So let's pretend things are perfectly normal, shall we?

Today it was an off-to-Tacoma kind of day, despite the guilt that went along with it. I spent the morning moping, cleaning and applying for jobs. Heartened at what's out there, despite it's ill-suitabilty for my lifestyle. I wish I could find a "applying for federal jobs for dummies" thang. I want to sequence into environmental lovins. If I have to work, ok. But I'd really rather not run a home daycare. Really. I will if I have to (gratefully!)!

So anyway I took our digital cable box into the comcast store today. I have had this planned for, not kidding, a year, for homeschooling / family lifestyle reasons. Now that I have an added impetus, I finally made it in. I forgot the stupid power supply, so P-daddy will have to take that in tomorrow, but I did finally do it. The boys visited Barber Jon, who they love so velly velly much, and while D-meister was disappointed that he didn't come out with "thorny hair," N-man is well satisfied with his close trim.

So crazy Mommy decided to try just.one.more.stop. Moms of littles, do you hear me? That voice that says "you can do it," despite knowing that the buzzer has gone off, the expiration date has passed, for good behaviour in your kids. We went to Trader Joes. The kids actually did quite well, despite the clear necessity for toileting in unison mid-trip. They found the stuffed dog and claimed their reward, life was good. It was only at the checkout line that things got interesting.

"No, please stop touching that. No... hey, come on now. Dude! PLEASE go stand at the front. Right there, yes, ok THANKS, man!"

From the big sister, a very stringent, "No! D-meister, N---" that was cut off by the blaring of the fire alarm. Yes, yes, the fire alarm that blasts throughout the store, scaring small children and the elderly. The system that flashes lots of pretty lights. The system that calls the fire trucks instantly. The fire alarm that can't be silenced by merely setting the same switch to off. That one. They had it muted by the time we left, but not "off."

And you know what?

I had D-meister apologize (I wasn't mean, and he was plenty aware) and the managers, neither of whom apparently had the code to shut it down, were so so nice to him. I LOVE Trader Joes and whoever decides their hiring practices.

More good news today on the economy front; a good friend has been rescued from her own impending unemployment. In her case, truly bigger and better. It can happen!

Contrary Meme

Taken from Diana ♥
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15 Things you DISLIKE, HATE or CAN'T STAND & everyone else seems to like/love

1. FOOD
The very best Tamales made by YOUR grandmother. Still gross.
(same goes for her specialty dish containing any variety of internal organs)
Diana wrote that. I am so keeping it. Because it rings true for me.

2. DRINK
Diet sodas.
Martinis. I don't care if Martinis are cool now, and if they contain things martinis actually don't contain. I was over it before it started.

3. BAND/MUSIC GROUP/SINGER
I can't make friends with RAP. I try. I can't. It's ok for certain applications, but as for sitting around on a Saturday, or going out at night, or road tripping? Hell no.

Country Twang Music. Makes my eyes bleed. New country? Really old Country? Soft rock faking as country and actually getting air play? Ok. Tractor, I'm-a-redneck-and-God-Loves-it Twang Country is not ok.

4. SEASON
Summer vacation season - I don't want to be anywhere where everyone is going to be at the same time. Sweaty crowds are not my thing. I will take this and run with it. Summer also involves taking off more clothes than my body type generally makes attractive. It is the season of complete self-concsiousness and self-loathing for me.

5. SPORT
Basketball, specifically NBA. They took a great, approachable sport that everyone can enjoy and turned it into fake, slick, eye popping commerce. Add "pro"-athleticism in here and we're good. No one should be paid that much to be a lout who literally gets away with murder.

6. MOVIE
Any horror film, especially those based on true events. I don't get the point. Aren't you terrorized enough by what really happens in the world? Taking someone else's tragedy and sensationalizing it into a date movie is horror enough.

7. ACTOR
There's quite a few I don't "get," but Vin Diesel and Clive Owen number among them.

8. ACTRESS
Barbie, in any of her iterations. Yanno, Tara Reid, Pamela Anderson, etc etc

9. TV SHOW
American Idol. Any other form of faux "reality" television. Even though I watch some. It's scary.

10. BOOK
My opinion here would really be offensive to some people I care about so I will just leave that one alone.

11. CAR
Giganto vehicles that are never used for their purposes. You do not need a Hummer if you live in downtown ANYWHERE. Suburbans, purchased only for the new infant, have no place.

12. HOLIDAY
Valentine's Day. I celebrate it in my own fashion, but I could reeeeeally do without it being considered a holiday.

13. WEATHER
Freezing Rain. I can deal with snow. I love the rain. Combine "freezing" with "rain" you get instantly ice-slicked roads, which I do not like. And there's nothing romantic or pleasant about walking in freezing rain.

14. COLOR.
That weirdass shade between green and yellow that dominated the 70s formica production. WTF was up with that?

15. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY
Karaoke. Don't get it.

She's fine today

It's as if nothing ever happened. I am afraid to think "outgrown," despite seven years of ardently working toward that goal. Appointments will be forthcoming.

Forgiveness? Updated.

I just made the biggest mistake of my life. God protects us all, but I hope my daughter will be fine. Take it out on me, not on her.

The church handed out bags of candy. Predictably (why do I even talk to people???) the bags were full of peanut candy. I took out all the PB from all the bags. This morning I let them have a piece each after breakfast.

She said "Mom, that candy tastes like it had sunbutter in the middle, but it was gross!" Immediately, the icy vice on my heart. Scramble to get the boys and self dressed. Administer the benadryl. Call the appropriate people. Wait for the cue to shoot her full of epinephrine. Wait.

Chuckling girl. "I feel fine, really. It tasted nasty but I am fine."

Go down the list of symptoms. "No!"

Why did you go to the bathroom? "I just had to pee, Mawwwwm."

Waiting. Still waiting.


Update:

She is still fine.

It has been 5 hours now and she has not reacted. Nothing. None of the symptoms, not even the lower GI stuff has occurred yet. I am in touch with her father and with the very allergy-conscious and wonderful pediatric office (http://fircreekpediatrics.com/) and have maintained standard protocols.

I would love to be optimistic and think that this is an amazing, beautiful Christmas gift--that she may have finally outgrown this allergic disease. I cannot, however, jump straight to that. The next twenty hours will be telling, and then we will be making an appointment for blood tests with an allergist promptly in the New Year. If you're the praying kind, please thank God for this boon, and pray for grace for our family.

Pssst.

See that radiant smile?


The one in the post below this one?


The lady sitting in my yard, framed by sunflowers?


That was her birthday.


And I forgot.


Had it on my calendar and everything. I just spaced and thought it was another Saturday.


Oy vey.