how do they stand it?
On Saturday morning I thought to myself:
“Today I’m not going to harp on things that shouldn’t matter. Like the fact that I tripped on a certain 2nd grader’s filthy backpack on my way to the gym this morning. Twice. I’m also not going to wax on about how much Maya’s been on the iPad lately. And I’m certainly not going to mention Ali’s cables or laptop(s) or socks.”
It was a long thought.
Weekend Pictures: Lunch with friends at Monsieur Marcel, chocolate from a very generous friend, coffee at Vosges in Beverly Hills.
After that long thought, however, I got into it with our contractor who quickly went from my awesome list to my sh#$ list. Which snapped me straight into the bitchy mood that I’d tried so hard to avoid.
It takes so little.
First I went off on Ali for refusing to recycle a stack of restaurant-related magazines, despite the fact that he’s never owned a restaurant and likely will never own a restaurant. This because we’ve established through much research / discussion / self-reflection that 99.9% of restaurants make no money before they inevitably fail within the first year.
When the dust settled, me and Maya agreed to let bygones be bygones so we could take this picture. Not sure why I still look really mean.
Next I channeled my inner Tiger Mom by drilling Maya on her Serena Williams presentation, over and over, until she could recite Serena’s entire life from age 3 to the present in her sleep. Complete with the awkward fact that Serena “Now lives in Florida with her two dogs, where she oversees her clothing line with Nike.”
After that I decided to make homemade waffles (that nobody asked for) so I could complain about how dirty the kitchen is and then about how nobody appreciates my cooking. And after that?
I tried to figure out how people can stand me.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
I’ve had days like this far too often. Take a deep breath, pour a glass of wine and bury yourself in a good, uplifting book. Your family put up with you because you’re lovely and they love you.
I need a book! Such the perfect escape. Great suggestion W/M.
Although I cant offer advice on owning a restaurant, have you guys ever looked into opening up a franchise in another country (e.g. Dubai)? Perhaps all those magazines still have a chance to come in handy ;)!
I actually wanted to bring Jamba Juice to Dubai…after being there and experiencing the heat I thought it was the perfect franchise for that climate! But of course we never followed through….
Never too late 🙂
First of all your honesty is probably one of your most endearing qualities…no really,Ameena. I’m tired of people who hold things in and then explode. You let it out and that’s good, besides I wouldn’t want to see the photo of your head exploding from holding it in!! 😉 You don’t look mean…blame it on the sun in your eyes! I always do!!!
Thanks for appreciating my honesty…I think many people wish I wasn’t SO honest. Ali being at the top of that list…
I have days like that far too often when everything and everyone annoy me and after an entire day of that kind of thing I usually realize the one common denominator in all of that annoyance is me. And I hate that too, when the problem is me. Usually it means I am trying to do too much and need a break. Tell Ali you are going to let him deal with the contractor while you spend a Saturday relaxing.
I hate to admit it but I am often the common denominator. I really hate that!
So again I’m dealing with contractor today because Ali? He skipped town. Again.
Hahaha… I just experienced that kind of day this morning and I’m always chaneling my inner tiger mom personality when it’s time for homework!
On another hand, why would Ali keep old restaurant magazines? And you don’t look mean in the photo, you were just squinting because of the sun 🙂
I’m sorry you experienced it too! Homework time is the worst, isn’t it?
Deep breaths (and a little chocolate) get me through days like this! I’m trying to work on this now…before I have kids, although I know there will still be plenty of momements when my family can’t stand me!
I think I need a whole lot of chocolate…which then creates a blood sugar crash and more of a bad mood. LOL
Awww. sorry about the bad days. It can be frustrating at times and taking it out on our husbands is easy. I love La Maison’s chocolates… I believe they do macarons too. If it’s the same store I’m thinking about, try the fleur de sel.. so good. Such a pretty pic of you and Maya.
I have not had their macarons before…I will definitely check it out!
Thanks Nisha…I appreciate the compliment. 🙂
Oh,Ameena, same here, same here. Sometimes I nag the hell out of my family and wonder how they didn’t whack me after all that. Dark days.
Dark days is right! Sorry you can relate but I’m kind of glad you can. 🙂
You need a massage! I had one last week and if I had the money would get one every week, they are the best! And I think the stats for restaurant failure is 95%, not good odds at all. If he’s serious there is an amazing restaurant in San Jose called Aqui, I am not sure if they do franchises but it is seriously the best food. Casual, affordable, healthy and interesting. Look into it. (it’s a California twist on Mexican food)
I really do need a massage. It’s been ages!
Aqui? What a cool name. I am definitely going to tell Ali to check it out next time he’s in San Jose…he just got back! But next time for sure.
Sometimes I wonder how my husband can take my moods as well 🙂 Don’t think you are alone.
