What Kind of Person?
I have two little girls as I am sure I've mentioned previously. "Diva" will be five in January. She is the first grandchild on my side of the family and the first granddaughter on Peter's side. Little Linebacker is the second grandchild on my side, second granddaughter, but fourth grandchild on Peter's side.
I have created webpages for both of them and both have guest books that people can sign if they so choose.
Sunday, I updated both the Diva and the little Linebacker's pages. Imagine my surprise, when upon checking my email Monday, I am notified that my father-in-law has signed Diva's book but not the baby's. Now, while I call baby, "the Little Linebacker", she is a beautiful little girl in her own right. She just happens to be 25 pounds and 31 1/2 inches long at almost 17 months old. She also loves watching Wrestling with her Daddy and her Uncle. She even does WWE Wrestler, John Cena's, "You Can't See Me" hand wave. It's hysterical.
"Diva" is a girly girl and equally beautiful both inside and out.
I can understand my father-in-law being enamored with his eldest granddaughter to a certain degree. Before Peter and I even got married, he requested a granddaughter. He already had one grandson and his daughter, Peter's sister, was expecting my second nephew. Moreover, he thinks his daughter hung the moon, while both my husband Peter and little brother "Pan" cannot do anything right in his eyes. In short, he plays favorites.
I tried to ignore it at first. Actually, I even tried to convince myself that the reason my in-law's spent so little time with the baby when they were visiting was because she was little. I know, I know, that was a load of crap, because they wanted Diva every chance they could get her on previous visits, no matter how small she was at the time. Truthfully, my father wanted more time with Diva. That was ok this time, because the baby was barely a year old. But I am concerned that he is setting a precedence.
This is what he wrote in Diva's guest book:
"Diva" You are very cute and sweet. This is papa # 1 grand daughter. Papa is very proud and love's you very much." What the hell? He can't go to the baby's page and write something nice? Doesn't he love her too? Or is she just chopped liver? I was and still am, offended on the Little Linebacker's behalf. She is every bit as special as her big sister. What kind of a Grandfather would do something like this?
I am most indignant because I am worried that he will continue this behavior when they are older. The last thing I need is one kid who believes she hung the moon and one with self-esteem issues courtesy of her GRANDFATHER. How screwed up would that be? Growing up is hard enough without adding even more sibling rivalry.
Am I worried for nothing? Or is my father-in-law just screwed in the head? You be the judge.
I HAVE WHAT?
Okay. Yet another malady has befallen me. For the last couple of days my ears were bugging me and I have had a sore throat. It was so sore, that it hurt to swallow and even hurt my ears. Plus, my glands were swollen and I was congested. I finally gave in and went to the Minor Emergency Clinic. I like to go there versus the ER because the co-pay for my insurance is $10 as opposed to $100. The one I go to is 24 hours, so I don't miss work. The added bonus is that if you time it just right, you can be seen right away.
I live in Las Vegas, "Sin City", as it's known. So, if you go after dark, but before midnight you can usually be seen within 30 minutes. It's after the hookers hit the streets and before all the drunken idiots start fighting. So, Peter took me to the doctor at about 10:00 (I missed Dog and Beth's Wedding....but I digress).
I was called back from the waiting room about 15 minutes after we arrived and after the MA had taken my vitals, etc. I was seen by a doctor. I am describing my latest problem and then I add that along with all of my other issues, my tongue hurts. Yes, you read correctly, my tongue hurts! So the doctor looks in my ears, down my throat and at my tongue. He says, "You have an ear infection in both ears and 'Geographical Tongue' " I have what? I mean when I looked at it in the mirror, it looked kind of swollen and bumpy, like desert terrain on a map, but damn.
He then prescribes an antibiotic for my ear infection and says for the tongue thing, to gargle with salt water, avoid all acidic and spicy foods, alcohol and avoid smoking cigarettes. There should be no problem with the last two, I seldom drink and I have Common Variable Disorder, which, for me, manifests itself as asthma. He says if it doesn't go away in a week he'll give me a steroidal rinse to gargle with. Now, being an asthmatic, I know all about steroids. They taste like crap in pill form and in powder inhaler form. The concept of gargling with a rinse that tastes like dirty socks smell is far from appealing. So, I am in hell. Nothing spicy, nothing acidic....in short...nothing with taste....yippee. Today I ate toast, toast and....soup.
Now I had never heard the term "Geographical Tongue" but I think I have had it at least once before. I was about twelve and remember telling my grandmother that my tongue hurt and she said, "You need a cleaning". I had no idea what that meant, but according to either my Aunt or Mom, when she said that, it meant 'enema'. That was not going to happen. I don't remember how I got over it, but I do know that the proposed enema sure as hell didn't.
When the doctor said I had "Geographical Tongue" I wasn't sure whether or not to slap him for being presumptuous or respond by saying "I have Popsicle Toes too, what's your point?"
I have had Michael Franks running through my head all day long...
Don't 'cha know you got the nicest North AmericaThis sailor ever sawI'd like to feel your warm Brazil, touch your PanamaWell your Tierra del Fuegos are nearly always frozeWe got to see-saw until we unthawThose Popsicle ToesThanks Doc, for my newest diagnosis and the re-awakening of my muse. I needed that.
