Be Better Than Me

For some reason I don't like answering the phone. I dread it. My mom is the same way. I used to think she was so weird about it. The actual talking on the phone presents problems such as: My kids talk to me and I can't hear; What if I have nothing to say? How do I politely get off the phone when it is time? What if my phone dies right before I say "Bye" and then I  have to call back just to say "Bye"?

But mostly I don't like answering the phone because I think someone is calling to ask me to do something I don't want to do. I don't want to do most things so this is a real problem for me. You might say, "Don't be such a negative party pooper." But I can't help it. I don't like doing things. It taxes me. In the olden days they would just say I'm full of black bile and leave it at that.

Phone calls aren't always bad, of course. Sometimes it's Lisa calling to say she is standing on my front porch with 2 cheeseburgers [for me] [and two cheeseburgers for her]. That is a happy surprise. Room motherss, ward members, etc, etc, etc, are not always happy surprises. Copying the ward newsletter? Cleaning the church? Doing a game for a classroom party? Having Christian fill in for whatever ward member is calling to cancel? None of these things are a big deal. They are small. But all of them effect me severely. It's like I'm handicapped. Sometimes I'll feel grumpy and Christian will wonder what's wrong and as we discuss it we realize I am in a bad mood because I have to do a Fishing Pond Game for the kids' school that day. I do it. And it's never as bad as I think. Sometimes it is.  But usually it's not. Look, I'm not trying to excuse myself. But it's true. I can't do things a normal person can. I think it might be because I'm not a good person. We're all working on being better. I'm no exception.

The other day Christian's grandma called. My instinct is always to ignore the phone but one time she called to give me this old wooden recipe box. I had been trying to buy one online for my Maria Ricks chore cards. She found one at her house and gave it to me.  I'm so glad I didn't screen that call. (And by the way, my housekeeper loves dusting that recipe box full of chore cards.) So I answered the phone and Christian's grandma tells me she has a bunch of school supplies for me to give to my sister who works at The Road Home.  Of course I feel like a big jerk because not only did I not know The Road Home really needs school supplies, but also I almost didn't even pick up the phone. So that was pretty nice of her. She usually donates through her crocheting group, the Loony Loomers but apparently she wanted to bypass the Loomers and donate directly to my sister. I don't know what's going on there. I do not want to get involved.

So I picked up a couple Route 44s with lime and went over to get the supplies. We chatted a bit. Apparently she has tumors on her thyroid. She's not surprised because this runs in her family. In fact, her mom or grandma had a goiter so big she choked on it! I was dying. I was so freaked out by the prospect of a goiter. I was all, "You are NOT going to get a goiter!" And she was all, "No f-ing way." Just kidding about the F. Anyhoo. Point is: I don't have a goiter [knock on wood] but I do get sad when I have to take treats to a party I signed up for. I think maybe I lack strength of character.

Anyhoo. Pont is: If you'd like to send me/drop off a school backpack, school supplies, or a gift card for the Road Home you should. (1311 Camelot Dr Provo, Ut 84601) I will try not to act put out about having to deliver it to my sister. Be better than me. Also, donate online here. For Salt Lake natives, Apple Tree works.