back in black

Woah. What a week it has been. Ever heard the phrase "When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane"? Have I ever felt like that!

First off, our trip to Scottsdale was a pleasant temporary escape to a refreshingly different land. Lakes, golf clubs and a shoppers-heaven to name a few qualities. When Steven wasn't working we spent most of our time relaxing on the patio by the pool enjoying a guinness or strolling through the gorgeous hotel property. On one walk in particular, I saw many canadian geese all gathered in the grass by the lake, and it immediately reminded me of Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte.... with a few exceptions, like if geese ruled the world.

We returned home on Valentine's Day (Tuesday) evening and I then went off to my evening grad class. Much to my #?@!*&#! dismay I was cited for a traffic violation. Okay... this was the scenario: Making a left hand turn during a special left hand turn-arrow. The arrow turns yellow. It was one of those awkward situations where if I stopped I'd end up inconveniently blocking the intersection, but if I went the light would turn red close to the end of my turn. I decided to go. Well, lucky me, a campus officer was right there and decided he didn't like my decision. Bastard. I swear... my first impression that he was a she, and second impression (when I got to meet this fine enforcer of the law) he looked barely a day over 16.

First off, life is so unfair. I have never gotten a warning in my life. Don't they ever give out warnings? *grumble* Secondly, this was my first ticket ever in the state of Arizona. I've will have lived here for 2 years this June. I was pissed. I came home that evening and said sarcastically to my husband, "Happy effin Valentine's Day - I got a ticket."

The next day (Wednesday morning) I typically go to Baby Boot Camp to work out. But I felt off. And I saw my husband had left his phone home and would be lost without it at work, so I decided to be the wonderful wife I am and bring it into him. Did that. He loved me, of course. And I headed on my way.

Well, #?@!*&#! it all, I got pulled over again. Again. Two times in two days. WTF? For those of you who don't know, I have turned into the most overly-cautious and careful driver the more I have driven over the past couple of years. And especially since I've had my daughter. I drive my husband crazy because I flinch at the littlest things. I always go the speed limit. I freak out if there are erratic drivers around me. I am a cautious and diligent driver. Well, this time, this officer said he got me going 55 mph in a 40 zone with his radar gun. I'm sorry, but with all due respect, I have to disagree. I regularly go 60 mph on our local highway, and that is damned fast. I couldn't fathom I could have been going just 5 mph less than that on a city street. Are those radar guns ever wrong?

And, once again, do people ever get let go or given warnings? Well, not me, and still never one in my life. Somebody up there has it in for me. What did I do? And being a girl, I cried. And cried. And called my husband... And cried.

That night I had chills, vomiting and body aches. If it was stress, it was the most powerful physical manifestation of it I'd ever had.

The next day I learned it was not stress and that I had, in fact, caught a bug. L was unfortunately the one to prove that. Thursday night we were up all night with a tired, vomiting and sad little 7 month old girl. I felt so awful.

Friday Steven played hooky and we all slept just about all day, in between white rice and ginger ale.

What a week. And the title, back in black, is me saying that I am indeed back, but not in my best form, and figuratively in black. I long for an uneventful week. Pray for no more sickness, tickets, or other misfortune.

Now you share what was shitty about your week to make me feel better :o) ... just kidding... but if you really want to go ahead - I won't stop you!