Cofessions of a Tardy and Unorganized Mom

If you read Parenting the Early Years magazine, check out the September 2009 issue, pages 121 starts a great article on Tardy Mom's.

Now I am one of those. And this story is around a family who has children in school, and weekend sports. The son's kindergarten "report card" had 50 tardies on it! Now as surprising as this is, I could SO see this being me!

I have been learning, alot. I also confirmed with this story many of us forget to add in the "load time" which is counting for one last diaper change, or mess, to load up the stroller, coats, shoes, hoodies, sippies, water, cell phones, diapers...you name it. So adding in an extra 15 minutes just for loading up the car, is a very important part of the leaving ritual.

I have started counting backwards when I am getting ready to leave. I start with when we have to be somewhere. Let's say a party starts at 2 pm. If the party is 1/2 hour away, giving unload time too (about 5 more minutes) now we are at 1:25 pm to leave.

LEAVE at that time. Which means if I need 15 minutes for "loading" everyone and everything into the car. Now we are at 1:10. Depending on the season, summer is less complicated, winter involves coats, hats, boots, ugg. We may need about 20 minutes to leave. Weather too adds into drive time, good god at this rate a 2 pm party means I should leave at 9 am!

Don't forget the time it takes for me to pack. Just a day of errands? A diaper bag for Weaky, and some extra clothes for Bagel. I pack a small cooler, with snacks and sippies, extra milk too.

But I guess getting this all out the night before and ready would be ideal. I guess also planning to run the errands or the store, prior to my normal spur of the moment idea, while the kids are grumpy and in desperate need of naps would be genius on my part too.

I want to be organized. I don't need to be OCD, and obsessive about a schedule. I don't ever see that one happening. (yes friends. laugh to yourself. I know, I know) but maybe a bit less carefree about my planning, get a schedule down for events. Get things together the night before, and maybe there would be less hostility on my part getting the dogs to there crates, the kids in the car and more happiness in the car, a happy ride. v.s. a non speeding, but get the eff out of my way mom who snaps at every whine and sippy cup plea.

Even with out the kids around. Let's say I have a free day! I again, am late. Why? I mean I have NO one but myself to get ready. But I am so involved in enjoying my free time, strolling around the house, rocking out to loud music, reading a magazine, scrolling around online, that I still forget I take forever to pack myself up and get ready to go also.

About a year ago, well even before that I started reading organizing books. (I know some of you this comes natural, and you may think a book on this is silly. But to people like me I need it ALL spelled out, the notes and lists prewritten. Hand held through the WHOLE process) These books along with the help of Flylady have really started me in the right direction. I have reminders emailed, Facebooked, and Twittered to me to do my laundry, clean up a "hot spot,"shine my sink before bed, put on my shoes to clean the house. I mean this whole housewife thing is hard. And adding SAHM to the list is insane!

How about a Personal Banker refinancing a mortgage for someone?

Need IRA advice?

Cashier at a Casino paying out $14,000 dollars to someone?

Holding down a 85 lb Rottweiler to get a nail trim?

Route the schedule and map for a concrete company to deliver underground pipes to ComEd work site in Chicago?

Short order cook at a very popular pizza restaurant during the weekend rush?


Sure. I did all those things. Fast, and efficiently.

But after thinking about it, those are all hard jobs too. But after some wondering why I just can't master the multitasking of this job? I mean it's my house, my stuff, my rules, my kids, my schedule?

Oh... that's it, isn't it?...

It's my responsibility. That's why. Because I am the boss. And since I seem to be a bit more relaxed and wing it 99% of the time, and the thought of a daily schedule, seems not so freeing to me. I balk at the thought of being so strict with myself.

But after reading this article, and understanding that even though my kids are not in any school (yet! Next fall!) or activities (Tumbling in a few months!) I really need to just get my day to day errands set, my things more organized around the house.

And with this I am realizing that with a bit less of mess, or a lot less of mess, my life and chaos may go to the wayside.

I need to warn you about the next picture. Some of you may real back in your computer chairs, or turn your heads like a curious puppy wondering if this was staged for blogging purpose.

Umm... sadly. No.

This is my bedroom floor. I do live out of laundry baskets, and the floor. This picture was taken yesterday. This is something I seriously fail in. I hate laundry to no end, I think it is the worst punishment for anyone to have to do.

If you don't know, I have started a whole separate blog on organizing my house (you guessed right that that blog ended faster then it started. But check out this post on my 18 lonely socks. I have often posted about a hate I have for laundry, and I would join a nudist colony if I could.

You have to want to be organized. Again may be silly to some to not want to be organized. But I had to want to put the effort into it.

I want to put the effort into it.

See how "Sleeping with the Enemy" my cabinets are?

