I feel the need to explain.

Ahhhhh. This feels good. Staring at this blogger compose screen. Typing. I haven't been here in what seems like years. I haven't even visited our blog for fear that I would see that all our fans have left.

See I am trying to find a balance. Trying and failing. We have lived here in the great state of Montana for 8 months and I am still adjusting. My girls are still adjusting. We have had so much change that I just can't seem to get it together.

I used to find refuge in my blog and now I just can't seem to find the time to sit in front of a computer for any length of time. It makes me sad that I haven't been able to blog or read any of the blogs I follow so I feel the need to explain.

When we moved here we thought we would be okay for a while financially. We had a plan. The Hubs' job required him to travel but all would be well. I started helping a family member clean houses just for some extra cash. I wanted to contribute plus it helped out my family member. Soon after we were here my husbands job went through a slow spell and he and I HAD to work. He found another job that he hated and I started cleaning more houses. It got us through and now his other job is picking up and he was able to quit his not so great job. I however am still cleaning houses.

I have not been able to admit this until now. See I am not above cleaning a toilet or mopping a floor. I just feel like a failure. I have a bachelor's degree and I scrub toilets. It is frustrating to me and I feel ashamed. I am not supposed to work everyday but have been the last few weeks for one reason or another, hence the lack of blog posts. I am feeling the sting of not being with my girls. As of right now I have not had to put them in daycare - which I am so thankful for. Either the hubs or friends take them.

I have so many emotions running through my head and no outlet for them. I am going to try to blog more but I make no promises. When I am home I feel so scattered trying to get everything done. I feel as though sitting at the computer is just not an option. We are not even done unpacking. My girls miss me. Laundry is piling up. Housework to be done. The Hubs and I barely see each other. It just stinks.

I miss my life. My quiet little life in the Land of Nowhere. I feel as though I had my perfect and now it is gone. Perhaps I took it for granted and it was taken from me. Like I am being punished for not appreciating it more. For not being more thankful.

I worry about what people think about me, about being judged. I worry about what my girls think. It stings when I hear the Bug say to people, "my mom cleans houses". Or when I kiss the Bear goodbye and she says, "you go clean, Mommy?" Makes me sick to my stomach. I always thought that if I worked while my kids were young that it would be for something that would make them proud. That they could say "My mom was a rock star!" Not, "My mom scrubbed toilets."

Well I just had to get this out there. So you know- when you stop by and see that there are no posts that I am busy but still thinking about you and the blog world.

This too shall pass. I just have to find my new normal. I will. I have too.

Mama Drama Monday: My four year old is driving me crazy

Well it's Monday FEBRUARY first. Can you believe it? I can't. January just flew by.

How about them Grammy's? Some awesome performances: Pink - holy cats! Dave Matthews Band - Awesome. Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and Smokey Robinson - Fantastic.

Well on with the drama. Lady Di is super busy these days so I am filling in. Look for some changes in regards to Mama Drama Mondays. They are coming soon. Hopefully.

You know you have Mama Drama when:

1. Your favorite, very sharp scissors are missing. Ahh they will turn up soon, I imagine. It is just a matter of how much damage is done in the mean time.

2. In the course of a week: a remote, a bowl, a coaster ( all from Grammy's house), scissors, a crochet hook, a watch, glasses, an ipod, and some other misc. items have all gone missing. Luckily most have been found and returned to there rightful owner. Except the scissors of course and the crochet hook. You know it is bad when you have to perform a pat down of your child before you leave some where.

3. Your out to dinner and your 4 year old (MP) who seems to be a vegetarian (wait, that would require you to actually eat vegetables) a vegan (oh wait she eats cheese and milk) a meat hater then is gagging, like seriously gagging: Going - to - throw - up - her - grilled - cheese - sandwich GAGGING because her Dad is eating a burger and she can smell it. He had to move and face away from her to eat his burger. It is getting bad folks. I really dislike dinner time.

