the domestic zoo

A whole ‘nother six months under my belt. Exciting, no?

The field school is a week away, and I’ve started tossing stuff into the two duffel bags on my desk. I’ve made a list, and checked it twice (and then some), which probably makes me a wee bit obsessive, but because I am a traveler in this household and of this family, I already know that I will forget something at the last minute. I’d just prefer to minimize the somethings that I’ll forget…

One thing I’ve already checked off my To Do list: pre-ordering Deathly Hallows. The real key will be to resist tearing into it the moment I get home: “How was your trip?” “Read the blog! I’ve got to know what happens to Harry…”

Tiny Tim is cleaning her room, an occasion of truly monumental significance in our home. Mostly because we’ve all been afraid to set foot in there for the past several months. Her motivation is to re-paint her walls and re-decorate her room, so that she’ll actually have a space she can enjoy spending time in. She’s also going to be getting a new bed – a “real bed”, she tells me, like “real kids” have. Maybe I should start calling her Pinnochio (Pinnochiette?)

I realized I never did update on the allergist appointment. Dr. Hickey administered the skin prick test, and I didn’t have any reaction to the nuts (a real shame – I was looking forward to those painful, itchy welts). But just to be sure, I went down to the lab to have a blood test done. He said the reaction was a ‘deep hive’, and while there exists the slight possibility that it was from a virus, it’s far more likely an allergy. I’ll know for sure early next week.

Of course, Heir Hickey said to ditch the moisturizer and avoid nuts. And to be on the safe side, I’ll have an epi-pen with me for the field school.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a dip in the pool. It’s somewhat more appealing now that it’s not greenish colored.

I don’t understand Papa sometimes. I’m not sure what part of that is the Alzheimer’s, and what part is him just being a quirky old man, but he does confound the imagination. Yesterday was another scorcher, and while I was trying to keep the addition cool and comfortable for him, he was doing everything possible to keep it hotter than Hades. I mean, I know sometimes he does stuff and doesn’t understand why he’s doing it, but after he unplugged his fan for the fourth time, I had to accept that there is a high possibility he actually likes the heat.

Hannah spent the night at a friend’s house and I helped her pack, which included putting together a bag of ’safe foods’ for her to eat; she’s taken to calling herself Tiny Tim (though I much prefer Tiny Tina). Well, Tiny Tim was having a bad hair day and wouldn’t leave the house without giving it a thorough conditioning and layer of gel. Which meant that she wanted to ride to her friend’s house with the windows up. In a car with no AC. On a 90 degree day.

These people are crazy.

With Hannah gone, and Stephen in Vermont all week, we decided to take advantage of a kid-free house. Dad and I ran downtown for foodstuffs (with the windows DOWN, thankyouverymuch) and we made a truly gourmet feast of hotdogs and chips and onion dip. Because we’re cool like that. Meanwhile I’m cranking up the AC in a humid climate, eating dinner at 4 o’clock, and thinking – sign me up for Del Boca Vista. This is the life.

…when you go for a walk just after 6 am and the forest actually smells like a sauna. I know it’s just a luxury and inconsequential in this fleeting life, but Lord Almighty, thank you for AC!

In other news, I have an allergist appointment this Thursday morning with Dr. Hickey.

Go ahead, snicker.

I did.

In other, other news, I want to scratch my lips right off. my. face.