I’m glad I’m not alone…not that I’m glad your moody! But you know what I mean…:)
You know the rule; if momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. They just need to work harder to make sure you stay happy.
Now this is a great point…they need to work harder so I’m not in a bad mood. Love it!
I read some of your posts to my Mother and She thinks your hair is fabulous Ameena:) and your truly beautiful. According to her your beauty is timeless. She loves how good you are with cleaning and how organized your house is. In my Mother’s Book cleanliness is next to holiness and a house is blessed where such a lover of cleanliness resides. She loves how you don’t like wasting food. Thank you for a great post. Blessed be.
How nice is your mom? Please tell her I appreciate her kind comments, just as I appreciate yours. 🙂
Oh I know how you feel. It happens quite too often with me. And even I wonder how my husband and my daughter stand me 😉
Sorry it happens to you too Nandita! But I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂
Everyone has their bad moments and I know with me I have that moment at least once a day- you are not alone ! At least you are aware of it..as usual you and Maya look georgeous 😉
Thanks Amelia…so nice of you to say! I appreciate the comment and compliment. 🙂
Anything chocolate is my remedy for days like these.:) I am not particularly fond of Tiger Mom but come homework time , I can see myself transforming into one. Of all the travails of motherhood teaching them to write ranks right up there in the order and its just started..:)
That’s what scares me! It’s just started….
Wait a sec, you make people waffles (precious, delicious food) then wonder how they can stand you?:)
I do make waffles…FROM SCRATCH.
Suddenly I feel like a better person. 🙂
Well I like you. 😀
Glad someone does! 🙂
chocolate is the answer to everything Ameena.
It almost is. 🙂
Don’t be too hard on yourself – we all have days where we want to bite everyone’s heads off. Pretty sure mine was yesterday.
I had to laugh at the part here about Ali holding onto all the restaurant magazines. I’m pretty sure if my dad did that my mom would just go and throw them out when he’s at work and then tell him she put them “in storage”. Not that I’m recommending that. Okay, maybe a little 😉
The only issues is that we live in a condo and have no storage…I need to think of an alternative excuse.
Your mom is smart. 🙂
Oh I hear you! There are so many days I feel the exact same way. But atleast you are trying..and if it helps i like you..hugs 🙂
It does help Shefali. Thank you!
I wonder how people stand me all the time. I think it’s our unbelievable charm that does it. 🙂
At least you’re cooking for them though. Last night I told my boyfriend that I’d deal with dinner, and by dealing with it, I mean I picked up wonton soup after my workout. Anything else would have been too much effort.
Wonton soup…that is a great idea for my next take out decision. 🙂
I’m with you on “it takes so little”. I hate it when I have zen intentions and my family ruins it.
Sorry you have the same problem Lauren…maybe we can commiserate?
Is that fact the conclusion to Maya’s presentation? Did she pick to do her presentation on Serena Williams? I remember when I was in elementary school we had to do a similar project, and dress up like the person we were talking about 😛
Exactly…she had to do the same thing and dress up. Luckily she had all the tennis ensembles and racket already. 🙂
Yay to homemade waffles!
Yes, definitely!
Homemade waffles can erase an array of sins! 🙂
I’m learning that slowly. 🙂
I can totally relate to this! I didn’t even used to recognize it but now that I do, I can take steps to mediate it. The fact that you recognize that you do it will help you deal with it.
I hope so Mandy…I really do hope so!
Sometimes, you just gotta have a day when nothing goes right and everything needs complaining about. I know those days. They happen several times a week…
Several times a week? I am sorry to hear that Ken!!
I have days like this often. One thing led to another. My husband calls it my psycho mode. Hrumph.
Psycho mode….hmmm. I think I go into that mode a bit too often.
So sorry but I think we all can relate to venting days. Have a cup of coffee, chocolate and spa day — everything is fine until the next episode 🙂
A spa day would be EXCELLENT right now. 🙂
Oh my gosh, Ameena. I am playing catch-up with your blog and sometimes I feel like we are cut from the same Tiger Mom cloth!
It takes the tiniest little things to SET ME OFF! And then… look out. The restaurant magazines? Um no. And lord help everyone if I trip over a book bag or step on a matchbox car.
Luckily we don’t have the matchbox cars…we do have hair clips and nail polish though…
I also have a very little patience, and I’m not good at keeping my good mood. Its always something that makes me annoyed, but anyway, my husband said, women are like that, they need fights or annoy things to spice up the life. Oh well..
Your husband is hysterical….not sure that I need things like fights to spice up my life though!
Aah, how I remember memorizing speeches and presentations for class! Except, since I am South Indian and we are matrilineal, I had my mom AND my maternal grandmom pull their Tiger act if I didn’t memorize stuff soon enough.
I’m off to Google “matrilineal” as I’ve never heard the word before…
Ali-