WHY don’t I live in Hawaii?
Archives for February 2008
I know, I know you’re all excited about my insomnia and the bad cold. Nothing beats a post that has the word “hacking” in it, especially when it’s referring to a bodily function. And yet I feel a tension out there, a yearning. Am I right? But what about the laundry, Alison? Is that what you’re wondering? I know I haven’t been keeping you posted on that, and I’m sorry. Many of you have come to rely on knowing exactly how many loads are lying on the floor, how many clean ones are orphaned in baskets, whether or not Paul has mistaken one of these clean loads for dirty and added some dirty socks or worse. I know your dependence and I’ve let you down. Truly, truly, sorry.
Quickly, it’s a veritable smorgasborg: we’ve got laundry on several floors, baskets scattered throughout the house and a small load in the washer, hoping for the dryer. I can’t give details because it’s late and there’s my dignity. Just know I was in a slump when Paul was gone and I hadn’t pulled out of it before I fell ill. But I do have a big announcement about laundry. Very exciting and perhaps, inspiring.
A dispatch from the Wilds:
I have been up since four or three, I can’t remember which, it’s been one or the other almost every morning. My head aches and I am snuffling constantly when not hacking up…I’d rather spare you. We did school on my bed and I am still marooned here, wearing my pajamas, which have served as a tissue more than once when a sneeze has taken me by surprise.
The dog has lost his mind. He has chewed a roll of toilet paper, a small heart-shaped cardboard box (fortunately devoid of chocolate) and only he knows what else. He likes to stand in my doorway and bark loudly. No one can figure out what he wants or needs.
The big kids have been educated and now have turned to the loving arms of the DVD player and the Wii. Christopher has been begging me to use my laptop, but I am reluctant to give up my last link with civilization. He and Lydia are both dressed and, as I mentioned, finished with school, so I would hold my head up, if I could.
Eden has been my constant companion. She too is still in her pajamas and her face is covered with smears of chocolate. She has had a running dialogue with me or one of her stuffed Chihuahuas for hours. She tucked herself in for a nap because her body was feeling “kind of owie” and she was very tired. Before she drifted off she told me “I’m thankful I can breathe.” Later she said, “I’m glad that I can breathe and that my heart is beating.”
That helped. It’s been a hard day, I am crazy tired, my body aches and Paul and I had a stupid misunderstanding, but it’s also been sweet being so close to Eden and talking with her all day. I have been making a point of expressing my gratitude daily, of looking for ways to acknowledge my thankfulness, but in the exhaustion and discomfort today I forgot that.
Thanks to my sick, sweet girl, I’m taking it back to the basics: I’m thankful I can breathe, I’m glad my heart is beating.
Happy “Valentime’s” Day
Paul went in a little late today so we could have a Valentine’s breakfast together. He made the waffles and I made strawberry smoothies. It was really simple but the kids were very happy. I love Valentine’s Day.
What’s not to love about post nasal drip? The incessant snorting? The queasy stomach? The constant swallowing, quickly followed by the incessant snorting?
It’s all great.