What are you looking at?

Enough with my pity party, I'm fine. But as I was reflecting back recently, a funny memory came to me....

My kids were young (not yet in kindergarten) and I was having a difficult work week. I had worked overnight and all the next day... I was on my way home and I was ready to sleep for days. My cell phone rang as I drove home late that afternoon. I could barely move. I was dirty and tired and wanted to talk to no one. But, this was another mom of young kids calling... so I took her call. We had a deal -- we called each other if there was an emergency and we needed the other person to pick up our kids from the daycare we both used. Sometimes just sitting on the playground watching both sets of kids could be SUCH a life saver. What is it that makes use need just 15 more minutes in each day?

She was calling to give me bad news. Her kids had come down with something and she need to let me know my kids were exposed. No biggie was my thought... my kids are resilient and we'll get through the flu quickly... "Oh, it's not the flu?"

How bad could it be? The kids were tumbling together just yesterday on the indoor jungle gym and her kids appeared healthy as horses...

She told me she was ashamed, but she couldn't stand herself if she didn't tell me.... her kids had caught LICE!

My skin crawls and itches just to type the word. Hearing it made my head itch.

She told me to go directly to the store to buy the shampoo. She told me to bag up all of the stuffed animals (my kids had a monster amount of stuffed animals) and to put them in the garage for 2 weeks (her claim is that the freezing temperatures would kill all life on the stuffed beasts). She then directed me on vacuuming the entire house (including all furniture and drapes), washing all clothing in scalding temperatures, changing bedding, and all other cleaning precautions taken to avoid multiple and lingering LICE infestations.

I had worked all day the day before, overnight, and a good part of the morning. I was so physically exhausted I thought I was going to die..... and now I had to battle LICE?

I was ready to be shot.

It didn't help that I was on my period and grumpy anyway; now I had to go to the grocery store to buy shampoo that kills LICE. That and tampons.

I called my dear Hubby and told him to strip the beds and the kids. I went to the supermarket in my filthy state (having worked overnight) and I was wishing that NOBODY I knew would see me. I knew my hair looked unwashed and my eyes were red. My clothing was dirty and I was completely disheveled. I hoped that there would be no witnesses to my complete grossness.

I searched and found the LICE killing shampoo. I picked up my feminine supplies while I was at it. By now it was late afternoon and I knew I had a long night ahead of me.... so I put a 6 pack of beer in the cart. I was red eyed, dirty, and now I was buying tampons, beer, and LICE shampoo. All I needed now were generic cigarettes to complete the picture, I know that is what you are thinking.

I got to the checkout line and was kind of creeped out by the odd looking male cashier... but it was the only checkout open so I unloaded my shopping basket onto the counter. He glanced at me and then at my purchases. He proceeded to scan them trying not to make eye contact with me. He bagged my items and gave me my total... trying NOT to make eye contact still. I mean, doesn't everyone buy tampons, beer, and LICE shampoo? Apparently I was creeping him out more than he was creeping ME out! And doesn't everyone look like PURE HELL when they are buying LICE shampoo, tampons, and beer?

Needless to say, the scenario suddenly struck me as was beyond funny... I was handing my money to him as I realized that he was trying to hold it together and not giggle (or run like hell?).

I took my change and thanked him. He gingerly handed me my bag.

"Yes. It has been a rough day, and it will be an even rougher night." I said.

He finally smiled. I held my head up and dragged myself out of there.... oh yes, it was a long night.