Opposable Thumb Appreciation Day

When I was a kid, probably 11 or 12 years old, a retired couple at our church asked my parents if I could "Ladysit" for them occasionally. The lady's mother ("Dedo") lived with them, and they didn't like leaving her alone. She got around on her own pretty well and didn't need any special assistance, so they knew I could handle just keeping her company and being present in case of emergency. I was conscientious enough to know when to call 911 if need be. Dedo and I had a lot of fun watching "Young Riders" on TV, eating homemade fudge, and playing dominoes together. It was about the best first job a girl could have!

A few times when I went to Ladysit, the couple's little great-niece was there too. She was probably five or six years old, I'd guess. She was just a normal little girl, except she had no thumbs. I marveled at how she got things done using her index finger in ways that you and I would never think of. She didn't really need any more help than any other six-year-old would have. It was amazing. I think of her sometimes and wonder where she is in life now.

I thought of her especially yesterday, when my thumb went on strike. That's right. My dominant thumb went on strike, leaving me high and dry. I think it was a bizarre repetitive stress injury caused by writing a bunch of notes in print. I don't have reason to actually write something very often now; most of my correspondence is done on the computer, and all other writing is typically short lists or sticky notes for myself around the house.

Do you realize just how often you don't just use your thumbs but need them and rely on them to do common things? Driving a car is the pits with a painful thumb. Just turning the key on the right side of the steering wheel alone with a painfully unusable right thumb is enough to send anyone to the loony bin! And as if that pain is not enough, in your writhing agony you still have to push the fat button on the shifter to put it in reverse, only to have to do it again to put it in drive seconds later! There are plenty of things you can just use your other hand to do, but it is so automatic to use your dominant hand that you've already sent yourself into a hollering tizzy before you think to use your left hand! Pushing the child car seat's safety belt release button is one of those times...HOLLERING TIZZY.

It is impossible to open an unopened bottle of juice with the safety ring still intact unless you have a peculiarly useful left hand. And you can forget lifting anything, even a magazine. Feeding yourself presents obvious challenges as well. Opening door knobs...pushing buttons on the remote...scooping ice cream...zipping a zipper...cutting with a knife...removing and replacing the lid on a sippy cup (the kind that pulls off and pushes tightly back on)...typing quickly...tying your shoes...signing your name, especially on those electronic pads at store check-out counters...even changing a diaper...mostly things that can be done with your left hand, but it's a million times slower and more difficult to do so (especially if you are undercoordinated even with your good hand like me!), and downright EXCRUCIATING to use your defunct right hand despite your thumb injury as a last resort when absolutely necessary!

Be good to your thumbs. Whether you realize it or not, they are good to you.

Calgon, take me away!

It's been a "Calgon, take me away!" kind of morning. I feel like my "sniffles" are not allergies, which I was hoping. It's probably a full-blown cold and getting worse every minute. I got up and dressed to the shoes, makeup on as though I were needing to go somewhere important, all in an effort not to sabotage the day with blechiness. I had high hopes, but what little energy I had was sapped by my budding TWO-year-old, and I do mean TWO in every sense of the word. "Good morning, Ava! Oh, your arms are so cold! You got cold sleeping in your short-sleeved pajamas last night. Here let's put on your sweater Aunt Holly made for you to keep you warm until we get you ready for the day after breakfast." "NO! I DON'T WANT TO WEAR IT! DON'T LIKE IT!"

And that was just before breakfast. That's when I still had some energy. And during breakfast we had some exhausting conversations about her wanting some "MORE RAISINS!" I was so glad Britt was home to help diffuse the situation. After breakfast it got worse (and Britt was in the shower).

"Wow, your feet are cold like ice cubes! Let's put some socks on." "NO!"

"You can't wear your pajamas all day...here let's take your shirt off and put this nice long sleeved one on so you won't be cold." "NO, I DON'T WANT IT!"

You get the idea. It took convincing her to try putting her clothes on by herself to even get her to stay in the same room with the clothes. When she finally had enough trying on her own, she would ask for help, and I would put them on her as though the process had never taken the ugly turn in the first place. I was so close to having to let out a big yell just to release the growing stress and frustration in my body, not AT her of course. Just a big generic release. Patience is not my strongest point, even on a good day. But on a day when I feel increasing like I got hit by a truck, it takes all I have to scrape up an ounce of it in my soul to keep me from running outside for a breather. I almost did that too. Thank goodness her late morning "TV time" came shortly after Britt left for school. Grover and Elmo are good babysitters when Mamas are about to lose it.

Remarkably, lunch went great and nap time was well-received as usual...and accompanied by lots of silly kisses to make the day better. Now it's time to rest up for the next round of TWO.

Happy Apple

I took this picture of a pretty little apple I found hanging all alone in the apple orchard today. Doesn't it look delicious!? There's nothing quite like eating apples you picked yourself. :)

Great Halloween Tip!

I was reading a list of Halloween tips for toddlers on BabyCenter.com today, and I ran across a great idea:

Stage a visit from a Halloween helper
We spend most of the day at Grandma and Grandpa's house getting ready to go trick-or-treating. We always have a good warm bowl of stew with hot rolls to warm our tummies before we go out. Since this is the neighborhood I grew up in, everyone gives my girls a lot of candy. So, I came up with what I call the "Halloween Witch." Before my girls go to bed they pick out a small amount of candy to keep, and leave the rest in buckets outside their bedroom door. When they wake up in the morning the candy has been replaced with coloring books, crayons, a toy, and a toothbrush to help prevent cavities. The girls are so excited to get something new! Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone! --Sharon

With a little modification, I think this might be a new tradition in my family! Thanks, Sharon, whoever you are!

Sweet Relief!

The TV heavens opened up and showered me with show opener blessings tonight! ABC must have heard my pleas...they opened Grey's Anatomy with the masterful opener from last season!!! Henceforth, there is hope for brilliant first season openers!