And there was a point where you couldn't even see the bathroom floor there was so many clothes on it. The counters were full of clothes, and just stuff. Now this is the cleanest room in my house.

I am trying. I will get this. And I do believe my schedule will reflect my home.
(yes I painted the bathroom with no tape on purpose. And that is an original Blue Man Group painting done on stage sold for $40 after the show, first one to get there gets it!)

Check me out.

I have been back and forth on the idea of having different blogs for the different topics in my life.


I have a blog for the house "Where Do I Begin?"


I have this blog, Spaghetti and Bagels, here for my everyday.


And I started this one "Happy New You" to log my everyday diet, and work out.


I was going to post them all here on Spaghetti and Bagels, but I tend to post so much here, I didn't want to have the few readers I do have reading pages and pages of blogs a day!


So that brings me to my 3 blogs. I enjoy having them separate, it's easier to focus the subject at hand. The other two are shorter, and not updated as much. But if you want to follow along with my organizing of this chaos of a house, or how my diet is doing, check out the other two blogs.

I did just start eating super healthy and working out so check out the "Happy New You" for new updates


If not stick here with me, on Spaghetti and Bagels.

Feisty

My love for my fat suit

Go here to check out my love for my fat suit and my loathe of the never ending laundry at Where do I begin?

They ran away.

Want to see my clean up progress? Want to hear about the family that ran away? Go here.

What I am into these days...

Found something neat on a blog in my blogroll, about what I am into these days. Just some random things to mention that tickle my fancy...

• Twilight- Everything and all things Twilight. I have a Christmas list for Aerial getting my "Cullen Family Crest" hoodie! And my sister Frances has already gotten me the "Team Edward" shirt. Love it all!!
• Organizing this house- Yep, not like it's big news. And if it is, go read "Where do I begin" for current updates on my waist deep laundry, and the shit shuffle.
• Me- Well this is always on my top priority. But I am on a interesting path in my life. With my family where Spaghetti and I wanted it to be. I am trying to figure me out. I mean I know I am a full time mom and all, but what about me? What am I? What do I want to be, or do?
• Scrapbooking- This has been a very small snowball starting years ago, I would buy scrapbooking papers, and embellishments, but just recently in the last few months have I been really dedicated to scrapbooking.

So what's new with you?

Over sensitive.

Aunt Flo? Time of the month? Mood swings? Crying for no reason? Over sensitive over everything? Sure.



I was upset that no one was coming to my candle party. (tomorrow night) This is why I don't hold these fucking parties. I just want some candles for myself. (a side note. I do have about 5 people coming)



I was upset that I bought pork chops, and I had them from the meat counter, so I had the guy package them by 3. So there are 2 for Spaghetti, and one for me. After cooking them, they are tiny, and 3 will just feed Spaghetti, fuck it. I might as well just have the butcher just throw them in a pile. Damn it, I am trying to do this stupid menu planning shit. Fuck it.



If you would like to read my very angry vent on laundry go here.



The Scrapbook place still has not let me know which way things are going with our room! Hello! I need to rebook!! (just remembered I need to blog on that)



I am upset that Spike is growing so fast. I remember when Bagel was just a small baby and needed me. Sigh... I need him. (another post)



And Spaghetti brought up subject after subject after subject last night that just were not fun, adult like, and made me not want to grow up.



This folks, is an over emotional freak show here. I need to go get lost in Breaking Dawn. Good news is I have 4 tickets for Saturdays noon show! Hooray!



So that is what is new with me... I have blogging to do, gatta go.

Snorting coffee because of the Funhouse

Yikes! Looks like everyone on my blogroll has been bloggy lately! Lot's of catching up to do. Coffee is going down good, cept when I was reading the Secret is in the Sauce's featured blogger today, and I laugh, and it kinda goes up my nose, that hurts. But funny blog makes it all worth it.

OMG, this blog, Funhouse, is really to cute! She is now added to my blog roll (idea... when I add a new blog to my blogroll I will tell you about it.) Anywho, go check her out, with her 5 kids, and pets and art stuff (yikes that's a hand full! Too cool that she can fit art in there too!!) but I have to say that Clown is creepy!!

Well I am off to hop on over to my other blog "Where do I begin?" and post there. I am busy, and well caffeinated! Time to make the donuts!

Ok no donuts, but I do have babies to feed, and art projects to pursue!

(possible vent later today on my big scrapbook weekend being double booked... stay tuned)

Hot dates with cleaning, picture taking, vomit, coffee, the shits, a concert, family, books and shopping.

(This is how I feel. Cute picture of Ding though...)

You missed me! Didn't you? I know Chandler did! Funny thing is since I had started blogging way back in February of 2007, I would post every few days, and as time went by, I would blog more and more each day. Funny thing is, it was late Saturday night when I posted last, and it being Tuesday at 8:15 at night, feels like forever! Like weeks!

