Danger Pay

As an elementary school teacher I get sick a lot. Despite all of my pleading that my little angels wash their hands, blow their noses at the back of the room and to stay home when they are feeling under the weather, I inevitably pick up a bug every other month. 

Now I also practice preventative medicine: I get plenty of sleep, I exercise, eat healthy, take vitamins and wash my hands obsessively. I even have an arsenal of remedies in my purse and schoolbag. Unfortunately, the dastardly bug that seems to be going around (it's even closed the local emergency ward) has gotten me. I tried the positive thinking (which I believe works for colds, unfortunately not so much for the barren uterus). The Cold Assist (the no-name brand of Cold FX which is just as good) was taken as soon as I felt the tickle in the back of my throat. I even avoided my crazy mother (perhaps getting sick isn't so bad, after all!). 

But as I sit here trying not to throw up or blow snot at my lovely computer, I can't help but think at what my body is trying to tell me. 

I know that I've been pushing myself too hard. It's been a difficult balance with work, needy students, annoying parents (my own and my students'), a demanding online course, and yes, the babymaking (or non-babymaking which seems to be my current problem). Instead of focusing on all of the things that I should be focusing on I've been obsessing about the strangest things. 

Here's my current list:

1. I would really like a new table for the front hall. We picked up all of our tables for our main floor at the local gigantic grocery store. The tables were cheap and therefore have not stood the test of time. I also want some hidden storage. I don't need a new table and I also don't think that we can really afford one right now, but a new table would make me really happy. 

2. I want to move. Although I love my little townhouse relatively close to the water, I'd like a house where I'm not attached to my neighbours. It also doesn't help that our neighbours to the left of us are the loudest walkers in the northern hemisphere!!!!! I'd also like windows on all sides of my house so I can grow more plants. Our house is like a cave in the winter and even though I love my house, I feel the need to spread out a little bit more. 

3. In order to prepare my house for re-selling I'd like to do some renovations that don't cost too much. A tall order, I know. We're trying to figure out if it would be better to redo our kitchen or finish the basement. Both cost tons of money, but I know that we'll get it back when we finally sell this place.

4. I'd also like a new car. Part of our master plan was that I would get a new car when the little JellyBelly's came along, but since our offspring are taking their sweet old time, I'm getting a little impatient. It also doesn't help that we've had so much snow that you can't even see the front of my house for the mounds of it! My incredibly reliable sedan is wonderful and fuel-efficient, but it doesn't have the best traction in all of the white stuff. I've already found an AWD that I really like. But really we should just invest in winter tires. 

5. And of course, my lingering and constant obsession: my barren uterus.  I don't think I need to elaborate on this one.

Perhaps I can start a petition that teachers should get some sort of bonus or danger pay whenever we get sick. I know exactly which kid gave me this bug. Perhaps his parents should be paying for all of my antiseptic throat lozenges! It doesn't necessarily have to be money either. I could take payment in chocolate or Chai Lattes from Starbucks. Or even peace an quiet for half an hour so I could mark a quiz in class rather than take it home. Unfortunately I don't think my union would go for it. But I can dream, right?