4. Your 4 year old (again) runs down stairs ( I only had been down there 1 minute ) screaming that the YP is eating dog food. You have a mild panic attack thinking that the protein source is probably peanuts in your all natural dog food and run frantically upstairs to make sure she is breathing all the while trying to remember where the epi pen is and where the dog food came from. When you get there you see her with a cute little bowl, saucer, and spoon from the MP's tea set filled with the dog food. Looks as if the MP brought her little sister a snack and then realized perhaps that wasn't a great idea when she started eating it. (pictures of this on Wednesday).

5. The Hubs brings up a plastic drawer full of play dishes and containers that have been filled with the Kool Aid he had made for 20 minutes prior. He is rambling on how the MP is NOT ALLOWED to have any food or drink ANY WHERE except the kitchen table. I've heard this before.

and finally you know you have mama drama when

6. When your Hubs and you are finally watching TV thinking all is well when you hear a lot of racket upstairs. You go to investigate and find a container of empty cous cous, water, and dried cranberries all over your carpet in your room. Have you guessed yet? That is right - The MP. She was making "soup". Do you know what Cous Cous is? It is very tiny Moroccan style pasta. VERY SMALL in moderately long carpet.

I am going to be institutionalized by my four year old daughter.

Ok so things change and my cast of characters need to be changed due to changing personalities. They have all lost there princess status! Just kidding (not really). Anyhow I need some names. I am thinking historical fiction or even fictional characters in novels or films. Actresses, even. Any ideas? The Oldest Princess has to be the MOST dramatic person I know. The Middle Princess well - you can guess from the drama above how she is - DIFFICULT, hard headed, stubborn, and she steals things. Then the Youngest Princess well she is pretty dramatic herself even at 2. She has a look for everything ( she gets that from me). She doesn't like many people and she has some serious attitude but can be pretty cute. I need some ideas.

Happy Monday.

I Don't Think This is Normal

You might be asking:

Um -- is that ICE?

I would answer:

Why - YES, yes it is.

You might then ask:

Is that in the HOUSE?

To which I would reply:

Um - YES it is.

Perhaps you would ask this:

Is that NORMAL?

and I would say:

I am not sure but I am thinking not - so - much!

(btw - I DID NOT paint the cable outlet - it came with the house and it is going to be changed soon. Along with the green walls, the green curtains, the green trim and the green carpet)

So then moving on through the house.

You: Is THAT a door in the HOUSE?

Me: Uh huh - It sure is!

CAN'T be normal, right?

Here is my favorite.................

THE WINDOWS:

That would be a pure solid COLD layer of ICE!

ON THE INSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!

So not ideal!

Beam me home to Arizona Scotty! Preferable today.

This Mama Needs a Vacation

Okay - So I don't know where Lady Di is. Probably in bed like this:

I only say that because that was me this morning (well not really ME!) You get the point.

Just wanting to wish the world away. Having no desire to get up and go. What is going on? WE are in a funk and the FUNK seems to be going around this year. I have been reading some blogs and talking to friends and it is a reoccurring theme. So we are starting a movement - SAY NO TO THE FUNK!! Just do it! DON'T allow it to enter your day. If you start to feel a little down - Call a friend and talk about something exciting or fun. Plan a trip. Lady Di and I are going to Vegas in February with one of our college friends. We will probably just sleep but at least we will be uninterrupted. I dream of no interruptions. Go get a pedicure or a hand and foot massage. Something!

Anyway: That's it Ladies and Gents : Say NO to the funk!

So I am going to give this Mama Drama Monday a Whirl. Wish me luck:

You know you have Mama Drama if:

1. The YP gets ticked off at the hubs and is so stubborn that she refuses to ask for help when she has to go potty. You are completely unaware and realize something is wrong when you are in the kitchen and you and The Hubs keep asking, "What is that smell?" "Did you throw away a dirty diaper?" "Are you sure?" You finally go to investigate "the smell" and walk in on a scene that makes you gasp in utter dismay, gag, scream, and run.

