You won't believe what happens when you put wheat in a bunch of dirt and add water

As is customary for me this time each year, I attempt to reach deep into the recesses of my sunlight depraved soul and try to remind myself that winter will end.

Spring will come. (Well, technically the calendar says it should be here already but our neck of the woods has it's very own seasonal chart that changes if perchance two people within a five mile radius of each other sneeze at the exact same time or if ANY person in this general vicinity makes ANY comment about the weather when that same person has hatred in their heart combined with an awful case of the munchies.)

And apparently these things happen here all the time because last week it snowed, this weekend it was beautifully sunny, and the past three days it has rained while tornadoes have touched down, all whilst I dealt with kids who have turned into rabid caged animals with sharp teeth, mind you.

But since there's nothing I can to do control the atmospheric forces that be, besides check my emotions, eating habits, and sneezing fits, the only thing I can do to keep the hope and faith of spring alive is to make it happen myself. Be my own Mother Nature.

I should probably tell you that last year around Easter I went to the store and bought cartons of wheatgrass. Not to juice. Heavens no. Although I did feel really healthy just buying it. No, the true intent behind such a purchase was strictly decorational and mood adjustinal . It was alive and bright and green. Everything the real outside was currently not. And since I fail when it comes to keeping real plants alive in my home, this was the next best thing.

So I plopped that greenery into a festive springish pot and displayed for all to enjoy. Clever. I know. I really helped some people out that Easter I think.

Imagine my surprise when I read on multiple blogs this past month that wheatgrass is the hot Spring/Easter decoration of 2011. As usual I am about one year ahead of my time.

I decided to step it up this this year though and grow the grass myself, from seed, if you can believe it. You guys, I have wheatgrass growing in almost every freaking room of the house. And it makes me so happy that I go around taking pictures of it. That is NOT weird.

I do fear though that visitors will think there is something really strange going on in my house when they see a pot of wheatgrass on the table, a planter of wheatgrass on the counter, and then when they have to go to the bathroom . . . BAM! more wheatgrass in their face.

And just when they think they can't be cheered up any more . . . wheatgrass on another table as they walk out the door!

And all I can think to say to them is, "You're welcome."

You're welcome.

Now my friends, I sincerely hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with some sort of sign that spring is here and not going away.

I for one will be reveling in all my wheatgrass, and attending to that giant bag of Cadbury Minis.

P.S. I simply must say hello new followers! Hello new commenters! Hello new likers! And of course hello to all you old guys too! I love seeing your little internet faces (or symbols that say you are a human and probably have a face).

Bad mommy

This is what I see when I look outside my kitchen window. It’s much lovelier than the view I had a couple weeks ago of dead gray earth. Spring is my favorite time of the year with the sunshine, warmer weather, and occasional thunderstorm. However, this year I seem to have developed some allergies to the wonderful nature that is awakening outside. Is it possible to suddenly be allergic to something? That’s a silly question because of course it is. I’m living proof. I’m sneezy, phlegmy, and agitated. It appears that even my skin is sensitive to the season because I’m itchy and I’m having a cold sore outbreak. Plain and simple, cold sores make me grumpy. They are my top nemesis, second only to soggy cereal. So I’ve been trying to stage a full on war, with help from my trusty Abreva, which usually calms the attacks. But I’m also seriously lacking in the sleep department which I’m sure is not helping my cause. This tiredness is partly due to my own stupidity, but also because Bubba’s been waking up a lot during the night with a stuffy nose. Poor little chap sounds like a tiny Lauren Bacall. If he knew how to speak, I’m sure he’d be able to say, “You know how to whistle don’t you?” spot on.

Well, my sleep deprivation became totally apparent today as I did a “bad mommy” thing. When it’s time to feed Bubba and put him down for his mid-morning nap, I usually leave Bosco in his own room while he plays who knows what. Generally he likes to have some alone time too and doesn’t argue with this arrangement. Then I escape to Bubba’s nursery for a more peaceful environment. It generally takes all of ten to fifteen minutes to feed Bubba and put him to sleep. But today I let my mind wonder a little too much while I rocked in the chair until I found myself in dream land. I woke up frantically, disoriented. Bubba was sleeping soundly in my arms so I hurried and placed him in the crib. I had only been passed out for ten minutes but it felt like forever. Upon entering Bosco’s room, I found him snuggled up in his bed, sucking his thumb (arrrggh), listening to the radio, pretending to be asleep. I felt guilty, but also very grateful that this guy is so patient with his wacko mommy.

So although I love that I’m seeing green and a ton of other vibrant colors outside, I’m a little bit miserable with my snotty, sore lipped, guilt-ridden self. I’ll be using this weekend to recharge, rinse, and repeat.

On a happier note, I still have plenty of my Cadbury Mini Eggs stash left.