Thursday, November 10, 2011

For The Sake Of Arguing

                                                                                               Julie Kemp Pick

The phone rang just as I was about to leave the house.
Mom: It's raining hard now, so you don't have to take me to physical therapy.
Me: But it was raining earlier.
Mom: Yes, but I'll just cancel my appointment. That way you won't get wet.
Me: You weren't worried about that before. I told you I don't mind. Besides, I made you lunch, and didn't you want to go shopping first?
Mom: Yes, but it's too much trouble going back and forth in the rain.
Me: It's not coming down as hard now, and don't you think you need the therapy to get stronger?
Mom: Well if it's not too much trouble.

Later that afternoon my mom told me that I really should be more patient.

This made me think about other ridiculous arguments I've had throughout the years. Shortly after I started driver's ed, my dad suggested that I drive to work. As I was pulling out of the driveway, my mom came home. She hopped in the back seat, while my dad sat by my side. All was calm, until I had to make a left turn without an arrow. My dad was telling me to be assertive and speed up before the light changed, while my mom was telling me to slow down. Instead, I got so nervous that I backed out of the intersection and waited for the next light. Needless to say, neither of my parents volunteered to take me driving again.

The summer my younger son turned thirteen was during travel baseball season, so we decided to have a little celebration after the game. We ordered pizzas, and brought a cooler filled with soft drinks for the team. Earlier that evening I asked my husband to pick up a few bags of ice for the cooler at McDonald's. He asked me how much it would cost. I told him 99 cents a bag. Then he wanted to know how much other places in the area were charging, and was I sure that was the best price. I assured him that 99 cents was the best rate in the Chicagoland area, and that if he wanted to miss his son's birthday to scout for 97 cent bags of ice in Wisconsin, I'm sure that he would understand. Of course, he still had to make some calls just in case there was a fire sale on ice at the end of July.  It took me a long time to thaw out from that whole experience.

After all these years, my mother still puts her foot on the imaginary passenger side brake whenever I make a left turn. As for my purchasing power, I'm in charge of finding the best deals on cars and the occasional travel destination, but I never go further than my freezer for ice.

31 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, and such a joy to read, I guess we all go through situations like yours sometimes in our lives.

    Have a good day.
    Yvonne.

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  2. Our husbands must be related. (looks grim, hits keys hard)

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  3. Yvonne - Looking back on most arguments, they are usually about ridiculous things. Thanks Yvonne!

    Delores - I think we both have to laugh to keep our sanity, but it would be fun if we were related!

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  4. Ah, life. I think sometimes the arguments are about more than the arguments.

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  5. Moments like those are made for banging your head against a table. :P

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  6. Michael - Yes, but they mean well!

    Joanne - Sometimes things do build up, and then you explode over the slightest thing. But in these instances, everyone was just battling over control in the silliest ways.

    L.G. - This is why I never go anywhere without a helmet!

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  7. I'm so lucky - my parents are awesome. But my mother-in-law is enough to drive anyone over the edge. i could tell you some stories :)

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  8. Not sure, but I think there's a definite possibility that you, Delores and I were all separated at birth. Good thing we know how to laugh, huh?

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  9. Susanna - I'm ready when you are!

    Susan - Between you and Delores, I would have lots of adorable grandchildren to share! I'll start with the older ones, so I won't have to worry about diapers. Congratulations again on #12!

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  10. The driving story with your parents was hilarious!

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  11. Love this story so funny!

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  12. I always made sure I kept quiet when my daughter started driving - I was always afraid I'd yell out 'slow down!' 'watch out!" etc, then fearing she would do the opposite. Because that's what I used to do with my own Mum. Not deliberately but from nerves. :)

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  13. Alex - At least I can finally laugh about it now. Thanks Alex!

    Thanks Anonymous! Have fun with the girls!

    A Certain Book - That's what I tried to do with my boys, but I wasn't as brave as you were! Your daughter is lucky to have you. Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. Ha! I can relate! My mum still grips the side of the door whenever she drives with me. It makes me go crazy!

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  15. My husband and yours are definitely related. :)
    But my husband is the one who grips the side of the door when I drive him anywhere (which is rare). It always makes me long to go through a red light or two. ;)

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  16. I cracked up about your husband fussing about the price of the ice! Sometimes I think I should be more of a bargain hunter but I admit I just don't have it in me. I'd take the 99 cent bag and go LOL.

    Also funny about the driving. I almost killed my dad when he was teaching me to drive as I got a little confused about whether I was hitting the brake pedal or the accelerator, and he's never let me forget it.

    Stories like these are what families are all about I guess. Great post, Julie!

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  17. Your mom is funny. Loved the driving story with both of your parents.

    I can't haggle to save my life, so I don't bother.

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  18. Yep, sounds like my life! I had a long discussion with Mr A yesterday about the new letter box he'd put on the front door and how it had no handle. How can you close a door with no handle? He reckons he can but... we now have a handle on the front door. Hurray!

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  19. Talli - We probably just need a little more practice! Thanks for the laugh Talli!

    Shirley - My husband thinks I drive too slow, and he has the need for speed, so it's a no win situation. We have a very small family, so I'm always looking for new relatives! Thanks Shirley!

    Julie - It makes perfect sense wasting gas to find a discount on a 99 cent purchase! Glad your dad was okay. I also had many close calls when I first got my permit. Thanks Julie!

    Isis - Some things are worth haggling for, but this definitely wasn't one of them! I'm sure you are a good negotiator in business dealings. Thanks Isis!

    Rosalind - I'm glad you stood up for your handle which will make it much easier to use! It is funny when you think about all the time that is wasted on silly arguments!

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  20. Moms and Dads frequently have different points of view on things. McDonald's sells ice?


    Lee
    Ann Carbine Best visits Wrote By Rote on Saturday 11/12/11

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  21. What a fun post! Alas, husband is a much better shopper than I am. But since I don't enjoy shopping, it works out great :)

    Happy Weekend!

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  22. Lee - Yes, and over 7 years later the price has jumped to a whopping $1.07 a bag, according to my latest quote!

    Carol - Your husband is a great shopper and a handyman?! You really hit the jackpot with this one! Thanks Carol!

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  23. Fun stories, Isn't it funny how far men will drive to save 2c.

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  24. Rhonda - My grandma was the same way. If you offered to drive her to the store, you had to be willing to go to at least three different places, depending on where the best sales were. She ate like a bird, but she was determined to find the best deal on a can of tuna which would last her about a week.

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  25. Oh Yeah, hooray. I just emptied my nest. Now I spend my time looking under my wing for the chick that used to be there. I'm glad to find someone who has already learned the ropes. thanks for the post.

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  26. Barb - I'm still learning as I go along! Hopefully, your chick will come home to celebrate Thanksgiving with you. Thanks for visiting me, and I look forward to reading more about your humorous adventures. Julie

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  27. Having just returned from a night with my parents, I completely felt this post. My dad tells the same stories over and over again, and my mother will get everything--condiments, last week's tuna casserole, meat and veggie trays, pickled everything--out of the fridge for "a snack" for me when all I went there for was a diet coke. Gotta love 'em.

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  28. Julie - It seems like they are just so excited to see you that they don't know what to do with themselves. "Pickled everything" sounds delicious. I worry about turning into a food pusher one day. Thanks for the twofer!

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  29. Greetinge, Julie!!

    Life is a trip - lol! The things we have to deal with can take a lot of patience. I do try to take it all in stride!

    Enjoyed the story!!

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