She had to go, refused to call for help, removed dirty panties, tried to wipe, tried to put on new panties and when all the above failed she ran and hid in her sisters closet. Let's just say Barbies convertible ended up in the sanitize cycle in the dishwasher.

2. Same little girl is bare bottomed on your bed and pees all over your coveted, sacred Scandia Down pillow. You throw it in the washer and leave to make Tamales and come home to what looks like a mostly empty pillow case with clumps of stinky feathers. Lot's of drama - trust me! This is after The Hubs broke a tea cup from England and I chipped my favorite tea pot.

3. You have a migraine - It's 5:45 am haven't slept at all and not feeling well and the whole family converges on your bed talking away with 10:00am voices. Irritated, tired and not fully awake The Hubs says something with the words, 'why don't you.........' ( I seriously don't remember the rest of his sentence ) When you reply "Why don't you shut your mouth!" OOPS. Totally slipped out - not what I meant to say at all. Honestly! Thank heavens The Hubs is a saint because he just got up, closed the door and said calmly, "let's leave Mama alone." I couldn't sleep after that and got up and apologized.

4. When the Hubs has to literally pull apart the YP and the MP because of a full on brawl. Yep the 2 year old and the 4 year old were starring in there own mini version of WWF. Nice - Huh?

So after this whole week - This Mama was not in a good mood. So finally you know you have Mama Drama when.............

5. After a day of being on your feet for 9 hours making tamales with the background noise of fighting, yelling, whining, tattle telling - you blow and send everyone to bed. The OP is in her room crying and singing the blues, The MP is screaming for her Daddy and won't dare come out and the YP (the bravest of them all) comes running out (I am assuming to find The Hubs), sees mama and turns and runs back without a word and went to sleep. She knew.

Well there you have it - Amy's Mama drama. Really I find it all quite funny. It is just life! I wouldn't trade it for the world and honestly I don't last two days without missing this crew.

Maybe Lady Di will add hers later.

Spill it! What was your drama?

Oh My! We Have Been Bad

Shhhh! I have a quick moment. The princesses and the grams are still sleeping. I will have to be quiet though and quick so turn off the lights and be very very stealth like.

Where have the Mama Drama mama's gone? Shame on us! I know where I have been. See this:

Yep that is pretty much my situation. I can only imagine that Lady Di is buried under these:

I mean that would be the only reason she couldn't get to her computer, right? I am not worried. It isn't like being buried in sand, there are air pockets.

(thanks google for the pics) Here's the drama: The Hubs came for a day to unload the truck and then he left back to Arizona. So the Grams is watching the girls while I go down to my house and unpack, as Lady Di would say a bajillion boxes and move things around. Fun times. I am tired. Tired of trying to fit my stuff into a much smaller house. This is my life for the time being - I have big plans for this house. BIG BIG plans. (shh -that is a secret)

However, today I do the office. Well closet turned into office (i am serious). So computer here I come. I have been going through major blogging withdrawals. I have so so much to tell you guys. I moved to the drama capital of the world I think. I have only been here a while but oh my goodness - The DRAMA! Maybe it is just because this is the first time I have lived in a neighborhood. I actually haven't had neighbors since college and trust me when I say that it has been a long time. The only drama then was when the downstairs neighbors would cook - Lady Di and I had to smell curry for the evening. Or when the neighbors next door would blast there cultural melodies! Fun times. Those really were the days! Or wait a minute this one was always good, when Lady Di would be incapacitated for reasons I can not say and I would have to carry her upstairs to our apartment where she would turn into chatty Kathy and sing show tunes. Fun times!

Anyway getting off track.

I promise promise promise we will make it up to you and that all will return to normal here at the Drama Mama Blog very soon. I promise. See today I have to finish. I HAVE TO FINISH!!! or I might go insane and then we would have to change the name of this blog. Seriously it is time to have my space - my place to call HOME! So with that said. I will write soon. I promise. I hear movement. DARN IT! I.MUST.GO. I do, however, promise to return on Tuesday. I hope all is well with you and yours.

