You sure can learn a lot from a five year old. As I was scurrying about the house trying to clean, find homes for lost items, pay some bills, write some belated notes and placing the second movie in the DVD player, I announced with a sigh that I was finally going to the office to write my article.
My five year old looked me square in the eye and asked, “What would happen if you didn’t do that-if you didn’t write the article? Watch the movie with me…”
I paused. It is a great question with an easy answer.
The masses would remain silent. There would be no protestors or curious inquiries. The world would continue. Simply put, no one would really notice or care but me.
So, I answered her important, simple and thought provoking question. “Absolutely nothing.” I replied.
She reminded me that is essential and so important to sometimes just slam on the brakes, stop and enjoy what is really important in a Mother‘s life…time together.
So, I am being lead out of my office by the hand of one of my greatest treasure’s…my daughter. And I am chunking the article for some uninterrupted time together just snuggling on the couch together in the middle of a sunny afternoon.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Angry Eggs
It was just one of those mornings. I just had nothing left on a bright and early Saturday. It had been a long summer-with my husband being away and with an extra two twin 7 year old boys in addition to my own two to love, entertain and well…serve.
School had just begun that very week and we were all dragging from the new dawn schedule and mad morning rush routine. And it was Saturday…. Even the cats were sleeping in. And then it happened…He asked, no begged, for a hot meal!
Now, usually my darling husband cooks breakfast on the weekends, but since I had somehow melted the base of our griddle during the summer (and somehow avoided a house fire), it was out of commission and so was he and his infamous pancakes!
“A hot breakfast? You’re kidding right?” I asked.
“Please!” he replied.
Stumbling out of bed, I slowly headed for the kitchen. Amused, I thought about his small and simple request. He is a great husband and really doesn’t ask for much.
I retrieved the eggs from the refrigerator and managed to find some remaining end pieces of bread (minus the mold) for toast. I plucked a bowl from the cabinet and cracked the eggs. I began stirring and then it happened.
Somehow, I just became angry. I looked around the house and noticed I was the only one up. It was quiet. I was tired. And now-I was mad. Selfishly, I wanted someone to just take care of me. I wanted to sit at the table and quietly read the paper while slowly enjoying a breakfast that was prepared by someone else and served- to me!
I whisked those eggs fast and furious. I over greased the pan and in they went. I didn’t even realize that I had set the burner on high.
“Eggs? I will give you eggs…” I thought. I threw the toast in the toaster and randomly turned the dial.
I began making the coffee and fed the cats, now slowly sauntering in, their second choice of canned food since I refused to reach into the back of the cabinet for the other! During this egg-stravaganza, I lost count of the coffee scoops as I shoved the filter back in. I turned the timer on for 20 as I passed the dryer not checking if they were actually dry and not wanting to have to take them out either. I ignored the dishwasher’s green light indicating the dishes were clean and needed to be put away.
Oh, so back to the eggs. Well, they were now a bit dry in the overly hot pan. You know, with the little plastic edges around them that you somehow mesh back into the fold. Smelling something burning, I glance over to see that the toast is well done. I grab some mismatched plates and scoop the plastic eggs and well done toast onto the plate.
About that time, my handsome husband walks in and says, “What’s for breakfast?”
He gets his coffee and we make it to the table right at the same moment.
“Here’s your breakfast…” I say.
He looks at the breakfast, looks at me and sits right down. He ate every last bite of his breakfast out of appreciation, but mainly from fear.
As the girls and I were enjoying our usual bowl of oatmeal and English muffins, I asked, not even looking up, “How were your eggs?”
“My angry eggs were just fine.” he replied.
Later, we laughed about it. He has had angry eggs before and probably will again! Meanwhile, he will be heading to Walmart this week to replace the griddle. He will enthusiastically prepare breakfast for me next weekend and I will tenderly pack his lunch this week.
In marriage and life, it really is all about the simple things. Simple things can lift you up or take you down. They are small actions with large messages-and you often don’t have to look far or hard to see or understand them. So often, they are right there in front of you speaking volumes…just like the angry eggs.
