On Friday Dick had to attend his first (and hopefully last) Boy Scout Jamboral. Since the Boy Scouts have even more regulations and permits than merit badges, Dick and his boys were going to catch a ride with someone authorized to transport scouts, but the plan was for me to drop them off at the church rendezvous point.
That afternoon I picked Dick up from work and drove to the boys’ apartment. I suggested he call to make sure the boys were ready to go, but Dick will sometimes do anything to avoid talking to people on the phone. After we’d waited a few more minutes and I nagged a bit more, he went in search of the boys (because that’s easier than actually making a phone call).
The boys weren’t ready. They weren’t packed, they hadn’t sewn on their patches. And they hadn’t made their tinfoil dinners yet. Dick was pretty ticked. Can you believe those boys hadn’t SEWN ON THEIR PATCHES or MADE THEIR TINFOIL DINNERS? I wondered if their mom was able to help, and Dick said their mom doesn’t know how to sew, and anyway, the boys SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES.
So I reminded Dick that I had:
A) procured his shirt,
B) shopped for and assembled his tinfoil dinner,
C) bought the boys’ shirts and patches that were not sewn,
D) reminded Dick to get his sleeping bag and tent from my parents’ house,
E) reminded the boys the previous day that they should make tinfoil dinners and sewn on patches,
F) picked Dick up from work, and
G) washed and folded his clothes that he wanted to take.
You’re so right, Dick. Boys should learn to do things for themselves.
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That’s hilarious. Poor Dick.
Natashas last blog post..Raising money for Nie Nie.
When my husband became a scoutmaster he assumed I would sew on his patches. I told him he was a scout and he needed to do it himself. So he took it to his mom, who did it, and who probably thought I was a lazy wife for not doing it for him.
It also occured to me, after he had been going on scout outings for many months, that he was probably supposed to be taking a sack lunch to most trips. When I brought it up he said, “oh, don’t worry about it, we usually just stop for fast food before we get there.” How’s that for a scout being prepared?
Laura Williamss last blog post..The Happiest News Since The Hiccups Stopped
That is funny because it’s so true. When we go camping with my parents, my mom buys all the food, packs it, chops it all up and prepares it, and my dad puts it in the dutch oven and watches it. We always tell my dad what a good meal he made.
I won’t even start with me and my husband…
Man, I am feeling the pressure to teach my boys how to be responsible for themselves. But their future wives will thank me, right?
I love Laura’s comment because the exact same thing happened to me with Aaron’s patches – I hated doing it and finally his mom did it. But I’m pretty sure she just glued them on – that’s so cheating!
I won’t mention about how much I hate fixing hems or sewing on buttons. Last time my mom came to babysit the boys I asked her to sew a button on Aaron’s pants while she was here. And she did it because she is a great mom!
I
suckhave a lot to learn.Taras last blog post..Project Runway Take 9 – What’s Your Sign?
Doh!
Memarie Lanes last blog post..See, I Told You So
My wife forgot to pack my air mattress for me on my last scout campout – that was a HARD night’s sleep
Now I have a father-daughter outing this weekend and I just found out she SOLD the air mattress at her garage sale . . . I hope she makes us some good food because I don’t know if there is any fast food near where we are going. How’s this for irony – I still have a “TRAINED” patch from 5 years ago that isn’t sewed on yet – guess neither one of us is actually trained!
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So, Dick said he was really swamped at work, and asked if I could please make a comment for him about how there’s a difference between delegation and irresponsibility. What a funny guy.
In his defense, Dick does all his own ironing (and mine, though I ask for something to be ironed once in a blue moon. Jersey Knit is our friend!)
I think definitely the boys and men should be sewing on their own patches. What if they’re wounded out in the woods and need to do some emergency suturing?
But even more so in Dick’s defense, the best things about him are how patient, forgiving, and adaptable he is. Those things don’t sound very sexy, but believe you me. There is nothing hotter. Although cooking would be pretty hot too.
Dude! Guess which Little House on the Prairie episode is on tonight? “Ma’s Holiday.” Mr. Edwards is helping Pa mind the house. Good stuff.
Ahem. Point made, eh Dick?
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Haha! My husband knows how to sew (crochet, knit and braid hair! You didn’t hear it from me!)and still prefers me to sew on his patches…the only thing I have ever sewn is a pair of shorts in Home Ec over 15 years ago! What is he thinking? I have ‘cheated’ and STAPLED patches on the uniform!! (can you staple a wound in the woods?) Believe me, that really encourages him to sew his own! :]
Really enjoy your blog.
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My husband was at that Jamboral. He said he had never seen so much concentrated lurpiness. I can say that because my son went with him and therefore was one of the lurps.
Very well said. Amen to that.
Christies last blog post..Killing myself, one extension cord at a time
Lurpiness! I love it. Dick’s “boys” are the very epitome of lurpiness.
Have you ever seen Follow Me Boys? That alone almost makes me think Boy Scouts is divinely inspired. Otherwise? Not so much.
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Your post makes one think! Great article. Thanks for allowing me to comment!