Thursday, May 29, 2008

I'm in over my head

alternate titles to this post could be:

I can't do it all, but I'm trying my hardest to anyway. (and driving everyone crazy in the process.)

or

my kids have been watching a lot of PBS and movies this week.

or (my personal favorite)

too bad my stay-at-home-mom job lacks vacation time, because I sure could use one.


This week instead of my usual blogging and quilting routine, I :

started painting my kitchen red...three coats down, one to go. The brass light fixture is the next thing to go.

turned over a small garden plot (by hand!) and planted a vegetable garden (note to self: don't try to do these two things in the same week ever again.) 

spent one afternoon pushing 2 of my 3 children (60+ lbs.) in the stroller around town for a two hours while running errands (and for exercise, of course). 

spent 2 days cleaning my house....for what? it's already dirty again. 

I really am in over my head. I don't like this feeling one bit. And it scares me that I am feeling this burnt out with summer vacation looming. 

So in the interest of trying to regain some sanity, I am on a mission to try to finish up some WIP's, in quilting and otherwise.

Wish me luck.

62 comments:

Valerie said...

I laughed out loud at your personal favorite -- stay at home mom and vacation time...

Very impressive all that you have accomplished this week!

Lissa Jane said...

AJ
I'd be putting in for overtime too.. I keep telling dh I have misplaced something (there are a lot of somethings btw) but he always says 'what have you lost this time?'.. standard reply is 'my mind, who said having 3 kids in 3 years was a good idea????'
I have been having a spruce up too, sick of living in a bomb site!


have a wonderful weekend and try slowing down a bit petal!


Lissa

Anonymous said...

I'd say I know the feeling but since I don't have kids, I'm sure it pales in comparison. Just keep chugging, you'll make it through!

Donna said...

You really accomplished amazing things at your house this week. I remember feeling the same way when my two were little. Not that they are teenagers I know it was worth it. Hang in there. You need to reward yourself with a little sewing or other fun thing today.

Marcia said...

Wow! And I thought you were superhuman! Good to know you are like the rest of us. Loved the vacation idea. Now that you have the house done and the garden started, things will slow down. Enjoy those kids while they still want to spend time with you. Declare a vacation week and get out that great picnic blanket you made. Ü

Tine said...

Argh!! Those are some huge projects! The kitchenwalls look awesome :-)
I went through what you are describing this spring, having to do a full course-load at university, and having my youngest (1 year old) at home with me full-time to. Not a lot of fun :-( I guess there's nothing to do but to do your best every day, and only one day at a time. Just hang in there.....and ask for help!

Mama Urchin said...

We have a red kitchen too. I know that feeling I hope you get your head above water soon!

Anonymous said...

I get my vacation time in when my daughter goes to "Camp Gramma."

It's usually only a couple of hours, but every 6 months or so, she stays overnight.

What a nice vacation that turns out to be!

Vicki W said...

I'm tired just reading about it but I love that red wall!

Anonymous said...

I often say that I had never worked as hard at my full-time job as I do since my decision to stay at home with my children. I do enjoy the figures that are reported each year around Mother's Day for the compensation that would be required to replace a stay-at-home mother. Best of luck on your projects. I enjoy reading your blog and am amazed at your productivity.

AndreaLea said...

I'm about to become a sahm (today is my last day of work, in fact.!) and I'm sort of dreading the summer.
That being said, you've accomplished so much this week! Great job! You'll enjoy your garden. My boys help out in our garden and when they get bored, they run around in the yard and I have the pleasure of pulling weeds and tidying up on my own. It's so relaxing. You'll love it. :)

Meg said...

Hey--I did three kids in three years too! (Well, three years and three months, but you get the idea.)

You accomplished so much this week! You should be proud and exhausted! Some weeks are better than others...and I know that feeling of summer looming like a giant storm cloud. One week of too much tv and movies isn't going to ruin the kids.

Hang in there--you're not alone!

Anonymous said...

First off the red wall looks fabulous so far. Please do share more pics of the kitchen when you are done.

Secondly, I also had to laugh out loud when I read your post because I could totally sympathize with how you feel....been there and done that...and back again. LOL!

We turned over a small garden plot on Memorial weekend and did yard work too! That was the whole day. So, to hear that you actually had energy to do other things after you did that is a feat in itself.

Take your time, love your kids and hubby and it will all get done.

Wishing you luck!

Roxanne said...

