BUBBLE GUM, MAKE-UP and NEUROTIC MOUSE HUNTS!


+ you know you're majorly stressed out when...?

a) the doctor tells you your heart rate is too fast and quickly writes our a prescription for anti-anxiety meds
b) same doctor pleads with you to lower your daily intake of diet coke and reminds you, once again, that your heart rate is much too fast.
c) you have become a habitual bubble yum bubble gum chewer; going through a pack a day (for the record: hubba bubba is so much better)
d) when a friend asks you if you want to go to the grocery store with them, you panic feeling like you are supposed to be doing something more constructive than eating.
e) your heart is beating it's own wild tattoo these days and it isn't because you're in love.

answer: all of the above


+ saturday, late afternoon, i sit at my desk furiously printing tickets for the last minute requests before the show starts in an hour. i did not wear make-up... i didn't have the time to even worry about it. in walks actor friend that is in the show. i look up and offer a somewhat meager smile and continue on with my work.

actor friend: are you feeling well?
me: umm... sure, why not
actor friend: oh cause you look sick.
me: i probably am! {chortle}

sunday, late afternoon, once again furiously working to make every patron smile when they approach the box office to retrieve the tickets they ordered only moments before. this time i had come straight from church and had time indeed to put make-up on. in walks actor friend to say hello. i look up and attempt the same meager smile.

actor friend: oh you are looking SO much better today!
me: pause... laugh... ummm.... yeah
actor friend: no really, you do look like you are feeling so much better.

so what's the deal? i mean i know i don't look AMAZING without make-up... but sickly? sad! thank you actor friend for making me self-aware of my pallor without the help of cosmetics- you're a gem!


+ saturday night i get home around midnight. exhausted. my pillow is my best friend. i snuggle in and then i hear the rattling and scurrying of little paws on my messy hard-wood floor. my eyes fly open. i only have the strength to throw a foot off my bed and stomp on the floor- a lame attempt at scaring away my little rodent friend. moments go by, i begin to settle again when... the scurrying and munching noises continue. THAT'S IT! the covers fly from my body. let the neurotic mouse hunt begin!

i cleaned and scrubbed. moved furniture, rearranged books and shelves. i threw away garbage. switched out my summer clothes for sweaters and long-sleeves. i took soapy water to my floors and baseboards- finally cleaning under my heater vent, where i found a small chocolate heart that had fallen by the wayside many moons ago. little tiny teeth marks indicated that my little friend had been here. with victory gleaming on my brow, i triumphantly threw the chocolate away!

then i looked at the clock. 3 am. umm... yeah this isn't normal. but at least i have a clean room!