Apr 06 2008
When Inspiration Flies the Coop,
as it has the past couple of days, I usually take the easy way out. I do random things, bullet points, memes. I tell you about the excitement I have at the grocery store. I send you to go read other blogs. Blogs that are more worthy of your time than my weak attempt at humor - or because I think you’re more deserving than another bitch fest - which is what you’re likely to find when I can’t think.
This morning, I woke up and assessed my feelings about the day. Tomorrow, Shortman goes back to school. I “go back to work” (by that, I mean I use this laptop upstairs in my office instead of down here at the kitchen table). Our plans for the day included driving down to Milan Dragway to indulge in Mr. Hot’s passion. (Snirk. No - not that passion. I’m an exhibitionist, but not in front of a bunch of rednecked gearheads and my son. Well, okay, not in front of my son.)
Now, I’m as happy as the next wife and mother to spend quality time with my family on a sunny Sunday morning breathing gas and oil fumes, but as I lay there, thinking about getting up, I glanced at my closet. Full of work office clothes. Pants that had once hung neatly and been sorted by color were mixed in with the shirts. Jackets and skirts that were supposed to be hung together (since they were, y’know, suits?) weren’t. Sweaters that had once been neatly folded and stacked on the shelf were jumbled together and hanging off the edges. Was that the sleeve of the teal cardigan that I hadn’t seen in months?
I realized that this was my opportunity to actually spend some time alone in the house that I’ve owned for two years. For the first time ever. More than the 20 minutes it takes to run out to pick up pizza. Or to take the dog for a walk.
I could send my boys off to the racetrack. I could take my time over coffee and finish my book. I could reorganize my closet and clean my drawers - one of my favorite Spring Cleaning activities. Start the season right. And besides, Mr. Hot had told me at least three times yesterday, “You don’t have to come with me tomorrow. I can go alone, or I’ll take Shortman if he wants to go.”
I thought about it some more. I got out of bed, threw on some pajamas and headed down the stairs. I kissed Mr. Hot and said, “I’m going to stay home today.” He whined. I stood firm. He got himself coffee. I got mine own. He stomped around and went in the other room. I flipped him the bird when he turned the corner. Men can be such babies. (And don’t argue with me Michael, Solomon, Larry, Phil, and whoever else is lurking out there. Y’all can be.)
Shortman woke up, got dressed, and had his bowl of cereal. They left without saying a word to me. (See above. Babies.)
I poured myself another cup of coffee and finished it while I read the last chapters of my book. I went into the living room and straightened up the cushions on the couch and put away the PS2 controllers that were strewn all over. I shook out the afghans that were balled up and draped them artistically (ha!).
All without anyone standing behind me saying, “I just cleaned that up on Friday.”
I swept up the cat hair and the dog hair under the stools in the kitchen.
I walked upstairs and turned on the lights in the bedroom. Turned off the lights and opened up the blinds to let the light in. I opened the window and stuck my nose up to the screen and breathed in the air. Spring.
“Let the closet attack begin”, I thought, sweeping all of the piles from the shelf onto the floor - at my feet. I shoved aside pants and skirts and moved the short sleeved shirts to the front and center.
The wool, lined pants and the blouses got moved to the far reaches. The blazers got grouped by color. The sweaters were folded neatly and moved to the storage closet in the other room. The t-shirts for the weekends in the garden; the t-shirts from a summer of running 5ks; the t-shirts from University of Michigan basketball and Michigan State football replaced them on the shelf.
I thought about a post I want to write someday soon. How I want to write it with the seriousness that it deserves, and yet the humor that it needs. I figured out that I need to think about it a bit more, but that I’m close to beginning.
After the closet was finished, I moved onto my dresser drawers. Workout clothing was re-folded; I am more motivated when I have only to reach in and grab shorts and a top; when I don’t have to search through piles to find the right bra for the level of intensity I’m anticipating. Socks were separated. (Which is as close to folding them as I will ever get. I do not fold socks.)
My summer clothes - buried under other things that I’ve shoved on top of them - make me remember that I’ll soon be throwing on shorts and grabbing one of those t-shirts that I’ve folded to get down to the seriousness of the day. Whether it’s work related, or digging out in the yard - I’ll be able to bare my legs and my shoulders - feel the sunshine and see, finally, the grass greening and the bright yellows and purples of my perennial bed.
And as I close the last drawer, I hear the dog woof and whine. He recognizes the car pulling into the driveway - and a couple of minutes later, I hear Mr. Hot climbing the stairs. He walks in, smiles, and shows me the video he made of the bright red and white Charger, tearing down the quarter-mile track. He gives me a kiss. I know he’s realized that he came home to a wife that needed some quiet - while he needed some noise. And we’ll both be nicer to each other this afternoon.
—- And funny will be back soon because of that quiet - peace makes me appreciate the humor in everyday events. —-
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Sounds like you’ve accomplished a fair bit today. All I’ve done is float about phaffing.
I hate being bored.
Solomon Broad’s last blog post..The “Things I’m Grateful For” April Contest
I love cleaning out my closet! I’ve been meaning to tackle that project for several weeks now, but just can’t seem to get to it. It’s such a nice purge, though.
Erin’s last blog post..Autism Awareness Month ? Autism and Vaccines
Good for you!
