1. One thing no one ever tells you about having kids is how much work it is just to make sure they stay alive. I’m talking about beyond the normal things like food and shelter. Not five seconds ago, I found myself screaming, “ARTHUR DENT, GET DOWN FROM THE STAIRWAY WALL BEFORE YOU FALL AND BREAK YOUR NECK!” The Intrigues spent Thanksgiving weekend at a beach house, and besides the obvious of not letting the Little Explorers drown, we got to shout such gems as, “DON’T DRINK THE OCEAN!” and “SAND IS NOT FOR EATING!” and “WE DON’T PUT PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE CAPS IN OUR MOUTHS!” all in the span of about three minutes. Exhausting. Just exhausting.
2. I just started reading “Career of Evil” by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling), and I have to say, I really love this book. It’s the third in a series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first one, and when I read the second, was pleasantly surprised that it was even better than the first. A third of the way through book three, and I have to commend Ms. Rowling for upping the bar again. If you haven’t read this series of books, consider this your recommendation.
3. So, my issue of the week, or possibly of the next however many years, is that I can barely tolerate watching the news. I feel a strong rift between the part of me that knows it is important to be an informed citizen of the nation and the world and the part of me that wants to guard my heart from the hurt that comes every time I turn on the TV or look at a media site. I can’t believe there’s a presidential candidate who is a step away from internment camps and gold crescent moons on people’s clothing and there are Americans who are ok with it. I can’t believe that there are people who can’t speak about gun control without alienating everyone who has ever lawfully owned a gun. I ca’t believe that race relations are as bad as they were in the 1960s. Most of all, I can’t believe we are so polarized as a nation that if you don’t pick a side, you’re wrong. Anyway, I have only skimmed the headlines this week, because honestly, it makes me cry. Poor The International Man of Intrigue. I can’t even begin to discuss most current events topics without bursting into tears, the plight of Syrian refugees being the most likely to leave me a sobbing mess. So, I find myself forced to do what I had to do when The International Man of Intrigue spent years at a time in the most dangerous places in the world, and unplugging myself from the news. I feel guilty for being unengaged, but ultimately, I’m ok with it, and anyone who thinks less of me for it doesn’t need a place in my head right now.
4. On a lighter, but related, note, Arthur Dent’s winter program was tonight. Little kids singing songs about Diwali, Ramadan, Christmas, and general happiness give me hope. Arthur Dent dressed as Santa gave me a smile so big that my face still hurts. That little dude was adorable.
5. And, finally, being the best wife ever means buying The International Man of Intrigue a Halo Edition X-Box One for our 12th wedding anniversary, after he convinced me that 12 is the year you exchange electronics. This also means I’m not watching anything new, except Halo, now that we’ve finished the masterpiece that was “Jessica Jones.” Seriously, I love all the shows with strong female leads that are out now.
#1, so much yes. The constant vigilance required is exhausting. And hard to explain to people how exhausting it is. I wonder why I feel so tired after they go to bed in the evening- it's because I was constantly "on", making sure no one was swinging off the deck railing, breaking into the medicine cabinet or playing recklessly by the fireplace.
ReplyDelete#3 This is where I am at, as well. I just can't. I have to ask the husband to be a buffer because it is just too much.