February 8, 2024 - Thursday

Today was the Valentine's Party with co-op and it was...so-so. I decided last night that I wanted to have an ACTUAL chores morning. Not doing the least to get by, but actually picking up every single damn thing on the floor and counters. As we were spending the morning cleaning, Clemi started to feel sick. I was thinking, at first, that she was just trying to get out of cleaning, but as it continued on and I told her she'd miss the party, I realized that it was probably real. Sadly, she did not improve before it was time to go and got left behind. She was super, super sad about it and cried all day. 

The party was a lot. At these huge gatherings, it's really hard to find a good table to sit at. That sounds so simple, but it's true! I never pick right and we're always sitting alone. Because of this, I rarely get to have good conversations, since there's always at least one kid at my table who needs something, so I can't just disappear to someone else's table to visit! It was very frustrating and boring. I brought my camera to document the party, which was pretty fun, and hung out in the games room for a while too. It was just ok. I was really overwhelmed with the noise and having to smile and make small talk and having my kids be upset on and off for hours and was so ready to get home. 

It was pizza and a movie night this evening, and we watched a movie that was weird, but, at least, appropriate. I went to cell tonight and really had a good time. I had several good conversations and, although it made me feel guilty later, seemed to dominate a lot of the talking time towards the end. I kept trying to stop talking, but then nobody else would talk and everyone would continue looking at me! It's hard to stop talking when that happens. :) Anyway, I'm glad I dragged myself out. It was definitely a challenge.