26 Oct 2007

The Evil Forces Of Fall

Warning: Self-indulgent post follows...

You should know that the Universe is not in Order. That evil forces are at work, throwing expected patterns of development out the window. And you better run for cover before it's too late.

Need proof? I give you Three Irrefutable Signs:

For days now, ever since the thermometer started hovering around 0 degrees Celsius in the morning, I've had a battle on my hands to get my children to wear warmer clothes to school. A thicker jacket, a hat, perchance some gloves.

Benjamin's 7 year old protestations eventually wear down and he can be persuaded to do the right thing. A promise of extra computer and/or playstation time may have something to do with it. [ What?! Don't roll your eyes at me like that. I'm fighting the good fight, people!] Satisfied, I'll watch him march off all snuggly warm, only to have him return from school, his jacket stuffed into his bag, blithely declaring that he didn't need it. All day. Because it was So. Hot! Grr.

Christopher is an even harder nut to crack. He simply refuses to put on anything other than his very light spring/fall jacket. Since reasoning isn't working, I've tried appealing to his vanity by arguing that his winter jacket is 'cooler', but no go. Apparently his jacket prevents him from being able to move. And as anyone with two brain cells know, it is vital that he move when he's playing soccer at recess. This is all explained with a look of utter exasperation on his 10 1/2 year old face. Needless to say, he's won most days.

So I've been waiting for the day when one of them would come home sick as a dog. Everyone knows that running around outside, getting hot and sweaty with minimal clothing in freezing temperatures is a first class ticket to illness. Right?

- Sign Number One That The Universe Is Not In Order -

Well, sick arrived yesterday at 5 pm. Only not in a boy. In my jacket-wearing, gloves-sporting self! Ooooh, the injustice of it all. So here I am all, all snivelly and feverish. Didn't get much sleep last night, and kept Mike up in the process. Who still had to single-handedly get our supremely healthy boys ready for school this morning, as I crawled back into bed complaining of all kinds of woes. Yep, he is lucky to have me, that one.

Don't get me wrong. I don't wish for my children to get sick. I am just saying this is not how it's supposed to work! They're supposed to bring home the sick from their germ-infested class mates. Anyone with grade school kids knows this to be a Universal Truth.

And yesterday started out as such a nice day, too. I had a leisurely lunch with my mother in town, followed by a stop at the photographer's studio to pick out our favourites from what was a surprisingly good set of pictures of the clan. We made plans to exercise that night. All was well in Norwayland. Until 5 pm, when BAM, it hit me!

- Sign Number Two That The Universe Is Not In Order -

It is an undeniable fact that a cold is preceded by a sore and scratchy throat. A built-in warning for mothers that it is time to get the shopping and Mt. Laundry reviewed and at least partially tackled. All in preparations for a couple of days of feeling under the weather. But this time around, there was no warning. Nothing. Nada. Nil.

So, consider this your warning!

- Sign Number Three That The Universe Is Not In Order -

....'kay, so I only have Two Irrefutable Signs. But since things always come in threes, I've probably just missed one in my fever-induced haze. I'll be sure to post an update, once I've figured this one out.

Until then, for your amusement, some Benjamin words of wisdom:

*****************************************************

He had already turned his light off when I walked into his room to say goodnight. I bent down and kissed his forehead.

"Good night, Mamma," he giggled.

"How did you know it was me?" I asked.

"Because you are tall and not so hairy."

******************************************************

Stay well and have a great weekend!

36 comments:

Victoria said...

"Because you are tall and not so hairy." *giggling*

I'm so sorry you've got the Sick - rest up and feel better soon!

Kellan said...

I'm sorry you got sick - isn't it wierd how you can be going along and feeling wonderful one minute and then WHAM it just hits you like that - not fun! And my kids are the same way about wearing those winter coats - what's up with that? I loved that comment your son made - and aren't you glad you're not the "harry" one. Hope you have a good day and feel better. See ya.

Kellan said...

Did I say "harry" - (I've got to stop thinking about that Harry Connick Jr. - oooh) - No, it's early, I meant to say "hairy" - I'm sure you knew that. See ya.

Family Adventure said...

Victoria, Kellan, thanks! I am also pleased I am not the hairy one in B-boy's eyes. Or Harry. Depending on the time of day :)

Cindy D. said...

Sorry you aren't feeling well, but glad to hear you're not so hairy. Feel better soon.

sandy shoes said...

It could be worse. You could be feverish *and* hairy.

Feel better soon :).

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

Hope you're feeling better soon!

It's good to know that your son noticed you are keeping up you personal grooming. Not so hairy - very funny!

I needed that today.

Karen MEG said...

Ditto on the jackets and the sickness! It's amazing that the kids can still run around like crazy with runny noses and coughs (without their coats) but I feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks.
Get better this weekend Heidi- at least you don't have to get a shave LOL!

Misty said...

Oh, yes. There has to be something wrong with the universe. No warning? Whatsoever? And indeed, wearing the proper clothing? Hmmm, must be some strange Norwegian virus.

