And an update

A couple weeks ago I briefly posted an opus of disenchanted angriness, and quickly took it down, as I didn't want that kind of negativity out there. It was a momentous occasion, in one sense, because I actually owned up to being angry at people I love for the second time ever. And, everyone with a reader/email subscription got a permanent copy to revisit for warm, fuzzy feelings.

So, I felt I ought to update for all those permanent copies.

Things are good. Anger at everyone I know (no, seriously, probably even you. No, not you, and you know who you are) has subsided and the issues have resolved themselves, mostly. Rory is 80% potty trained (bed times are still shaky) and is asking to go to school. However, she's launched into a new phase of anti-whatever her parents said. Which feels 9 years to early? But whatever. Our conversations lately:
Me: Rory, please put the silverware away.
Rory: (Narrowed eyebrows - family expression): NO! I will not put silverware away! (and yes, she does say specifically what she will not do).
Me: Rory, you are being disrespectful and disobedient. If you keep going, you will have a time out.
Rory: NO! I NOT TAKE A TIMEOUT!
I deposit her booty into the time out chair while she changes her mind to "yes, momma," alas, too late.
Me: Rory, do you know why you are in timeout?
Rory: No.
Me: What happened right before I put you in time out?
Rory: I don't know.
Me: I asked you to put the silverware away and you...
Rory (cuts me off): I was disbeadent and disspectful!
Me: Yes, you were.
Rory: I sorry.
Me: For what?
Rory: For being disbeadent and disspectful.
Me: Thank you. You may get out of time out. Please put the silverware away.

Times 5-10 a day. It is mothereffing exhausting. And, as with all phases that feel like they are going on FOREVER, it's been happening for a week. And today she was angelic. First day in over a week with no time out. We cuddled. We sang. We went to gym class and grocery shopping. She was obedient, and if I had to call her on anything, she immediately apologized. Delightful. I am unwilling to call it progress just yet, but I super appreciate it. And my dear friend Carrie, who observed one of these episodes reminded me I'm parenting for the future, and it will pay off, and her behavior has nothing to do with me screwing her up in the last six months.

Cooking Thanksgiving One on Saturday for 20 foodie fans (potluck style!) and Thanksgiving Two on the offical day in Colorado. And then comes my very favorite day of the year: Christmas Tree Day! I allow myself my first peppermint mocha of the year, we drive to a Christmas Tree farm while listening to Christmas music, choose and cut down our own tree, decorate the house and tree while drinking champagne. It's my favorite day of the year. Hands down. Including my birthday, which should indicate how sincere I am.