What are all those spots?

There is not much I don't love about summer.  I'm lucky enough to be a teacher who gets a summer vacation (although I'm totally torn on the year-round school thing...for my benefit & the students') and doesn't have a summer job (although that's something I could totally benefit from as well).  I get to spend lots of time by the pool and at the beach.  It's time for vacation.  I love sitting outside on the porch, drinking beer, and eating dinner.  I only have one primary complaint about summer...

MOSQUITOES.  It's a running joke that if there is one mosquito, it will inevitably eat me alive while never bothering D.  It gets really annoying having to spray myself down with bug spray every time I want to go outside for five minutes.  Don't even get me started on what happens if one gets inside the house.  Oh yeah, I've had to spray myself inside before. 

What happens if I miss one tiny spot of my body with the bug spray?  Numerous bites.  I've always had a really bad habit of itching since I was a child.  I can't stop, and I do it in my sleep.  I wake up itching.  Even with minimal itching, the bite swell to an enormous size and often end up looking like a bruise.   While D is out of town, I wanted to sit outside and enjoy the weather and a drink.  I opted not to because I didn't want the hassle of spraying myself down. 

Do you have any fool proof mosquito prevention techniques?  Any anti-itch recommendations? 

That's right!

[Perez Hilton]

That's right...if it's one thing I can't stand...it's people dishing out $1000 on a "purebred" dog or cat.  Shelter animals are so awesome!  Seriously, the best pets I know of (including my own) are from shelters.  Now this obv isn't to say that all shelter animals are awesome.  I can understand if people have allergies to pet hair and whatnot...but there are always rescue agencies.  Just think of all the animals that die every year, or how many you could have at least helped, when you're dishing out the bucks for a purebred.  

* And of course, no real offense to those reading who have purebreds...but I do judge you.  And there is no way that you can convince me that it is better or smart to dish out that much money for a pet when there are so many available in shelters.

Follow Up

So I got to thinking about a major pet peeve of mine after my previous post today.  I talk about trying to lose weight and the ongoing to struggle to work out.  I talk about these things regularly for a few reasons 1) it's a big part of my life because I am almost constantly counting or thinking about calories and attempting to fit in working out into my life, 2) I think it's a relatable subject.  Most people at some point in their life have struggled with weight, fitness, and/or health, and 3) to hold myself accountable.  To get to my point, I absolutely can not stand when people tell me "you don't need to lose weight."  Ok, I accept that maybe others who feel they have more weight to lose than me may feel bad if someone smaller than themselves mentions losing weight.  I can understand.  I certainly do not intentionally want to make anyone feel bad about themselves by mentioning weight and weight loss.  Others feelings aside, we all have our own reasons for wanting to lose weight.  I may be smaller but that doesn't mean that I am happy with the way I look.  It also doesn't mean that I can't make strides to be healthier.  Losing weight is about being at a healthy weight (which trust me I am on the higher end for my height) and being happy with yourself.  If losing weight helps me feel better and more confident about myself, there is nothing wrong with it.  If talking about my battle to lose weight makes you feel uncomfortable or bad about yourself, simply change the subject.  But stop telling me that I don't need to lose weight.  If you're saying this in an effort to make me feel better about myself, I appreciate it but instead just encourage me with my efforts.  And compliments always boost self-esteem :)