This is one of those posts that I’d like to just type out, no spaces, no capitalization, no spell check. I’m not doing that partly because, well, no one could read it and partly because I don’t need one more thing that is a mess right now.
Since getting back from San Francisco, or maybe since the beginning of summer, I just don’t have my shit together. The longer days should mean MORE time to get things done but NOTHING is getting done. I have so many unfinished projects and tasks and lists that I am in a perpetual state of playing catch up.
Also, my brain is swimming with random worries because why NOT think of EVERY possible BAD thing that MIGHT happen!
I haven’t reconciled my checkbook since May.
My kitchen floor is a never ending battle of crumbs and smears. Why bother getting on my hands and knees to mop when it’s just going to look like hell after the next meal? Maybe I should just start feeding the children dry, easily swept foods for every meal.
Speaking of meals, Ella has become the pickiest eater ever, preferring to eat yogurt, slightly green bananas (others get thrown on the already filthy kitchen floor), Club crackers, and raisins. She rarely eats meat or cheese and loves chucking her cup on the floor that inevitably spills ON THAT DAMNED KITCHEN FLOOR.
We have spiders and crickets and, OH MY FREAKING HELL, FLIES. I keep forgetting to call a bug man (hellooooo phone anxiety) and to buy a fly swatter.
I’m always exhausted.
My email inbox has about 25 unread items, all of which I should be answering right now instead of blogging about them. DUMB.
I went out with friends twice this weekend getting home very late both Friday and Saturday, leaving Tate at home to care for the kids. On Sunday I was so exhausted that I took an afternoon nap when the kids went down and had to reject Tate’s wagging eyebrows. I haven’t had time for my OWN HUSBAND.
We need to start recycling. I fear that I alone am contributing to the demise of our planet.
I am so tired of cleaning mud off of Carson’s shoes.
The toys. Oh the toys. They are everywhere. I want to box them all up and ship them AWAY.
I’ve never had any sort of stranger, nobody-should-touch-your-privates talk with Carson. He’s OVER two and a half, I suck. But if I do say something, what do I say to him?
I feel guilty that I got THE CAMERA.
I feel guilty that Tate misses Alabama and I just…don’t.
Taking Ella anywhere is like wrassling a wild monkey. Not fun. Actually Ella IS a wild monkey. Only sometimes fun, mostly into everything and trashing my BLEEPING KITCHEN FLOOR.
How do you clean tiled showers? Am I supposed to scrub the tiled walls all the way up to the ceiling?
I’m sitting here, griping on the computer. Rewording and deleting and spellchecking when I should be tackling SOMETHING on my to-do list.
Mamma Mia made my ears bleed and I thought I might have to claw out my eyeballs. (I really should write a post about that and not THIS). I will never look at Pierce Brosnan, 007 James Bond, Pierce Brosnan the same way again. *shudder*
I’ve gained 10 motherflacking pounds this summer.
My towels smell musty even after washing them in hot water. My dishwasher is possessed and doesn’t always start when you push the START BUTTON. User error? I DON’T THINK SO FRIGIDAIRE.
Okay, I’m done writing my list, though, this doesn’t nearly encompass the lazy, overwhelmed, stuck in limbo-ness that is my brain.
Am I really going to post this?
I too, have yet to balance my check book (it’s been since June?), and my dishwasher of the Frigidaire variety doesn’t always start when I push the “start” button either.
Toys, everywhere. Floor? A mess. Getting things done? And consistently? Ha, ha.
I feel you. Just keep on keeping on, that’s all any of us can do! (And never forfeit a nap, no matter how much eyebrow waggling is being thrown your way.)
Janines last blog post..New things.
Put a cup of vinger in with your towels it takes the musty smell out and you wont smell the vinger I promise.
Christys last blog post..I drank the koolaid.
I am right there with you. Once my to do list gets long, I just shut down and end up not getting anything done — because it all seems like so much that I can’t even get started. Luckily it doesn’t always seem that way, and I eventually do something revolutionary…like change out of my pajamas before noon or something.
It’s hard to be motivated when it’s hotter than heck though — maybe we could start getting ourselves together tomorrow? It won’t be any cooler…but who wants to have all that pressure of Monday added to things?
Oh hon, I totally understand. It does get better as they get older, I swear. As for the smelly towels. We were having the same issue and it turns out it was my washer that was smelling, not the laundry. Some funk had built up in and was smelling quite icky. As I was told it mostly stems from liquid fabric softener buildup. Check your owners manual to see if you can replace the filter. There are also some products you can get to clean out the washer of the buildup. Lots of (((HUGS))))
p.s. did you end up choosing a lens? Which one?
