The neighbors must think I've lost it?

Series of events within the last week regarding my neighbors:

Oh, and please take note that I do not know these people very well...

1. First neighbor delivers a slip n' slide to my front door. Totally free of charge. Says that he saw me spraying down the kids with the hose in the front yard and wasn't sure if it was a stress reliever or just for fun. I began to wonder if it appeared to him that I was spraying them a little more violently then what I had intended? I mean, sure, it felt good to sneak up on them, hose in hand, and spray the crap out of them. But it couldn't have been that bad...right?

2. Same neighbor, two days later, says he and his wife are having a yard sale. His wife suggested that he come over and offer me first dibs on all the toys because we look like we could use some extra help with child entertainment. With a look of confusion I told him that I was appreciative, but kindly declined. Thoughts began to swim through my head. What on Earth did they think was happening over here?

3. Another very sweet neighbor, further down the street, greeted me first thing in the morning while I was opening the garage door. Up comes the door and BAM! There she is, standing there holding a large box. She holds it out to me and says it looks like I could use this more than she could. It is a brand new inflatable "car wash" water type thingy for the kids to play in. I was now starting to become paranoid.

Was the fact that I thought I had these kids finally under control just a delusion in my head? I realize that we had added a fourth to our group (a sweet little friend of Riley's has joined our summer adventure) but if anything, she was a wonderful playmate and distraction for him - which really only left me with two other kiddos who were constantly hanging from my legs.

And then it occurred to me.

This "chaos" that they see is, in fact, my normal. It's jumping and screaming and yelling and laughing and aggravating and silliness and temper tantrums and crying and playing and joking and craziness all rolled up into each day - which ends with me (and hopefully the kids too) feeling like all in all, it was another accomplished and successful day. Of course, I'm not ashamed to admit that the water inflatable gifts (which I did actually graciously accept - Hey, I'm not THAT proud) do help the day along just a little.

Vegan-ese

I have to laugh. My last blog was about being on the South Beach diet which centers around meals rich in animal protein. At the time, I was convinced that it was the answer to my prayers on weight loss. Little did I know that a few short months later I would be sitting here telling you that not only have I given up meat completely, but I'm a bona-fide vegan.
For those who are not familiar with the vegan lifestyle, this means I do not eat anything that is or comes from an animal. Although I'm a little more limited on my food choices - and honestly still trying to get past the mindset of centering dinner around a cut of beef - I have realized that this is what I need to do because fad diets are not the long-term answer. I need a lifestyle change. I won't preach about all of the health benefits from eating mostly plant-based foods. To each his own, I always say. I'm just happy that I've finally found the true way to get my energy level back to normal and it doesn't hurt that I'm doing my body a world of good in the meantime. Yay vegans!