Balance

The news lately is depressing, isn’t it?

The U.S. government is spying on our phone and Internet use.  There’s an uprising forming in Istanbul, Turkey.  Sexual assault in the military is rampant.  There is yet another (unconstitutional) anti-abortion bill being debated in Congress.  Today marks six months since the Sandy Hook shooting, we’re giving weapons to Syrian rebels, and a massive wildfire in Colorado has killed two, destroyed 360 homes, and has forced thousands to flee.

Sometimes I’m grateful for my mommy bubble.  For being able to retreat into and worry about my little world instead of the rest of it.

For instance, Riley has taken up a new (old) habit of climbing into my bed in the middle of the night.  Even more depressing, per an unplanned dentist appointment yesterday afternoon, his right front tooth has to be pulled.  Soon.  As in any day now.  We made it two years, but he started complaining of pain a few days ago, and an x-ray confirmed that “something” is forming in the root.  Something as in an abscess or an infection.

And Dylan. His soon-to-be 1^st grade teachers sent home an exceedingly thick packet of summertime reading and math projects, which is wonderful in theory, but in execution is plain ridiculous.  How on earth will we get it done?  He’s so utterly exhausted by the time we get home from camp each day that I don’t have the heart (or the courage) to suggest, “Let’s write a book report!”

Speaking of camp, I have no idea what the boys are eating (or not eating) for lunch.  I’m not allowed to pack lunches for them, which is mostly a good thing (an amazing thing, actually), but when I pick them up in the afternoon they snack like pigs in a trough.  I’m genuinely afraid they’re going to eat me.

And, what are we doing for Father’s Day?  What am I going to pack for our family vacation to Naples (Florida not Italy)?  How will the boys do on our flight to Boston in July?  Is it possible that the last photo book I made was from 2009?  (Yes, it’s possible.  Very possible.)  I wonder if the uniform store has Dylan’s school shirts in stock?  When is Terminix going to tent my termite-infested house?  Will we get a hurricane this year?  The boys have never been through a big storm.  What should we do for Mike’s 40^th in September?  What costumes will the boys choose for Halloween?  Am I going to my 20^th high school reunion in November?  (Yes, my Crazy plans ahead.)

Sometimes I’m grateful for my angst, because I honestly don’t want to think about government data mining, an uprising in the Middle East, gun violence, natural disasters, or the endless failures of our Congress.  In other words, sometimes it’s nice be distracted from the news.  Eventually, though, the anxieties of motherhood make me crave something – anything – else to think about so my head won’t implode.

Luckily, the gym where I’ve been working out (true story!) has televisions at every cardio station, so I’ve had ample time this week to watch bits of the morning news shows, which are chock full of just the kind of fluff my brain can handle.

Hillary Clinton has a Twitter account.  (Her bio ROCKS.)

Daddy guilt is the new Mama Guilt.

One funny blog post can land a Mommy blogger on the “Today” show couch.   (A girl can dream!)

In a never-been-done-before magic trick, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, will now disappear until the birth of her baby.  Abracadabra!  (I wish I could’ve vanished during my last few weeks of pregnancy.)

Lululemon CEO, Christine Day, has stepped down.  (Holy yoga pants crap!  What will become of us!)

Peruse your wedding album at your own risk.  According to David Plotz’s Slate.com article, “This Is The Last Time I Will Ever See You,” marriage, career, kids, and life in general end friendships.

Dads are saying “no” to paternity leave.  (See Daddy guilt above.)

Is zesty too sexy?  Can sex sell salad dressing?  (Probably.)

And just like that, balance is restored in the universe my head.