I should have made that connection when you mentioned paying for the bus. Travelling on the bus would also suck. Basically, toting babies around is hard and frustrating work.

I remember with each of my kids, getting to the point where we could do some things without a mega-ton of equipment coming along with us. It was wonderful. It will happen someday for you. And it only gets better. Someday, you will not need a diaper bag. It will rock. Someday in the still distant but I-can-see-the-horizon future, I will need no car booster seats.

But if they complained

If they complain you tell them that your church doesn't have Workman's Comp coverage if you throw your back out. Why would they complain, anyway? The users are more than likely just hanging out in the back parking lot smoking and teasing the junior bridesmaids anyway.

Susan, use the ushers. No one will care. If you say it right they'll be lined up to help you since you're already injured and no one will even think of the money. After all the work you've put into this, not moving furniture is piddly.

I live for that day, Cindy. No diaper bag, no leashes, no strollers, no need for changes of clothing or secret stash of valium.

Susan, as someone icing her back now, whose back hasn't been quite right for over a year -- make sure whatever you're risking it on is really important to you. Or unavoidable. There's a much bigger monetary hole waiting for you on the other side, not to mention just the pain and the mental anguish that accompanies sustained injury.

ita, this is a good point. And really, why would anyone pitch a fit if I said I needed help moving some furniture because I hurt my back last night, and that if we get 5-6 people doing it, it'll take maybe 5 minutes? I just tend to forget stuff like that when I'm in the throes of money panic combined with my particular hatred of asking for help.

For me, it got to the point that there just weren't too many places to go which were worth all the work of getting there. It was okay with just Ben. And Ben was almost three when Julia was born, so that was okay, too. Like Aidan and Kara, there's only 17 months between Chris and Julia. That was hard hard work. I would have to bring Ben and carry Julia to the car, while I left Chris on the porch, in his car seat. I would buckle them in, then go get Chris, and carry him down. I'm amazed I never left him behind. I should have gotten a double stroller, but never did. By the time I realized my error, I couldn't justify the expense for a six month or so period of use.

It's still easier to go places without Chris, but primarily because he has no concept of words like "quickly" "hurry" and "right away".

Deena so glad your Dad is doing better.

No diaper bag, no leashes, no strollers, no need for changes of clothing or secret stash of valium.

I'm trying to imagine a time you don't need leashes. Or valium.

secret stash of valium

I'm just pissed because I've apparently misplaced my secret stash of valium.

I have depleted my secret stash of valium and Kara disemboweled her leash.

I didn't know leashes had bowels.

Ben's team having now lost all 8 baseball games of the season,

Oof, I'm having a sudden urge to fly to Ohio and hit grounders.

Things Coach David Says About 8,000 Times Per Practice

"Down on the ball! Down on the ball!"

"Run through the bag!"

"Good eye! Good eye!"

"Keep your head down, you're flying out. Head on the ball."

"Don't step away. Step toward the pitcher."

Now that I think of it, pretty much all of baseball is related to (a) watching the ball very carefully at all times and (b) conquering your fear of the ball (both fielding and hitting). Because a lot of what you're training them to do is to counter the instinct to Get Away From The Flying Object.