It's been a long time since I flashed back on a Friday and with my Internet connection down (boo! hiss!) I can't read your blog tonight so I'm going to write this instead. This flashback was inspired by a Facebook generated reconnection--technically we've kept in touch via Christmas cards, but you know what I mean.
Back in her days of being a young mother, I was used to really being a young mother. All of my friends were at least 4 or 5 years older than me (me having been such a child bride and all) and though I didn't give it much a thought, it turns out I kind of liked being the baby of the bunch. Then one day my good friend and neighbor was told me about a new mom that moved in up the street. "She's young. Younger than you." Ouch.
Anyway . . . time went on and I met this new mom--who was very cute and fun and a terrible influence on me. (No way are you going to get me to tell you the story about the limo bus and the box seats and the taunting the chauffeur into stopping for more alcohol and the drinking beer in a 7-11 at the checkout counter while the 23 year old clerk went ballistic--"You can't do that! That's illegal! Stop that").
One night my new friend invited me and my family over to dinner. It was wonderful; her house was lovely, the food was great, the drinks overflowed flowed and the conversation was sparkling. The kids cooperated by heading upstairs to play. As all good things must eventually do, the night came to an end and I wobbled went upstairs to collect my children. I took look around and beat a hasty retreat downstairs.
"Holley, I am so sorry. The kids have completely trashed your upstairs--it's a total disaster area. I've never seen such a mess, There's no way the kids can clean it up. I can't do it tonight, but I'll come over in the morning and help you pick it up. I am so, so sorry--my kids have never done anything like this before!"
As you can imagine, Holley had to see what I was talking about for herself. Upstairs she wobbled ran with me by her side. She stood on the landing and started laughing. "Don't worry about it. This is what it looked like before your kids got her. This is pretty much what it always looks like."
In normal circumstances I might have just dropped dead of embarrassment, but I didn't. I just laughed too. There were many other dinners before they moved away--and Holley discovered the secret that if you invite me to the party a little early and offer me a drink I will gladly and joyfully clean your kitchen for you while you're setting out the party food. And, as long as you don't give me too much to drink, I'll stay and do the dishes afterward. Even if you beg me not to because please, you just want to go to bed!
Come on over, Jenn - you being here would be reason enough to host a party!
Posted by: kcinnova | February 27, 2009 at 12:18 AM
... and since you're travelling east - keep going! I'll even save up some dishes so you'll have lots to do!
Great story, and one I recognize from my own life. I thought the piles of laundry at the house of a friend was atemporary thing becuase she had been sick for a week... Little did I know they habitually took the clean clothing straight from that pile - and the closets echoed from being empty.
Posted by: allmycke | February 27, 2009 at 04:12 AM
What a great story...well, we would love to hear more about the night in the limo/drinking at the 7-11 too. :)
I have a few friends that are messy...and their houses are always cleaner after I leave too.
Posted by: Suz | February 27, 2009 at 07:27 AM
That is a good one! I was at someone's house recently and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from visibly showing my shock at the condition of the home! It looked like a toy store exploded! And, my favorite part was when my kid picked up a half eaten, days old, grilled cheese sandwich that was on an end table and almost took a bite!
Posted by: jenrantsraves | February 27, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Oops! But clearly a good friend who laughs with you.
Posted by: Manic Mommy | February 27, 2009 at 08:53 AM
You can't come to my house right now Jenn. Don't come. Stay home. And if you do come? Don't bring your camera. Oy.
Posted by: Cheri @ Blog This Mom! | February 27, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Thanks for a great story that made me smile. But don't look at my dust!
Posted by: Smalltown Mom | February 27, 2009 at 10:26 AM
You just wrote a page from my own history. I lived in Navy Houseing in SD and had a next door neighbor who we would often have family dinners together. I would clean her house and help her cook. She was the type that would let it sit until the mood struck her while I on the other hand can't let the dish sit anywhere and have been known too wash the glass with which you are drinking while you are well still drinking. ;)
Posted by: Gladys | February 27, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I'll let you clean my kitchen and my bedroom and my bathroom! I hate doing that kind of stuff! This was hilarious!
Posted by: she | February 27, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Come stay with me for a week or so...you've always wanted to visit Boston, right? Please!
Posted by: Janet | February 27, 2009 at 11:30 AM
That sounds like the kind of friend I need more of!
Posted by: green girl | February 27, 2009 at 12:51 PM
I'd love to hear about drinking in the 7-11, that sounds like a great story!
One of my friends was over at my house once and she saw dust bunnies behind my microwave cart and she just had to clean them. We both had a good laugh. She said, "if I see it, I gotta clean it."
Posted by: imom | February 27, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Jenn, I'm throwing a party just so I can invite you to come clean before and after. I will keep your drink of choice full the entire evening... you have my word.
Posted by: Blognut | February 27, 2009 at 01:20 PM
That's a great story! It's nice to have friends like that too... ones you can laugh with at anything.
Posted by: mandy | February 27, 2009 at 01:53 PM
That's such a funny one. You could have lost that friendship right there on the spot!
Were you a neat freak when you had a bunch of toddlers, too?
Posted by: Jason | February 27, 2009 at 07:23 PM
There is definitely more to tell on 7-11 or Jenn's adventures at 7-11!
Facebook has been great at catching up with people.
Helping with clean-up is a true friend.
Posted by: JCK | February 27, 2009 at 11:39 PM
I hearted you before now I totally love you. Come clean and drink any time! And reminds me of when the neighbors were watching our friends' house while they were away -and called the police b/c the place had "obviously" been burglarized and ransacked. Turns out not....just the normal state of being.
Posted by: The Girl Next Door | February 28, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Hahaha! Great story! And I'm inviting you to the next party we have!
Posted by: Nadine | February 28, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Where the hell were you on Mardi Gras? I most certainly could have used the help washing up! ;)
Posted by: Fannie | March 01, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Too funny.
It is good to have friends that you can just laugh with.
Posted by: Angela | March 01, 2009 at 06:20 PM