School had just begun that very week and we were all dragging from the new dawn schedule and mad morning rush routine. And it was Saturday…. Even the cats were sleeping in. And then it happened…He asked, no begged, for a hot meal!
Now, usually my darling husband cooks breakfast on the weekends, but since I had somehow melted the base of our griddle during the summer (and somehow avoided a house fire), it was out of commission and so was he and his infamous pancakes!
“A hot breakfast? You’re kidding right?” I asked.
“Please!” he replied.
Stumbling out of bed, I slowly headed for the kitchen. Amused, I thought about his small and simple request. He is a great husband and really doesn’t ask for much.
I retrieved the eggs from the refrigerator and managed to find some remaining end pieces of bread (minus the mold) for toast. I plucked a bowl from the cabinet and cracked the eggs. I began stirring and then it happened.
Somehow, I just became angry. I looked around the house and noticed I was the only one up. It was quiet. I was tired. And now-I was mad. Selfishly, I wanted someone to just take care of me. I wanted to sit at the table and quietly read the paper while slowly enjoying a breakfast that was prepared by someone else and served- to me!
I whisked those eggs fast and furious. I over greased the pan and in they went. I didn’t even realize that I had set the burner on high.
“Eggs? I will give you eggs…” I thought. I threw the toast in the toaster and randomly turned the dial.
I began making the coffee and fed the cats, now slowly sauntering in, their second choice of canned food since I refused to reach into the back of the cabinet for the other! During this egg-stravaganza, I lost count of the coffee scoops as I shoved the filter back in. I turned the timer on for 20 as I passed the dryer not checking if they were actually dry and not wanting to have to take them out either. I ignored the dishwasher’s green light indicating the dishes were clean and needed to be put away.
Oh, so back to the eggs. Well, they were now a bit dry in the overly hot pan. You know, with the little plastic edges around them that you somehow mesh back into the fold. Smelling something burning, I glance over to see that the toast is well done. I grab some mismatched plates and scoop the plastic eggs and well done toast onto the plate.
About that time, my handsome husband walks in and says, “What’s for breakfast?”
He gets his coffee and we make it to the table right at the same moment.
“Here’s your breakfast…” I say.
He looks at the breakfast, looks at me and sits right down. He ate every last bite of his breakfast out of appreciation, but mainly from fear.
As the girls and I were enjoying our usual bowl of oatmeal and English muffins, I asked, not even looking up, “How were your eggs?”
“My angry eggs were just fine.” he replied.
Later, we laughed about it. He has had angry eggs before and probably will again! Meanwhile, he will be heading to Walmart this week to replace the griddle. He will enthusiastically prepare breakfast for me next weekend and I will tenderly pack his lunch this week.
In marriage and life, it really is all about the simple things. Simple things can lift you up or take you down. They are small actions with large messages-and you often don’t have to look far or hard to see or understand them. So often, they are right there in front of you speaking volumes…just like the angry eggs.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sinners and Beginners
Yes, we were screening calls that day. As we finished our lunch, we could faintly hear the message that was being left on our voicemail. “Who’s the sinner?”, our youngest asked as a recorded message from our local Congressman Senator Bob Graham was being played. (No offense, Senator Graham…) Of course, this was worth a chuckle considering some recent and high profile scandals involving several politicians that seemed to be competing with more important and worldly matters. (And you should know, I happen to like politicians-especially since my Dad is one!)
Yes, this little one of ours always seems to know when we need a laugh! As we were leaving a birthday party this summer, I was trying to herd four children ages 3-7 through several yards and to the car…all the while trying to describe the urgency in doing so as a fierce thunderstorm was brewing. As we dashed towards the car, the little one bringing up the rear exclaimed, “Hurry, we might get striped!” My twin nephews, making up half of the described herd, bellowed in laughter as we settled in the car. Of course, we all knew what she meant, but the imagery of striped sure went well with being toasted by the voracious Tampa lightening!
We have gotten quite a bit a mileage out of her toddler takes! Looking for some quick Mexican, she pointed proudly and said, “Tired Bell”! I am sure they are tired with the late hours they keep at that restaurant! (Do you really make money during those hours?)
