Friday Tapas: The Beach Brain Edition

First things first: Congrats to Meg of The Sports-o-nista, winner of my rather impromptu Mysterious “Ren” Contest from Wednesday.

While several of my fellow lens-wearers correctly guessed that the mind-stumping ”Ren” on my Target shopping list was, in fact, Renu contact solution, Meg was the first to do so. Although she may have had a slight advantage seeing as we work together and she knows that I do indeed wear contacts. So does she, and during allergy season we’ve been known to commiserate over our dry, itchy eyes. So, it’s no surprise that she guessed the correct answer right off the bat.

Meg has graciously declined the original self-sponsored prize of a $12 Starbucks gift card – $12 being the sale price of one twin value package of Renu. And while I offered to buy her a cupcake from the bakery across the street from our office, she told me she’s content to simply bask in the knowledge of her brilliant sleuthing skills (because there wereclues).

Fair enough, Meg. Fair enough.

Other good guesses, ranging from the logical to the amusing, included Renuzit air fresheners, a brand of face wash containing the word “renew,” Reynold’s Wrap, fingernail polish remover, a Ren & Stimpy DVD, and Ryan Reynolds. (And on that note, how awesome would it be if you really could get your very own Ryan Reynolds at Target?)

And had the contest been based on creativity alone, my friend Bill would have won hands-down for this response:

GOT IT! Althea RENe’s album entitled No Restrictions (available for $12.29 at Target). I tried to follow the logical progression from lotion to pull-ups and it is obvious that a vocal jazz album would be the next thing to come to mind. Clearly, you meant to write Rene but forgot the last “e”.

Here’s hoping Lil’ Bit’s future husband inherited his father’s sense of humor.

Since several people managed to decipher the inner workings of my brain far quicker than I myself did, I’m officially chalking my gaffe up to something I’m calling “beach brain.” Because I’m beginning to think that’s exactly where I left my head based on my many beach-centric morsels of thought throughout the week.

Witness:

• I miss the beach.
• I want to go back to the beach.
• My tan is starting to fade.
• I wonder what the weather’s like at the beach today. (This is where I proceed to check radar for a location 1,000 miles to the south that I have no plans to visit for the next two years.)
• Maybe if I make that apple and brie panini I had at the beach (sliced apple, brie, and spinach on buttered bread, grilled panini-style), and then close my eyes and concentrate really hard while I’m eating it, I can pretend I’m still there, sitting on my balcony overlooking the inlet.
• I should probably unpack my suitcase from the beach. It’s been a week. We’re not going back. Hubs is getting annoyed at it laying open on our bedroom floor. I really do make procrastination (and denial) an art form.
• I can’t wait until this week is over. Then I can stop thinking, “This time last week, I was doing [blank] at the beach.” (Surely I’m not the only masochist who does this.)
• I really want to see Magic Mike. 

Oh my… however did that last one get in there?

Even amid my sulking this week, I managed to get [somewhat] caught up on some blog reading. Here are a few standouts from the last few weeks:

• While I was on vacation, Gigi of Kludgy Mom vented her Pinterest frustrations with Things I’d Wish You’d Stop Pinning. And I, for one, would like to second her plea. I’ve never understood the point of pinning cat, dog, celebrities, and/or shirtless men either, Gigi.

• The week before that (which feels like forever ago) Katie of Sluiter Nation listed the top five characteristics that make a blog a must-read for her in Be An Irresistible Blogger. The attributes that Katie lists not only keep me coming back to my favorite blogs as well, but are also ones that I strive to implement here in my own space. So, I think she may be onto something.

• Also in the ancient blogosphere times known as two weeks ago, Leslie of The Bearded Iris wrote Aw, Nuts: How Puppies and Testicles Are Related, a post that made me cry with laughter while silently blessing my husband for impregnating me with girl sperm. Suddenly, explaining to my daughter that a woman’s vaginal area is not, in fact, a “little tushy” doesn’t seem so bad.

• And in more recent bloggy goodness, Tracy of Sellabit Mum moved me to tears this week with Fabric of Life, an incredibly poignant tribute to her mom and her life’s work. Everything about this piece is beautiful – the writing, the topic, and most especially, the woman behind it all.

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And thus concludes my first week post-vacation. I think I’ll go pine for the beach some more. And finally unpack my suitcase.

Maybe.

Happy weekend!

What’s on your mind?