The Mortification

Much to the chagrin of every business friend I have and dearly love, I recently attended a fundraiser for Governor Jay Inslee and even more galling, did the 'ask' for him The 'ask' is the part of the program that is deeply uncomfortable for most attendees; the part where someone (in this case me) pulls at your heartstrings and sense of responsibility to ask you to give more money than you were planning on to help elect (or re-elect) the candidate in question. As horrifying as it is to my staunchly Republican friends (and family), I was honored to give a small speech talking about Gov Inslee's commitment to family planning, education and transportation infrastructure in Washington state.

Miss Lily ... oh my sweet sweet little Miss Lily. That look on her face? That is the look of pure mischief. The look of someone that knows she has gotten away with something and gotten away with it in a big big way. My dear friend Jody has two grown adult daughters. She ... likes? No, she tolerates children. She does have a soft spot in her heart for Lily or rather, she DID have a soft spot in her heart for Lily.

She invited Lily and I up for a lovely evening at her gorgeous Chuckanut home, behind a gate (a gate with crystals inlaid in it) and horses on the property. It was a lovely night with an incredible view and gorgeous sunset. We enjoyed some amazing Italian wine and talked while Lily examined all of Jody's crystals, tapestry and generally was the sweetest, most polite toddler that ever did live.

 After about an hour, Lily climbed up onto the high back chair by the bar area and started looking at the fish and playing with things on the counter. And, no sooner had I gone over to protect Lily from falling off the high barstool when she SHOVED (with all of her might) three (THREE!) wine full wine bottles over and off onto the floor. One glorious bottle of French Bordeaux broke all over the carpet. Jody and her boyfriend Jim James were gracious and cleaned it up and insisted we stay for dinner (in hindsight, we should have left). No sooner had I sat down to an amazing stacked caprese salad, grass-fed local bison burger on a toasted sourdough bread then we hear ... what's that? A bullhorn? We were utterly confused until we realized that Lily had found Jody's panic button and pushed it. Of course, the police couldn't get past the gate (oh, that gorgeous crystal inlaid gate) and had to hike over a mile up to her home. Where they had just arrived to save us from certain doom. With a bullhorn. To make their presence known.

It. Was. Mortifying.

Lily and I left shortly thereafter. We did go back the next day on a pilgramage to deliver a hand written apology note from Lily (that's her, creating the apology artwork - we did water soluble markers and sprayed water on the markers to make an actual watercolor), beautiful crystal soap from me and an amazing bottle of wine to replace the one that Lily had broken. 

 

I have not actually been so embarrassed as a parent in my four short years of being a parent. I pray that this is the worst mortification I will have to face as a parent but suspect otherwise. 

Jamisen took private swim lessons this summer and loved them. I'm trying to continue them for the school year but it's more difficult than you would think between two working parents and two nannies that refuse to get in the water with the kids.

My bestie Patrice and I went to a Kelly Clarkson concert in Seattle recently and it was loads of fun. We danced the night away and marveled on our good fortune and luck . Thank you UPS for the privilege. =)