the would-be writers guild

I wish I could say whether or not this was going to be a regular feature here, but the only thing regular in my person right now is my pooping cycle. I know that makes some of you jealous. I have two words for you jealous people: canned pumpkin. Alright, without further rambling, here is a run-down of the last week:

Long Weekend with Visitors
We enjoyed the long holiday weekend by hosting more visitors. Erik and Isaac from the west came to hang out with Ryan and Christian. To make it a full house, I invited Alyssa down from the north and she obliged. Much fun was had, even though Max began throwing up on Saturday and remained house-bound for the remainder of the weekend. I only yelled at Ryan five times because I take any and all hosting stress out on him. And also because I am having my period.

Tuesday, er, Monday, er, Tuesday
Is it because I’m getting older and possibly more responsible that I have mixed feelings about long weekends? I enjoy myself immensely during the long weekend and then feel a mild sense of panic in the remaining days of the week, worrying about how I’ll make up for the time. It’s probably because I’m a freelancer and there is no such thing as a paid holiday anymore. And also because I am having my period.

Birthday Bratty-ness
Every year, when trying to plan the co-birthday celebrations, I get tense and frustrated. Birthdays are, ever have been, and ever will be significant days to me. Is this the result of being one of eight children who gloried in one day per year that was all about me? Most likely. I like to make birthdays a big deal for my loved ones…and myself. Every year, I feel equally torn between trying to figure out a way to make the day special for both of us as individuals. And every year, I try to get Ryan on the committee to plan out the day, but he would rather watch Sports Center. And every year, he doesn’t care what we do for his/my birthday because he (for some insane reason) believes that it is not that big of a deal. Whatever you want to do, he says. And every year, I feel like a jerk if I come up with a Tiffany-centric idea or a martyr if the days’ activities are Ryan-centric. And all of this inner turmoil is why I ended up snapping at Ryan on Birthday Eve as he was watching Sports Center and I was trying to plan the birthday. And also because I am having my period.

Well-Behaved Birthday (Except for the Crying)
When the sun rose on my/our actual birthday, I was in a peaceful mood. I was granted a little perspective. It came on slowly, about twenty minutes after I took two extra-strength Pamprin. Anyway, it was a low-key and enjoyable day. I enjoyed notes, cards, emails, phone calls, phone messages, and texts from friends and family. I cleaned the kitchen and blasted my music. I put Max on the school bus and met Ryan for lunch at a little cafe. I went home and made a birthday cake, then met Ryan for a movie. It wasn’t a great movie, but we had fun together. (He took a short nap and then worked on an evacuation plan from the theatre in the event that the main character became intolerably annoying.)

Moments before we went out for a quiet dinner, we began talking about a situation in my extended family that is causing some sadness and frustration for some of my family members (sorry to be vague). My empathetic tears began rolling as I got into the car, and although I tried to control them, they just didn’t stop. I quietly cried all through dinner, causing the seating hostess and waiter to look at me with confused, nervous glances. Each offer by the waiter for more bread or a drink refill was said with apologetic tenderness. Ryan was kind and patient as I wiped my dripping nose with the coaster under my Diet Coke. He understands me. And also that I am having my period.

Zits
I don’t get many zits, but this week they’ve met on my face for a small convention. First a painful one on my chin, and last night one has set up camp in my eyelid. My eyelid! See?

I am not happy about this because I am physically incapable of leaving a zit alone. And also because I am having my period.

Thanks for reading. If you are experiencing painful cramps, bloating, or irritability, I’d be happy to share an extra-strength Pamprin with you.

{Fun facts! Number of sentences beginning with “And” in this post: NINE!}