Heather-Domestic Extraordinaires last blog post..Let’s Blog the Recession
Yay for getting that all out! I hope it made you feel a little bit better:)
I feel the same sort of post coming from me soon. I can’t seem to get out of my own way!! Ugg!
Marys last blog post..Our floors are in!
Just stumbled on your blog yesterday. LOVE the hilarity and honesty of it. I have a two year old boy and am due with a girl in two weeks–I’ve been collecting advice from Mom’s with more than one child and found you. Had a miserable playgroup experience and so I love your blog title. OK, so checkbook? What’s that? I am a cash or debit card user and pay all my bills online. Very simple, especially since I am math-challenged. The floor? I have an awesome little vacum that has a long handle and hangs on the inside of my pantry door. Works like a charm (except for wet messes that of course I have to get on my hands and knees to deal with). BUT–I have two dogs and they help with that too–EEWWW!! Just sold my LG TROMM front loading washer and dryer because we are moving they were AWESOME and I actually cried a little when they left the house (sigh).
Allisons last blog post..Can’t Sleep
Been there. Am there right now. So much to do, and I’m surfing blogs instead. I bet you feel a lot better since you got it all out though!
catnips last blog post..a big pile of fluff
Ah, the floor. I can feel it beneath my feet right now. (because mine is the same way.)
Devans last blog post..Umbrella
You balance your checkbook? Wow, I haven’t bothered since the invention of online checking. I battle crumbs on the floor every day too with a child addicted to all things cracker like. Instead of sweeping I just wheel in my little shop vac and suck those little crumbs up. As for the musty towels you should try adding some white vinegar to your wash cycle.
Someone Being Mes last blog post..And the winner is ….
My hair is so greasy today, it isn’t even funny.
I have not put together a kid’s photo album since I started blogging one year ago.
I am wearing the same skirts I did last summer, after giving birth, and they are tighter this summer.
I have started throwing away toys instead of putting them back where they belong.
I haven’t gone to bed before midnight in years.
Ummmm… phew. That felt good. Hang in there. You are not alone.
ohmommys last blog post..Why must they grow? I might as well brag.
Damn, Jennifer. You’ve got it bad. Whatever it is. You’ve got it bad. I would offer to come over and kiss it and make it better, except I wouldn’t know what to kiss. Seriously, talk to someone, anyone. Mom, priest, rabbi, girlfriend, boyfriend(?), somebody. And hire somebody to help you short term. Somebody to watch the kids while you tidy up. Or somebody to tidy up while you watch the kids. You shouldn’t have to do this alone. Not any of it.
lceels last blog post..Sharpening pencils
Ok, first of all.. I totally agree with tChristy the vinegar in the wash. I just had that problem & it helped big time. I think it’s our water. And secondly, my ears are still bleeding from MamaMia… no amount of cider beer was going to cure that! Sorry girl. Just turn on some Disney channel & be thankful for the Wiggles.
Okay..I just have to say..I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND!! I could have written this post myself almost word for word. I am so sorry honey…I think we just should a pulling it together club online! You know… Something to help us motivate ourselves get it together….Hugs and luvs.
I think we’ve all been/are there, where you are right now. ( I’ve always said that a mom with a spotless house has WWWAAAAYYYYY too much time on her hands
) Keep your chin up! It will get better!
Well – I didn’t go to San Francisco – but i can definitely relate to this.
I have been at work for a full four hours and have probably spent three of them catching up on my blog reading. Not very professional…
And when I do get a free minute when I’m at home and should be cleaning the house (and now that my oldest – a three year old – doesn’t nap, these free moments are infrequent) – do I vacuum or clean bathrooms? No – I write a blog post.
I’ve only had my blog for a couple of months, but I can already see how other areas of my life are deteriorating… Something obviously has to go… Well, since I need the paycheck, and the kids aren’t going anywhere – I guess it will have to be housework. We’ll just have to live in squalor until I can get my act together.
You are not alone.
Does that make you feel better?
I feel you. I could have written this post, with the exception of the BlogHer and going out with friends part.
Do you feel better now?
Take deep breaths and don’t look at the whole picture, take everything one bit at a time, focus on the small stuff, not the big picture.
Hugs Jennifer.
rachels last blog post..Mouthwatering Monday: Spinach and Garlic Stir Fry
Thank you. Thank you. Now I know I’m not the only shitty mother who is getting NOTHING done this summer but NOT enjoying it. School starts in a few weeks and I have yet to go through the bags of paperwork that came home with them in June. I still haven’t put together my earthquake kit which has been on my to do list for three years now. My house is a perpetual doggie-made mess. My laundry, too, smells like mildew. (I just looked it up on the computer. I did the vinegar thing,but I also think I need to call someone to clean out the insides of the motherf*cker. I’m afraid of what’s growing in there). Well, I woke up this morning feeling like a failure but you made me feel better. It’s nice to have company.
merlotmoms last blog post..The Danger Zone: My Family Better Get It Together – Or Else
Yes, we have all been there and I am on my way there right now.
