Don't Try This at Home....in Texas

Yeah, this is a repeat lesson. I went out yesterday and watched the kids swim at the lake in a friend's neighborhood. They had a pretty good time. I sat and visited with the other moms. It was a fairly overcast, shady day. Outside of maybe the last 15 minutes, we didn't feel or see the sun. Ah, but it was there - spiraling invisible UV rays down through the clouds. And it fried my nose and forehead. Ugh. I love this "T-zone" sunburned look. The good news, it turns out is that the UV protection of my sunglasses works perfectly, adding to the raccoon effect. Lovely.

50 SPF is no Match for the Texas Sun!

Man oh man! We went to Galveston Island today with Kendra's friend, Allen and his mom, my newfound friend, Sherri. We had a really good time. The beach was covered with seaweed in uncanny amounts - read this news story from 2005 about it. Evidently it is a recurring problem. It was absolutely everywhere. But that didn't stop the kids from enjoying the Gulf Beach. We had 50 SPF sunblock, and reapplied it several times a day - and we all have sunburn. I know it would be much worse without it - but I can't believe how little effect it seems to have had. It is no match for this intense Texas sun! Blackberry merlot seems to be the best sunburn tonic at the moment!

No Time to Blog

Wow - I can hardly think of a day in recent history when I haven't blogged! Weird. Today I was so busy - I never even had time to touch the computer until after dinner - and then it was only to make a quick run through emails. Having a house full makes for busy times - everytime I turn around somebody is hungry, or thirsty or needs something or wants to do something - and I have to figure out how it all fits together! Whew! I am gaining a newfound respect for friends with larger numbers of children than I have. Teenagers are demanding people - but at the same time, their energy is contagious. I found myself sitting at the park today playing some sort of snapping, clapping game.
This afternoon we went to a Homeschool Co-op group family picnic. It was rather low key - but pretty fun regardless. We played some volleyball, ate a picnic lunch and had some enjoyable conversations. It was fun.
I am learning that the sun in Texas has a higher degree of intensity than what I am used to. I was not in the direct sunlight for most of the afternoon - and managed to get sunburned. My face, arms and chest are pretty pink. It could have been much worse, but I honestly didn't think I was getting that burned - however, you do feel somewhat like you are being radiated in the sunlight.
Recently, I have been noticing more and more women exiting public restrooms without washing their hands. This has little to do with the rest of the post, but I was making a disgusting observation. These same women touch the knobs on the doors and the handles on the carts that I have to touch. Gross!
Okay - so I blogged today - it is more like an uninteresting list of events of the day and one random thought. I know you missed me though - and I couldn't leave you hanging any longer.