Friday, July 25, 2008

Oh, the Whine

Okay, I get it. I just got home from vacation. I am tanner than before I left, I have more freckles than before I left, I finished yet another hilarious Jen Lancaster book on vacation (sadly, now I've read them all and am desperately awaiting the 4th book, ya hear that Jen? get busy!), my kids are worn out (more so than before we left), my dog is worn out (spending 11 nights at doggie daycare can be tiring business, apparently), my husband is back at work (praise be the work gods, sometimes too much togetherness is . . . well, just that - too much togetherness), the laundry is nearly complete and I've warned the kids not to dirty up a single sock in the next few days because I, will not be washing another item until next week - that is unless Electrolux decides to send me a brand spanking new washer and dryer (hey, and while you're at it why not a dishwasher and new oven too?), so I should be fine right?

I think that may have been the longest sentence I've ever written, sheesh.

Anyway, I should be fine. I should be basking in the post-vacation glow of having navigated yet another family vacation full of happy memories, happy times and happy hour. I mean come on, you can't expect to have all that happy without a cocktail, can you?

But I hit the bottom today. Of what, I have no idea - but all my best laid plans to be productive and actually accomplish anything flew like tiny particles in the wind, not sure of where they were going but definitely not hanging around here any longer. Oh yes, me and my bad post-vacation self, we are a lot of fun to hang out with.

The kids were irritating me. The house was irritating me. The phone and every single thing on the television we hadn't sat in front of for more than a week was irritating me. I suspect that if Molly Ringwald herself had shown up for a private screening of Sixteen Candles in my living room that would have irritated me too.

So after lamenting all day about all the irritating things in my life, I packed the kids up and headed (the whole 2 miles) to grandma's house.

And my mom and I sat and watched the kids swim (as if they hadn't had enough of that activity over the past week) and slowly, but surely, my mood lifted. I felt the tension and the ball of frustration that had attached itself to the base of my neck subside. My skin was warmed by the sun, my thirst was quenched with a big glass of water and my soul was happy, peaceful and finally relaxed.

The laundry would wait.

Because right then, it was plain to see, that I - yes, 35-year-old I, needed my mommy.

13 comments:

Joleine said...

I've read all 3 books twice.. It's killing me waiting for another one! :)

Think of it this way.. kids go back to school soon, no? :)

Beth Cotell said...

We always need our mommies...especially when our own kids are driving us crazy and there are piles of laundry.

And sometimes, if I'm lucky, my mommy will help me with those things!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

When I read things like this I really miss my mommy, and I'm 44. I'm not complaining, just commenting.

Anonymous said...

I hear you. I seriously get this post. I know how lucky I am to still have my mom to run too... so are you.. :)

hugs.

Anonymous said...

Oh, honey!


sniff.

I needed you, too.

xxxooomommy

flutter said...

always. I always need my mom. I so get you

a Tonggu Momma said...

I always need my mommy. She thinks I'm a daddy's girl (and maybe I am), but I always need my mommy.

Grim Reality Girl said...

I get it. And that is what is fabulous about having a GREAT mom -- she is ALWAYS your mom no matter how old YOU are. Just talking to her lifts burdens.

Love this post -- needing your mom is normal and how wonderful that she is there for you! Thanks for making me smile!

Ann(ie) said...

Yup. SO there with you. I'm the same way. And I always kind of have this overwhelmed, come down, need to decompress, everyone is bugging me after vacation thing. So glad you have such a cool mom to hang with. I'll bet it was therapeutic for all involved!! xo.

OHmommy said...

Awe.

Your mommy left you a comment. So sweet.

I feel the same way. A lot.

So you recommend those books. I have seem them at Target and sometimes lurk on her blog. I think if you like them Im going to get some for my vacation.

An Ordinary Mom said...

I have been highly irritable, too, lately ... maybe I need a few days at my mom's house, too :) !!

Anonymous said...

To this day when I am sick, I want my mommy to make me chicken soup.

How wonderful that your mom is so physically close and so emotionally close.

Unknown said...

I so know that feeling. You are so lucky to live close to your mom, we live approx 14 hours away and it's hard sometimes.
I haven't read any of the books you mentioned...I'm going to have to check them out!