I saw Mamma Mia this weekend too. I loved it! I swear I am not a moron (usually) but I heart musicals….my friends hated it and laughed the whole way through. The singing was terrible!!
Step by step, day by day things will get done.
Mops floors? Pick up toys? Why bother – my son will just throw more food on the floor (and I think the only eating yogurt and bananas thing is a conspiracy among one year olds), and pull all the toys and books that I just arranged back onto the floor. I want a clean house, but so much easier to just sit on the computer and whine.
And the weight? Yes. I think it’s because I’m working on weaning, but haven’t figured out that I need to eat less myself.
Julias last blog post..Zombies
Yup. We are supposed to be ready to show our house tomorrow and it still looks lika a hurricane hit it. I have no idea how I’m going to get it ready in time with a baby CONSTANTLY on my breast!
Drea @ Monkey Monkey Underpantss last blog post..Family Moment Monday
Hey, that’s my life you’re living, right there! Except for Ella insert ‘Miss E’ – it is my older one who still presents all the parenting challenges in this house.
You sound like I did a while back – I still am there sometimes, but I’ve taken steps that really help.
1. Exercise – that’ll take care of the exhaustion and the 10lbs – I promise.
2. Half a Cup of white vinegar in the wash along with the detergent will help the towels
3. Purge your kids rooms – I did this ALL DAY SATURDAY – 3 bags of trash and one bag of donations later I feel FANTASTIC – and the kids are actually playing with the toys now that they are totally organized and easy to put away.
4. A written monthly budget helps keep the checkbook balanced – kind of – I use an excel sheet – and know were we are on any given day – It is so unbelievably freeing to know this instead of having it hanging over me and being afraid to reconcile anything. It’s helping us save, and God knows with the way things are with gas and groceries right now – every little thing helps.
5. I too have the recycling guilt – and ordered up a new recycling bin to be delivered here asap – it’s a start.
6. Have a long hard think about why you’re frame of mind is how it is – can you link it to the weaning? If you remember, that’s what it was for me, and the morbid thoughts were a big part of that for me – crying and worrying about stuff that might never happen really brought me down way too many times.
It will get better – it really will.
Annies last blog post..They’re only markers!
Oh wow. I’m with you on that and I don’t even have kids.
Things that have helped my sanity recently:
1. I have a cleaning service that comes in once every three weeks and does floors, bathrooms (including the tiles) and vacuums the cat (really. she likes it and follows you around until you vacuum her). Maybe if you get a cleaning service in JUST ONCE to do a good clean that would help?
2. Leaving the washer lid open during the day when its not in use. Also, putting some vinegar in the laundry once in awhile. It airs it out a bit (I have a toploader)
3. Ella seems to be getting most of the major food groups. You need to add one or two to yours: wine or chocolate (or both, if that’s your bag)
Oh and a large rubber mat or a bunch of towels under the chair (towels = good, they go in the laundry after; rubber mat = good; take outside and hose off after)
4. Screw the weight. One step at a time. And Tate can draw you a bath and give you a massage
Nicoles last blog post..Bear with me
((hugs))
I TOTALLY understand. I have baskets of laundry folded but not put away, piles of laundry still to be washed, ants in my kitchen, dirty floors (DS dragged in his favorite ride on toy, muddy tires and all!!), and my kids are starting to think I have forgotten how to cook….
It will get better
Spookiezs last blog post..All the cool kids are doing it!
Girl! We all have those moments in life. it will all get done. I promise. Sometimes we need to step back and take apeek at the bigger picture.
Soon young grasshopper it will be okay.
Dont you feel better to get all that crap off your brain?
/so disappointed that Mama Mia sucked.
Jean@workingmomma247s last blog post..Sno Cone Queen
Girl. Take a minute and BREATHE. Please. Little tiny things are just that, little tiny things. You are so much bigger and brighter to let these things take you down. *hug*
Misss last blog post..It’s What We Deserve…
you garnered so many shouts of YESYESYES in this post I shall merely say THANK YOU for saying that about mama mia.
thank you.
MizFits last blog post..Monday Facetime: we’re getting all kinds of consistent up in herre.
I think we all have days, weeks, months like this.
You’re not alone and I’m sure it will pass.
In the meantime, can I introduce you to my friends gin and tonic?
