Two Sides to a River

My friend asked me the other week if I could housesit and puppy-sit for him this weekend, so currently I'm sitting on his plush leather couch, watching CNN in HD and the puppy is sound asleep...for the moment. Next minute he may be up, just peeing wherever he deems fit. This experience once again reminds me that I am not parental material, as it seems to be a lot of work and I am inherently lazy, selfish and narcissistic. And I like my mornings and my sleep too much. And don't do well with stray fecal matter. Last night I was up every two hours, taking the 6-week old weinreimer out to relieve himself, and then he was up for good at 8. (which wouldn't be bad if I hadn't been at work til 11:30 last night and will be again tonight, so 8am is a little early)
I don't mean to sound whiney but at the same time I'm tired and cranky, so maybe I do. It is such a strange adjustment to have this precious little creature that needs to be constantly monitored; who cries when he's hungry or tired, who doesn't know when he has to go out, who wants to be held whenever he's not toddling around, getting into things. When I'm at work I call the person who's watching him to check in. So odd. I love River and love that I get to watch him, but this experience is just confirming that this mothering skill is not one I own. I respect the hell out of those that do, I simply know that I am not one of them.
(Now he is trying to chew on my foot)
Did anyone see all the press about Sen. Barbara Boxer's comment to Condi Rice about the personal investment in increasing the troop numbers in Iraq? Boxer basically said, "You and I don't have a personal investment in this; my kids are too old and my grandkids are too young and I understand that you don't have any immediate family that would be of age to fight," and somehow it has become a case of Boxer belittling Rice for being a single woman with no children. I frankly don't see it as an attack. Some are made to be mothers, some aren't and by including herself in her statement Boxer made it clear it wasn't an attack on Rice. Don't be so defensive or sensitive, Condi.
(Now River is asleep on my arm so I'm typing with one hand)