Slice of Life Tuesdays, Chapter 9
When Memorial Day Weekend comes around, I always feel the urge to be outside, grilling or doing something “summer-y.” This year was no different and we spent Monday in Ossining with friends of ours and their new baby. But the thought and stress that went into making this decision was ridiculous. One of my many, many faults is to want to do everything. My lesson of the day yesterday was that sometimes, it’s just better to stick to the original plan and say “Sorry, I have other plans!”
Here’s how it all happened:
- We decided last week to go to NYBG to see the Darwin and Henry Moore exhibits. I order our free tickets online, for Monday.
- I get a text message from my friend, Kim–”Are you going to Ossining this weekend?” This was not part of my plans at all but I text my friend, Sue, in Ossining to see what her plans are. She’s free Monday and invites us up to join her by the pool.
- I make arrangements with Kim to pick her up at the train station in Riverdale, so she can drive up to Ossining with my husband and I.
- The plan is to go to the Garden in the morning and then head up to Ossining.
- Something comes up and Kim has to back out at the last minute. In the meantime, we’re debating whether we should still go to the Garden. It’s all starting to feel like too much–going to the Garden and going to Ossining in the same day. I start to feel tired just thinking about it.
- We go back and forth for awhile, debating whether we’ll go to the Garden or go to Ossining. It has to be one or the other.
- We decide to skip Ossining and have a picnic at the Garden. Then, we get an invitation to Rockaway. Tempting! We think about it for a bit, I start to have a little bit of a meltdown and finally, my husband says “What do YOU want to do? Forget about everyone else!”
- I conclude that I just want to lay out by a pool and be lazy, so Ossining it is.
See what I mean? As soon as Kim sent me that text, I should’ve said “Sorry, I have other plans!” I’m not sorry we went to Ossining. I had a good time and it was good to see our friends. I’m just sorry that I put myself through all this stress for nothing, and over nothing. Lesson learned. Let’s just hope I remember it for next time.
Bonnie K wrote:
Life happens. You just have too many options. Some would say that’s a good thing. I like the notion to make a plan and stick with it.
Maybe this will all be a thing of the past when you have another member of your family unit who will weigh in whether you ask or not.
Bonnie
Posted on 27-May-08 at 5:09 am | Permalink
Ashley wrote:
I feel your stress, this is the 3rd weekend in a row that my fiance and I are trying to be in too many places at once…
It’s hard because we want to do it all, but I’m hoping things slow down soon.
Have a great week!
Posted on 27-May-08 at 5:57 am | Permalink
debrennersmith wrote:
My husband would say listen to your husband and just relax. I hope next weekend is a one event day.
Posted on 27-May-08 at 9:59 am | Permalink
Stacie wrote:
I definitely feel the pull on you from different directions. I, too, have a hard time choosing when several options present themselves at one time. It can be a little crazy-making!
So many intersections, Nancy: My aunt has a house in Ossining, and I’ve spent so much time there!
–Stacie
Posted on 27-May-08 at 9:03 pm | Permalink
Anne Mirtschin wrote:
Part ofthe reason that I love blogging is that I get to learn so much about people and places. We do not have a memorial day so I was just wondering what the significance of that day is. Maybe it is the equivalent of anzac day here in Australia or Remembrance Day. Hope you enjoyed the day you had and the options that you chose.
Posted on 01-Jun-08 at 1:39 pm | Permalink