Hello.

 

Hi, I'm Annie.

Mother of 3,
spouse to G,
writer of things,
former batgirl,
sister,
daughter,
lucky friend,
and American
living in Australia.

Basic Joy = my attempt to document all of this life stuff, stubbornly looking for the joy in dailiness. 

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Mama, Ph.D.: Women Write About Motherhood and Academic LifeMountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the WorldThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the PieThe Island: A NovelThe PassageSecret Spaces of Childhood

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Thursday
Sep182008

Oh yes he did

We were in the kitchen on Monday night, getting the table set and dinner ready.  Greg came home from work and we were chatting about our day.


A: "Mine was good but tiring.   I got up late so I couldn't shower before getting the kids off to school and then I had to leave for my class and I promised myself I would go to the gym after class.  But I didn't.  So all day I've felt so off.  I finally hopped in the shower but I still feel so..."

G: "...dowdy?"
A: "...tired."

I hear Lauren, across the room, suck in air between her teeth.

A: "Um, did you say dowdy?"
G:  Silence.  Looks a little deer-in-the-headlights.
A: "Do you think I look dowdy?  Cause I don't know if I would say dowdy.  I mean, that's like what I would use to describe the Queen Mother [rest her soul]."

Lauren:  "Oh, Dad..."

G: "Didn't you say you felt dowdy?  I could have sworn that's what you said earlier."
A: "Um, no.  I would never say I felt dowdy.  I don't think I've ever said that.  Wow.  I feel kind of bad about the dowdy comment from you!"

Lauren: {laughing}  "oh, this is so great.  You guys are totally funny to listen to."

* * *

I remember my mom telling me about a woman of a certain age that she worked with who had a funny relationship with her husband.  One day this woman, Margene, told her husband, "I saw you downtown today.  I waved at you; didn't you see me?"

"Yeah, I saw you," he said.  "but I was kind of embarrassed.  I was with my friends and you weren't looking very good." 

"Oh, I'll make sure that never happens again," said Margene (I imagine a little coldly, don't you think?).  So Margene went out and bought not just a new outfit but a whole new wardrobe.  To make sure she didn't ever embarrass her husband again.  And he couldn't say a thing.

* * *

Thankfully I have a gem of a husband who would never say he was embarrassed of me.  And I do feel kind of bad for him for his slip-up (although not more than I feel bad for me!) But don't you think that little Freudian slip entitles me to a grand, anti-dowdy shopping trip?  Just wondering.

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Reader Comments (10)

Oh yes - great excuse to go and spend lots on a complete new anti-dowdy wardrobe. I would be straight out spending his money!
Lindsay

09.18.2008 | Unregistered CommenterLindsay-ann

can i say it? please? can i? can i?
"OH NO HE DIT-INT!!"

i feel so street savvy now. shop on , sista.

09.18.2008 | Unregistered Commenterandrea

That is so funny. Great for Lauren to be a witness to it all. Dowdy is pretty harsh. I say yes, a trip to the mall is in order.

09.18.2008 | Unregistered CommenterBridget

Oh yeah,
get the cards ready.

09.18.2008 | Unregistered Commenterseven smiles

I LOVE your mom's friend! I always tell my husband, "Shopping is cheaper than counseling or divorce lawyers."

09.18.2008 | Unregistered Commentergab

Just a little slip up with BIG consequences! I say you go to a Newbury Street salon and have a day of anti-dowdy spa treatments. That should make both of you feel better! Call me if you need a buddy to go with you. By the way, we were at LDS day with the Sox too. Next time I'll call you!

09.18.2008 | Unregistered Commentercalibosmom

You are FAR from dowdy, my friend. But please don't tell G. Go out and buy yourself HOARDES of new things just to teach him a lesson. Next time, he'll say 'dashing' or 'beautiful' or 'sexy.' Most men don't make the same mistake twice.

09.18.2008 | Unregistered CommenterChristie

I'm getting a sense that he'll be paying for that one for a long time.

Definitely go shopping.

09.18.2008 | Unregistered CommenterLaurie

Shopping trip and spa day!

09.18.2008 | Unregistered Commenterdiane

That one should live in infamy. Shop away!!

09.19.2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnna

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