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WFMW: Put Yourself on the List!

Okay, so if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m a neurotic weirdo (though not as neurotic as Emily, thankfully ha ha ha ha ha)! I’ve been a SAHM for about six months now, and in that time my neuroses have increased a hundred fold wee bit. For a couple of months I really struggled with how to handle the daily tasks of housekeeping, child-rearing, and errand-running and also squeeze in time to take care of myself. Remember this post? Back when I wrote that I was one ugly ponytailed, wrinkly-clothesed, un-madeup Mama. Sometimes I wasn’t even CLEAN! Yikes! But I am happy to say, after a few months of getting the kinks worked out, I’ve found a way to balance things a bit better, especially when I have a lot to accomplish. My method is simple: I make a “to do” list, and I put myself on it! Here’s an example. This is my “to do” list from yesterday:

Dishes
Shower
Go to Bank
Laundry
Go to CVS
Sweep dining room
Clean up living room
Sweep living room
Makeup
Take out trash
Change Diaper Pail

I had a ton of cleaning to do and laundry because poor Joshua had no clean clothes and remained in his PJs until noon. But I also really wanted to get myself cleaned up as well. I wanted to have a shower and makeup on before I ran to the bank and the drug store. So, I put those things on the list. Then, after I completed them and crossed them off of the list, I felt not only clean and shiny, but also a sense of accomplishment instead of a sense of guilt for taking the time to take care of myself. This may seem stupid to you, but somehow I am able to trick myself into thinking that showering, doing my makeup, excercising, or reading my Bible Study book is not just something for me, but something that contributes to the success of my day.

I know I’m a crazy coo-coo nuts, but it works for me! So why not give it a try and see if it works for you?

For more great Works for Me Wednesday tips, head over to Rocks in my Dryer!

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My Solution to Seasonal Mood Disorder

Yesterday it rained steadily allllll daaaaaaaaaaaay. And it was cold. And yucky. And dark. And I hated it. It was my hubby’s bday, and I could not pull myself out of my weather-induced funk. I was feeling, as Joshua would say, BLAG. I just checked the forecast for today and it looks like it’s at least going to be sunny at times, which is great, because yesterday’s darkness really had me depressed. It just made the messes in our house look messier, the housework seem insurmountable, and I swear it somehow amplified Joshua’s whining tenfold!

Running errands with two kids in the pouring rain is, as I am sure many of you know, soooo much fun, but unfortunately we had a couple of stops we HAD to make after being out of town for a few days. Our driveway and the drug store parking lots had tons of puddles. Having not yet bought proper winter shoes, I was still wearing my Lands End Trellos and my feet got quite wet. I have no coat with a hood. I couldn’t find an umbrella. By the time we got hopme I was a soggy, grumpy, irritable MESS, and by the time we left to go out to dinner with friends for Bobby’s birthday, I was ready to throw the kids out of the car as we drove by my parent’s house! UGH! I hate feeling this way.

Perhaps my unpreparedness for this weather is really a form of denial. I am just not ready for it to be dark and cold by 5:30 PM . I’m not ready for the twenty-minute long coat-hat-and-gloving ritual that must take place before one can leave the house with two children. So, I’ve decided, I’m gonna make like a bear and hibernate. I’m gonna binge-eat really hard for the next couple weeks, and then just sleep ’til the end of March. Just think of all the money I’ll save if I just skip Christmas! I’ll emerge from my slumber thin, well-rested, and just in time to see Emily pop out another baby. I won’t have to spend the winter months wondering what the HELL the sex of said baby is either, which will be a relief.

So, yes. Hibernation it is. See you all in 4 months!

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Life in the Slow Lane

Hola amigos! As Emily mentioned, I’ve been away for a few days, spending Thanksgiving with my parents at their house in Virginia (not West Virginia, Em, get it right! Geez my Dad is offended.) My crazy creative parents built said house on top of a mountain, and although it’s beautiful, there’s not a whole lot to do there, so you better love the ones you’re with. Fortunately, none of us there had a problem in that area! It was a really fun, relaxing time. It was so good for Bobby and I to spend time together with the kids, and nice to have my parents and my Grandma around to help out! I even got a couple of naps, which were faaaabulous (and convenient since Sophie didn’t sleep well away from home.)

The thing I like best about being atop the ol’ mountain, though, is that life just really slows down. There really isn’t anything much to do when the weather is cold, so we all sat around and read, played games, and napped. They only have (archaically slow) dial-up internet there, so there was no time for me to obsessively blog or check my StatCounter. They don’t have cable, or even TV reception, so we couldn’t all sit in front of the tube like zombies (although they do have a DVD player so Mom forced us to watch a horrific Hallmark Hall of Fame movie one night. And March of the Penguins. Have you seen that? I am SO GLAD I AM NOT A PENGUIN!!!)

Anyhoo, my point is, it was really nice to slow down and just enjoy each other. I let myself get so busy and stressed here at home trying to stay on top of the housework and the cooking and taking care of the kiddos – I get so wound up sometimes that I forget to just enjoy my family and be thankful for all that I have. And up on the mountain, that’s just what we all did. Hopefully through the rest of the holiday season I won’t forget to stop and slow things down a bit when I have the chance.

And since I have the floor here, I do want to take a chance to say a very special HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my darling hubby. Welcome to the awesome club, baby! I love you!

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