Has it really come down to this?

It appears that the simple things now are the highlight of my entire day.

As many of you may know, I listen to talk radio for most of the day. I feel talk radio keeps connected with the world around me. I also like listening to adult conversations, which are lacking in my household during daytime hours. While I may not agree with their opinions or the topics they talk about, the discussions make for interesting listening.

This morning, CFRA host Steve Madely invited listeners to submit H1N1 questions for an upcoming interview with an official with Ottawa Public Health. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get an answer to a question that has been puzzling me for days. Earlier this week, I heard a news report that the World Health Organization is advising that the half dose is sufficient for young children. However, I've had a difficult time finding a press release or another news article that confirms this news report.

Once Steve asked listeners to submit questions, I logged into email account and fired off an email. I've heard reports that the World Health Organization is saying that one dose of the vaccine (they receive half that what an adult gets) is sufficient for young children and they don't require the booster. I quickly typed. What is Ottawa Public Health recommending? Will my 1 year old daughter need the booster?

Well, I was surprised when Steve read my question almost word for word on the air. I was almost giddy. And I would have likely jumped up and down in excitement if Steve had said my name. So, when dear husband comes home this evening and asks how my day went, I'll be smiling because Steve Madely read my question on air.

And to write that publicly makes me sound kind of lame. But when comparing it to the daily grind of cleaning of crushed goldfish crackers, doing laundry and cleaning up toys, of course this is the highlight of my day. Now I've got to remember to tune in early tomorrow morning to hear the answer to my question.

You know when you are a stay-at-home mom . . .

How could I forget about rush hour traffic?

Apparently I did.

Yesterday I had an 6 p.m. appointment with my friend who is a massage therapist. Since I live fairly close to Hwy. 417, I didn't exactly rush to get out of the house. Although I wasn't exactly running late, but I was pushing it kind of close to my liking. Once I got on the highway, I was shocked to see traffic backed up to the next exit. I had a choice to make: idle in traffic or take an alternative route by getting off at the next exit. I decided to take an alternative route.

For those who don't know me, I'm a very punctual person. I'm so punctual that I sometimes think it is a fault. I started to feel anxiety if I'm running late. I think this stems from my childhood. My father isn't an punctual person. In fact, I joke that he'll be late for his own funeral. My father was in charge of taking us kids to church on Sundays. And every Sunday we were late. This wouldn't necessarily a problem if our pew wasn't at the front of the church. Do you know how embarrassing to walk to the front of the church during the opening hymn? Let's just say as a kid it wasn't the highlight of my week.

After getting off on the next exit, I was still faced with battling heavy traffic. Traffic did peter off somewhat when I got to Hunt Club Road, a familiar route I used to take when I was working. I can honestly say that I don't miss rush hour traffic. I don't miss the stop and go, nor the idling in traffic. I also don't miss the tailgaters. Not having to deal traffic may be one of the more quieter highlights of being a stay-at-home mom