Lessons I've Learned

Scott's in Portland this week so we've been adjusting to life with dad via telephone. Here are some lessons I've learned:

1. By leaving the children who chose to sleep with me, I saved them the long walk from their own beds to mine. I also saved ourselves a battle.
2. Even though Scott is not physically occupying his half the bed, the six year old still ends up on top of me.
3. The cat is unafraid to sleep on me.
4. Don't try to reason with a teenager. It's like talking to a wall.
5. When frustration of said teenager gets too high, tears are pooling in her belligerent eyes, her tone is beyond sassy and all I want to do is reach out and slap her, redirect self. Reach out and pull her to my lap and give her a great big hug. Keep hugging her until the tears are spent for both her and me.
6. The dog gets anxious when she doesn't have food. She will bark until I take food out to her bowl, pour out her old water and put in fresh water. Rather than rush to eat and drink, she will contentedly lay down in the sun in the grass.
7. Rice Chex can be substituted for Rice Krispies when making models of micro-organisms for a 6th grade science project, along with licorice for flagellum and toothpicks for paramecium. 
8. Parent permission slips can be signed while driving.
9. Science fairs can save a child's science grade and can be a fun family activity.
10. My children are more capable than I give them credit. 
11. My high school biology teacher still talks about me to his classes.
12. My neurosis is carefully maintained by a medication that renders me partially dead inside.
13. Skipping a day of said medication results in a cupboard that I have been stuffing all my emotions to fly open and having to deal with the grief of my mother's cancer.
14. Crying on my way to work about my mother's cancer is acceptable as long as I stop in time to dry my tears, freshen my face, and paste on a smile before walking in the doors to be the oh-so-very-competent-counselor.
15. News that former colleague is dying of cancer within the next couple of days opens cupboard all over again. Ugly crying is uncomfortable for everybody around and unprofessional.
16. Rice Chex slathered in butter and marshmallow will put sticky spots on quilt. Hide evidence of eating in bed before husband comes home.
17. It's nice to read in bed until midnight without disturbing anybody.
18. I don't sleep as well when husband is not in bed with me.
19. I sleep better when cat and kids are not in bed with me.
20. Rice Chex treats are acceptable breakfast meal.