Saturday, July 28, 2012

Some days are just a headache

I woke up this morning with a headache. Not a monster one, just an annoying clingy kind of one that threatened to become a monster with very little provocation. I blame it on a variety of things:

1.  We haven't had rain in weeks and lately the air has been heavy and filled with moisture that just won't break out into a full fledged storm. It just hangs there....it teases with little bursts of winds and the occasional cloud cover that could become rain but never does. I also think the humidity works like a magnifying glass, making the sun seven times hotter than it actually is. I'm surprised things aren't spontaneously combusting left and right.

2. Leif has decided that the airline wants too much to check a bag when we fly to Sweden and so would like to ship his suit and my wedding dress and as many of our clothes as possible through a common carrier to save money. My new lifestyle has its foundation built on flexibility and less attachment to things but this one I'm struggling with. I spent hours making that dress and girlishly want to look pretty on the big day. Who knows, maybe it'll be all right if we don't mark it fragile or note that it shouldn't be submersed in liquids. And it has to be ready on Monday, so I need to decide what I am willing to do without for the week preceding our trip. And the week after it, since we'll have to ship them back the same way. Luckily Sweden is pretty much a different climate from here so I don't have to pack up my hot weather stuff and sit naked in the apartment till we leave.

3. Yesterday I got a call from a mom I babysit for and who has been an absolute angel about referring me to other moms. This time she wanted me to sit on the only free days I have before we leave the country for her sister-in-law. Who, by the way, has a nanny for eighteen days of the month but needs (her tone implied obviously) someone to cover the other thirteen and would I like to consider it? I agreed to one day because she basically begged me to do it. Yes, I do kind of regret saying yes.

4.  I may be over-reacting a bit on No. 3, but I've taken jobs before that were supposed to be temporary and years later I was still there. Committing to thirteen days a month for the foreseeable future feels like a career move. Might as well get a tattoo that says "babysitter from hell" and start carrying baby wipes and Chupas everywhere I go. Leif thinks it's a good idea for my cultural growth. I understand what he's saying. I don't know if I agree or not, but I understand. Aside from the cultural thing let's face it, there's no upward mobility in babysitting. It hovers near the bottom of the employment totem pole and stays there.

5.  I know what you're saying to yourself right now. "If you don't want to do it just say no, Michele." I'm telling myself that very thing. But I know me. I'm firm and confident alone in my apartment, but when I'm face to face with someone and they ask me to do something and I open my mouth to say "no" what comes out is "sure, no problem." It's a sickness. So I'm stressed about wanting to say no and being pretty sure that I'll accidentally say yes and then I'm stuck. I wish it was some figment of my imagination, but it just happened to me last week, so I know how dangerous I am to myself.

6. And finally, of course, I'm worried about not getting rid of the headache before I start tomorrow. Not only will it be an tough day for me, they won't be able to experience my awesomeness and I'll have used all my energies combating the pain and when she wants to discuss a more long-term agreement I'll say "Sure....no problem!" when that's not what I mean at all.

I need, not want, but need a real honest to God American happy hour. Complete with best friends and fathers and sisters and recognizable snack foods that masquerade as dinner. Sigh. Since I can't have that I'll continue my search for an appropriate yet fulfilling Italian substitute. It may take some time but really I have all the time in the world.

2 comments:

  1. Chupas? Cultural growth? What IS a recognizable snack food?

    Just got a good recipe for making a cold pack from my new PT person. 1 bottle of rubbing alcohol, pour into a 1 gallon Zip-Loc bag, add tap water, place in a second Zip-Loc bag and freeze. It never freezes totally but becomes slushy, use on the hurting areas and then refreeze.

    Okay. Lets look at your woes. #1 I agree, humidity can be a stress on your body. Do you have a shower? A lovely powder to powder on? Tell me the name of a scent you treasure, please. #2 Go with his idea, but hold back one simple dress that you can put in the sink at night (and panties, thank you) and hang out to dry. Ask Leif if he would like to do the same, but if he says no, don't do his.My mother-in-law did that one trip to L.A. when my father-in-law was on a medical convention to L.A. and nobody noticed or cared. You will, but no one else will. #3/4 Smile, sister...how old are the kids? Do you have a deck of cards? Teach them some card games...do some of the games you played with your own kids...you can do it. Smile dammit! It is $. And cultural GROWTH :)#5 I totally understand this because I am the same way. No is coming OUT of my mouth as it turn to 'okay' somehow...can I watch 3 of our 4 grandchildren while I have a monster headache and am getting off the effects of a drug that is making me jerk and lose handholds of things (and my daughter KNOWS it). It isn't a sickness...it is a Minnesota (and Michigan) and most every other state I have lived it. It is called being nice. #6 Don't worry. Be happy. Your headache is from worrying about trying to make sure everything will be done. It is from worrying about the Olympics. HOW about arranging a Skype? You can have something to eat and drink on your side, and I'll have the things you are craving on MY side! And we will CHAT! (In ENGLISH). Let me know so I can go get the craves...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda! Chupas are lollipops. Recognizable is American brands which are pretty expensive here so I don't do them.

      I love the little freezy things idea and will find the stuff for them soon, it would be refreshing. I would shower more but the water dries my skin out and thank you but anything with a scent triggers migraines so I avoid them at all costs. I already have the single dress I'll bring for parties but pretty much have to bring the wedding dress for the wedding blessing....honestly.

      I would love to skype sometime...I work every day till we leave now but maybe one day during your afternoon and my after dinner (2:30 your time, 9:30 mine). Let me know if you feel like it. Mwah.

      Delete