Just Being
A miracle happened today – I didn’t get mad at anyone or anything.
Could this be because I have no energy as the last 7 days of Ramadan wind down? Or could it be that I am finally turning over a new and more patient leaf? Who knows? What I do know is that both Ali and Maya seem a bit out of sorts with my newfound mellowness.
It all started this morning when Maya kicked things off bright and early by building a tent in the living room.
This Dora blanket has seen more action than any other gift Maya has ever received.
On any other occasion I would have freaked out that pillows were everywhere, that Dora’s rather unattractive face was somehow going to dirty my white sofa, and that Maya probably scratched the table when she pushed all of the coffee table items into a jumble in the corner. (She did.)
Today I just stared longingly at the disarray of remotes wishing I had the energy to stack them in an orderly manner. I didn’t. And when Maya asked if she could leave the tent up all day I surprised myself by saying, “Sure, why not?”
Needless to say, it was a free for all after that.
Maya: “Can I have sushi and raspberries from Whole Foods for dinner, Mama?”
Me: “Okay, sure.”
"Can I have the dipping sauce on the side?" "No problem."
Maya – “Is it alright if I play my flute with my nose?”
Me – “If that’s what you need to do, then by all means.”
Maya – “Will you take a picture of me doing it?”
Me – “You got it.”
Jingle Bells featuring Maya's nose. Maya is one talented kid.
Maya: “Can we make Double Chocolate Chip Cookies and can I lick the bowl?”
Me: “I guess. But don’t come to me if your stomach hurts from eating raw, possibly tainted eggs.”
These are the best cookies we have ever made. We keep making batches and giving them to our friends/family.
After much discussion on the word “tainted” and after several minutes of deliberation Maya licked the bowl clean. It’s been a few hours and she appears to be fine so I guess our eggs were fine too.
Ali, on the other hand, was at odds with my new calmness.
Ali: “I know you are fasting but can you make me a turkey sandwich for lunch today?”
Me: “Why not?”
Ali: “I won’t be home for dinner tomorrow night. Is that going to be a problem?”
Me: “Not at all.”
Ali: “I’m hiring several girls to walk around in skimpy outfits to promote an event in San Francisco. What do you think?”
Me: “That sounds like a fantastic idea to me.”
After looking at me oddly and not without fear, Ali and Maya retreated to her room and shut the door. I think they are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I am too because we all know it’s only a matter of time.
A Bit of Introspection
Ali is pretty disappointed that nobody insulted me in order to win a Godiva Chocolate Bar Cake. I, on the other hand, am thrilled!
Just to clarify, I left it up to Maya to choose a winner and then I had to spend 10 minutes clarifying the following:
- Why she had to pick a number. “Why Mama, why?”
- Why we are making a cake for someone she doesn’t know.
- Why she cannot have a piece of it.
- Why she cannot lick her fingers or sneeze during the process.
Lo and behold, Maya finally chose a number.
But before I disclose the winner, can I clarify a few things and simultaneously bore you with some introspection?
I recently learned that I have something called Middle Child Syndrome (I swear I am not making this up). Basically, this is a theory perpetuated by Alfred Adler that middle children can become very independent adults who either create a ruckus to become noticed or who lay low in order to keep the peace.
Obviously I fall in the latter category.
Well, in my quest to lay low I feel the need to make everybody happy. Why? Simply because I want everyone to like me. And that is why I go to great lengths to justify, clarify, and apologize all over myself.
I find it interesting that my child has no desire to explain why she's crawling through the living room with a Dora blanket on her. Obviously my need to continuously clarify did not rub off on her.
After my last post I realized this needs to stop.
I hope you will understand that I have the very best intentions as I wax on about nothing in particular, but my goal right now is to stop continuously clarifying and explaining myself.
And now that I’ve bored you to tears clarifying and explaining myself for the last time, I would like to congratulate Diana for winning a particularly delicious cake. Please email me your mailing address and Maya and I will have a cake out to you shortly. You will love it. I promise.
No further clarification necessary.
Cake Anyone?
Being the OCD person that I am, I read my posts about 100 times before I hit “publish.” I do this because grammar obviously isn’t my strong point, and also because I fear offending people in any way, shape, or form. (Unless, of course it’s Ali or Maya, in which case I sadly take pride in being as insulting as possible.)
My point is that despite my best efforts I still inadvertently stick my foot in my mouth, which I did in my last post. So I’d like to apologize for:
1. Writing that $29,000 isn’t a decent salary. What I should have explained is that after working overtime and weekends, driving 70 miles a day, plus gas, and wear and tear on my car, I don’t think that I broke even my first year of work!
2. Implying that everyone in “the new generation” is as irresponsible as Maya’s swimming teacher is. I actually know many teenagers who are more responsible that Maya’s swimming teacher. Actually, Maya is more responsible than her swimming teacher!
Anyway, I’d like to make it up to you by making you a cake. A Godiva Chocolate Bar Cake to be more specific. If you are interested in receiving an overdose of chocolate by snail mail, all you have to do is live in North America and leave a comment (or as may comments as you’d like) below by midnight, Monday, August 30th. Simply fill in the blank…
“Ameena needs to ____.”
Obviously Ali thought this up and I do believe he is hoping someone fills in the blank with “shut her mouth.” I wouldn’t blame him.
Also, I’d love it if you’d like to follow me on Twitter @ameenadin and/or become a fan of my Facebook page. The more I read about getting published, the more I realize that a new author really needs a social media presence and as I only have 13 fans on Facebook thus far, I’d appreciate the support.
Maya promises to wash her hands!
In return I promise I’ll wash Maya’s hands properly before she assists in making the cake. In hot water AND with soap. We are going ALL out this time!
And if that isn’t a genuine apology, I don’t know what is.
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 