Today was very difficult, and it's not a particularly cute or engaging story. To summarize: work was hard, the library where I hide out after school was closed, I am too much of a spaz to buy my own Hallowe'en costume pattern, I am less than 3 weeks from term and have nothing done, my car is out of alignment causing one of my tires to shred beyond repair, the crazy witch below us has taken to watching us enter and leave the building, and there's some weird smell in my car that I can't identify (but is beginning to draw commentary). Tonight, as the Boy was trying to put on the spare tire, I went across the street & bought sushi. When we got home, we ate it on the floor in front of a Buffy episode. Best decision I've made in a long time. Sprout is still alive & kicking, so there's no need to worry on that front.

The only, only, ONLY good thing about today is that a former student gave me a baby sleeper. Not a current student, sucking up for marks or a chance to waste class time - a former student. Isn't that just the sweetest thing you've ever heard? And the sleeper is just so cute. It's green & fuzzy and I'm keeping it at school to remind me that a better life awaits. Today I spent long stretches of time sitting in my desk chair with the sleeper on my belly, thinking of nothing in particular. It's kind of like a tactile mantra.

Okay, so we're down to the last 6 weeks. Sprout could be born tomorrow and still be perfectly fine - although three weeks from now is term (and 6 weeks is my due date). It's making me panic a little. I started making a list of things I need to do.

• I still need to finish buying baby essentials. I don't have enough diapers for this. Hell, I still need to inventory the big bag of second hand cloth diapers & top up the total to 6 dozen. Plus car seat, crib & stroller. Hell.
• I still need to write a novel.
• I still need to mark the essay tests from 2 weeks ago.
• I still need to transcribe the interview I did with Spider Robinson in 1998.
• I still need to put my postcards from the Netherlands in picture frames.
• Wait...I still need to type up my Netherlands writings from last March.
• I still need to file last year's course documents.
• I still need to install & understand Movable Type.
• I still need to paint bees on furniture.
• I still need to buy a winter coat.
• I still need to find out what happened to a bunch of wedding photos that Stacy ordered 3 years ago.
• I still need to mail books to Miri.

Crap. Can we just go back several months?

Booty Call: Day 227 - If your baby is born now, and is healthy, he or she would have an excellent chance for survival, with good care and respiratory support.