Working Mom Blues and The Case of Ralph's Revenge (Not The Guy)

As I drug myself out of bed to prepare for my third shift in a row, I felt as though I’d stepped into a nightmare. The laundry room was piled high with linen, casualties of a much more horrendous scene. Sock Fashion Expert lay curled up in a ball quietly on a living room chair. Super Catman was ever so slowly cleaning up his Ralph and not the guy either. The cat had somehow wandered in and was wanting to help him. Art Dog, horrified, was trying to keep Moonbeam away from it. I had just lost my own lunch that morning on the way home from my shift at the hospital. The house always seems to revolt in unusual ways when I’m gone working. I may leave with everything in order, but when I return, I am sure to find myself behind, sinking in a leach infested swamp. This day, in particular made me feel as if there was no possible chance of any semblance of order.
I had agreed to work full time for 2 weeks so that we could make a trip out East to see our family. Though most people with common sense would have thrown in the towel and called in, I knew I couldn’t. Everybody was looking forward to this trip. With a stiff upper lip, I waded through the mess to the kitchen, stepping in something wet and sticky. Not wanting to acknowledge it was probably Ralph, I continued on. After attempting to feed Moonbeam, I changed her and got her freshened up a bit. The Archer was still out on his daily hike. “Artdog”, I asked, “Do you think you can handle being in charge until Archer returns.” He was pretty sure he was up for the job. I reminded him how grave a job it is to take care of his baby sister. He was fine with that until it occurred to him that there was a possibility that she could poop during that half hour window. Already the wheels in his head were turning and he didn’t like what he was seeing. This time, I prayed extra hard as I left the chaos at hand and headed down the steep drive to my last shift of the week……

That next morning when my husband picked me up, I suddenly remembered we needed to go to the grocery store. I was tired and hungry. It was a terrible time to be shopping. I was feeling the need to destress. We walked by the bakery. My appetite had suddenly returned with a vengeance. I began to contemplate donuts. "Hmm....." I tried my husband as we neared the check out line. "Wouldn't you like to enjoy a donut on the way home?" "No" he informed me. I decided to try again. "Uhh..... I think I'd like to get you a donut for the way home". "If you go buy donuts I'm going to comment about it on your blog" he teased. What a kidder. I decided it wasn't worth finding out. I really wasn't wanting to reward him with a donut for driving me to work anyway. I wanted a donut, in case you hadn't figured that out. Later when I came to my senses I was glad that I didn't get any donuts.

Amazingly, we all worked together tonight to get the house cleaned up and everybody was feeling better.

Here's a photo of my new baby cousin Maxton Eli. His mom and I share many childhood memories together. She has waited many years to see this day. God Bless Baby Maxton.