Big Mommy...And Other Things

The little one and I have both been sick with some kind of nasty crud. A sick toddler is a major handful, let me just say. It involves lots of crying and whining, and many other things I'd rather not mention. Thankfully, I can report that we both are feeling better.

Which brings me to this very funny story from last week. My mother, who watches Piper while I work, made a trip to the store one morning. In the car on the way home, she and Piper had the following conversation:

Piper: See Mommy.

Mom: We can't see Mommy right now. She's at work.

Piper: See Mommy.

Mom: Mommy's at work. We'll see her this evening.

Piper: *Claps her hands together.* SEE BIG MOMMY NOW!

Frankly, I have no idea if that turned out as funny as it was, but it was hilarious, and I am now known as Big Mommy in some circles.

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Most of you who come here know that I was going to try to hire someone to come in on the weekends to help with things around here. In a bit of luck, my husband's cousin recently moved in next door with her husband. They are expecting a baby. Having just relocated from Illinois, they have yet to find jobs, and could use some extra cash. My husband mentioned something in passing about giving her $20 to watch Little Bit for a few while I did some things (to be discussed further down). It was a huge blessing, and a blazing success. Piper loves her, and so they bounced back and forth between both houses, while I got some serious work done.

Then, in one of those lovely twists of fate, we started discussing other cleaning. So, his cousin is going to come and do a set list of tasks during the week while we are gone, and I'll increase the pay accordingly. I can't tell you how nice it was coming home this evening to find Piper's room picked up and neat, one of the bathrooms all clean, the dishes done, and Piper's clean laundry folded and put away. It's great so far, and there's less stress for me. The hardest part for me is deciding how much to compensate her for the efforts.

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This weekend, during the previously mentioned time that the husband's cousin was helping with Piper, I cleaned out eight large trash bags of clothes that I've accumulated for the last several years. There for the longest time, I kept everything. However, since I've become a mother, and had a million tasks added to my to do list, I just don't have the time to clean up or around all that stuff. So, I've been slightly ruthless in getting rid of stuff, and I made a ton of space in my house by clearing out this stuff.

I've also come to the conclusion that it is selfish as to hang on to all these perfectly good things when there are people out there that need them. So, I'm hauling loads of usable things to the Goodwill, where people who need things can use them. It's helping a bunch.

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I'm finally feeling good again. There for a bit I was rather depressed and a real Downer Debbie. It felt like the relationship with the husband was strained. We've finally started to have some time together. Things are feeling a little bit better all around. I've gotten the kind of help I need.

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I've not written anything recently. Not that I'm not thinking about my novel. It's on my mind a lot, and I have some things I need to work through, so I'm not upset because it's not dead in the water.

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Friday is our fifth wedding anniversary. It is also the same day that marks 11 years of being together. It's amazing. We have a nice evening planned. We're going out for dinner, and doing a little Christmas shopping to finish up some of the things we need. It's hard to imagine the holidays are so close, but I'm feeling better than I have in a while. Now I just need to get a sleepy toddler ready for bed.