Birthday month

The fun just keeps coming. Today I woke up to argue with Trevor. It turns out he has been hiding the clean laundry in his dirty laundry basket. I found out when I asked him to dump the full basket in the laundry room because it looked full. What came out was the clean load from two days ago that was supposed to be put away. I know this was clean and hidden because included in the load was my clean lace top.



He lied and said he had not been hiding it to avoid putting it away. I got mad. Even the underwear smelled clean and felt fresh. I swore. It just makes me have to do it all over again. You can imagine my frustration and anger.



He accused me of not doing chores, that he did all the work around the house. Yesterday I spent three hours at his school volunteering for PTA during the school lunch hours. He saw me there and was excited with the project, yet this morning he has the gall to tell me I do nothing and he does all the work. I told him this is why I don't come out of my room until after they leave for school. I get angry at six in the morning to find yesterdays chores still waiting, the hiding of clean laundry so it looks like it was put away and then dumped back in the laundry room for rewashing.



The dishes were not unloaded either, so Riley did not escape from my anger. He kept out of the way knowing there was no use arguing, quickly got dressed and left for the bus, while I went back to my room and shut the door, fuming at the extra work I was going to do once they had left the house.



The day improved. Gigi had asked what I wanted for my birthday. I had told her lunch at the Town club. The Town club is an exclusive women only club that was started in the 192o's. A gorgeous old brick building located in one of the nicest areas in town, filled with incredibly beautiful antiques and art donated by some of the wealthiest women in the community. I have attended weddings and lunches over the years at the Town club. It is like walking into the Great Gatsby and I am Daisie for the day, no stress no worries.



Gigi was asked if she wanted to join years ago. She was thrilled by the honor of the invitation, and enthusiastically joined various committees that help keep the club going. The house committee oversees the dining room and menus for the month. The historic committee keeps the old photo albums and records safe.



Tory and I learned a new word, ephemera or papers and photos, that is what the historic committee cares for. Gigi takes care of the ephemera. She showed us a scrap book from the first years that had the name of her Grandmother as a member, our great Grandmother.



We had cocktails in front of a gas fire in a small sitting room off the main lobby. The Club is set up in the style of a Mansion with beautiful fret work and paneling. The ceiling has gold leaf medallions set in between huge beams. One foot moldings encase the ceilings and walls. It is all glamorous.



I even dressed up and curled my hair in anticipation of the event. I wore an appropriate black dress with red jacket and pearls. I made more of an effort and dressed nicer than I have for recent dates with Tom, all because we were going to The Town Club. The understated elegance demands respect.



When I was younger and a little more rebellious, I wore a short leather skirt with my Christmas sweater to a winter event. I could see my mom wince when I showed up. We had one of my bridal showers in a private "garden room", with mural wall paper hand painted on the walls, showing English country sides.



So when I want to feel rich and pampered and elegant, nothing catches the spirit more than lunch at the Town Club with best manners. Fine china and silver glitter and sparkle on the tables. We must remember which is the salad fork and not clatter our tea cups.



Our waitress came by our little sitting room and asked if we would like cocktails. Mom ordered a drink I hadn't heard of. Tory and I ordered coffee nudges. Margaret was coming from work so did not arrive in time for cocktails. Gigi asked that the fire be lit. Being an old building, the window had to be cracked open and both sides of the fireplace had to be lit to create enough draft to start the fire going up the chimney. Once started the window was closed and the fire quickly warmed us with a cheery glow.



After cocktails we descended to the dining area, where pink table cloths graced the tables and waitresses dressed in black skirts and white blouses with french aprons waited to serve our lunch. Endive salad with grapes and rasberry vinaigrette arrived first. Followed by crab kitsch cooked to perfection. The waitresses anticipated our every need, filling our water glasses and coffee mugs quickly out of sterling silver dispensers. Our dessert was peppermint ice cream with chocolate sauce.



Conversation flowed effortlessly. Gigi had even provided party favors, little medal notebooks with pens attached, so we could look glamorous even when jotting down thoughts. It was all lovely, a moment out of time, that had to end all too soon. Tory was due back at work and the lunch ended. We had to leave the lovely mansion on the hill and return to our real lives of dealing with children and chores. I will Cherish the memories of lunch today, until next year when I can ask again for a visit to the Town Club, that time capsule of grace and elegance and pampering.

I turned on the radio to the classical music station for the drive home just to keep the mood as long as possible.

Thanks Mom, it was a lovely afternoon