Oh, this is a good one. Today I am taking a bunch of kids to a pumpkinless pumpkin patch. They, the pumpkins, FROZE. Goodness sakes - I am not in Arizona anymore!

wizard of Oz Pictures: Food and Decorations

I promised more pics of The Oz Partay! So here they are:

First there was Melted Witches Brew (lime sherbert and 7 up) This is always a hit with both the adults and kiddos. We actually ran out.

Then we had vegetables and ranch dip, pasta salad ( I will post the recipe for the pasta salad on Eat Your Peas soon ). It was yummy!
Of course we had to have fruit with Lady Di's dip. We love that stuff.
Then there was the homemade corn dogs. Yes I may be crazy but they were a huge hit and so delish and I don't even like hot dogs. So there, Lady Di!
Then the cake:

I decorated the table with vases stuffed with green tissue paper, candy dishes and martini glasses filled with a ton of different types lollipops, skittles, pixie sticks, dum dums.

After the party. The kids filled their Terra Cotta Scarecrow's with all the candy. So fun.

Well there you have it. The Wizard of Oz party. It's over - I promise.

Truly A Saint

I LOVE my hubs. I have always thought that he is the best husband and Daddy in the world. I don't tell him that enough. He is pretty awesome but this past weekend he proved it.

{It's Daddy's Day}

His day.

Let's see, the day started out beautifully. I made his favorite breakfast: Williams and Sonoma cream biscuits with crumbled bacon and maple syrup (Are you drooling?). During breakfast we decided that we would get ready and go to the Cove- an indoor wave pool and water slides. Super fun place to go.

I get all the kids dressed and ready, bags packed, lunch made and car loaded. There we are sitting ready to go waiting.

{Hubs emerges from the house}

Hubs: I can't find my wallet. I think the MP took it.

Me: Are you kidding?

Hubs: Nope.

The next 30 minutes we search:

the house,

the car,

the bags,

the ice chest,

the backyard.

No wallet.

We ask,

we plead,

we beg,

we bribe

the MP.

She admits to taking it but leads us on a wild goose chase. The next 30 minutes:

We follow her to:

the garage,

the fridge,

the freezer,

the backyard,

every bedroom.

I unload the car. I search again

the car,

the bags,

the ice chest.

I am thinking that she thinks this is fun. I am not amused nor am I having fun. But the Hubs is calm cool collected. Exhibiting extreme patience.

MP is forced to take a nap and hubs if forced to stop searching. HE.MUST.FIND.WALLET but not at that moment. I insist. We will resume.

We resume two hours later. This time I make it a game.

Me: Did you hide it in the..............Car?

MP: Nope

Me: Did you hide it in my................bedroom?

MP: Nope

Me: Do you know where it is...................?

MP: Yep

{this goes on and on with no results. Just her laughing.}

I resort to bribing again.

Me: I will buy you a baby doll.

MP: the one that crawls on the floor?

Me: yes.

MP: right now?

Me: yes.

MP: it is in the box all covered up.

It wasn't.

Hubs: I have to have my wallet. I need my cards.

MP: I am going to keep it.

Hubs: Your going to keep it?

MP: yes.

{I am ready to go postal. He is frustrated but calm}

Hubs: Bring me the card with my picture and you can have the wallet.

MP: I can have it?

Hubs: yes I just need one card. Will you go get it?

MP: Um

{Another goose hunt takes place }

I am beginning to believe that she didn't take it. I am know doubting hubs. I mean.... he didn't get in until 3am. He had bailed hay all night. He was tired. Maybe just maybe he is wrong and the wallet is in the tractor. He did insist already that he saw it. He moved it. HE KNOWS that he laid it on the counter. It is late, our day is ruined, I am tired of looking. I try anyway:

Me: I know that you really think that you had it. I know you insist but would you please please just go look in the tractor. Maybe just maybe you left it in there. It is worth a try? lets just see, do it for me. please.

