Wait, didn’t I write this edition already?
1. I added a task to my calendar on my phone the other day, and found myself on the verge of tears. It was *one more thing* on top of all the other *one more things*, and it really had me teetering.
2. So, what are some of the things? Bathroom renovation (hashtag on Twitter so you can all follow along or join in, #bathroomredo). It seemed to go swimmingly at the start, but then we ran into…
3. …the question of whether or not we needed a new roof (answer: not quite yet).
4. We *do*, however, need new windows, so I am scheduling estimates, and I gotta tell you a) my upstairs is a freaking disaster area, so it’s pretty mortifying to have a stranger walking around in it and b) it adds more stress into a time of my day that is already a little stressful (i.e. the evening sprint). And, you know, that is just more $$ out the … window.
5. We have officially entered the busiest time of the year for me (and my family). We have three birthdays from now until early January, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Christmas shopping (MORE $$!), and traveling for said holidays. There is also the random school stuff (parent teacher conferences! Fundraising! Homework and violin lessons! Classroom parties!). The task I added to my phone (see #1) was to schedule the parent-teacher conferences. (Which I did manage.)
6. M is entering the 2-year-old phase (don’t call it the Terrible Twos — we’ve talked about that, right?). His favorite words and phrases: “MINE!” “HADDAT” (Translation: “Have that.”) “Noooooo.” *top-of-lung screaming* He has discovered what “time out” means, for hitting and/or throwing things.
I’m moving out when he turns 3, mark my words. I’ll take the girls with me, and I promise to come back when he is 4.
7. My oldest daughter has a crush. On a boy. The boy, she reports with all earnestness, “likes her too.” They play pokemon at recess; they hung out at the Boo Bash; she wants to invite him to her birthday party (can’t, he’s in the other second grade class); barring that, she wants to have him over. As a matter of fact, she asked to have a sleep over, to which I responded a little sharply, “NO!”, to which she responded, “It’s not like we’re going to kiss.”
And then I had heart palpitations, and changed the subject.
8. My younger daughter is having some issues. There’s some aggression, there’s some high-running emotions. Dan and I are either the Best! Parents! Ever! or the WORST! She wishes she had a different life (which causes me heart palpitations for another reason). I had to take some things away this week because of the aggression. I’m not sure what’s up, but I am trying to give her some individual attention (which really seems to help) and also to praise her to high heaven for doing good things (which also helps). It’s been tough.
9. We have a dressy event for the school next Friday, and (because I was underdressed last year) I thought I was going to have to buy a little black dress (or like ensemble) and between money and time I JUST CAN’T STAND THE THOUGHT. And then I looked in my closet, and I *think* I have something I can wear. I will need to pair it with a wrap or sweater, and I will also need to polish my toenails (open-toed heels). But at least that one thing I can take off my plate. The initial panic was all too familiar, though. And so, so fun (read sarcastically).
10. I scheduled a party for Flora’ 8th birthday… yesterday. I have to get invitations to the class… Monday. The party is … Sunday (November 11). I hope some classmates show up.
11. Here’s my Saturday: Playdate with neighbor child (I’m helping out her mom), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; putting M in for his nap next door; Nephew’s bday party on 2:30 until… let’s say 5. Trick-or-Treat, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
12. Election Day. Gawd, I can’t wait until Wednesday. I will be depressed, anxious, and despondent if Obama doesn’t win, but at least A) I DID MY PART and B) it will be over. Kind of. Maybe more over than I can even bear to think about it.
What’s making your head explode? I’m not alone am I?
Red Pen Mama 
You are not alone. At our house it has been money problems driving me crazy. There is never, never enough. It makes me want to cry or drink except I am not a big drinker. Then the kids tell me how they want this, that, or the other. Then they start a new sport and I have to find the money somewhere. But that is not the worse part. The worse part is my husband has been offered a new job with the company he has been freelancing. He accepted at the beginning of August and it has it started yet. It would make us ‘normal’ and I so want to be there.
The second to last line should read ‘…has not started yet.”
well, yes, I think some of our head explodey feelings come from money, too. Renovations are not cheap and we are just chipping away by buying a little here, a little there. Our contractor is really great, and not a heavy guy, so we can pay him as we go too. But, gah, it’s hard.
Yes, it is.
This time of year always seems to sneak up on me, too. And you’d think by now, we’d know it’s coming.
My head’s going to explode over the NYC Marathon controversy. That’s all I’m saying.
I think it was settled well, don’t you? 🙂
As a suction-cupped Garfield toy would say, “Hang in there.”
October was our super crazy month. November is pretty open by comparison . Although the “by comparison” means it is still rather busy (including a trip to Colorado, a Henry Rollins concert, an SEO class and family portraits) I’m hoping to use some of the time to prepare better for December which is always a mess.
I think you’re going through a rougher time, but a few things on my plate:
**We have a drainage or sewer line problem that can’t even really be evaluated because previous homeowners put a raise cement floor over the drain. (WTF?!) They need to take a jackhammer to the floor to determine what is even wrong (The sympton is a strong sewage smell when it rains.) The jackhammering I’m told may cause more damage due to the vibrations. The plumber was supposed to call with a quote earlier this week and didn’t. I haven’t called to pester because avoidance is so much easier.
**I just got done with an early intervention case worker to give L’s info for an evaluation later this month. She’s behind on speech development. She’s just below what the doctor said she needed for me not to do the eval. I was on the fence about calling since I suspect she is just a little slower with that one thing (comprehension and physical development are actually advanced), but if there is a problem I want to get her the help she needs. I’m really hoping they say she doesn’t need therapy not just because I want to know my daughter doesn’t have a serious problem but also because I don’t want to have to worry about working a weekly therapy session into our life for 6 months or more.
**The kids both seem to have forgotten how to sleep through the night. It’s been a couple of weeks. Argh. This is the likely topic of my blog post on Monday, unless I do more begging people to vote (but since I’ve done 5 posts on that topic I should probably shut up about it).
As many a Interwebber has commented (maybe on different subjects): It’s not the pain Olympics. I do treasure the empathy, though, and the feeling I’m not alone. I hope all is well with L — that must be very difficult. As far as sleep, how old again? Mine definitely went through something around 3 years (another reason to chalk it up to the worst age). It was brutal.
And as far as house stuff: Oh, I’m all for denial.
You, too, hang in there!
Just wanted to stop by and say that I HOPE your head doesn’t explode soon (and wish I lived near you and could help somehow!), and that I appreciate your thoughtful political posts. May the best man win on Tuesday 🙂
Oh, you’ve enough on your plate, missy! But I do appreciate the sympathy. Thanks. 🙂