It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World

While it may not be apparent from most of my postings, I am actually nearly as interested in politics and world affairs as Cranky. However, since his blog expresses most of my opinions in a different, yet entertaining way, I've decided to let him be the political voice of the Cranky household.

After a hiatus, hubby recently came back to writing. And one of his readers came back to posting comments. Someone who vehemently opposes his views and nastily claims Cranky won't engage in a rational debate or pay any attention to a Republican (ignoring the fact that one of Cranky's favorite bloggers is Andrew Sullivan. And by the way, he enjoys jousting with family members who have different political views). Someone who apparently knows him or at least is pretending to know him, but is too cowardly to "out" himself, even privately. Someone who thinks I must be a saint to put up with him and God help our kids.

To be fair, said reader apologized for the comments about me and our children. But I'd like to make something clear to him or her.

Yes, Cranky's crankiness can sometimes be frustrating, as I'm sure some of my quirks are to him. But if we're going to invoke God or Zeus or any kind of deity, let's get something straight. I'm lucky to have him. Our kids are lucky to have him. I don't care if he's a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, monarchist, carnivore or vegetarian - I would have married him anyway. He's the best husband and father in the world.

On second thought....

I might throw in the whole closet. I think I'm too tired to do this a third time!

Today's Playlist:

"Sleepy Time For Teddy Bears"
"Goodnight"
"Go Back To Bed"
"What Are You Doing Out Of Bed"
"Don't Feed Him Honey"

Throw in the Towel?

It has been 8 months since Cranky Jr Jr entered the world - 8 months since my large pink Ralph Lauren towel made its' way from my house to my doula's car to the hospital and back to my doula's house - where it went missing until now.

If you're not familiar with the term "doula," in my case she was a sort of labor coach, helping me to deliver Jr Jr sans drugs - believe it or not, a much better and easier experience that my first labor with drugs. While I won't say it was a walk in the park, the entire experience was very special for me. She came to our house when I went into labor - I had been in bed, then went to the floor, then back in bed where my water broke and the doula grabbed a towel from our closet to put under me. When it was time to go (frankly I think we should have left a little earlier - trust me, you don't want to be in transistion phase in a jeep on the highway for 20 minutes) I sat on the towel as we drove to the hospital and when they put me in the wheelchair from the parking lot into the building.

Our precious Jr Jr entered the world shortly thereafter (it was a relatively quick labor, at least in comparison to 14 hours with Jr) and the towel went home with the doula. A few weeks later I emailed her about it. She said it had disappeared. We were in touch sporadically after that - she still couldn't find it and I said it was no big deal.

A couple of weeks ago the doula emailed to say it had miraculously appeared! We never got around to going to her house to pick it up. Last night as I sat on the couch with Jr Jr the doorbell rang. There she was, with my pink towel in a bag. I almost burst into tears when I saw her. Cranky was totally unable to understand how emotional I instantly became, but the doula knew and understood immediately - she's had seven kids.

I didn't want her to leave. I didn't want to let go of that experience. I guess that's why I still have the postpartum creams and girly things that I bought for right after the birth. I even have the spray bottle from the hospital - OK, I know you're probably thinking that's too much information. She wasn't able to stay because one of her kids was in the car. When she closed the door I became totally weepy and Cranky was totally perplexed. "Why are you crying? You should be happy!"

The towel is still sitting in the bag. I don't think I can use it. I won't remember which one it was if it goes in with all the other towels. I want to hang on to the tangible things that were part of a special time.

As the doula was leaving, she whispered, "Are you thinking of having another one?"

I looked to make sure Cranky wasn't nearby. "Well, he doesn't want to but....."

Should I throw in the towel?

To be continued...