Monday, December 04, 2006

Hyper-nesting

I think “nesting” is a pretty innocuous term for what I have been up to. Before going through it, I would have said the term refers to plumping pillows and washing the sheets to make your home comfortable for a new member of the family. Or some other sweet and happy activity like baking cookies. However, for me, it has been more about a last ditch attempt to become the sort of person I think I should be to have a baby. In practice, this has meant a new roof. New gutters. Trimming the bushes. I bought a swiffer mop. I bought Christmas cards in a store other than the dollar store and paid full price for wrapping paper. This weekend, B and I pulled everything out of our attic closet so that I could “organize it” which just meant we turned around and put everything back in, but in a different configuration. I have done two things which can only be categorized as “crafts.” I am also knitting a very very long and wide scarf. I really want to organize B’s shoes. Seriously, it’s on my list. My list also includes rearranging furniture in our attic and hanging pictures. And none of this would be so out of line if I actually had things done for Betty like, oh, installing her CAR SEAT? Or packed my bag for the hospital? Do I have bottles to feed her with yet? No. But I’ll be damned if I go another day without hanging Christmas lights outside! So what I've learned is that “nesting,” for me, means that it is more important to become June Cleaver than to protect Betty in a car collision. Great. Carry on.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Poignant Vignette

Scene: Rae and B sit at their favorite bar-b-que place. Rae and B both have plates of bar-b-que. B has a beer.

Rae: Can I have a sip of your beer?

B: Sure.

Rae (takes sip): Oh my god that is so good. (takes another sip): So, is this what they call “hoppy?”

B: Not really. Hops would add more of a perfumey taste.

Rae (still holding beer): Hmm. Interesting. After I have the baby you’ll have to sit me down at the bar and we can have taste tests.

B: Ok. Like a sampler.

Rae (takes another sip): Yes. Sixteen ounce samplers.

B (takes beer from Rae’s hand): Ok.

Rae: We’ll get a babysitter.

B: Mmm-hmm. Ok.

Rae: And one for Betty too.

B: Sure thing, Sweety. Sounds good.