Sunday, May 2, 2010

Someone New Enters the Picture!

Lately people have been stopping me to mention they haven’t seen a Brittany story in awhile. They seem worried we have had some kind of falling out.

I tell them the truth: that she has a fairly serious guy in her life right now and I don’t want to say anything that might embarrass him.

To the person, they told me not to worry about that.

So here goes!

He is southern. Very Southern! He calls me Miss Nancy.

He is two years older then Brittany. Unfortunately for him his birthday is May 9th and hers is May 10th, so this year at midnight she told him, “Ok, your done. My turn!” And that will probably never change.

When she moved to Charleston she felt the need to have a second job to try and pay down some debt, so started working an extra 15 or 20 hours a week at Jersey Mikes. He is a part owner of two Jersey Mikes in Charleston, so that makes him her boss. (Good luck with that!)

He is a dog person, so therefore she is a dog person and I am becoming a dog person!
They now have two. And I get daily pictures and stories about them. This has actually been good for me though because it’s opened my world up quite a bit. I never paid that much attention to dogs before and now I’ve found – well, they’re everywhere! And they have personalities! And some of them are really cute!

He apparently used to be quite frugal; saving money to buy into more stores. Until he met Brittany. Now he spends with abandon on dinners out, movies and of course the dogs. This too will probably never change. And I suppose it didn’t help that one of the dogs ate his wallet. There went some more money…

He puts up with long phone calls home to the parents with much patience, knowing full well she’s telling me everything he says and does. Just like she used to tell her teachers everything about me.

OK, I know what you’re thinking. But she started it!

The final thing I’ve learned about him? He makes her happy and seems to take good care of her.

That’s what I care about the most, and although I can’t speak for him, I’m not embarrassed in the least about that!

Labels: , , ,

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Doing Lunch

I’m disappointed because Brittany is disappointed that she’s not getting a tax refund. Being a mom means not only having your own feelings, but your kid’s feelings too!
Mom’s take “bearing each other’s burdens” seriously!

With her new job we talk during most of her lunch hours now. Her office is out on Daniel Island in Charleston and there is nothing close. So she eats in the conference room and calls me. I’m usually at my computer over the lunch hour, so it works out.

It got me thinking about how much she and I always find to talk about. (Of course Brittany could talk to a brick wall!) But I remembered when she first started talking and we had her in daycare. We’d pick her up and eagerly say, “What did you do today?” and she would answer “Toys.” Then we would ask, “What did you eat today?” and she would say, “Toast.”

Everyday. For about a year!

Once she got going though she never really stopped. She quotes entire movies, conversations and books. She tells me her thoughts, her dreams and her plans. I think I could almost DO her job she’s explained it so well to me! And she tells on herself whenever she does anything wrong because she can’t stand feeling guilty.

Of course I get all her problems. But I also get the heartfelt thanks when I can help!

It does worry me a little that I’m locked into that hour. And my friends will all tell you I’m not the type that “does lunch”. I try to get a little work done while we’re talking, but most of my work takes a lot of concentration. She’s even gotten so she emails me if she’s going to be late. And one time John took his lunch late and called after 1pm. When I told Brittany he was beeping in, she said, “This is MY time. He had his chance!”

Another time I was out all day and felt guilty about it the next day because she kept saying, “Yesterday I said to the UPS man…”

But, I am (and apparently always will be) a mom. This is my real job. And I have a daughter who enjoys talking to me and who can make me laugh and make me cry, giving my feelings a real workout. And who gives me the opportunity to bear another’s burdens.

Labels: , , ,