Monday, May 31, 2010

Got My Life Back

Yes it is back, the uninteresting life and times of ML Davis. Where did it go? One word takes it: GRADUATION.

Yesterday, May 30th, a beautiful girl, Karlie Lynn, became a confirmed graduate of Velva High School - class of 2010. Another huge milestone is behind her and with the grace of God and plenty of luck she will hurdle a few more biggies along the way. The wicked step mom will be on the sidelines praying and preaching, which by the way, I am damn good at the latter.









The girl did it!! More about her when I get some photos from Karlyn. I was too frenetic to be an apt recorder. The word Valium kept racing around in my head, they didn't call them mother's little helpers for nothing. Where is a good pill when you need one??

So back to the missing life of ML. This is the fourth (fifth, if you count our wedding) time since 1989 I have "lost me" to the wicked throws of getting the house ready for a celebration.

Why do I get so obsessed with this semi public display of the way we live? Most of our friends have been here when the bathroom looks like a gym locker, the kitchen counters and dining room table are in the living large mode and there are enough shoes in the front hall to open a second-hand Zapos. I kind of wonder if most of those friends didn't see the wreckage because I looked worse than the house.

So along comes a gala event to snap towels at both ankles for about one month prior to the big day; to get me to dance a jig for deep cleaning. I think about it all winter for fleeting moments but don't really get pumped until the word MAY is at the top of the check blank.

Here's my to do list:

Wash walls
Wash windows
Shampoo the carpet
Replace throw rugs that look like crap
Clean blinds and curtains
Touch up trim paint - paint any rooms that need it
Liquid Gold the wood and cupboards
Spot clean furniture
Wash light fixtures and fans
THROW-THROW-THROW all the junk that accumulates

...and that is inside, outside - which Ron does a good job of taking care of - needs my eye to replace, repair and redo. Just ask my friend Suzy about the umbrella(s). She was the driver they day we almost came home with three patio umbrellas. I drew the line at two. But I did have to buy the perfect fit for the new cushions, it needed to blend. Cocktails started a little early that day!

Please don't think I don't do these tasks during the interim of momentous occasions, I do - just not all at the same time, frequently not even in the same month or year. There is just more to life that a clean house. I like my stuff even if it piles up around me.

Most will say, "It doesn't matter, people walk in talking and walk out talking, they don't see it anyway." But I have to know our house is presentable. If I didn't go berserk every now and then we'd be on Hoaders before too long. We also don't move often enough to be streamlined with our belongings. So in reality, these traumatic events are necessary in my life. It's like house CPR and thankfully the patient always comes back to life.

And while I am in the industrial mode, life goes on. People want to eat, laundry continues, Lacy even had a sleep over on Friday night (she asked her Dad and he said yes - not thinking!!) Sure I could have paced myself but gosh a feller' would hate to do something too early only to have to do it over again. Some days did get awfully long, especially the last few and I won't even go into the food issue. But I did meet my deadlines, and I was able to cross off just about everything on the sacred list(s).

Now today, 24 hours later, I am about ready to fall apart. Almost every major joint in my body aches and I feel like I have walked across America, possibly without shoes and uphill. Where is the ibuprofen??

To sum things up it was a nice day. I was happy (even without the Valium). Karlie was happy. Life goes on - until next year when Carsten (more prayers needed) dons his cap and gown. I wonder if I can keep the house up for 365 days? Naw, stupid idea!

2 comments:

Nicole Reid said...

All that reminds me that I have to get my house ready for YOUR visit. I better start now!

Susan said...

Wash the walls!!!?!?!!!!!
Get a grip!

Congrats to all, BTW - you, her, the whole family.

P.S. "Hoarders" fascinates me - for all the wrong reasons