Your kitchen is going to look great, but red is a really hard color to get just right. (I only have one wall of it for a reason!!) Hang in there, the weekend is coming!

jacquie said...

Blogger is not helping this morning...so, one more time, wishing you time for yourself this weekend!

méri said...

Good luck, slow down and enjoy the weekend

* elizabeth * said...

luck to you friend. And if happen to find a vacation clause anywhere in the contract for SAHMs pleeeease let me know.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

So raw.
So eloquent.
So true.
Your post is speaking to me, loud and clear.

Amy Jo said...

The dining room walls look great! Love the red.

I know I'm going back and forth between really looking forward to school being out and dreading it at the same time. Keep your head up - you're doing just fine! I need to get back to some crafting, too - I haven't seen my singer in ages.

Miss you friend! I'll be thinking of you. And I know you'll be just fine!

Kari V. said...

At least you have a sense of humor about it! The red walls look great. At least that is one project that once done, won't be touched for a long while. The veggie garden is another story! :)

Anina said...

Take a deep breath and let some things fall by the wayside.
Are you copying my red kitchen or something? :-) I love it!
And by the way, if you buy colored primer you only need two coats of paint. (I know this advice comes a little late, but for next time...)

Oiyi said...

Good luck! I know how you are feeling. I can't seem to make a dent in my home improvement. The two bedrooms are a mess and have been for the last week.

I love the red walls in the kitchen. It's spectacular!

Amy said...

Good luck! And love the red -- reminds me of the color we painted the dining room at our last house. I smiled every time I walked through it. You'll love it!!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the red walls. i had a red bedroom in NY. :)

Elizabeth said...

I've had weeks like that too!! We put the pressure on ourselves to do it all and then wonder why we are so tired! The beginning of my week felt heavy like that, but it is Friday now and I'm starting to spread out the things on my "to do" list! Keep smiling!

Unknown said...

Love the red walls. I tried red once and it took WAY too many coats. Hang in there with your sanity....you are not alone!

Holly said...

This too shall pass...right? Spring is so wonderful, but somehow it always brings with it a huge list of projects that just have to be done, and not nearly enough time to do them all! You have inspired me with all that you've accomplished in such a short time. I only have one basket of unfolded laundry this morning - a record low for me this week! - and was feeling pretty good about just that!

Sarah and Jack said...

I am SO right there with ya woman.

Anonymous said...

my goal each day is to brush my teeth, so in my world, you are a superstar! i too miss vacation days, not to mention sick days. oh the days of staying home all day to take care of yourSELF. what a luxury.

hang in there and thanks for all the inspiration!

Unknown said...

Vacation time would be awesome! =) I am totally with you there. Enjoy your weekend. And thanks for your sweet comment!

Philigry said...

First, I love the kitchen! Secind, i think you and I may be personality twins or something. I feel like when i get an idea in my head, I have to do it, like, no matter what. I take on too much, way, way too much. Ah, yes, if only we lived closer we coud help eachother with these big projects, vent to eachother an=bout how crazy we must be, and probably consume too much caffeine in the process. i guess it is just how we operate!
Good luck with all the projects! I really can not wait to see what else you have up your sleeve, and I hope that you get some much needed down time!

Linda said...

Yikes, you are ambitious! Good luck getting things finished before Z is out for the summer!

Anonymous said...

You have so inspired me. Talk about an over-achiever in a good way!! Where does the energy come from. . .

laura capello said...

good luck!

and that's a lovely, lovely red.

Connie said...

I hear ya about the panic of summer vacation looming! My two are 5 and 6.......all they want to do is go to the pool and all I keep thinking is "WRINKLES! WRINKLES!!!!" Buy stock in various sunscreen companies--you might get rich off my personal consumption this summer alone! Love the red!

lera said...

Take it easy there, girl, and enjoy your weekend.

Anonymous said...

well done on the vege patch. We are enjoying the ruits of our small patch turned over just a few months ago. look forward to seeing some of your produce.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, what a packed week. I know it's hard, but do try and slow down. You are not much good to yourself or your family if you wear yourself ragged.

Love the red.

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

I started to shake and sweat just reading this...I can relate. Too well. I need a vacation, too, and just cleaned my already-dirty-again house. Oh the joy. Burnt out in May. On a brighter note, I love your red walls! It looks great!

sarah, rsm said...

Thinking of you and wishing you peace ... Take good care of yourself!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Great job cutting in with the red paint! Red is the best!

