New Week Monday PWYC

[CathyS]

Hi!

My second and last sad day of the year is now behind me. (First day is her birthday in mid March)

I came home to a somewhat clean kitchen at lunch time. Dh emptied and refilled the dishwasher and did some large utensils. I went to use one at supper time and it was greasy, so I wiped it off with the dishcloth and dried it before I used it. I have poured a kettle full of boiling water over the rest of them that he leaves in the right hand sink for some reason. We wash from left to right here because the large sink is the one on the left and the right one is smaller. I did thank him for doing the kitchen as soon as I saw that it looked cleaner.

Awww...... y'all are so sweet. Thank you.

[blessedw2]

next pull cards for tomorrow - zone we will see, weekly bathroom a definite etc. etc.
we don't have a helper tomorrow and I am worried about being able to pick mom up - hopefully dd younger's will be able to help me. She is out a month from her surgery so I do worry - I will use the gait belt - she may end up being in bed during the day.

[Twins' Mom]

Cathy, also thinking of you. I don't know if I've related that my dmom's sister ended her life in 1957, when I was two and my dcousin J, whom I am so fond of, was 13, I think. The action obviously affects the entire family. Looking back, I see overtones in my own life when I wondered what dmom was doing in the kitchen in the middle of the night. Overdose? Knives? Sorry if TMI.

I think I have things under control here. Dh says he doesn't remember the criticism I'm received from this friend. It's just her way to be very frank. She leaves me uncomfortable sometimes. Last time she was here she wanted to show me how to clean the carpet stains upstairs. Frankly my dear...I can't worry about everything in this house.

[Lady Maverick]

DD14 wanted to organize her papers, so when she asked for manila folders and supplies, I was happy to help. Since I couldn't find my stash of manila folders, we made a quick trip to the local store to grab some. I showed her how to create and use a portable box with hanging folders that can hold multiple manila folders. She was so excited to get started. ****Organization must be one of our love languages****

I'm ready to slow down and relax a bit. My energy level has been so steady that I almost can't make myself take breaks. I have so many things I want to do and plenty of energy to get them done—so why not? I go through low-energy phases, so I really appreciate this time of high, almost endless energy. I'm not sure why my energy is so high since I'm only consuming my usual amount of tea and coffee. October was my first month of being mostly gluten-free with just a few slip-ups. I also increased my carbs by adding oatmeal and beans to my daily meals, but with all the vegetables I eat, it wasn't exactly a low-carb diet before that. Complex carbs are supposed to give you energy, so maybe that's the reason for the boost? I'm always trying to analyze what helps, but I'm still not sure.

[lucylee]

Organization must be one of our love languages.

I love that, LadyM!!! I think it is MY love language, and unfortunately, it is NOT even in the top ten for ds OR ddil. I was over at dbil and dsisil's house just a while ago, and dbil was using the 409 spray to clean up a spot where he had killed a spider on the baseboard. I said I was impressed. Dsil said he was very good about stuff like that. I told her dh wasn't much for actual cleaning, but he NEVER left anything lying around out of place. She said dbil was the same, must be the way they were taught. I told her unfortunately, ds had NOT been taught very well. Sigh. I still have a lot of trouble dealing with the way they live, but I just keep telling myself, they are all happy and healthy and that is all that matters. I try to instill a little more responsibility when the dgrands are here, but I don't really fuss at them. I don't want them to dread coming over because Nana is a neat-freak, you know.

So --
talked to dmom and *** Hallelujah *** she has decided to cancel her doctor's appointment tomorrow *** HOORAY *** Free Day for Me***
I typed the notes and emailed to the group...
went to dbil's to get the ticket...
came home and cleared out a bunch of junk emails (still have a million I need to read later) (actually 1659 in my inbox, some which have been read and are saved as unread)
spent a lot of time just scrolling on Facebook
sheets are in a pile on the bed, towels are dry and waiting in the dryer, need to put a load of regular clothes in
need to eat something
need to reconcile bank statement, see if that mysterious $400 credit is still hiding in there somewhere

[Lady Maverick]

I think I mentioned before that two of DS17's friends were expecting babies, and one of them was born about three weeks ago. Last night, the teenage mom called me with concerns and questions. She knew that DS17 had spent weeks in the NICU and had been a challenge to care for in his first few months. She asked for tips on what we did during that time. Talking about it brought back so many memories of that incredibly stressful period. We basically held DS17 24/7 for months until he could breathe consistently without stopping. When he stopped breathing, we would tap the bottom of his foot and he would gasp and then start breathing again. We also kept him upright 99% of the time because of reflux. I vividly remember the countless hours spent in a recliner, sleeping lightly while holding DS17 with his head on my shoulder. Those moments were priceless and precious, and so worth it, but the stress was very real. I kept reassuring the teenage mom that it won’t be like this forever. I think she’s a good mom and is doing her best.

[lucylee]

That young mom is sooo lucky to have you to talk to, LadyM. Remember, my mom was 16 when I came along. I know she must have had some awfully stressful times. I was not in NICU or anything, but she certainly has vivid memories of my 6 months of colic. I think my paternal grandmother was a lifesaver for her.

[Harriet]

Hugs to everyone who needs them. Many deep subjects today.

About organization being a love language - that is a wonderful attitude. It is so easy to notice the critical comments of those who really aren't close enough (but may think they are) to criticize a household's particular level of "lived in" or perhaps lack of organization. Sometimes there's just the handicap of the critical person's inexperience in life. But we do need to remember that organization (and the appreciation of it) can be a love language, too. A good reason to give a compliment when we can.

Somehow, the guitar HRH gave to ddolder's family has been broken. It doesn't look like it took a blow at all, but maybe the strings were extremely overtightened, or maybe there was temperature damage. It's quite expensive, the twin to the guitar ddyounger used to take her guitar class in hs.

Anyway, ddolder came over to show HRH and get advice. She's going to take both guitars and have them restrung, get an opinion on the damage and what can be done, if anything. WonderBoy has reached most of his hs goals and four technical college classes, has already been accepted by 2 out of 3 of his college choices. He is ready to take something completely different and thinks maybe guitar would be it. The library where he volunteers will close for several months and so it might be a good time to have "a change of occupation is rest".

I've gotten some sewing done today again. Enjoying the diversion.

[lucylee]

Oh, I hope the guitar can be repaired, Harriet! I bet they hated to tell HRH what happened.

Hmmm — I’m probably one of those people who doesn’t need to be critical — and I promise — I keep my mouth SHUT a lot more often than I used to!
I told dmom, I really shouldn’t concern myself. It is embarrassing to me, but honestly, if they aren’t embarrassed, why should I be? Actually, right or wrong, (and it’s really wrong in this case) women are judged more than men in re: to their housekeeping standards.
In this case, they may both be working 40 hrs a week, but ds is the one who is home M-F for the most part.
So, I’m just thankful they are raising two children in a Christian home and they all love each other.

I just did the checkbook. Y’all know the bank has been ahead of me by approximately $450 for the last 9 months? Well, this month it has jumped to $536.68! There is nothing to account for this. I do not know what is going on, but as long as they are giving me this cushion, I guess I’m at no risk of overdraft! ???

EDITING —
Clean sheets on bed
All but one load of clothes hanging to dry
Need to
— fold towels and underwear
— update calendar