Not a Good Morning

There is a teenager in our midst. Sometimes it makes me crazy! Yesterday morning was one of those times. My day started with the beloved cat of my teenager, who was not supposed to be in the house (point of clarification.....that's the cat, not my teenager), upchucking on my pillow. Note to readers: If I were not already rethinking the "cat person" classification for myself, I most certainly am now.

My teenager slipped a new set of earphones in my drug store shopping basket without asking, as is often the case these days, just assuming it was okay. It was not until we arrived back home, and I started wondering how our Walgreen's tab had mounted so that I realized she had added and I had unknowingly purchased a little something extra.

We had barely returned home when she asked if I could take her to Taco Bell. The chauffeur job is enough to send any parent to her wit's end. And why did this particular request not cross my teen's mind while we were out minutes before?

I asked her to unpack a suitcase that has been home a week. I asked her to clean her room and to put things away where they belonged, not in her favorite hiding place under the bed. I asked her to help make my bed. No, no, no.

I admit it, I lost my cool. I shouted at her lack of consideration and her presumptive attitude. I shouted at her teenagerish ways. That's what Our Ruby called them. For the precious (and apparently clairvoyant) Ruby, Kate was "teenagerish" before her years were. Oh, My Dear Ruby, if only you could see (and hear) her now!

When next I saw Kate in yesterday's post meltdown moments, she was erasing from our fridge an earlier penned dry erase love note from her to me. She erased with purpose. She erased with vigor....and sniffles. I guess I deserved this pointedly demonstrative erasure by my teenager. I haven't been very lovable this morning. But wait, what is she doing? Is she.....could she be....she IS.....my Kate Bug is rewriting her message.....only bigger!

Her tone is unacceptable at times. On some days, her jeans are a little tighter than I would like. Her shorts and skirts may be a little too short as well. But I am pretty sure my teenager's heart is a perfect fit and in exactly the right place.

I am crazy.....about this girl!