News Flash!
Jenny has *gasp* a bad attitude.
Bad enough that I'm referring to myself in third person. Heh.
It has been brought to my attention by people who know and love me that all I do lately (or ever, I'm not sure) is complain about how difficult it is to parent monkeys. My husband is afraid to call home, because he is tired of hearing crying or screaming in the background, and hearing me rant about the misdoings of our darlings.
Friends and family alike have been wincing at my frustration, able to understand why I'm so contrary lately (always, whatevah) but unable to share pearls of wisdom, lend a sympathetic ear, or have a normal conversation without getting a chunk taken out of their hand from my snapping teeth.
In short, I'm a nasty person to be around.
So, tra la laaaaa, time to strap on the happy mask and bite back the sharp retorts that come so easily, unbidden. It feels like my bad mood has been triggered by misbehaving kids, a traveling husband, on and on, but maybe, just maybe, the misbehaving and the absent husband are a result of my mood, too.
The chicken? Or the egg?
Buckle in, people. Operation Super-Cheery is beginning. I'm about to embark on the shock and awe phase, in which I draw a big smiley face on the butt of my panties and cartwheel into the living room with my bra stuffed with candies, with which I will bombard my children. Then I will speak only loving phrases and foster a spirit of family cooperation. And maybe perform an interpretive dance to spell out the revised family rules.
Okay, that cheers ME up just thinking about it. I'm getting a sharpie right now.
Comments
Yaaay! Happy thoughs, happy thoughts. (YUCK!)
Posted by: Lindsey | July 7, 2005 10:35 AM
I like that plan. I'm going to make me some panties too. Here's to hoping they work!
Posted by: trb | July 7, 2005 11:22 AM
Wow. If you can pull it off you are a better woman than I. Personally, if I'm feeling pissy, they're getting pissy. OK, so sometimes I behave, but I'll complain about it later. Good luck with the happiness... I'll go away now before I depress the heck outta you and make you believe that there is no hope. ;)
Posted by: Elaine | July 7, 2005 11:52 AM
Hahahahaha! I SO hear you on this! I was a nasty, complaining, whining mommy until my youngest turned 5. That would be last year. Something magical happens when they are all over the age of 5. Suddenly, sleep is a regular thing again. Cereal is a do-it-yourself breakfast that even a 5-yr-old can do. Of course, the DVD player helps. :) Hang in there!
Posted by: Robin | July 7, 2005 1:07 PM
Just as long as you are over your little Miss Mary Sunshine attitude before the 29th. It would scare me! Although, seeing you with a smiley face on your butt with a bra stuffed full of candies doing cartwheels through the room would SO be hysterical and blogworthy! ;-)
Posted by: Jenn | July 7, 2005 2:50 PM
We still love ya
Posted by: Marcia | July 7, 2005 4:14 PM
Jeepers, Miss Sunshine, it's a happy, sunny day!!!
(I can only hold the persona of uber-delight for one line.)
Market your smiley-face-panties and candy-stuffed-bra idea to Victoria's Secret. You might make millions. I bet that would cheer you up.
Posted by: Mellie Helen | July 7, 2005 4:20 PM
I'm... scared.
Posted by: Mir | July 7, 2005 6:04 PM
I TOLD you we are too alike! I am struggling with the does the attitude rock the pissiness or does the pissiness rock the attitude? Either way the damn heat isnt helping!
I'm afraid there's no room in my bra for the candies... baby already thinks there is candy in there and wants constant access... but I KNOW I have a sharpie marker around here somewhere from labelling moving boxes!
Posted by: Shannon | July 7, 2005 6:33 PM
I wanna see!!!!!!
Posted by: Carmen | July 7, 2005 7:00 PM
Hm, I think we're on the same cruise ship. Hubby's been gone for 18 weeks now and not due back for another 13. Is an eye twitch supposed to be a permanent condition?! I just love it when people say they know how I feel, "because my husband went away on business for a week last month." Ha! Hang in there. I'll see ya in the asylum.
Posted by: Jen | July 7, 2005 10:25 PM
Ms Jenny, some people are only funny when they are mad. You are funny when you are mad, happy, and when you are totally faking that you are happy.
I hope to get all three when I see you in San Jose!
Posted by: meghan | July 8, 2005 4:40 AM
Good luck. It sounds like a hard thing to do when you're not in the greatest of moods to begin with.
How about some chocolate?
Posted by: cassie-b | July 8, 2005 8:12 AM
What a coincidence! It was pointed out to me last night that Beth has a bad attitude also. Can I borrow that Sharpie when you are done?
Posted by: Beth | July 8, 2005 8:36 AM
Your last paragraph had me laughing out loud; your way with words (and the visuals they bring) is just so.dang.funny.
Thanks!
Posted by: Stephanie C. | July 8, 2005 1:14 PM
Ah, F*ck 'Em All!!!!!
**snicker**
Posted by: Lizzie | July 8, 2005 7:33 PM
Traveling hubby? Check. Crazy child who won't nap? Check.
I hear ya sister. I stay at home too and have only one child. Sometimes he feels like 5 though.
And when dad's not around (often this past year with all of the work/travel) he becomes somewhat of a child in need of an exorcist. Even the dog has gotten in on the act this week. Oy!
Keep writing. I love your site and am so happy I discovered it.
Posted by: Lisa B | July 8, 2005 9:23 PM
I too have missing dad syndrome. I feel like I am always like " DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH?!" and "You couldn't handle it!"
Like I can force feed him some appreciation. Feeling stressed is commonplace around these parts, my sympathies!
Posted by: cgarrett | July 8, 2005 10:35 PM
Lol. Now I know why your CRAZY aunt Jenny..:)
Posted by: K | July 8, 2005 11:45 PM
hello there..
love yr posts..!!
u make motherhood sound fun...somehow...:)
Posted by: ms mumbles | July 9, 2005 1:59 AM
Ha HA! Cheers darlin'!
Posted by: Daxohol | July 9, 2005 8:35 PM
Well, the picture you painted there cheered me up! You're a better woman than I am - when I'm grumpy, I will stay that way come hell or high water. (It my way of getting my family to leave me alone!)
Posted by: Christine | July 9, 2005 9:43 PM