Notes From The Road

 

Okay, so I'm not on the road right now, at this very moment. But I was a few weeks ago. I meant to tell you all about it (only the good parts, not the stuff that would make your eyes glaze over with boredom. Although now I want a glazed donut, which is a bad thing since I've decided to not eat so much sugar anymore. Never mind that as I write this, I am chewing on some candy to calm my nerves. Speaking of calming my nerves, if I use sugar to do that, does it mean I'm addicted? Is this an addiction?), but every time I sit down at the computer, someone little appears at the door and says something like, "Hey Mom, will you take me to the library? or "Is it bad that a loaf of bread is on fire in the microwave?" or "Will you take us swimming?" or my favorite, "I am so booorrredd. Let's do something!" I am sure I didn't do this to my own mother when I was younger. I'm sure that when my mother looked over the vast expanse of summer on the first day of vacation she saw only blue skies ahead. I don't recall ever being naughty or demanding. (Except for that one time when someone wrote my name and address and "hot" on the wall all the way up the stairs. I still think I was framed on that one, having no recollection of committing the crime myself.)

I've decided to stop waiting for a large chunk of time to update the blog and just take what I can get when I can get it.  I've finally accepted that there will never be a large chunk, only microscopic morsels. After all, I believe that motherhood is all about survival--doing what works for you so you can get some sleep and maybe a little peace every so often. Though I've consumed about three hundred popsicles so far this summer, sleep and peace have been hard to come by. I find myself skimming decorating magazines and rearranging furniture, some of the few things the kids will allow me to do that do not directly involve or benefit them. I suddenly want to rip up the carpet and knock down some walls. I find paint brushes in the closet and stroke them as I inhale the musty scent of old paint, smiling wickedly as I consider what project to tackle next.  These are sure signs that I'm starting to lose it. 

Recently, I dug up a David Sedaris essay called "Let It Snow" that sums up how I'm starting to unravel. When an unexpected snow storm hits North Carolina, Sedaris and his siblings get a five day vacation from school. The kids, of course, are ecstatic. But Sedaris' mom resents the intrusion. "Our presence had disrupted the secret life she led while we were at school," Sedaris writes, "and when she could no longer take it she threw us out. It wasn't a gentle request, but something closer to an eviction. 'Get the heck [my word] out of my house,' she said."

I think I know how she feels. Three and a half more weeks my friends, and then the house is mine, all mine.  

 

Comments

[ivy]

My house will almost be to myself (just my 3 year old at home) but that will be a huge difference since I've been homeschooling the other four for the last year!! My mind is swimming with all the possibilities of new things to do with just me and the little one. But even with just one at home...it's still not FREE! I can't imagine that day!

[shelby]

My mom had a favorite book to hand us when we were "bored" called 'Bored, Nothing to Do' about the Wright Brothers. We either got that or a list of chores to do. Needless to say, we didn't often complain of being bored in summer. :)

[MaryB]

Ah, yes. Having the house to yourself is nice...you might even say its rejuvenating. I do remember telling mom we were bored, but not too often, because she always she'd give us "something" to do and we always knew it would be something we DIDN'T want to do (housework)! And just for the record...I DIDN'T FRAME YOU!! I didn't write that stuff on the wall!! I was only two years older than you so chances are I might have written on the wall, but I probably would have written the names of football teams or something.

[Kaylynne]

I honestly tried my best to hit your poor light fixture with those wads of paper the boys and I were playing with while we were out there - You would not believe how difficult it is to figure out the aim, timing, and force of a ceiling fan blade!

Oh Well, I'm sure the boys will eventually take down the fixture so you'll have an excuse to go all "Better Homes&Gardens" on your stairwell and living room! :)

[Laura]

I can totally relate. Four people calling Mommy all day long without a break. I have to just keep swimming :)