Getting back to normal
The holidays are over and it's time to get back to "normal" — whatever that is. I'm not even sure when I gave up "normal." I alluded to the fact a few weeks ago that it doesn't take much time to form new routines when major life changes occur.
I thought it would take longer to get used to things when Daughter #1 went off to college. After a scant few months she came home for the holidays, dragging a carload of clothes and the notion that she could whip us into shape with her housekeeping skills.
She's always been a neat, orderly person. Tidy, if you will. So it isn't as though she dumped all her stuff in the middle of the living room and we've been walking around it for two weeks. No, the problem is she's too orderly, too organized.
A few days after Christmas I suggested it was time for the decorations to come down. I left for the day, fully expecting the Christmas tree to be gathering dust in our living room until July unless I took it down myself. To my surprise, I came home from work to find the tree down, the decorations put away, and the house back to "normal."
Daughter #1's tidy genes kicked in and she decided to take down the Christmas tree. While she was getting the boxes from the basement she decided to re-organize the storage room. While she was doing that, she decided to organize her stash of "apartment supplies." One thing led to another and she now has us so well organized I may never find the Christmas decorations again.
I wouldn't want her to think I don't appreciate her help. I truly do. It's great having her home for the holidays. I don't even mind that I can't find the mail 10 minutes after it's delivered.
Maybe it's deviousness on her part. As long as she's the only one who knows where the Christmas decorations are stored, she'll have to keep coming home for the holidays.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
