So I got a phone call today from a friend whose daughter attends my kids' school. They need a Girl Scout leader for their new troop and want to know if am interested in putting Marlie in their troop. I know that Marlie is a smart girl but I was pretty sure that she would not be old enough to be a troop leader. She has not even bridged to Juniors yet. Then again, some kids go straight from elementary school to college, so I guess anything is possible!
In actuality, they wanted me to become the leader and just have Marlie be a scout. I immediately started mentally computing my schedule....Hmmm..."If I just push this over to here and stay up an extra five hours at night...." It was not adding up very well, to be honest. However, I am not a person who has an easy time of saying the word, "No." So I told my friend that I would do it. After hanging up, my little shoulder devil screamed in my ear, "You idiot!!! What did you just do? I need my sleep and you keep piling more shit on!"
Even my shoulder angel was unhappy with my obvious lack of testicles. "Kadi dear, you really should have told her no. You are a very busy woman." I flicked them both off, "Oh shut up. The both of you. I will figure this out." At that very moment, my husband walked in. "Why do you have that look on your face?" he greeted me. Shitballs, was it that obvious? "Well, I was just thinking that maybe we should put Marlie back into Girl Scouts." He just shook his head and grabbed a beer. I proceed to tell him why Girl Scouts is essential for growing girls. "I don't think it is a good idea, Kadi," he answered. I decided to come clean and plead my case.
I told him that they really needed a leader and that I could readjust my already crammed schedule to make an hour a week to fulfill my duties (which was a huge lie since I know damn well how much time a GS leader has to spend training and prepping.) He cocked his eyebrows, "Did I say no? I'm sorry....I meant HELL NO! If you shove one more thing into our already bursting at the seams lives, I will be forced to clone or divorce you." So that was the end of that. I love my husband too much to be divorced and therefor cannot be a GS leader. From over in the corner of the kitchen, I heard my shoulder friends chime in unison, "We told you so!" So I went over and gave them a good kick.
I'm soooo dreading the phone call to my friend, come morning. I do not know how to let her down. Why the hell do I have to be such a damn people pleaser? Anyone know a scientist who is capable of cloning?
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Why is the sortest word in the world one of the hardest to say? I can't say no to anything either. That's why I don't talk to people. I just stay here in my little dungeon and no on enotices me so they don't ask me for way too much stuff. Could someone pass the gruel?
lol... you should have read my posts about the hells of the GS...lol (and I don't have anywhere NEAR as much going on as you!) Some people never learn! Me included! AND WHY doesn't Cherokee tell me I can't do something every once in a while?? He just sits back and laughs when I get home from GS with my shoulder/neck spasms and eye twitches and evilly grins like he *thinks* he knows something! Makes me wanna do something real grown up, like flick a booger at him every time he does it!
Oh, I can't say no either, I feel your pain! I would totally want to do that, but you're right -- if it doesn't fit into you're schedule, there's no way that you want to over extend yourself like that. Good luck with calling your friend and you have to let us know how it goes!!!
I have trouble saying no too. I hope it went fine today telling them no.
Tressa
Oh, I am soo with you! I am guilty of saying yes to too many things, then wondering why I am soo stressed out! I had the same thing with soccer, got an email saying that if a parent didn't step up and coach, then our kids wouldn't have a team. I said no for the fist time. So, this fall I don't have to sit in the rain watching soccer, yah!!!
My wife said that the Girl Scout Service Unit (basically a district) in our area needed a new leader. She knew she couldn't do it because she's already a Girl Scout leader as well as working 14 hours per day. However, she felt that the service unit was starting to falter and needed somebody like her. She'd looked around and didn't see anyone else able to get things going as well as she knows she can. So, of course, being the supportive husband I am, I told her "No. You are not allowed to do this. You will have an ulcer. I don't care if you're the best person for the job. You just don't have the time". She agreed. Whew! So, her best friend took the job and my wife agreed to be her assistant. Dangit! We've already had a team meeting at my (dirty) house and my wife is spending a few hours each day trying to get people lined up for leadership and sponsorship roles. I don't understand. She said "No", didn't she?
I just have to say reading your blog is such a bit of fresh air. My friend and I were just having a conversation about how tiring blogs are sometime, everyone with their "perfect" families, doing perfect things, and looking perfect while they are doing these perfect things. So, it is great to read the REAL stuff that goes on in other houses. :) Thanks for your real life perspective!~
HUGS! I am in the process of becoming a co-leader for my daughters' troop, and it's fun, but I also don't have seven kids' schedules to juggle. :) I could never be in your shoes, Kadi, so I give you props!
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