Techie Trap

The power went out today due to a winter storm.

I had worried about that. All morning I ran around the house preparing, just in case. I stuffed laundry in the washer, tried to get dishes done and put a pot of soup on. My efforts to enlist the help of my kids were of no avail.

The two who could have been the most helpful were more concerned about keeping the computers running than filling jugs with water. Both are both very technically inclined and can fix anything wrong with your computer or electronic device. They did not share my perpective on the order of priorties.

Then the lights went out. I asked them if they had any ideas about an alternate source of heat since the electricity had failed. One boy went and found a camp heater, but parts of it were missing. They sat on the couch.

I was totally disgusted. "You guys are no use at all," I told them.

"Of course not," retorted son number one. "The power's out."

Sustainability

My second son was reading a newsletter article titled "Sustainability."

"Hey Mom!" he said, "We're energy efficient. We always fill the washer to capacity when we do laundry."

Boys Are Strange Creatures

We were sitting at the pizza place and I told my friend Baby Girl's most recent observation. My friend agreed that boys were, indeed, very strange creatures. She lamented the fact that she could not understand some of the things her son did (or did not) do.

Being blessed with an over abundance of boys, I thought of my vast knowledge of all things Star Trek, how I listen to different music than my peers, and the way I sometimes blurt out, "Cool, Dude!"

I sipped my water. "You shouldn't try to understand them," I said, "It's like going over to the dark side."

Cosmetology School

Yesterday my daughter was playing with her doll's hair. She combed and fiddled, then decided doll's hair was simply unmanageable. Out came the scissors. At first, she was doing just fine. The doll's hair did look much better on the side she had cut. It even curled under like a bob is supposed too. Unfortunately, the other side turned out bit too short, which meant the first side must be trimmed some more.

If you have ever cut hair, you know what happened next.

When the 'do' was finally even, my daughter held the doll at arm's length and examined her creation with a wry pinch of the lips.

"Well," she sighed, "at least now I know I'm not going into the hair cutting business."

Today my little girl asks, "How's your book coming, Momma?"

"Not so good today."

She leans over the keyboard, squints at my monitor. "Chapter Five! That's very good, Momma."

"But I've been working on this chapter for almost two weeks," I whine.

"Well, " she pats my arm, "I usually take a month to finish a chapter when I write a book."

My husband is on a low fat diet, so for the last several months I have been experimenting with recipes. Last night my son came in after a long day of classes and grabbed a piece of freshly baked cake. "This is good!" he said. He was confident when he stated, "This is not fat free."

Enhanced Vision

My daughter got her first pair of eye glasses yesterday. When she put them on she said, "Cool! Now everything is Hi-Def!"

Sickness got the best of me this Thanksgiving, but I still felt obligated put on the whole 'turkey and pie' show. After, my husband took the kids for a boat ride. They returned to find me stretched out in the living room on a pile of pillows. My middle son used acting skills acquired in drama club to put on his best angst ridden, quavering voice. He said, "Don't go, Mom, don't go."

I ignored him---to no avail. He continued, "Don't go towards the light!"

I cracked an eyelid open. The only light I could see from my no longer peaceful repose was the kitchen light over the sink.

"Why would I go towards the light?" I asked. "There's dishes in there."

Holiday Weekend

A weekend at home,
surrounded by my children
large and small.

Couches are full,
T.V. turned on,
movie time.

The cupboard is empty of bowls.
They wait, in the sink,
to be washed . . .
again.

I made Mom's Chicken Soup,
jello (three kinds)
and
a jug of sweet tea.

We are almost out of tissues.
The little one asks,
"Can Daddy go get me some Puffs?"

I spoon in purple medicine
and pass out white tablets.

A cool cloth.

She scowls,
looks at her brother
and accuses,
"He germed up the cereal bars."
Coughs.
"I bet he licked them."

Things We Do For Love

I've been doing one of Beth Moore's Bible studies, Esther. We were listening to the accompanying cd yesterday and Beth told a story. Her 18 month old grandson had been sharing goldfish crackers with a rather large and drooly dog. Then he offered a cracker to his momma. Rather than break his little heart, momma did the brave thing.

Fast forward to today. Our church was planning an event after morning services with activities including one of those big blow up water slide thingys. My daughter had her heart set on playing on that slide. Last time we got rained out. She had brought her swimsuit, towels and extra clothes. She was ready.

Just about when it was time to go outside it started to rain. There was not a bit of thunder, just showers. Some of the moms did not let their kids play on the slide. Some did, and those in charge said it was ok. I remembered how when I was a kid we played in the rain every chance we got. So I let her go.

When play time was over we walked to the car together. I was trying to wring out my skirt as best I could before I got in. I told my daughter, "I am dripping wet!" She said, "Look at it this way. At least you didn't have to eat a goldfish covered in dog slobber."

Baby Girl

She wears a white cotton gown that she took from my drawer. Her toes peek out from under the ruffled hem. I fix her coffee. Milk and sugar.

She cries. She says to me, "I don't know why I'm so mean to you sometimes."

I shush her and rub her back. She leans into me and I murmur quiet womanly words. She is afraid one day she will wake up and be someone else. I tell her that when she is as old as me some things will still be the same. Her head will lay on my shoulder and she will still be my baby girl.

Forever my beloved child.

White Bird

Yesterday morning we were driving along the highway.
My son said, "Hey! There's a white bird."
He grinned. "They're supposed to bring good luck."
After a pause I heard him mutter, "Usually all I see is crows."

Laundry

I had been cleaning all day. I mean all day long-- like from 7:30. In the morning. At 10:41 p.m. I foolishly peeked into the laundry room as I was tossing a towel into the whites hamper. I could not believe my eyes. A frown creased the spot between my eyebrows. My lips were a flat, straight line.
"Where did all this laundry come from?"
My middle son shuffled over and looked at me with that hang dog expression.
I put my hands on my hips.
"It came from YOU," I accused.
He avoided my eyes, his guilt plain. Then his face smoothed out.
"Actually, it came from Walmart," he said, sagely nodding his head.
"I'm just the middle man."