Day 38: And now for something completely different

So, first I'd like to tell you a story about the laundromat, yep, the laundromat. I had laundry (I always do!) to do. I took Mira because I couldn't leave her at home alone, a blessing and a curse at the same time. Since it's gotten hot, they've been rigging the door open so you can't shut it even if you wanted too - also a blessing and a curse. The blessing being the fresh air, the curse being that I can't put Mira down because she RUNS straight out and into the parking lot. Not such a great idea for a just barely 1 year old, but so far I can't seem to talk her out of it. That being said, I obviously can't put her down, I have to carry her constantly. Let me tell you that carrying an over 20lb, squirming, squealing baby is no easy task when carrying a laundry basket, getting change loading soap and quarters AND clothes into an about waist high hole for a front loader. So at some point, in front of the washing mashing, loading one thing or another, I leaned in to get closer to the washer. Mira must have leaned in right then too, because I felt a little jerk in her body that let me know she hit something, a shoulder or arm or maybe even a cheek or something. I looked her over to make sure she was okay and she was. The girl didn't even seem phased one bit. Just then, from across the laundromat, I heard "OH MY GOSH! SHE HIT THE BABY'S FACE ON THE CORNER! SHE HIT THE BABY'S FACE ON THE CORNER OF THE WASHING MACHINE!"
It was being yelled shrilly.
It was an older woman, and the longer I think about it the longer I'm convinced she never had any kids of her own. Anyone with kids would know that it was nothing to worry about or spend any time fretting over.
I looked up, there were a lot of people in that small laundromat. I found the face the loud obnoxious and humiliating accusation came out of. Her face was distorted with worry. I really wanted to answer something loudly back, but thought maybe she didn't deserve that. In a world of child abuse and neglect, it is perfectly reasonable for her to overreact to my daughter's very slight head bumping. Humiliated as I was, it was really hard to calmly reassure her that Mira was fine, see, she's fine, look, she hasn't even noticed that anything happened, that is how minor that was, so you can go on about your business.
So that's my little story.

And now, I'd like to share something with you!
If you are buying your coleslaw dressing - STOP! You can make it yourself WAY cheaper, it's very easy AND it is all great ingredients without msg or preservatives or any of that crap. You'll be amazed how easy it is once you try it yourself and you'll wonder why you were buying that crap before.

You will need:
a whisk
a bowl
sugar
white vinegar
water
mayonnaise (real mayonnaise)
salt
pepper

Since I don't know how much coleslaw you are making, I cannot tell you exact measurements BUT don't be discouraged! Just try this and see what happens!
Mix equal parts water, vinegar and sugar in your bowl with the whisk (maybe try about 1tbs of each first). When the sugar is dissolved, add 3 parts mayo (so if you used 1tbsp of water, 1tbsp sugar & 1 tbsp vinegar, you would add 3 tbsp mayonnaise), whisk.
Taste it. Salt and pepper to taste (I prefer A LOT of pepper). If the consistency is a little thinner than you'd like, add a little more mayo (1tbsp at a time).
Some people like to add some Cheyenne pepper to taste or even horseradish, have fun with it; it's YOUR recipe! It takes, maybe, 1 minute and cents to make. When you're done mixing it all in with your cabbage and whatever you like in your slaw, you can say with all of your heart that YOU made this coleslaw.
It's a great feeling.