two weeks
Ali’s been on a marathon business trip for the last 2 weeks. This means that for the past two weeks I:
- Didn’t move the sugar bowl even once.
- Ate scrambled eggs thirteen out of fourteen nights (we had Chipotle one night…I really lived it up).
- Had our shoebox sized bathroom all to myself.
Quality Time: A walk to Rockefeller Center.
- Didn’t wash a single pair of someone’s thermals.
- Made the bed in one second flat (the trick is to occupy a tiny corner, don’t untuck the sheet, and use a separate blanket).
- Smashed my foot in a revolving door (this has nothing to do with Ali being gone but I felt the need to incorporate it into this post. Apparently I need a lesson in how to use a revolving door).
Ice cream at the VERY overrated Max Brenner. Do not eat here. Ever.
And most interestingly, I had zero problems handling Maya by myself. For two straight weeks. She was literally an angel.
We’re talking Best Behavior Ever.
After week one I was so confused by her good behavior that I actually asked her, “Why are you such a good girl when dad’s away, but when he’s here you don’t listen, you whine incessantly, and complain about everything?”
This “pizza” was $9 and it was nothing more than a tortilla with sauce and cheese on it. Did I mention you should NEVER eat at Max Brenner?
She thought about it for a second, said, “I really don’t know,” and then she laughed.
Points for honesty I guess?
overlooking things
On the rare occasion when I somehow manage to overlook something I probably shouldn’t be complaining about in the first place, my eagle-eyed sidekick Maya will inevitably catch it.
And her most recent topic of choice to nitpick was Ali’s purchase of a pair of headphones.
A few pictures from the last week: Maya and I had dessert at Chelsea Market. Or she had dessert and I watched.
So Ali is not a big spender.
I obviously comment incessantly on his addiction to buying things that require charging, but in reality? His annual spending on things that plug-in probably amounts to less than what I spend on Method cleaning products (so addicted to Method
Also, now that we are car-less and don’t have to spend money fixing his car every ten second? I know I can’t really fault him.
Maya, however, didn’t get the memo and/or didn’t care.
We caught a pretty sunset in Chelsea.
Maya: “Mama, did you know that dad spent $200 on his new earphones? That a lot.”
Me: “That really is a lot. The sound must be really good though. Let me listen.”
Maya: “It’s not any different from my Hello Kitty earphones.”
Me: “You’re right. It’s not really that good.”
Maya: “Dad, me and Mom think your earphones aren’t really that good. You spent a lot of money for no reason.”
We found a heart-shaped potato!
Obviously Maya should have minded her own business here and I probably should have said so. But honestly, I’m just tired of being the bad guy all the time. So I figured I’d let Ali field this one.
He looked up from his laptop, made no comment, and then looked back down at his laptop.
This is often what happens when he knows that I/we are right (which is always) and secretly agrees with us but doesn’t want to verbalize the agreement in case it’s used against him in a future argument.
Which it will be anyway.
We had lunch at Le Pain Quotidien.
But we all play the game, right?
Only the next time Maya and I decide to pick on something, Ali has the option of putting on his average sounding, overpriced earphones so he doesn’t have to hear us rambling on.
So maybe, in his mind, they’re worth $200 after all.
my 38th
Last week I turned 38.
I normally don’t ask for anything. But seeing as I received light bulbs last year, I decided to be a little more proactive and request a few things that couldn’t be purchased at a hardware store.
On the weekend…more snow.
Here’s what I asked for:
- From Ali (this request occurred nearly six weeks ago to allow for fulfillment): A single, duplicate earring to replace the one that somehow fell out of my ear. (How do screw on earrings fall out? I am very confused.)
- From Maya: The latest issue of Marie Claire magazine and a bar of organic 73% chocolate from Trader Joe’s. (I had to keep within her $5 budget. I saw $55 in her wallet the other day though. Again, I am very confused.)
Weekend lunch: Our usual Fig & Olive. Where one can never go wrong….
Here’s what I got:
- From Ali: A dead orchid. (I was told this orchid wilted and died as it made its way from Trader Joe’s to our apartment, due to a snowstorm.)
- From Maya: 3 bags of One Lucky Duck macaroons. These were appreciated, no doubt. But I have to wonder: why am I asked what I want if it’s going to be completely disregarded???
@ Maison Kayser where Maya enjoyed a birthday eclair on my behalf.
In short my 38th was completely unremarkable.
I went to work, I broke a nail, I nearly had to swim home due to the aforementioned snow storm, I cleaned the kitchen, I argued with Maya about doing her homework / taking a shower / watching TV / babysitting the class stick bugs, I moved Ali’s socks, and then I went to sleep.
Brunch @ Bryant Park Grille: Ali ordered a salad! That was a first.
The highlight of my day was when I found The Lowland
It takes so little. Really, it does.
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 