How to annoy a modern mother

Coffee (2)

It is only now that I am sitting down with a giant Kath Kidston mug of fresh ground Lavazza coffee with lots of steaming milk can I write about this. I can feel the stress levels lower with each sip.

Big picture, think picture.

About ten minutes ago I could have torn apart anything that was in my path, including my poor husband, who was going about his own business quietly.

It was a particularly hectic morning, the girls were still suffering from PNPS (Post Nativity Play Syndrome) — similar to PMS, but for kids, and only during Christmas.

We really didn’t get going to about 45 minutes before school started and we were all in bad moods (from being out late) and puffy (from breakdown because out late).

Rush, rush, rush. Yell, yell, yell, and we were finally out the door, except of course I didn’t get my morning cup of coffee.

That’s OK, I reassured myself. I’ll brew a fresh pot when I get home. It’s my morning with all the girls at school, and I can get some work done. Apart from all this fun bloggy stuff, I do actually have some paid consulting work to do.

I thought about it all the way back from drop off, walking up our white, frosty road. A steaming mug of creamy coffee, the cup warming my hands, each sip gliding down like silk, waking up every brain cell and making them stand on end. My mind did a lateral jump to memories of long leisurely breakfasts in the south of France, sitting looking over the sea, a crisp baguette, fresh butter, apricot jam and an English newspaper keeping me company. (Funny, there are no children in these memories…)

I find myself at the tap, to fill up the coffee maker.

Gurgle, gurgle, pop, pop, thud.

A few drops spurt out, and then nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zippo. What the ##@@!!!

Scottish hubby happened to walk by, “The builders across the road turned it off for an hour,” totally unaware that what he just said had the equivalent pissing off effect of mistaking a Canadian for an American.

“An hour?” I repeated. I wasn’t going to last an hour.

“Couldn’t you have filled up the kettle before they turned it off?” I barked.

“I NEED my coffee.” Did I really just say that?

He gave me the “I really don’t understand you” look, and suggested I go to the neighbours to see if they had any water.

Suddenly I KNEW what I had to do. I grabbed the coffee maker and marched across the road to the builders. I didn’t even bother to put on my coat.

I. Am. Going. To. Strangle Someone.

Thank god I was wearing my UGG slippers, they sort of look like shoes and have rubber soles. It was minus 5C outside.

I honed in on a man in a neon yellow/green suit with Thames Water written on it. HE MUST BE THE ONE, and I thrust the coffee maker in front of him.

He took one look at me and must have known what he was dealing with. He went to his van and pulled out two bottles of water, with the water company’s logo. Obviously I am not the first person to be crazed about having my water turned off.

Ten minutes later and I am a happy mother again.

I think I may even bring that nice Thames Water man a cup of coffee.

And ladies, check out the latest edition of the Best of the British Mummy Bloggers. There are more accounts from crazed women there…

Photo credit: Puss in Boots

12 COMMENTS

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  4. Audrey | 12th Dec 08

    No jury in the world would have convicted you…
    You have my sympathy. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more important that getting the right calibration of caffeine in my system in the morning.

  5. Laura McIntyre | 11th Dec 08

    You go girls, i would of wanted to do the same thing but not actually have the courage to do it. Hope the coffee was lovely

  6. Expat Mum | 11th Dec 08

    Coffee no but tea, I have to have in the morning. I can’t imagine what i would do without it – and although we have penty of places serving good coffee here, hot tea comes only in smelly, exotic varieties.

  7. A Modern Mother (Susanna) | 11th Dec 08

    I’m still getting over this …

  8. Lis of the North | 10th Dec 08

    I can fully empathise with this dire situation. In my case the precious elixir is tea, of course. No day can start until tea has been consumed.
    I love the way you tell it 😉

  9. TooManyHats | 10th Dec 08

    ROFLOL – that water man saved his hide didn’t he. I just wonder what would have happened had he not been prepared 🙂

  10. Just A Plane Ride Away | 10th Dec 08

    Wow, I am amazed! I bet they had steaming thermoses of tea and a nice jug of milk for those who sway that way. Biscuits anyone?
    I’m glad you got your caffeine fix 🙂

  11. Ashlie- Mommycosm | 10th Dec 08

    Oh, my! I can totally picture this as you’re telling it. Too funny!

  12. SingleParentDad | 10th Dec 08

    They are supposed to prompt you about the water in the kettle. I learnt that building my house. As the connection had to go off a few times. Perhaps that is why they keep company water in the van.
    I missed the carnival this time, will have to get my act together again for the next one.

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