I’ve had the same kind of weekend. I’ve sadly been inside all weeked (with windows open, though) and have done all the crappy things I’ve been putting off and haven’t had time for.
I did my taxes, got through ALL the unread feeds on the feed reader and I FINALLY moved myself over to my own domain. (Yay me!)
I know I could have been out enjoying the weather, but I feel so good that I got this done. Seriously, a huge sense of accomplishment.
And I know there will be more nice days.
Kristabella’s last blog post..Surprise!
I’m jealous. I wanna have a day to myself too.
Becky’s last blog post..What is the nicest compliment you’ve ever received?
I’m with ya - - sometimes I just need to kick the male half of the household OUT and get some breathing space - - it’s amazing how much I can get done when I’m here by myself! Closet, drawers, mending, etc.
But for other household things and yard stuff, he sure is handy to have around!
Liz J in Illinois’s last blog post..Brief Dad Update
Oooh, there is nothing better than having the house to yourself for a couple of hours!
suburbancorrespondent’s last blog post..Much About Mulch
there must’ve been something in the air, because we did a great deal of spring cleaning today, too.
feels good, doesn’t it?
moo’s last blog post..wordpress, what the hell?
And I was just happy I got the yards mowed and took on a swarm of bees. And yes men can be babies. There is no point in arguing that.
Michael C’s last blog post..Uh, Um, Gulp, Ahem, Well…
Sounds like a wonderful day. And I’m extremely jealous of your wardrobe.
Shania’s last blog post..Current mood: Foul, filthy, and fetid
Taking time for yourself is so important. I’m glad you were able to enjoy it and not get hung up in your husband’s initial whining attitude. I’m afraid that might have spoiled it for me (which just goes to show that you are much more mature and I’m a baby on par with the menfolk).
Hope you had a nice afternoon together.
Heidi
Heidi’s last blog post..Weekend Report
2:44CDST I only got up to go to the bathroom, and here I am again! There must have definitely been something in the air, even way down here on the Gulf Coast. My rehab job for the day got canceled due to wetness, sooooooooooo, I actually opened my little trailer windows and vents, did the taxes, hung up clean and put away t-shirts and jeans then had been piled and re-piled on my small couch, vacuumed the floor, shook the rugs and changed the sheets and pillowcases, all the while catching small glimpses of the Womens NCAA Final Four games on my small tv during the evening. I even got to talk with my wife in the morning, who was spending time with our daughter today. And was able to read some posts, emails and do a post I had been meaning to do. When you do have time alone, and some Sunday ambition, it’s amazing what can happen. - Yeah, it was a good day.
coastrat’s last blog post..DURHAM EASTER MEMORIES
I find it funny how a man views “Alone time” as an opportunity to play games, trawl the internet, listen to the stereo. But women clean. It’s like a working holiday. We are sick creatures.
Lyvvie’s last blog post..SBD Someone To Love by Jude Deveraux
This is a great post. I cherish days like this because, just like you, I NEED days alone, to organize and replenish. Sometimes, reorganizing and spring cleaning can do more for me than a day at a spa.
But, maybe this is because I have never spent a day at the spa:)
Angel’s last blog post..The cold hard truth
You know, I walk by my closet on a regular basis and just want to start ripping things out. My spare room looks like a cyclone hit it and everytime I mention cleaning it, I get, but I need that! Do you really??
I’m jealous…I wish my husband would leave for a few hours to give me peace and quiet that one can only truly get from reorganizing on a beautifully sunny spring day.
ArwynSkye’s last blog post..My Blue Rose
Man, I am not like that at all. When I am doing my stuff, I dont give a rats ass if Sam comes with me or not. I will ask her, but I know she would prefer to stay home and watch endless “How Do I Look” or Americas Next Top Model” shows.
Now, we CAN be babies when its something we want and the women are involved, but that isnt generally an activity that she needs ANY begging on.
Besides, he is going to need all the help now that your staying at home, I mean YOUR screwing up his days of ignorant bliss, and pretending he is doing something meaningful whan you used to be at work, like, well, arranging his nail and screw collection LOL.
Do you know the pressure he will be under, to actually look like he does something? Its going to take a lot of work on his part, so be easy at first, he isnt used to companionship EVERY day. It might make him start doing volunteer work at the local recycle yard LOL.
LarryLily’s last blog post..Its been a long time….
What a fabulous day! Sometimes taking the time for you is the best thing we can do for ourselves.
Vanessa’s last blog post..Twitter much?
Awesome! I need a day like that. I am home sick from work today and enjoying the peace and quite, but not quite up to making a dent in my unorganized piles.
Laurel’s last blog post..Come to Jesus
Spring Cleaning is in the air! This weekend we tore out our old closet bar and ONE old shelf and installed a fancy-schmancy closet system. I spent an entire day folding all the clothes neatly and putting them all into their brand new spots, marveling at all the extra space we had and nothing was stacked on the floor. I have to say… it made me UBER happy to see my accomplishment. I love days like that.
Hyphen Mama’s last blog post..Some People Are Just Oblivious
I very very rarely get to be home alone.. But when I am alone it is absolute bliss…I am pleased that you had some ‘alone’ time..
woohoo!!!
cheers Kim
frogpondsrock’s last blog post..Chaos Central… Oooops