It's Not You, It's Me.
I've been walking around clutching a tissue for days. Every few minutes, I'm dabbing at my eyes, and sniffling, and dabbing some more. My under-eye cream is seriously challenged this week. Will the delicate skin survive? Am I hormonal? Have I been wronged?
Nah. Just a run-of-the-mill cold, which, given the pneumonia and sinus infections and all, is actually a dainty little thing to deal with. An unfortunate side-effect is constantly weeping eyes. Alas, I look like I'm deeply sorrowful, and I've been given lots of little 'pat-pats' on the back by fellow moms, who assume I'm cracking under some imagined pressure.
Lest anyone get the wrong idea about me: I HAVE VERY LITTLE STRESS. I'M JUST A COMPLAINER. WITH A COLD. I don't weep, people. I seep.
True, I make my life sound pretty darn challenging some days, but that's mostly just poor planning and procrastination. Well, and the kids add their own desires to the mix, but all in all? Things are rosy around here.
I had a vivid dream that I had backstage passes to the concert I attended back in October. I was standing there with James Blunt, Jason Mraz and Tristan Prettyman, and I was repeating myself, over and over, to poor Tristan, pressing her hands and insisting that she needed and I mean NEEDED to play xylophone. The lovely girl humored me for a few repetitions, and then said jokingly (but not really) "You're crazy!"
And the dream-version of me pulled herself up to her full five-feet and shouted "I. Have. Three. Kids." As if that explained everything, the crazy, the xylophone, the repetition, my whole deal in a four-word sentence.
And then I woke up.
You know what? Funny as the dream was, that doesn't explain anything at all. And yet I throw that 'reason' around all the time.
Can't make it out the door on time? Three kids!
Can't find time to write outside of blogging? Three! Kids!
Exercise? Um, threekids.
Let the record show that two of my three children are in school now, and although my youngest is a potty-training terrorist and newly nap-rejecting primate, my load is lighter than it has been in years.
The house needs to either be cleaned, or burned to the ground. One, two, count 'em three kids.
I'm not taking time for friends. Three, two, one, ignition!
Checking out my womanly curves in the mirror, I sucked in my stomach as best as I could. Sigh. Three. Kids.
The fact is, I am more than capable of making things happen for myself. I just like procrastinating.
It's time for me to suck it up and start taking action. I've got things to do! I have friends to see! I have a house to scrub and clothes to sort and donate! I have weight to lose and exercise to tackle! I have big plans!
Oh, man. Whew. Glad I got that out of my system. Sheesh. I'm all worn out. I think I'll have another cup of coffee. I need the caffiene, you know. Three kids and all.
Comments
I think you do an amazing job with three kids, the blog - and everything else you have going on. It amazes me to read about it. Plus you keep your sense of humor all the while. Now - you could be a lunatic in your personal life.. but I doubt it.
I would be a caffeine monster too.
Sinus infections just suck. Get well!
Posted by: holli | January 27, 2006 9:26 AM
Yeah, I think that's why I keep getting knocked up. Pregnancy is the queen bee of excuses. The best part? I don't have to make the excuse, others make it for me! Pretty sweet deal, huh? The only problem is I think my husband has caught on to my scam. He's talking vasectomy.
Posted by: Jenn2 | January 27, 2006 11:48 AM
Dude, if you don't burn down the house, there could be a total infestation. Then before you know it, three kids could become 50!
Scared you, didn't I?
Sorry 'bout that. We're all sick and I'm feeling a little loopy.
BURN IT DOWN!
Kidding.
FIRE!!!
Shutting up.
Posted by: Elaine | January 27, 2006 2:30 PM
:) I have to agree you do a great job with three kids and a blog. :) Not every week can be a week where you get everything done with time to spare - thats coming from a person who hasn't gotten jack done in a long long time.
Keep dreaming!
CJ
Posted by: cj | January 27, 2006 3:09 PM
This might be a good time to tell you that I love how you write about your family life in a funny, dramatic, big sighs kind of way. I want to be your next kid. Seriously! I promise I'll behave.
Also, I think the name of your blog Three Kid Circus is genius.
Hope you feel less sniffly soon!
Posted by: Mary | January 27, 2006 3:19 PM
get well vibes are going out your way!
Posted by: Crazy Lady | January 27, 2006 8:24 PM
Why have kids, if you can't use them as an excuse for the many things you can't get done.
My kids have been in full time school for the last seven years and I still can't get the house clean. After all, they're just gonna come home and mess it up again anyway.
Posted by: Candy | January 27, 2006 8:43 PM
I have three girls who are actually best described as 'boys in floral prints'. I understand. No, I empathize with you. I'm so glad I found blogging last year. It has become my 'release' at the end of the day. My vent. But I do miss the Girl's Night Out that once was a part of my life. But you know how it goes: three kids+one babysitter=more money than I might spend for TWO Girl's Nights Out.
My motto is 'Never put off till tomorrow what you can put off till the day after tomorrow!'
Posted by: Erin | January 28, 2006 5:36 AM
Nap-rejecting primate. Ha!
Posted by: Mrs. Kennedy | January 28, 2006 8:58 AM
Awesome post! I play the Three-Kids card at every opportunity, saying it to myself way more often than I say it to others (I hope!). I'm a worry-wart perfectionist procrastinator to the Nth degree, and my To-Do list is always a mile long. I'd way rather play with my kids, read them stories or take them somewhere to do something cool. Not gonna clean the papers out of our study, sort out the taxes, or dust the livingroom shelves any time soon.
As for burning down vs. cleaning the house, is there any hope of hiring cleaners? Even once a month makes a difference, though every 2 weeks is much better. It is SO worth it, if you can possibly afford it! You still have to pick up all the clutter before they come (make the kids help!), but it saves an awful lot of feeling guilty, late-night cleaning, and arguments with your spouse. I'm very lucky that my mom helps pay for cleaners on a regular basis. LOVE her dearly!
In the past 2 days: I forgot to help out at kindergarten this week? Hey, I have 3 kids, I wrote it down for next week by mistake! My mind's a blur. Forgot to bring in our hot lunch forms and money? Just didn't have time, 3 kids and all. Finally finished that document for the school nutrition committee, 2 weeks later than intended? Oh well, busy, 3 kids, blah blah blah.
Haven't emailed all our Christmas thank-yous and photos yet? Oh dear, busy, 3 kids... Though I'm feeling bad about that last one.
And exercise? You mean besides chasing my 3 kids? Not happening much around here...
LOVE this post! Must go have a coffee, and maybe chocolate too.
Posted by: SheilaC | January 28, 2006 1:18 PM
I'm going to print this, laminate it, and wear it around my neck on a chain. When people ask me what the hell is wrong with me, I will just hand them your post.
THREE KIDS, DAMMIT!
Thank you, Jenny. For explaining it so clearly.
Posted by: buffi | January 28, 2006 6:54 PM
I've actually convinced my husband that yes even though I don't "work" outside the home that I need a housekeeper!! just once a week to do the big things that never seem to get done in a one week time period....or one month but whatever, he's on board!!! YEEEEHHAAWWW
cuz I also am a procrastinator to the 9th degree and when asked why I can't seem to keep up I look at them square in the eye, with my hands firmly on my hips and reply...... 4 kids!!!
Posted by: Lise | January 28, 2006 9:39 PM