And it already looks dead.
No really: I was so tickled when the Biologist showed up for our date the day before Mother’s Day with an orchid. So sweet! It’s the first time in his life that he has ever dated a single mom, and he gets an A+ for his sincerity and genuineness.
Before having a child, I had a slightly green thumb. I had a mean, green herb garden, I had plants in every corner of my bedroom. Not long into motherhood, I realized that if I wanted to have plants in my home, they’d have to be hearty ones. If I forgot to water them, I had a toddler who eagerly over-watered them.
Anyway, when the Biologist pulled up last Saturday, there was this lovely orchid in his backseat. I thanked him, smiled, and said, “I hope I don’t kill it.”
I’ve only had an orchid once before, a gift from the kind people at the local flower shop near my old home. But during my move, the plant started to whither and died. I felt really bad. The worst part is: the day after Mother’s Day, I woke up and found the orchid’s one and only flower on the floor.
“Are you temperamental, or what?” I said.
But I couldn’t help but feel responsible. I’d only had the thing for a day! I called the Biologist, and he confessed that he’s given me the “most finicky” kind of orchid (a “Phrag”). Then, he went on to tell me how to take care of it: only filtered water (we drink from the tap here, which means that I need to get a filter), no direct sun and cool environment (it was 100 degrees here yesterday)… He paused.
“I gave you something kind of high maintenance, didn’t I?” he said.
“Uh, yes.”
Let’s hear your update about Mother’s Day! Bring on the sweet and the sour!
Here are some of my favorite updates from the single parent blogging world:
This is classic: Rebecca Eckler, who writes for www.globeandmail.com, posed as her child to ask her ex for money: Get What You Want This Mother’s Day. Twist the Ex’s Arm.
Trey Ellis spent the day at the zoo with his new blended family. (You’ll see in my comments to him: I want to know what he’s telling his kids about his new girlfriend? Isn’t his daughter asking how a ton of questions? Help me out here, friend.)
Here’s how Mommy Pie explained — as I have, too — that on Father’s Day, we celebrate Grandpa. Good goin’!
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Read the book! Single Mom Seeking is a tell-all about how to date and remain a dedicated and involved parent. It’s a spunky, sexy, and moving chronicle of the humor, pitfalls, and rewards of balancing it all — single-mom style. |
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I really can’t complain! I had a wonderful Mother’s day spent with family. My angel made me a most beautiful gift that he proudly made himself and is now prominently on display on my mantle. My mom and I shared our day bonding in motherhood!
“I gave you something kind of high maintenance, didn’t I?” he said. – too funny! And so true. But give the Biologist props for the awareness.
btw – I’m contributing to Silicon Valley Moms Blog now! It’s only occasional, Dad’s House will remain my primary focus. My first svmoms.com post is up on their site. You can find a direct link to the post on Dad’s House today.
I could never give up my plants – they offer a bit of down time. My daughter (now
has joined in the fun in that she has a real green thumb. We have apple trees from commercial apples and an acorn she planted a few months ago is… growing.
She and her dad do their own things, but they each do something. He brought chocolates (which I love but they are getting old) and wild flower seeds for us to throw when we are on walks… which is what I wanted. Sometimes it is the little things I do with my kid that mean the most!
(And I treated myself to jewelry, which is a mother’s day tradition for me!)
Eric and I both slept in. That in itself was a wonderful gift. He never sleeps in, but I kept him up late the night before. He woke me up with kisses and a “Happy Mothers Day!” as well as “what would you like for breakfast in bed”? I declined the breakfast in bed, but had some captain crunch in front of the tv with my little guy. Then I took a long, hot bath. He did his best not to interrupt me. Then I watched Titanic and Riding in Cars with boys. Then we went and got pizza. My choice. BLT pizza. It was good! It was a rainy day, all day so I didn’t feel the least bit guilty about lazing around the whole day and taking advantage of a special day set aside for me!
An orchid, wow!!
