other than 'Happy Birthday to Me!'... and then what? So I just didn't post at all. M to the Izz-A and I did go out for sushi, which was absolutely delicious. And since his birthday is next week, we may do a dual celebration and go out with friends in a couple of weeks. Hopefully. I LOVE doing stuff like that.

Another contributing factor to my blah-ness may be the fact that next week I'm headed back to work after what felt like an incredibly short summer break. I do, however, love my job and the people I work with, but it's always hard going back to the classroom after having a couple of months off. Plus, Kate and I have become extremely close BFF's this summer and I'm feeling all sad and sorry for myself when I think of not being able to spend as much time with her.

Gah, is this post completely boring and depressing or what?! I just went back and reread what I've written so far and already I wanna give myself a swift kick in the...

Well, on the brighter side of things, my mom has been in town for a couple of weeks and Kate and I have gotten to spend some time with her. I love seeing the two of them together.

We went to the zoo yesterday. Although the only personal hygiene that took place in my bathroom before leaving was brushing the teeth and throwing on deodorant, I am so very glad I went the deodorant route. IT. WAS. HOT. At one point my mom looked at me and said, "Wow, you're really....ummm....sweaty." I knew I brought her along for some reason. I also could have won the Dirtiest Hair in America award yesterday.

No contest.

But something told me the apes wouldn't mind.

Thank goodness for the little signs that labeled each animal. I had no idea what the names were for some of them.

Here I am pointing out a 'deer-thingy'. I later found the sign and informed Kate of the correct name, although I can't remember it now.

I remember going on field trips to the zoo as a kid and it seemed like there was always some type of construction going on or that certain areas of the zoo were shut down due to unknown reasons; therefore, my teachers would resort to talking about the different types of plants and flowers that were planted around the sidewalks of the blocked off areas. Super interesting! Pshhh. I was glad to see that all areas of the zoo were up and running yesterday, except for the photo booth.

But I simply don't have it in me to pass up a photo booth, so we made do and took our own pics. Doesn't quite have the same effect, does it?

Kate loved watching me feed the giraffes, but didn't really want to do it herself. I tried to act like the giraffes tongue wasn't freaking me out. This shot doesn't really show exactly just how long it's tongue was, but believe me when I say that it just made me feel weird.

We immediately headed for the hand washing station...and proceeded to count to 30.

Kate didn't actually touch the lettuce or the giraffe, but I was thinking all things airborne.

I'm pretty fond of the giraffes. We both share a common trait known as ELN, Extremely Long Neck.

Best seat on the ride! You know it thrilled my soul when Kate told me she wanted to ride on the Gator. She knows what's up.

A word to the wise: Don't try to video tape your child on a carousel when you're riding it, too. I got a little nauseous and wanted to throw up the cheese puffs that I had stolen from Kate's backpack two seconds before hopping onto this thing. I might be smiling in this pic, but my mouth is doing that watering thing it does right before you throw-up.

We had a great time and loved watching all of Kate's facial expressions...

...and this one was my favorite.

So now I'm off to clean this house of mine. It's been neglected lately, as when I get into a slump, I slump in ALL areas.

But I crawlin' out of it.

I can just feel it.