Sometimes You've Just Gotta...

...complain that is. Have you ever had one of those days where it seemed nothing was going your way? Where everything feels out of sorts? That would be my "today". I am hesitant to write this post for many reasons. The main one being that should I truly write what I'm feeling this will be nothing more than a gripe session. And no one likes to visit a grumpy puss. Despite my efforts to wrestle myself into a happier state of being, I realize this is where I'm at today and I decided to just run with it. If you are averse to complaining and negativity...consider yourself warned. However, should you decide to stick around and read my meaningless complaints feel free to commiserate, offer to send chocolate or tell me to get over myself. Regardless, I'm in a mood and the complaining is getting ready to commence. Because sometimes, dear friends, you've just gotta!

Number one on my laundry list of all things wrong is the current state of my humble abode. I love, love, love having my children home but we have all become insanely busy and the house has suffered for it. No one person is to blame...yet everyone is to blame. While Taylor and Leah, his girlfriend, have a great deal of their belongings (from 2 households) stashed in storage, they have somehow managed to fill my game room, Taylor's room, my basement and a large part of my garage with the remaining items. Keri is accumulating pile after pile of items for her new apartment and said piles are claiming all the floor space in her room and my study. Add the fact that I have items strewn here and yon in my scraproom, home feels uncomfortable and unsettled.

The homefront chaos is not contained within the walls of the house. The exterior is in a major state of disrepair. I've been holding back this complaint for awhile because I have been having trouble swallowing all that has gone wrong. My beautifully landscaped home has become the source of an ever growing money pit. Six massive diseased trees had to be removed before causing major damage to the yard and possibly my house. With all the rain, weeds have taken over...some being taller than me. They have totally gotten ahead of me. My fertilizing efforts have also paid off because it now looks like I live in a jungle. Everything needs to be pruned...everything. My brick area outside my kitchen has begun to crumble and water is seeping through the broken mortar and running into the basement. The brick walkway that sweetly meanders around the side of the house leading to the backyard has suddenly become an uneven obstacle course. Mold and mildew have taken up residence on my hardy board exterior. Wood trim has begun to rot where water is no longer draining away from the house. My ex-husband owned a water & sewer company so you know our yard was the epitome of a perfectly designed drainage system. But within the last month, I've notice a mini lake Erie in my back yard. All of this developed almost overnight! When we built the house we spared no expense and it paid off over time. I have always been a firm believer in an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so I kept up with all maintenance issues. I guess things like this eventually happen. Fifteen year old houses will need more attention. I just wish the house had been a little kinder to me and not hit me with everything all at once. The lovely price tag on all these repairs is equivalent to 3/4 my annual salary. Yes, it took me several days to recover from THAT shocking news!

So the house is a bit of a nightmare right now, but nothing that can't be handled with some time, patience and a large portion of my savings. Just as I was coming to terms with all of this, I had another pleasant little surprise. And yes, I'm being sarcastic! On my way to work Thursday before last I heard a nasty sound coming from under my car. The kind of sound that causes your gut to churn as you know it can't be good. I pulled over and took a look around but saw nothing. Once back on the road, the sound returned. I slowly and oh so carefully drove to a nearby convenience store/garage where I know the guys in the shop and pleaded for help. I had a feeling something was caught in the wheel. Ummmm, something was caught all right. My TIRE was caught in the wheel! HUH? You ask? Yep, my tire was shredding and a large portion was caught in the wheel. Again, I am a poster child for vehicle maintenance. I very frequently check the air in my tires (every couple of weeks), I have my tires rotated and I show up for all scheduled maintenance visits. Yet, my tire shredded. The replacement tire was not delivered until Monday of the following week. I was car-less for almost 5 days. That HURT. And it gets better. When mounting the two new front tires, it was discovered that the back tires were equally bad. Stranded yet again! LOL! Yes, I'm laughing. Oh, one other point to note, my car doesn't have a spare...of...any...kind!!! When my tire goes flat/shreds/or just no longer wishes to cooperate, I'm all out of luck! The next car I buy, the very first question will not be about gas mileage, safety features, loaded extras...it will most certainly be "Does this car have a spare tire and can I see it!"

Add to all of this, my baby girl is moving. We are in the final days of her summer break. I know I went through all these emotions when she went away last year. You would think it would be easier this time. But not so. This time brings an added cause for mommy heartbreak. Keri wishes to establish residency in Georgia to help with the astronomical out-of-state tuition fees. In order to do this, she must actually reside in Georgia. She has an apartment, she will be getting a job and she will be staying there year round. No more moving back home. At least not for 3 years. Of course she will come home for holidays, but all other breaks will be spent in her own home. I am so excited for her, but carrying a heavy heart all the same.

Today it feels all of this has come crashing in on me. Funny how we can control our emotions but the smallest of things can tip the bucket and we fall apart. My "little thing" came in the form of my co-workers. The men...to be exact! The only way I can explain it is that someone brought it to my attention that we have just had a full moon. Every single male at work has been experiencing PMS. I kid you not! They are hormonal, emotional, whining little boys. I sincerely love them all, but today I wasn't liking them very much!

Do you think I've whined enough. I would say yes, but there are a few other things. I made a new commitment to my wellness challenge on Monday. I have been doing rather well but I wanted to step it up a notch. Sooooo, as of yesterday, I gave up all sweets for 2 months and I've given myself the same 2 months to kick my all consuming addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper.

Hmmmmm, I MAY have just discovered the source of all my problems...I cut out all my fun!

Please know that I am well aware that none of this...not one iota of it...is really a big deal. It was just one of those days and I needed to whine. I am a very fortunate person who never wants to take that fact for granted. Thanks for allowing me the chance to whine and for always being a source of support and strength. On days like these I would normally grab my girlfriends and head out for a drink. So to all my blogfriends...the most awesome of girlfriends...I raise my glass and say "To better days! Cheers!"

Hugs & Love
L

P.S. It really is One. Of. Those. Days. Bloggers seems to have lost my entire list of blogs I follow! Nothing. Nothing! NOTHING! is showing up on my dashboard!!! errrrrrrr! How will I ever make my blog rounds???

After hyperventilating and banging my head against the wall several times, I choose to believe that blogger is male and suffering from the full-moon-PMS-syndrome every other male in my life (not you, Keith and Taylor, xoxo) is currently plagued with. Tomorrow is a new day and maybe, just maybe HE will be nice tomorrow and Give. Me. Back. My Blogs!