My Mother's Voice

Every once in a while when I am speaking, I swear it is my mother's voice coming out of MY mouth. How else can I explain some of the things I say? The things I was never going to say. The things I hated to hear. The things I have long forgotten have somehow crept back to the surface!

Yesterday I caved in graciously let Kristin have a sleepover. I hardly ever have my extras anymore so a sleepover was not completely out of the question. They were noisy and giggly as 12 year old girls should be. Ryan chased them around giggling right along with them and Emily was part of the play as well; happily. It was a lot to take in. It really has been a while since I had any other kids in the house. You forget. And somehow, your own kids noise is easier to block out. My husband once asked me, "How can you stand all that noise?" I looked up at him and said, "What noise?" I wasn't being sarcastic. I honestly didn't know what he meant. Then I heard them, running, giggling, squealing. "Oh." I shrugged. Any mother knows, those sounds generally get lost in the shuffle. It's the screams and cries of pain that we hear.

There was a request to go to the mall. I remember those days. I remember how badly I always wanted to go. What I don't remember is why. I usually didn't have any money. My mom says it is because I was there with friends. I can see that, I guess. But I honestly don't remember what the big attraction was. I do remember whining and begging about my mom taking me there. Usually when she got home from work...like the very second she walked in the door. I get it now. And I don't even work. I also would ask at night. She would almost always say no...she couldn't see well at night. What? There are street lights, the cars have headlights. What do you mean you can't see well?
When the request for the mall came to me, it was after dinner. It was dark outside.

"Missy wants to know if we can go to the mall."
"I don't like driving at night."
"How come?"
"Because I don't see well at night." Whoah. Was Mom just channeling me? I really don't see well at night. My perception is lousy. I can't read street signs until I am on top of them, so unless I know exactly where I am going, there is next to no chance of me driving after dark. Yeah, that's right Mom, go ahead and laugh. It finally happened. However, the mall issue was quickly dropped and we decided to play Apples to Apples.

We got this game from Emmy & Eric. I have played it before, but it was years ago and this one is Disney Themed. The best part is, you do not have to be Disney educated to play. I played one game with them and then let them on their own. It was then that the silliness ensued. I remember being silly like that with my BFF. We were random in our silliness. We would roar with laughter. The music is different, the games are sometimes different, but the silliness stays forever the same.

One day Kristin will find that she has her mother's voice. It's a right of passage. One day my voice will remind her of Grandma. That will be a good day.

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Picture of the Day
That's right folks, I had her doing the laundry!