Full Time

 My dad worked 6-7 days a week for many many years, in a very labor-intensive job.

My husband has spent many years working 6 days a week off and on throughout the  year, 5 days a week in an emotionally stressful job, and 1 day a week in a more labor-intensive job.

I have been working 6-7 days a week for the past 5 or so weeks in a really soft cushy job.  And I really can't recommend it. I guess I'm just a wimp compared to the men in my life.

Although, in my defense, come to think of it, the men in my life were/are not trying to also stay on top of a household with four busy, messy kids who like to eat.  I have yet to meet a man who is compelled to scrub toilets, vacuum stairs  and shop for underwear after a long day on the job.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Anyhoo, the point here is that I have been spending too much time behind the counters of pharmacies lately.

I have had way too many people talk to me about their bathroom habits.

My favorite one was the tattoo covered gentleman who was so disappointed that we did not carry the triple strength stool softener that he bought at another pharmacy.  Stools softeners do not come in triple strength, but as the pharmacist was politely trying to explain this to him, he went off on a long and graphic explanation of exactly what happens to him in the bathroom after he takes the supposed triple strength stool softener, and how much more effective it really is. I have no idea what it was he took, but I am now an unfortunate second-hand witness to the fact that it indeed worked.

My second favorite was the man who came running in and asked for a laxative.  When asked what kind he wanted, he said whatever works the fastest, so the pharmacist sold him an enema.  He paid for it and ran out.  10 minutes later, he was back in the pharmacy with a big smile on his face. Extending his hand, he said to the pharmacist, "Whatever you just sold me, it worked like a charm.  I just wanted to come back and shake your hand!"  Eww.. Thank heaven for hand sanitizer.

Then there are all the dorks who "lose" their oxycontin, and it always happens to be the day they are going out of town.  Funny how nobody ever loses their blood pressure pills. And there are always a few jewels who are mad at their doctor or their insurance company or President Obama, but take it out by throwing temper tantrums in front of  the pharmacy staff, just because we are living and breathing and standing in front of them.

But enough about all that.....the important news around here is that it is UEA weekend!  I have to work, of course, so the kiddos are on their own for the next two days. It is killing me that I can't hang out with them, but there is nothing to do but buckle down and make the best of it I guess. 

And HERE....(drumroll please)...... is Olivia's first ever self made ponytail!

 She was extremely proud of the fact that she did her own hair this morning.  She has been telling me lately that she is getting older, turning seven next year and all, and can do a lot of things on her own.  She even stayed by herself today for the first time ever. It was for about 3 minutes, mind you, but it's a start, and it did wonders for her self esteem..

About the hair....it took every ounce of self restraint I could muster to not start over on that ponytail.  I wanted to brush it out nicely and send her off to school looking my version of presentable, but I refrained.  She was SO PROUD of herself, and she actually did a fantastic job, and really, who cares what anybody else thinks of her mother?