I'm the Best Damned Mommy-Pharmacist in the World (well, mommy/medicine provider, anyway)

I walked into my little local pharmacy yesterday calling stridently, "I'm ba-aack! I just can't get enough of this place!!" The row of pharmacists, pharmacist-helpers, and even the cashier all smiled knowingly and nodded. One chimed in, "Yes, indeed, we have seen you a lot lately!"

I resisted the local pharmacy for years. The confining hours of 8:30 to 6 p.m. seemed like such an inconvenience, "What if the baby needs antibiotics at 3 am?!" "What if I run out of albuterol and Destructo has an asthma attack?!?" I needed the around-the-clock assurance that necessary drugs could be at my fingertips anytime, day or night, anywhere in the country where a Walgreens could be found. Now that the kids are older and, thankfully (seriously, HALLELUJAH, the asthma has been outgrown!) not so desperately in need of their many pills and treatments, I finally started using our neighborhood , old-school pharmacy. Among its many somewhat antiquated charms, it has an enticing candy counter that is pretty much identical to the one I used to drool over as a wee lass, right down to the Fruit Stripe gum, that now send my sons into paroxysms of joy. :)

Most importantly, I like that the people there know me. They have become an extension of our family doctor, knowledgeable in the trials and medical mysteries that make up our little family. They know that we seem to have a persistent ear infection problem with the little one, allergies are rife in the summertime, excema is our bane in the winter, and that Destructo and I have been on a joint tour of all known ADD/ADHD medications known to mankind (and they don't think that I'm running some kind of drug-ring out of our home!). They know that I have different insurance than the rest of the family (long story for another day) that doesn't cover prescriptions and call me to let me know something is going to cost more than expected. They know I like to hop across the street to do grocery shopping at Trader Joe's while they mix up my 'script.

Humourous anecdote from the local pharmacy: I love all the pharmacy staff at this place except for one fella who works there, who I'll call Nosey Parker. Mr. Parker is certainly well-intentioned and a nice enough guy, but my affection for him cooled considerably when I was the unfortunate recipient of a medication that comes in a suppository form (oh, how I loathe even saying that word! it is anathema to write it!!). I politely waited my turn at the counter, rather keenly aware that the pharmacy was oddly busy and there were other people waiting, as well. My item was collected and the inevitable questions begin, "Have you had this prescription before?" No.... "Well, a little advice for you on suppositories:" oh, Lord, no, no, no, no "Don't try and insert them while bending forward, many people tend to lose their balance and fall forward." Do I look like a 98-year-old?!? my stricken face screams "The best way to insert is to lean slightly to the side and lift your leg a bit." NO no no no no He DID NOT just lift his leg while demonstrating?!!? HE did!!! can't this please end? "Oh, and if it is still difficult, just try using a little lube. Vegetable oil is fine." Where is that damned hole for me to climb into and disappear in? Why is this happening??

Even after that appalling moment, our pharmacy is one more piece of this neighborhood that I am going to miss when we move away!

Thank you so much, Carma, for awarding me this completely and totally deserved badge! *pause blink blink* There is a whole set of rules that came with it and I'm afraid I am going to be super-lame and not follow them. I'll never get this post up if I try to do them. I would implore you, though, to go check out Carma's delightfully cheesey site and check out the kind-of really impressive video of her and her son juggling together. The things a mom will do for their kids! ;)