Day 4- Oh, the Packing {Chill the Eff Out Series}

One more day until we leave for the beach. "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow...you're only a day aWAYYYYY." {Okay, moving on}.

Every year, I make a list of the things we need for the beach. (Note that my definition of "need" and my husband's definition vary slightly. Last year, he said, "what do we need a portable DVD player for? She'll be fine." Let's just say that this year, the portable DVD player was one of the FIRST things I secured for our 6 hour car ride). But that list has more than doubled over the last 3 years. And every year, I vow not to overpack. I scale down the list. I take only what's necessary. (Sort of. Because, it always turns out that I DO need 4 pairs of shoes, and I will not waver on that). And every year, I stand back and look at my car, and it always looks more like we're going to some kind of Fisher Price toy expo than the beach.

So I've spent all day today sorting laundry, packing, and meticulously planning outfits (rather than my usual tactic of throwing random things into the bags and saying, "I'll figure it out when we get there)." I'm actually quite proud of myself, regardless of the fact that it took half the day. And of course, I got a little bitter because Jake came in the door tonight, threw some boxers, T-shirts, pants, shorts, flip-flops and deoderant in his half of the suitcase in 5 minutes flat and said, "well, I'm all packed."

Hmph.

But it's all good. Even if it turns out that my sanity is packed up somewhere in the back of my car with the eleven other bags, I'm fairly confidant it will be restored around this time tomorrow evening when I'm finally able to breathe in some fresh, salt-water air. :)

Day 3 {Chill the Eff Out Series}

You know those days when you sit on the floor with your kids while they play, and everyone has woken up from their naps in a sunny disposition, dinner is already in the crockpot and you just smile and say, "ahhhh..."

Today isn't one of those days. Matter of fact, today is the complete antithesis of that day. So here, I give you, "My Life Is So Horrible and My Mommy Doesn't Love Me," by Ella and Milo.




If you don't laugh, you cry. So I'm choosing to laugh.

(...all the way to the wine cabinet.)


Happy Friday Eve everyone! :)

Day 2 {Chill the Eff Out Series}

When I was about 3, I decided to scribble a silver crayon all over the back of my parents dark orange corduroy couch. I was doing it a favor, I SWEAR.

Consequently, that was one of the first spankings I ever remember getting...

And now, 26-ish years later, I have a an artistic and extremely expressive little girl of my own who loves to prove to me, time and time again, that what goes around comes around. Thanks Ella!! *thumbs up*





That would be the back of her door in her room.

It's going to stay that way for a while too. On that note, I would like to claim false advertising because those crayons are, in fact, NOT washable. (At least, not as it pertains to soap and water). So, I guess until the door gets a fresh coat of paint, I'm just going to- wait for it- chill the eff out. ;-)

Day 1 {"Chill the Eff Out Series"}

I'm throwing in the towel.

I've been letting far too many little things get to me. I suppose that everyone's definition of "little" is different, but for me, it truly is the "little" things that drive me batty. ISFJ's like myself love to have control- all the time, over everything. (A coincidence that I've dealt with anxiety for a large majority of my life? I think not). Anyhoo, there's nothing like having kids to make you realize once and for all that control, really and truly, is nothing but an illusion. Yay! .....???

In terms of priorities, the question no longer is, "what should I do first?" (assuming I would actually be able to knock out my entire to-do list in one day. HAH). Instead, it's become, "what is the worst possible consequence if ____ doesn't get done?" All this week, I will be posting pictures of things that I've decided to chill the eff out about, for the sake of my family and my own sanity. No facades. No sugar-coating. No bitching. (Okay, maybe just a little griping, but under my breath). Some of the things that get under my skin will probably be hilarious to some, but hopefully relatable to others. We all have our vices, right?

{deep breath} Here goes.



I give you....my kitchen sink (dun-dun-DUUNNNN).




I almost always clean as I go, after breakfast, after snacks, after lunch. Can't STAND to have messes or clutter. But I've decided I don't technically need to clean them all up right away. I can wait until naptime (but not a second longer, daggone it. Hey, progress is progress). Maybe eventually I'll work up to letting them go...*gasp*....ALL DAY before I wash them. ;)