A Silly Thing

I don't have much of a tantrum today, although today was a little bittersweet because my grandmother (who has lived with me since October) had to be taken to a rehab center today for a couple of weeks, I know that this means she will be headed somewhere else after that and I know that this is the best thing for her (and for me). But, my heart is heavy, because I really did bring her to live with me out of love and I just couldn't do it. I didn't want to get to the point that every single move she made drove me nuts (which it does). That's all the perspective I have on this right now. Her tears as I left her there this morning didn't help.

Take Care of Your Family

I pulled into the parking lot that Tuesday morning in the same way I had for the last 2 years, except this time, something was different.
I had spent all Monday night dealing with a pukey kid. Dallas had inexplicablly began puking on the way home from school. I was pregnant with Addison and the smell had me at my wits end. I was very thankful that my coworker carpooled with me and took care of him and the mess. I called my mother after dropping Stephanie off. Her and my father were out of town in San Antonio. I told her that Dallas kept throwing up and asked her when they would be home. They were in the middle of the meeting and so she whispered in a hurry that they would be back Tuesday morning. I got off the phone embarassed for calling and interrupting their meeting and wishing that they would just hurry home tonight. At that moment, nothing would have made me feel better than my parents being nearby to help me with Dallas.
We got home to the delicious smell of Bean Soup in the crockpot. Of course, with all the sights and smells I had on my journey home, I wanted nothing to do with it. I laid on the couch with my son in arms and tried to comfort him in between bouts of vomit. Finally, just before 1:00am, he stopped throwing up as mysteriously as he had started. I looked at Jayson and sad "Honey, I have a big day tomorrow, I have got to go to bed, will you please stay down here with him in case he throws up again?" Jayson said yes and I went up to bed. I had a restless night, no dinner and a baby twirling around in my belly to boot. I wondered if I, too, was going to get the stomach bug that had plagued my son.
The next morning came too quickly, in order to be at my job in time, I usually leave the house aroun 5:45a.m. We put Dallas in the car armed with trash bags and paper towels just in case.I picked up Stephanie and headed to Irving. I was so hungry from the night before that right before I got to Dallas' babysitter's house, I stopped at the donut shop for my favorite pregnancy treat, an eclair.
I pulled into the parking lot that Tuesday morning in the same way I had for the last 2 years, except this time, something was different. Marta's door was wide open and I thought I saw my sister Debbie. I wondered what she was doing there at 6:00 in the morning. My lack of sleep couldn't comprehend what she could be doing there and I got out and told Stephanie to wait. I walked to the door apprehensively because now I knew for sure it was Debbie and Pastor Mcfarland (my father's coworker) and Jackie (my mother's best friend) What was going on? Debbie looked at me and started to talk. "It's Dad..." she started to cry. In that moment, I thought for sure that my parents had been in a car accident. I remembered the hurried phone call with my mom and I was sure that they had been coming back from San Antonio for me. "It's Dad... she continued, her voice breaking. "He's had a massive heart attack, he's dead" Those words, once out, brought me to my knees. I don't really remember the next part because its more painful than I care to remember. All I do know is that somehow my life had changed in an instant with those stupid words.
I can no longer eat Bean soup, a chocolate eclair, I can't stand the first Tuesday in March, I worry myself sick when my son throws up and I miss my Dad every Fucking Day (It's okay, he told me once I could say that word if I really was hurt).

I'm sorry

I don't really have a tantrum today. But, I do have a confession.
Lady in the Silver Toyota Highlander at the movie theatre. I lied to you. I did open my car door and bump your car. I did not hit it with my behind as I might have said to you. I'm really sorry. Next time, do not yell at me through your window. Got it?

That's right Lady...Keep Walking!

Sometimes, I have absolutely no no no no patience for people. This week has been very trying for many reasons (Yes, I am aware it is only Tuesday) but today was particularly annoying. At the end of the day, I stand at the back of the school and help dismiss Kindergarten. Earlier this year, we had a problem with parents parking in the fire lane. After being very agressive about this problem, we rarely have issue anymore. Except for TODAY! As a lady got out of her PT Cruiser (a whole other issue) she left her car running in the fire lane. As she collected her baggage (I mean child) I told her she couldn't park in the fire lane. She looks at me and in a huff says "Well, it's still running so it's not parked." I looked at her and said "It doesn't matter, you still can't leave it in the fire lane." So she repeated (I guess in case I didn't hear her) "It's still running so it's not parked." So, I just stopped her in her tracks and said "Well, oddly enough, fire trucks are still running when the firemen get here to fight a fire they won't be able to get to because you're in their spot." Needless to say, she didn't say a word, grabbed (I mean really she yanked her around like a suitcase) her child and stormed away. The best part? She was SO pissed at me that she kept walking IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF HER CAR! So, she had to do the walk of shame all the way back to her car.

Beans! Beans! They're good for your heart!

This Thursday is International Night at my school and I am making Black Beans to represent mi orgullo Cubano. One of my favorite recipes for this is by my friend Kikita and when I made them last year, they were very well received. So, I am so ready to make them again this year. This afternoon, I went into the grocery store to buy my (shhhh) canned black beans. As I filled my cart with cans, I noticed that one of them had different colored numbers on the top of the can. I looked at the dates and sure enough, 9 of the cans had an expiration date of Nov 2011, but the 1 odd can had an expiration date of October 2008!!!! I couldn't believe it. I went to the employee working in the aisle and showed her the date. She didn't even act shocked. She simply put the can in her cart and said to me "Well, that's why you need to check the dates."

Awareness

Today, I ran into Kroger for a last minute purchase. Since I only had 1 item, I quickly secured my spot in the 15 items or less aisle. I was paying for my item (It was Veg-All, all right? Geesh!) when the cashier looks at the man 2 people behind me and his completely full cart and says "Sir, I believe you have too much." The man responded "You don't know how to count." Now, that alone is cause for me to say something as his cart was clearly TOO FULL. But, I stayed out of it because it really wasn't my business. The man then continues "Did you mean in my cart or around my belly?" The cashier said "In your cart." And the man KEEPS GOING "Well, I was gonna say, you're one to talk.....SKINNY." Now, unfortunately, my cashier was very, very overweight. I just wanted to crawl into my skin, but then in an amazing display of complete lack of self awareness or a quick thinking self-protection act, my cashier says "I wish...I just had surgery and I lost 15 pounds and I know I need to lose a little more..." And she went on and on.

By this time, I'm just standing there completely amazed and disgusted at this man who felt it was his right to not just attack her intelligence but her physical appearance. ESPECIALLY when he obviously was not the smartest or the healthiest based on the amount of bagged chips in his cart. UGH! I feel pretty bad for not saying anything. What would you have done?

Honestly

I can not even begin to describe how irritating it is to take a shower with your kids staring through the glass doors as if you're in some sort of demented peep show.

Seriously????

You CAN'T just squeeze a tube of toothpaste anymore? I really have to spend $19.95 for that. Idiots will buy anything (editorial disclaimer: If you have bought this, you are not an idiot, so please let me know how this neat little gadget works for you)

https://www.buytouchnbrush.com