Thanks, Mr. Phlebotomist!

Earlier this week I had to give blood. This is never fun for me because I have the mortifying tendency to pass out. So, so embarrassing. I had to fast, of course. The overwhelming ramification of this is that I could not have my cup of coffee. No. Coffee. I had to get dressed, motivate JT and MO to get dressed, get us in the car and drive to the doctor's office with no coffee. I was not the least bit pleasant. Just ask my kids. No, wait, don't mention this day to them.





So there I was, stomping my way into the doctor's office with a scowl across my face at the crack of dawn. Or maybe it was 8:00 AM, which is the crack of dawn to most homeschoolers. Of course there is a guy hacking and coughing H1N1 germs all over the waiting room. I ordered the kids to not breathe as I glared at the sicko. I would've had all the compassion in the world for his plight IF I'D HAD A CUP OF COFFEE!!!! Thankfully, we only had to wait a few moments before I was called back for the torture.





The phlebotomist glanced at the kids and said, "No school today?" Snarl. I get this question all the time. All. The. Time. I hate this question. I find it rude and annoying. What business is it of the masses whether or not my kids are skipping school? Is everyone an undercover truancy officer? So when Mr. Phlebotomist asks me this question on a morning with no caffeine, I give him a surly, "We homeschool." Then I proceed to tell him all about my ridiculously Victorian tendency to pass out at the sight of my own blood. He quickly and graciously moves me to a private room where I can recline while giving blood. He proceeds to tell me that he and his sister were homeschooled and loved it. He distracted me throughout the bloodletting with wonderful stories of growing up homeschooled. He gave me his positive opinions on the socialization of homeschoolers. I was so wrapped up in the conversation that I hardly noticed the unpleasantness going on with the needle in my arm.





Thanks, Mr. Phlebotomist, for turning my day around!