I'm A Silly Mami: Living In A Petri Dish   

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Living In A Petri Dish

I didn’t realize that I lived in germ land until I had my daughter. I mean, I am not a total OCD germ freak or anything like that but now that I have a kid I’m even more grossed out than usual.

I don’t like shaking people’s hands. That was always tough working in the corporate world and meeting new clients. When possible I made sure that I always had something in my hands that would prevent me from shaking hands-depending on the person usually. I don’t like to touch door handles if I can help it. I generally use my sleeve or anything else besides my bare hands. If hubby is with me I make him open the door – well he should do it anyway, right. I try to use a napkin when I pump gas as much as possible or my sleeve. Last summer I even kept a glove in my car just for that. I actually stopped going to church because I couldn’t stand shaking people’s hands any more, especially in the winter time-that was the worse. I couldn’t focus on the priest talking because all I could hear was cough, cough, hack, hack, achoo, achoo. I was totally freaking out. I always tried to make an excuse to not shake someone’s hand or I would sit with people I knew. The worst were the seniors, they were always coughing or blowing their noses. I also stopped taking communion. I mean really, why would I want to put something into my mouth that a total stranger has handled. I know they “wash” their hands before handling all that stuff but seriously- oh and the wine, OMG- really, drinking out of the same goblet that twenty or so strangers have sipped out of – really??? Oh, hell no! Just. Can’t. Do.it. If I don’t think about it most of this stuff won’t bother me but I still won’t go to church and take communion.

This week was Buggy’s last pool class at our local Y. We go twice a week and she loves, loves the pool. She could care less about what is happening in class or what the other kids are doing and refuses to participate and wants to do her own thing. Every few minutes I will take her and try and join the group but it doesn’t last long. So last week we are in the pool with the rest of the wild snot nosed little rodents swimming around and what do I see-two big boogers floating by. It was like someone just blew their nose in the water. I just kept thinking, OMG, OMG!  I was totally gaging and tried so hard to get away from that area as quickly as I could and told Buggy it was time to leave. She was totally pulling a nutty at that so I waited a few minutes to distract and tried to bribe her with chicken nuggets. She wasn’t buying it. I kept looking around trying to see if I could find the little rodent who did that but everyone was a victim. All I could think of was what else could be floating in this cesspool.  I was totally grossed out and just needed to get out of there and fast. Screaming or not I grabbed my kid and hauled ass.

Now that Buggy is at the age where we can take her to indoor play areas she gets sick more often. I hate those places but daddy likes to take her there and she loves it. I used to say that I would never take my kid to those germ-infested places but look at me now. Augh- serioiusly! There is only so much you can do in the winter with them. I can only imagine what it will be like at daycare. We toured one last week and so many little rodents coughing and some with runny noses. So many were coming up to her to meet her and she was wanting to join in. I wanted to grab her and put a shield around her so the others couldn’t get too close. But I encouraged her to go and join the others, play with the sick, it’s ok, mama has the hazmat team on standby.

But I can tell you what never bothered me – feeding my dogs with my fork. Yup, that does not bother me at all. I don’t mind sharing my food with my dogs. Never gave it a second thought. I don’t do it as much now because of Buggy but my doggy kids and I were tight like that.

16 comments:

  1. You are funny, because you know what dogs use for toilet paper, right?   One good thing about a swimming pool setting like that, is that they load up on the chlorine, and at least all of that stuff that is most likely floating with you is getting killed.  Just try not to swallow;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know exactly what you mean!  When my twins came home from the hospital they were premature and underweight and I felt like everything, including me, needed to be sterilized at all times, but as they get bigger and the messes are harder to keep clean, I find myself calming down a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gross to boogers floating by. I admit my stomach flipped a little on that part. When I took my son in to a well check appt at 6 wks, it was a place I had never been. I sat in the "sick visit" office before I was told I was in the wrong place. I was trying to shield him from all the hacking. I swear that visit started the colds and ear infections that led to a need for a nebulizer. That's one of those things I wish I could go back and sit in the right doctors office and then see how the following year went for us. 

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is hysterical! You and I are complete opposites where germs are concerned; I love salad, and when I make one for myself...ready...I never wash the lettuce...it drive my wife nuts! As far as handshaking goes, take a cue from Howie Mandel - who has similar issues - he fist pumps.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, the hands are vessels of germs, that's why as much as I can, I try to avoid touching others' hands :).  I keep a hand sanitizer handy, so when people aren't looking, I secretly clean my hands afterwards.  I don't mean to offend others, it's just that I'm too paranoid when it comes to cleanliness :).  I don't want to pass on anything to my daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That must be difficult, to have trouble shaking hands and stuff. It's such a common thing to do. How do you feel about grocery carts and money?! I've heard those are covered in germs too...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ewwwww! That's why I dislike pools. I mean, I still swim in them sometimes but I have to really check 'em out before I jump in. Swimming with snot is definitely out of the question!

    ReplyDelete
  8. ha! I have turned into a germ lunatic this winter. My son got sick twice at the beginning of the season and ever since then I wipe down every surface he touches out in public and secretly freak out every time we go to the library or the grocery store. I carry antiseptic wipes with me EVERYWHERE and I use them!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know it's crazy but not my dogs - they would never do that - LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Ashleigh,

    I totally hear you. Most of the time all that stuff doesn't really bother me unless something really triggers it. It's the outside world that is hard to control. Thanks for stopping by

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey Kenya,

    it totally amazes me how kids catch each other's cold. My daughter got sick once just from my nephew hugging her. such a vicious cycle. thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  12. hey Kenny,

    OMG - ha ha yup that would drive me nuts. My husband is like that especially with chicken, he barely washes it. I always make sure I do it. ok, i'm not at Howie's level yet but with all the stuff i keep seeing I just may be close-LOL!  Thanks for stopping by

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do the same!  I know my hands are clean but I have no idea what other people have done! 

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Nicole,

    I do shake hands alot - there really is no way around it when you meet people - I just don't like to and won't if I can help it. I'm not at the OCD level - yet - LOL! For a long time I made hubby push the cart or I will use a wipe or my sleeves if not I try and wash when I can. Yes they are loaded with major germs. Just think how many people touch them after sneezing, babies putitng their mouths on it, etc.  Thanks for stopping by

    ReplyDelete
  15. LOL! yup i hate public pools and never went in them but now with a little one you have to venture into uncharted waters sometimes! 

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Lisa,

    We have been lucky that Buggy has barely gotten sick until we started taking her to those indoor play areas. now it seems like she is always getting a cold. Yup sanitize sanitize sanitize! 

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...