Eek! I Just Bought Some Clothes!

I don't believe it. I just bought some new boots, a new belt, a new swimsuit and a digital timer on Amazon. I'm freaking out! I spent around $100 for the whole lot, which isn't bad considering what I could have spent, but still, $100! I hate buying clothes. No, wait, I hate spending money. I actually like buying clothes, so long as I'm doing it online. I hate shopping in malls, especially with the kids in tow, because I can never get anything done. But I'm all right with buying clothes, until I get to the money part.

But, I need new clothes. I need another swimsuit, especially after blowing out my knee last night. It's going to be a long time before I can run, so it's back to swimming three times a week, and we may just stay there for a good, so I'll have to get another swimsuit in addition to the one I got. And I needed the shoes. All I've got is sneakers, sandals and hiking boots. What I got was ankle boots, which are a little dressier but great with jeans. And I've been wanting a belt for some time, just a little accessory to dress up my wardrobe. The one I got is black leather with pink skulls. How cool is that!

And the timer? It'll go on a lanyard around my neck (probably the ultra-cool Pirates of the Caribbean one Rachel got me for Christmas). I'll be using it to force me to stick to my schedule, so I don't run too long and screw up everything that's supposed to come after. I tend to do that.

In fact, I'm running too long now. Gotta get back to work.

But EEEEEK! I bought clothing! Holy cow!

The Litany of Things Gone Wrong

It would not be life if things didn't go wrong. Here's the skinny on what's up - or rather, down - at the Madden household.

Two weeks prior to Fantasci 6, the entire family came down with the creeping crud (actual scientific name for unknown upper respiratory infection we all had).

The day after Fantasci 6, the entire family came down with the cousin of the creeping crud, an all new yet strangely familiar upper respiratory disease with bonus symptoms (i.e. Cassie puked at school).

The sedan kept stalling on Michael, forcing him to take it in to be serviced. The diagnosis? A fried alternator that needed to be replaced to the tune of a couple hundred dollars.

Our oven died, and was replaced to the tune of $500.

A sensor in the front driver's side wheel of our SUV went wonky (again, another actual scientific term) and had to be replaced. To the tune of $440. As an added bonus, Sam and I got to spend two whole hours in the Saturn dealership waiting for this to be fixed. Yea!

Yesterday, everyone but me came down sick with the mother of the cousin of the creeping crud (and yes, that really is its scientific disease name). Sam can barely breathe, which makes breastfeeding fun. She's also been using my shirt as a hanky. Eeeew. Michael is so congested, he's walking around in a daze. Cassie hasn't succumbed to it yet, but she's coughing and wheezing, so it's only a matter of time. Me? I'm disinfecting the crap out of everything, including my nipples once Sam's done breastfeeding. And I may just burn my shirt from today...

So how are things in your neck of the woods?

I’m Worth It Baby!

According to the Mom’s Salary Wizard at Salary.com, I ought to be paid as much as $156,000 a year for the work I do. What I want to know is can I get hazard pay for cleaning up all the cat diarrhea?