I can’t help with most of the stuff, but I do have advice (or is it assvice?) for the tiled bathroom. Get thee to Target and buy a Clorox bleach pen. That sucker rocks the grout like you would not believe. Just write on the icky parts and leave it. Go back later and rinse off the bleach and you have a super clean shower without being having stinky hands for days afterwards.
Merediths last blog post..Me and my bright ideas
The recycling part is easier than you think. Get another garbage can for the kitchen. Trash goes in one, recycling goes in the other. You never have to sort that way. We have two wastebaskets in the master bathroom for this too. Q-tips in one, empty shampoo containers and such in the other. Easy peasy.
Why not leave the mud on Carson’s shoes? Carson’s shoes just can’t come into the house proper. They have to stay by the door.
My 13 month old is a freaking monkey too. This too shall pass. At least that’s what I have been told.
I wouldn’t clean the tile above, say, Tate’s head.
Mostly I think you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff. So the kid has mud on his shoes? So the tiles that never get wet aren’t scrubbed every time? Cut yourself some slack and maybe buy a swifter wet jet to do the floor once a day.
Momma said there’d be days like this,
There’d be days like this momma said.
Karens last blog post..Sunday Suggestions
Get one of these and never worry about dirty bath-tubs or showers again, PROMISE.
http://www.automaticshowercleaner.com/?sid=SEM&cid=GOOGLE
Second, get a shower-curtain liner to put under the highchair, shake it off over a garbage can between meals. When it gets really grubby, run it through the washer (with the aforementioned vinegar and/or baking soda to eliminate musty smells). Life is too short for perma-floor scrubbing detail.
Then, give yourself a break. All we can do is the best we can do and that may vary from day to day but end result is we’re all trying our hardest so: Lighten up on yourself.
CharmingDrivers last blog post..All We’re Missing is a MIRACLE
I’m sorry that I was the lousy good for nothing friend that dragged all of us to Momma Mia!!!! I can’t believe how bad it was….
I’ll bring over a flyswatter for you, I got 2for1 deal! Hang in there!
Brandys last blog post..Nothing but joy in Brandyland
It’s been March for my checkbook.
I could feed a small country off my kitchen floor.
I got one thing done from my summer to-do list.
I go back to work in two days.
I feel your pain.
I used to feel that way…now:
I don’t balance my checkbook…I trust the bank has the right amount listed on it’s website.
I don’t sweep or mop unless it is sticky or company is coming over for a party…which is rare…and if DH complains I tell him to clean it up.
Babyhead only gets dry snacks that are easily cleaned up.
I don’t vacuum until the things sticking to my feet such as Cheerios or Cookie Crisp stick to my feet through more than 2 rooms. Again, if DH complains he can do it.
I confess I did clean out a lot of Babyhead’s toys…3 black trash bags went to the compactor right before Podling was born and another huge tub of toys went to a friend….other than that…I don’t worry about the toys unless I can’t walk anymore…then Babyhead MUST help clean them up…even it if takes all day and a battle of wills.
The only things that get done on a regular basis is dishes…cuz that is just nasty and we only have so many pots and pans and bottle nipples. And again, if it isn’t done on DH’s time frame, then he has to do it.
Taking care of 2 kids is hard enough work. Many times I can’t even find time to eat…so I don’t stress the rest anymore. It will be there tomorrow, or the next day…whenever I get around to it…and the world will not end if it isn’t done at all.
Sandys last blog post..Balance, Anger, & Sadness
I hear you on almost all counts. Except we’re here in corp housing where the floors were made disgusting by someone else. So let there be comfort in the horror of your floors because at least it’s your mess staining your socks and not some stranger’s athlete’s foot or someone who probably let their dog wipe his ass on the carpet your kid is now crawling around on.
I had the same laundry problem in FL, tried everything to no avail. Eventually I gave up and bought new towels. I suck.
Shellys last blog post..Scientific Discovery (AKA: TMI Friday)
Yup, right there with you. Haven’t wanted to blog because I have just wanted to BITch BITch and BITch some more about the state of my house/children/weather. You name it.
sigh.
Sending hugs. Because god knows we all need them.
Kristins last blog post..Cage Fighting
I haven’t balanced my checkbook in over a year.
Quinn’s almost 4 and we haven’t had that talk yet – but we’re thinking about teaching him to just get naked in his own room or the bathroom.
My kitchen floor – a mess – always. I did buy a new broom at Target, but I swear they need to put up a warning sign in that aisle. “These things will only make your kitchen floor look nice if YOU use them on a regular basis.” But anyway, this new broom, has like a squeegie (sp?) thing right in the middle of the brushes and it really helps with sweeping up cooked carrots, bananas, peas, green beans, corn, well, um, pretty much anything we serve to Liam that he decides to throw on the floor. The broom claims to be for “wet and dry messes” but if there’s spilled milk – I get down on my hands and knees and clean it up.
