Going It Alone

First, my life is not a bad one. I am certainly blessed with the husband I have and my son who is growing and healthy. Please do not think of this as a "poor me" post.

I am slowly discovering how to live this alone/not alone life. Sometimes, it is not so easy. Other times it is. Easter was a time when it was not easy. Not so much for Lt being away (though that is not so easy) but for somethings more simple.

For example, how does one take Easter pictures of mommy and son to send to daddy? How am I to take pictures of Chao lei as he discovers his first eggs on Easter if I am required to help him find them and place them in his basket? Plus, have you ever attempted to mind a 1 year old child and take a photo? It is not an easy thing to do!

Another thing that is not so easy to do... it is my fault of course but what do I do when son is poopy and the diaper is already opened and I reach to get a wipe only to discover it empty and a refill is across the room? ARG! Should I let him go, his hands will go to places they should not go. Should I refasten the diaper that both sides have already been pressed together, well... ew. Fortunately as this event occurred, Tammy arrived to rescue me as I was about to refasten the diaper and retrieved a new package of wipes.

What do I do when the oil light illuminates? Lt says it is usually just requiring an oil change but I am to wait for his return so he can do it. He says there is no need to waste the money to pay someone. But that light... it stares at me... taunting me. It never blinks. Perhaps I should learn to make this oil change. It would prove to the light I am not to be intimidated. I am the master. Or maybe just take it to the garage and have the change accomplished and only not say anything to Lt.

Speaking of cars, were you aware that garage mechanics snicker because you are unaware of where the window washer water goes and the fact it is called "washer fluid"? Why would I know this? Lt is usually the person who sees to these things.

I suppose more things will arise since it is sure there will be more time that Lt is away. Someone must have written a book of things I should know that I am unaware I should know. It is not at the bookstore but it must be somewhere.

BTW.... do NOT allow a one year old child to suck on a dyed blue egg unless you wish your child to have a blue face... and hands... and clothes.

Long Day

This day began early. It seems Chao lei ate something that did not agree with him. I say this because I woke to him being fussy and as I entered his room I could see he had something on his pajamas. As I approached closer the smell became obvious. Poo was leaking through his pajamas. ಠ▃ಠ
My poor baby had poo all over his legs and up his back to his neck. Another mother called this an epic diaper fail. I must agree with her. And for some strange reason, suddenly Chao lei cannot leave himself alone. Ordinarily this is not so bad but when it is covered with poo it is a terrible thing. Fortunately, as I had not showered yet, I cleaned him up and we showered together. The wipes get him clean but still, all that poo? No, and a bath simply would not do.

After cleaning him thoroughly, we dressed and I prepared our breakfast. Breakfast done we departed for the daycare center. After leaving him in their capable hands I began my train challenges to arrive at the campus on time but only just.

I had the pleasure of teaching a first year class of diagrams and circuits. Today's subject was tracing routes. Everyone grasped the concepts very quickly. Except. one. I do not know why there was such difficulty. It is as simple as it can be. In this case it is follow this line from here to there. It is like the first lesson in cooking which is "This is the kitchen."Very basic. If you cannot do this, your future in computers is uncertain dismal. After two hours of instructing this one student I had to stop for a seminar requiring my attendance. I passed him to one of my brighter students. Hopefully there is no repeat of this tomorrow.

Now I am home. I have retrieved Chao lei and the ladies have sworn his diapers have been normal all day. Why then do I come home to a diaper full of soup and a son still fascinated with himself? Arg! I am tempted to keep a hose available for diaper changes. Perhaps he ate some of my Dan dan last night without my knowledge. If he did, I am impressed since Dan dan is very spicey and would bring discomfort to most adults not accustomed to it. If he did, I must ensure he does not do so again!

April Fools

I admit I did not completely understand April Fools Day. Lt takes great delight in tormenting me on that day. I find myself beginning to dread the arrival imagining what he will do each year.
I began my morning with a customary shower. It was not as customary as I thought it would be. It seems Lt thought me to require "flavoring." As I began to awake in the nice hot water I noticed an aroma I thought was him preparing breakfast. It was strong but I thought nothing of it. Then I noticed the smell was getting stronger. I noticed the water changing color. Chicken bouillon does not smell near so tasty when you are showering in it. Lt had placed cubes in the shower head.Grrr.


I have humor. It was a joke. Now we can continue our day... Right?

As I prepared Lt's breakfast I very carefully checked every cabinet and drawer I opened to be sure I would not be caught again. All he did was sit there and smile at me. I am unsure which is worse. The joke or the anticipation of the joke. His smile told me there was sure to be more. It is unusual for me to wish for him to be gone as soon as possible. I fixed a wary eye on him until he left but he unnerved me such that I found myself trembling slightly. Finally gone, I began to relax.

I retreated to my computer to answer last minute e-mails before beginning my day. It seems the joke was set to a delay. I found this only too late. I now know what my heart looks like and tastes like. Of course such a noise brought Chao lei to me to investigate the noise. Finding his mother on the floor trembling seemed to entertain him. I assume this is so due to his squeeling in delight. I fear there is much of his father in him and my future is one of much stress.

I promised Chao lei, Mother would have her vengeance. I began my plans in earnest. I sought advice from the craftiest people I know. It seems Lt has earned enemies, or at the least some seeking vengeance for past jokes, for this day as few were reluctant to assist me .

With my helpers assistance and since one good turn deserves another,  as Lt left his office we struck back. there was a danger in this that the wrong person entered before Lt discovered my gift so we carefully informed all those we found including the Captain (who by the way gave his blessings for each joke upon discovering my morning).

The results were better than I had hoped. When Lt returned to his office he brought with him a bowl of pretzels. Unless he ate them from the floor, and wherever else he scattered them, there was no snacking for him.

No. I was not finished. With the aid of a devious Petty Officer, his drawer was outfitted with a can of air freshener so when he opened the drawer it began spraying. Closing the drawer did not stop it, only the emptying of the can.

After having been witnessed placing marbles in his hub caps, a kind electricians mate offered to do "old school" and place some marbles in the ceiling of Lt's room aboard ship. It seems this comes from a favorite old Navy movie of the sailor. Lt will not know of this one until they are underway. When he does discover it and opens his ceiling, he will discover a note from me that says, "From Mei. I love you. You will not expect the next one. XOXO."

According to the Captain and others, Lt spent the next several hours anticipating the next joke. I am told his leaving for the day was quite entertaining. Not a word was spoken of it when he arrived home. He went to the bathroom and cleaned flour from my hair dryer. It was only fair to tell him to throw away the cream cheese speed stick and open a new one.

I believe I understand this day better now.