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This lamp is famous:
(Click image for source)
It is the Raggedy Ann lamp that frightens Doug and warms the holes in my heart. (The cockles, in other words.)
I think it startles him because she is very old, and therefore, very faded.
I love this lamp. It’s an antique, and it freaks everyone but me out. Her hair is supposed to be red but has faded to yellow, and her nose and mouth have literally faded into oblivion. I think I’d like to take her to a lamp-restoring place and see what they could to do spruce her up.
But one thing is sure. I love her. About 30% of that love is derived from the fact that Doug does not.
Before I sound contrary, allow me to clarify. It feels like I compromise a fair bit when it comes our home decor, because honestly, he cares more about decorating than I do, and he has tastes that are pleasing. So I mostly let him decide. And it must be said that he does choose things that we both like.
That said, I still want there to be a stamp of pure me to my home. I don’t want my love for a touch of strangeness to be relegated to a box just because it doesn’t fit in with everything else in the room. I don’t want to change what I like just to suit what a place looks like. It is just a touch, after all, and part of my personality.
I guess I’m kind of stubborn that way.
When you share something like “we’re engaged!” with someone, you’ll get a veritable cocktail of responses.
There’s the fake response:
“You’re… wow. You’re engaged. That’s wonderful. Congratulations. To both of you. Congratulations.”
You can hear them trying to feel it. It made me sad.
There’s the shocked response:
Coworker: “Therese? Is that what I think it is?”
Me: “Yes.”
Other coworker: “What? Is she engaged?”
Coworker: “The giant rock on her finger would suggest that yes, yes she is.”
There’s the standard response:
“Wow! Congratulations! Great news! I’m sure you’ll both be very happy!”
And then there’s Gilly and Donna.
Here’s how it went when I told Donna:
“Hi, Donna.”
“Hi.”
“So… I have something to tell you.”
(at this point I could hear her leaning in to the phone) “Yeeeees?”
“Doug and I are engaged.”
“What? What? You’re engaged?!”
“Yes!”
“Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod!”
“I know!”
“Ohmigod! Ohmigod! I can’t stop saying it! Ohmigod! I’m so happy for you! Aaaaaaaaa!”
Followed by much discussion until her phone died.
Then there was the conversation with Gilly:
“So…. I have something to say.”
(anticipatory) “Yeeeees?”
“Doug and I are engaged.”
“AAAAAA! THERESE!”
“I know! Aaaaa!”
“Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod!”
“Hee hee hee hee.”
“Ohmigod! Ohmigod! I can’t stop saying it! Ohmigod!”
Followed by much discussion until bedtime.
Ah yes. These delicious reactions have peppered my week.
Naomi and Natalie are home from Egypt on Saturday and today, respectively. It’s about time. Don’t they know that I have to talk to them?
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