My daughter is a freak, and I mean that in the BEST sense of the word (definition #3, m-w.com, but no, no matter what she looks like in this-worst-possible-shot-of-her-EVAH, she’s not performing in a circus sideshow). At 14, she knows what she likes, but somehow she’s living apart from the teen culture that I so often read about. I’ve often said "she’s my hero" because she couldn’t give a rip what others think, she’s secure in "who" she is, something I didn’t achieve until adulthood.
That being said, she’s not perfect. She’s a slave to her comforts.
Let’s take the other day, it was time to change her sheets. Usually, I just wash the one that are on our beds and when they’re fresh and hot out of the dryer, instead of going through a senseless exercise in folding them, back onto the beds they go.
But this time, she informed me she didn’t like the flannel ones she’s been using for months…they’re beginning to pill and "they don’t feel good anymore" :/. Also, she has a down feather bed; it’s not 100% down, there are feather’s in the mix. She told me we needed to do something because it felt like "little needles" were poking her all night.
** B I G s i g h ** All I could think was my daughter is the ever-lovin’ title character from the "Princess and the Pea" fame:/.
Taking her suggestion to "do something", I sent her to the linen closet to hunt for what she wanted. We don’t have an abundance of extra sheets but she DID find a wonderfully soft top sheet; I had thrown out the bottom one months ago because it had become threadbear and ripped. Soooo, we made do with what we had. Her bed now reminds me of a seven-layer Mexican dip….
I walked out of the room to get the camera (keenly sensing a post in the making), and returned to discover that apparently Callie is Rachel’s long-lost sister–a Princess in her own right. She was certain we did all of this for HER. OF COURSE she thinks that–she’s a CAT!
And here’s the "recipe" for Rachel’s personal Seven Layer "Dip":
Layer 1 (sits directly on top of the mattress): The featherbed
Layer 2: mattress pad (to "cover" the needly feathers)
Layer 3: the pilling flannel sheet that no longer feels good (to further insulate against the "needles" that poke her)
Layer 4: The wonderfully soft top sheet that we used for a bottom sheet to mask the pilling flannel sheets that were masking the needly problem feathers
Layer 5: The top sheet
Layer 6: Thomas old down comforter, little-boy worn and a dark red/green masculine plaid, that is stained and old and looks like the dickens, but it’s down and fluffy and great for winter; covered by
Layer 7: her lime green, periwinkle and lavender cheerfully floral print quilt, the one thing she doesn’t have a problem with…which is a doggone good thing!
And because she is going to KILL me if she sees the picture I posted of her above I love her, I cannot leave you with that image of her. Here’s one of my favorites.
I love *both* pictures! My daughter wouldn’t be happy with any picture I would post of her. Last time I put up a picture of her all dolled up for winter formal, she gave me several pieces of her mind! (If you want to see, it is at http://fourkidsandadog.blogspot.com/2007/02/you-make-me-feel-like-dancin.html).
This is the second stop I’ve made today where I’ve had to say – You are such a good mom….going to all that trouble for your kids.
But, I do have to agree with Rachel on how horrible feathers poke. We recently got new feather pillows – and OUCH – have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with a feather poking you in the cheek? It doesn’t feel good. No sirree.
Thanks, Karen, but I’m gonna do my best to keep Rachel “occupied” for a few days so she doesn’t have time to read this, lol.
Karmyn, IS THAT BACK-HANDED? The truth is, Rachel said over and over, “Thanks, Mom, for helping me…for UNDERSTANDING my NEEDS…” and she MEANT it, lol. How can you not “do” for a kid with that kind of attitude–it ain’t suckin’ up, it’s gen-u-ine :). But maybe the truth is, yes, I’ve been “stuck” with needly down feathers before, so maybe I’m a princess, too ;).
I have one of those pokey feather beds. My hubby complains about it. But like you said the cat loves it. HMMM maybe i should just let her have it!!
Feathers DO poke. I agree. And as long as she’s making her own bed, who cares what goes on it, right?
I have a bit of the Seven Layer Mexican Dip going on with my bed, too — neither of my pillowcases match each other or the bottom sheet or the top sheet. The sheets don’t match and the blankets are a hodge-podge of colors and textures. I wouldn’t have it any other way. 😉
I am liking this girl! Will she come and babysit??? ;o) She’s not only a cutie, but it’s evident that her parents have done well !
(now can I boot her out of her wonderfully comfy-cozy bed, maybe I’ll go to sleep!!har har)
pretty awesome to have such a sense of self at that age
OH MY WORD! Take off the glasses and remove the braces and it’s YOU, ROBIN! The resemblance is just UNCANNY!
Rachel, I don’t like pilly sheets either. It drives me crazy! I may try your “Seven Layer Dip” recipe for my own bed. And one more thing – when your mom and I finally go out for coffee, you’re invited, too 😉
Tiff, SAVE THE MARRIAGE! LOL Add another sheet to cover the pokies! 🙂
Tracey, A……..MEN!!!!
SG, Hmmmm, sounds like you’d feel right at home at our place. Our socks look like that, too :/.
Kristy, she’s a FANTABULOUS sitter; she’s not into boys or shopping at the mall, so she’s free (for now, anyway) ;).
Pamela, I know. I do NOT take it for granted, either (I hear too much from others :/).
Susan, there is no need to “chat” with Rachel, I am hiding my blog until I’ve written enough to bury this post (ha!). IF she drank coffee (or some derivative), she’s be a fun tag-a-long :).
She’s gorgeous.
And if she murders you for the first pic, it might be justifiable;)
Just sayin…
WOW, she really lloks a lot like you Robin! For a while, Anna had really bad growing pains inher tail bone area, so bad that she would scream when we put her in her car seat. We has xrays and ultrasounds done, everything was normal.
Her bed looked much like your daughters… an egg crate pad, 3 layers of 2 sided fleece blankets, and her comforter on top. Still, poor thing, she was very uncomfortable.
Thank goodness she has grown out of it!
What we do to make our princess’s lives better… I hope they appreciate it one day. 😀