Storms: Both Tropical and Toddler

Yesterday, Tropical Storm Bonnie formed over the Bahamas, and while it isn't directly affecting our area, we are still getting the indirect effect of tropical storm conditions. Which really just means lots of rain and wind.

So, our usual morning run got rained out. Despite now owning the weathershield, I wasn't going to take Norah out in the torrential rainfall, nor did I feel like going out in it myself. But, by early afternoon, and rain all. day. long, tension in the house was running high. I was feeling irritable and impatient. Scooter was annoying the crap out of me (I don't know if the storm made him nervous or what, but every time I turned around, he was right underfoot). Norah had only napped a total of 40 minutes all day and she was a royal crab apple: I could not muster up the energy for the 20th reading of "But Not the Hippopotamus" and she dissolved into a shitticane of tears.

If I didn't figure out something soon, our house was gonna transform into Thunderdome.

Thankfully, at about 2 pm, the rain abated. The clouds still looked omnious, but I decided to take my chances. I needed a run.

So, I got in running clothes, loaded Norah into the stroller (made sure we did have the weathershield with us), bid Scooter "adieux," and we were off! As soon as we got out there, I knew I'd made the right choice: The rain stayed away the entire run and we certainly both needed to get out and get some fresh air. However, just because we stayed dry, doesn't mean the run wasn't without its unique trials.

It wasn't too hot -- the rain all day kept the temp moderate (although, it was still in the 80s) -- but it was VERY humid, and VERY windy. At one point, my route took me head-on into the wind, and it required a two-handed handling of the stroller. I felt like I was running in place! Still, despite those challenges, I race an average pace of 9:56 per mile -- I guess I had some pent up Mom-anger to get out!

It was a good run, and I definitely needed it. When I got home, I felt better and was able to be a better mom to Norah and Scooter. And, without that run, the rest of the afternoon would have almost certainly involved a throwdown of some kind because Norah really tried my every last spec of patience I have in me today.

Thank god it's Friday, and I don't have class. That means that it is now 6:12 pm, Norah is in bed, and Jerry and I are ready to start our Friday night. Which, I'm gonna be honest, is gonna revolve around draining this little baby:If I drink it out of a race glass, that makes it healthier, right?

Our other exciting plans for the night involve a pizza, which has been ordered and is on it's way, and a movie from On Demand. Who needs to leave the house on a Friday? We have keg beer, pizza and movies here at home!