That which does not kill you, makes you stronger

Several times in my life, I've reminded myself of that Neitzsche quote: That which does not kill you, makes you stronger.

But still, sometimes it all gets to me. Yesterday was one of those days where I felt that I might actually die from it all, but I didn't and today I'm stronger.

Of course, swearing a whole bunch helped.

I left work a little early to get Mar to her piano lesson on time only to be reminded that the school was having a reading event from 5:30 to 7.

5:30!

Jeez, talk about sticking it to the working parents.

I knew it was going to be a time crunch. Bill was working late (or so I thought — the fact that he was actually at home and hadn't picked up the kid is going to remain uncommented upon at this juncture solely for the reason that it still makes my blood boil), I had 35 minutes to finish dinner (we'd put on curried short ribs in the slow cooker in the morning ... hello yummy and thanks goodness for Cooking Light), send Mar off to piano, feed her when she got back and get her to her school event.

Needless to say, my already hectic work day (filled with new tasks) piled with the home-life stress made mama want to cry in her basamati rice. Instead I said the "f" word to myself about a million times while I finished cooking.

(The whole fact that I'm cooking actual delicious recipes is weird to me. I've make a name for myself throughout my marriage as the non-cooker. I guess people can change. Huh.)

As Mar was scoffing down her dinner, I put on my shoes and prepared myself to act like a proper parent in front of the other families at Mar's school — no swearing, no drinking, no stories of drinking, etc.

That's when Bill sauntered in and asked Margaret if she was ready to go. And off they went. Leaving me behind.

It was probably the right thing to do, considering my horrific mood, but still ...

Oh the frustration of it all.

Luckily, I took my frustrations out on the dirt, sticky floor and cat hair.

I guess I should modify Neitzsche's quote to say: That which does not kill you, makes your house cleaner.

Today is one of those days

Today is one of those days where I love my kid, but ...

I want to throttle her.

My kid is sick. I know that I can be difficult when I'm sick, but at least I have the common courtesy to take it out on my family and not on doctors and nurses.

Margaret has a cold and a terrible sore throat. I fear strep so I made an appointment to see the doctor and to get a strep culture.

She saw the doctor. But she didn't get the strep culture.

Why? Because she didn't want to. She said it didn't feel good. Um, sister, no duh. But you get it done so anyway. That's the beauty of life.

She'd stick out her tongue, but as soon as the nurse got the swab in her mouth, that tongue would recoil.

The nurse was kind and patient. I tried to be patient, then I tried to make her laugh, then I tried not to clamp my hands around her neck (successfully! Yay for self control!).

But the doctor said it didn't look like strep ... yet. It was probably just a virus.

As a child I don't ever remember saying no to a doctor or a teacher or anyone in authority (OK, maybe my parents, but I knew it came with a price). I'm not sure where she gets this from, but she's always been like this. I blame her father's genes.

Of course, I do also sympathize with her and am kind of glad that she will stand up for herself (even if it's utterly wrong to do so). And I love her more than I'm frustrated with her, so life goes on.

And she's still one of my most favorite people to be around. Mostly she's a really great time.

I wrote about spending time indoors with her and with our friends and family over here.

At the end of that post, I mention playing the game of Things. The funniest part of playing that game was my dear friend Tracee saying, "I can't make eye contact with any of you" because our answers were so far beyond the realm of good taste.

But at least she didn't drink and drive

Texas police say 12-year-old girl drove mom to bar

LONGVIEW, Texas — A 35-year-old Texas woman has been jailed after police say she made her 12-year-old daughter drive her to a bar. Police in Longview say they watched a minivan turn into a driveway without signaling on Wednesday and bump into a home at a low speed. They say the car was driven by Jennifer Lynn Rosenberg's daughter.

Police say the girl told an officer she had just dropped her mother off at a bar. They say they found Rosenburg at the bar and that she admitted having her daughter drive her there.

Rosenburg remains in the Gregg County Jail on a $2,500 bond. A jail official declined to say whether she had an attorney.

A spokeswoman for Child Protective Services told the Longview News-Journal that the agency is investigating.

But isn't that why we have kids? To drive us to and from the bar?

Wha'?