Sunday 2 March 2008

NO UPS WITHOUT DOWNS, NO HIGHS WITHOUT LOWS

This week has been a challenge to say the least.

I am really missing my mum (she’s been in New Zealand for the last two months). Work has been pretty full on and I am also trying to get some contractual issues settled. I spent half of my day off at a work-related seminar, which although informative, took me away from miss minx for far too long. And finally I have been decorating our bedroom. Now slapping emulsion onto four walls isn’t exactly the hardest job in the world but it is complicated in this particular room by a king sized bed, two bedside tables, a chest of drawers, a double wardrobe and two triple wardrobes. Now such are the constraints on space in this household that I had to move each piece of furniture, which meant emptying each wardrobe individually, moving it a couple of feet forward, wedging myself behind it and painting the space, letting it dry, pushing it back, putting all the contents back and onto the next obstacle.

Yesterday I had allocated for one triple wardrobe and one wall. Whilst going through the contents of my “summer wardrobe” my mind wandered back to my 21st birthday. Couldn’t tell you why but there you go. Now, I can’t reveal too many details as those involved are still alive but suffice to say it was well celebrated! A couple of days later I was in the pub feeling distinctly like a popped balloon and enjoying a particularly acute bout of anti-climax, when a friend’s fella popped up with an absolute gem of wisdom……… He opined that without the lows of that particular evening, the highs of my birthday would have been meaningless. It has stayed with me all these years. And those chuckling at the precise number of years can bugger off! And I must reiterate that it was a man who produced this pearl of incitefulness…….

So I soldiered on, completed my allotted wardrobe and wall and feeling inspired, I tackled the last wardrobe and wall, hung the new curtains and made the bed with the new bedding. It looks lush! Chocolate and aqua if you’re interested……

So I got into bed last night a bit weary but definitely enjoying a warm glow of satisfaction.

I woke this morning to the sound of the daughter climbing the stairs telling her brothers to “shush” at the top of her voice. Next I was assaulted by a volley of cards, chocolates and cuddles. It’s Mother’s Day, life is good and my cherished sense of contentment is restored. It’s the most precious asset I have and I value it highly.

Hope all you other mothers out there had a good day, husband even took me shopping voluntarily. Perfect!

11 comments:

The Woman who Can said...

Gosh, you must be spoilt rotten with all yours on Mothers Day!

And loving the sound of the decor! Am thinking of going for a variation of it with a sort of mushroom & duck egg blue. Except I'm not entirely sure what duck eggs look like.

Hope you had a great day!

Swearing Mother said...

Glad you had a good one MMOFm=, if anyone deserves a good mother's day, you do!

And Tina, hi. Duck egg blue is a sort of sky blue with a dollop of grey in it. Waitrose duck eggs are beige (and bloody expensive), so someone's having me on or it's all a con. :o)

Kim said...

I've been thinking of using brown and blue in my living room and just ordered some fabric swatches. Great minds think alike.

Sounds like a wonderful mother's day. You deserve it!

the mother of this lot said...

Glad you had a good day!
Thanks for visiting!

Suzy said...

You deserve one hell of a Mother's Day, my friend!

Your family, I am quite sure, considers you their most loving asset.

Your blog and words certainly are and asset that I look forward to.

Love you.

Suzy

Maggie May said...

Glad you had a lovely day, makes everything else more bearable!

Gone Back South said...

That sounds lovely, and a good reward for all that hard work.

Cath said...

Sounds like you deserved every bit after all that hard work. It's great when they bring you soggy cornflakes and cold tea isn't it? I remember that fondly when mine were younger.

Mid-lifer said...

Oh I DID have a good day (two football matches!) but lovely cards.

I like that pearl of wisdom too - i need it because we're just thinking about doing stuff to the house and it feels so daunting. I'm also panicking a bit about how slow my PhD is going, but i must remind myself to keep going - it will feel so good in the end.

Thanks for that post!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Decorating?Yuck! You've just been tagged. Come on over to read all about it.

Manic Mother Of Five said...

Hey Tina. It was a lovely, lovely day. Am chuffed to bits with the bedroom, just need to shorten the curtains now and hang a couple of pictures and we're there.

Thanks Sweary!

Kaycie, we are obviously ladies of taste and style!


MOTL - ditto!

Suzy, you are just a total sweetie.

Indeed it does Maggie, indeed it does.

It was GBS, thanks for visiting.

Love soggy cereal Cath - how odd am !

Hi Mid-lifer. Really hope you find it useful - I am definitely a glass half full kind of a person but obviously have my off days and remembering that does help.

Retired and Crazy, love decorating if I'm honest - perhaps its the smell of paint. Will be over and get my instructions!