Don't trust the dusk

The day is ending.  The sun is setting.  Gradually, pink clouds roll in like a blanket tucking the sun into the darkness that hasn't quite overcome the world.  The heat and humidity still linger, but as the sun is sinking into its slumber, it lures the scalding temperatures down with it making it the perfect time to squeeze in a run... or so I thought.

The first burst of stride is always the most refreshing.  I can almost feel my muscles yawn, stretch and explode into life, awakened from the stiffness of sitting in trainings all day.  Then my lungs catch up and I realize how out of shape I am.  I settle into a comfortable pace and jam out to my music acquiring awkward stares as I air drum to the beat and mouth the words in the short spurts when I can keep my lungs from exploding.  Then the sweat comes.  Not that it's a bad thing.  That's one of my favorite things about running; you sweat out all the negatives of the day.  It's only a bad thing when every ten feet you run directly into a swirling, swarming, swiveling bunch of pestering gnats.   I'm pretty sure I swallowed/inhaled at least ten while another half dozen drowned in the sweat pools on my face.  I definitely pulled several from my cheeks and eyes, some in pieces.  When you add a spider web to the mix, then you're really having fun because now you can catch more gnats from the stickiness that seems to be growing from your arms and face and everywhere.  Granted, the gnats and spiders are only a small distraction from my running, but they are insects I can do without.

I finally finished my measly two miles, and after the feeling of wanting to throw up passed, I felt pretty good.  However, I think I will try to stick to morning runs.  It may all just be in my head, but I feel like I am less likely to be attacked by nature.  Rather, I'm embraced by it.  The sun smiles as it peaks above the roofs of the houses in my neighborhood saving its boiling temperatures until after I finish.  The birds sing lightly and lead my on my way, like in a disney movie.  It's a much more pleasant experience.  But I can't complain too much because as I've learned from my great friend, Christine, it's better to be positive.

AT LEAST I ran.
AT LEAST I tried.
AT LEAST I can laugh about it.
AT LEAST I was able to get my hind parts off the couch.

Although it doesn't seem this way, the real point of this post is that I forgot how therapeutic running can be.  Those endorphins really do work! Last summer I was a running machine.  This summer, for whatever reason, I've lost my motivation.  Oh well, here's to starting a more consistent running regimen! Who's with me?!

I want my books!

Summer often means that I get to catch up on reading I don't have much time for throughout the school year, and with all the movies of YA novels coming out, I've got plenty of catching up to do.  Last week, I was a kid in a candy store when I finally had time to pick out which books I wanted to satiate my reading palette.  I submitted my order to Amazon.com anxious for Tuesday, June 25, when my books would arrive.

When Tuesday morning crept its way into my reality, I couldn't have been more excited.  I wasn't going to go anywhere today for fear of missing the grand occasion of receiving my beloved books. Throughout the morning, I kept checking the doorstep - nothing.  At about 10:30 I took a walk to check the mail only to find some junk mail for my husband.  It was still early.  All was still well.  3:00 rolled around - still nothing.  Not at my door.  Not in the mailbox.  I go back to the amazon site to track my purchase and find that my order had supposedly been delivered YESTERDAY! Something was severely wrong!  I definitely didn't get it yesterday.  I should add that this isn't the first mishap we've had with our address.  There are at least 2 items (that I know of) that I've been expecting.  One has been missing since Christmas and the other since about a month ago.  So, you can imagine my fear of never seeing my books.  If those 2 things were lost among the postal service world, or worse, in the hands of someone else, where could my books be?  This was NOT OK.  Knowing the post office closes at 4 (or somewhere around there) I had to do something about this - today.  I was guaranteed my order would be here by Tuesday, but there I was - orderless 

Furious, I immediately drove to the post office.  I marched in ready to demand my books or at least their whereabouts.  But the rational side of me took over.  It's not this lady's fault I don't have my order.  Or is it?  Plus, I couldn't yell at a stranger.  I'm one of those people that cares too much about hurting other people's feelings.  

I gave her my ID and explained that I don't think all of my mail is getting to my house.  Specifically, my books.  My books are not there!

Lady: Since you live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids, maybe one of them stole it. 

I just stare at her knowing in my head this can't be true.  1.) I've been watching the door all day.  2.)What kid goes outside anymore, if not to swim? And what kid would steal BOOKS? 

She gave me a form where I basically filled out my address and said my mail isn't getting there, and she told me that I'd have to pick up future packages directly from the post office.  Then, she sent me on my merry way.  Although, my way is not so "merry" anymore.  

Of course, I'm furious.  I still don't have MY books! Once I was away, I let my anger out.  Slamming my car door to make a point, throwing my phone (thankfully, it didn't break), slamming my house door - giving it an extra shove to make more noise in the already empty house.  

Suddenly (and with the help of my consoling, gracious husband), I had an epiphany.  I wiped the frustration off my face and decided to go ask the neighbors if it was mistakenly dropped off at their house.  As soon as I opened my front door, I saw the books sitting right in front of me. On my front porch.  

Sigh.  Such is life. 

At least I got my books! :) 

The books by the way are The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and Write Like This by Kelly Gallagher.