1.
I have been fighting this for a long time but I think it's time to admit defeat and get some blog accountability going. Friends, I believe (deep breath) that I have a sensitivity to (cringe) chocolate.
Moment of silence while I let that sink in.
It started when I was pregnant with Luke and the crazy out of control pregnancy insomnia began...you know, waking up at one or two a.m. and being wide awake for hours desperate for sleep. Finally getting back to sleep at four or five only to have to be ready for the day an hour or two later. I gave up coffee and chocolate to help. It did a bit but certainly wasn't a cure-all.
When Luke was a newborn he was by far my best most chill baby but I noticed that whenever I had even the slightest bit of chocolate (I'm talking a few chocolate chips here) he would have a more fitful sleep. And I would have a more fitful sleep. So I gave it up again.
Fast forward and he's two and a half years old and doesn't like chocolate. I mean, he spits it out when he gets it. Isn't that interesting? I think he must have some sort of sensitivity, too, and somehow his body just knows that he shouldn't eat it? Because why else would you spit out chocolate??? And back to me. When I eat more than a minimal amount of chocolate within fifteen minutes or so (like the other day when I downed about a cup of chocolate chips during a very weak moment of the mid-afternoon dragging through the mud, are my eyelids even able to stay open time of day) yes, I get the sought after energy spurt but I also feel agitated and get very snappy at the kids and I don't sleep well that night. I described it to Brian as, "Well, my eyeballs feel like they're open all night. I'm sleeping but they don't roll back and I feel like part of me's been awake that whole time." And Luke was up a bunch. Probably it was his eyeballs, too.
Condolences can be sent via email or in the form of carob desserts which, I shall break to you, are a sad, cruel joke masquerading as an adequate chocolate substitute.
2.
A friend and I were joking about how everyone but us seems to be writing an E-book or book and trying to figure out what sort of book we could ever write.
I think I've figured it out.
How to Find the Time and Money to Read All the Other People's Books - A Practical Guide to Overcoming the Hurdles of Supporting Blog Friends
Look for it after I have a hot second to even write a decent post. All proceeds will go to funding my purchases of other people's amazing books.
3.
On a related note, I am so truly excited for Sarah's release of her E-book
Teaching From a State of Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakeable Peace
You can get it now for a discount so you won't even need my guide ;)
If you're a homeschooling mom, I think you'll be blessed by her words and I think if we take the depth of her words to heart, we'll find our homeschools, our children, our motherhood, and our families transformed. And if you're like me you'll need to read these words especially at this time of year when we're filling out the district reporting forms, feeling like we need to power through the workbooks, and losing peace and confidence in the process. I told her yesterday her words already made me cry at my kitchen countertop.
(It was a compliment.)
4.
Dear Blog Reader,
This is the portion of the blog post in which I ask you to figure out something I should already know.
Do you or do you not buy a gift for a wedding you are not attending?
What about bridal or baby showers?
I have heard both answers and have done both things. Does the relationship with the honoree or bride and groom matter?
I appreciate all help in the matter.
Sincerely,
Mary
5.
I am super crazy excited for some big stuff happening this weekend. It's looking like the weather will be beautiful, Brian is doing something amazing (how's that for a tease?), and it's a three day weekend! (Reminder to self: Remember to pack the tissues in the bag for when you will inevitably cry during the Memorial Day service, Brian's Big Something, and for the marching bands.)
6.
Could you tuck into your prayers a dear friend who is dealing with some big health stuff right now?
I'd be so grateful and willing to take any of your prayer requests in the comments in return.
7.
This.
The End.
Joining Jen for Seven Quick Takes.
Kevin has the same sleep issues...he has often suspected chocolate, especially if he eats it at night. I think it's just a Foley trait you both inherited.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read Sarah's book...
I don't know about the gift thing....I guess I would go with only buy a gift if you want to. Gifts out of obligation are no fun.