So this is what I have been up to...

Saturday was normal ish, The Queen and Carrots came over to pick up the kids. For Spaghetti and I had a hot date night planned.

We met his family at a cute little Irish Pub for dinner and the best Country Rock ever. (now if you know me, and if you don't just turn your speaker up. I listen to Britney Spears, P!nk, and nowhere on there is Country. But alas my readers if there is Country music to be heard, here it is...) We were there to see the Drew Davis Band. (I have a whole post to do on them.)

After an end of concert show, they wrapped it up around 2 am, we headed home, crashing around 3:30 am. Next day, Spaghetti and I had a great breakfast date, then he was off to work, and I was off to the store, then to pick the tots back up again.

Sunday night consisted of hanging out with the kids, then watching the new Brendon Frasier movie about the Center of the Earth, it was good. I had a hard time at first with the 3D glasses, because of my motion sickness. But after about 35 minutes I was better adjusted. Good movie, worth renting (oh, and since Spaghetti has the Video store job, they have a perk of getting the new releases for free 4 days before they come out, so they watch them and know about them. Yipiee for us! He also rented Jenna Jameson's and Tito Ortiz's Zombie Stripper movie, shucks I fell asleep for that one.)

Monday was insane. Spike had his 6 month Dr. appt. at 9:00 am, that is insanely early for us, not to mention the scheduled day ahead to plan for. He got two shots in each leg, he was NOT happy. We also thought we would go ahead and get Bagel the flu shot too. (but it was the nasal one) again not happy. (and we got the one with out something that began with a T... the "non" autism one... did that make sense?) So I had two really pissed off kids, and my amazing mom and dad, were in the lobby of the Dr. office waiting to take them to there home.

Spaghetti and I had yet another hot date. First we had a date with the Dentist, our teeth cleaning. Now we normally go every 6 months. Well since I was busy making babies, I skipped. lets say... 4 years!! I didn't know it was so long! Well, shit, by the 5, yes 5 cavities I have. I will more then make up for it.
Then, the day just gets more and more fun. We had a hot date for cleaning the house. (booooo!) Now he tried to get me to procrastinate, and just go lay in bed and watch movies, all of it sounded amazing. But the mountains of clutter, paperwork, clothes and just crap, have been getting to me. So I agreed on a small procrastination. We got home at 1:45 pm, and we would start at 3:00 pm. He went to hang out with the dogs, and chill.

I called my friend Kiki (scrapbook friend) and picked her up from the laundry mat, and we headed to the local scrapbook store, to RSVP our seats for the November Friday night crop! In our conversation, I find out that Kiki is a HUGE OCD organized freak, clean and all. So she tells me if I need her help in organizing she can, but to beware, she has made people cry before. Yikes!

I will post on my other blog all about the cleaning date. But it was long, shitty, and tiring. Queen and Carrots brought home the monkeys, we all elbow danced, Queen and Carrots left. Bagel and Spike were off to bed. I thought I would clean more. But I was just wore out. I won a bet with Spaghetti, enjoying half of my hour long back rub. (What is the capitol of Florida. I won!) I passed out, and went up to bed at 10.

Oh what a night, I was up tossing and turning for what seemed like hours, my back was out, sore, and Spike was up too. I went and got Spaghetti up to take care of Spike (not something I normally do. I usually get the kids no matter what.) I went back to bed, Spaghetti feeding Spike, and finally coming to bed around 4 am.

This morning was another rat race. Up at 8:00 am, we had to get ready for Spikes 6 month pictures. Sigh, off to my IL's house, to get them, transfer the car seat over to there van (they only have one) so we could all ride together. Bah! I hate, loathe and despises car makers and car seat makers. Douche bags.

After what seemed like way to much fun, Spaghetti and I finally got both car seats in the van. Everyone piled in. I drove. (Yes I will post the pictures of the cutest little man ever!!) Pictures done, Bagel throws a fit, I buy her shoes (Crocs with the fur in them!) Spike some socks, and a winter hat.

We then go eat at a very non kid friendly restaurant. (bite my ass) and after a rough start with two grumpy kids, we have a nice lunch. Back to the IL's I divvy up the pictures, we hang out for a bit. Deciding what we are going to do with Thing 3 (there cat) while they are in sunny Arizona on vacation for 10 days. I personally though why waste gas, just take her now, but everyone votes me out saying it's too crazy. Bah, I got your crazy...

Anywho, we again pack up the kidlets, and head home. Oh and not before getting me a Venti Peppermint Mocha extra hot. I drink all the way home. Everyone else sleeps. Nice.

