Fine. If you are going to require me to be honest, I admit I have passive aggressive tendencies. Wait. What do you mean you don’t require me to be honest? That’s not fair. I was set up. Set up! I say.
Oh well, now that the proverbial cat is out of the proverbial bag, I might as well put all my cards on the table. I am currently doing a dance of the bedsheets. What is the dance of bedsheets? The dance of bedsheets involves moving the clump of clean bedsheets (needing to be folded and put away) from the bed to the chair, based on the need of either the bed or the chair.
When will I stop doing the dance of the bedsheets? When my husband has folded and put the bedsheets away. I’ve been dancing for nearly a week, and I am showing no signs of tiring.
My husband tried to trick me into stopping the dance, when he mentioned he was overwhelmed with work. As I walked back into the bedroom, seeing the sheets clumped on the bed, I hesitated. “Lenore, it won’t take but a minute. Just put the sheets away. Why are you doing this? You’re being silly.” The rational voice in my head whispered.
“Whatever.” The irrational voice snapped. (Gotta love that irrational side!) After a week or two of hectic schedules, I was tired of the constant state of doing. If I was able to find 10 minutes to sit, I wanted to sit. “Why must I always be the only one programmed in the house to do – do – do?” My irrational voice asked. “I think ovaries and estrogen has something to do with it.” The rational side said. “Hello, Rational Side? Have you ever heard of rhetorical, as in rhetorical question?”
“Well, actually …”
I’ll stop with the inner-voice conversations. Though trust me when I say, I could go all day. “She could.” HUSH!
Did you read my post about the email? Honestly, if you don’t read my blog every day, it is tough keeping up with my crazy. Then again, reading my blog daily is no assurance you’ll be able to follow (or understand) the crazy. Again, I digress – I’m sorry.
Last week, I was all set to get a hotel room for a night. Perhaps a ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ gift to me. Alas, the getaway was nixed, because my husband was being a good person and helping those in need. Then came Mother’s Day. I threw up. Literally. I spent Mother’s Day sick in bed. Fun, eh?
No, don’t cry for me, Argentina. I have a good life. I do. I know I have a good life, and I am thankful I have a good life. Still, quiet time and alone time are always appreciated.
So, yesterday … Yesterday I had to go to the grocery store. The fact that my oldest requests a PB&J at least twice a day, means we go through a loaf of bread faster than the average Joe. (Ha! My kid’s name is Joe. Man, do I ever crack myself up!) In addition to bread, I needed to buy the makings for an appetizer for Joe’s Kindergarten graduation ceremony. I also needed to take the grocery cart down the ice cream aisle, just in case a certain half pint of Ben & Jerry’s wanted to jump in the cart and go for a ride.
Trips to the grocery store are like mini vacations for me. The boys stay home with Dad, enabling me to find alone time surrounded by fellow grocery shoppers and grocery store employees. Ah … peace!
Alas, the grocery store trip was delayed, thanks to a phone call. “I’m running late.” My husband said by phone. “What do you mean you are running late. It is nearly 5:30 and you are just now calling me from the office?” “Yes, I’ve been running around trying to finish things, and I didn’t realize how late it was. I’m sorry.”
Okay, I realize he said he was sorry. I realize I should have played the role of the good wife, smiling and nodding (hard to convey by phone) and assuring him his dinner would be waiting for him when he returned. No worries. Love you. Drive safe. Buh’bye.
Yeah, no. That didn’t happen. I hung up on him. [See above note about putting all cards on the table.]
But wait. There’s more. Immediately, I called him back – to apologize. Hahaha! There I go, cracking myself up again. Silly Readers, I did not call him up to apologize. I called him up to yell at him. (Apparently my rational side was off at the spa, enjoying a good life.) He was mad because he was overwhelmed with work. I was mad because I was waiting for him to get home so I could escape venture to the grocery store. Clearly, I’m the winner, right? I mean, my trip to the grocery store trumps his paid job. Right? Right?!
No worries, Readers. Peace was restored to the village by bedtime. Tempers eased, smiles returned, the groceries were purchased, and a half pint of Ben & Jerry’s did hop into the cart and join the ride. Although, in true Crazy Lenore fashion, peace was quickly stomped out shortly after sunrise. Yes, it’s true. And again, the bickering took place by phone. He’s looking to fill up the already fully booked weekend with more ‘stuff’, and I’m insisting nothing be added to the list. Meanwhile, the dance of the bedsheets continues.
.|.
Be kind. Take care of yourself and each other, and play nice in your marital sandbox.
Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 
Aw, this could be my post. I know how you feel especially lately. I too do the dance of the bedsheets. And towels. And clean laundry. Not because I’m passive agressive however. I’m just lazy :). I love your writing.
