Husband is officially gone as of 1:30 Sunday. We had a tearful farewell. It seemed like the movies, until I saw what I looked like in the mirror.
First of all, my “windows to the soul” had clearly been pierced by a wayward baseball. There is this internal waterproof mascara matrix debate I have each time I prepare my face for weddings and funerals. I tell myself that I need the waterproof mascara, because it’s what you wear when you know you’re going to cry. Period. I’ll think back and remember one particularly unfortunate mascara event, and somehow I completely forget that waterproof mascara absolutely burns my corneas out. Every single time. Self-inflicted wound number one.
Nose slobber was no longer visible, but its historical presence was marked by a trail of sparkly residue. Closer inspection revealed lovely broken blood vessels outlining my nostrils, evidence of child #1’s memorable delivery. The price tag that accompanied the useless coverup makeup was self-inflicted wound number two.
My upper lip was inextricably swollen. This was not swollen like Angelina Jolie. It was more, well, think Planet of the Apes. I poked at it until it became even more swollen. Self-inflicted wound number three.
This leads us to the “Guinea” in today’s title, which is self-inflicted wound number four.
Two minutes and thirty seconds after Husband left, I successfully stopped the blubbering by promising a new pet. We are not equipped for dogs or cats, but both children are smiling and ready for guinea pigs in no time flat. I’m suddenly thinking Husband is a real genius. This was his insane idea, and I agreed only after considering the potential shopping therapy it would provide. We check out with two piggies in cardboard carriers, a deluxe furry friend habitat, and the smallest polka-dotted walking harnesses you’ve ever seen. I sign the $200 receipt and think, “He really is a brilliant man.”
Insane to Inane.
The piggies were named Prilla and Buddy, tucked into their cushy condo for the night, and I thought about finally getting some rest. Right after my youngest pulled the covers up and declared it was the best day of his life I started rubbing my eyes again. That mascara was really something else. I was just tired enough to entertain murderous thoughts that involved using the maxo blast lash lengthening brush to give the Lancome Lady an involuntary tracheotomy. I had to pee anyway, so I might as well wash my face again.
Add splotchy red skin to the face described above, and you’ve got an idea of what I saw looking back at me in the mirror. It was the pig rodents. I was allergic. Yes, allergic. Self-inflicted wound number four.
Conclusion: Husband is going to die when he returns. Current execution methods include being eaten alive by guinea pigs.
Also, don’t worry. Buddy is a girl. I may look like an ape, but I’m not an idiot.
Gwenniesmom
May 28, 2011 @ 08:04:29
Loved reading this. My daughter is only 3, so we haven’t had to do this sort of thing yet, but I am sure it’s coming!! And now I will be on the lookout for the deadly mascara apparatus.
Lori Volkman @ Witty Little Secret
May 28, 2011 @ 08:17:31
Haha, well we survived and are looking forward to the homecoming, now. Of course it’s for R&R, so he is turning right back around and leaving in two weeks. But I’m definitely staying away from the deadly mascara apparatus! Glad you liked reading it.
Fer
Sep 21, 2010 @ 20:34:46
Oh goodness: the promise of pets. There really should be a waiting period before purchase, huh?
wittylittlesecret
Sep 20, 2010 @ 18:57:56
Don’t be sarcastic with me. I’ve got waterproof mascara, and I’m not afraid to use it.
DogBoy
Sep 20, 2010 @ 14:48:03
You should be a writer.