2.) A rule I broke.
I break rules partly because I’m rebellious, but mostly because I’m lazy. My Mom says I was “that child”. The one that just kind of breaks a parent. She thought she had everything figured out until I came along. The kids new better than to test her because she had mastered the art of the angry mom faces and finger pointing. You know…the ones we all know so well now.
Imagine how much she must have despised me when I came along and quite simply didn’t care. My craving for whatever whatever it was I wanted was always stronger than my fear of being punished after the crime was committed.
This understandably drove my mother crazy. She describes my former child self as always having a “glint” in my eyes. I was always up to something. She didn’t trust me. And shouldn’t have. I was like Denace the Menace. Never up to any good.
I’ll tell you what else drove my Mom crazy and that’s cats. That’s right. Cats. And any other four legged furry creature to be quite honest with you. She didn’t like the maintenance, she didn’t like the smell, she didn’t like the fleas, she didn’t like the hair, and she didn’t like the bodily discharges.
Naturally I adored all animals. When I was angry I would tell my Mom that when I grew up I was going to own 100 dogs and 100 cats and let them all out when she came over to visit.
In my mind this was the perfect revenge for whatever cruelties I had suffered…like going to bed without dessert.
Mom’s house rule was that our pets were not allowed inside. It was a rule I simply could not tolerate…my precious kitties outside? Forget about it! They had feelings and they got cold and they. were. my. friends. Would you leave YOUR friend outside to freeze? I don’t think so.
I snuck my cat into my room whenever I could. It’s easy to do when your bedroom is in the basement…Mom hardly ever came down to bother my sister and I and we lived happily in the basement with my cat and her subsequent kittens.
Correction…*I* lived happily…my sister as it turns out was not too thrilled with the living arrangements, but she put up with my shenanigans and I lovingly opened the door for my kitty each night. The thousands of fleas that infiltrated our bedroom were annoying. Sure. I’ll give you that. I remember walking into our room and literally swiping dozens of them from my legs as I’d rush to leap on my bed…you know…because they can’t get me when I’m three feet off the floor. I also managed to ignore the stench that seeped past our closet door as the cats liked to use that area for a litter box.
Unfortunately for me, the odor from the closet could not be ignored forever.
My mother actually did visit our bedroom from time to time as mothers sometimes do, and when she did the fleas unleashed their madness and the smell from the closet trampled her and the cats scattered at her fury.
The room was immediately bombed and scoured in bleach. I was punished for letting the cat in and for not telling her about the problem and for just plain being a slob.
But you know what? A little piece of me felt victorious that day. I may not have the 100 dogs and 100 cats I dreamed about…but I think what I unleashed on her by breaking that rule had nearly the same affect.
***
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1.) Your 15 minutes of fame.
2.) A rule I broke.
3.) If you really knew me, you would know that…
4.) What battle are you fighting? Write a poem overcoming.
5.) Write about someone who made your childhood bearable.
Tonya says
My son has that “glint” in his eyes too and it scares the crap out of me!
I am so not a car a fan. Grew up with dogs and got in trouble for letting the dog sleep in bed with me all the time.
Tonya says
Make that cat fan, not “car a”. Oops.
Mama Kat says
Well look at that…you’re son might grow up to be perfectly normal. Just. Like. Me. ;)
Jessica says
You rebellious rule breaker. Why were you sent to live in the basement?
Mama Kat says
Too many kids, too little space. Actually my Mom and Dad had the basement finished just so that it could be an additional bedroom for us kids. Worked out lovely…though slightly chilly.
Erin says
I couldn’t ever bring myself to leave any animal outside! EVER!
I would have broke the rules on that one too!
Courtney K. says
Hahah!! You sound so much like my sister…doing what she wants, when she wants and never caring if she got in trouble. Hilarious story!! Bet your mom loved you for that!!
Mama Kat says
Oh yeah…she adored me for that. ;) I’m much better behaved now.
June Freaking Cleaver says
Your poor mother, how she must have suffered so.
I’m on her side on this one…sorry.
Which one of your children has the glint?
Mama Kat says
Maile!!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation says
I so had that glint in my eyes growing up…I was very, very naughty!
dapoppins says
That was a great, honest post. Started off strong, the ending wrapped up so perfectly and even with a resolution of storts. And I’m glad I am not the only one who remembers just how bad unchecked fleas could get.
This is why I never seem to get around doing prompts! I can’t seem to get a good ‘yarn’ out of my daily life!
Mama Kat says
I know! Fleas are disgusting. Amazing how fast those little colonies grow!
