I miss my Grandma's!!

I hate that I haven't blogged much recently and am bringing you a debbie-downer post but I have the need to be honest.

Today has been a day from Heck! hell, some might even say. It's been one of those no-good-very-bad days. Mama said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this my mama said. ... and boy was she right.

So today I fought a Grandma. Not mine! And there were not fists involved. In fact, I didn't actually do any of the fighting...the fighting was all done to me. If that even makes sense.

Somewhere between falling asleep this afternoon with an empty house and waking up from my nap to a house of children and adults again I managed to piss off the Grandma. Multiple times.

(Explanation: this week I am at a small beach town spending the week with the family I work for at their 2nd (weekend) home with the kids and Grandma while the kids are on vacation. )

So cool, right? Hmm.

Let's see.... there's a language difference. An age difference. And basically a whole life difference.

I absolutely whole heartedly HATE with every ounce of who I am the people who use the "Elle ne comprends pas" (She doesn't understand) crud with me. It was true last year but as of right now, I comprends EVERYTHING you say. Even when you talk about me in front of my face. So take that.

Bitterness aside, the story goes like this. Grandma was not so nice to me this afternoon. I had woken up  from a nap after having been left at the house alone for a few hours. Didn't think it would be a big deal to not set an alarm clock so I woke up after everyone had arrived back, therefore not being as hands on as Grandma prefers. (Mind you, I don't work for Grandma but at certain times during the week I have felt as though I was her slave driver) So I was getting snapped at here and there for reasons unknown and just brushed it aside. I don't know Grandma and Grandma might've gotten out of the car on the wrong side or something (ha, trying to find humor where ever I can) for all I knew. Then I go downstairs and Grandma yells at me. I'm not meaning raised voice, I mean anger in voice with every word being spat in my direction. (Preface: I don't get yelled at. If I got yelled at as a child it was because something was about to go down and it wasn't good. Of course I yelled at my parents more often than I should've but I don't really appreciate being yelled at nor do I take it well, especially when I feel I did nothing wrong). I half understand what she's saying but I get the memo: She's pissed, and I'm going to take a wild guess and say its at yours truely! Then Grandma "barked" at me to unload the dishwasher while she sat at the table and wrote some precious little post cards. Sweet. No problem, don't bother helping on top of barking orders at me. I asked what time dinner would be served and she sniped something else in my direction. I decided to retreat to my bedroom to avoid the awkwardness that Grandma was toting around thinking I'd be safe up there. No more than an hour later was I being "barked" at again that dinner was ready. An hour earlier than normal. I come down, surprised that the dinner is being served when half the family isn't even present (not normal!) and sit down at my place. Grandma is still not happy and I'm about to get a second lashing. Yep. Here we go again. I get yelled at yet again, for what i'm guessing is the same thing as earlier, and when I try to defend myself it gets me nowhere so I decide being quiet is the best route at this point. Honestly I wanted to throw the food at the annoying cat begging for it and go back to my room but I humbly at the food prepared by angry Grandma. And trust me, you can tell when food was not made with love.

Later on in the evening I find out from the Mom (who speaks English, thank GOD!) that Grandma is mad at me because apparently she had to do everything in the 40 minute span of time when she got home and that I was not up from my nap and she is angry about that. I didn't help with anything today is really what she said. I was able to defend myself to the Mom who explains and confirms my own thoughts that Grandma is indeed older and that she gets frustrated quite easily and that I need to help without being asked to do so. Cool. thanks. Got the memo. Do my job! Check. I thought I was??? So what is Grandma here for if she can't do a thing or two occasionally??? And apparently she did, but she just became terribly bitter that it was her and not me.

So the end conclusion: its just a big misunderstanding! phew! I can sleep soundly now.

Then the story doesn't end there. Even though I thought it did and wish it had.

So as I was fighting the 5 year to brush his teeth despite his lack of desire to do so tonight I start overhearing the Mom and Grandma arguing loudly. I go and quietly sit on the stairs to try and eavesdrop and thats when my heart sank and all I wanted to do was run for the hills (if there are any around here...maybe London would be closer). Mom is so kindly trying to defend me explaining that it was just a big misunderstanding and I imagine her saying things like "you need to calm down and be more patient with her, she's doing a great job" (at least I wish she was saying those things) but who knows what is being said in my defense because before I can hear any more of the Mom I hear the Grandma cut in yelling something about how I'm disrespectful because I didn't come to dinner when she called for me (insert YELLED AT ME to come down). Then comes my most hated phrase of all time "Elle ne comprends pas" (She doesn't understand).
....BUT I DO UNDERSTAND!!! I understand that you are mad at me for stupid reasons, I understand that you yelled at me 3 times tonight when you could've expressed yourself in a calmer manner and been much more polite, I understand that you are older and do not have patience like a 24 year old (and you should be glad as well or else WW3 might've begun tonight). And while French might not be my first language and while I am far from being fluent, I am far from being stupid and far from not understanding.

So I did what any young person working 24/7 for a family of 4 very high energy, semi wretched kids would do and I sat on the stairs listening to Grandma yell at Mom about how awful I was and cried.

I like to think that living in Paris has caused me to develop some pretty tough skin, but I'm happy to announce that beyond that tough skin is still a heart and regardless of age or thickness of skin, it still hurts to be yelled at and about.

So there we are. That was my day.

Please, no pity party. I already did and I have to let you know the party ended a while ago and that party of 1 has now recovered and is putting all this in the past and moving towards ending this week.

As hard and sometimes awful as my job has been this year, I have an equally if not more than awesome group of people who refill my far too often empty cup on a regular basis back in Paris! I am blessed beyond belief by the incredible friends that can't wait to hug my neck each time we are together despite that not being the norm here. (Kisses are more normal but less enjoyed...atleast the French kisses, ok ok, bad joke!) And while I have been awful at keeping in touch with my family and friends back in the States, I know the love and support from them is overwhelming as well.

So tonight, on this awful night, I have decided, instead of letting Grandma ruin the rest of the week, I'm choosing to shove my negativity right out the window behind me and be completely and utterly grateful for the two incredible Grandma's I have back in Texas.

And if you, my awesome Grandma's, want any advice: please think twice before you yell at anyone in the near future. They might just be someone's granddaughter.

I love you both so much and can't wait to see you at Christmas and hug both of your necks for longer than you may deem comfortable. :-)

...Mama said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this my mama said!