Chuck D & Mr. T

Jenny and Alice and Nora just saved me by coming over to watch the girls and Teddy and wait on me while MJ was at Charlie’s soccer game. I mean above and beyond. Jenny fed me juice out of a sippy cup, watched me cry so hard I couldn’t speak, and put groceries. Alice put on a performance* of songs from Frozen that should send her to a masters program in musical theater right now.

Maryann came and picked up not only Teddy to play but also Huck. I hope I can be as helpful to others. I also hope I can learn to sing like Alice.

*It began,
ALICE “Ladies and gentleman welcome to the performance. Please turn off your phones and iPads.”

Trying to entice S & N to have their picture taken by a photographer at Blue Igloo. Can’t get enough of Scottie’s boots that she wears everyday rain or shine. Scottie much more excited to do. Nelly not interested. >

Drove Scottie, Nelly and Diana to see the Cherry Blossoms this morning. Probably a bad idea with this flu. But so pretty…
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Sitting at the window writing this and waving to Teddy below.
Teddy “I love you mommy!”
ALB “I love you Teddy my lamb!”
Teddy “I love you!”
ALB “I love you!”
Teddy “Open the window so I can see you more!”
ALB “I can’t or I will fall out.”
Teddy “Ok I’m coming up there. I love you!” Punches the air
ALB “I love you sooo much!”
We could do this all day long. >

I have been feeling horrible all day and Teddy came up to my room crying to watch TV but I wanted him to play outside. I ended up going to the kitchen with him, letting him eat a cookie, sharing a Fizzy Lizzy and making “lost bunny” signs for his rabbit. I immediately felt better. Then Charlie came home upset from school about not having a big enough roe krispee treat. I calmed him down and also felt better. I like that I feel better when mothering them and worse when I’m laying in bed trying to watch a movie or read a magazine.

Nelly can count correctly (sometimes) to five, ten and even eighteen.

I have Charlie money to take to his school’s bake sale today.
ALB “Do you know what a bake sale is?”
Charlie “No. Oh wait! Yes! It’s where you give money and get cookies.”
He is as sweet as his own bake sale. Like that turn of phrase?

Speaking of which last night while
I was laying in bed with the flu and trying to help C practice his guitar he told me he had watched the movie Atlantis.
ALB “Was it scary?”
Charlie “It’s too good to be scary.”
ALB “I like your turn of phrase there.”
Charlie beaming “Let’s write a non-fiction phrase book together. I will make up phrases and write them down and you will write down the phrases you know.”
Hopefully we will begin today.
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Teddy never has shoes and socks on. He is forever running around outside with bare feet. I would worry but he seems pleased with it.

Charis is so sweet and checks on and had Scottie and Nelly over for a play date and dinner with Liv. They had so much fun and brought lollipops as a hostess gift.

Yesterday got to teach two really great Roots of Empathy class and play with kids at playground but also chemo and got a virus with fever so by the end of the day was physically and emotionally not well. I felt so sick and was so despondent and couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t strong enough to sail over these feelings. But really experiencing the discomfort in life is part of life and makes you understand comfort. Anyway still unpleasant. I was in tears but emailed my loving friends asking them for help and they all responded and made me feel so much better and supported. Amazing what asking for help can do. Marisa went to the store and brought me food I needed and Jenny M, Catherine, Lely, Sarah, Nicole, Rachel, Kate, Alex L, Johanna, Margaret, Becky, Maryann and Elena all made me feel better. Such amazing friends. I’m so grateful for them and all my others.

By the time I fell asleep, after texting with Cols and watching Alan Partridge and Simon Shama’s show on Jews, I felt a lot better.

Today I just rested with the kids, watched dog videos on YouTube and emailed a bunch of the DC Council Members about the proposal to change school assignment procedures. Diana and Apple helped. And Aimee and Carolyn (Butler) sent flowers. They have no idea how much that cheered me up. I also had a long talk with my acupuncturist/ wellness guru, Bob Duggan, who really helped. He reminded me that I can be nervous and anxious but still peaceful and that I will be fine and will live a good life. I can do less and work towards a peaceful, stress free life. Even typing that makes it seem more attainable and things less scary.

Back to snuggling Teddy and petting Huck. I’m inspired to teach her tricks after watching all those dog videos. If I had to choose a new career I think I would like to work with dog and horses if not kids.