I think you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to write the perfect story. You just need to let go and write. :)
MamaRobinJ says
My son has that glint too. He gets it from his dad ;)
Mama Kat says
Oh suuure Mama Robin…blame the Dad. Haha!
Diapers In The Desert says
Although, I was a BIG POUTER…I was ALWAYS the rule follower (until I was a pre-teen) if my mom even had a TONE or looked at me wrong, I would sit in my room and think about what I did even if I didn’t do. I was dieing of laughter when I read about the fleas and you jumping on the bed…. hahahaha Too Funny
Mama Kat says
Oh you were definitely my little sister than! She never broke a rule or disobeyed my Mom!
Melissa B. says
My rule has always been: Question Authority. Absolutely!
Mama Kat says
Yeah…as it turns out Authority doesn’t really care for kids like us.
los says
We had a dog when I was growing up, and my parents NEVER let the dog inside, even when it was snowing or cold outside … I felt so bad for our dog. When, she died, I never asked for another dog, because of the way my parents treated our other dog. If/when we get a dog for Lydia, I will allow the dog inside.
Mama Kat says
Awww!! See that’s how we were too! The animals stayed outside always. Luckily we had a shop area that blocked them from the elements a bit, though it wasn’t heated. Nowadays you just don’t really hear of people keeping their animals outside only. Seems so cruel.
mjrodriguez says
I had this label “rule-breaker” when I was younger, didn’t like it one bit and didn’t fully realise the significance of it until now. Now I, myself, admit it to the world.
Jenn @ The Mommy Mambo says
Oh man, fleas! I don’t know how you stood that part. The stinch could be covered, but all those bites! You rebellious thing! LOL
Mama Kat says
They were obnoxious, but I wasn’t as grossed out by them as I am now. Eww!
BloggyDaddy says
This basement of yours didn’t end up being labeled “The Dungeon” later on in your childhood did it? Just curious.
Mama Kat says
Haha…ummm no. We moved. :)
Connie Weiss says
I like kitties….but that flea thing has me itching.
Mama Kat says
Me too!
Jen says
My sister was like you. My dad hated cats and she was always taking them in and keeping them in her bedroom.
Mama Kat says
If it wasn’t for all that hair, I would still adopt them all. Oh and Kainoa’s allergy to them. That’s a bummer.
Natalie says
Why do I see this happening to me in the future? My 3 year old is pretty sneaky…
Samantha @ Becoming Me says
My youngest son is the rule breaker. He seldom listens to me. I’m not sure why, because I thought I knew what I was doing. My oldest two are angels (as far as a 9 and 7 year old can be). He has that glint too. It’s scary. LOL Fortunately we let our pets in the house and protect against fleas so hopefully the sneaking of pets will never be an issue.
Mama Kat says
It IS scary when you see a kid without fear or concern…it’s like they know that our power as mom is all smoke and mirrors. We can only control so much.
thepsychobabble says
I could see my daughter doing that. But my son is more of a rule breaker, tbh.
Caroline says
I’m sorry, I’m with your Mom. I can’t abide domesticated animals. I guess that makes me THAT Mom:)
Mama Kat says
Shoot, even *I* agree with my Mom at this point. It’s too bad we had to wait 30 years for me to come to my senses on that!
Jennifer says
Oh, goodness; you described my second-born. I wasn’t even lucky enough like your mom to have it all figured out before she came along, 17-months after her brother. And now every day is an adventure! I just pray none of the adventures involve cats.
Mama Kat says
That’s how I feel about my #3 too! Our day always revolves around what kind of mood he’s in. Ugh.
Dianna says
That reminded me of a story my MIL tells. She forbade my husband’s sisters to have pets in the house. His sister’s bedroom was on the 2nd floor. My MIL was sitting at her sewing machine in front of a window, and saw a cat being lowered to the ground with a rope tied around its belly. Seems my SIL had snuck the cat in, but couldn’t figure out how to get it out past her mom!
Mama Kat says
Oh my gosh, that is classic!! I love it!
Melody@ LTS says
ROLF!
Kimi says
I am that mother! Except it is my husband wishing I would allow the pets indoors. In my defense I do let the chihuahua, who I absolutely despise, sleep in the laundry room. And because he absoluetly despises me in return…he pees on the laundry room floor EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.
Mama Kat says
Oh there is nothing worse than a peeing animal!! The other day I went to dry myself off with a towel that I swear smelled like dog pee. So gross!
Jenners says
Oh yeah you got her! Living in a flea-infested-cat-litterbox-allergy-haven really got her back. : ) I can’t imagine why she didn’t want cats in the house?
