So Then Chicken Says "Let's Do This Thing!"

Hi World,

My name is Chicken.  I'm a book junkie.

It started out innocently.  About 3 weeks ago I picked up some books at the library.  I read them.  I didn't blog.  I didn't read your blogs.  I finished all my books and I thought, "I should work on my blog".  But then I started to feel itchy and broke out in a sweat.  I couldn't focus.  I told myself I had to go to the bank knowing full well the bank is next to the library. I told myself I was just going to drop in. See what's new.  I absolutely would not borrow any books because I really needed to do some laundry and blog. I don't need to read book after book.  I can quit any time.

Sadly, I couldn't seem to control myself and I came back with another stash.  I read them.

Friends stopped by over the holiday weekend.  I sat calmly, sorta, okay not really, but then I developed an eye tic.  I turned to my sister-in-law.  Blink. Blink. Blink.

"Pssst.  Did you bring any, you know, stuff?"
"What?"
"You know...books???" (spoken in loud whisper and with furitive looks around the table).
"What?"
"Books (clenched teeth). Do. You. Have. Any. Books."
"Well, I have a couple historical romances in the car....?"
(Chicken relaxes a little) "Oh, well, if you're not reading them, I'll take them off your hands.  It's been so long since I've relaxed with a really good trashy novel, you know?"

Sadly, I manipulated all visitors (enablers) in this manner.  I became good at it.    I kept reading.  Eventually, after a couple weeks, I started actively avoiding the computer.  "Just one more chapter and I swear I'll stop", I said to myself.  But I was out of control.

It is not that I didn't have ideas.  With all that reading, you can't help but have the occasional brainstorm.  But then I'd just keep reading and somehow I'd never write down the idea, and two days later I'd give the computer an apathetic glance and say, "I just don't feel the same way about you anymore".  I might have said the same thing to BigB when he suggested I put down the book and cook dinner.

Last week my older son went away for a week, which gave me even more downtime.  It wasn't pretty, World.  I spent the weekend on the couch with the second Stieg Larsson installment.  Every once in a while I'd look over to check that littleb was still in the house.  Poor littleb.  He'd look up hopefully and say, "Want to take a walk, Mom?" and I'd say, "You know who would love to take a walk?  Daddy.  Go ask Daddy to take you for a walk.  Or you could go by yourself.  Yeah....you're what, almost 4?  You're big!  Just stay on the sidewalk, ok, littleb, and don't talk to strangers.  Unless they have Stephen King's latest because I'd really like to, ah, take a look at that.  I don't HAVE to....it's not like that....no....it's just sometimes Mommies like to, um, relax a little bit and books help them...."

But then yesterday, as littleb sat staring at Max & Ruby reruns, drool trickling down the corner of his mouth, I realized we were in serious doo-doo.  Sins of the mothers and all that. 

I told myself no more.  NO MORE!

I'm determined to find my way back to you, World.  I'm a little shaky, but I know I can beat this thing.  I know I can do it. I'm just going to do it.  (cue Rocky music)

Even though someone left a copy of "Julie and Julia" on my doorstep last night.

I swear, I just found it there.  I've been wanting to read it for awhile...

So, anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, World.  I'm just going to stay up a little while longer and, um, wash these dishes, maybe do a load of laundry.  Turn in early. (big yawn).

Carry on, World.  In case I didn't mention it my PC needs some, ah, maintenance.  I might be gone a couple days.  But I'll be back.  With recipes!!!

Chicken out