frequent flier frustrates

i don't know how moms have the power to make non-stressful situations stressful, but it's like an art form sometimes.

for the most part, my mom is low-key. so when she called me three times yesterday, i thought it was a little odd but figured she was bored.

the third call involved her telling me that she could use her husband's frequent flier miles for a trip out here. IN FOUR DAYS. FOR A WEEK. often my mom forgets that people actually have lives and that they're not just waiting around for her to call and say she can come. i might mention that this is not the first time she has called and "offered" to visit unexpectedly. as much as i love seeing her, and although i'm currently unemployed, i do have things to do. my husband is taking me out for a romantic birthday dinner this weekend and i have a midterm (a finance midterm, no less) next week. so my week was going to be filled with fun and studying, which will keep me busy.

i tell her that, in fact, this isn't the greatest week for her to come and maybe with some more notice, we can figure out a better time (i would, after all, like to see her). she sounds disappointed, but we get off the phone and that's that. right?
um, no, apparently not.

today, i got this email from her ...

Hi Hon: I just received this, I know you said the weekend was bad, here's the whole iternery, was the majority of the time bad? Just don't pass a chance if it were possible, if not I understand,

MOM
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: no-reply@aa.com
To: s_________@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2009 9:06:33 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: S. SPINKS 06/04/09 Itinerary


Reservations | Fare Sales & Offers | AAdvantage Account

Here is a trip to LAX you leave this Thursday 4rd and return next Friday 12th. Let me know if this is what you want..

yes, that's right. after i told her it wasn't a good week, she booked the trip and emailed me her itinerary. how? why? what?

i have no idea. but believe me when i tell you the guilt of turning my 61-year-old mother away has set in deeply. my guess is, we'll have a talk and i won't be updating next week because she'll be sitting her while i go out on my "romantic" date and while i go to school to study net present values.

UPDATE!
after emailing her w/ a compromise of a few fewer days, i got this:

That's ok hon, just bad timing we'll do it some other time.

I have to get up at 3:50 am tomorrow so going to bed.

Love you MOM

so i guess that's that. the mystery of the urgency and aggression of it all lives on ...