Today, My parents came over to MY home! This is HUGE. They always make us go over there. In the 3 yrs we have lived here, I can count on 1 hand how many times they have come over here for a visit and not just a quick pick up/drop off/ drive by. I invite, they decline or have an excuse. My father, always has a weekend project. Fixin' things, piddling, planting a garden, repairing motors, oil changing, tire rotating, guilt giving, etc.... Always Do, DO, Do. He can do it ALL. And he does. He likes to be home or on the boat. He is also trying to keep good care of my mom. Which is not an easy task as of late. Requires bucket loads of patiences. But packing up to go to my parents just about every day is frustrating. It's only 7-9 mile drive but traffic is pretty bad here.7-9 miles is 15-25 mins. And sometimes that is time I just do not have but sacrifice to keep peace. My dad has a over-abundance of OCD. I think it is more age related than actual O.C.D itself. He demands High standards - always has. There are certain requirements/items that need to be met for MT.
- He can't stand it if MT is only in a diaper(or diaper/shirt combo) - There needs to be an Outfit.
- It needs be fully buttoned/snapped, non drooled on/soiled, matching and weather appropriate complete with shoes.
- sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and shoes
- An extra change of clothes for when he gets dirty because he is going to get dirty.
- A Sleep Outfit because they love giving him baths
- The latest Fav toy, foods, Etc.
- It needs to come back home with us to not "clutter" up his house or get washed in order to bring it back ...
You Get the idea .... Some days it adds an extra pressure to perform. Most days, I don't have time to give a crap and MT shows up w/o shoes in a diaper or poorly dressed and alil soggy. This brings on passive aggressive comments and jabs. C'est la vie. I am not a passive aggressive kind of girl - So I give it back in a non-passive aggressive way. I hold my own pretty well. They did put up with me for 18 yrs in their house. They know me. They also do alot for E, MT and I. So, It's a trade off. We deal. Whoa Tangent ....
So, Having them come to my house just made things flow so nicely and I was able to get so much more accomplished throughout my day. Because I WAS HOME! And not driving back and forth or go to work. Of course, they only stayed 1.5 hours. But we swam, hung out with friends, ate lunch and had a great time by the pool. Then we were able to put MT down for a Nap in his crib and I was able to do laundry, vacuum, Play on the computer, etc. It wasn't done in a hurry, while exhausted, after work or in the wee hours of the morning. It.was.Nice. I think I am going to request that they come over here more. (even though, my house is "cramped and cluttered")
Another first- We had people come over and hang out with us. We live in a condo. It's not that big, but it's not that small. I do have indoor cats (that are hidy, scaredy cats). We do not have our own yard. There is a pretty big area right out side our door where the neighborhood kids play kickball, tag and other games. I am always somewhat afraid the ball is going to come flying through our windows. BUT, we are super close to the activity center and pool. That's the part I do love. We have a few picnic tables with grills out by in the pool area. It is also a good combination of shady and sunny. Everyone had a blast. I hope do do this more often.**I was always intimidated by where we live. It's an old condo with very little storage/closets/cabinets/counter space/seating that requires thrifty thinking and creativity. And, Yes in my father's defense, sometimes just fancies the Cluttered look. I want desperately to de-clutter! I am trying. Seating is limited to a couch and a love seat. A dining room table that sits 6 and a micro bathroom/kitchen. BUT today and from now on, I am embracing this home. It has allowed us to pursue treatments, provide shelter for my son, have a part time job, stay home and take care of MT. I want to savor this. I want to write this down to have this remind me when I lose focus.
9 comments:
Yay for a great day!
Glad to hear that your parents came over, and all had a good time.
I'm trying to declutter, too! But honestly, it's gotten better over the years, as Miss O. has gotten older. Babies do require a LOT of stuff!
They always say home is where the heart is, right? I am glad you love yours and you make it work because it works for you. I love it when my family and friends come to us, too, it's so much easier and makes the day seem more full. Everyone around us lives at least an hour away so the drive is just brutal and makes time fly!
You sound like you just had the best day... I am so glad. You gotta have those once in a while, right? ;)
*hugs*
Yay, gotta love good days! Glad your parents made it over and enjoyed a nice day at your house...
Dude, Elizabeth doesn't even own any shoes. Most days I don't even put her in socks.
I'm working on decluttering too. :)
That's good that things worked out the way you needed them to...it's so much easier in your own home. The last part really touched me though. We take our homes for granted and complain about them, but they allowed for things that we would not otherwise have. Thanks for putting it into perspective.
Sounds like you had a great day! And YAY for your parents coming to your house--even with your dad's OCD. Funny enough, he sounds JUST like my mother! ;)
This outlook is wonderful sweetie. It inspires me to embrace my tiny house with no closets/counter space etc. :)
I am glad you got to have a day on your turf. I hope you get to have more!
Wow. It definitely made it easier on you for your parents to come over to your place. I hope they make the trip more often. Simple is best!
Shoes are for church and northern climates! :-P
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