Van der What?

So, like anyone who is following the national news, I was thrilled to learn that the lunatic Joran van der Sloot has been caught/arrested for the murder of that poor girl in Peru. But in my twisted mind, as I read all of the media coverage, I can't help but notice the barrage of wacky names for the people associated with all of this. Let's face it, having the name "van der Sloot" in itself could be at least a misdameanor. And what about the former police commissioner in Aruba - Jan van der Straten - who was responsible for the botched investigation into Natalee Holloway's death, which van der Sloot was also accused of. Two "van der somethings" in the same case? Wierd.

But the best of all is Natalie's stepfather -- who is referred to in the press as "Jug" Twitty. If my last name was Twitty, and I wasn't a country singer, I would make damn sure that my first name was as normal as possible. Bob, Joe, John even. Turns out his given name is George. Not bad, right? In my mind, the real story is not about the murders, but what life event resulted in this man deciding that he'd prefer to be called Jug. There must be a good tale there somewhere.

Really, honestly...I don't mean to make light of a terrible situation. But you have to admit, you are a little curious.

Sick

It's amazing what one sick babysitter can do to a household with two working parents. Forget all the progress mankind has made with space travel, technology, medicine....when some one comes up with a solution that allows a dual-income family to regularly go to work with the comfort that kids will be picked up from school, safety transported, fed, and taken care of until one or both parents make it home, that's when I'll be impressed.

I have had 6 nannies in 6 years....some for very short stretches and some for longer. One left mid-week without giving notice to go back to her out of state boyfriend, leaving us high and dry. Another told a sob story about having to take care of an elderly sick parent in South America...but really left to get a boob job and liposuction and never bothered to come back. Another quit shortly after my young son redecorated our house by emptying a carton of eggs (OK...that one I get). Today, my husband and I have had to take off work to cover for our babysitter who is out sick. Yes, people get sick and I totally understand. But at least in my office when I get sick, there are other people to help out...I can still check my Blackberry and respond to emails, and check and respond to voice mail to handle any emergencies. But when a nanny gets sick....ugh. Which parent will have to make the sacrifice to stay home? Whose job is "less important?" Who can fall more behind at work? There are no good answers to these questions. After the "sick notification" our lives become a flurry of calendar checking and shuffling, apologetic phone calls, begging nearby relatives to drop everything to help and ultimately, in the end, one spouse making the sacrifice. "I'll do it this time...but next time, it's YOU!" Just thinking about it makes me sick. Definitely a "Cosmo-worthy" day.

But, we'll survive...continue to plug along each day waiting for that dreaded phone call or text that throws our household into a tizzy. In the meantime, I'm thinking of teaching my 10 year old how to drive...and perhaps cook. Just as a back up!