Read any good books lately? Maybe you need to chill with a book and a glass of wine after the chitlins are in bed. Let me know if you need a recommendation.

Kristi said...

the red is gorgeous! can't wait to see some of your finished projects!

Jodie said...

Oh I know that feeling , however your kitchen is looking great1

Michelle Payne said...

Totally love the RED! My favorite color. I tired and tired to find the right red and finally gave up hope.
We too are in the process of many projects. Extending our patio and pouring 5 yards of concrete. We (I should be clear, My husband) are finally going to building our own outdoor kitchen! I can't wait. I still need to finish the last two walls in the kitchen too, but I kinda need help to get that done so it's still waiting.

Sounds like you need to give yourself a break and do something fun like make a new quilt!

sulu-design said...

Oh, no! A break, Amandajean... please give yourself a break. I love that you can have a sense of humor about this (the alternative post titles were excellent), but I do hope you'll be good to yourself and let that fourth coat of paint wait. Take one of your lovely quilts out on the lawn and enjoy a nap in the sun. Or stay in bed a little longer tomorrow morning. Something. Anything!

Bobbie said...

I have no idea how I found your site but for the past 2 hours I have done nothing but explore it. I am going to try to do the quilt a long even though it is over. Thank you for such a great resource.

Bobbie

Rebekah said...

that red is looking fabulous with those black chairs! hang in there! I'm constantly amazed at everything you accomplish!

Lina said...

Love the red - looks like it will be worth it. Not sure how you manage it all, I guess it must mean very little sleep!

Karen said...

Love the red dining room walls! You've really accomplished a LOT this week(and most weeks,I'm sure). You've received some great advice from the posters before me....the wine, a good book, another quilt.... Now, try not to be too hard on yourself....you have us all beat, I'm thinking.

Oh, and thanks again SO much for the quilt tutorials you supply us with. I'm loving these star quilt blocks!

Barb said...

I painted one (1) wall in my kitchen red and it did indeed take four coats of paint. You have my sympathy!

house on hill road said...

but the paint looks wonderful!
hope your weekend is great and next week even better.

Lisa said...

Love those red walls!!! I think we all have those feelings some times! Makes us appreciate our time to ourselves that much more! and just think how much you accomplished- you should feel good!
Good luck!

Anonymous said...

hello amandajean, my compliments with your weblog, i saw it today for the first time, i live in the netherlands and i like to quilt.
i hope you understand my english.
and i think i will start with the star quilt along it is such a nice quilt. And your tutorials are so fine.thank you for that i will be a dayly visitor. greetings wilma

a friend to knit with said...

oh. i sure hope your weekend is going well.
i love the color of your kitchen!
i also painted a hallway red...who thought it would take that many coats!!!

Chicago Sarah said...

Great work this week! Keep your chin up, my mom was shocked to learn that one of our (older sis, younger bro & me) favorite memories is the day she sent us out of the house and told us we couldn't come in until dinnertime- she packed us a picnic lunch at noon and made us eat outside- we didn't know she was inside crying feeling like a bad mom, because we were having tons of fun! You are fabulous. Really. Truly. Fabulous. (the important things always get done, somehow)

Beth said...

Love the red. Red is definitely my favorite color. I do think stay-at-home-moms need vacation time. I called it dad-comes-home-from-work-mom-leaves-the-kids-with-him-so-she-can-go-to-the-book-store-alone vacation. The crazy thing was that when I would get alone all I would do was read books about kids or look for children's books for the kids! Good luck swimming to the top.

MelissaS said...

Red kitchens, whoo hoo! Take some time to catch your breath...no one is keeping score!

Anonymous said...

hugs!!!

your kitchen looks divine!

Anonymous said...

That is exactly the color I'm getting ready to paint my kitchen. I'm planning to use sunflowers and chickens to decorate. I hope the contrast against the walls is phenomenal.

Heidijayhawk said...

holy cow girlie!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hope you're feeling better now. You've done an amazing amount and you definitely deserve a holiday...by which I mean spa weekend, no kids... or maybe just some quilting books, a cup of tea, an empty house and a big cake.

Jeanette said...

Just an idea, my friend had this same generic brass fixture in her dining room and she spray painted all the brass parts black. It turned out really cute.

We had the same fixture as well (Can't builders be a little more original? LOL) but we took it down and replaced it with one from our other house, if not for that fixture, I would have spray painted mine after seing Cathy's.