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Wellington, New Zealand
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Sunday, September 14, 2008

playing it fast and loose at number 26

my trip to new york is now only 3 weeks away. (weeeeeeeeeeeee!) on a daily basis, i am preparing my family for an absence of two and a half weeks. while it's the longest time i've been away [on my own] from my family, i have no guilt.

when i'm not here, there will still be one parent in residence. i'm not indispensable.

sure, things will be different. the girls will stay up late. they will probably forget to bathe (unless reminded. several times). homework may not be handed in. takeout will be ordered and eaten. maybe they'll be late to activities. someone is bound to be left behind or not picked up on time. or at all (even I'VE done that!)

their experience without me will be different, and will also be OK.

the main problem i forsee is my family's inability to locate ANYTHING in the house. this fact was brought home to me the other day when miss 16 was assembling ingredients for the lasagne i was making that night.

miss 16: where's the paprika?

me: the herbs and spices are organised alphabetically in that little green tray at the back left of the pantry. (i know, i'm a freak)

miss 16 [in a hugely indignant tone]: I DIDN'T KNOW THAT! why didn't you tell me?

me: ok, let's imagine how THAT conversation would have gone over dinner. "hey family, i'd just like to share the fact that i've organised the herbs and spices alphabetically in the pantry."

everyone assembled at the table: 'god mum, you're such a freak'. 'geez mum, you have such problems.' 'mum, you have waaaaaaaaaaay too much time on your hands.'

and of course (assuming he was listening), a shake of the head or an eyeroll from DH.

oh to be a fly on the wall while i'm gone....

10 comments:

Paula Clare said...

Isn't it the truth? WHY IS IT "MOM" is always the one who is supposed to know where everything is? My son (who now lives 7 hours away) STILL calls me to ask where things are?!?! Truly there must be a belief that we are clairvoyant or SOMETHING. And the really weird thing...WE ALMOST ARE! I ALWAYS know where thing are...I don't even know how that happens.

New York will be a hoot...you'll not forget us while you're gone will you? Will you be posting photos? Twitter? Anything?

Anonymous said...

okay I like to be organized and my pantry now rocks but I haven't alphabitised my herbs and spices lol. I read that and did giggle too funny.

Anonymous said...

Haaah!!! How true!

See you in KC in about 5 weeks! I'll be the one sucking in my stomach...={

Amanda said...

I would love to be a fly on your wall. Your family seems to have SO much fun. The only positive to all that will happen while you're gone is that when you get back everyone will have a much stronger appreciation for you. Right? Hopefully.

Pam said...

Lynnette, don't worry, we can both let our stomachs hang together! LOL!

Sue you need to come to NH too, it's only 5 hours from NYC! Then we could fly to KC together! And the foliage is way worth it!

gigi said...

They will all, so miss you! You rock and they know it! You are going to have so much fun and I'm so jealous!

auntiegwen said...

Who cares what they eat, what time they go to bed and even if they get to activities ?

You'll be in New York baby !!!!!

ps, no one can find anything in my house either xx

Mean Mom said...

New York, by yourself, for 2 1/2 weeks. That's impressive! How did you manage to pull that one off, then?

The only way you would find out what was going on whilst you were away would be if you were a fly on the wall! They certainly won't be admitting that they found it a bit difficult to cope without you! Bet they'll be glad to have you back.

scrappysue said...

mean mom- i doubt they will admit it was tough, apart from complaining that they couldn't find anything when i was gone, or that their dad shrunk their favourite top! hubs is very happy for me to go, so off i go!!!

nikki/WhiMSy love said...

I'm so jealous you're going to NYC. I have some friends who are visiting there just now. I've only been once but would love to go back.

Have LOADS of fun!!