The gift that keeps on giving.....

and giving....and giving. More on that to come. But first, today is the first day I've even felt like sitting at the computer and I just read the comments made by Danya, Amy, and Jen. Thanks for the compliments. I really needed them.

So, how was your Mother's Day? Mine was fabulous except all the pink eye!!! After I posted Friday, Hallie came home from school early with pink eye. By Saturday she had it in both eyes as did Grace. By Saturday afternoon Zane's eye was looking goopy. Yay me. :(

What better way to be reminded of your divine calling than caring for your sick offspring, eh?

Anyways, I was too sick to care, really. I'm beginning to think I might have walking pneumonia or something. Being the stubborn person that I am I didn't go into the doctor. I never do (something that really irritates Curtis). I usually just need a nap when I feel a little under the weather then I'm right as rain. I kept waiting for that to happen. Actually yesterday I was feeling alot better. I still sound like Allison with my emphysema and all, but I feel better, dangit!

Speaking of American Idol, the worst thing in the world happened. It all started back in December. We were having car trouble that turned into bigger car trouble that turned into one car out of commission. We've been dragging our feet about fixing it since then, juggling our busy schedule with only one car, which really turned into me being the family chauffeur, sometimes spending hours in the car every bleeping day! Well, we finally fixed "Herbie" (our Ford) and yesterday was to be the first day that I didn't have to drive people to school. But when Curtis tried to start it the battery was dead. Quickly I got ready and took them to school. Then I went to my O/B appointment, went shopping at Sam's Club, met Curtis for lunch, and dropped off Geanna's birthday present. Phew! was I pooped.

My plan was to pick Curtis and the girls up after my last lesson (Kaden did so great, Jen). Hannah had Achievement Day but I didn't feel that would interfere with my evening plans (American Idol). Curtis put a wrench in that plan when he announced that he had a meeting at the school until 7:30. Good gravy!

"Okay. We can handle this," I thought to myself. I'll record A.I. and watch it when I get home from dropping off and picking up the various people in this family.

Now, we are in the stone age when it comes to technology over here. We have dial-up, one phone line, I don't have a cell phone, and we don't have tivo. I use good old fashioned vhs tapes to record. Do you see where this is going? I must warn you. It isn't pretty.

"Do not touch the tv," I announced to the dinner eaters. "It is recording. Do not touch it!!!" I warned in my sternest voice. "We won't," chorused the kids, mouths full of frozen bagel pizzas and fruit.

I dropped Hannah off at 6:30, bought a new battery, picked up Curtis, dropped off one of his co-workers, picked up Hannah, and got home 20 minutes after 8:00. I sat down to rewind my tape when Hallie announced that for some reason it didn't record.

This is the moment when I lost it. "What!!!???" I squealed. She got defensive. I got mad. She started yelling "It's not my fault! I had to go to the bathroom and when I got back it wasn't recording!" I got madder. She stormed off to her room. "Adam did really good," Grace chirped. I glared. Curtis quickly ushered all the children upstairs so as not to be harmed by "Rampage Mom".

I still don't know what happened, but part of the show did tape before it was mysteriously turned off, and I'm sure the culprit is 2 years old and has sucker stickiness on his grubby little hands. Blast that kid.

I was able to see the first three songs (it cut off during Simon's comments to Adam). I have no idea what happened after that. :(

As I sat dejectedly, staring at the tv but not really seeing it, Curtis gingerly came over to me and patted my head. "Sorry your show didn't tape," he said gently. "I'll live," I said in a monotone voice.

Better luck next week. At least I still have tonight. I'm not going anywhere. If anyone needs a ride it's just too bad! I'm staying put. Besides, I have to make sure the season finale of "Lost" records because I'll be watching A.I. at the same time.

Good grief. I really need a tivo.