And then- there is the the crashstand for garbage –which makes sense if you have seen my two trying to throw anything larger than a napkin. And well, the neighborhood for a hood-that has carried so many small items and figurines in it that it could qualify for a full fledged community.
The older one is great for some humor as well! Just the other night, we were preparing for her very first day of Kindegarten. During the back to school night, her teacher had been kind enough to send some “Jitter Glitter” to be sprinkled upon her sweet head to help her sleep! Well, she wanted to make sure that I didn’t forget this task and kept following me around the house inquiring about the __itter glitter! (Now, I will leave it up to your imagination to fill in the blanks – but there are blanks for a reason!) My husband and I were doubled over in laughter as we went over and over the correct pronunciation with her again…and sure that she would announce to her brand new teacher how much she liked it-using the incorrect pronunciation! First impressions-right?
Where there is love, there just has to be humor…at least in this house! We just wouldn’t laugh-or survive without it!
Yes, this little one of ours always seems to know when we need a laugh! As we were leaving a birthday party this summer, I was trying to herd four children ages 3-7 through several yards and to the car…all the while trying to describe the urgency in doing so as a fierce thunderstorm was brewing. As we dashed towards the car, the little one bringing up the rear exclaimed, “Hurry, we might get striped!” My twin nephews, making up half of the described herd, bellowed in laughter as we settled in the car. Of course, we all knew what she meant, but the imagery of striped sure went well with being toasted by the voracious Tampa lightening!
We have gotten quite a bit a mileage out of her toddler takes! Looking for some quick Mexican, she pointed proudly and said, “Tired Bell”! I am sure they are tired with the late hours they keep at that restaurant! (Do you really make money during those hours?)
And then- there is the the crashstand for garbage –which makes sense if you have seen my two trying to throw anything larger than a napkin. And well, the neighborhood for a hood-that has carried so many small items and figurines in it that it could qualify for a full fledged community.
The older one is great for some humor as well! Just the other night, we were preparing for her very first day of Kindegarten. During the back to school night, her teacher had been kind enough to send some “Jitter Glitter” to be sprinkled upon her sweet head to help her sleep! Well, she wanted to make sure that I didn’t forget this task and kept following me around the house inquiring about the __itter glitter! (Now, I will leave it up to your imagination to fill in the blanks – but there are blanks for a reason!) My husband and I were doubled over in laughter as we went over and over the correct pronunciation with her again…and sure that she would announce to her brand new teacher how much she liked it-using the incorrect pronunciation! First impressions-right?
Where there is love, there just has to be humor…at least in this house! We just wouldn’t laugh-or survive without it!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Dinner is Done and So Am I
Recently, my husband returned home from a long day at work in the evening to find three place settings at the table instead of the usual four, two screaming children, one severely burned pan, a home that looked like a natural disaster site and a frazzled wife.
Instead of being met with the customary hug and kiss, I informed him dinner was done and so was I. Without even looking up, I grabbed the car keys and announced I was going out-somewhere, anywhere but here! As I made my way through the laundry room, I heard him exclaim, “Take your time-for the sake of the rest of us!”
As I backed out of the driveway, I knew just the place to go. I headed to Friday’s with a stack of old magazines that I never seem to have time to read, my reading glasses, a craving for a turkey burger and Mojito and someone to wait on me!
When I arrived, I explained that I was a runaway “Mom” and that I needed a quiet booth away from the crowd. So, alone in my solitary booth I savored every bite of my burger, every sip of my drink and learned all about important and not so important issues going on outside my homestead! It was a great dinner…
On the way home, I called my Mother to vent with tears streaming down my cheeks. After a few dozen more,, “You’ll be okay…” reassurances from my Mother while parked in the driveway, I walked back in…My husband, a smart and kind man, took my hand and led me into our bathroom where he had a warm bath and candles waiting. The frustration seemed to melt away as I soaked and soaked. Someone in my house did something for me – and I felt loved and appreciated. It was just what I needed.
Motherhood is so joyful, so exciting but also so very demanding. As a Mom, you are on 24/7, 365 days a year with no sick leave or vacation! It is all about giving and placing your family and others first –with often no time or energy left for you. And when the “giving” tank reaches empty, there is absolutely nothing left. So, how do I fill my tank?