*nods*

Candy said...

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well.

I have a 14 year old boy who does the same thing. (Oddly, my 17 year old daughter has never refused to dress warmly...go figure).

Anyway, my son will wear shorts in October (we live in New Jersey), and won't put on a coat until at least Christmas.

I used to think he did these things just to smite me. There was my problem. He just does it cause he hates to wear a coat.

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

"...tall and not so hairy..."

Hilarious!

I hate those no-warning colds. You're right, the scratchy throat is always the expected tipoff.

Hope you feel better soon.

As for the jackets -- we have to stuff our youngest into his while he shrieks and flails around as though he were being tortured. Very embarrassing when we have to do this in front of teacher and classmates.

Julie Pippert said...

I think 1 and 2 will do quite nicely. Feel better soon!

Julie
Using My Words

hokgardner said...

Granted it's not as cold here in Austin as it is in Norway, but I reached a compromise with the girls by getting them down vests. They think they're the coolest things ever and wear them without protest, unlike their parkas (on the three days a year we need those).

Feel better soon.

Girlplustwo said...

i am always anti-jacket myself. we'll see who's still smug when i am sick in a week.

feel better!

Ice Cream said...

It should be against the very laws of nature for moms to get sick with out warning. It made me shudder to look around me and imagine an instant sickness. Well, trying using it against the kids, tell them you will cough all over them unless they wear their coats =)

P.S. Thanks for your sweet comment. It is so good to hear I'm not the only mad rush cleaner out there.

MadMad said...

Not so hairy! Hysterical! And don't worry about coats! There are enough battles with kids, and little boys, in particular, are always running around, hot and sweaty, no matter the weather.

Mrs. G. said...

Feel better you short hairless fighter of the good fight. Stay in bed and eat some soup. That's an order.

MyThreeBlogs said...

My kids won't wear their jackets, either. It's crazy. But then again they sleep in front of fans (yes, really) and are always, always, always hot!

Hope you're feeling better!

Rima said...

Oh, the injustice! I got hit by a cold last night, too, but yours sounds worse. And judging from his guest post a few weeks ago, I'm sure your husband is welcoming the extra responsibilities your sickness is affording him.

On another note, I have not been to Lithuania since 1994. I can't believe it's been over ten years already. But I have friends who go regularly and my best friend was just there this summer. If you are planning a trip, email me and I can get back to you with the insider info on where to go and what to do.

OhTheJoys said...

Thank goodness you're not so hairy!

theotherbear said...

Hope you"re feeling better soon. At least you're not hairy :)

Kellan said...

Hey - it's me again. Come back over to my site, I have an award for you. See ya.

Lisa said...

I'm glad to know that you are not too 'hairy'! That was very cute.

Sorry you are getting sick, hope you get some extra rest this weekend!

Erin said...

Oh yuck. feel better SOON

Mauigirl said...

Hi, thanks so much for visiting my blog! Now I am enjoying discovering yours!

I sympathize with your indignation that you are the one who got sick when your kids are the ones who won't wear their coats. But kids are also the ones who can go in freezing cold pool or ocean water and play until their lips turn blue and their teeth are chattering, or go sledding until it's almost dark and their pants are soaked through and freezing. When they're having fun they are immune to cold!

Hope you feel better soon!

Heidi said...

Sorry you are feeling under the weather. I am glad you don't have the Hairy Disease, it's been going around the hospital lately. Mostly just the kids get it who don't wear their coats!

Gina said...

Ha! That last line was great!

I hope today finds you feeling better!

Luckily for me, I have no coaxing into winter wear here. This past week we were wearing shorts and flip flops.

carrie said...

Hope you feel better soon.

And if it helps, I had the same arguement with boy #2 this morning when he wanted to wear shorts to school. There was FROST on the ground - I could not allow it. And of course, he came home with his jacket stuffed in his backpack too and told me how hot he was!!!

I agree, the universe is not in order. I blame the full moon! :)

the dragonfly said...

I pray every day that I don't get sick. The Sergeant is in the field for training for a few weeks...it takes all my energy just taking care of the Little Mister when I'm well!

Hope you feel better soon...

Kellan said...

Congratualations to you - it is my honor. I have enjoyed our journey of getting to know each other and I look forward to getting to know you even better. Have a great weekend. See ya.

TheOneTrueSue said...

tee hee You're right - that is completely unfair. The universe is unjust. Hope you are feeling better!

Kristi B said...

I'm all for the bribery by the way! Hope you feel better soon!

S said...

I love "because you are tall and not so hairy." Note that he leaves a little wiggle room with respect to 'hairy.' Love it.

And Norwayland! LOL!

Hope you feel better.

hellomelissa said...

i feel bad laughing, but you made misery sound so amusing!

hope all is better soon...

Aliki2006 said...

I hope you feel better soon!

I loved the comment from your son--priceless.

painted maypole said...

hope you feel better Miss "All tall and not so hairy" :)

I'm tagging you over at my place.