What John Lennon Said…

“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.”

Today, I am home with the little duffer as he hopefully kicks the viral infection he has had all week.  My goal is he rests up so completely he DOES NOT get the pneumonia that one of his friends has at school.  We were on chicken pox watch last night, which was interesting because I did not know that if one contracts it they have to be out of school for seven days.  Who knew???  I had almost prepared to be out of school because then that guarantees that it won’t happen.

Right now, he and the dogs are napping so I have a moment for me.  It is funny what kids will do to you.  In years past, I would be totally stressed that I couldn’t go to work and like eight million things aren’t getting done, but now I realize there are more important things (don’t tell my school I said that).

In addition, I realized the true power of saying NO this week.  I was asked to do something professionally related that to me seemed like if I turned it down would be the end of the world, but to do it would mean taking time that I don’t have away from my family on weekends and evenings SO I said no.  And truth be told, once I said no I felt empowered to be in control of my life and that it is okay not to always be a people pleaser.

In regards to books, I have slowed down a little bit, but I am reading the new Carlos Ruiz Zafron novel whenever I get a minute.  It is one of those books that you don’t want to read too fast because if it is anything like Shadows of the Wind then I won’t want it to end and I will be sad when it does.  I reread the short story “Demon Lover” by Elizabeth Bowen because a student was writing a paper.  Very gothic.  Lots to read into.

It has been a little hard to read this week because it is premiere week for TV shows.  Of course, I totally forgot to DVR Bones and Fringe so now I need to figure out how to get a hold of those so my husband doesn’t disown me.

Happy Fall!

What I’ve Been Reduced To…

I’m not a t.v. watcher.  Well, I should clarify.  Growing up and until I met my husband, I watched television periodically, but nothing that was consistent or that I would admit to in public.  Now, we have a series of shows we either watch while home or DVR when we aren’t.  I enjoy the shows and I am okay admitting to being a night time t.v. watcher.  Up until this week, I was proud to say that I very rarely watch t.v. during the day.  The only t.v. I remember watching any time recently was sports on Sunday.  Sadly, I now actually know football players names, stats, and how the game is played.  Even on my six weeks of bed rest the only t.v. I watched during the day (and I can count it on one hand) was DVRed shows that my husband doesn’t enjoy as much as me (Pushing Daisies – so sad it is being cancelled).  This week as my son continued to not want to sleep away from me during morning and afternoon hours I broke down.  For weeks, I had tried to read magazines or even books while he nursed and slept, but somehow they kept waking him up.  I have typed too many emails with many typos and missing capitals one handed that I fear my pregnancy induced carpel tunnel syndrome will return.  So, the other day as my husband went off to work he left the television on with the morning news.  This started innocently enough.  The news is productive in a weird way.  I would know what was happening in my region and maybe even the world.  However, as the hour turned to seven I found myself watching these overly perky showered and dressed in real clothes people talk about the best holiday gifts on something called The Early Show.  It was early.  I hadn’t started shopping yet.  Watching it seemed fitting.  I made it through the entire two hours only to find myself staring at Rachel Ray and listening to her Brenda Vacarro voice.  My dad loves Rachel Ray.  I felt maybe I should see what she was all about.  Plus, L.L. Cool J was on.  He’s an attractive guy and well someone I grew up with so I mean I had to watch it.  Next, these obnoxiously strange people called The Doctors started talking about this family who had seven children (plus one on the way) and four of the children had autism.  It was like staring at an accident when you are driving on the highway.  Luckily, it stopped there.  I broke myself away knowing that I had done the unthinkable — watched daytime television.  Plus, as the hour turned to four, and my son became a little demanding with eating and wanting to be near, I found Ellen on the screen giving out presents in her twelve days of giving and Dr. Phil talking about obsessions (I mean I do have a problem with pens — I thought it might help).  Now, for the last three days my daily routine has revolved around watching these shows.  What started as an innocent “oh my husband left the t.v. on” has turned into “hey, give me the remotes before you leave.”  I do actually own a terry clothe robe.  My hair is getting long since I can’t seem to coordinate hair appointments so I am looking forward to starting to use the pink foam curlers.  And, I’m pretty sure the Shaws down the street sells Virginia Slims cigarettes (kidding — I would never smoke).  Not that I would really do any of those things, but I fear I am close to wearing track suits or worse unflattering sweatpants.  Tomorrow is Saturday so I can quit my daytime dilemma since none of the shows are on, but I fear what Monday brings.  Oh, what not to worry.  My day will be booked as I need to grocery shop for ingredients so I can whip up the ultimate shepherd’s pie that I saw on Rachel Ray.