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Thursday, March 3, 2016

Here's the Thing, After a Family Dinner

"Freedom from Want," oil painting by Norman Rockwell from early 1940s.
Bare fact: I can't grocery shop [at ShopRite, where things are cheaper], clean up the dining room, make a pan of vegan baked ziti and a pan of regular, help H. prep strawberry shortcakes with homemade biscuits, drive to Whole Foods for a pint of vegan ice cream [I hoped Fig could just eat sweet strawberries], wait with niece Florida Orange for her bus back to NYC, wash all those dishes and pans while H. reads to Punchy, watch a little of "Vinyl" and a little of the Republican debate and do a nice long blog post, although I would like to. I have to conserve my energy and get my rest. Good night, sweet dreams. At least we shared a happy family meal tonight.

TCOY
  1. Got my overgrown hair cut by Danielle at Vamp. She has an exacting eye. Feel younger.
  2. Hit a fair amount of steps on my Fitbit.
  3. Got my Rxs and a new nail polish; now I just have to find the time to brush it on. It's a fresh, Eastery, melon-pink shade.

6 comments:

  1. I'm glad that it was all worth a happy family meal!

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  2. Ok, not wanting to be a critic here, Alice, because we all get caught up in just doing and not crying Uncle. BUT...Bare fact:

    Why are you doing ALL of this? I know poor H is a huge help, so I’m not going to pick on him, but you have 3 girls there by my count for dinner. Why are you cleaning up the dining room and not them? Why are you running out to get vegan ice cream. Fig can deal with just strawberries, I mean really. Why weren’t the dishes and pans cleaned and put away by Fig and even Punchy while you waited with Florida Orange so that when you came home the kitchen was clean?

    With Figgy home and even with Punchy getting older, it may be time for you to review everyone’s household obligations.

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  3. Thanks for your notes, Lin and Kim. Kim, those same thoughts have run through my mind. Exactly. I do not have the most helpful of families, do I? But also, I guess part of it is due to me not drawing a firm line in the sand. H. and I have both been fatigued lately, with Punch giving us a run for the money. You are so right. I am going to give this some serious thought. Mindfulness will help. Punch loves being with Fig and F.O. [who is 3 years older than Figgy] and I took all three of them to Whole Foods. That was her exciting outing with them. I waited in the car and checked my emails. Then we came home, had dessert, and soon it was time for F.O.'s bus back to NYC....but yes, instead of going out with her friends, Fig should have cleaned up with me while H. put Punchy to bed. I think all three girls need to grow up more and get in the game. xo Alice

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  4. Alice, I was so worried that you'd take offense. I'm so glad you haven't. I have definitely not been the most proactive of moms on this score. Many other friends have been much firmer about chores. But dishes is one thing I have asked my girls to do (and their own laundry). I think that's why when I read about your evening, I picked up on the dishes/kitchen piece of it. We can all do much better on this--askign for my help! Good luck and sending you line-drawing vibes! xoxo

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  5. yikes--typing too fast. all do much better on asking for their help! LOL!

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  6. Kim I know you are wise and appreciate your insights..Fig does her own wash and I'm getting better at having her fold family wash, take down recycling, unload dishwasher etc. And I'm angry that I let her go out w her friends last nite without helping first. Eyes wide open next time, I hope. Xo

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