I am lazy, too, Angel. Oh how I’d love to bask in a day of uninterrupted laziness! I’m glad you enjoy my writing. The feeling is mutual.
~ Lenore
Once again I have to say to you with all sincerity: Get outta my head! There are already way too many voices in there. Good thing I keep a big bottle of Advil nearby.
Yes, grocery trips are a mini-vacation to me. Along with dreaded Walmart trips and even dentist appointments. Sigh. And yes, it does trump a paid job. Our very sanity is on the line here! And the need for Ben and Jerry’s! Do our husbands not get this?
You make me snort in laughter, Darla! I am just glad there is someone out there as crazy as I am. No offense. (smile) Let the record show, I have a paid gig, too. AND, I should start a new second paid gig later this week. Alas, I was blessed with ovaries, estrogen and well the “mom” thing. Plus, Rob has been known to come home from work with ice cream. For me. So, I have that. 🙂
~ Lenore
Now why did I think you were a desperate housewife like me? ;)Sorry, my mind has turned to mush lately. Well thank heavens for Rob bringing you the ice cream anyway. And congrats on the second paid gig! Do tell! (I start a small paid gig next week watching a baby at home. Very exciting but odd for me to be getting a paycheck after all these years.)
Mush? Mush? I know this ‘mush’ of which you speak. The second part-time gig should start late next week or the following week. Post pending. (smile) Congrats on your babysitting gig. Ice cream money!! 🙂
Too funny!
The bedsheets reminds me of an Everybody Loves Raymond episode. Though they were arguing about a suitcase. Who was going to be the one to bring the suitcase upstairs and unpack. It sat at the door for a week.
I remember that episode! That was a good show. Thanks for visiting, Jacquelin. Glad you enjoyed it. (The sheets are still in the chair.)
~ Lenore
I’m doing the same thing with clean laundry right now, Lenore…three piles of it! When I suggested to Anna that the kids might help me with it, she told me it was my job, because “You’re the mom!”
I love grocery shopping too, because it’s money I can spend without feeling guilty! Unfortunately, when those tubs of ice cream find their way into my cart, I hardly ever get any!
I hope you and your husband get some quality time together soon (those bedsheets really need to be put away!)…LOL!
Wendy
Wendy, as soon as I respond to you and Darla – I am going to go fold the sheets. *sigh* I just finished reading a post by Angel – The Chronicles of a Rocket Surgeon. Do you read her posts? The one today is incredible. It was written by her Dad, who died recently. She posts a new article by her Dad on Saturdays. This one hit home – I will now venture over the hill on occasions, and as I said – I will fold the sheets in the chair. http://chroniclesofarocketsurgeon.com/2011/05/14/in-memory-of-my-dad-12-when-the-goings-got-tough-the-tough-went-over-the-hill/
Here’s to future grocery store outings, quiet moments and yes – quality time. (What does that look like again?!) 🙂
~ Lenore
Oh Lenore, what a riot. I’ll come fold and put away your sheets.
I was complaining to my women friends about my husband’s lack of intuition regarding my birthday.
He always buys me Godiva chocolate truffles (that I thank him for but later tell him to please not bother) and yellow roses. Why always yellow? These women came to my house en masse the next day with a gallon size bag of dandelions and a box of Raisenets. They were hilarious and were a great wake up call to me.
Love the article you linked about “going over the hill” but our house we say Dad is MIA.
Love the post, you rock.
I love your friends! That was great, GMomJ – great, great, great! You can stay home, because I have folded and put away the sheets. I didn’t break out into hives either. Go figure. (smile) Here’s to friends and wake-up calls. Thank God for them, right? Glad you liked the post. It’s always nice to ‘see’ you. ~ Lenore
I often wonder how many days in a row one is allowed to dump the laundry basket on to the bed with the intention to fold it, only to scoop it back up at night, and dump it back into the basket. I’m afraid I might be nearing the limit. Great post Lenore!
Oh, Young American, truth be told, I am guilty of doing the clean clothing dance even when life is uneventful and calm. Shhhh…..
~ Lenore
Too funny, Lenore. I have learned to avoid the dance of the bedsheets by putting them right back on the bed they came off of as soon as they are washed and dried. Thus, I avoid folding them. It also save storage space as I only have one set of sheets for each bed. I use them until they wear out, then I replace them.
I’m starting to do that, Susan. Wash and replace with the same set. Only took me what – nearly 10yrs of marriage to figure it out. (smile) It’s a good idea. Actually, it’s a great idea. Thanks for visiting! ~ Lenore