Last night, at 9:00 p.m., I headed out to the grocery store for milk (and whatever else I realized we needed while strolling the aisles). In the driveway, I looked at the set of keys in my hand and realized that I’d grabbed my husband’s set of keys, which include an ignition key to our van, but not a door key. I was too lazy to go back inside to get our set of van keys, so I said to myself, “Self, just don’t lock the door.”
You see where this is going, right?
I shopped until my cart was sort of full. I stood in line for quite some time because some lady needed a price check. Finally, yawning, I paid for my groceries, reached into my purse to get my keys and said to myself, “Self, uh, you didn’t lock the door, did you?”
Surely not, right? Is my attention span so short that I forget during the ten minute drive from my house to Albertson’s?
I strode to the van, hoping against hope that my brain had overruled habit. Alas, it did not. I was locked out of my van. I called my husband, not that he could help me because we only have one vehicle. But while on the telephone with him, I came up with a plan: I called my mother.
It was 9:42 p.m.
My mother was home, and around 10:00 p.m., I was loading groceries into the back of my van.
So much for a quick trip to the store. By the time I was home and the groceries were unloaded, it was past 10:30 p.m.
* * *
After my depiction of household school-at-home harmony, we had an unpleasant day today. My Reluctant Student chose to skim his pre-algebra chapter review and then grew indignant, pouty and angry with me when I informed him he would have to actually complete the lesson. I am so unreasonable.
Later, after the shouting, he began picking up toys and straightening up the family room. I said, “What are you doing?”
He said, “Cleaning up.”
I said, “Are you doing penance?”
Both boys said, “What’s that?” I explained penance and thus, we turn even a difficult situation into a learning experience. Ha.
Tonight, the same Reluctant Student helped me make quiche for dinner. He can be so helpful . . . if only we could do something about the fits.
Actual Unretouched Photo 
I’m sorry your quick little trip turned into a long little trip!
Wish I had some advise for the the fits, but I’m still working on that myself. Some kids are just so stubborn!
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How about an “object lesson” with penance? They can learn about penance, directly related to fit throwing and the wearing thin of parent’s patience.
I also posted about my recent experience with car keys. 🙂
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Loved your story, Mel (but then I always do!). But, uh, I have a question: Why doesn’t your husband have a key for the doors as well as one for the ignition? (I am guessing that maybe he rarely uses the vehicle you were driving, but still…..?) (Someone had to ask–guess it was me.) 🙂 Blessings, Debra
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Boy, I can relate! Back in July, we were about to leave for my 11 yo daughter’s softball tournament (finals) and my youngest (3-yo) locked all the doors on the truck and ran to the door giggling. My keys were in it and the other set (hubby’s) were in Mexico! So, here in Michigan, had to wait for the roadside guy to come and jimmy open the door. Infuriating and frustrating making nothing simple and quick. [But, got to the game in the middle. Alex hit a homerun in the final inning, bringing in a runner, but sadly lost by 1 run.]
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Luckily the same key that starts the car will also open the car. Of course that doesn’t help much if I lose the keys. I’m one of these people that has an extra set with me at all times.
On the other hand, I once locked my car doors and left the top down on a convertible.
Duh.
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Oh, to still have a Mother to come to your rescue! You are truly blessed. And I don’t care HOW old our kids get, as long as we’re here on Earth and able, we’ll be there for them, too.
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I also get suspicious when my teenager begins cleaning house.
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Aww..I think that we all have done something like that 1 or 2 or 10 times!
How nice to live so close to your mom…I am on the west coast and my mom is on the east coast.
I am glad that your day improved and how sweet was your reluctant son to help you!
Hope that you are having a blessed weekend!
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