Friend visit

So... last Saturday I was having a day.  I don't know why or what it was but everything and everybody was annoying the heck out of me.  I would like to blame hormones, but #3 can't help it  :)  We went to the farmer's market in the morning because I figured that would be put me in a good mood.  And it did. The kids had a lot of fun and it's always so exciting to see how busy it is and all the different vendors, and smelling all the delicious food.  :)

I also tried this new recipe of pumpkin pie oatmeal.  It's supposed to relatively healthy and low in calories.  I got it from a friend who is running and she suggested it.  It was pretty tasty, but I think next time I will add more sugar to make it feel more like pumpkin pie.  haha.

Dude enjoying his pumpkin pie oatmeal

We got the biggest cauliflower I think I've ever seen in my entire life, along with a butternut squash (which went into that delicious bisque) acorn squash (that I ate for dinner one night) and some spaghetti squash (which is yet to be determined).  The kids charmed this vendor out of some flowers and free fruit.  It was adorable.

Lucy and her flower

The ginormous cauliflower!

Lucy was so interested in this ant that she got on her hands and knees and crawled around following it.  This was part of our morning walk.

When we got home I was back into my funk.  The littlest things were working my patience and I felt bad for my family.  They weren't doing anything wrong but everything was just annoying me.  Nap time couldn't come fast enough.  I was so serious about my nap time that I made Dude sleep in his own bed in fear he would keep me up and annoy me further.  Most of you know, but sleep is like my reset button.  Things not going so well?  Take a nap.  It WILL be better when I wake up.  Right before I went to sleep my darling husband told me that he had a surprise for me later.  I wanted him to tell me what it was but he was pretty persistent that I would like it, so I had to trust.  I kinda rolled over and muttered something and went to sleep.

We all got in fabulously long naps.  :)  I did admittedly feel better after the fact, but still had a hint of the funk knowing that just the littlest thing would send me back.  But then I heard something... something that had my hopes up.  Gaetan came in and told me that I had a visitor... and there were going to be only two people that was gonna make this day better.  One I knew was out of the question because she had a race half way across the country the next day, but the other... I was half thinking of asking to hang out but I didn't want to drive 2 hours to her place and I felt bad for asking somebody to drive 2 hours to see me because I was in a bad mood.  But, luckily, my dear wonderful husband had enough insight to not worry about being rude and ask anyway.  And... HERE SHE WAS!  Ratty had come to visit me and help me with my funk.

I was seriously on the brink of tears from excitement.  I felt like a little kid again when their parents tell them that their friends are coming over to play.  I perked right up.  I wasn't sure what we were going to do, but whatever it was, was going to be fabulous.  I got dressed, made some general plans about the rest of the day with the husband and we took off.  :)

We first just went to Starbucks, sat outside and talked.  And talked.  It was AMAZING.  Its so crazy to think that a cup of Chai, a nice fall day and some time to talk with a gal pal could be so refreshing.  We caught up on life, what we were up to, what's up with family and general stuff.  I love that we can just sit and talk and be.  We then went to Barnes and Noble so that she could get a book for a potential future class... and really, who couldn't spend some time in that place just looking around.  It's amazing how when you don't have half an eye on what your kids are doing you are able to just browse.  We looked at some recipe books, some nutrition stuff... and then, she bought me the 2nd book in a series that just came out.  I have been pretty lazy about reporting on the books I've been finishing, but I was waiting for this book at the library, and had been hearing nothing but good things from them about it, so I was chomping at the bit.  We both agreed to get each other friend gifts so we couldn't feel guilty about getting the books we wanted.  :)

My dear friend entertaining my kids at the restaurant

After that we went to Crow's Nest.  YUM YUM YUMMITY YUM.  I had been craving deli sandwiches and soups so my thoughts had been all about Panera earlier in the day, but this was definitely the better choice.  We got their tomato basil soup and their butternut squash bisque, both AMAZING.  The tomato soup was like none other.  I am on the hunt for something similar... and that other soup was delicious too!  I tried a new sandwich that I think I might've fallen in love with.  It had this garlic mayo on it that I would dip anything in... I still dream about it... haha.  And would totally take the bad breath that comes with it any day.

The care package... there are two oven mitts but Lucy ran off with the other one 

Me sporting my new stylish scarf!

After we got our fill we headed back to our place because the kids were exhausted after their big adventure day with Papa (more on that one later too).  Then, she brings out the big guns.  She ahd put together this care package that she thought would help and soothe me.  It was very thoughtful.  It had the book, a really stylish scarf, a cutesy bracelet, some heavenly smelling bubble bath, sleeping mask, ear plugs (I thought maybe for a zombie apocolypse haha) tissues, two oven mitts (that I have used frequently today and they are great) and of course, the basket it came in.  It was so very thoughtful and I can't even begin to express how much of a difference just having her around made.  I've been in a great mood ever since!  And I know that my family thanks you for helping me not be such a wench.  And I'm glad that we can keep it together even though we live on opposite sides of the state.  So, thank you my dear Ratty for making the effort and being an amazing friend.  :)

JVG