This past weekend, Bearded Man and I decided to hire a sitter, and go out for the day. We hadn't been out since we left the kids with some friends, to go Christmas shopping for a few hours last September. Before that, was last February, when we had a few hours out, before helping out at a friend's Benefit.
Anyhow, we don't get out much. Between crazy work schedules and Kid schedules - Every single time we think we have an opening, Kaila has some event or other that takes precedence. My 12 year old has a much more exciting life than I do, currently.
We had planned to go to Erie, PA for the day, for no other reason than, it was a distance from home, and away from the area. We thought we would hit the mall there, and some of the stores around it, and see what we could see while we were there.
Before we headed out of town, we ordered pizza to be delivered to the house for dinner that evening. We cleaned the house, left a list of a few chores for the kids, and reminded the sitter we would not be back until VERY late. To make it even easier, we even told her to use paper plates.
It was a nice day. A leisurly lunch with no children or pets hanging on us, followed by wandering in and out of various stores, a fun conversation with the owners of a wine store full of locally made wines - it was so nice. I cannot find the words to express my absolute delight in wandering through a store, and happening upon an entire display of Polish Pottery! I have been coveting that stuff forever!
We decided at some point, to go out to dinner, before heading home. The only thing I did not want was a sports bar or buger joint. We just wanted someplace nice that did not involve the menu displayed over the order counter, really.
We ended up at "The Fox and the Hound Pub". It brought forth visions of foggy England with Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Pipes and Brittish hats. Dark lighting and muted conversation.
We should have known, when we stumbled through the doorway, to find two impossibly young persons checking the ID of entrants. Not ours, of course. They just looked at us strangely and waved us in.
Into a loud sports bar/burger joint. With no less than 15 televisions displayed around the room, loud thumping music, and young people everywhere. Perfect, beautiful young people, dressed casually preppy, not unlike my youngest brother, who would have fallen in immediate love with the place, and been the life of the party before leaving for his next adventure. Malachi has reached a level of coolness I will never even bother to aspire to.
After finding an empty booth, we gazed around in resignation. And realized we were really some of the oldest people there. Here and there, were sprinkled a few others that were up there in age - you know - over 35, but, we were right near the top of the age ladder there that night.
"Jasin!" I tried to say, over the loud music "We are some of the oldest people here! When did WE become 'the old people'?!"
"No we are not! Look! Over there! If that guy moves, you will see over there, there is another couple that looks around our age, if not a little older."
"There aren't a whole lot of older people here, Jasin."
"We are NOT old!"
"Really? We just bought a quilt, mixing bowls for bread, and a teapot. And thought it was wonderful."
"We bought wine! Never mind. Wow. We are old."
"This is just sad."
We ordered an appetizer, that was delivered without silverware. It was one of those things that COULD be eaten with fingers, but, better with a fork. It was set on the table with "There ya go, hon!" as the waitress spun off again.
"Did that girl, who is almost young enough to be my daughter just refer to me as 'Hon'?" I said to Jasin. "Wow. I even SOUND old now. And LOOK! That girl over there? The one wiping the table? She is WIPING EVERYTHING RIGHT ON TO THE FLOOR? OH. MY. GOD!!!! Aaaaaannnddd; I now sound like a parent. I think I should have a drink."
Dinner was eventually served. We inquired about forks. And, a few minutes later, were presented with exactly one (1) fork. It was explained with a shrug, that it was the last fork in the establishment, currently, soooooooo......
After dinner, and the discovery of being physically as well as mentaly old now, we headed back home. A 15 minute stop at a casino netted us enough money to pay the sitter, which was actually pretty awesome.
Upon arriving home, we paid the sitter, took her and her brother home, and started to cart in our spoils. And found the table still had all the cups from dinner. And the puppy had not been let out. And the girls hadn't done their chores. And the toilet lid was now in 2 pieces.
A 12:30 AM call netted a sleepy "Oh. Yeah. I forgot. I think Lexi did it, and I think she got hurt."
First thing the next morning, I had the kids lined up on the couch. And demanded to know exactly WHAT THE HECK had gone on while we were away?!?!?!
PS, Lexi, the sitter said you got hurt, and the toilet lid broke. Are you okay, and HOW THE HECK DID YOU BREAK THE TOILET??!!!!!"
Which produced outrage from my kids, who blamed the sitter's brother. Which produced outraged texts to the sitter, who apologised.
And I came to the realization, that it had just cost me, on the low end, between a new toilet, having pizza delivered to the house, and paying the sitter, $350. to leave the house for ONE. DAY. I could have gone on a 4 day cruise by myself AND had a drink tab for that much.
I do have Polish Pottery teacups now. And wine. I have wine. So, there is that.
Do I think my kids were completely blameless? Not really. It sounds like it was an overall crazy day.
The biggest conclusion that was reached was? We need to get out more than once or twice a year without kids. It is worth replacing the plumbing in the end...
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