Tuesday, February 26, 2013

It was high time for a party - what with spring on the way.


When we moved last December, there was so much work to do in so little time that my world very nearly spun out of control - everything got neglected. Not only did I still have 10+ hours of painting to do, I had to sift through and pack eighteen years of belongings for six people, clean a newly renovated house, and scrub down the former apartment. All this in about two weeks' time. I hardly ate and I hardly slept, and those extra two or three kilos that had been hanging on to my behind melted away (I am definitely not complaining about that).


Every morning I wondered how I would get things done plus cook for and tend to four kids, not to mention hold a job; I could have been a case study in stress management. I felt alone, and a little hopeless since I knew there was no way in * that I was going to get it all done. And then...

...every day or so

...a phone call.

"I have a few hours to give you on Monday, is there something you need done?"

And another, and another. Every day there were strong, efficient lady-hands to help me along the way. I couldn't believe it, truth be told, and wondered why they would bother helping me when they had plenty of things to do themselves. I was moved; but also exhausted so I always said yes. Yes, please come. That became my mantra, and all I had to give back was simple gratitude, which at that time seemed vastly inadequate.


My 84 year old mother-in-law came to clean the old kitchen. I politely urged her to reconsider, inwardly acknowledging that as housekeepers go, she cleans for two. I knew I needed her, but urged her to stay home and rest at her age. She shook her head and shooed my words away with her hand, "I'm perfectly healthy and strong. If I get to the point where I need meds to continue, I promise I'll slow down." There are so many things wrong with this picture!

But in the end the truth is very simple: women know how to get the job done, and they do not rest until it is.


So all day Sunday I baked. And early Monday morning, as the freezing air crept up the windows and a fire crackled in the fireplace to chase it away, I prepared the morning feast. And then they came!


My deepest gratitude.


p.s. the artist asks, "why am I not invited to the party?"  

Did you help me paint? Pack? Clean? Could you help me move boxes with your pianist arms?? 

"Yes, yes! I helped you, darling! I helped your morale with all my happy messages!" 

And so he did. :)

18 comments:

Jeanne said...

Lovely post, and hope you are all caught up now ( is that ever possible really). What a fun party of appreciation!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh that is magnificent I love the photo of your MIL she is beautiful and incredibly strong and stubborn I do love that. I hope to be just like her some day.
Your post made me happy as I was visualizing the atmosphere and conversations I am sure it was wonderful. Good job. B

MarmePurl said...

Look at all those ladies who love you so much!
A party in their honor with a beautifully set table and (OH MY!!!) all those goodies baked with a joyful heart is just PERFECT.

Anonymous said...

You made it thru this time in your life quite nicely in the end Alli- with a lot of help from true friends and family.

My grandmother taught me- to be needed and useful is a blessed gift as we age.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

You are so right, women do get things done. What a wonderful support system you have. Your table looked lovely and the baked goods, YUM!

Evi said...

... aucun commentaire de ces m'ssieurs ;-) C'est trop chou. Merci encore pour ce parfait déjeuner avec toutes ces dames sympathiques. Et diti avec ces petits yeux triangulaires. Cute :D:D:D:D:D

Nancy said...

Your MIL is so cute! And bless her heart for being such a help to you.

Anonymous said...

I love everything about this post.


Marissa
xx

Meg said...

Aww, how sweet that you had so many women to come help you! And my, what a feast! Everyone looks so beautiful. And I just love your kitchen. I'm glad you can finally enjoy it and have parties now. :)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

looks like a fun get together. such great fun!! ( :

TexWisGirl said...

i love that you had these wonderful women to support you! i know how much that meant to you then and now. :)

Out on the prairie said...

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMm you know this tickled my fancy.Moving can be tough, I just said I would have to get a mover to do mine should i ever move,I have two homes full.

Oak Creek Ranch said...

This is a lovely post. It made me smile on so many levels. Women friends and family are the best. Good for you accepting their help. The party looks like a great success and I'm drooling over the pastries. You baked all of them??!!

Kate @ Daffodils said...

Lucky lady to have all that help and luckier ladies for the wonderful party you gave them in return!

MTWaggin said...

This post is a true testament to the love of women for each other and how they "just know" when you need the help. Your party for them was a wonderful fabulous way to thank them!

Randy said...

The muffins look great!

Sarah said...

Tu me donnerais des cours d'anglais avec une baguette magique de préférence ?

Une frustrée de ne rien comprendre mais moi j'ai au moins eu la chance d'y participer !!!
Alors merci merci pour ce beau moment !

Dawn said...

I LOVE this! I need to do something so simply happy and meaningful. And beautiful.
What a way to bless the help!
:)
(Would you come help me bake?;))