Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Confessions of a deadbeat mother


This morning I was giving art lessons, so I got up very early and made sure everything was clean and ready to go. About 20 minutes before the first students was to arrive, I realized that we had no toilet paper. Knowing that I would have people in the house throughout the day, I decided that it would be super embarrassing to ask guests to use diaper wipes. So to the convenience store one block down I went. Scarlett begged to go on a walk (it was snowing), so I told her if she hurried she could come. She put her own shoes on (wrong feet of course) and put down the marker that she was using to give herself a beard. I threw on the nearest sweatshirt (inside out) and we were on our way. Scarlett spots her wagon and insists on filling it with a random assortment of her "treasures" to drag behind her. Sure, okay...let's go!
I get into the store and grab the paper and hand the guy my card that I always use. I already feel bad about using a card for a $2 pack of TP, but I'm out of cash, so what can I do? He furrows his brow, hands me my card and tells me it has been declined. I ask him to try again--same result. WHAT!?! So I try the ATM. No dice. I tell the guy, "I'm so sorry, I will have to run home and get cash--I'll be right back." The guy hands me the paper and says "Ma'am, really it is no problem, you can bring me the money if you want, but you don't have to." I say I will and run out of the door.
On the walk home, I am wondering, why is this guy trying to just give me the tp? Then I survey the situation. My clothes are disheveled and I have fuzzy slippers on. My daughter has wild hair. She is dragging her possessions behind her in a wagon and her face is smeared with marker. I can't even pay for one lousy roll of paper. This guy must think I am the biggest deadbeat in town! He was giving me the paper because he felt bad for me. Great.
So after getting home and figuring out my banking error (all the money was in the other account...woops). I asked Nate to take the two bucks to the guy--I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Soon enough I will have to pop back in to that store(whenever I am craving dark chocolate m&ms most likely). But next time, I will try really hard not to be a pathetic wreck!!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have me laughing out loud! It's funny because it's NOT true! You're the most awesome mommy around and it's days like today that keep us laughing (and snorting!) LOL! -April

Anonymous said...

I am laughing - what a story. You are so funny (and honest.)

Josh said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. That's the funniest story ever! You are definitely not a deadbeat mom though!

Kate said...

Maybe you could panhandle for extra cash instead of giving art lessons.
Just a thought.

Anonymous said...

Actually, I know for a fact that sitting on your front stoop with a bongo attracts money...

Anonymous said...

you are the most amazing momma i know! there are millions of mothers out there who would learn alot from you, and more importantly you are intelligent enough to know you could get a couple of pointers from them as well.

I'm telling you all this from your new laptop by the way :)