impending

Today I’m wearing ruffles, and loving them. Unfortunately my camera batteries died just as I was in the process of attempting a photographic record. In between packing lunch, getting dressed, and remembering the letters that need to be mailed, I didn’t attempt to rectify that situation. It will all be put right on Thursday at the latest, since Mom is coming to visit, and we must have photo capability for that. My mother’s yarn acquisition skills are finely honed. Let me amend that—her acquisition skills comprise far more than mere yarn. I expect there will be some serious purchasing going on. She is also bringing my grandmother’s wool rug, which she’s been trying to send me for about a decade now. I am a bare-wood-floors person, but my resistance finally wore down. And who knows, it might even go well in the living room. I have turquoise and melon walls, and the rug as far as I remember uses shades of those colors.

Luckily Mom’s friend of 15 years or so is coming too, a wonderful man who is funny and smart and artistic. I figure he must be at least part saint, to be able to live in close proximity to her for so long and not lose his mind and still be able to smile. Well, maybe he has lost his mind. But he’s still a lot of fun. So, if we can stay off of dangerous topics (would you believe what your brother said to me? You are just like your father… why aren’t you married yet?) it could be a decent weekend. At least I’ll get to go out of the city! And I have great hopes of being able to get some knitting done. I think I need a change of scene and some rest, because I’ve had several nights recently when I find myself on my bed at 8:30 with barely enough energy to get up and brush my teeth and crawl back under the covers. Perhaps that’s just an avoidance strategy. Because try as I might, I can’t get around the fact that an impending maternal visit sets me on edge. No-one can ever be sure precisely what this woman will do… will everything be lovely and entertaining? Or will there be undercurrents of accusation ending in a maelstrom of self-righteous martyrdom?

The best I can do is make sure to have knitting, spinning, journal, and a good pair of hiking boots close to hand. That way, should anything erupt, I have escape strategies. Deep breath. Everything’s going to be just fine…

Comments

[Kerstin]

Good luck, Carrie! May the force be with you! (And not against you, teehee) I hope Liv never finds me difficult to be around. These days she's been telling me that she misses me soooo much when she's at school. I'm touched that she even thinks about me and wonders what I am doing. Then I contrast that with my relationship with my mother. sigh. My mother is now babysitting for me once a week. It's exhausting. For me. :)

[claudia]

Best of luck. There never was a weekend that didn't end.