Mama Kat says
Ya got me! Maybe she felt threatened because she knew I preferred them over her.
angie says
I can’t believe you did that Kathy. :)
Your poem to my favorite kids whose name starts with a K but I can’t spell when he got left home from Disneyland inspired my post today.
Kate says
I was a parents dream child…until my mouth got involved. I had an opinion & everyone was entitled to it. Especially my parents! I thought they did some stupid stuff–they never appreciated it very much!
Angel says
OH see my animals are my babies and my mom grew up that they stayed OUTSIDE.. which is why I have 3 dogs that are house babies now.. did I mention they are a Pitbull, A bull Mastiff and a red heeler? Yeah no cute little babies for me. I want a dog that looks like YOU could be his appetizer but looks are deceiving.
Mama Kat says
Oh I think Mastiff’s are SO cool! I bet you get tons of attention when you bring those guys out to play. :) And I bet those babies adore you too…you totally strike me as a puppy spoiler.
VandyJ says
I was a crafty rule breaker–I learned early that if you made things look like they did before you did anything, usually you wouldn’t get caught. My brother on the other hand, well he never got that memo and he was always in trouble.
Mama Kat says
Yeah I could have learned a thing or two from you as well. I couldn’t be bothered with putting things back the way they were.
Melody@ LTS says
Ha! Me too. I was very “sneaky” ;)
KIr says
ooohhhhh, I see my Giovanni written all over this. LOL
I like rule breakers, I think I am one too, in a subtle, “you’re not looking, right” kind of way.
but the fleas….ewwwwwwww. girlfriend.
I loved this post!
Mama Kat says
I know! The fleas!! What was I thinking?? Haha!
Cari says
Kat one of these days I’m going to do the workshop, I swear. You are just brilliant! I always write them down for a rainy day. But I have so much crap in my drafts I’ll be fine for a year, and new crazy just keeps spilling out. The 100 cats/dogs made me laugh, I love to think back to what revenge we would plot on our parents, too funny.
Mama Kat says
Oh I do the same thing…I have an entire writing prompt generator that I NEVER use! One of these days I just need to bust through it and draft up a bunch of responses!
Bruna says
Kat, the way you described yourself as a child sounds an awful lot like my three year-old. She wants what she wants and will suffer all consequences to get it. She’s definitely a rule breaker!
Mama Kat says
Hey there’s something to be said about that kind of determination. :) You know she’s not going to settle for less than she deserves when she grows up!
Melody@ LTS says
No doubt, these kiddos are the ones we asked the universe for, you know with strength, independence, tenacity, intelligence, etc. Such marvelous attributes as an adult, but now… they drive us Moms nutty! :)
Jennifer says
My mom was the same way. She hated cats. Still does. But unlike you, I was terrified of my mom and there was no way I was going against what she said. I still shudder to think what she might have done.
Paula Kiger says
Very impressed how you roused yourself out of your illness-induced stupor to create such an entertaining post. Our cat Alice Cooper would, I’m sure, endorse it paws-down.
Mama Kat says
I’m getting better! Probably functioning at about 80% today…I plan to be back together and in full blogging mode by Monday. :) Already have two drafts waiting to go. Phew!
Georgia Girls says
I had a child like you . . . my last. :) In retrospect, he is the only one we really should have got a dog for. I guess he must have told his grandparents all about getting a dog to the point they thought that would be his birthday gift. So, they gave him several pet paraphernalia — leash, bowl, toy, etc. Imagine the moment when he opened their gift . . .
Mama Kat says
Oh my goodness he must have been in HEAVEN!
Georgia Girls says
Maybe hopeful is the word. Re-read the second sentence. :(
Shoulda, coulda, woulda . . .
Mama Kat says
Haha…awww…they THOUGHT he was getting a dog, but he didn’t? Ah, I’m sure he doesn’t hold it against you! Dogs can be a handful and it sounds like your hands were already full with HIM! :)
Georgia Girls says
Those days are long gone, but your comment made me feel great. Thanks!
When I was making his memory book, I included a quote:
“I wouldn’t take a million for this little boy of mine,
but on some rainy morning, try offering me a dime.” :)
Paulette says
LOL! I how I loved reading this and made me think of days gone by and rules I broke. Some part of my secret or not so secret rebellion and some that went unnoticed or remarked on.
Hope I’m doing this correctly. First time doing this. :p
http://mspdrama.blogspot.com/2011/04/writers-workshop-rule-i-broke.html
Theresa says
Awesome. My cat put upon himself to live under my bed, somehow I didn’t notice she had been pooping under there. I wish my mom had come into my room more often…
Mama Kat says
Haha! Ewwww!