NOT! We get home, I am to dizzy to walk. I have the shits and feel as if I could barf at any moment! Boo on a bad Mocha. Bitches! I felt like shit. Plus after feeding the cats and dogs, Ding eats to fast, and then vomits all her food up, on, yes on the back sliding door. (now understand this is a big dog, so were talking man sized barf.) What was I to do? Spaghetti was tired, and has to work night shift tonight, so he needs to sleep. Between feeling faint, shitty, and barfy, I was able to carefully fed both Spike, and Bagel, and put them to bed. Thank god for and insanely busy two days. The kids welcomed sleep. (and with a dustpan, you can just slide the dog vomit onto it...)

Around 7 I took a hot bath, enjoying some more of Bella and Edward. A little over half way. LOVE IT. And I just found out that the movie coming out on the 21st of November, is on the first book. I will SO be done with it by then! Wee!

So I just got out of the tub, I am still dizzy, the shits are gone, and I never did barf.

I have some catching up blogs to post. On cleaning, but that will go to my "Where do I Begin?" blog, and I need to do the Manic Monday questions, and a post on the Drew Davis Band. Sorry I ditched out on you all.

I am fine. Thank you.

I don't wanna you can't make me.

I don't wanna clean.

I don't wanna pick up.



I don't wanna feed anyone.



Stop screaming.



Stop whining.



Stop yelling.



I hate this mess.



I hate picking it up.



I hate doing the stuff shuffle.



I hate not making an effort.



I want to get a head start on Monday.



I want to be able to walk straight through a room.



I want to know where my shit is.



I want to have some order.



I want to be proud of having people over.



I want my kids to learn to pick up. By example.



I want to have a warm and welcoming home.



I want to take it all outside. Dump it in the front yard and leave it there.



Well that will just leave me a mess, there. Again with the Stuff Shuffle...



Bah, bad, negative, piss ass mood of a day. Maybe a shower would do me some good. Hope you enjoyed my vent. I did. I feel a bit better, maybe I will shower, put Bagel down for a nap, and possibly pick up a few things before Spaghetti comes home.



(oh and the "Go Away" post-it has obviously been moved and the monitor is back on... I suck so bad at disciplining myself...)

Where do I begin?

I have a half ass attempt at getting my house in some sort of order. I have been taking pictures of this mess, hoping that after the next few months I will never see it again that way.

Sigh...

My house is a zoo. Mud, Chandler, Aerial... sadly you all have seen my dump of a home in person. I apologize. I have no strong sense of mess or clutter. It just all blends in, and I just get used to it all being there. I can blame my mother for my love of stuff, she has SO much stuff, and lets just say with over 30 pairs of jeans that is just the beginning of her array of stuff. But that is where the blame must stop, because she keeps her stuff, as much as there is. In some sort of pretty order.

So since the dieting, and the potty training are totally out the window (I know you wanted to know Iowa friend) I have come to the conclusion that me personally, I can not, diet or focus on potty training, with this much shit everywhere. I mean there is NO where to put anything.

Most days every flat surface is totally covered, tables, shelves, the pool table, kitchen table, yep. And we are making it almost a contest to see how high I can stack things.

I have noticed that on Jon and Kate plus 8 she has notes everywhere. I looked at there site, to see if I could read them. Or get an idea of them. I am sure with 8 kids that is the only way to go.

Maybe it's a bit much since I only have 2 kids. But I have 2 dogs, and 2 cats too. I also have little or no discipline when it comes to cleaning. Or for the love of god, just simply picking up after myself.

Really one of our biggest issues is that neither Spaghetti or I put anything away. I mean anything. We will walk in drop everything on the kitchen table (Hot Spot) then drop our coats on the chairs. When we eat away from the table, either t.v. room or computer desk. We leave the room and leave the glasses or plates there!

So last night we talked for quite awhile on what we would like to do to change this house. There is no peace or calm. It is a mess of shit, clutter, WAY to much furniture, and toys taking over!

And I am also the ringleader of this circus with being the biggest procrastinator ever!! So I started FLYing. I am taking lessons (for free) from the Fly Lady herself, I think SITS read my mind and had Grocery Mama as there featured blogger today! (love her site!)

I am taking baby steps of setting up a routine, along with monster steps of organizing. Spaghetti and I are setting aside Monday (my parents are taking the kids) and we are hauling ass to clean, and declutter.

The Fly Lady really inspires me to work. She says she is proud of me and not to try and catch up to all the emails, but to start right now. Just like in scrapbooking. Don't try so hard to backtrack, just go right now.

She-ite... if I only took my own advice. Well I will. Time to put the "Go Away" post-it on the monitor, and turn off the screen until tonight.

I leave you with this. Check out my other new blog, don't laugh. I am working hard at getting my shit together and if it takes a blog, and 3 days of writing out a control journal, and notes all over the house. Then so be it.

Enjoy my retarded journey of blogging this mess. Now... Where do I begin?