One of those days

It’s one of those days where she’s in one of those moods for no good reason.  I’m kinda feeling sluggish myself so either it’s contagious or we both woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Either way, we’re not happy campers today.  This drives my master mom insane.  Me – I’m ok with having a lazy sunny Saturday filled with park and not a lot else. 

But she doesn’t do so well with crankiness.  She has her aforementioned list, so feeling tired and crabby just doesn’t fit into the schedule for today.  Plus, she hasn’t figured out how to take a mental health day.  She still goes about her day and tries to muscle through her carefully planned out activities which inevitably lead to her being snappy with someone she loves, resenting someone she loves, or losing her patience with me.  I personally prefer the first two options.

It’s not so much the crabbiness that bugs her but more the ‘for no good reason’.  I get it.  I like to have something to point my tail at, an understanding of why I’m unhappy – usually in my case it’s pretty clear…lost treat, hungry, disciplined for trying to steal dropped food, etc.  So it’s just one of those days where we’ll power thru and pray for bedtime.

Or maybe she could take some cues from me and spend the day napping in the sun, cuddling with me, and taking some alone time to muddle through the hours in quiet relaxation instead of washing the car, going grocery shopping, searching for a duvet cover, writing birthday cards, vacuuming, and cleaning the kitchen stove. 

Let’s cast our votes for what to do today… 

Empty baskets on Black Friday

It’s black Friday, although I’m not entirely clear on the name since the sun is out here and it’s a beautiful day.  But nonetheless, people have already taken to the stores and are busy waiting in lines and swiping strange plastic rectangles.  I’m not such a fan of shopping, unless it’s at places that a) sell dog treats, b) drop a lot of food – i.e. food courts, or c) are filled with people eating who might share. 

I’m grateful that my mom doesn’t seem to be a shopper either.  She’s like a speed racer – running in, scanning the racks, and then running out, often empty handed.  She’s funny.  We’ll get in the checkout line with a basket of stuff, and one by one as we inch forward, she manages to talk herself out of each thing until our basket is empty and we don’t have to wait in line anymore. 

It seems to be something about need versus want.  There are few things she needs – and those she’s always good about stocking up on.  But then there are all of those things that she wants, and those seemingly are taboo.  I guess the rule is you’re not supposed to want things that you don’t need because that makes you spoiled or selfish or greedy or materialist, all very very very bad things apparently. 

It makes sense not to buy things that you might not use or if you have no money and are living in a box, then clearly just stick with the need items.  But we have this cozy apartment and since she spoils me with new treats and toys, I would think that she could get at least the same treatment.  Plus, she’s always good about buying gifts for people – even ‘just because I love you’ gifts but again, for her not so much. And yet, things that she wants she doesn’t like to admit.  She likes to appear want-less, bordering on need-less, as if that makes her a better person.  

But it’s a lie.  I know it because I see how she can fill up shopping carts with cute sweatshirts and new hats, journals and trinkets.  Not that we come home with any of them because they all fall into the category of want and therefore end up back on the shelves. 

Don’t get me wrong – I’m thrilled we weren’t lined up at 3 am to cash in on black Friday sales today and I can think of better ways to spend a weekend than in the mall.  But still, I think that my mom should get to have wants and still not be spoiled or greedy. 

And if I had opposable thumbs and my own strange plastic card, I’d help but until then, I’ll just hope she learns how to give herself “just because I love you” gifts.