Once a year, I frequent a local hotel/spa for a 24 hour get away! Armed with books and magazines, my favorite bath oils, chocolate and a desire for “all about me” time, I go –alone. I indulge in a massage, lots of sleeping time and am happy to frequent the restaurant that is right there! My husband often says that this is a wise investment because I return so rested, relaxed and much happier and more giving when I return!
I must say too that I really enjoy eating an occasional breakfast, lunch or dinner alone! During my career travels, I became accustomed to dining alone and learned to treasure those uninterrupted moments of peace. So, now in the midst of Motherhood, I enjoy having a meal without looking for lost shoes or children under the table, those endless trips to the restrooms and refereeing yet another argument. During these meals, I love to read, observe others and just to have a moment to think, plan or dream.
One of my other favorites is to relax, nap or read by the YMCA pool-all while the girls are in childcare! My friends know where to find me after a workout!
I love my family. I love my friends. And I have learned that to be the loving, caring, kind, humorous, committed and loyal wife, Mother and friend that I need to be-I have to love me. And sometimes that means filling my tank by simply just being alone.
So, make an effort to fill your own tank this month! Push aside the chaos, chatter and clutter – and take time to recharge, regroup and revive your own soul…quietly. You and your own family will be glad you did!
Instead of being met with the customary hug and kiss, I informed him dinner was done and so was I. Without even looking up, I grabbed the car keys and announced I was going out-somewhere, anywhere but here! As I made my way through the laundry room, I heard him exclaim, “Take your time-for the sake of the rest of us!”
As I backed out of the driveway, I knew just the place to go. I headed to Friday’s with a stack of old magazines that I never seem to have time to read, my reading glasses, a craving for a turkey burger and Mojito and someone to wait on me!
When I arrived, I explained that I was a runaway “Mom” and that I needed a quiet booth away from the crowd. So, alone in my solitary booth I savored every bite of my burger, every sip of my drink and learned all about important and not so important issues going on outside my homestead! It was a great dinner…
On the way home, I called my Mother to vent with tears streaming down my cheeks. After a few dozen more,, “You’ll be okay…” reassurances from my Mother while parked in the driveway, I walked back in…My husband, a smart and kind man, took my hand and led me into our bathroom where he had a warm bath and candles waiting. The frustration seemed to melt away as I soaked and soaked. Someone in my house did something for me – and I felt loved and appreciated. It was just what I needed.
Motherhood is so joyful, so exciting but also so very demanding. As a Mom, you are on 24/7, 365 days a year with no sick leave or vacation! It is all about giving and placing your family and others first –with often no time or energy left for you. And when the “giving” tank reaches empty, there is absolutely nothing left. So, how do I fill my tank?
Once a year, I frequent a local hotel/spa for a 24 hour get away! Armed with books and magazines, my favorite bath oils, chocolate and a desire for “all about me” time, I go –alone. I indulge in a massage, lots of sleeping time and am happy to frequent the restaurant that is right there! My husband often says that this is a wise investment because I return so rested, relaxed and much happier and more giving when I return!
I must say too that I really enjoy eating an occasional breakfast, lunch or dinner alone! During my career travels, I became accustomed to dining alone and learned to treasure those uninterrupted moments of peace. So, now in the midst of Motherhood, I enjoy having a meal without looking for lost shoes or children under the table, those endless trips to the restrooms and refereeing yet another argument. During these meals, I love to read, observe others and just to have a moment to think, plan or dream.
One of my other favorites is to relax, nap or read by the YMCA pool-all while the girls are in childcare! My friends know where to find me after a workout!
I love my family. I love my friends. And I have learned that to be the loving, caring, kind, humorous, committed and loyal wife, Mother and friend that I need to be-I have to love me. And sometimes that means filling my tank by simply just being alone.
So, make an effort to fill your own tank this month! Push aside the chaos, chatter and clutter – and take time to recharge, regroup and revive your own soul…quietly. You and your own family will be glad you did!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
