Monday, May 11, 2009

Mothers Day Mandy style

Happy Mothers day to all Mothers out there and Dads that are mums as well.

I am not one for celebrating days like Mothers Day, Fathers Day. Not because I feel that they dont deserve the attention ( am a mum several times over myself) but because I dont like all of the advertising hype over it.
This year they wre advertising items into the thousands of dollars price range with the Slogan Mum wont be happy unless.

This gave me the reason to sit my children down and explain to them why I wanted a $$$ free Mothers day.
When I explained I wasnt going to be happy with money spent on me they looked at me and were quite upset at the thought of not being able to show or express the Mothers Day sentiments by buying me items.
This in turn upset me, I felt I had taught them well about advertising tricks and ploys to get you to spend as much as possible. They argued it was because they wanted to not because of advertising.
So I argued back that seeing it was Mothers Day and they wanted to make me happy wouldnt knowing what I wanted make it easier for them?

Eventually they understood and my Mothers Day became one where no money was spent on gifts.

Escher made me the most beautiful card I have ever received. After having her tell me what the picture she so carefully drew depicted I placed it in my special box with her watching. She swelled with pride that it went in and the happiness in her eyes helped make my day.
Cassie received the same from Esch a beautiful picture hand drawn for her to treasure.

As there are two Mums living in the house we shared the cooking and tidying for mothers day luncheon, usually Cassie cooks and does the dishes these days so it was a nice treat for her to be able to share the chores.. I picked my mother up and bought her over for the afternoon. Esch presented her with another card she had made and it made great nanna's day.

After we ate, we piled into the car and went for a drive. I headed out into the country area along The Great Ocean Road (It took 16years to build) and we had a wonderful time stopping at different stalls, buying fresh fruit and veg from the orchards and tasted a few wines from wine growers.

Late afternoon we stopped at a little coffee shop that was tucked away in the middle of no where and had devonshire tea.

We stopped for a pub meal on the way home when it became evident we werent going to make it at a reasonable hour to be cooking.

We arrived back home late evening exhausted, but it was one of the most wonderful Mothers Day's I have spent.

Everything was spur of the moment, We had no time frame, we just took it easy and relaxed and went with the flow.

Smelling the roses, whiny voices and old friends.

Today I decided to take some time out to stop and relax a little.
I picked Esch up from daycare and deliberatly arrived a little earlier than normal.
Whilst sitting watching the little ones play and fight lol.. I heard a familiar voice and name.
Looking up I saw a woman around my age with her daughter and grandson talking to the staff.
I waited until they finished and walked over with the "don't I know you from somewhere" line.

It turns out we were at school together. She moved interstate after she got married and has only just returned to Melbourne after a divorce. Stayed with her hubby until the youngest of their children become established and then went their seperate ways.

Anyway with a lot of catching up to do we sat outside in the parking area chatting away. It was the first time both if us had relaxed in quite awhile and nice to catch up.

After awhile we just sat in silence, I guess pondering the conversations we had and enjoying the peace.

Mothers were comming meeting friends chatting, grabbing their kids and leaving. One in particular turned up in a brand new 4wheel drive, heavily pregnant and struggling to get out of her car. Sharon and I watched in silence with fascination. I guess we were both wondering why she would be driving a car she had trouble getting in and out of.

Anyway this woman waddled away from her car only to be stopped by another who was sitting in wait in her car, an old ford that had seen better days, paint peeling and dent marks all around.

Waiting lady waited until waddler got up beside the car and pounced.

"Hello there "WOW" you have a new car.

Waddler replied with plum in mouth "Oh yes we got it about 7 weeks ago" (I guess 7 weeks ago she didnt count on her belly enlarging)

Being a people who respects others privacy we decided to listen in to the conversation.

Apparantly waddling pregnant lady had missed a party at the laying in wait ladys home.

Apologies were made and excuses started to flow, Waddling lady's husband had lost his job 6 weeks ago and with 1 child and another on the way she wasnt thinking straight too much stress etc and totally forgot.

Waiting Lady said she was sorry to hear of the news and offered any help she could give, especially with a new baby on the way. "just call me I will be there" were her words.

Then waddling lady informed her that hubby had gained employment 2 days after his last job ended and was on a higher pay bracket. (should have been no extra worry and stress then right?)

Lady in wait was impressed but didnt seem to pick a contradiciton in there anywhere.
However she did invite Waddler and her family to dinner this comming saturday night.

Then the whiny voice started.
You know the one woman use when they dont really want to be talking to someone.

It kinda went like this. ohhhhhhhhhhh IIIIIII dooooooooont knoooooooowwwwwwww. We have been sooooooo up and dowwwwwwwn since hubby lost his job we arent sure wether we are coming or going. (Doesnt hubby have a new job with more pay????).

Waiting lady said well you have my phone number so give me a call tonight after 8pm and let me know.. we are having a few over so it wont just be us and the kids.

Waddler then remember that she had lost the paper that Waiting ladys number was written on. The real reason she didn't turn up on the last invite.
So numbers were exchanged again.

Whilst this was happening another heavily pregnant lady waddled on over (waddler2)...Stood back politely and patiently waiting for the conversation to end.

Sharon and I looked at one another, burst out laughing, then calmed ourselves down, We missed the goodbyes of waddler and waiter...However we caught part of the conversation with waddler and waddler 2. Funny the whiny voice was gone, she talked with speed and excitement, boasted about how much extra money was coming into the house and that the new car would be paid for in 6 months and then whined about lady in wait made a few nasty comments about her and then waddler and waddler 2 waddled off into the centre to pick up their children who Sharon and I both hope dont turn out to be whiners like their waddling parents.

Both of us felt sad for the waiting lady. She sounded friendly and genuine in her offers of help and invite to dinner. It seemed she just wanted to make friends.


We sat and chatted a little longer wondering if we were ever that way and both agreed that yes we have been. Feeling ashamed of ourselves we decided to wash it down with a couple of drinks at the pub. Cassie and Esch got a ride home With Sharons daughter and grandson and Sharon and I headed to the nearest bar where we sat on a stool leaned on the bar and as you do in a pub listened to more conversations around us.
We have agreed to meet once a week at day care and then head on to the pub afterwards. It seems we both like people watching and listening.

Maybe we will hit the single bars together in a couple of weeks.