Tuesday 26 August 2008

Staying with my mother

There are so many things I want to write. And I can't write any of them really because I don't have an internet connection. At present I'm at my sister's borrowing her computer. It is still another couple of weeks at least until we'll move into our new house. Staying with my mother is quite an experience. She doesn't actually have chickens in her kitchen but it's that kind of set up. The place where she lives is a beautiful but semi-derelict farm house at the foot of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. Water pours through the roof when it rains and nothing works. For years my mother didn't have mains water or central heating and she didn't have a kitchen - just a sink, a table and one round pin socket. Things have improved recently but not that much. The whole thing is still like a really badly organised camping holiday. The whole house is covered in dog hair. When you take your clothes off at night you find dog hair down your bra. My mother can't see anything odd about any of this. On good days, I love sharing her life but there are times when I really have to struggle to keep my temper. The upside is that it's paradise for my son. He brings in buckets of mud from the garden and spreads them all over the kitchen floor and my mother says, 'Lovely dear, do you want some water to mix it with.'

7 comments:

Z said...

She sounds fabulous, although I think I'd want a break with comfortable chairs and some dry warmth once in a while too! Has she always been like that? - I mean, did you grow up in that environment or has she chosen to live like that as she's got older?

Tash said...

Wait, there's something odd about finding dog hair in your bra? /sheepishly runs off to vacuum

Easier said than done, but in those situations I try my best to breathe with it, and remember "When in Rome." Not to mention reminding yourself that's it's all temporary, and someday you may find yourself missing this.

Thinking of you. Good luck with the rest of the move.

janis said...

I bet your son thinks grandma is the coolest! :-)
Sometimes it's hard to imagine that this person really is blood-related to you. Hang in there!

Diz said...

I'm a friend of Honey's, and I live in Gloucestershire. Shout if you feel like meeting up one day!
Guaranteed dog and cat free home!

Melissia said...

I am so envious, not easy for me to admit. Your mom sounds like a lovey person and a wonderful grandmother. My mom died 2 years ago this month and she was a meticulous housekeeper who couldn't unwind long enough to play with her children or grandchildren. But I still miss her. I am sure it isn't easy to stay in a falling down house, but she sounds happy. Thinking of you and hoping that you are doing okay.

Honey said...

your mum is wonderful, but I'd go spare if I lived with my mum for more than a week so it's never easy.
You have this extracted move going on which considering how stressful moving is I can't believe how brilliantly you are doing.
You'll be home soon, a place to call home.
I'll be thinking of you x

Alice said...

Thanks so much for the comments. So many kind and thoughtful ideas. Yes, my Mum is wonderful. But then she needs to be, given that my Dad isn't on speaking terms with any one in the family, and sends me letter telling me how much he hates me .....!

Alice