Reporter/Mother

I only slept a few hours last night because I was an idiot and drank half a Cherry Coke while watching The Haunting in Connecticut with Mikel last night. The movie wasn't as scary as we thought it would be (of course) but there were some intensely creepy moments and some disturbing images.

The county fair is going on this week and I offered to cover the Horse Judging Competition this morning. I don't know what I was thinking. It was during the boys' swimming lessons time. I took them all with me. It was hot, and very dusty. I started sneezing shortly after arrival. Nothing was happening. It was hot, the kids were whining, and I had forgotten the sunscreen. I took the boys to the swimming pool and left them there. Drew had lessons first, and then Garrett had lessons after him. I told Garrett to play at the park until it was his turn for lessons and I would be back as soon as possible.

"If anything happens or they need me for anything, have the lifeguard call my cell phone!" I said. I was nervous about just leaving them there, even though it was only a few blocks away.

"It'll be fine, mom," Garrett assured me. "It's not like we're little kids."

I went back to the fair with Grace and took some pictures. I tried to talk to a few people, but Grace was whining and pulling on my shirt, nearly exposing me to everyone. Then she wanted to go in the barn and see some horses. We went inside, and it was cooler in there. There was a breeze blowing through. We pet several horses, and Grace was thrilled. She was finally not scared of them. I pet them too, and they were so soft and pretty and nice. But then I started itching. My face was tingling all over, and my eyes started to swell up. I washed my hands outside the barn and tried to wipe my face. Grace was wandering away. We went to the van and ran the A/C while she ate some cereal and I tried to stop itching. Why did I choose the horses?! I was sweaty, itchy, sniffling, sneezing, HOT and miserable. And worried about the boys.

Finally the person I needed to talk to was available and I ran over to her with my notebook, pen, camera, puffy eyes, and Grace hanging on me. While I hastily asked questions and took notes, Grace pulled on my clothes, dug in my pockets and played with my cell phone. At last I was done, and we hurried out of there.

Drew was playing in the sand at the playground and Garrett was in swimming lessons. I was so relieved that I bought them all a treat. We watched Garrett dive off the diving board, and then he got a bloody nose. He was done.

The article was due today so after making some grilled cheese sandwiches for the kids and scarfing down a chickpea salad sandwich (on sourdough bread, omg yum!), I wrote it up and it came to less than a page. Sigh. At least I got some good pictures. It'll have to do.

Tonight we are taking the kids back to the fair for rides and mini donuts and milkshakes. I am going to get a smoothie and avoid the horse barn. And tonight I'm going to get some sleep.