Friday with a Side of Ice
Friday, Feb. 06, 2004, 10:04 p.m.

QUESTION: Where are my snow boots and umbrella when I need them?

WHAT I LEARNED: You CAN get too creative with a latte.

Another week has come and gone. There�s ice on the ground, kids in the house all day, and I feel a big time cold coming on. I just want to sit in front of the computer for the rest of the evening � after I eat some carry-out Chinese - and have a diary night. I want to wear my Sponge Bob slippers, listen to jazz, and think about things that don�t have anything to do with work, or responsibility, or chores, for a few hours.

There is something about a Friday night. It is like a peaceful pool of warm light that is shining in the spot right between the rush of the week and the rush of the weekend. I love Friday evenings because I can justify lying around on the sofa watching TV, or getting on the computer for hours, or staying up late without the normal exhausting consequences.

It�s just getting through Friday proper that gets to me sometimes. Take this Friday for example. Here�s a brief synopsis of the significant events of this Friday as I see them:

6:30 a.m. � Icy rain is falling. Schools are delayed two hours. I, the mom, have a morning appointment. Not again.

7:30 a.m. � Icy rain still falling. Schools close for the day. I, the mom, still have a morning appointment. Sometimes work stinks.

8:00 a.m. � Icy rain still falling. I walk around on the front porch in my bare feet to see how icy it really is. I deem this the worst idea of the day. My feet feel funny.

8:30 a.m. � I am driving to an appointment even though I would rather not because I have a new manager and I don�t want him to think I�m a slacker. I wonder if he�s working from his warm dry home office today. That's what I'd be doing if I were him.

8:40 a.m. � I stop at the coffee shop for a warming and awakening tall white chocolate mocha. When I put my hand in my pocket, I pull out pieces of ice. When I return to my car, I am shocked to see my brand new cell phone lying in a puddle of icy rain right beside the driver's side door. I am amazed it is still there and that it is still in one piece. Cell phones do not belong in laps. Lesson learned.

11:00 a.m. � In the middle of the client meeting, my nose starts running. I have to use the only Kleenex in my purse � from a pack of bright blue generic Kleenex with a print of little Santa hats on it. Super professional.

12:45 p.m. � Appointment done. I�ve had lunch too. I just need a nice coffee - what with that cold rain. How about some butterscotch syrup in that latte � almost like caramel, right? No butterscotch? You�ve got butter rum? Okay, I used to like those butter rum Lifesaver candies. This could be interesting. No, it�s not interesting. It�s horrible. Just horrible. I cannot describe the awfulness of a butter rum latte. Cost of undrinkable drink = $3.25.

1:10 p.m. � Drive back from client meeting in the pouring rain. Would like to go to bed for the rest of the day but that is the stuff of dreams.

1:45 p.m. � Ditch butter rum latte. Buy more coffee at the real coffee shop that doesn�t have butter rum flavoring. I buy my kids coffees too. I feel better now if quite a bit poorer.

4:00 p.m. � Arrive home. Distribute coffee. Am loved by kids for 3 minutes before they turn back to bugging the hell out of each other (and me in the process). I think I am getting a cold.

5:30 p.m. � Husband tries to dry clothes in clothes drier. Drier gallantly tosses clothes about but drier does not dry anything because there is no hot air being generated. Husband is sad.

5:45 p.m. � Call work friend and tell her I cannot go to her after work birthday bash back in the big city. It is icy. I feel icky. I hope she doesn�t think I�m a lazy rain-sissy.

6:00 p.m. � I no longer just think I am getting a cold. I no longer care if my work friend thinks I am a lazy rain-sissy. That�s because I know I am getting a cold. That is because I know I am getting sick. Now I feel justified in huddling - warm and dry - on the sofa eating Chinese food and watching Trading Spaces while others drive through icy rain and tromp through puddles in sodden coats to buy happy hour drinks in a smoky bar.

7:00 p.m. � Okay, now I really have a cold. I feel really sick. I need tea. I need Santa-hat free Kleenex.

7:30 p.m. � Kleenex use is now in full swing. I bring the box with me from room to room. Now, I really truly don�t care if my work friend thinks I am a lazy rain-sissy. I have a sore throat. I am gargling with warm salt water. I hate gargling with warm salt water. I am not lazy rain-avoiding sissy anymore. I am a person with a cold just taking care of business.

9:00 p.m. � Oh, was I supposed to buy soap for the dishwasher? No clean dishes tonight. I did buy some clothes detergent and hamburger and the latest issue of Woman�s Day during my last shopping trip. Need to remember to refer to illegible shopping list next time.

9:20 p.m. - I am now wearing my Sponge Bob slippers, listening to jazz, and working on my diary. The drier is repaired by husband who is not sad anymore. I have a lot of Kleenex in my Kleenex box - certainly, enough to last the night. I have hot tea and a heating pad waiting in the wings. It�s not my ideal Friday night scenario but it�s all good because after all, I am now officially dawdling in the oasis of peace and leisure that is Friday night.

Today�s Suburban Strategy: Aspirin in the fridge & Captain Kangaroo...

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