What I got for mother’s day was fun with my kids, giving them their birthday presents, having fun together.
Their birthday was the day before (they’re twins!), but it was their Dad’s turn to have them this year on their birthday so I was super blue all day Saturday without them.
On Sunday, and they each brought me a carnation and a home-made book/card wishing me happy mom’s day.
We hung out, rode bikes around the block, and planted flowers together. Bliss!
I love this video. M is adorable. I can tell she’s the same age as my B-that 8 year old girl demeanor is unmistakable!
The orchid is sweet-and it’s great that he showed that side for Mother’s Day. The “high maintenance” comment had me laughing out loud here at work!
This was the first year I didn’t have my kids with me for mothers day. Partly because Sunday’s are their dad’s regular day now and partly because I had to work an 8 hour shift. So I pretty much cried all day. That wasn’t so fun. My boyfriend sent me a text to say happy mothers day which was sweet. The kids didn’t come home with a card (or anything else) for me from their dad’s house though they did inform me that they had to give their dad’s girlfriend flowers for mother’s day. Go figure.
We went out to dinner with my mom, dad and brother that Saturday. On the actual day I had to work in the morning (BOO), but when I got home at a little after noon, Casey was waiting for me with gifts (some clothes, a prayer box necklace and a huge balloon that plays a song when you tap it) that my mom had taken her to buy. She also made me lunch… they had bought food that was pre-cooked and simply needed to go in the microwave, so she could do it herself. I was served turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and cupcakes. And then that night we had dinner at Johnny Rockets and saw Baby Mama (I thought of you! It was really funny). So yeah, great day!
I’m glad The Boilogist was so thoughtful for you, even if he got you a “high maintenance” gift! LOL
Very informative and well-organized blog.
My daughter made me a potholder in preschool and when we got home that Friday, flowers and chocolates were waiting at our doorstep, from my parents. They also helped her send me a homemade card & a store bought card in the mail. On the actual day, Lexi made me a bookmark and she decorated a tin of bath salts in Sunday School. We spent the rest of the day with my mom, where we gave her gifts and I got yet more gifts from all of them (perfume that I really wanted and a nightlight my daughter picked out and parents paid for, which says, “World’s Best Mom.”)
To top it all off, my male friend brought me flowers that evening, and he’s taking us out to dinner tonight since we went out with my mom on the day. So I can’t complain at all.
We will definitely honor/celebrate both of her grandfathers on Father’s Day—they’ve both been very supportive and wonderful role models, unlike my ex.
I BITE MY TONGUE… ALMOST
OK I am 49 (looking from what others usually say 35 – 40).
My 14 y.o. daughter
and our 28 y.o.friend (who still gets carded looking young 20 ish) went out for lunch.
My daughter was in the bathroom when we were seated. As our friend and I went to walk through the bar to the table the hostess, who is still lucky to be employed, said “oh you can’t go that way.”
Puzzled I asked, “why”.
She pointed to my friend and said, “Your daughter has to be 21 to go that way.”
“My daughter? I stuttered.” She again pointed to my friend.
“She is not my daughter.” The hostess shrugged.
OK no apology, no free drink, just a shrug. Unfortunately the dear waitress felt the brunt as almost everything I ordered had to be returned for some reason.
I had a great mother’s day. I got 2 beautiful cards from my son and daughter. 2 pairs of sandals, a handbag (from hubby) and a book, and we went out to dinner! Great day! My son told me I was his world!
The last guy I dated gave me an orchid days AFTER we broke up. Turns out the relationship wasn’t the only thing that was DOOMED. The orchid lasted maybe two weeks. High maintenance is an understatement — yikes.
My Mom’s Day was wonderful — nice and low-key. Thanks so much for the shout-out!
And I love the new look, btw!
I got zip! Yep, nothing. But Benjamin told me he loved me for the first time and I went on a mini shopping spree!
I kill plants too…it’s a curse.
Ms. Single Mama