Battle Hymns of a Hot Mess Mom

30 minutes left to my birthday – what an amazing day! I got up this morning and made breakfast for both children. A savory oatmeal and a sweet oatmeal, I listen to the children bickering this morning about socks, and who touched each other’s shoes. It was an amazing day because I got to rock out to anything…it was an amazing day because I wasn’t in the hospital and I got to spend it with family and friends; there is no better way.

After the kids headed off to school, I cleaned up breakfast and M burst through my door with these amazing nut cookies filled with this yummy cream. Omg. No, I didn’t tell my children that they exist. I hid them in the refrigerator – don’t judge me. They are incredible…I love them.

I vacuumed and mopped up since I spilled. I always spill now, my hands aren’t steady…I’m not steady. I have made some more “me friendly purchases” because we use the salt and pepper grinder, I bought an electric one because I don’t have the hand strength to turn the grinders. I cut myself last week slicing tomatoes because the chef’s knife is just too big and heavy for my hands. So I bought little 6” knives that are cheap and small, but I sharpen them every time before I use it and it makes a difference. I have more control and there have been less accidents. I no longer use any pot that is 3QT or bigger. If I need so, I ask someone to put it on the stove. I work in the 1QT – 1.5QT pots. Pans that are bigger – I also ask for help. I do what I can do the rest I don’t push it. When my hands hurt, or any part of my body hurts…I stop. I take a break. I start cooking at 2:00pm to get dinner on the table at 6:00pm. I give myself ample time to move slowly and take breaks.

At 11:30am – D and I got to have lunch together. Before I got sick this was our Friday lunch date, it used to be completed with a green tea shake with boba…now it’s just a little shopping at the $1.50 store. She picked up our udon and some amazing tempera that I haven’t had in over a year. I ate ALL the tempera…I was stuffed and so uncomfortable afterwards but it was worth it. We got to catch up a little and talked about our kids…talked about the pressures on middle school, high school, shoes…and clothes. D is my fashion go to. She is ALWAYS put together. Like ALWAYS….I am a hot mess. I wore striped yoga pants, some patterned swirly top and a blue sweater…I told her that I needed help from her. Because she wouldn’t be caught dead in what I’m wearing. She wouldn’t even go to her mailbox. Her laughing and tears…confirm it…I am a fashion hot mess. We laughed hysterically.

I got a text the day before from A that everyone was sick. WTF!!!!!! So no birthday dinner at our sushi place. I have to figure out dinner…what’s my favorite? Chicken and Dumplings.

Did I double the dumplings…yea…should I have stopped, probably. Was it overflowing with dumplings? ABSOLUTELY. Any regrets? None!

L had it for lunch the next day, and I had it for dinner on Friday. It was delicious. My belly was very happy. I need to eat my salad in a bag though…I have been on a cabbage salad kick. It holds up in the soggy test. Most salads are soggy in a few minutes, this one is pretty good as it’s mostly cabbage so it will stand the test of dressing.

My father called me and wished me a happy birthday then told me the benefits of papaya again. Earlier in the week, I asked D to purchase one from Walmart. So I had in to blend into a smoothie. I’ve never had papaya smoothies before…yes even from NY, I get the hot dog from Gray’s but never the actual smoothie…nope. Having now tried papaya…that’s a NO THANK YOU from me. It not only taste like barf, your breath smells like barf afterwards. Of course I googled which fruit goes best with papaya in a smoothie…mango was first on the list. That’s again a No thank you. The mango just made it taste…more nasty.

I was chatting with a friend and told her I was drinking barf. We laughed at this whole papaya situation for about 20 minutes.

B, A, K drove down and while I couldn’t celebrate at the restaurant with them, I was able to chat with them.

I am sitting downstairs laughing my as* off, hyena style.