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Life is just a Monty Python Script. And then your house catches fire.

November 22, 2004 | Category: Mother to the First Power



Bear began the night much better. A tepid bath, clean teeth, fresh sheets, fresh jammies, and hovering at a relatively cool 101.5F. I read him about 8 books, he drifted off to sleep (snoring, head high on pillows, humidifier going full blast) about 9:30PM.

I decided to stay awake until 11PM - the next dosage point - to see how his fever was.

Then CD and I got on the phone.

I think we both had the best of intentions. But ....

I was dizzy, and overtired, and on the phone with a guy who was telling me that I am to blame for everything that is wrong with him. Especially to blame for being angry. That he is justified in avoiding me, and by extension Bear, unless I get over everything and make him feel welcome.

And then the smoke alarm went off in the front of the house.

A candle on the fireplace mantle had gutted, leaving the label on the bottom burning like napalm. It caught the picture over the fireplace, and then dripped down to catch the wood and paper in the tin basket on the hearth. My living room was on fire.

I grabbed a wire mesh waste basket and dumped the eerily burning candlestick into it and ran it outside. Then I raced back in and dumped the entire contents of the firewood basket into the fireplace and open the flue. Then I put out the picture frame, soaking it in water to avoid it restarting.

Breathing hard and looking for something I missed - I realized that I hurt. Because I had burned my hand. Because I am JUST that dumb.

Windows and doors open to vent the place, Bear cocooned in his room, a bag of peas on my throbbing hand, and the phone - there where I'd dropped it - with my angry, angry husband on the other end.

And then it occured to me, with absolute horror chilling my bones, that I have become... a movie of the week.


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Tagged: Corporate, Mommy, Life



Comments


Tell him if he doesn't knock it off I'm going to take my happy birthday wishes back.

I've started the M&M mojo generator and it's directed straight at y'all. It's worked two out of two so far and a similar candy mojo generator was instrumental in ending my unemployment. This stuff works!

Posted by: Jim on November 23, 2004 02:48 PM


If you want a bright spot, at least you had a bag of frozen peas to put on your hand.

I am soooo sorry that I can't be more helpful.

Posted by: ben on November 23, 2004 10:40 AM


I would say it's got to get better from here. Really, what else could go wrong? It's like a country song....(Don't read this if you aren't ready to smile at it all) "My baby's sick, my man is a prick, and now the house is burning like a candle wick." If only you had a broken down truck to throw in there.

Posted by: Tammy on November 22, 2004 04:47 PM


Isn't life just like that sometimes? Trust that God has lots of good things for you once you get through this storm! Hope Bear is ALL BETTER today (I HATE having a sick baby! So scary!).

Posted by: Monica C. on November 22, 2004 04:30 PM


Oh no! I hope your hand is feeling better. As for the relationship stuff...I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.

Posted by: Grace on November 22, 2004 04:00 PM


I'm a fairly new reader, so I don't have the benefits of gobs of your history but this:

"I was dizzy, and overtired, and on the phone with a guy who was telling me that I am to blame for everything that is wrong with him. Especially to blame for being angry. That he is justified in avoiding me, and by extension Bear, unless I get over everything and make him feel welcome."

made me really, really angry for you. I don't know what he refers to, but I think it's unfair and irrational to say that his being away from Bear is all your fault. Being away from his *child* is a choice he made. Being a part of Bear's life should be separate from whether or not he's with you.

p.s. I'm glad you saved the day. :-)

Posted by: Bond Girl on November 22, 2004 03:32 PM


My heart was racing as I read... I'm glad you got the fire out! Movie of the Week? Hah!

We've just been through 6 weeks of illness - we had groceries delivered and hunkered down like it was the end of the world. Sick babies and stubborn husbands make it hard to keep an even keel.

You're in my thoughts.

Posted by: Jenny on November 22, 2004 02:47 PM


Oh lordy. I'm sorry that Bear's sick, sorry that you're dealing with this crap on your own. Hope that you both feel better soon, and that CD decides to be a grownup.

you've got a lot of fans out here in cyberspace...

Posted by: Elizabeth on November 22, 2004 02:09 PM


Bless your heart!! Ice on the burn and the innards of aloe plant on your burn to curtail any scarring.
Sounds to me like CD needs to take a "grow up and get a life" pill. That notwithstanding, since when are you responsible for his feelings. Ignore his son!!! Blank him and the horse he rode in on.
Hugs to you and know that many of us out here are pulling for you!!

Posted by: Azalea on November 22, 2004 02:08 PM


That's it. I'm on a plane. I'm on my way.

In lieu of such heroics, I send my very best along with prayers, Elizabeth, big fat juicy prayers.

Posted by: GraceD on November 22, 2004 02:00 PM


There are now words that could begin to comfort you right now I am sure. I hope that Bear gets better very quickly without a trip to the hospital. I am hoping that your house stays calm and that you and CD can work things out. It has to be a two way road and it sounds like you are stuck in traffic. I'm sorry.

Posted by: Jazzy on November 22, 2004 01:17 PM


That was some quick thinking on your part! Fire is so scary. I burned the crap out of my hand once in the kitchen (yet another reason why I don't like to cook), and I had to keep a cold pack on it for two days, even when I was sleeping. But it healed fine and didn't scar. Make sure you see a doctor if it starts looking oozy.

I don't know what to say about CD. He should be home taking care of his family, even if he decides to sleep on the couch. We all feel like running away sometimes, but we don't because it's against the rules. For better or worse is what we all promised. I hope your near-miss gave him a much-needed wakeup call. He should ask himself what might have happened because he wasn't there to help you.

Posted by: notdonnareed on November 22, 2004 12:47 PM


oh goodness. you are just dealing with so much stuff! i'm so glad you got the fire under control. that's so scary! you were blessed if you asked me that you could stop it (horrible memories). sounds like CD isn't being fair with you at all. perhaps leaving him on the phone was best. he needs to know you aren't going to beg him. you are worth so much more!!

((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Posted by: Fredette on November 22, 2004 11:58 AM


I had the same conversation with my husband this weekend. But my living room didn't burn down, so you've one-upped me. Still praying for you guys. :)

Posted by: Terri on November 22, 2004 10:37 AM


*sending loving thoughts your way*

hope Bear feels better soon. and I hope your hand is ok.

Jen

Posted by: Jen_Jake'smom on November 22, 2004 09:44 AM