Thursday Ramblings

I started my first book club...the first book up was "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed...I hated every page of the book and yet I couldn't put it down.

I've thought long and hard about the fact that I disliked it and yet it pulled me in...I have to guess that with each page turning I hoped that it would finally get better, finally start telling me a story, with a beginning, middle and end but it never did. I do however appreciate that it was not a book I would normally read, (I did not pick it) but it opened my eyes to spiritual journeys.

By the time I was done I realized I'm not there yet...I'm not there at that chapter in my life where I want or appreciate spiritual journeys...but I'm guessing I will be there soon so at least this was a look into that realm of thinking for when I'm ready.

I found an apple in the freezer on Sunday...I kind of knew it was there but it had been there for so long I figured it had to be bad by now. I must say even though it was more than a year past it's expiration date that Mrs Smith Apple pie was DELICIOUS coupled with some Trader Joe's Vanilla Ice Cream!

Baby C had her "Back to School" night on Monday. I was there for 2 hours and though I do love the teacher I was so tired when I was done. I think it had something to do with a 2nd Grade seat not fitting my big behind butt and the feeling of half of it going numb as it hung off every side of the 2nd Grade chair.

I wrote a nice little note to Baby C and drew a teddy bear on the back and hide it in her desk for her to find the next day. I think it's so cute that writing notes to your kids on the "Back to School" night is a little tradition for most parents at this age.

Big C cooked dinner last night and it was amazingly plain but good. I keep hearing the words "Healthy Eating" getting thrown around all over Instagram and Twitter I'm certain last nights dinner was "Healthy Eating"...."Sutton & Dodge" Beef Chuck Tender Steaks from Trader Joe's and I'm not one for red meat but it's so small, palm sized and so tender it's perfect for every once in a while red meat eating. He coupled it with basmati rice and a side of sauteed spinach mixed with corn...I looked  quizzically every where for some kind of sauce or gravy to go over the rice thinking I'd joke on the dry rice but he seasoned the vegetables so well that it went down perfectly with the rice. Of course I finished it off with another slice of the aforementioned year old apple pie and ice cream.

Thumbs up to Big C, lets see how my Southwestern Stuffed Peppers turn out tonight!

Oh before I forget we went camping in July. We were supposed to be a group of over 30 and at last minute everyone pulled out 1 by 1. At first I was a little upset questioning if I wanted to go myself but i didn't say anything to Big C, later I found out he was feeling the same way. "Communication is the Key!" By the time
we hit the road we finalized a group of 13 including a new family of 5.

Thankfully the new family were not new to camping but I still wasn't sure how they'd fit in with us. I wasn't sure if they were anti drinking, anti cursing, anti bugs, anti dirt, basically anti everything that Big C and his friends seem to do more than normal during a camping weekend!

I have to say it was the most relaxing camping trip I've ever been on since we started camping years ago. We woke late on Saturday and missed the 3 mile rafting trip and were forced to take the 7 mile trip. The woman ALL bowed out and the men took all kids alone for a 7 mile rafting trip down the Delaware River.

I'm guessing, though I LOVE rafting that not going made it the most relaxing camping trip to date. I got to make the sandwiches, ziploc up the potato chips, and supply ice to the small coolers and then wave a big goodbye.