I realize you've probably explored every other possible cause of the sensitivity but I just have to be sure! Are you sure its the chocolate and not the sugar? Or something else in chocolate? I just dont want to believe you have to give up chocolate! ! (Sob sob! From a girl with a pound of dark chocolate hiding in her dresser drawer.) Have you tried plain unsweetened cocoa in a smoothie or something to see if you get the same reaction? (Please say no!)
ReplyDeleteYou know (and this an incredibly pathetic and embarrassing confession) but I feel like I've noticed a difference between brands of chocolate chips. *hanging head in shame* So that makes me wonder if it's something about the specific chocolate or an additive. But I'm nervous to experiment too much!
DeleteNo chocolate??!!?? Oh..that's awful!
ReplyDeleteI would only send a gift for a wedding we aren't attending if we are very close to the people...but then if we were very close to them, we would probably attend. I know that doesn't help, but I hate giving gifts and we are currently very financially strapped. If you can afford it, I would send one, but if you can't, then don't.
Same thing with bridal or baby showers..although with those, I am even less likely to send a gift if I can't attend....I would only really send a gift for a niece or nephew. But, I do not enjoy giving gifts (or reciving them...I am just not a gift person).
I always send a wedding gift, not for the shower unless it's close family or friends. In fact, I've often not gone to a shower simply because I couldn't afford a gift.
ReplyDelete#1 - I am so sorry... that's really just all I can say. *sniff*
ReplyDelete#2 - Do write that book. Then I would be able to buy it and feel sorry for myself that your friend and I are the only ones left without our own.
#3 - Sarah's book is one of THE highlights of my month. I've been waiting impatiently and have not been disappointed!
#4 - Relationship makes all the difference. We have done both. If you are just not very close, I don't think it is rude at all.
#5 - I am so happy that you get to have a great big wonderful weekend. :)
#6 - Prayers coming.
#7 - Just spit out my water. I don't know what he's doing but it looks familiar. I have boys, too... that must be it.
CHOCOLATE??? I didn't even know that was possible :(
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm totally supportive of #2... I've been using Amazon affiliates money to purchase these books because I figure, at least the money I earn from blogging goes right back into the Catholic blogosphere? But it looks like we might be in a book drought for a while, so our ledgers should be happier :)
Oh, Chocolate, that would be so hard!!
ReplyDelete#2- LOL! I feel the same way . . . so many people writing books and I cannot even plan a good blog post!
Have a great weekend! Enjoy! Cannot wait to hear about it!
#6—Praying. God bless your friend.
ReplyDelete#7—What is he doing? What is that thing? What???
#1 -- the reaction Luke has sounds like the reaction my son had as a little guy when he ate a little bit of peanut butter before we knew he was allergic. He wanted it out of his mouth immediately. The doctor said he had an instant reaction on his tongue -- tingling. You might have him tested, but I would say he at least has a sensitivity, possibly an allergy. Food allergies stink.
ReplyDelete4-- depends on who the bride and groom are. As the mother of the groom in one year, I can see there are some people you invite because you need to. I wouldn't expect a gift if that person couldn't make it. But if it's your husband's boss's daughter, send one. Or your favorite cousin's son...it really does depend.
7 -- too cute!
PS if you are not going to the wedding, you don't need to worry about a shower gift. But I find a few hand knit dish cloths and some cotton towels are easy to send and always appreciated. But if you're not sending a wedding gift, don't send a shower gift. That might just confuse them.
ReplyDeletePPS my signature wedding gift, and I'll let you steal it ;-), is a covered glass cake plate. You can get them for fairly little, and eventually every woman will be glad she has one.
I'm with Tamara :) I'm also sensitive to mainstream chocolate chips/bars. But I can tolerate it well when I make my own with raw honey or rapadura/ sucant and coconut oil or butter. I show similar signs when I eat random chocolate chips or any baked good made with regular sugar, even organic sugar, so maybe there is hope!!!
ReplyDelete