I know what he was thinking- Crazy old brod! I said I didn't leave it in there!

HE.WENT.ANYWAY

{10 minutes later}

Hubs emerges with wallet.

{Everyone cheers}

Me: It was in the tractor!?

Hubs: Nope. It was under the car, she must have thrown it! I saw it when I was walking back from the tractor.

Thank the heavens.

He never even said, I told you so!

Sainthood folks. SAINTHOOD.

** an update. Today upon hearing about another Dad's trip to Disneyland I apologize for such a cruddy day and he says, "My fathers day was great." " I have it so good that everyday is Fathers Day to me." Did I say how much I love this man?!

For more tributes click on over to Angie's (look she got a new button and a new layout),

And IT Continues.................

I am off to the dentist again for round two! Thanks for all the comments yesterday. I appreciate it.

Hawaii didn't happen. My ipod froze and wouldn't work so I had to revert to plan 2. Which was thinking of good blog posts. It wasn't too bad. I could think of ............... Oh I don't know............... 500 other things I would rather be doing than getting umpteenth shots in my gums and having my teeth deep cleaned.

On another note:

I did take the OP and MP to UP in 3D! It was cute I suppose. Expensive (but that is another blog post) Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind but I thought it was a little DEEP for little kids. It just made me sad and I didn't need sad. Does anyone else feel the same way? I have heard nothing but rave reviews about how great it was. Even from friends. Maybe it is just me and my current situations: losing a baby, and both of my Grandpas this year and watching my Grandma's miss them so so much. I just thought for a Disney movie it just had some real adult situations going on there. Maybe I try to shelter my kids from those things too much. I just want them to not have to worry about the woes of the world at the age of 6 and 3. Or of for that matter until they are adults. What do you think?

However this probably is in true Disney fashion. Most of the movies only depict one parent as it is or they lose one in the midst of the movie or they don't have any. Interesting really. I guess I could look at it like Disney is teaching my kids the hardships of life for me. Thanks Disney.

The upside of the day: my hubs gets to go with me. He has an appointment too. Too bad we will be numb afterwards - we won't be visiting PF Changs or BJ's Brewery for a nice quiet dinner. Bummer.

Where in the world is Amy!

I'm here. Partly anyway and only for a second.

This week has been mega busy. The hubs went out of town, my mama came into town. The week has been filled with trips to the big city, shopping, house projects, swimming lessons, hotel stays, lots of driving, eating out, piano lessons, shopping, leaving bad tips to bad waiters, airport trips, did I mention shopping?!

The princesses needed some summer clothes so my Mama, the girls and I went to my favorite store: Kohls. Yep, Yep and do you know how much I saved? OVER $700 and I spent half that! AWESOME!!! the lady at the checkout was AMAZED by me and of course was hoping that I was going to come back.

Look what I bought:

For the Oldest Princess

The Middle Princess

The Youngest Princess

I really did score. Plus I bought some stuff for myself, some shoes for the girls and stuff for fathers day. Cool Beans!

In other news: The winner of my Lil Cutie Fourth of July Bow is Trudy at Third Time's a Charm

Congrats! I picked it up this week and you won't be disappointed. So cute. I ordered some myself.

Did you notice all those dresses I bought? Yep I am going to have to buy bows to match from Erica at Lil Cutie Hair Bows! I am addicted to bows! ADDICTED!

Ooh I must go. I have showers, hair to do and it's off to swimming lessons again! Won't be back until dinner time. Did I mention I live in the Land of Nowhere: It takes 1 1/2 hours to get to lessons. Oh how I wish I lived in a town somedays!

