Blood and Flames

At the end of the day, I sit down and take it easy. I deserve to, I've usually achieved in one day what other people take a week to achieve. I often think to myself, "I deserve a medal for making it through today!" But as all mothers would know, no medal comes along.

Sure, I have my Minimum Standards Days. Those are the days when I just get the bare minimum of work done in order to say that "we've managed". Each mum has a different minimum standard. For me, I need to keep everyone fed and clothed, and also relatively happy. This means I only do Subsistence Housework, I try to maintain an even temper for at least 85% of the day, and most importantly, I aim to get through the day without seeing BLOOD or FLAMES.
Then there are the days when I can do a little above the bare minimum. My list of things to do at the moment (Consuela is conveniently absent now that there's a LIST) includes getting a plasterer to fix our bathroom ceiling which appears to be falling in, killing the mouse plague that is living in our compost heap, cleaning up the yard after a few weeks of wet weather, and cleaning up the downstairs floor which has been bled on by Puppity Doggity who has been in season (bleeding and locked up inside) for a week.

But I have recently had a headcold and therefore this week has been a Minimum Standards Week. It's been a nightmare, making me wonder how I would ever cope if I was sicker than I have been. Grocery shopping was a trial as both Chubbity Bubbity and Sonny Ma-Jiminy were Little Pressure Cookers of Fury by the time we got to the checkouts. At least Sonny Ma-Jiminy could be re-directed from his tantrum: he was quite happy to go and "pat the plastic dog" (you know - the Guide Dogs donation bin). But Chubbity Bubbity cried and screamed while I put my groceries on the checkout and paid for them.

As I walked away, I realised that the lady behind the checkout DIDN'T say, "Have a nice day," which was very unusual. It was as if she knew that I wasn't going to anyway.

But at least I got through the day without seeing blood or flames!