August 20, 2007

we didn’t drown, but we might as well have

I was jolted awake this morning at SIX FORTY ONE am by the phone. Clearly, I thought, someone has died, because why else would ANYONE be calling us at SIX FORTY ONE on a SUNDAY morning?

Except today is Monday and we had all overslept. Dammit.

The phone call was from Charlie’s teacher, who wanted to know if I could sub for their aide, who is sick. I said of course! mostly because I wasn’t awake yet and was so happy no one was dead. And then I took the Universe’s Fastest Shower and ran around like a chicken with my head cut off until we were all ready to go.

Somehow, we were not late for school, which was awesome. But mostly I still feel like I’m not ready to start my day yet, even though it’s nearly 2:00 and the kid-free part of my day is nearly over. Gah. (more…)

August 18, 2007

BlogHers Act: your voice can change the world

I am a committed believer in the democratic process. I think that your vote matters, and that choosing not to participate is irresponsible. And I say that as a Democrat in a Republican state, a liberal in a place where everyone is a conservative, a wee dot of blue in a sea of red.

My vote may not change anything, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t count. It doesn’t mean I should stay home. And it certainly doesn’t mean I shouldn’t take every possible chance to speak up. (more…)

August 17, 2007

who are you and what have you done with my children?

I think every new parent should come home from the hospital with a bracelet engraved with expect the unexpected (or, alternatively, welcome to the new normal). Either way, the whole endeavor of raising people is one surprise after another, and it would be good to have a constant reminder of that. In fact, a bracelet may not do it; I think perhaps a gigantic tattoo would be better, like right across your forearm where you would see it EVERY SINGLE DAY and be constantly reminded that you have NO IDEA what’s coming next.

Instead, you have me and my children and our first week back in school as a cautionary tale. (more…)

August 16, 2007

they WILL drive me to an early grave

When Wade came home tonight, the kids were playing outside, because risking their health in the eleventy billion degree heat made more sense than letting them run rampant in the house.

I have my priorities, people.

Wade pulled in the driveway and miraculously managed NOT to drive over either of the kids (who are typically not out in the yard when he comes home because ELVENTY BILLION DEGREES OUTSIDE). He said hello and then proceeded to yell at them for laying down in the dirt on the upper terrace of the yard (”GET OUT OF THE DIRT! DO NOT LAY DOWN IN THE DIRT! GET UP!”).

I swear I was supervising, I just didn’t care about the dirt. They were going to ahve a bath later anyway. Also I may have been reading e-mail and drinking a glass of wine on the sunporch. Because “supervising” doesn’t mean climbing around in the dirt with the kids. (more…)

Surya Namaskar

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article for the lovely people at 3-A-Day, about what to wear when you’re working out. When the article went live, I sent Wade the link, with a little note that said, “There’s a typo in the first paragraph. Dammit.”

He shot back, “The only typo I can see is the claim that you EXERCISE.”

He’s so funny.

Yesterday I went to the dentist (this is related, I swear to you) and she confirmed that yes, I am indeed most likely grinding my teeth. She based this diagnosis on a variety of things, including the fact that while the hygienist was cleaning my teeth, my jaw popped loudly enough that everyone in the office could HEAR IT. The dentist offered to make me an Extra Fancy Custom Mouth Guard to wear when I’m sleeping, which seemed like a good idea until I saw the estimate for making said Extra Fancy Custom Mouth Guard and learned from the nice woman in charge of the estimate that NEVER ONCE in all the years she has worked for this dentist, who specializes in TMJ and makes these guards all the time, had an insurance company picked up ANY of the cost of the Extra Fancy Custom Mouth Guard.

Also, I have three cavities! Hooray! (more…)

August 15, 2007

the first day of the rest of their lives

The morning wake up today went like this: at 6:30, both boys were still sound asleep (of course). I opened their bedroom doors and turned on lights in the hall and the jack-and-jill bathroom and waited. Henry buried his head under the covers while Charlie got out of bed, turned off the bathroom lights, scowled at me, closed his bedroom door, and got back in bed.

I turned the lights back on and we started all over.

Last night, long after the boys were asleep, I remembered that Charlie needed a beach towel for rest time and a complete change of clothes for his cubby. I realized that I had never shown Henry his belt, or let him try it on. I did NOT remember that today is a Holy Day of Obligation, one which requires attendance at Mass. And a dress shirt and tie. (more…)