Stress
Saturday was a hectic day. Mrs. Happy had a stressful day at work, and some stressful time ahead of her after she got home. Situations like this in a way affect me more than her because whenever she feels a lot of stress, I can't do anything right. It's odd, because I don't try to behave any differently when she's upset except perhaps to be more attentive and helpful. But I still manage to say the wrong things, cause catastrophes two rooms away, and be in the way no matter where I stand, sit, or cling to the ceiling. At least over the years I have learned not to invite disaster by trying to help with whatever task is stressing her out. Whoooboy have I learned that. And whenever I try to suggest that my incompetence may lie more in her addled perception than in true reality, she doesn't want to hear it.
It's kind of funny, but when I'm feeling stressed out and anxious, she suddenly transforms into a absolute clod, too. In those times, she can't say or do anything helpful because she doesn't understand the nature of the situation. No one does except for me. Plus, she tends to practice every one of her most annoying habits when I least need to be annoyed. She's not alone in that, though. Whenever I'm in a hurry, people purposely get in my way just to make me mad. Coworkers, parents, small insects, and the weather also go out of their way to tick me off when I'm feeling stress. And if Mrs. Happy dares to suggest that everyone's incompetence may lie more in my addled perception than in true reality, boy do I not want to hear it.
I'm beginning to learn that sometimes I can help Mrs. Happy calm down when she's feeling stress. I'm also beginning to learn exactly how to do that. I learned a long time ago that speaking sternly, acting defensive, and saying "I'm going to blog about this" only makes things worse, although those are still the first things I try. Sometimes I really am a clod.
