A Born Spiller

That's right. I'm a born spiller. Always have been. I dare you to find me in anything that isn't blue, black, brown, denim. I can't help it. I've decided to embrace my fault and just live with it.

After college, I spent the customary hundreds of dollars on a "working" wardrobe. Suits, skirts, professional looking stuff. And if I don't say so myself, I looked pretty good. That is until I spilled on myself. I am not exaggerating here. I spilled on myself every day---at least once. I tried all sorts of things. Drink only white soda, water, eat only salads with clear dressing. Doesn't matter. If you spill on a silk or rayon blend, it still spots. And if you eat salads with clear dressings chances are they are oil based. Lots of dry cleaning bills. Lots of money out the window. So then I tried another tactic. Don't drink or eat much while at work and in the presence of others. Well, this only gave me headaches from dehydration and not eating enough. And then one day a concerned friend asked if I had an eating disorder. I kindly thanked her for her concern and said that no, actually I have a spilling disorder.

I tried to do a study of my behavior. I determined that I am not a slob. I do generally hit my target. But I also spill at least one time a day. I love to talk. I get animated when talking with others. I try very hard to not speak with any food in my mouth, but the occasional mishap has been known to occur. I also have been known to attempt multi-tasking. Dangerous. Should carry a license for that. So the inevitable happens. I hardly even drink in the car anymore. At least not when I'm driving. Coffee, soda, anything is fair game to drip on me.

So back to an earlier post, when I mentioned Gracie's annual check up with her pediatrician. When he asked her what her favorite color was, she said black, because it goes with everything. Yes, I know this is not normal for a child her age, but I figured, no time like the present. She has been trained since an early age. Because, indeed, black does go with everything and it hides a multitude of sins, I mean spills. And she does come by spilling naturally---it's in her genes. I mean it's on her jeans. Whatever. You know what I mean.

©2010 Ann M. De broux

Transitions

Today was a good day. We did family things like a family should on a Saturday. It feels great to be a family again. Not that we ever stopped. But living in two separate places made life a bit challenging. Our actual move happened last weekend. And then the week back in Appleton to finish out the school year. It was bittersweet. So nice to be with family and friends. So sad to think of not being with them on a regular basis. I got a bit choked up when I dismissed the kindergartners for the last time from their lunchtime recess. I will miss their daily "funnies." Speaking of funny. There was a great one this last week of school. My coworker and I showed up at work in identical shirts. Not on purpose. We must have had 25+ kids point this out to us. They thought it was a hoot. So did we. Then a little boy insisted that no, the shirts were not the same. We explained that indeed they were. We even bought them at the same store. No, he said. Again and again. Finally, frustrated he said, the shirts had different bumps! OK, I know that you are a smart enough crowd to figure this one out. I'm still laughing.

I have felt myself separating for a while now. From my routine, a little from friends and family. I think this is OK. I don't mean that I have become distant. What I mean is I have been sitting back and observing. I have seen that everyone will be fine. Life will be different, but fine. I have been transitioning. I have smiled at the fact that my beautiful sister has become a part of a great book club. She adds so much life and humor to them and they do the same for her. I have seen a friend's new home and my heart filled with joy at the fact that she and her family have found a place of comfort. I gave a hug to a friend and didn't want to let go because I knew that as soon as I did our lives would change forever. And they have. But we were also texting each other a few hours later.

Change is not always easy. Transitions can be painful. But in the whole scheme of life, I think it's what makes us appreciate what we have. Today is the start of a new life in Madison. My family and friends will be part of this and of course there is always room for more. So now on to the boxes in the basement...stay tuned.
©2010 Ann M. De Broux