Pooh-ville

Ughh- today not only was Little Joe sick along with me, but poor Jacob came down with it too! The whole day we lay around coughing and hacking- and in Little Joe's case puking too-and I began to feel sorry for myself. I mean, why should I have to be sick with kids too? Haven't I already done that? Why doesn't someone take care of Nana? My chest and throat hurts and coughing is pure torture! Wait a minute, back the train up. It is a blessing to be able to care for my sick grandchildren. The don't have to go to strangers when they feel bad, and if they puke on Nana, so what. And as far as someone taking care of Nana, Becky and Joe were very attentive all weekend, and Martin has been hovering since he got home. All Little Joe wants to do is lay on me-I better enjoy that while I can! Feeling sorry for yourself is very dangerous to your well being. I stopped my whining when I realized that the adversary was trying very hard to get me down. I went and got Jacob and Little Joe and snuggled in with them. Martin smiled at me in appreciation when he saw that I could handle things. The day improved. Martin asked me if I wanted a cold drink when he went out to the bank. I said yes, and got my mental chops ready for some real refreshment, as it is hard to swallow right now. I expected him back in about a half hour, but two hours later, he was still not home. The kids were feeling bad, and I had to pull my patience together, it really is not their fault that they express themselves in an annoying manner. I began to worry. What if something happened to him? I called the cell phone, but no answer. I had to feed the baby, and Jacob wanted some donuts. It is also bread day, and I had made 6 loaves, but some of them didn't rise the way I liked. My anxiety began to mount. Crying, coughing baby, hungry coughing 7 year old, barking dogs, and the phone ringing did not help at all! Finally, Martin called and told me he had gone to get his hair cut and "walk around in Home Depot". Didn't he realize what I was dealing with? A miracle occurred when I sweetly told him that I hoped he had enjoyed himself- and DON'T FORGET MY DRINK! Before he got home, Little Joe had puked on me again and Jacob continued to remind me that he was hungry. I was on the verge of tears, when, with a dashing, freshly cut hair and trimmed beard, Martin walked in the back door with LUNCH! Not only that, he had a 42 oz crushed ice cold drink, and a chicken leg for Little Joe and donuts for Jacob. Mind you, Little Joe does not get the meat off the bone, but just the bone itself so that he can teeth on it. (This is an old country way of helping babies teeth). Little Joe loves to gnaw on a chicken leg bone and he settled down happily in his high chair to chomp away. I kept my crabbiness to myself, and thanked him for being so "thoughtful". The afternoon was spent with Little Joe once again sleeping on me, and Jacob watching TV. Around 3 pm, Martin came in and sort of mentioned that he wished he could spend his afternoons holding a sleeping baby and watching cartoons. I gladly relenquished the baby and went to get Kayleigh off the bus. It was a lovely day out, so I took a bottle of bubbles out with me and sat on the yard swing, blowing bubbles with Kayleigh and discussing the mating habits of geckos, because a lizard was on the flagpole, blowing a red bubble on his neck to attract a female. Ahhh, the pleasures of spring! I finally took Kayleigh and went in, only to hear Martin calling for help. I rushed into the bedroom, and saw the problem. Little Joe had puked on HIM! Then, I heard the sweetest words- Martin said, "I don't know how you do this!" I told him that it was easy with a thoughtful husband who had "taken the time to get a haircut and walk through Home Depot". Well, as on every day before, the mom's came home to get their kids and I was able to settle down at last. As I collapsed on the recliner, I felt a funny sensation underneath me. I struggled up only to find that when Little Joe had puked on Martin, Martin just tossed the pukey washcloth into my recliner! Oh well, it is evening now and I am writing. Tomorrow will bring a better day, or should I say, more blessings of the same!