well, that's motivation...

Today started fabulously. I woke up headache-free. Wow. I'd forgotten how amazing that can feel.

I drove Calla to school today for the first time in a week. It was awesome to get back to the daily grind that is our life.

I talked to my dear friend for 30 minutes. She lives 3 blocks away and we haven't talked for well over a week because of the sickness that has overtaken our lives. I remembered there is life outside these four walls. And I thoroughly enjoy that life.

I motivated myself to shower and get the kids together for a mall playland excursion. It was only a half an hour or so, but we got out of the house. Fun was had. Nora had a blast on the super duper slide. And then...

I would like to thank the lady at the mall playland for totally ruining my good day momentum.

Said lady, "So how old is your little girl?"

"She's 15 months tomorrow."

Her reply, "Wow, she's really big."

"I know, she's a beast."

And then, it happened. Some people can't leave well enough alone. Some people have to keep up a conversation and take it one step too far. In this case, one giant, heart-wrenching leap too far.

She questions, "So when is your next one due?" as she looks at my belly...

"Um, I'm not pregnant."

I falsely smirk. I gather up the girls and I head home.

So, I take what little pride I have left, and I do my workout. EASports, please work out this flab. May this be the last time I am mistaken for a pregnant woman unless I am truly blessed enough to carry another baby...

So, thank you, horribly mistaken lady at the mall playland. I will take this unfortunate encounter and use it as well-needed motivation. Next time, if there is a next time, I may be forced to simply scratch your eyes out...

a bingo tumbler...

My mind has been a whirl of emotions and thoughts today.

Highs and lows.

A thought of sadness is aided by a joyful announcement.

A thought of self-pity is combated by an overwhelming sense of blessings.

Maybe it is this incessant headache that is on day 5.

Maybe it is the grey skies outside.

Maybe it is the fact that I have not left this dwelling more than two hours in the last week.

I am drained physically, which, in turn, drains me emotionally.

I need to turn this thing around...wait. Scratch that. Lord, could YOU please turn this thing around...

Dr. Mom...

Maybe I should turn off my pager. Dr. Mom was paged once again early last evening. Amelia has spiked a fever. She is miserable. Complaining of dizziness and headaches. The most bizarre symptom is her lack of strength. She won't use her legs. She army crawls if she insists on getting anywhere. (which has only been twice today) I found her at the side of my bed last night in a heap. She was complaining of a stomach ache. When I motioned her toward the bathroom, she whined that she couldn't stand up. She made a pathetic attempt to drag her legs toward the bathroom. I scooped her up and helped her. Otherwise she just lays around and sleeps. She'll make it through today on lots of rest and fluids. Hopefully, she is our last patient for a while. This doctor needs a leave of absence. I don't even care if I have to change professions. Let's see, maybe a head chef or master baker is next on my list...

game? what game?

As my Packer fan hubby scurries off to his brother's house to watch the game, I bid him farewell. I will sit in solitude and quiet whilst the wee one naps. I will watch a BBC drama that suits my tastes for 3+ hours. I will slowly rearrange myself to make my headache a little more bearable. But watch the football game. Nah. I'll just ask how it went after everyone gets home...

welcome to the infirmary...

Paging Dr. Mom. Paging Dr. Mom. Please respond to the patient being picked up from school on Wednesady.

The diagnosis.

Sore throat. Fever. Cough.

The prescription.

Plenty of rest. Tylenol. Lots of water.

Paging Dr. Mom. Paging Dr. Mom. Please respond to the patient in her highchair giving fits about eating her lunch.

The diagnosis.

103.9 temp...Yikes!

The prescription.

Tylenol. A lukewarm bath. Loose cotton jammies. A nap.

Paging Dr. Mom. Paging Dr. Mom.

Has anyone seen the doctor? I think she is buried beneath the mountain of used kleenex. Yep, I hear her sneezing...

17 days into the new year...

I always have such lofty ideas of what a new year can bring. It seems wide open for possibilities. The hustle and bustle of the holiday months have finally passed and January seems awesomely... still. Open schedules. Time that is not already claimed for this or that. So I start concocting all of these grandiose plans of how we can begin this new chapter in our lives. And then I realize, 17 days later, that I just wanted to rest. Needed to rest. Why fill up our days right away. January is for lazy winter days filled with netflix movies and reorganizing neglected spaces and mountains of laundry from all of the layers we are wearing these days. So now as I awaken from my January hibernation, I have a few plans in the works. Amelia's Winter Wonderland birthday is right around the corner. Ladies Meeting plans must be laid for April. Another birthday party sneaks up on me the first week of April. And...And...there is a big surprise trip in the makings for spring. I am also contemplating taking over the Secret Pal program at the church. That means a reveal to plan for March. January nap time is over! Time to kick it into gear...