Weather, Bugs, and Fevers

What do bugs, fevers and the weather have in common? Nothing really. Well I guess if you consider that when the weather warms up here in the Southwest the bugs come out in full force but the fever doesn't fit into that equation.  However they are all a part of my life (my drama) so that makes them related in some way.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes yesterday.  I wish it was me that has the fever but it isn't that would be the Middle Princess who woke up with a 102.3 fever Friday morning.  We don't do high fevers much around here (in fact the only time we use Tylenol is for leg cramps and teething).  So off went the hubs to the store for some Tylenol, which worked until Friday night when it spiked again (did I mention the hubs was leaving town for the weekend, I have no neighbors, and the hospital is 80 miles away). I called the Doctor, broke out my arsenal of essential oils and dusted of the Motrin and went to work.  The Motrin came right back up, lovely.  The oils worked immediately and it broke.  Yay!

In the meantime the Hubs' plane was delayed and ultimately ruined his trip so he came home. Good thing because Saturday was dance recital day and since the Middle Princess was still feverish- off went the Oldest Princess and I leaving the others with the Hubs.  I prolonged the morning hoping and praying the fever would magically disappear but it didn't and the Middle Princess missed her first recital.  I and she were so sad.

The recital went great and then it was back home for us.  On the way home we hit some freak rain storm.  I almost pulled over!  The lightening was actually purple and the cloud was a little frightening.  The wind was crazy and the drops of rain were huge.  I called the hubs to see if Arizona ever had tornado's. He laughed! I get that a lot.

We finally got home and watched Tales of Despereaux - a little creepy but good. No - just creepy and off to bed we went.  Here is where the bug enters the story.  There I am sleeping peacefully - dreaming when I wake up feeling something tickling my stomach.  I in my half sleep state realize it is not something I want on my stomach and as it is crawling roll it with my arm and actually feel is POP! YUCK! I throw it off the bed and immediately get up flip the light and can't find it.  What is it? I am freaking out: Was it a spider? Did it bite me? Why am i so itchy and red? I am going to die? Did it crawl/bite the Middle Princess who is sleeping with us? I am a bit dramatic I know - but that is me. I check the MP and she is completely annoyed by this interruption in which I realize she was not bothered by the bug but does have a fever again. Lovely.  Get the Tylenol but do not go back to sleep for what seems like hours because I have a severe case of the heebie jeebies!

 

Because I am convinced this is the bug that was in my bed:

or

Would you sleep?

Writers Workshop: Today

I am doing to do two of the prompts for Mama Kats Workshop. My other one will be a different post.

( I thought this would be fun - kind of like a day in the life of Amy )

5) Today I will..........

wake up @ 5 am (it is 12am right now) to work out to the hardest workout on the face of this planet with my husband. Ooh that could be taken wrong - we are actually working out to a video. Ooh that could be bad too - a legitimate work out video (p90x) its hard.

Once finished run/walk 3 miles on treadmill.

Shower because it is guaranteed that I WILL sweat buckets. 

Dress.

Check Blog (post and link up my second promt post) try to resist the urge to start reading other posts and leave comments.

My kids will surely be awake by this time.  I will make breakfast - I promised pancakes. Crazy lady!

Eat  - Rice Krispies and strawberries.

Unload and reload dishwasher.

Get kids dressed, do their hair. ( it is dance day so braids are a must )

Do a load of laundry we seriously need some whites done.

Unload dryer and fold immediately resisting urge to put on the couch to do later because I will then ignore them until Saturday when I know I will have time to fold them.

try to fit in 5 hours of homeschooling with the 6 year old. (somewhere in between I will throw whites in dryer where they will sit until tomorrow)

Feed kids lunch, feed myself, feed husband.

be done by 1pm with everything.

get ready to leave - load diaper bag, pack jammies, sippies, find dance attire, do my hair, etc.

load car by 2pm - leave @ 2:30

Arrive at dance @ 4:00 (yep I live 1 1/2 hours away from town)

first child dances while I wrestle 3 year old and 19 month old. They just can't resist the stairs and the water dispenser.

