Mum About Mums

Posted on by Victoria

I’m going to tell a less-than-flattering story about myself.  A reminder to anyone who thinks life with Vicki might be all sunshine and rainbows.  Oh, good gosh, no.  Whether it’s control related or my potent ego, always thinking I know best, I can be a real pain in the posterior (and isn’t THAT a fine reference given that I’m about to mention my recent colonoscopy!).  Never fear – no details.  Just a stupid silly story about me being a handful after the procedure.

Still with me?  Thank you soooo much.  Have I mentioned that my husband Paul is sorta saintly?  He is.  I don’t think he intended to add any stops on our way home from my colonoscopy, but his big-hearted self had an idea about something that would perk me up – commemorate being on the other side of my first ever “c-scope”.

As you can see from the first photo snipped in below, two lovely mums sit alongside some seasonal pumpkins by our front door, and they look great.  We have a few sprinkled on the deck as well (additional pics, below).   I DO enjoy Paul’s attention to detail this time of year as we say goodbye to some potted plants, and he transitions his ‘deckscape’ for autumn.  In about two months, he will replace the autumnal spread with seasonal greenery and holiday décor but for a few stunning weeks in early fall, we’re rolling in squirrel food…err…pumpkins and gorgeous chrysanthemums. 

Paul paid attention (last week) to the deck – first.  This annoyed me because I’d rather we deadhead old blooms (and by “we” make no mistake – I DO mean him) by the front door so we could get ready to dress it up for the season. I grumbled about his order of operations and with loads of snark I said, “Could we have done the front steps first?”.  Again – are you following along?  The “we” means him.  I point to things that need weeding and trimming but I don’t actually put much effort in.  Most of the time he enjoys all of that more than I do, so I just supervise.  Ahem. 😁

On our way home, a side trip to the garden center was his way of indulging me – getting pretty flowers to brighten up the entrance to our home after my wicked couple of days of getting the colonoscopy prep done and done.  But wowza.  Halloween came early when we arrived home, he popped open the back hatch of his SUV and I spied two the big mums he bought.  (Again…if you thought I was a sunshine sister, you will now know the truth.  I’m a witchy woman.)

To my eyes….it looked like one spunky yellow mum was in a black pot and one was in a beige pot.  I don’t know if my peepers were still adjusting to real life, post anesthesia, or if there were wacky shadows involved, but I swear, for a moment, those pesky pots WERE two different colors and out flew the witchery: 

“Geez…these won’t work AT ALL…what were you thinking buying two mums for the front door – in mis-matched pots – that’ll look AWFUL!” 

The look on Paul’s face was defeated, his smile deflated.  Entirely.  For the sweet man who was also sleep deprived, hanging out with me overnight to get the ‘purge’ done, I hit him where it hurt. Straight to the heart.

It turned out the pots were exactly the same color.  I wish I could blame my bad behavior and rant on a lack of sleep…residual anesthesia…wearing my old glasses.  I dunno.  But I was a witch, for sure and I instantly recalled one of my favorite meme/mantras. If only I’d heeded it:

When will I learn?  Thank goodness for sweet Paul who allowed me to apologize.  He’s so good that way.  Always a nod and rarely an angry retort.  In fact, his response was mostly an eyeroll, followed by “Why don’t you go lie down for a bit.” And yeah, there was a little “tone” in his suggestion to buzz off, but I deserved it.

Have I made fun of colonoscopy moments in the past?  Oh gosh yes.  If you missed that silly story, here’s a link.  Antics when the hubster had his roto-rooter experience a few months ago.

As I mulled the mum moments, I chuckled about other instances of being a nuisance and trying to make peace with myself.  If you’re up for another chuckle, take a peek at Victoria Ponders.  Avignon embarrassment, wisdom from Robin Williams…just a click away.

-Vicki 😊

47 thoughts on “Mum About Mums”

  4. Paul sounds like a saint indeed! 😆 And your front steps look lovely, Vickie. And we all have those moments when we’re not our best and good for you for having the open vulnerability to laugh about it.

