mermaids

I actually got dressed today!  My first task was to empty all of my fabric tubs.  Yes, C helped me take all of my fabric out of their plastic tubs and stack it neatly under the tables.  He said, “Geesh, I knew you had a lot of fabric, but I had no idea it was this much!”  I did not mention there is more fabric in other closets around the house.  Why would I do such a crazy thing, especially when I still feel like an elephant is standing on chest? 

Science Night

Every year, the middle school holds a Science Night.  They bring in scientists from the local universities and research facilities to share their knowledge with students and their families.  The topics run the gamut: nanotechnology, genetics, neuroscience, cancer research, biofuels, etc.  This year, there will be a small group of middle school students presenting as well.  My boys and 6 other students have been working with the 8th grade science teachers to build Remote Operated Vehicles, ROVs, that are used to collect water samples from lakes, streams, and rivers to analyze water quality.  They have done an amazing job of building 3 ROVs, one of which is equipped with an underwater video camera.  The science department was so impressed with their work that they asked these students to present their ROV project at Science Night. 

It is one thing to build a ROV, it is a whole other thing to develop a presentation for Science Night.  The students prepared a great Power Point slide show that chronicles the building of the ROV’s.  They came up with some “hands on” activities to demonstrate the difficulties of trying achieve neutral buoyancy. C wrote a computer program that allows participants to navigate a virtual ROV through a maze.  However, the stars of the show are the actual ROV’s.  Lacking a pool at school, the students wanted some way to show the ROV’s in action.  We have been going to the local indoor pool to test out the ROV’s.  (You can imagine how much attention this garnered during swim lessons!)  They needed a large, deep, container for each ROV.  Like any crazy supportive mom, I offered the use of my fabric tubs. 

My tubs are actually too big for storing fabric.  When full, they are too heavy to be moved.  Each tub is 18″ x 36″ and 20″ deep….just the right size for a little ROV to do a few tricks.  The teacher is worried about the tubs getting damaged.  Honestly, it would give me an excuse to buy more appropriately sized tubs.  Anyway, I happy to make my little contribution to science.  The group has a great presentation planned.  They are feeling quite pleased to be listed as presenters amongst all the PhD’s and “real scientists.” 

I will be so glad when this week is over. The students are just bouncing off the wall over Valentine’s Day. The chorus group is selling singing valentine’s as a fundraiser. They go around during homeroom to deliver the valentines. Of course, there is always one girl who gets tons and the rest are left feeling ugly and unworthy. There is lots of blushing and pretending to be embarrassed, but, of course, she is just reveling in all the attention.

The student council is selling chocolate roses and small gifts for a fundraiser. The students can go to the “store” during lunch. There is much angst over which stuffed bear to buy. There is also much jealousy over who has money to shop and who doesn’t.

Because the students think they are suppose to have a special someone on Valentine’s Day, relationships are being forged and broken at lightening speed. Fred and Sue might start dating in 2nd period, but Sue tosses Fred aside by 3rd period because Harvey asks her to go out with him. Shards of broken hearts litter the hallways like glitter.

For the record, I am not one to pop pills.  Taking even an aspirin requires serious deliberation.

This afternoon, I went to fill what I thought was probably an unnecessary prescription.  I’m a tough chick.  I have a really high tolerance for pain.  The doctor was shocked that I was standing calmly in his office instead of screaming for morphine in the ER.  I was getting the prescription filled because the doctor insisted I have some Vicodan on hand “just in case.”  As I walked cavalierly up to the pharmacy counter, I was hit with a tsunami of pain.  When I handed the pharmacist the prescription, my hands were shaking and I could barely speak.  She told me that the prescription wouldn’t be ready for at least two hours because they were about to close for lunch.  Panic sets in.

“Please, I need this NOW.  Can’t. Wait. Two. Hours.”  My speech was a little slurred because I was trying hard to not throw up from the pain.  I continued begging and pleading, voice rising to a fevered pitch, until I saw her reaching for the button to call security.  Yep.  I totally came across as a drug seeking maniac.  The fact that I had not yet showered did not do wonders for my presentation.  I wandered the aisle of the market for a few minutes while I tried to get the pain under control.  Mothers clutched their children closer as I made my way down the aisles, muttering to myself.  The tsunami retreated and I found a calm spot in the Sea of Pain long enough to drive home.

Hubski returned to “the pharmacy where I can never show my face again” to pick up the prescription.  I debated toughing it out.  Hubski insisted I take one so *he* can sleep.  Apparently, my pain management technique of pacing the floor and Lamaze breathing disturbs his sleep.  So, as I type, I am leaving the Sea of Pain and landing on the shores of Vicodan Land.