Rough Start But Settles Down

So I got myself some breakfast at Starbucks this morning, a breakfast sandwich and an Earl Grey hot tea and THEN headed over to Lisa's around 9 AM. I still had my hot tea in my hand as I walked through the door. That's what we talked about last night when I left. For me to come at 9 AM. My understanding was that they would have been done with breakfast already by then. The second I walked through the door I thought we were still ok since Johnnie's hair was wet, which meant he had taken a shower probably just minutes ago. And then I heard Lisa and that's when I knew. I knew that she was not in a good state. I knew that I would have to do what I could yet again to avoid a fight. This morning, however I had done some very nice meditation and I was actually quite calm and centered. And more importantly, prepared to deal with whatever storm came from Lisa's presence.  True enough I was sitting there on the couch just waiting out Lisa to let Johnnie and I go but of course who knows what it is she wanted to do. She used to do this ALL THE TIME and goad us into fights. My agenda: get out of there with Johnnie so we can have breakfast. Lisa's agenda: for someone to feel sorry for her and validate her. First question she asked was if I brought her a latte? Answer: No Last night you said you guys would already be done with breakfast by the time I got there. Johnnie asked her if we could go, only to be met with a rant that I was being an asshole. Yeah sure. She's the one ranting and raving walking down the stairs and I'm the asshole? LOL. Fortunately I was in a calm state and I simply asked her if that was necessary... the asshole part. And why she would choose to do that now? She went on about why I wasn't able to be self-aware (huh?) enough to read what she wants and provide it. Newsflash Lisa: No one can read your mind #1. But to be blunt... No one cares #2. Certainly I didn't and if that makes me an asshole then so be it. She went on about making breakfast for Johnnie because I know it's her "I don't want to be a bad mommy thing". I could sense Johnnie too wanted to get out of there. And even when she had calmed down and we were simply talking on the couch, even Johnnie said can you guys stop arguing please? Great. Now he thinks all our interactions area arguments. It would seem that Lisa is dealing with more than just usual office shit. Apparently she and Courtney are in the middle of a fight too. Shocking. Courtney has a lot of opinions, but are generally harmless. I guess Lisa had had enough of listening to them. I waited Lisa out until 9:45 knowing she had a Pilates class to go to. She never did make Johnnie breakfast but that was ok. It would be the first thing we would get to do and as it was we went immediately to McDonald's the second it was ok to leave. That was really the key: you just have to do stuff on Lisa's terms and Lisa's timetable. You just have to let her be in control and be ok with that momentarily... knowing you aren't sticking around. 

And so Johnnie did get a good breakfast in and then off we went to Target on Sepulveda. And made a pit stop at Carter's. I ended up getting clothes for Johnnie. He sure it outgrowing all the stuff I bought 6 months ago. They were big then. Not anymore. The flip flops for the summer? Already needing to be replaced. That's ok, they aren't that expensive... not if you know where to buy. And then we picked up Panda Express at Pavilions. And THEN we went home and Johnnie got to watch his Wild Kratts. I almost hated handing him back at 1:30. Who knows what mood Lisa is in. I'm sorry Johnnie. But it's mommy's turn no matter what state of mind she is in, I have to let her watch you for the rest of the weekend.  As it was I promised to help her change the water of the turtle tank, because it was murky and disgusting. And so that's what I did. Again on Lisa's terms because that's now the number one rule when we are at her house. Everything has to be on her terms and that's that. I'm looking at it like it's my good deed for the day and leave it at that. Besides, it helped me pad my steps stats. It was nearly 2:30 when we got done. Turtle tank all clean AND I got an extra hour hanging out with Johnnie. They had Nikki's baby shower to go to later.  Bye dad... I'll see you Monday Johnnie said. I went on home and got me a fish sandwich from Burger King. And chilled the rest of the afternoon away. The rest of the day really. That's what happens when you're dealing with Lisa in a bad state. You've got to do what you can to release the stench and negative energy. Get yourself back to center and remind yourself of the basics. Everything is you pushed out. You control outcomes.  You control your state.  I did that by doing laundry. And watching college football. It's all good. Everything is ok. I turned what could have been a negative Saturday into a pretty good one actually. And Johnnie and I at least had more bonding time together.