looking forward to winter

I have started a list that is honestly two pages long of various topics I want to cover, but I keep getting sidetracked. It is no exaggeration to say that each and every day, I am bombarded by a plethora of new things to write about. But because I'm currently lacking the mental capacity to discuss anything of value, I instead want to jabber about my day.

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I had a doctor's appointment this morning to check out my two ingrown toenails. Since I haven't had an ingrown toenail since sixth grade, I'm convinced pregnancy edema is to blame. Considering I had to go up an entire shoe size during my pregnancy with Henry, I think that my toes swelled up - the nail bed expanded - and then when the swelling went down, the nails were ingrown.

That makes perfectly logical sense to me.

The doctor also checked out an ingrown eyelash that I have. It's the oddest thing. I have a little bump on my eyelid and if you look closely you can see that there is a hair inside. But whenever I tried to pluck it or set Charlie (who is very handy with a pair of tweezers and finds intense joy in squeezing or digging things out of people's bodies) on the job, I thought I was going to die.

Lesson learned is that the skin on your eyelids is extremely, extremely sensitive and I think it would have been less painful to drop a cleaver on my foot.

My doctor is a nice enough guy. But the only reason I went to go see him is because in the world of HMO's, I need to see him first, in order to get a referral to the doctor that can actually help me.

Today, he talked to me about this crazy allergic reaction I have seemed to develop with gold. Ever since Henry has been born, I can no longer wear gold without developing a terrible rash. Which means, I can either tolerate the raised eyebrows I get whenever people look at me with four children and no wedding band - or - have all of my ring settings transferred to platinum.

I'm opting for the latter.

My doctor also gave me an antibiotic for my toenails. And, a different antibiotic for my eye. He also referred me to an opthamologist and a podiatrist.

My opthamologist appointment is next week. My podiatrist appointment isn't until January.

FOUR MONTHS FROM NOW.

Well, it's a good thing my toes are only slightly excruciating to walk on. And there is only a little bit of puss oozing out with each step. I can't believe the podiatrist is so backed up. Are that many people having problems with their feet??

Following the doctor appointment, I swung by The Sports Authority to pick Charlie up a new pair of tennis shoes. And a new watch, because his beloved G-Shock broke last month and he hasn't been on time for anything, since. While I was at The Sports Authority, I noticed that they were having a big sale on Columbia Sportswear. I decided to browse and see if there was anything that jumped out at me.

Well, I'll be damned if half the women's department didn't jump out and land itself in my cart. Unlike last year when I was in the mood to fill the majority of my closet with lime green and hot pink ... this year, I'll be dressed predominantly in brown and off white.

And black. Because I loaded up on my all-time favorite black drawstring sweat pants that can be used as an all around the house, yard and playground pant.

Or, dressed up with a cardigan and pumps. This is a very nice look indeed.

Particularly if you are from the motherhood camp that thinks a ponytail looks fashionable.

I also picked up three pint-sized tennis rackets for the children's birthday, because I think three is a good age to get them out on the courts and watch them chase after balls and hit each other on the head with a Prince. Tennis might even surpass their current favorite past-time of laying on the family room floor under every single blanket that they own.

Lastly, I picked up a new bag. Because I have recently realized that I have an addiction to buying bags. Backpacks, mailbags, purses, duffel bags. Even wallets. And little bags that hang by a string around your neck. The newest bag to my family of bags is a smaller sized backpack that will work perfectly as a diaper bag. I think a possible new career move for me would be a bag designer.

Driving home, I could tell that Fall is in the air. The weather dropped to the high 60's today, so I felt fully justified dressing the girls in their winter tights and jackets before sending them out to a play date with Charlie this morning while I went to the doctor.

Now unless you live or have lived in Southern California, I don't think it is possible to appreciate the slightest weather shift that represents a change in seasons. You also could not possibly fathom how quickly a person's blood thins and temperatures in the high 60's with a cool breeze, will send them running for their hats and scarves.

Today, there were clouds in the sky and I think it rained last night. These are all prime indications that Old Man Winter is just around the corner and we need to make sure that there are lots of candles and canned goods on hand. It's also that time of year to make Apple Crisps for the neighbors and dust off our Crock-Pot for hearty beef stews. And, peruse the LL Bean catalogue for new flannel pajamas.

That's all I've got.

Now I'm off to finish up the birthday invitations for a little gala we're planning for the children next month. But not before I try on all the clothes I bought while out today, that I couldn't try on in the store since I was wearing Henry.

It's such fun to buy clothes without trying them on. In my mind's eye, I can see how great I'm going to look in the various outfits. Why, I'll look even better than the model. Because in some rare twist of fate, pant sizes that would been too snug someplace or another, now fit perfectly.

Whenever I buy clothes without trying them on first, I always leave the store in a good mood. I'd rather save myself any disappointment until I get home and realize that the only thing that fits are a pair of wool socks. Which I probably won't wear until I get my toes repaired.

In January.