Done @ 5:00pm  Go find something healthy to eat in an hours time with a kid who is allergic to milk and eggs and me who is on a gluten free diet. fun!

Return to dance @ 6:00 for second child's class.  Panic because of all the germs floating around with all the kids (younger group more parents stick  around).  Try to keep 19 month old from touching anything.

Done @ 7:00pm  

Go to Safeway for some groceries.

Change girls into jammies.

Turn on movie.

Drive 1 1/2 hours home.

Put girls to bed.

Unload car.

Look at blog for comments and comment back. Post my Friday Five.

Go to bed hopefully by 11:00pm.

Try not to think that we caught the Swine Flu while out. I didn't mention that I will be using obscene amounts of hand sanitizer and washing 4 sets of hands every time I go by a sink.

Have a great day! My other Workshop post will be up later. Come back - Please

Go visit Mama Kat to participate or read some other posts

Unwanted Visitors

This one's a long one.  Sit back and read a little bit about my life, my home in rural America.

I had the perfect post planned for yesterday.  I woke up so excited. I jumped out of bed with my Word for Wednesday: COFFEE! 

I needed a cup of it although I don't drink regular unless I want to see my heart POUND out of my chest and start BOUNCING of the walls. Decaf is just enough of a jolt for me. Although yesterday I seriously contemplated drinking it FULL OCTANE. Just had one of those nights where I actually was sleeping well but the rest of the house wasn't - every child and even the dog (the first unwanted visitor) was up, I swore it was a FULL MOON!

Unwanted Visitor #1 - Barking Basset Hound

Have you ever heard a Basset Hound howling at 2:00am right outside your bedroom doors as he stares at you from outside? 

We thought he wanted out of the backyard so The Daddy got up and let him out just for him to go to the front door and start howling.  He ended up in the back of the truck with the camper shell for the rest of the night. 

Unwanted Visitor #2 - Wind

As I said I had the perfect post but when I got up and ran to the computer.  NO INTERNET! All Day ! Argh!!!  Why no Internet?  THE WIND! It blew and blew and blew and blew some more. I thought I was Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ.  Although no Internet is annoying especially for blogger's and homeschoolers (my lessons are all online ) I had a very productive day.  I did ALL the laundry (folded and put away).  Had the girls dressed, fed and hair brushed by 8:30am. Ran 2.6 miles on the tread.  Mopped the house (not an easy job in my house) and dusted the kitchen, great room and family room.  Yay!! However the wind bought me my third unwanted visitor - DIRT.  Lots of it! 

Unwanted Visitor #3 - Dirt

Dusting on a windy day is like washing your car when it rains.  USELESS! Actually it isn't as bad as a thought but still enough to be annoying!

Unwanted Visitor #4 - Mouse

That's right a mouse! a mouse! I hate mice.  Dirty Disgusting Disease Ridden Mice! There I am relaxing reading a book and over my glasses I see something run  from the couch to the T.V. I think to myself I surely must be going CRAZY! That couldn't possibly be a MOUSE in my HOUSE! I didn't say anything - kept reading. Then I saw it again - run from the T.V. to the china cabinet. Now I know I am not crazy! I wake the sleeping Daddy! He know thinks I am CRAZY. (We live in the country but have never had a mouse in the house only in the garage where we have been raging our own war against those dirty little villains). He gets up, goes to where I saw it and it runs back to the couch. Do you think he saw it - Nope! He did however find it's home - IN MY COUCH! Yuck!  Seriously this is one of my worst nightmares!

By now the girls know and are totally FREAKED out! We set traps cleaned the inside of my couch and were waiting. The mouse has now ran into the family room behind the wall unit. Hubby still hasn't seen it. The girls won't go to bed, because they hear SQUEAKS! Mind you their bedroom is on the other side of the house. This is after The Oldest tells me that mice are a part of nature, we should let it go.  I told her that they are a part of nature when they are outside but when they come inside they are dirty and they become fair game.  

