Footprints
Do you see the freakin’ footprints on my stomach, chest, and face? Yes, I am a total woos. I cannot manage to put people in their place when it matters, cannot manage to say “No” once in awhile, cannot seem to quit being such a lush for everyone’s rudeness!
Today I was flipped off by some Bitty who wanted to run a stop sign on MY time, almost t-boning MY fully paid off gas guzzler. Normally I might have gotten out of my car, puffed up like a peacock, and spewed words at her that would make her ears hurt. But I didn’t.
I also spent the whole day arguing with my tweenager who just. knows. everything. and. gets. on. my. nerves. with. his. incessant. sassiness. The sassiness is totally unfounded because actually he knows so little on the subject he claims endless knowledge on. Seems funny to me that someone who can’t seem to remember to make his bed and brush his teeth can insist he knows more than I do on the subject of things like cooking dinner, saving money, cleaning house. This child is the sweetest, most awesome kid I know. But damn! I could totally do without the arguing. Ya know what I’m saying?
At the end of this day that seemed like “Walk on Stephanie Day”, I decided to brave the grocery store with my 3 kids. By the way, Noah is colicky beyond words and has gotten worse over the last 2 weeks. One toddler, one colicky babe, one know-it-all teenager. In a crowded grocery store. Yeah, I am a glutton.
The shopping went splendidly for the first time. No sweating, no embarrassment, no having to use the dressing room to nurse a colicky baby. Awesome. Three hundred bucks and two shopping carts later, and I’m done. Groovy!
I was walking to the car when a juandiced looking man walked up to me. The man appears able bodied, about 40 years old, not overweight, limping, or otherwise obviously physically handicapped. He looked like he might be able to bag groceries or fetch carts for the very supermarket he was begging at. He had decent clothes and only needed a haircut and shower.
I knew right away what he wanted and normally I’d be digging in the bottom of my purse for change as soon as I saw him coming. But after spending $300 on groceries, I was in no mood. I OBVIOUSLY have 3 children to feed. I OBVIOSLY could use a drink myself! But you don’t see me trying to make that anyone else’s problem!
Not this time, Buddy! Find yourself another sucker!
Homeless Drinker: “Hey. Can you spare some change; I’m hungry?”
Pause.
Pause.
Pause.
Steph: “I think I have a dollar.” (Rummages through wallet) “I have a five. Here you go.” (Feeling like a big SUCKER!)
Homeless Drinker: “Thanks.” (He walks away and goes to another woman pushing her cart to her car.)
_______________________________________________
Homeless Drinker: Probably scored more money in 2 hours than I make in a whole day.
Steph: Earned a medal for being the biggest Softy this side of the Mississippi. Woosy.
Posted by: stepherz | 08-19-2006 | 09:08 AM
Posted in: General | Just Me
It looks like you are burned out.
It is difficult and tiring to care for a new born, but when you have older children to care for, well, it is even harder. Those are not easy moments. It is very demanding to remain on top of things and can be overwhelming at times.
Try to get some rest or have a small break. Next time go grocery shopping ALONE, it does make a difference to have a stress-free (no children in the store) shopping experience even though it for “blah” things like groceries.
The homeless guy probably needed that $5 more than I. It just seems weird to me that a grown man can walk away feeling alright with himself after taking money from the mothers leaving the grocery store with their children. But I guess I was raised to be humble. I don’t except gifts, compliments, or help very well. I’m quite awkward with that. So it is hard for me to relate to how some people can ask strangers for money as if it is nothing.
Besides the weird footprint day (which was actually Thursday, but I posted it late) I have been sleeping like a baby & having fun with the family. In fact, Friday we took Bella and Noah to the daycare so that we could spend some 1:1 with Austin. We went to breakfast and then went inner-tubing down the river for 2 hours (I laughed the whole way down the river)! After that we had lunch, went shoe shopping, and went and got the babies. It was a fantastic day! So, despite the occassional bad day, there are the more plentiful awesome days that make memories!
“It was a fantastic day! So, despite the occassional bad day, there are the more plentiful awesome days that make memories!”
They sure do!
sometimes you just have to celebrate the good things in your day, even if it is a stress free (but expensive) shopping trip with your baby, toddler and teen with a ‘tude. That is a miracle worth celebrating and I see you were productive in your celebrating by sharing.
WTG!