Thursday, September 6, 2007

Preparing for a trip with 4 children.

So we are leaving for the beach this morning. The house is atwitter with excitement. The older kids left for school this morning knowing they would soon be checked back out. Ignoring the sleepiness from staying up too late to stuff last minute items in their bags. Ben keeps jumping around, "We're going to the beach! The beach!" which he really has no concept of but certainly sounds fun.

And then there's me. In full-on martyr-mode for the last 24 hours as I frantically try to get together the things we will need. Waking up in the middle of the night to remember to put swim diapers on the list. Shopping to replace the beach towels that somehow wandered out of my house. Making lists and piles and last minute trips to the store. Trying to find sun hats and travel games for the car and sheets for the pack-n-play. Snapping at my husband that he still hasn't gotten the tires rotated on the van. Do I have to do everything?

Basically feeling sorry for myself about how this one long weekend has had me working my tushie off for the last week. Snapping at people in my family that have the nerve to act carefree the day before we leave. How it's always me, just me, doing all the work.

Can you hear the whining? Can you hear the violins? They are playing Celine Dion's "All by myself."

As I walk around sucking the joy out of every room I enter like a vacuum.

Sigh. So how many points do I get for "joy-sucking?"

7 comments:

LMP said...

I'm nearly willing to give you a point just for having to listen to Celine Dion...even if it is only in your head. Poor dear.

Anonymous said...

i feel your pain. that's how i felt yesterday at work. 1 pt. from over here in AZ :)

Anonymous said...

Ah, dear woman! Isn't it terrible to have to do so much work to have fun and relax? In about 30 years you'll catch on...(you read their Emails about all THIER fun times at the beach, and enjoy the pictures while you relax at home) for now, rejoice that they've invented swim diapers.

FlapScrap said...

When one complains about one's mother (and may God bless mine!), THIS is what one means. So, even though you are a diligent Mama, I'd say you get a dang WMP.

Sarah said...

I just wanted to let all of you know that your blog has made my night. It's great stuff, wish I could keep reading, but alas, the baby is done nursing and I must get back to work...

Joy, I'm trying to pack for my sisters wedding...I've been working at it for the better part of two days and I'm not even close! Husband thinks I'm nuts...who knows, I might be.

karen said...

Way to start everyone's vacation off right! 1 WMP for such complete joy-sucking.

Chaotic Joy said...

Awww. Thanks for the point. For the record, I hate it when I get in martyr mode and can't seem to stop myself.

By the way, I am typing this comment while at the beach. I certainly think I should receive a point for ignoring my children and blogging while on the family vacation.