Then finally came the sweetest sound of all. SNAP! Yipee, mouse is now in mouse heaven.  

And the visitors keep coming.

Visitor #5 - Anxiety

That is another Drama for another time.  One word: Defeated!

Visitor #6 - 

I woke up today with my 6th visitor.  I won't go into details except to say she visited only two weeks ago, explains my anxiety and is completely UNWELCOME.

Drama, Drama, Drama! Today has got to be better, right?

Why?

So seriously, why on earth, on the nights I can't SLEEP because the ANXIETY bug has bit again. {What I really should call it is Anxiety Alligator because I could squash a bug but I can't wrestle an alligator.} Where was I? Oh yes, why on those nights when I seriously want to sleep but can't, because my mind RACES, do all my children feel they need to be awake as well! WHY? It never fails, my worst nights, they grace us with their presence.  There I am in bed: Cruising the blogosphere, watching old movies, praying sleep will hit me (I think it is coming) , thinking I am being uber stealth like and quiet {have you ever looked up 'uber', you should, quite interesting really} and the YOUNGEST starts crying.  2:00am!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Every Time!!  I wait...................she cries...................she stops.............I wait..................she cries................she stops. Then...............she WAILS! OH MAN! she is not easy to sleep with. I sense the Alligator is coming back. 

{Yep this is going to be a sleepless night. At least it is Sunday, Daddy will be home. I can sleep in}

I go get her.  Mo00000000000mma, Mooooooooooooommmmmmma! She is yelling! I pick her up give her kisses and put her in bed with me and The Daddy (my husband). She immediately snuggles herself in his arm pit.  I think {maybe this will work}.  Then................The Middle One graces us. Walking in all groggy! Daaaaaaddddddddy, Daaaaaadddddddy! OMG! Not her too! I need sleep! I want sleep!  They both immediately start fighting over him.  The Youngest: crying, pushing. The Middle One: crying pushing back. AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!  I JUST WANT TO SLEEP.  I get up. I get a drink. Sniff some Geranium Oil (it helps with anxiety), come back to bed, turn everything off.  Tell The Daddy I should leave he tells me -  no, stay! I STAY.  2:30...........3:00.........kicking...........pushing...............stealing loveys............3:30. I get up (more Geranium, I wish I could drink the stuff), The Daddy takes The Youngest back to bed.   MORE CRYING! She comes back to our bed. OMGoodness! 4:00........4:30.  The Middle One is out, she is actually easy to sleep with.  The Youngest is still awake.  The Oldest, thank the heavens, has not shown herself.  

{I fall asleep as does The Youngest}

5:30 - Apparently the Oldest wakes up! The Daddy emerges from the Bathroom, fully dressed. 6:00! We will be back, he says! { IT'S SUNDAY - No you can't leave me here. They are going to wake up!} 7:00 The Youngest starts stirring! {Now I know you are KIDDING!} She wakes, waking The Middle One.  She gets down.............they start fighting.  Dear LORD! I am so tired! Where is The Daddy? Just a few more moments, then I can get up. What is that smell? HOLY STINK! {now I have to get up} The Youngest is like a machine! I start to move my toes to the side of the bed. HONESTLY! Do I have to get out of this warm comfy bed. Maybe I can just pretend I didn't SMELL that!

I hear the key turn in the door! WhooooooooooHOOOOOOOOOO! The Daddy is home! "girls daddy is home!"  They run...........I sigh.  He hear him say to The Youngest, "wow, you stink. Let's go change you STINKY! "  He comes back shuts the door to our room and tells the girls to stay away, "Mommy is very tired."   

I proclaim to myself and to the good Lord above,    I LOVE that MAN of Mine. I try to go back to sleep but think of this post and had to get up! I AM my worst enemy!

 Again - I ask Why? Any other night is not a big deal but anxious nights are the worst.  Now the question is why on earth the anxiety in the first place?  That is the million dollar question!