Not writing this for sympathy, just want to make sure you remember that we are a normal family with ups and downs.
1. Vomiting. I am the worst mother ever. I do gross things on a regular basis, but this is one that I just can't manage. We have had the craziest stomach flu running through our home and sparing you all the details I approached Munch and offered her $50 to clean up after one of her brothers. I didn't think she would say yes, who says yes to vomit and on top of that she said I didn't even have to pay her. Seriously, she is AMAZING! She wins all sorts of awards and accolades. Not my finest mommy moment, but there are some things my body is not equipped to do and John was asleep. (Just to let you know, when I'm home alone I do clean up, I might dry heave through the entire process or add to is, but I am capable. I just dislike it very, very, very, very, very much.)
2. Bedbugs! Makes me want to use a swear word. Munch moved to the dorms back in June. Within two weeks she was covered in bites, however before we figured out what they were she had already been home to visit and wash her clothing. Bedbugs are tough and they make me unhappy. We thought we were rid of them until last weekend (the vomiting weekend, isn't that how it always happens) when all 4 girls found them in their beds, explaining the horrible rashes they have had. Poor things.
The canine team came, found our trouble spots, actually the bug guy spent four hours here thoroughly inspecting all the beds and rooms. He couldn't believe that the infestation was so small and localized considering all the communal living that happens around here. No other spot in the house had a bug and when I expressed my concern about contaminating other people (I would feel so bad) he felt certain that because we are a little neurotic about cleaning (not that your could tell when you come over it's always so messy) we have been able to contain the problem. Still it makes me itch just typing this.
Tomorrow is the big heat day when they will be eradicated. I don't feel sad about the death of these little creatures and their baby eggs, I wonder what that says about me. I'm also sending the bill to the university housing department as they got us into this mess (I doubt they will pay, but I'm sending it anyway especially because they told Munch when it happened, "Welcome to campus life.")
3. Impatience. I wish I was better with my children. I wish I didn't lose my temper so quickly. I always regret it and I'm constantly saying I'm sorry and asking for forgiveness. Yet, I keep making the same mistakes. Frustrates me. I will keep working on it. I love them too much to give up.
4. Days without art.
5. Tickets. I got one today, speeding. Drat. As I handed the officer my license he asked for the registration and I'm embarrassed to admit that I pulled out about 10 years worth of papers from my glove compartment and said, "Sure, could you describe what it looks like?" He smiled, took an expired one from 5 years ago while I riffled through the remaining pile of insurance cards, old registrations, and such. I might need to clean it out later this week.
6. Scissors.
Can you see it? That HUGE spot where hair used to be. Dash and Brick decided again that it would be a good idea to give Loaf a hair cut. However I think they were nervous at the chunk they took out because they smashed it back onto her head and mixed in a few of the surrounding curls. It wasn't until a few hours later when we were driving to see Mutti and Oopa that Munch was playing with her hair and out came the huge clump.
It's bad. It's one of those, have to go to the stylist and have 1/2 your hair removed to try and make things better. Now Loaf is a scissor magnet. She can find them anywhere and everywhere. Our scissors appear to be multiplying, because every day I take a pair away from her and nearly every day she cuts off another curl. It's not a happy thing, but then who can get mad at a face like this.
So maybe in the end it's a happy list.
1. I learned that Munch is even more astounding than I once knew. She is constantly surprising me with her goodness and talents (not that she would like this particular trait to be numbered among her many talents).
2. Our bedbug issue will be over soon and if not he owner will guarantee their work. It was also amazing that he was able to come so quickly and schedule our treatment because they are usually booked 3 weeks out, but for some reason he had a lull this week. His business has gone up 200% in the last year. Gross.
3. I have hope that I can do better, grow stronger and some day be the kind of parent my children deserve. I am learning far more from them that they are learning from me.
4. Even without creating I can think and plan and making my art days more productive.
5. The officer was very kind and only ticketed me for 5 over the speed limit rather than the ________ unnamed number that actually happened. When Brick woke up from his nap (during our ride into the city) he asked if he had missed anything. I replied that I met a very nice police officer. In the same breath he added, "because you got a speeding ticket?" Nice. In my defense it's been almost 20 years since my last ticket.
6. She still looks cute with short hair, although I can't wait for it to get long again (if she will quit cutting off the curls).