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  5. I do hope that Paul reads your blogs so that he can gain a greater appreciation of the woman he married! After my one and only colonoscopy (one was enough thank you very much) a dear friend was in charge of helping me gather my wits and getting me home. As I was getting dressed, I made some comment or other, and the last word was ‘lipstick’ (having nothing to do with anything). We both laughed. In an attempt to correct myself, I repeated the comment, and again the last word came out ‘lipstick’. Double laugh. We gave it up as a lost cause, and home we went. Never did figure out where ‘lipstick’ fit into the picture. As for your post c-scope grumpies, blame it all on anesthesia, laugh at it and let it go, I say! Lipstick. So there!

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    1. Oh my stars! That’s hilarious, Jules! Lipstick, lipstick. I love it. And yes…Paul appreciates me even though I’m my own carnival sideshow most days. He’s a keeper! And he says hi to you. See him waving? 😉❤️😉

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  6. Well this is timely as I am this very weekend doing all my prep for my upcoming colonoscopy. I have been grumbling all weekend. My husband has already asked where I want to dine after the procedure. For his safety and well-being perhaps I should advise him to just take me home. 😉

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  7. Oh geez, those moments that we wished we had “stayed mum.” Well, you’ve made a beautiful example of apologizing and making amends which might be one of the most important lessons. And hopefully you can extend that same grace to yourself. 🙂 ❤ ❤

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  8. Gosh, don’t we all have those moments?! Paul’s such a great guy. Cheers to finding someone who can tolerate your antics and love you all the same! 🥰 I’m so fortunate to have found the same.

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  9. Lovely outdoor decor so kudos to Paul for his design elements. I also love the black door- ready made for Halloween and creepiness 🙂

    Honestly, I think the comment (not a rant at all IMO) was incredibly mild, unless you were cackling and rubbing your hands together ready to toss out a curse turning Paul into a toad or something… I think his eyeroll was the perfect response…a gentle but clear “oh Vicki” sort of non-event overall. It’s funny how we sort of make more out of our own actions and words than others do. Sort of speaks to expectations and assumptions that we put onto ourselves? Maybe some mindfulness to cut ourselves the same level of slack that we would show to others…

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    1. Thank you for all of that! Can I have a “Daily Dose of Deb”? Like straight into my inbox? 😜You’re right. I’ve done much worse, but I’m always amazed by his evenness and the fact that he does exactly what you mentioned (the “oh Vicki” routine). 🥰

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    1. Georgia – thank you! Nothing like some Georgia praise to put a smile on my face. 😊 And as a bonus? So good to know I’m not alone in the ‘button up’ club when it comes to my mouth. xo! 🥰

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  11. Paul made your entrance and desk scape gorgeous. I’m sure he understood you weren’t feeling yourself. I have problems with my dad because he says that at his age — “I don’t care what anybody thinks.” He also has lost his filters. Let’s hope we manage better when we get to 90!

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  12. Oh Vicki. I had to cringe for the poor hubster! Even if they weren’t the same color I’d be cringing for him having been in his position more times than I can to remember. But then I’ve also been in your position more times than I remember and I remember that first time, people knew there really was a nicer person underneath all than dazed “what just happened!” body!

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  15. The house pics look great! As the generally less patient, more irritable member of my marriage- I can totally relate to your story; and luckily for me I can also relate to having a spouse who doesn’t overreact when I do.

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  17. Good gravy, this is the second post I’ve read today that is about colonoscopies. I am without words, I try to forget they exist. On the flip side this is the second post I’ve read today that is about mums. I like them, no matter what trouble they may cause. I think I shall focus on the latter and not the former, if’n that’s ok with you. 😊

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    1. LOL…yes! Maggie and I were trading laments about that “c-scope” nonsense…and you know, it’s that autumnal time where we can’t take two steps w/o seeing a post will fall colors. I’m with you. Mums all the way! 😜🥰😜

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