I am not at work today to give my voice 24 extra hours of rest. This was a decision supported by my mother, who decided I shouldn't speak above a whisper, and offered to still take charge of the girls although I didn't go to work.

Of course, that doesn't prevent her from leaving the house to take the girls for an outing, only to call here and make me answer the phone.

My mother, is a bit of a ditz. In fact, the reason I enjoy "Newlyweds" on mTV is because Jessica Simpson reminds me of my mom. For instance, when the Simpson girls were all singing 'round the piano last episode- and Jessica says "Wet Your Whistle? I don't know that one..." oblivious to the fact that her sister is shoving a drink into her hand..that was shades of my mother.

Because I let the answering machine pick it up, thinking she would realize that if she was calling to check on my dad, that he hadn't returned.

But no- she just repeated "hello? Hello?" until I picked up.

At least she knows that Chicken of the Sea is tuna.

I think.