This blog is not for the light-hearted or easily offended. If either one of those descriptions applies to you, i would suggest you start drinking before you read this blog. A sense of humor is suggested. If you don't have one that sucks for you … find one and get a life!
Written a couple of weeks ago. So sue me!
The other day, my nephews from Vermont texted us to let us know they would be dropping by. Now remember, I live in North Carolina. As it turns out, my nephew James was graduating from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and before he and his brother Michael returned home to Vermont, they decided to have a little road trip.
Kevin was out of town but we all decided this would be fun as James is the same age as Keely and Michael, two years older, had spent the summer living with us a few years ago. Now James and Michael consider waking up at 2:00 pm to be an early wake-up call so we weren’t expecting an early arrival.
We weren’t particularly surprised when they showed up at 5:30. As I said, Kevin was out of town and Keely was down at Duke having a farewell dinner with friends so it was just Andie, Daniel and I along with the two boys. After sitting around for a little bit, the conversation naturally turned to dinner.
Since I had spent the day moving Keely back from Duke to home, I hadn’t prepared anything for dinner. Oh, let’s just be honest here. I rarely prepare anything for dinner. So we had the following conversation:
Andie: so mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: well, I didn’t make anything
Andie: that’s a shock
Me: I was busy all day. What the hell were you doing?
Andie: studying for MCAT’s
Me: how about you Daniel?
Daniel: taking an AP exam and then working as a fireman
(NOTE TO READER: this is what he’s doing on his senior project. Working at the fire station)
Me: well, we have a number of choices. We can either go out to eat at the Pizza place, the Mexican restaurant or the Thai place OR we can bring in the Pizza or Thai food
Andie: that’s a lot of choices
Me: I’ve just decided to get rid of bringing in food because then I’ll have to clean up
Daniel: so what are our choices?
Me: going to Pieworks, the Mexican place or Thai
Michael: those sound good
Me: we’ll do this democratically. We can all have a vote and there are five of us. I vote for Mexican
Daniel: I vote for pizza
Michael: I vote for Thai
Me: I really want chips and guacamole, I’m just saying
Andie: I thought this was democratically
Me: it is. Daniel. State your case for pizza and make it compelling
Daniel: I’m in the mood for pizza
Me: James, what do you want?
James: I don’t want pizza. We had that last night.
Me: all right. No pizza so Thai or Mexican.
Daniel: I change my vote to Thai then
Me: did I mention that I really want Mexican?
Andie: mom … are you being fair?
Me: Ok, we’ve ruled out pizza. Michael: state your case for Thai
So Michael starts explaining he hasn’t had Thai in a really long time and goes on and on and then I interrupt.
Me: you are all aware that I’m paying for this meal right?
Andie: what’s that mom, a threat?
Me: no, I’m just saying that Michael made a strong case for Thai but unfortunately for you guys, I’m going to Mexican
Michael: what about my case?
Me: it was well stated so feel free to go to Thai but I’m going to Mexican
Andie: so is this how a democracy works?
Me: well, let’s face it. How can it be a democracy if I’m the one who’s paying?
Daniel: you’re unbelievable!
Me: I’ll take that as a compliment!
Andie: MOM!
Me: so, who’s going with me?
And I got ready to go and guess what? I had a full car and we all went to the Mexican restaurant and lived happily ever after. They can have Thai another day.
I am stepping away from the keyboard so that I can bow to you . . .
hahaha…you and I think alike don’t we.
Notice how James didn’t even weigh in and Andie cleverly avoided taking a position herself? I love that Daniel’s senior project involves working at the fire station!!
in my house it goes something like this…”She who is paying for it, chooses it. If thou dost not like it…tough noogies!”
Actually that’s exactly how a democracy works – the people with the money have extra influence over the outcome of the vote. Just moreso in your case.
Ha ha. At least you gave them lots of options ;D
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Interesting blog. I love that Daniel’s senior project involves working at the fire station!! Thanks for sharing.
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Ha. Folks who can’t come up with any better argument for pizza than “i’m in the mood for pizza” deserve to be fed Mexican.
Mexican wins hands down for me! :) Your story reminds me of my nieces. Choosing a place to eat is like arm wrestling.
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