I had only a short stint acquiring merit badges through Brownies before I ditched the tight-fitting, drab outfit and geek stigma that went along with it.
Ok, I was/am still a geek. However, now I am proud of it. And looking for a new club to join.
Thanks to The Toby Show, I now have a source for Mama Merit Badges. And, if I’m really lucky, I’ll win the entire set from The Crafty Crow (visit here to enter to win)
Here’s the one I earned last Saturday…
The up side to JumbleSon’s 2 year old tantrums (as opposed to his 2 day old, 3 month old, year old, 15 month old, etc…you get the picture…tantrums) is that they don’t last long. The down side (like his 2 day old, 3 month old, year old, 15 month old, etc. variety) is that they happen when you least expect them and they are shrill.
“Shrill” as in glass breaking pitch. And “when you least expect them” as in, he’s lulled you into a false sense of calmness for as many as 18 hours between fits, so you’re breathing normally again and think it’s safe to go out in public, or even a restaurant.
So there we were. The last night of our trip. We thought a meal at the Body Cafe would hit the spot. We’d had the most successful dining out experience of JumbleSon’s life just 28 hours before at La Posta in Mesilla. I was feeling confident.
The Body Cafe was lovely. Modern. Zen. Quiet. Calm. People were eating alone with books, or talking in subdued tones with their dining partners. It felt good. The food was divine. All was going well until…
There was 1 slice of avocado on JumbleSon’s plate. He was done eating and done sitting patiently in his chair. I suggested he give it to Grace. Fussing ensued. I asked for the check. Pressed the issue (why?? oh why???). Then it came.
The loudest, most horror-movie-inspired shriek to end all shrieks.
With ear drums popping, my dining partners leaped up in shock and bolted for the door just as I was about to grab the little JumbleBanshee and do the same. But they were faster. The check had not arrived yet. We couldn’t just walk out without paying the bill.
So I just sat there. Totally dumbstruck. Trying, unsuccessfully, to hold back tears. I was afraid to look around because I knew how everyone in that small dining room was feeling. To say that I was mortified is an understatement.
But bless the woman sitting behind me, “It’s incredible isn’t it? That such a sound can come from such a small person?” She went on, “I bet he’ll grow up to be an opera singer.” And she chuckled kindly.
I tried not to vomit.
And was most grateful that my friends quickly returned in time to help pay the bill, and comfort me without holding me solely responsible for their premature deafness.
So, what badge have you earned lately? If you could design a new one for Mama Merit Badges, what would it be?
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