7 Quick Takes Friday, #75

1. I knew this day would come: Mia wants a new mom.

In the midst of being denied something fundamentally necessary, like a second popsicle in 20 minutes, she was mad at me.  "I just don't want to stay here ANY. MORE," she sulked.  "I'm going to have a DIFFERENT mom."  Her arms were crossed and her lips were pursed.

With less emotion than I thought I'd feel at a moment like this, I said "I hope you can find one who gives you as many good hugs and kisses as I do, or who makes your favorite sweet chicken like I do, or who loves to tell you stories like I do...and I sure would miss having you around..."  I peeked sideways at her disgruntled figure, hoping to have shaken her anger.

Still scowling, she backtracked.  "Well, I just still want YOU, but I need another mama too.  One who lets me do whatever I want."

Indeed.

2. I've had a couple of discussions with acquaintances lately that have left me feeling awkward.  A few times, we've been talking about raising kids and the conversation has turned to the little newspaper column I've been writing.  Sometimes it includes stories of our difficult days or mishaps, and I write it all in the hopes that it'll be helpful to anyone else. 

But in these recent encounters, the response people have to my kids is this: "You're SO patient!"   A compliment, right?  But my mind twists it into something not so complimentary.  It makes me wonder if my kids seem so terribly behaved that anyone else would pull their hair out and run, screaming, from their presence.  But since I'm so very patient, I handle their supposed awfulness better?  Am I looking too deeply into this seemingly harmless compliment?  I'm sure I am, but...would anybody else take it that way?

3. This summer has been a terrible meal-planning phase for me.  I have no idea what's for dinner from one day (week...) to the next, and it's stressing me out!  But at the same time, I've been falling back on quick, simple meals to spare myself a lot of work.  With temps in the triple digits for days on end, cooking isn't my favorite activity. 

But also, I like to plead helplessness to my husband.  And go out to eat at a restaurant more than we usually do.  I'm so sneaky.

4. Last night was one of our emergency restaurant nights.  I'd counted on eating leftovers, but those turned out to be growing something inedible on their refrigerated surface so we had to make quick alternative plans.  Mia picked the restaurant -- a Mississippi style barbecue joint -- and we were off.   

Before our food arrived, Mia and I snuck away to the restroom.  The speakers were loud in the small, enclosed room, so jazzy blues filled the bathroom and bounced off the tile walls.  It was too much: we had to dance.  Hoping no other patrons needed to visit the wash room, we simpered for the mirrors, spun, and wiggled.  We boogied and shook and skittered across the bathroom floor, losing our breath and laughing until tears came to our eyes.   

Restroom dance parties are way cool.

5. I scream...

6. You scream...

7. We all scream....

For ice cream!

Have a relaxing summer weekend, and visit Betty Beguiles (our gracious, temporary hostess)  for more Quick Takes!