Ding Dong the Witch is Dead

Typically at our house, Jeff is the reasonable one and I am the crazy one. When we are getting ready to go on a trip Jeff is sweet and relaxed I am temperamental and snapping at everyone. By the time we are out the door I have usually said something awful to each and every one of my dear family. I am usually ready for a nervous breakdown. I have always thought that I am just an awful person. I am don't handle stress well and that Jeff is a Saint for being so sweet.

The other day, Saint Jeff was giving me the day off. He was taking care of Lily. He typically gives me a day off once a week, usually Saturday. I use the time to catch up on homework and housework. He usually doesn't cook or clean, just takes care of Lily. Which is really sweet and further proof that I don't deserve him. On this particular day off Jeff and I had plans to go out. We were to attend a going away party at a Japanese restaurant which included Karaoke. I have never done Karaoke, so this was very exciting.

As we were getting ready, I only had to worry about me. Jeff had to get himself ready and Lily. Even though we weren't taking her with us, there were a dozen details that needed to be seen to in order to leave her with her sister. She had to be fed and changed, emergency numbers had to be assembled, etc. I even took on the responsibility of obtaining Mandy's dinner and running her around to do her errands.

About an hour before we were set to leave, I was completely ready to go, and Jeff still in sweats was freaking out. He sounded exactly like me. He was making smart remarks and complaining about every detail. Mandy and I weren't doing things exactly the way he wanted and he was letting us know. I have never seen him act like this, it was hilarious. He was acting like me. I was calm and collected, sweet and understanding. I offered to help him. I smiled and made funny comments to lighten the mood. It was awesome. I love being the nice one. I guess it turns out that I am not such a Witch after all, just a bit stressed by the details. This is so nice to know. That even the most Saintly of people would be crippled into bitchiness by my job. I can't tell you how much better I feel about myself seeing Jeff fall apart like this.

The next day when I told him my theory. He was all upset that I was blaming Lily. That is not what I am saying. Lily is an amazing asset to my life and I enjoy her so much. I am saying that the millions of details, the lack of control, the insurmountable odds against having successful outing are stressful. Anyways, it is so fun to be the nice one. The next day Jeff locked his keys in the car while at the movies with Mandy, see just taking care of Lily one day a week is turning him into a scatter brained harpy. It is the job, not me. Maybe I will ask him next time if he has PMS. Probably not, if I value my day off. Still it is funny.

I am thinking that instead of a New Year's resolution to be nicer to my family I am going to make a resolution to delegate more to my family, so I can enjoy life as much as they do.