I really, really am a good mom. I swear. But I have this one crazy neurosis: when the kiddies are sick (which is almost never), I have to go buy a new thermometer to take their temperature. It’s not that I can’t find ours or that we don’t own one. It’s even worse than that.
I can never remember which one was the rectal thermometer.
I swear we have about eight thermometers in the first aid kit. Yes, I have a first aid kit. What, you thought I’m such a freak that I wouldn’t have one box where all the band-aids and bite sticks go? Jerk.
I’ve even tried writing “Ass” on the rectal thermometer because you would think that would kind of stand out, but it wears off over time and then I’m just not sure which one was which. So every time they are even the littlest bit warm I run to the store and buy a new one before taking my kids’ temperatures, on account of you never know. (note: When my husband is sick I play ass-thermometer-roulette by just reaching in and grabbing one. It makes me giggle, until the next time he kisses me and then I throw up in my mouth because I remember that he might have used a tainted thermometer (pun intended).)
Husband-of-Mine tried to be helpful by telling me to remember which thermometer had been stabbed down in the jar of Vaseline that we keep under the bathroom sink. First, ewww. Second, he had a point. Third, I might have skipped that Vaseline lubing-up step when they were babies. Don’t be stupid, I used KY jelly instead of Vaseline because KY claims that its product is superior for all kinds of inserting of things…just let your mind wander on that one. In my defense, it’s been YEARS since I’ve had to determine a person’s level of illness by cramming something up his or her butt.
All of that over-thinking made me realize that I don’t think I’ve ever used Vaseline for anything. Ever. What’s it even for? I do remember getting jars and jars of it as baby shower gifts, but I also kind of remember throwing them away when we moved because I’d never opened them and they had turned black. I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do to a baby that involves petroleum jelly, other than maybe basting them with it before you cook them over a spit. Kidding. No, I’m not.
As for the usual colds and sicknesses, other than lubing up a rectal thermometer I don’t think Vaseline really comes into play as a remedy. My husband does do this weird swirl-it-on-a-Qtip-and-wipe-inside-his-nostrils with it when he’s extra snotty, but that’s not something that has ever appealed to me. I’ve never been sick enough to think that slathering in Vaseline would cure me. Nyquil, yes. Heroin, maybe. Crack, definitely. But not Vaseline.
Lorca Damon 
[…] There’s Not Enough Vaseline in My Life. Or Heroin. (lorcadamon.com) […]
Nope. I’m good.
I just discovered you and I think I’m in love. Not in that lesbian kind of way, because, you know, I’m a happily married Catholic (the un-Rick Santorum kind) and three children – one of whom is autistic. That last thing has no bearing on the non-lesbian comment, but it does somewhat speak to the reasons I do love thee. Though, really, in the posts that made me adore you the most there was very little Catholicism or autism. Mostly drugs, camels, and Vikings that pay taxes. Beautiful stuff. I was very entertained.
Wow, I love you right back, but because you liked my blog post I suppose if it was really important to the situation I could consider a lesbian-type thing but only that one time. So glad you found this stuff! Now let me buy you something good to read so you don’t have to put up with me…
thanks again!
I like to buy Vaseline because my mom thinks I’m doing something dirty with it. I leave it out in the bathroom just to hear her say, “What ARE you using this Vaseline for?” Sometimes I answer, butt sex. Sometimes I say, wouldn’t you like to know. On occasion I ask if she’d like to borrow some and then shudder when she tells me she has her own.
OMG you’re mom uses Vaseline for butt sex??? a) Doesn’t she know petroleum jelly breaks down the latex in the condom? and b) PLEASE give me her name and photo so I can post it! She will NEVER speak to you again! :~)
[…] There’s Not Enough Vaseline in My Life. Or Heroin. (lorcadamon.com) […]
Nurse sends a hint. The rectal one has a BULB on the end and the mouth one is pointy……just in case. But I use the electronic ear one too. No squinting to see the little numbers. Vaseline? No medical use I can think of…
No, I have all digital ones. Eight, to be exact. I just can’t remember which ones have been where!
hilarious as always, keep ’em coming! write on.
Thanks! I do have to say, I’m a little concerned at how exuberant you were about Vaseline…
LOL! be concerned, be VERY concerned
My ex-wife used to use it to remove eye-liner or some such thing. Anyway, one time I had come back from the store with the ingredients for one of my king-hell salads with all the “fixin’s” when I realized I forgot one ingredient. So I told my ex I was going back to the store. “Can you get me some Vaseline while you’re there? I ran out.”
“No”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not going in the store and buying a cucumber and a jar of Vaseline, that’s why.”
PLEASE be that man. Please be the one whose picture gets taped up in the breakroom, the one who check-out girls literally fear! LMAO!
I’m reading and laughing with tears. I’ve raised three girls, so I know a thing or two about thermometers. But, have you tried taking the kid’s temperature from their armpit? No vaseline, no sticking in mouth, no confusion where end has been, no beating down the doors of Walgreen’s. Just a thought….ROFL.
what are you drinking….right now
cause i need to know, and share in it
Mango Margarita mix but I didn’t have any tequila so it’s rum. It’s quite tasty. Especially if you leave out the margarita mix.
rum is always good