What else?? I get that same feeling all the time – and sometimes I feel like I’m totally working on the wrong stuff – like planning something for Oct. when I still need to put together instructions for the babysitter for NEXT week.
Cathys last blog post..Weekly Winners 14th Edition
Been there…..
Really, I have so been there. Actually, I am there. I haven’t *really* mopped my kitchen since May, just spot mopping. Ugh.
However, the Swiffer Sweep ‘n’ Vac saved my life, as did the Wet Jet. At least I am getting crumbs and spot mopping right?
I put white vinegar in my Downey ball for my towel loads. I see plenty of other woman have suggested vinegar too. It works!
Take a nap, make a to do list , or just keep living because it will always be this way in one form or another. Eek.
Beckys last blog post..I love this song!
oh dear. There’s nothing more important than your well-being and your family’s well-being. Take a break from the internet…maybe a week. We’ll all understand. Seriously. It will do you good. We’ll miss you, but it will be good to get your bearings back in check.
Kristins last blog post..Alice in Non-Dairyland
OMG! I forgot the most important thing. Run to Target and get Method’s daily shower spray. Use it faithfully and you will never have to scrub the shower or tub again. And you won’t have to wear a gas mask, or rinse the tub before bathing the kids because it’s natural and non-toxic.
Beckys last blog post..I love this song!
so glad you did post friend.
i swear i could have written this exact post. only i would add many, many more stupid things. uhm not that your things are stupid. mine are. and i know they are. which makes it even stupider.
thank you for writing it for me. and maybe, just maybe encouraging me to write my own.
amandas last blog post..exploring
I am so glad you posted this. We too suffer from musty towels…WTH? I will share my cure if I find it if you do the same. I feel the same about the floor and toys. I am sending the kids to Nana’s…or they are already there for the day ?
Balance a checkbook? What’s that? I haven’t done that in approximately, oh, umm, NEVER.
I too suffer with musty towel syndrome. Mostly because my dryer SUCKS and takes at least three HIGH HEAT cycles to dry a small load of towels and since I won’t leave the dryer on when I’m not home, they sometimes get to sit there for a day in their semi-dried state, collecting must.
Natalies last blog post..My Weekend, at a Glance
Forgive me for experiencing a bit of Schadenfreude at the moment…that it’s not JUST ME that’s been feeling overwhelmed and nutso of late.
And the musty towels…well, if I don’t empty and clean my washer constantly, EVERYTHING smells musty!! *lol*
Sarahs last blog post..How did that happen?
Re: musty towels. I had the same problem. I did a couple things to fix it.
1) wash in hot water. You said you already do that so you’re 1 step closer!
2)Do not use fabric softener (the liquid or the sheets). It clogs up the fibers on the towels and they don’t dry you as well.
3) Use ammonia and color safe bleach when washing. And, if they are really bad, get washing soda, too.
Hopefully that will help the grody smelling towels. And then they will magically make feel better!
Erins last blog post..1-2-ChaChaCha
Good rant
Sounds like a tidbit from my brain….
Sarcasta-Moms last blog post..Families Are Stupid Sometimes
I’m so with you on the overwhelming task list (and the smelly towels and dishwasher, too)!
In times like these, I create a to-do list with a bunch of easy ones on there so I feel a bit better. I totally would write “Go see Mama Mia with the girls” *just* so I could cross it out.
As for the dishwasher, sometimes mine takes upwards of five minutes before starting. It’s a Maytag. But my home inspector did tell me that I should run the hot water before starting it to make it more efficient…maybe it’s heating the water up?
Slacker Mamas last blog post..eight is great! (and keeps us up late!)
Holy hell! One thing at a time! I feel all tense just reading it. Ack!
I hate days like those. Go fix yourself a drink (is it bad that that is always my solution???) and RELAX!
Kathryns last blog post..The Sober Post
I loved this post (And YOU) so much that I just may owe you sexual favors now.
I relate to EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING (ESPECIALLY MAMMA MIA). Even the musty towels.
I came home from San Fransisco and my house looked like the aftermath of a frat party minus the passed out drunken people in the bathtub and then we went to Seattle and ONLY TODAY have I really cleaned. And that is just the downstairs. (Cannot handle thinking of my room yet.)
Only plus? I’ve lost 10 lbs since BlogHer. I think it was the food. Only explanation.
Loralees last blog post..Finally, a reason to use my Facebook account