Funny. Odd. Interesting.

How else would I describe a weekend with the parents? :)

Overall, I would say their visit was a success. We had a good time. And my hot buttons did not get pushed. Even moments that would usually cause me angst, did not have a negative effect. Yeaa!

Random moments from the weekend:

* My mother claiming that people only get attached to pets because they don't have children.

(I found this extremely humorous as I tried to show her the fault in her logic...the more committed she stayed to her original statement, the funnier it seemed.)

*How thrilled my Dad was when I managed to find a local bar that was playing his favorite college team's game. We spent the afternoon together, AND he didn't have to miss his game!

*Both parents telling me that what I'm doing with my business is "amazing". Both saying emphatically (and with pride) that they could never do what I do.

*Here's a good one: "The only reason someone should get married is if they want to have children." (guess who owns this quote?:) So when I countered: "If children are out of the question for me, does that mean I should never get married?". "Well, it's different for women- they need to have a mate." "Why?" "Because they need someone to take care of them." Normally, I would have had anger and frustration brewing beneath the surface. This time- it just struck me as unbelievably hilarious. My response? "Well, mom, maybe you feel that way because you have never lived on your own." She agreed that could be the reason.

*Running into an old boyfriend while at lunch. Actually- he ran. Pretty much as soon as he saw us walk into the restaurant. Why? Because it was probably the ugliest break-up I've had. He was a real slime ball and I'm sure he had no interest in facing my parents (whom he had met before). But the biggest reason he ran- most likely because he was embarrassed that he was working as a waiter at this particular restaurant. The scene was entertaining- in order to get to his station without walking by our table, he literally had to walk all the way around the restaurant.

*My dad spending every free moment doing "projects" around my house. He fixed my toilet, changed light bulbs, cleaned chandeliers. It really was sweet to watch. I knew it was his way to show love.

*While my mom was fixing her hair getting ready to go out, she apparently had an epiphany. "Aileen, I figured out what is wrong with you and me... I am always seeking your approval, and you are always seeking mine. And maybe you need to hear that I love you as you are and I'm very proud of you. You should hear how I brag about you to all of my friends."

OK...so a simple weekend with the parents may seem like no big deal to you. But to me- it was actually a great accomplishment! :)