My mental list of things to write about includes, but is not limited to, the following things that happened this week:
Carl surprised us all by emptying his entire piggy bank into the charity collection his class did to support an Afghan school supplies program. Of course, he got show off his cool Lego dungeon bank that way, too, so maybe it wasn't just altruism. Still, it was out of character.
Carl several times very specifically has described a costume he would like to have, both for next Halloween and I think generally: black hooded robe, white mask with red eyes, and a scythe. Yes, he wants to be Death. (Or, "Deaf," as he calls it.)
There was a giant banana protein smoothie spill all through the mesh backpack and onto the lunch box, folder of papers, and library book one morning as we arrived at school; wasn't that fun for Mommy to clean up? We also did a lot of cleaning at home this week, although you can't really tell.
Ruby has to participate in a school district-wide invention fair this year. She has an idea so brilliant I can't tell it to you, because if she wins, she gets a patent. I, and Rod, if he ever turns back up, need to help her with some backup alternatives, research, and prototype production.
I had another complicated and funky-looking mammogram followed by a long, lonely and worrisome ultrasound. I haven't seen the final report yet, but I wasn't told to expect a call back for another biopsy, so probably it's fine, right? On the other hand, the person who said I could leave told me she wasn't allowed to say one way or another. I would bet I am fine, if a bit lumpy. However, that makes two out of four annual mammograms where I had something show up that required further investigation. It's much too stressful. I don't really want to keep doing this every year for the rest of my life.
Rod has been working 18 hour days somewhere that's not here. He barely calls. I was getting angry about being neglected, and I had another one of those dreams where we've broken up and he's not a bit upset about it, but then I finally talked to him today and realized he's just busy and focused on his testing, it would take him too long to think up an affectionate text message to send me, and I should just let it go and get a grip. So admire my maturity, okay?
We have been trying some Christmas crafts. Oh, my, these kids do like making things. And we're not done yet. Some of you may get some really original gifts.
I used my Free Babysitting Card (a/k/a resident college student) to get out last night for a late dinner and a movie. I recommend The Blind Side if you have kids or are about 45 or older. Heartwarming, it was, and better than we expected.
I have a leaky-to-flat tire. I become much more stressed out than the situation warrants when I have car problems, and I've decided this one is almost certainly Rod's fault, don't you think? I hope we can fill it up enough to make it to the tire place tomorrow.
Carl's got a cold and it makes his nose bleed and his voice sound like he's in puberty.
I got my H1N1 shot, just in case that wasn't what I had when I got pneumonia last summer, and I took the kids to get theirs. They were hoping for the nasal spray, but the doctor didn't want to give it to Carl because he uses Nason@xand has a history of sinus/ear/etc. issues. I didn't want one kid to get off easier than the other, so I said we'd take big sharp needles all around. You probably heard the screaming and sobbing from your place, right? I didn't realize my kids were such wimps. It was completely horrible and it went on forever. And then Carl just about jumped off a bridge when the taco place got his take out order wrong afterward. I don't know that I can face taking them back for the second dose next month.
I also managed to work in haircuts for the kids this week, too. They look even cuter than usual.
Christmas cheer is wiping me out this year: there's been too much forced creative thinking, too much shopping, too much planning, too much spending... The only thing I've avoided is doing any baking, due to my current diet, and sending cards, which I gave up a few years ago. Who needs them, when there's a blog and Faceb@@k? I need to develop a "gifts for children only" pact with some people. I am feeling deep guilt over not finishing some knitting projects I wanted to make for presents. And we haven't started wrapping yet, and I will have to go to the inner circle of Hell (post office) again tomorrow, with the little urchins in tow.