Day 7 - Pins and Needles

Things are shifting, there's no doubt about it. Today I stopped into the lab for a routine test and they asked about my kids. I mentioned that my daughter had her little Christmas pageant tonight and out came a $10 off coupon for Macy's, right into my hand! I spent a few extra minutes having a laugh and just being present and not in a rush (because Macy's isn't always there at the mall so I usually need to rush these things.)

I then had a meeting with the priest of our episcopal church. The Lyme and lack of medical license have been getting me down, and I've been thinking of just giving up medicine and walking away. At least I called her, though, which is a major switch from even a week ago. She was so wonderful and nurturing, and gave me some great advice. More than that, I really felt like she heard me (and she told a great dirty joke, too.) I feel like I gave myself a gift by reaching out to her.

I then went to acupuncture where Dr. Jiao said, "You face all bright! You feeling bettah!" and I got to lie still for a glorious half hour while listening to soothing music. Nobody tried to shove a toy pirate up my nose or paint the cat with pink nail polish, although I did have about fifty needles sticking out of various body parts. Interesting commentary on motherhood, huh?

Sadly, I didn't find a dress at Macy's (what is it with all these kiddie HO dresses for the Ho Ho Ho season?!) YUCK. So, I went up to a mom in line and handed her the $10 off coupon - she was quite surprised! I had to circle the store a couple of times because I was a bit shy about it but I finally manned up and gave it away.

I just feel myself softening or something, looking for opportunities to reach out, not to tick a box, but just because I can. I then went to Borders and worked on a project for a while, before doing what I should have done originally and buy my daughter's dress at the little local store in our neighborhood. It was very sweet, made in this fabric but I swear I didn't make her wear a hospital maternity gown because it wouldn't have fit properly.

When I arrived home with the kids the oil had run out. I called the oil company and she said they probably couldn't make it today. "Oh, I didn't expect you could."
"But what are you going to do? You'll freeze - it's going to be a bitter night." (like she was surpised I wasn't raising hell or bitching her out.)
"That's ok, we're tough New Englanders and we've already opened the fridge to warm the place up."
Then she said she will get someone out first thing tomorrow and was very sweet about it.
That being said, I'm in bed with a turtleneck and the the electric heater made for a doghouse right in my face, and a hot water bottle at my feet, and I'm about to go turn the oven on, hoping that the heat will rise upstairs and melt the frost on my eyebrows.

But hey, there was a check in the mail today from USAA for $79, how 'bout that?