Anne Province says
Ohhh Kat.. this will come back to haunt you! Because you know that we are always given a child that is just like us. I have one myself… and I know my Mom is laughing everytime I tell her stories. Paybacks are a b*$%*!
Mama Kat says
Oh believe me…I’ve met my match. Times three. Haha!
Elena says
I love that you had hidden cats. I so would’ve ratted you out if I were your sister. I was really nice like that. ;)
Diane says
My 7 year old has a “glint” in his eyes about 90% of the time! I’m a sucker for animals though so all our pets get to stay inside. But no fleas allowed!
beenomom says
Oh my god that was a riot!! I was laughing out loud because as I a was reading your post I couldn’t stop thinking about my daughter! It was as if you were writing and describing her! She has that glint in her eye too. I never know what she will do or try next. As a matter of fact when I leave the kids with my husband, I always remind him that if he hasn’t seen her for the past several minutes, then he better go see what she’s up too. Nine times out of 10 it’s never good either!! Great post!
Mama Kat says
This comment made me laugh…I can totally see the parent child stare down. Child with the glint, parent with the suspicion…glint…suspicion…glint…suspicion. That’s totally what it’s like.
Melody@ LTS says
LOL I have to do the same thing with my husband (even sitters) when I leave my oldest for any length of time….
jane@flightplatformliving says
i loved this post, i could almost hear your giggles getting the cats in. x
Casey Freeland says
Ah, the glint. I know the glint. I saw it in my little brother. I see it in my son. Maybe I used to have the glint. Maybe I still do. The glint is joy, joy at life, joy at grabbing life and not letting it grab you. It’s a beautiful thing.
Cheers,
Casey
Mama Kat says
Ahhh, well said my friend! And so true!
Mare says
The glint! My mother never used that word for me. I was “precocious” but I’m pretty sure it had the same inference.
Mama Kat says
Oh yes, precocious definitely falls into the “glint” category! Glad to have you here. :)
Jenn says
Oh, your poor, poor, mama….
Mama Mary says
Mothers are supposed to visit kids’ rooms? If it wasn’t for the fact that Lexi can’t get out of her crib on her own, I don’t think I would go into the girls’ room at all. Hmm…
Mama Kat says
I didn’t even know my kids had rooms until about a week ago. Interesting little habitats they’ve got going in there. ;)
Melody@ LTS says
Hahahahahaha! I bet you really are a wonderful Momma though. :)
Rhiana @ A Frugal Life says
Surfed on in and came upon this wonderful little story. I’ve added you to my follow list and hope to get off my lazy butt and participate in a writing prompt soon!
Mama Kat says
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by Rhiana!
Patty Ann says
I love it!! My boys did that once, and we had so many fleas in the house, that we couldn’t walk without getting eaten. I had to have the house bombed to get rid of them. After that, we had inside animals that we treated so that they didn’t bring pests in with them!!
Peg says
Hope the cat survivied the rule breaking!
kisatrtle says
that flea part is making me ichy
Jeanne says
Ahhahahaha too funny…. my mom was so cat-unfriendly that we couldn’t have an outdoor sandbox because, as she claimed, “All those damn outdoor cats will use it as a litter box.”
texan mama says
You are so devilish Kat!
I have one of you here. His name is Linus. He’s got that glint. If he ever gets fleas in our house, I will knock him into next week. LOL
Heidi Smith Luedtke says
And your mother let you live?! What a horrible mess — I am envisioning it now. I can practically smell this post. AAACCCK! I am *so* not a cat person. But I love Mama Kat. Just not actual cats. :-)
thewriter says
I loved your story! :) I’m pretty sure I would have done the same, luckily my mom let me keep the cat inside when I was young.
Someone recommended your blog so I decided to come check it out. I’m excited to start doing the writing prompts! Thanks for the fun story
Arlett (Chasing Joy) says
I could not imagine leaving my animals outside either. :-)
I am so happy that I found your writer’s workshop. I posted my response to your prompt. I did not realize the thumbnail worked and it posted 3 times. OOOPs. Sorry.
Looking forward to future prompts.
Polish Mama on the Prairie says
Both our children have that *glint*. I know it well. Both my brother and I did as well. So did my husband, who was the oldest of his siblings. It was natural he and I meet, marry and breed to create two children who will either grow up to rule the world with love and compassion or maniacel evil. Consider this fair warning to their future husbands. Oh boy, are they IN for it! lol
Melody@ LTS says
OMG Eeewwwww Fleeeeaaase!
LOL, what a child rebel wont do to break the rules. My daughter is EXACTLY the same! Can you say D-E-F-iance?! Sheesh!