Not Your Client

Dear ___________:
I'm writing this letter to let you know that I am not your client.

We are friends. I like hanging out and talking with you. In some cases, our children are friends. It's wonderful. You have a home based business. It's all fine and good. Really.  I don't mind coming to your parties. I might even buy some products, provided I need them, but there's no guarantee. I might not purchase a thing. But whatever I do, please stop pestering me! I'm not your bank account, your retirement fund, your additional income that you need every month. Purchasing the products you're pushing will only happen if I want it to happen. There have been changes afoot in our household, and I am trying out a lot of things right now. Detergents, cleaners, face products - it's all up for negotiation. On top of it all, your products are not cheap. No one is selling products on sale, or even for a good price! Until I try these things on my own, I haven't determined whether or not they're worth the price you/your company are asking me to pay. The price seems inflated to me. Probably because you're selling through a multi-level marketing design. It's not your fault, but it is now something you need to learn to deal with maturely and gracefully, knowing full well that you're trying to make money off of me (even if you truly believe your product is great!). You're not there, yet. I can no longer be around you without feeling the hard sell of a businesswoman rushing into our space.

But you know what's really bothering me? I liked you. We were friends. Our kids wanted to be together, and we made play dates. It was fun. I thought there was potential. But I was wrong. After a couple of months you made it pretty clear that the 15 minute drive to my house, or anywhere in between, was too much for you. Then silence. No answers. I didn't hear from you for a while. Months and months. No play dates. Nothing. Oh, but I hear from you now! You're always calling me - inviting me to open houses, or trying to get me to buy new products. I'm not sure I like the new way I'm fitting back into your life. Something smells.

So, thanks for the re-introduction to a product I was already familiar with. I like what I've purchased. Maybe I'll purchase more. But please remember this - I am not your client. I'm just someone you once knew.

Kids and Bedtime

What is it about little kids and their inability to stay in bed in the evening? We think Caitlin is nearing the end of her napping phase of life. However, the phase is not over yet. How do we know? If she doesn't nap, she breaks down in the evenings, right around dinner time. So fun. If she does nap, she's in a much better mood in the early evenings, but then is awake for.ev.er up in her room after we put her down for bed. It's so frustrating!!!

I took the kids to the park today for a play date (not that anyone we know ever shows up on these scheduled play dates, but that's another story altogether). We were, of course, the only ones there, so I made a point to run around and play with the kids. Always a good thing, and prevented me from being shown up the incredibly fit grandparents running after their grand kids. After our lunch there, we made a quick trip to Costco, and then home. The kids were great. We had fun, no whining, shared frozen yogurt, and got all the errands done. Around 2:30 the kids had to go up to their rooms to rest. Brandon doesn't nap, but is required to stay in his room for the allotted time so that I can have a little time to myself. Caitlin wanted me to lay down with her, and I obliged. She was out in 5 minutes. Only one song played while I was in her room. She was up at 3:45. She helped me do a few things outside, rode her bike up and down the street, and generally ran around. Come bedtime, though, she's up and about. AAHHH!! What else do I need to do to wear her out?

There are the excuses... "Mommy, I need a drink."
The facts....." I need to use the bathroom."
The delays...."Mommy, I need to show you something....."
The threats ... "Caitlin, if you get out of bed one more time I will need to give you a spanking!"
and the questions..... " Mommy, will it be a hard spanking?"

Of course, sweetie. Soft spankings never did anyone any good, now, did they?

I almost can't wait for school to start, since we'll all have to be up before 7:00 am, and the kids will need to being bed by 8:00. In all reality, part of me would like the put this off. I *hate* getting up early. I'll be up at 6:00 am. And I hate that. Did I mention how much I hate getting up early in the morning? But, even within all that early morning hate, I'm hoping with the sheer exhaustion of getting up early, Caitlin will be asleep at night sooner rather than later.

Overheard on our Walk this Evening

Brandon: Something stinks around here.
Caitlin: Yeah. Probably bunny poop!

Where do they come up with this stuff?

Poor Caitlin

Poor Caitlin. All she wanted all day was to swim in the little blow-up pool in our back yard. We were busy in the morning, so I told her she could do it after naps, when it was a little warmer (which, of course, led to her not napping at all!!!). We filled up the pool around 3:30, and she played for a whole 10 minutes before our new neighbor J came over. He had his friend N with him from his old neighborhood. Now our pool has 3 overly active, screaming first grade boys in it, and Caitlin is watching "Go Deigo, Go" on the television. Brian should be home at any time, which will be the point at which I send the other kids home and am alone with my own family. I cannot wait.

Home Again, Home Again

What is it about having a family that makes unpacking from the latest adventure such a challenge? We didn't travel light this time. We didn't have to. Plus, a store near my parent's house is going out of business, and my mom had been a frequent guest in the children's clothing department. We were warned up front! I think I've gotten through most of the laundry, but the piles and suitcases that litter my floor are horrible! Tackling the unpacking for three (four this time, for some reason) became monumental this time due to the fact that I haven't gotten more than a few hours of sleep each night since we returned. I hate when my insomnia kicks in! I lay in bed for hours, not asleep but too tired to get up and do anything. By the time I have the time to unpack, I'm almost too tired to start! Top it off with the fact that we now have a new neighborhood kid who comes by *all the time*, and I'm just not getting anything done.

Last night I think I slept. I woke up 6 or 7 times, but I think I was sleeping in between. Maybe I'll get back to a somewhat normal sleep pattern soon. I haven't slept well for a couple of years now. My goal today is to get the suitcases emptied and back in the basement. With as tired as I feel, that may not happen until the weekend!