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The Groups
Unexpected kindness (& a slacker apology)
This morning I got up for my early morning walk and workout with my neighbor. No one to twinkle at except possibly the geriatric golf pro at the water fountain. The workout was great and I was able to increase some leg weights a bit. Go me.
Usually I work out for an hour total (that includes the 2 mile walk to and from the fitness center). I get home just after 7am and then begin my morning boring chores. Except this morning, when I got home Mother was wide awake and bringing in the trash bins from the curb.
“Good morning!,” she trilled at me.
My Mother is NOT a morning person. She doesn’t ever make it out the door for work before 9:30 (which sucks as that means she doesn’t get home until after 8 most days). Seeing her up early and DOING house type work kind of freaked me out. As I stopped, numb in my tracks, Mother continues being bubbly and says, “I have the stomach flu and called in sick to work.” Only when she said stomach flu it was accompanied by air quotes.
Um.
We walked in together and I see that she has laid out the weekend bagels (on a wednesday!) and sliced up a tomato for me. Wow. I mean, the fact that Mother even knew where the cutting board was is big news to me. We had a nice, mellow breakfast together and then she says, “So I was thinking that you should have today off. A day where you can do whatever you want or need to do.”
Um.
Pod people have stolen my Mother!
Of course since I am Queen dork I had NO idea what the eff to do on an unscheduled day off. Not a clue. Seriously, my first thought was something like, “I guess I could go hang out at the library…” Mother was having none of that. She had already thought about what I could do and when she said it I was shocked by how perfect her suggestion was.
She wanted me to take her car (her turquoise, super fun, convertible) to go to the new Mac store to get the mouse that I had talked about a few months ago and maybe an add on for Sims. Dude!! Yes please!
Driving around town on a warm day with my hair slapping my face in a battle with wind and aerodynamics, blasting 311 and feeling like a way cooler person than I really am - instant greatness.
I was out, just driving and grinning for most of the morning before I had a panic attack: Who will feed GM???
Rushing home I was all kinds of stressed at what I might find waiting for me at home. Of course what greeted me was a very cute GM, still in her nightie, and waiting to give me my morning hug. She and Mother were camped out in the den with crossword puzzles and good moods.
Of course I was a bit resentful by how smooth things had gone at home. (see, I am a sick, sick person) One likes to feel needed, that THEY are the only ones that can do a certain task. Seeing that Mother had such a breezy time of things nagged me a bit. So lame of me, but yes, I wanted Mother to experience a bad day with GM. Not to punish her, not at all, but just so she could see how things can really be.
Blah blah.
I wish that you all could meet me somewhere for lunch. Wouldn’t THAT be kick ass?!
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oh- & I am so slack on the photo friday theme for this week. My brain is just stalling on a new idea. All I can think of is something SO pathetic, but whatever. So here it goes: Your favorite cleaning tool/s.
SEE - I told you it was going to suck. (like a vacuum, baby) bwha ha ha
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6 Responses to “Unexpected kindness (& a slacker apology)”
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I would LOVE to meet you for lunch!! Heck, I might even cook for ya!
what a lovely idea, I’m so glad you finally got some time to yourself. I know it’s not a lot given everything you do,and I totally understand the wanting to feel needed, but I still love the image of your gorgeous hair streaming away in the wind in your convertible. Magic!
Congrats on a well-deserved day off. Caretaking is a 24/7 job that you can’t call in sick to. I’m glad the pod person who temporarily took over your mother’s body is a kind soul who saw that you needed a break.
And I know what you mean about wanting your mom to see your GM’s difficult side. Although in the end, I suspect it was far nicer for you to return to a peaceful home. On the rare occasion that I called in sick when I taught special ed., I was sometimes pleased to hear about the horrible time my sub had had with my kids, but was always displeased at the mess I needed to clean up the next day (sometimes messes in my classroom, dead fish in my tank, and once a class in need of serious group therapy after their sub called them “the retard class” in front of them). A day off should be a day off, not something you have to pay for later.
And if I could have met you for lunch, I so would have.
hurrah for some time to yourself. it is always hard to take that time we need for ourselves. glad you got it. *hugs*
I had a thought as I read a day late about your glorious gift of a day off: have you entertained the thought that the pod people may have come in the form of your “old” blog? You have said that she now knows the web address - maybe she took a gander and realized how much you have truly given of yourself to help your family. I know that everytime I read your blog I want to rush right over to you and relieve you, but alas, that is not so easy. I do hope that although fleeting you truly enjoyed the feeling of the Jacksonville wind blowing thru your magnificent red hair. I have someone I want to put you in touch with. I love you love you love you and hope that the next time this chance arises your first instinct isn’t to go sit at the library. I personally truly relish a good afternoon buzz at an outdoor cafe… but that’s just me ; )
Obviously, you haven’t seen the latest issue of R*al Simple magazine, wherein staff members’ favorite household/cleaning tools are featured. They didn’t think it’s a dumb idea and neither do I! I barely have one, but you know who’s is in there.