22 February 2012

Moments of grace

The unexpected note from a friend.

Every person to whom I gave ashes at Ash Wednesday services today.

The traffic cop who noticed that we were two people short as we walked to our car this afternoon, and inquired where they might be.

The teenagers who took and promptly served our pizza and salad with a cheerful smile.

The neighbors who waved.

19 February 2012

Illness and Mommy stupidity

This has been one of the worst years in a long time for illness in our house. We've had colds. Stomach bugs. Sinus things. Now strep. It's like we live in a petri dish.

When the kids were babies and in daycare, they caught every dang virus known to man. It seemed like we were home more than we were at work in the winter months. The eldest was susceptible to ear infections; we practically lived at the pediatricians office for years.

We've been so healthy lately that we've barely seen our pediatrician. I was lectured about that fact when I had to have them write a script for the eldest, who needed permission to take Advil at school.

I hadn't brought her in for a physical in two years.

Bad me.

This go around, I let the youngest fight a weird, spiky fever for three days before I clued in that it might be more than a run-of-the-mill cold. We so rarely get strep that while I know the symptoms, I didn't have the penny drop until I was on the phone with the nurse.

Pass that worst mother of the year trophy over this way, would ya?

So we're medicated now. (Yay, bubblegum flavoring. Walgreens, I hate that you make us pay for it, but it was worth the $2. This time.)

We're all bleached and washed. Everything should be normal, knock wood, from here. Yours truly will be more observant about that whole fever, sore throat thing from here on out, too.


08 February 2012

Momma hates days like this

It is now 7:45 p.m.

Dinner is not yet finished. (almost there)

Dad is not yet home.

Laundry yet to do.

No chance to run. Probably doesn't matter because sciatica and arch of foot hurt so badly that I really shouldn't.

Up at 5 a.m. for no reason.

Long day at work.

Traffic in major metro area sucks.

Needed cereal, so had to make extra stop.

Eldest didn't want to walk home, so add another trip.

Crack open the pinot, baby. I need a glass.