My son turns five next month. The big 5.0. I've been planning his birthday party since after Thanksgiving. My life is essentially what happens in between events. I like throwing parties and entertaining, so I'm kind of always planning something. This year, while I have the pleasure of planning my son's biggest birthday party ever, I'm also planning a gift of atonement. This year will mark the fifth year that I have had the cookie sheet that my friend brought over to keep the baked chicken juices from spilling onto her car seat en route to my house after we brought Zack home from the hospital.
I have had her cookie sheet for five years. And I have used it. I didn't plan to have it this long, it just happened. See, what had happened was, I washed it and set it aside to return to her when I was back on my feet and out with the baby. I'm one if those girls who stays in for six weeks with my baby after birth because that's what my mama, her mama, and all the mamas before her said to do. Six weeks is a long time to remember to return something to somebody. Plus when I did try to return it, she was out of the country. She ended up being out of the country for several months at a time over the years to follow and I just moved on with life. Am I a terrible person? A thief even?
Every time I use her cookie sheet and wash it I feel a bit guilty and tell myself I will take her a new one the next time I see her, but I always forget. Until I see her, and then I remember, and feel guilty for not saying anything. This has gone on for five years! This year, I'm doing away with going to guilt-ridden play-dates and eating guilt-ridden cookies and biscuits.
As I wrap Zachary's birthday present, I will also wrap one for my friend--a new cookie sheet, oven mitts and baking utensils from Target or Crate & Barrel, with a card attached that will read, "Sorry! I can't believe it's been five years!"
Five years! I wonder if she even remembers. lol
What's the longest you ever kept something that was SO not supposed to be kept?
Ohhh, I have a wool blanket that a neighbor used to keep Ben warm while taking him for a stroller walk about 3 years ago. They've since moved but I feel major guilt when I see the blanket folded in the closet. I can't bring myself to use it or take it out the house.
On the flip side- I make it a point to tell people to only give me things in a tupperware container they don't need or want back, because for some reason they never make it back to their original owner. When I send something out via tupperware, I don't expect it back and regular buy more to update supply, so that makes me feel better :).
Posted by: Yolanda | January 04, 2013 at 04:05 PM
lol. Use the blanket! lol Or send them a fancy throw next Christmas. :) And im with you on the reusable tupperware. You comment reminds me of a blanket my dogs won in an under the fence tug of war with out back neighbors years ago. After a couple of months, we folded the dog-dirty blanket and returned it to their porch with a note.
Posted by: Quel | January 05, 2013 at 01:27 AM
wow!!
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Posted by: Angela | January 23, 2013 at 10:35 PM