Tater is home sick today.  His eyes hurt. (How awesome is that picture??)

I am unclear on whether this is the precursor to actual sickness, or some sort of headache, or code for “I need a mental health day.”

Regardless, he is home. Watching Phineas & Ferb (which is apparently more soothing to the eyes than you would expect) and making fart noises with some sort of orange putty.  I am sitting here reviewing strange articles in my Google Reader and worrying about how to remove orange putty from my carpet, and couch, and his hair.

I could make him go to school. I am the adult and all.

But he is generally very committed to going, so when he says he can’t, I have to believe it’s true.

This whole “lull in projects” thing is sort of like an extended sick day. No real urgency to get a lot of things done. Time to take a nap or exercise, or watch Mad Men during the day. That’s all good stuff.  But it is critical that I not enjoy it TOO much.

It’s temporary. I will be super busy any day now.

It is attractive to fill the days – create a whole new routine based around all of the things that need doing around the house, without the pesky intrusion of work.

Sign up for a class.

Start going to yoga every day.

Mow my own yard.

Being a non-working Mom starts to look like a pretty sweet deal.

But the reality is that that is SO not an option. And I probably wouldn’t like it in the long term anyway – and not just because I enjoy having a roof over my head and food in the fridge – and hate mowing the yard.

I need to act like this is NOT the new normal. And not settle in too much.

Next week I am going to learn new things. Update my website. Start to tweet – as me.

Tater will be back at school – eyes fully healed. Or mental health fully restored. Orange putty removed from his hair and the furniture.

I’ll be working – at the kitchen table – with my “assistant” (the dog) at my feet.

Back to “normal” – whatever that is.