I’m excited about my plans for Crash Test Mummy, but life is giving me a not so gentle reminder to take it easy. The last three days have not been great ones.
The overarching feeling is exhaustion. Exhaustion that leads to me not staying on top of things. Exhaustion that results in a chaotic house. A chaotic house that results in the kids running wild. Out of control kids that I end up screaming at too much. A sore throat from too much screaming and a virus I couldn’t fend off because I’m run down again.
Eyes too tired and sick for contact lens
Friday morning was tantrum central at Casa de Crash. CrashGirl screaming at one end of the house and me crying at the other. An overtired CrashBoy who has been up at night coughing didn’t help the mix.
Luckily Kinder time came around and I dropped CrashGirl off and looked forward to putting CrashBoy down for a nap while I had a much need cuppa and a lie down. Except I was locked out of the house. No phone either. I’m thankful for a friend close by, opening their house and tea supplies to me while I waited for CrashHubby to rescue me.
As you can imagine, CrashBoy being so over it, was very hard to settle for a nap, and before I knew it Kinder pick up was upon me. Shoot me now.
To make matters worse I had forgotten that tonight was the kids’ Christmas concert at daycare and I needed to take a plate. I also hadn’t baked anything for the Kinder fete the next day either because I was locked out.
After a frantic dash to the shops I came home with fruit mince pies and coconut ice from Coles (after enjoying the ones I was given at the Bloggers Brunch the week before). I was also going to make chocolate crackles for the Kinder fete, but in a moment of exhaustion induced madness I found myself buying Milky Ways, mini candy canes and Tiny Teddies. More on that stupid decision later.
To make matters worse, CrashHubby was working late, so I detoured past MacDonalds for a dinner of desperation for the CrashKids before making them and myself look respectable enough to go to the concert.
Gee, I’m soooo glad I made the effort to see CrashBoy hide behind the play equipment while his mates sang and danced, and I would have kicked myself if I had missed seeing CrashGirl refuse to sing or dance either! CrashHubby came and rescued us and I collapsed when we got home.
The next morning CrashHubby was off early for yet another work commitment, while I was faced with having to make my plate for the Fete cake stall. Remember those random ingredients I bought? Well, they were inspired by these Milky Way Sleighs from Nicole at Planning with Kids:
{image credit: Nicole at Planning with Kids}
This is not really something you can make in a hurry (or a in bad mood). Try taking the cellophane off these candycane suckers in a hurry! It is near impossible and I did twelve of them. It was so finicky and to make things worse I look down and there’s CrashBoy sucking the ends of the candy canes and putting them back in the pile! So, I did another twelve. Seriously, put me out of my misery, please.
The worse thing, is I forgot to take a photo of my little teddy bear sleighs, which is why I’ve had to use Nicole’s (please pop over and see her and complete her survey and you’ll get a free download of her sweet treats recipe booklet)
I can assure you that mine looked every bit as good as Nicole’s, sort of. One good thing is at least they were able to sell them for $2 . . . each! My little plate of insanity made the Kinder $24, and for that I am at least grateful! Even if my kitchen floor is still littered with cellophane that sticks to your shoes and has been tramped all around the house.
So you can forgive me for running away today. Here’s what today looks like so far:
Ok, no Library on a Sunday morning. Plan B?
Plan B: My view as a runaway
My makeshift office
Necessary sustenance
Ditto
This came on the radio just now:
“These Days”
It’s coming round again
The slowly creeping hand
Of time and its command
Soon enough it comes
and settles in its place
Its shadow in my face
Puts pressure in my day
Life is too short to dwell Laney. Get some space. Have a rest. Don’t slide down there again.
Talking to myself again . . .
Laney
You poor thing… I can understand the getting away *running away and recharging your batteries… we all need it once in awhile and sometimes it can be our own reality check to take it easy – and to take care of ourselves! (and salt and vinegar chips fix everything!) I hope your week improves and you feel better! xx
Java Jane’s last post..Learning to bounce back has been my 2011 challenge – the unedited version!!
Thanks Jane, I am feeling much better today. The space and rest was helpful.
Glad you found some time out. And some space. And some Nippy’s. Yum. You are a talented and inspiring individual Laney. You know you need to look after yourself. You just need to remember that more often.
Happylan’s last post..Thankful for pre-school places, nice nurses and RDOs
You’re so kind Alana. Perhaps I need to tie a string on my finger to remind myself to get away more often? It can be so hard to put yourself first.
Thanks so much for linking to my survey - really appreciate it Laney. Awesome that the sleigh’s made the kinder some money! Your view from Plan B looks very calming.
PlanningQueen’s last post..A Survey and A Free Christmas Sweet Treats Recipe Booklet
I have completed the survey. It reminds me that I really need to get my own sorted soon. The sleighs were a hit. I couldn’t believe that they wanted to put $2 each on them, and was equally flabbergasted when they all sold out! Yesterday was just what I needed.
Gee Laney. Sounds like you know what you need to do. So many people (me included) are exhausted and Christmas isn’t even here yet.
thinking of you. xxx
Gemma @ My Big Nutshell’s last post..Gemma’s Christmas Wish List 2012
Thanks Gemma. I didn’t leave the house without many tears and much cajoling from CrashHubby. He knows what I need better than I do sometimes! You take care of yourself too you hear? I’m in denial about Christmas. Luckily ours is pretty low key this year.
Big hugs! Hang in there!
Thanks Cécile – much appreciated ;)
So sorry to hear you had such a lousy couple of days. I don’t blame you for running away! I hope the coming week is a little kinder to you xx
Née’s last post..Things I know: Opting out
Thanks Née. This week is better so far, although I got to Kinder this morning only to remember that I was on duty for the day! Aaaargh! Just when I thought I could go home and have breakfast and a cuppa ;)
Feeling your pain Laney….we’re making progress with Baby Cookie’s sleeping habits but it’s slow going & I’m supposed to be writing a job application in the meantime. Self-esteem levels are pretty low – who’d want to employ a sleep-deprived, food & vomit encrusted milking-machine??
Must catch up for a joint rant soon – maybe sans kids?! xx
Self-esteem boosting girly talk is in the making! I’ll give you a call about catching up next week x
Take it easy gorgeous Mama!!
Life can get a little crazy sometimes and you just have to jump off the world sometimes to help you get your strength back.
Know that this is okay!
Caz Makepeace’s last post..Sleeping Angels
Thanks Caz. I’m ready to jump off again and this time I want to land in hotel quality linen ;) Must have a talk with Father Christmas!
While I am sorry you’ve had a crappy week, I am so pleased that you wrote about it like reality, rather than glossing over the bad bits. Love to you.x
Veronica’s last post..A wedding in a paddock
I don’t have enough gloss in the world for that V ;) Your wedding looked lovely. I hope you’re feeling refreshed.
Oh I feel it. It feels like everything that possibly could go wrong does, and then throw in some unexpected possibilities as well. It really is relieving to hear that someone else feels as tired, frustrated & desperate for escape as me. I find even ‘escape-time’ is useless, 5 minutes back in the war-zone & it’s like I never left. Good luck with the rest of the week. ‘just keep swimming’ is going over and over in my head.
Thanks for commenting Kim. I know what you mean about going back into the fray. It can sometimes instantly undo any good a break did to relax you. Yep, just keep swimming, it gets easier right?