A Week Only a Mother Could Love

Andy's mom has been here for almost a week now and we have had such a wonderful visit. She has been a great sport, since there has been almost constant remodeling here (it was all supposed to be finished before she arrived, but you know how it goes — I didn't, but you probably do) and other broken stuff (including a shower, a toilet, my back molar which I broke [it was already cracked] on a crispy noodle in some kao soi, and the Volvo [which essentially fell apart in the parking lot at the mall yesterday, necessitating a tow across the city and a rental car] ).

Andy had several days off, so we shopped (new shampoo and shower curtain for me and new shoes for Andy), we hung around Powell's for a whole delicious afternoon (I printed off Andrea's brilliant autumn-inspired picture book, middle-reader, and young adult booklists and am collecting titles), we went to the brew pub and the magazine store. On Saturday we got groceries and I cooked all afternoon, which was wonderful. On Sunday I hit the wall and sat on the sofa in a state of stupefied laze while Sue packaged ornament-kit pattern pages and wound yarn and cut rick-rack, and Andy cut felt. I stayed in my nightgown all day and knit and occasionally agreed to cut eyelet lace while lying on the couch. We watched Dan in Real Life. Pets sat on me and refused to move. I mostly refused to move (great hostess).

Sue leaves today, unfortunately. I love having her here so much. After I drop her at the airport, I'm going to come home and clean. Andy's back at work. It's almost time to turn the heat on for real. That will leave no excuse for sitting in a flannel nightgown under piles of quilts and cats because it's too cold to get up and do anything else. Drat.

Comments

[Tina]

Sounds like a lovely week - you need time like that! :-)

[Lauren]

I only hope my son's wife (he's eleven) will love me as much as you love Andy's mom. And I love her back, of course.

[jenn]

my folks are visiting from IN & they'll go home just when we're getting adjusted to being together. :-(

speaking of good reads, you should pick up "the knitting circle" by ann hood. great story about the community that develops between some women at a local yarn shop. you'll love it. i'm certain of it.

[tara]

What a beautiful relationship you have with your mother-in-law. She sounds like a wonderful friend.

[Kelly]

Love the pic!

[Natalie VV]

Good morning.
Thank you for blogging.
I love this post.

[Kelly]

love your stories... hope the Volvo is feeling better soon, they can be expensive when they break!
I know:(

[Melissa L.]

I turned on the heat yesterday morning after decided a nightgown and a cashmere pullover were inappropriate day wear.

After your week, you have all the permission you need to crawl back into that bed with kitty and knitting.

[Angela]

That sounds like a wonderful week (aside from stuff deteriorating and such) and visit! On with the heat, feels like there should be some sort of ceremony around "the turning on of the heat". ;)
Peace, Angela

[amanda makes]

I'm typing from the inside of a very cosy dressing gown, topped by my latest quilt and as my little one is with her Daddy tonight I'll put off the heating for one more day! So glad you have a lovely MIL. You deserve one. I bet she loves you too! Amanda xxx

[Amanda]

Some of your broken "stuff" made me cringe ... Hope your car and tooth are better.

Even with the heat on I find excuses to cuddle under a quilt and do nothing ... enjoy it :)

[Susie Sears Taylor]

I WAS cleaning until I decided to check and see if you Blogged yet. Lo and behold there you were. Glad you have a mil you love and enjoy. I am sure that means a lot to Andy.

[Val]

I love stories of sweet "in-laws." :) Just keep a pot of cinnamon water boiling on the stove top while you clean. That's my trick for making cold I-have-to-get-some-work-done days warmer. :)

[Jodi]

That is one cute and cozy cat, and I love the cheerful yellow and white knitting. What is it going to be?

Sounds like quite the week. Maybe a Volvo wagon shouldn't be my dream car after all? My husband's prompting me to stick with Jeeps.

[Lisa Blair]

Ah, I really wish my MIL and I got along as well as it sounds like you two do.

I made homemade paneer last night and started the chicken tikka in the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe that you recommended. Check it out:
http://showerfreshgarden.blogspot.com/2010/10/homemade-paneer-indian-cheese.html

[lindsey]

How lovely to have such a relationship with your MIL. Lucky you (and her!).

[AJ]

Sounds like a wonderful way to deal with the week, except for the minor set backs of course. Hope everything works itself out.

[Krissy Richardson]

I have been diligently working to convince my husband (every week) that we can last another week without heat so that I can sit around under quilts too! So far it is working....here's to one more week of success for both of us :)

[Frogdancer]

Funny. We're enjoying the first week in ages that the heating was turned OFF!
Guess the world really is round!

[Liz]

I should read more closely. I missed a crucial full stop and thought you were off to clean Andy's back at work, which brought a few odd mental pictures to mind.

The non-breaking down bits of the weekend sound absolutely wonderful.

[Bethany]

This explains why Andy is so great! Put in some Bud Powell... he'll get you happy and moving!

[Patricia]

Sounds like a typical week! Wonderful that you've enjoyed having your MIL here so much. So far we've only had to turn the heat on to take the chill off in the mornings (love wearing my turtlenecks again!). I see from the picture that you're using circular needles--to me, that's the only way to go!

[greenrabbitdesigns]

Great that you get on so well with your MIL !
Curious to find out what your knitting??
Vivienne x

[Kate]

Reading your blog is like snuggling under a warm quilt with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. I just love it.

[EmmmyLizzzy]

That sounds like such a lovely week! Wanting to dive into those quilts right next to the kitty.