Sibling Get-A-Longery?

Wow, I left my kids home last night and they didn't fight...at all. I'm pretty sure I am in an alternate universe or something. I don't think that has happened in years. I hate to keep rehashing the same old topic but the one difference, again, was that Chip wasn't home. I feel majorly stressed out when I am trying to get ready and he is around. I feel I have to get everyone else, including anything he needs, ready first and then maybe, if there's time, get myself ready. When he's here I always run out of time to make dinner, or help the kids with something that will make the night run more smoothly. Like making sure they have enough movies or games lined up. I even lost my keys, per usual, and never once lost my temper trying to find them. If it were a normal night Chip would be wanting something from me and I wouldn't be able to concentrate and then I'd lose my cool. I calmly looked for them 'cause I knew they had to be around here somewhere. Without someone breathing down my neck, I was able to think and recall where I last saw them. Which, by the way, was in the shopping bag from earlier in the day. I was walking into the house and my keys feel into my bag. I distinctly remember saying to myself ,"You had better get those out of there before you forget and can't find them when you need them". I guess I have to tell myself to listen to myself more often. I made the kids dinner, checked to make sure they had everything they were going to need to stay busy, and was out the door early. I was feeling pretty good about the fact that I didn't have to leave the house with the kids crying and asking me why I had to leave. I just made it out the door and my phone rang. I answer to "Where are you"? I told him I was in my car. "Why"? "Because I'm going to be home at 5:15". This after he specifically told me to go to the dinner without him and he would meet me there. So I said "OK, I'll see you there". "You're not going to wait for me"? "Do you want me to wait for you"? "I don't care". "Does it matter if you ride with your parents"? "No". "OK, I'll meet you there". "Well, then we are going to have to leave when my parents leave". "Why"? "Because I'll have to get my bags". "Why can't we just get them later"? "I don't know I guess we could". "Do you want me to wait for you"? "I don't care". Frick! "I'll wait for you. Call me when you get to town". What the fuck am I dealing with here? A twelve year old? So I proceeded to wait in my car for twenty minutes for him to get back to town. I wasn't about to go home and disturb the peace and quiet that I had left. He finally gets back and we went to dinner.

For once when we got home no one was yelling. They were all together working on a computer game. I asked how everything went and they said great. I could get used to this. I absolutely hate arguing probably to the point that I would rather just give in no matter what, as long as I don't have to listen to people arguing about something. I don't like the feeling you get when you argue. I know a lot of people get off on debating and making arguments about subjects, but I'd rather just smile and nod and move along smoothly without rocking the boat too much. This would be a good strategy if I were Switzerland but probably not so good if you need to get people to listen to you and not walk all over you. I guess we'll just have to see, cause I'd rather have a few less arguments and a few more quiet moments.

I should also mention that he did come through in one way last night. I have been wanting a bike for at least a year. Not that I whine about it. No, really, I don't. I had said I was going to buy one for my birthday but, of course, I never did. The dinner we went to was a fundraiser for the Phoenix Fund and there were two bikes in the live auction. Guess who bid on and won them? I love my new bike. I can't wait to take it out for a spin. I have to get it adjusted 'cause I'm so damned short and buy myself a new snazzy helmet, but after that, I'll be all set. I must admit I was surprised because I assumed he was not listening to me all of those times I said it would be cool to have a bike. But low and behold he actually heard me. I guess if the opportunity presents itself anyone can surprise you.