most days I feel that way – like there is a lot I could have done better.  Sure there are some days (few) that I feel like “yes I did it – our day came together like I dreamed it would”.  So today the girls had school.  After school I dragged them to Target for just a few items – our trip was actually pretty good.  Then home for a snack and some brief Blues Clues down time.  Off to pick up dad to zoom him to the airport.  Quick trip – the beauty of a small city – but long enough to put two tired three year olds to sleep at 5pm!  Yippee!  Not in the plan!  Hate it when that happens.  Here I am home alone with soon to be the most crabby children on the face of the earth.  I finally was able to get my last napper up for dinner at 6:30 – things are not looking good – she was a mess.  Didn’t know what she wanted to eat, didn’t want to go to bed, didn’t want to bathe -just wanted to cry (oh how I feel you pain sweetie).  Finally I said “we are going to have to get it together if mom is going to help you” her reply “Mom I can’t get it together tonight”.  I hear ya sister.

photo: stephanie faubion

….but “if a cookie is not frosted it will make us sick and donuts are healthy food”.  Words of dietary wisdom from one of the girls today.  I let them frost a cookie and consume it immediately for a fun – and not so healthy snack – as I was told.  Clearly it was all about the frosting today and not the cookies.

This picture of my vegetable garden pretty much sums up my life right now.  You would never be able to tell (even if you were physically here) that there are 7 tomato plants (an intertwined jungle) – oh and 2 more in pots that you can’t see, a zucchini plant that has taken over the eggplant, cucumber, and lettuce.  Plus there are peas, beans, and herbs.  I have completely lost control – but it is all growing like crazy! I have been home from vacation for almost a week now and have finally finished all that laundry (7 people, a weeks worth of laundry – do I even need to elaborate?).  The girls turned 3 today!  I am trying to plan a birthday party for tomorrow night – however only quarter of the invites have RSVP’d.  My parents arrive this afternoon.  My cleaning lady is on vacation.  I shall not bore you all with the rest of my list, but suffice to say all I want to do is tend to that mess of a garden.

So on top of the compressor going out on my refrigerator this week and my kitchen faucet breaking I made it to my first dental appointment since the twins were born.  Yes that is 6 teeth cleanings I have missed.  I tried to go – I really did!  I actually love going to the dentist.  As a child we only went when there was a problem, but once I joined the military you HAD to go every 6 months – so to me this was a treat!  I really did try to go numerous times only to have babysitters cancel or I was unable to find someone to help out.

I knew this visit was not going to be a treat.  So I sucked it up, got in the chair, and opened wide.  Let me just tell you all, if you are not taking care of your teeth and seeing the dentist at a minimum of annually, be prepared to feel utterly embarrassed and bring a credit card!  Let’s just say that they didn’t even clean my teeth – nope I have to come back for a special cleaning called a scaling.  On top of it all I need 1 possible 3 crowns, a root canal, and a filling!  I am a periodontal mess – yes a little gum disease to boot!  All I wanted to do was cry when I left the office and kick myself for not making enough time for me to take care of me.  Actually I wanted to kick everyone in my life – besides the girls- who didn’t help me make time for me, but that’s just deferring blame so I’ll be an adult about it and own up to my part – however large it may be.

Do you know this book?  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  One of our favorites.  Funny that we have read it about 10 times today – because this is the day I am having.  First off my kitchen faucet broke.   Then the freezer just didn’t seem like it was keeping things cold.  Not sure if it was the thawed frozen waffle’s that tipped me off or if it was the melted Popsicles.  Next the refrigerator – I was in total denial about this one crapping out.  Not sure if it was the sweaty milk jug or the funky smell that finally made me cry uncle.

But just to make matters worse the girls would not nap.  Well no they actually napped at around 4:30 in the afternoon when they could no longer function and just fell down where they were like wounded soldiers.  All was not lost though.  Thankfully my husband had an equally crappy day and was completely game for dinner out – yes there is a God along with a completely understanding spouse.  All I had to do was call and tell him I had just finished throwing out 10 bottles of salsa from our refrigerator full of spoiled food.