Once upon a time, (23 years ago) I ate a whole bag of peanut M&Ms. Yep, a whole bag. It wasn’t in one setting, but close to it.
Not that it is the best excuse for my indulgence, but I was pregnant, and it was a craving. Cravings excuse any bit of overconsumption when you’re pregnant. Period.
Ever since that first full bag disappeared, I’ve been sensitive to chocolate. It’s not an extreme allergy, but bad enough to produce a nasty headache upon any small consumption of chocolate. That feeling isn’t one I enjoy repeating.
It isn’t bad having an aversion to chocolate. When others can’t resist kisses, bars, and golden premium treats, I can walk right by a pile of chocolate without a second glance. It is different for me if there is a plate of sugar cookies, or a bag of Tostitos sitting out…well, then temptation kicks in. Everyone has vices.
This morning, as I went to grab a cup of coffee, I felt a craving. Damn, there weren’t any cookies sitting by the coffee pot and the bag of Tostitos was strategically clipped shut, recovering from last night’s binge session.
Not to brag too much, but I’m almost through both the bag and the HUGE tub of garlic hummus. I have no allergies to them, nope, none at all. The two combined is like a creative art session, therapy in a sense. Garlic is good for you, too, it wards off evil spirits.
As I poured a cup of coffee, I glanced at the chocolate bowl. There it was, a full-blown craving. A sudden urge for a sweet something- something sounded good. That got me thinking more about one of those nice fluffy cookies I made for Christmas. Yeah, that would do the trick, I’m sure it would. Funny how sweet thoughts connect together. Especially with a warm cup of coffee and a titch of residual garlic taste going on.
I almost walked out of the room with just the coffee, but paused, “I do really want one, don’t I?” Dammit…once I get a thought about a cookie in my mind, (not to mention in the morning I feel more relaxed about sticking to the Dubious Minimalist Skinny Jeans Diet, aka, wearing my jammies instead of the jeans) I just have to have one.
But…it’s cold out there. (Are you really brave enough, hungry enough, brave enough, desperate enough to go get that cookie you really don’t need…maybe you should go put on the jeans??)
Burr, it is REALLY cold, a balmy -22 below here in Wisconsin. It does take some bravery to go out in the cold. Wait, what? Out in the cold? Duh, yeah, doesn’t everyone store their cookies out in the cold or is that just a Wisconsin thing?
Maybe it is just us? But we do it every year. When cold weather arrives, we store our holiday cookies in our extra fridge, aka, the shelf in the garage. Storing them there prevents quick access and they don’t go ‘bad’ before they are all consumed. Out of sight, out of mind kind of thing? It works some of the time, really, it does!
Once the thought of the cookie settled in, I couldn’t resist going out in the garage to grab one cookie. JUST ONE!
I knelt down next to the container, feeling a bit like a kid sneaking out when mom wasn’t looking, reached in, grabbed the smallest-guilt-free-sized one, cupped it in my hand and pressed the cover shut. As I finished up, I glanced to the right to see if anyone saw me. Not sure why? I was clearly alone in my mission when I headed out to get a treat.
Instead of seeing a vision of mom shaking her finger at me for being naughty, I saw a fricken mouse scurry across the garage floor. Holy crap…it was HUGE…there may have been more, but I saw that ONE!
I dashed as fast as it did when it saw me. Only I ran back into the house, I don’t know where it went. I’m pretty sure it didn’t follow me. I ran downstairs to tell the master hunter (aka, my husband) that we’ve been invaded.
He sighed, took a sip of his coffee, and replied, “Yep, they get in when it’s cold outside.”
If I wasn’t in a polite mood, having already ventured out in the cold with no intentions of returning there, I may have replied, “Thanks for the support dear, would you like a cookie with that coffee, I’ll go get you one?”
Snarkiness never seems appropriate when one need someone to do something with critters. I smiled instead and said, “You’re right, dear.” And walked quietly away to eat my cookie and refill my coffee. He’ll come around, I’m sure of it.
Apparently, I have a stronger allergic reaction to mice than some. Perhaps I should suggest he move the cookies, too, when he sets the mouse traps…?
Shelley, I’m laughing out loud at this one! Here in central Illinois, the mice often come inside when the fields are harvested. They’re looking for food and warmth, or so I’m told. I’m with you though. I don’t want any interlopers (we’ve even had bats swoop inside, and let me assure you, that’s no fun!)
Thank you, Debbie, I’m glad you got a chuckle and could relate. Critters…ugh! After all these years, I keep hoping for one where they aren’t invading us! I’m glad to report, no bats, that I’m aware of. Please keep them there! 😉
Yup, the mice always come in when it’s cold. Now, can I have one of those cookies? 😉
Sorry about your aversion to chocolate. That must be tough at times, but at least you can still eat non-chocolate cookies.
Darn rodents! We used to have an awesome mouser who lived outside, those were the mice-free days. Now, we just need to set out some traps, or plan for nest clean up in the spring. Sigh! I really don’t miss the chocolate, there’s plenty of other options as you said! You’re welcome to the cookies, they’re in the garage, on the shelf, if you dare to cross the mouse path! 😉
Ha, I’m glad you didn’t drop the cookie running away from the mouse! And really, you took just one? After all that? Lol! You have some good control going on.
LOL – nope, I wasn’t about to drop the cookie! Just one is usually enough, I like to ration them so I can have another one the next day…except, I’m not too anxious to go out in the garage today! Thanks for stopping by!
Haha! What your husband said…. such a typical male response. It’s EXACTLY what my husband would have said! 🙂
LOL! They don’t seem to get quite as upset about the little critters, do they? Thanks for stopping by to read the post and share your thoughts!
NO, THEY DON’T! What’s wrong with them?? 🙂
LOL! I guess we’ve worn them out…??? 🙂