Can I just tell you about my day?
No? Too bad.
6:20 am - hit snooze 3 more times.
6:30 am - beg Steven to go wake up Bradley while I get dressed and rub the sleep out of my eyes.
7:00 am - send the men off to fulfill their daily duties.
7:02 am - feed the chief (Olivia).
7:30 am - clean that mess up. Or not.
7:45 am - find out that Emmy doesn't want to go to school because her tummy is still upset.
8:00 am - get Olivia dressed, and make a bed or two. Or none. This is a confessional after all.
It is at this precise moment that I realize what the rest of my day is going to be like. So to save you minute by [obnoxious] minute detail of my day, I will quickly say that I had 7 special orders to fill from last weekends craft fair (different blog - maybe tomorrow), cards to make for tonight's card club, and a house to clean for my VTs to come over at 11:45 - even though it ended up really being at 1:10.
No, no. That's not the fun part. I had piano lessons to teach from 3:30 to 5 and Bradley had to be at his soccer team's party at 6pm (he was getting his trophy and he would have punched me in the mouth had I told him we couldn't go). My card club was meeting at 7pm (at Chuy's - duh, you go to anything when it's at Chuy's) and my book club was due to meet at 8pm (and I actually had read the book this month!).
Well, sure, that's a busy night and all, but just leave Ste with the kids and make your rounds. Oh ya, Steven had plans with the fellas at 8pm.
I had the audacity to think I was going to be able to do it all.
(Just a sidenote: these sort of days have been happening for two weeks. I won't even get into what my tomorrow looks like. What's wrong with me?)
I was a bit frantic on the phone when Steven called at 2:03. He could tell by the pitch of my voice. (I also think he could hear my arms flailing about and my eyes bulging out of my head - I don't know how, but he can hear those things.) He laughed a little and said, "It's pronounced, 'nnnnoooooooo,'" as if I were hard of hearing. He thinks I don't know how to say "no" to people. I totally know how to say no! I just don't want to. I really wanted to do all of those things tonight. And I really wanted Steven to do his thing tonight.
That didn't happen.
So to my friends that I sadly missed at Chuy's, you'll be getting your cards this weekend. After I've slept for 12 hours straight. Mostly because my eye is twitching out of control.
BTW, (picture me with my hands on my hips) I was a student advocate for the D.A.R.E. program my senior year. I totally know how to say "NO" to some stuff.
So, hmph. (I just stuck my toungue out at you)
What experience made you learn your lesson?
9 comments:
We missed you, tonight, but just so you know, I totally visited Kristi for us.. not on purpose it was just meant to be... so thatis good. Also, I have your cards from card club for you! See ya!
I say no to myself all the time. "no melinda, you cant buy any new clothes, your daughter has NONE." or "no melinda, you cant go out with your friends tonight b/c they all got babysitters and you cant afford that kind of pleasure." But as far as saying no to the things I should say no to, that NEVER happens. I love to please people, thats the only way I know how to make friends. :) We missed you tonight, but hey I was only there for like 20 min. before I had to go home for Ava. I hate when my life is too scheduled too. One day you will sit around with nothing to do though, and wish you could be busy again....hopefully:) Love ya!
Melinda
You have the lamest Visiting Teachers!! How dare they disrespect your time and come 1 hour and 20 minutes LATE! I would totally fire them!! Unless, of course, they bring you yummy treats...then you may be able to forgive thier shortcomings. They should have at least been insightful enough to offer some assistance. Isn't that the whole purpose of visiting teachers? I guess it is pretty clear that they were not in tune with the spirit.
Too true, Gina. I'm eating the pumpkin bread as I write this.
I'm glad you understand I was simply venting and couldn't care less if you show up at any time of the day.
you remembered your VT appointment? Way to go! ;)
I actually have learned to say no otherwise I would spend everyday at David's school. As it is I already spent 6 hours there this week. And that's because I so "no" to helping with Passport club and the art project and more hours at the book sale. I just can't do it all. And I'm kind if selfish.
yeah its tough...I want to do it all, but have to give sometimes. I'm not sure that I'd give a Chuy's experience, BUT exchanging cards at a restaraunt kinda worries me. They could get dirty!
You asked when we learned to say "no." Well, I learned that lesson when the chaos I created in my own life by double-booking and over extending myself, started to rub off on DW and the boys and affected the harmony in our home.
PS When we visit, hope you'll let us have a Chuy's experience lv, mil
I absolutely have a hard time saying no. And to certain people it is impossible. I haven't fully learned the lesson. But when I'm already not able to fall asleep because of the arms-length list in my head of things to do and my arms are flailing, I know there isn't room for one more thing. Then no matter what it is I have to say no. I hate it when that happens.
A good friend at Stanford taught me (and practiced with and on me) "I would love to, but my plate is too full right now, so I can't." I still need to work on it, since she is not here helping me with this. I
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