A group of my friends has nicknamed me the Field General. It comes from my general take-overish nature and my complete comfort in telling people what to do. They posit that if there was ever an emergency they feel confident that I would whip the troops together and direct us in to action.
The core of this is I am really a mom at heart despite the “No Vacancy” sign that has been hanging on my uterus for 30 years. I am a prodder and a worrier and am constantly pushing friends to fill me in on their “plan”. Quit your job with nothing lined up? I am going to ask what you intend on doing. Thinking of breaking up with your live in boyfriend? I want to know what you have in mind as far as a roof over your head. I know it can be annoying and honestly, I try to temper it, but it is difficult. It is who I am. I worry for myself and for my friends and for the whole god damn Universe.
But despite all this, despite me being an awful nagger and general pain in the ass, I am horrible at taking care of my own life. I still haven’t scheduled a second opinion on my PCOS diagnosis. Frankly, I don’t want to deal with my lady parts and their jankiness. (For any men reading, it is all good up in here! YOU ARE WELCOME. Worry not.) I have needed a wisdom tooth pulled forever but I hate the dentist so I have been putting that off as well. My glasses situation has been abysmal. I can’t see for shit, but eye exams are just a huge pain and I can usually convince a friend to stand in for my seeing eye dog.
I am viewing this new year of my life as an opportunity to be a normal, functioning adult. I need to take care of this stuff. So, I have went to the dentist and a tooth extraction has been scheduled. I visited the eye doctor this week and rewarded myself with two new pairs of glasses. Up next? The hardest part. Off to another fucking lady doctor. Stirrups, you dirty whore. We shall meet again.
How can I expect the troops to follow me if I dont practice what I preach? This cannot continue.
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I’m horrible at taking care of myself, too. Instead, I’ve just recruited a small group of friends to unknowingly act as my personal assistants. “Hey, So and So, will you remind me I have a dentist appointment tomorrow?” “Hey, Jimmy Bob, will remind me to pay my phone bill?” It might not be the most grownup thing to do, but it keeps me slightly more functional than I’d be on my own.
flipflopsintherain´s last blog ..making a list doesn’t necessarily help me stay motivated…
woohoo! I need to do this too…. I have ALL this free time on my hands and somehow it seems that I DO NOTHING….
I went to the dentist today. I had avoided the dentist for about four years, and then a couple years ago decided that I just had to face my fears and deal. And it was fine. I mean, not a pleasure, but fine as far as dental visits go. But I still hate it. As I sat there sweating today, I thought, crap, why did I commit to this every six month thing?
Lemon Gloria´s last blog ..How to stay single in the normal world
Yes! I’m not exactly the same, in that I don’t think that my friends associate me with the mothering type, but I think that’s because I’m too shy about it to be obvious.
I am terrible with taking care of myself though. I had a root canal done 2 years ago that I have never had capped (or is it crowned? I think it’s crowned) and it has chipped. Not having insurance is not really the thing that’s holding me back from taking care of that though. I’m trying to be a grown up and take care of that stuff this year though. And if I can do it you definitely can!
Katherine´s last blog ..I’ve never been very patient
i’ve had to temper my instincts to…well…not piss people off. it’s never been precisely a mothering thing, it’s more of a “don’t be a goddamned idiot” thing. but i too, tend to ignore the things i’m supposed to do - more out of the hassle of it, really, with health things. good on you with practicing what you preach.
dominique´s last blog ..glass cubes
It’s got to be done. And you’ll feel so good once it is.
Ha I hate that kind of stuff too. Getting new glasses is on my “before baby” to do list - I even put money for them in the HSA - but going there and picking some out and wondering if they’ll work ok or if I *really* needed them is making me feel overwhelmed just thinking about it. Maybe I can pay someone to shop for me?
Frugal Vegan Mom´s last blog ..Frugal Cost of Having a Baby
Going to the doctor is pretty much last on my priority list. It only happens if:
a) it affects the way I look, somehow.
b) it involves getting tested, because I am very careful with my sexual health.
c) antibiotics are needed.
Otherwise, I avoid that shit like no one’s business. Good luck, and rally away.
Vie´s last blog ..The Crying
I am exactly the same way! All up in everyone else’s business while my To Do List gets longer and longer. Good for you for finally taking care of some shit - maybe I’ll use you as inspiration
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Mary´s last blog ..I’ll Walk the Seven Seas
I had to laugh when I read this post. My New Years posted listed three similar items:
1. wash my face
2. take out my contacts
3. drink water
God help me when a child takes up my womb as a studio crib.
Heather´s last blog ..The Last Lecture
My glasses are held together by a whole roll of scotch tape. I dare to think yours could be worse. Also my prescription is about 105. Is that possible? No. But i like hyperbole.
Rahul´s last blog ..We Dont Need No Education Is Proof Enough That We Do Need Education
I waited and waiting to deal with the dentist, until I woke up spitting part of my wisdom tooth out, which lead to a visit to the dentist, which lead to a root canal, followed by two wisdom teeth being extracted, followed by two crowns.
Just remember, have yourself knocked the fuck out when you get that sucker pulled. I was not. And the sound it makes being extracted, oh man, when I think about it I want my momma. Fuck that noise
TheDivorcedGuy´s last blog ..Just Some Random Thoughts
I’m not always one for tough love, but I give you kudos for living up to your nickname! I realize that medical appointments aren’t fun, but I’m glad that you are checking them off your list. If you need a buddy or someone to talk to, just let me know. xoxo
You are doing well in your thirties so far. That’s kind of a kick in the pants (stupid ladyparts) to get your act together.
Also, I would like to relate with the field generalishness. I had a whole 3 ring binder filled with plans for the Swine Flu attack last year. Who would stay with who, where the healthy ones would live, where the sick ones would be, back up plans, food, medicine, first aid kids, the whole nine yards. I love it. I swear to God, if this counseling thing doesn’t work out, I’m going into disaster management.
k8´s last blog ..Deep Breath
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