Attempting “The Glad Game’…

The past week, the health club has blocked off the beautiful new showers for tile repair, and we women have been relegated to the old ones, most recently used by the men as their locker room underwent a makeover. Since one of our group exercise classmates had been telling us about the athlete’s foot he had suffered from using those very showers, we were a little squeamish about being back in the Formica stalls. (First world problems, I know.)

Anyway, as my friend Connie and I entered the shower area this morning, I noticed towels hanging over doors and shins and feet visible in the stalls that were occupied. In contrast, the new showers are tiled, with tall glass doors covered with a fuschia film for privacy. They do not lock, and once a person pulls her towel into the shower to dry off, it is difficult to tell if a shower is taken or not — causing more than one embarrassing door opening.

“Well, at least we can tell which showers are available… at the risk of sounding like Pollyanna,” I said, as I walked into a shower, trying not to note the few clumps of black hair clinging to the walls and floor.

“Oooh, we can play ‘The Glad Game,’” Connie replied. (If you’re not familiar, Pollyanna was a character in Eleanor H. Porter’s novel from the early 1900s. Pollyanna was a perpetual optimist who played “The Glad Game,” always finding that silver lining in troubles.)

I thought it would be an easy day to be glad. After all, I was off from work for Veterans Day and had a pressing project to complete. I had gotten up early despite no work, gotten in my exercise and a grocery shop before heading home — hungry.

I was hungry, so I offered to make breakfast for my husband, who also happened to be off today. After we did dishes, I threw some veggies and meat into a Crockpot for an easy dinner.

Now, I thought, I could get started on that bedroom I’d been wanting to get completed. But my husband seemed bent on talking, so I stayed near, deciding I could finish working on the utility room I’d also started over the weekend as we conversed. I did.

Since everyone was sleeping, I figured I would practice purging on the utility closet Saturday morning. I emptied the utility room — and that was about all I managed for that room all weekend.

Tada! I got rid of a lot of items I no longer use — an espresso maker, a huge roaster oven, and more. So much better! I am glad this is done.

But my husband wasn’t finished with me. Turns out, my house “mouse” issues (see yesterday’s blog post) is contagious. Suddenly, the wire shelving in the den closet that had been installed improperly (not by my husband!) was on the agenda. My husband did research on the computer for various products, requiring my attention and conversation, as well as a measuring tape and notepad. And a trip to Home Depot. I was trying to be glad, but I really wanted to get the bedroom done.

When we got back — the intended room for my cleaning and organizing attack still lurking in my brain — I was needed again. I cleared the work area, emptied and washed the wire shelves, helped my husband measure and level and hold parts in place as he masterminded the situation. I then patched the old screw holes, inserted the new shelves and loaded them neatly. I was so glad he’d gotten this done, but that back bedroom was still pressing.

By now it was about 2 in the afternoon, and we hadn’t eaten lunch. My husband suggested we go out for lunch, since it was a special day, but all I could think of was getting that blasted room done. (Silly me.) I made Greek salads and explained my need to get the room completed today.

At 4:30, I decided I needed to get this blog post written for NaBloPoMo. Sigh. The bedroom is still a mess — but I think I can get it in shape with a deadline of 7 p.m. tonight. Except I am taking too long writing…

The bedroom… walls are painted, drawers gone through, just some random stuff I need to sort. Today.

One box in that room I thought I might get through. It is filled with random photos from my entire life — and my parents. Plus some of my mom’s albums and writings. I’m glad to have it, but I can’t go through this one quickly.

Pollyanna was thought quite silly for her “Glad Game,” but I admit I must appear completely silly for not naturally being glad today. I am blessed.

Plus, the weekend is only two work days away…

Posts for NaBloPoMo 2015:

1. Why I love my hairstylist…
2. To NaBloPoMo or not to NaBloPoMo? That is the question…
3. No AC November…
4. That dubious gift of an hour…
5. I can’t wait to be discovered…
6. Once an English teacher, always an English teacher…
7. Of mice and men (or when you give a mouse a cookie)…
8. When you replace people with possessions…
9. Do what you know is right…
10. When your eyes are bigger than your weekend…
11. Attempting “The Glad Game”…