Pages

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 10

Today I want to express my gratitude for....
 my mother-in-law, Patty.
As I kind of alluded to the other day, she's staying with us right now until she can get on her feet.
She's a sweetheart, she really is. Super helpful.
In all honesty, sometimes she drives me crazy. But you know that that's going to happen at some point right? She's a neat-nick type of person and I am SO not. Needless to say, my house is currently cleaner than ever.
The only reason it gets on my nerves occasionally is because sometimes it feels like we can't just make a mess and deal with it when we get around to it. Feels like I'm walking on eggshells in my own house. Ugh. This on top of walking on eggshells already just because of the neighbors downstairs--don't want to be too noisy too early in the morning. Insert two raucous little monkeys here, and you'll understand why I think I'm getting an ulcer.
Despite it all, I do love her and appreciate her. Jon yelled at her the other day after she complained that the bathroom was messy. I felt bad that he had yelled at his mom.
So I just really want her to know how much we do love and appreciate all that she does, and we know it's just her way and nothing personal is intended by it.
I've got to say there are several things I really admire about her habits. One is that she just does things. For instance, I'll look at the kitchen floor and think, "oh, I need to sweep and mop.", and that's the end of it. Patty? She'll see that it needs to be done and just do it, instead of procrastinating about it. I really admire that. She's being a good example for me. Now, if there are dirty dishes on the counter, I'm more apt to either load them quickly into the dishwasher or just wash 'em up real quick.
My mom taught me all this stuff, by the way, I've just gotten pretty lax over the years in my cleaning habits and allowed the kids to be my excuse.
Also, she's helping me to see where I need to delegate to my kids more. I've always known this, but I just don't have the patience for it. Maybe cause she's a grandma, she's got the patience, I don't know-but my kids are doing more chores these days, and that's a good thing!
SUPER BONUS::::she's taking all the kids to the zoo tomorrow. Oh. my. gosh!! I could jump for joy! Thanks mom!!! I am SOSOSOSOSOSO looking forward to a morning without any little monkeys to herd around!!! Can anyone say retail therapy? Or maybe a hot soak in the tub with a nice trashy novel? 
Or maybe I'll watch Pride and Prejudice again with a BIG tub of super buttery popcorn.
One thing I'm not going to do? Clean a thing!!! (sorry Patty!)


6 comments:

gigi said...

Lucky you to have such a great MIL. Try and enjoy it and yall are great to help her by letting her stay. I'm sure the kids love it too.

tammy said...

Good job on seeing the positive. I love my MIL too, but there are certain things that just drive me crazy about her. I'm sure she'd say the same thing about me. It's hard to have two moms in the same house!

Kristina P. said...

I love my MIL too. I do wish i saw her more often, actually.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

That would be super tough! I don't like my space invaded!

Connie said...

It's hard to fit in when it's not your own daughter or own mother. You're good to help her get back on her feet. She sounds like a go-getter.

CB said...

I wish I could say that I am thankful for my MIL - either one of them - ha ha. Seriously they are not awful but they have never been the warm and fuzzy sort. Kurke's dad and mom are both divorced and remarried which is why I have 2 MIL's.
It is nice that you are grateful for her. I am sure she is just trying to help around the house and two women living in the house is bound to cause a little tension here and there. I think you have a great attitude!