Power up!!

I awoke this morning to a blank-faced alarm clock and a too quiet home. You guessed it. The power was out!! There was a chill in the house and the familiar comfortable hum of appliances was missing. I decided against the usual hygiene routine and scrambled to get the children ready on time (we were late because of the electric alarm clock failure.) When I loaded everyone into the car I realized that I needed fuel. So we swung into the local gas station. Foiled again...electric pumps. So I grabbed some doughnuts and a mountain dew to buffer my already nightmarish morning. At the checkstand I found an electronic cash register...no debit cards...only checks or cash. I dashed to my car for a checkbook for a $2.14 purchase....sheeeezzz! Now I was really late and the traffic was horrible because the stoplights were out in front of the high school!! Pandemonium!! I was frazzled by the time I reached work.

With all of this one would tend to think I'd be grumpy today. However, I made a conscious decision to use this setback as a chance to reflect on how grateful I am that I HAVE power, at least most of the time. Oh how horrible my world would be without a cold fridge of Mountain Dew, my computer, debit cards, heaters, pay-at-the-pump, modern appliances, and a warm water for my laundry and bath tub!! Thank you very much, Mr. Thomas Alva Edison!

Wee Beasties & Paranoia

This last weekend I learned something about people and myself. I've been filling in during the week for a former co-worker who's out with an extended illness. Therefore, my children have spent the last few days under the care of babysitters. Saturday morning after washing my youngest, 18 months, I was combing through her hair when I discovered that she had a case of head lice. As soon as I saw the little bugger move I knew what it was. I immediately began the delousing process with the shampoos, the washing of blankets and bedding, checking the other two kids (they were negative) and spending hours that day picking through her soft hair for every little foreign object. I jumped on the internet and read up on the subject. By midafternoon I was comfortable with the idea that I'd done everything reasonably possible to rid her of the wee beasties.

My next step was a difficult one but one that I felt was necessary. I decided to call the other mothers who had tended her that week, not to start a blame game or determine a source because I knew that was nearly impossible, but to warn them to check their children to avoid a possible outbreak. I was deeply apologetic and had I known that she was carrying these critters, I would have never asked them to take her into their homes. The response from the other mothers was a little expected, but disturbing. Mass paranoia!!! I was forced to educate each of them about the truths of head lice and dispell the myths (which were nearly unanimous.) One of the mothers came to me at least three times (and I found out she'd had other people look also)over the next few days to have me "check her" for lice because she felt itchy all the time and was sure that she'd "caught them."

It's been five days now and we've not seen a single egg, nit, or lice. I think we were lucky and found them on the first day. A few of the mothers have calmed down now and even thanked me for warning them even though it was humiliating and forced me to miss several days of much-needed work to stay home with her. It appears that my little one was the only reported case as well, which was a major relief for all of us. One mother even agreed to tend her again since she obviously doesn't still have the beasts.

What I learned from this whole experience was to be honest even when it was difficult and that education is invaluable! What on earth would we do without this wonderful internet!? It's hard for me to imagine the ignorant state of society with such a tool in our lives. People need to read more.

Crush

Ever have a crush on someone? Do you know what it is about crushes that fuel the fire? You know what I'm talking about...daydreaming, fluttering stomach, shortness of breath, weak knees, etc. I'm a hopeless romantic. I find myself all too often drawn to "chic flicks" and love songs. I feed on compliments and flattery, no matter how insincere. I don't have the highest self-esteem so any positive buffering from depression is devoured.

Lately my soul has, without my permission, gone searching for the feelings you get when you have a crush, even if it's only vicarious. I have been unknowingly evaluating other people's relationships for any tips to aid relief of my romantic drought, both physical and mental. I wish I could put a finger on exactly what it is that's causing this lonely, empty feeling. I don't know if I'm just feeling sorry for myself, or if something is really wrong with me.

A co-worker mentioned to a mutual co-worker the other day (I was eavesdropping) that confident people are more attractive. I tend to agree. Confidence makes you attractive. Attractiveness gives you positive attention. Positive attention makes you more confident. And so the carousel goes. So I'm going to buy a ticket and give it a whirl. I'll start with painting my nails, even my toenails. Small but significant. Wish me luck!!

Shopping

I think I'm going to join a support group. No, I'm not addicted to a substance (well, except Mountain Dew) but I am officially stuck on internet shopping. I have spent nearly three hours of what should have been a very busy morning shopping on Ebay. I haven't purchased anything yet which is why my butt hasn't moved yet. But I've lost a few hours of my life with nothing to show for it. I'm just like my dad. I am compulsive. I have no will power. Here I go...look at me go. Nope. Can't move. Is there an Ebay 12 step program? Maybe I can start a chapter in Riverside.

Tut, Tut...It Looks Like Rain

Shocker. It's raining again today. We have maybe two days of sunshine and then back to the stormy skies. Yesterday we flew kites in my in-law's backyard. Today we're drenched and dark.

I know that living in a desert state I should be very grateful or any precipitation whatsoever, but I'm so ready for spring and sunshine (without the mosquitos and flies.) I get strangely restless in this weather and the sun seems to improve my whole outlook.

With the loss of an hour of sleep from the daylight savings time change and the gloomy weather, I feel an overwhelming urge to go back to bed!

Giddy Up

Yesterday I got up and decided to complete a few of those pesky tasks that had been lingering in the back of my mind for several weeks now. Although I was fairly tired, I tackled some of the bigger ones first and by lunchtime I had some ugly projects nearly finished. After lunch I got a little distracted by my children, but by 3 I was back at it. When dinner time finally came around I was actually looking for more things to do (because my daughter had commandeered my computer.) It felt so good. I was sort of on a natural high that my usually oblivious spouse even commented on. When we got the kids into bed, I almost didn't want to go to sleep for fear the productiveness would disappear with the day's end.

As I woke this morning my fears were confirmed. I barely have the will to drink my Mountain Dew for breakfast! But I sit here fondly remembering how good it felt to GET STUFF DONE! Giddy up, Jean, you have to work all night!