Seven Loads

There are many habits I lack that I wish I had. One, in particular, is the organization and desire to a load of laundry a day. Stay on top of it, you know?

No more heaps of dirty clothes spilling onto the floor of my laundry room, cluttering the floor of my closet and hiding behind the doors of my children's bedrooms. Just a basket, on top of the washer, that gets emptied everyday. How hard can this be?

I feed off that motivation and do five, six, seven loads in a day to get caught up so I can start down this new path of righteous housekeeping. The morning after, I mean well...I swear I do...but two days and a funky smell later, I realize that "morning load" I put in has sat wet in the washer collecting mildew. So, I pull the yucky clothes out, run a rinse cycle with some vinegar and rewash that load and two, three or four more. I stay on this two or three loads a couple times/week circuit for several weeks when suddenly, there seems to be ketchup stained shirts everywhere and all I have left is the tracksuit.

I have to constantly fight the funk that is laundry. When you are in charge of the laundry needs for a family, it really needs to be done everyday.

I feel like I am a decent blogger. I get stuff out there most days, mix my thoughts and musings in with the everyday happenings of my and my family's life. While blogging is not something I dread, I do fight daily journaling. To simply list the itinerary of my day seems to miss the point and joy for me. As a result, days pass and I frequently miss posting about some really good things that deserve mentioning.

Here is my blogging laundry. It's a heap, but it's going to catch me up and make me feel competent, able and on top of things.

1. As a family, we went to President Hinckley's viewing last Friday. When we arrived, the line seemed long but it was nothing to what it would become. It took us a little over an hour and a half to get in, using the quicker "no purse/bag" line.

The mass on the southwest side.

Another mass of people. I was driving around looking for a parking lot and couldn't believe how much longer the lines had become since we were standing in them. They say the last people didn't leave until 1:00 am...they didn't turn anyone away.

Once inside, we were told it would be another two hours before we would be led to the viewing area and my heart sank and I knew there was no way Henry could do it. I left Jay with the older boys and returned to the van with Henry, tears streaming down my face because I had really wanted to have that experience. I felt like motherhood was just one long sacrifice after another. Once in the van and during Henry's subsequent and predictable melt down, I felt at peace with my decision.

This seems like a dangerous thing, to be driving while filming, but I wasn't looking at the camera at all. Obviously, as Henry only rarely appears in it. But, it was my ammunition to prove to Jay that Henry could not have handled sitting there for two more hours, who wasn't as convinced as I was. Poor, sad little man.

Seth and Sam were much more likely to have a positive and spiritual experience without a cranky toddler and an even crankier mother around them. I also knew it wasn't fair to expect Henry to be quiet and contained for that long without any distractions (we didn't have any food, or a sippy cup, or anything). Henry and I found something to eat and waited for two additional hours in the parking lot of crown burgers. Not my first choice in how to spend my time, but still the right decision. However, I still get a little sad and teary when I think about it.


2. My gym got bought out by 24-Hour Fitness. I'm not happy about it and I'm not exactly sure why. Perhaps its the painful flashbacks of not using their gym at all, even after I paid for a three year membership, where I used to live (cue black and white memory clip, with me looking guilty as I drive past the gym without stopping once again). I walked into the Day Care on Monday and was greeted by a drill sergeant with lots of papers to fill out. Because I had just recently signed up with XCel, I had done all this only a few weeks ago and was annoyed and hostile about this change. One of the perks of the XCel's Xtra Care was that they would change your child's diaper if necessary. 24-Hour Fitness does not offer this charitable service and wouldn't you know it, while it was available, Henry didn't mess his diaper one time? As of today, I have been called to the daycare in the middle of my workout the last three days in a row. Something about the new sergeant makes his bowels move approximately 40 minutes after I leave him. Why, oh why do chains have to take over the world? I'm not anti-chain. I like the bottomless chips and salsa from Chili's as well as the next girl, but I was really enjoying my non-chain gym. Besides, with all of XCel's posters and decorations pulled down, I feel like I'm working out in the ghetto. The holes in the walls and boxes, boxes everywhere make me feel cold. Plus, the classes have changed. No more BodyPump or BodyCombat. I'll never get that eight step routine down, after all. Good thing I didn't get my own pair of fingerless gloves.

3. For our Big Game Party (because you can't use the term "Super Bowl" as the NFL has exclusive rights to the name), I made homemade meatballs. We were in the mood for that kind of party appetizer food, and while nachos and a veggie platter were no problem, the days of an $11.99 bag of meatballs from Costco had me feeling quite nostalgic. First, I had to thaw the hamburger. Then, I had to broil/toast some rice bread. Next, use the Cuisinart to finely chop the bread. Afterwards, I needed to finely chop up an onion and mix all the ingredients together. Finally, I had to roll into a ball 70 little meatballs and cook them in the oven for 15 minutes. At least the sauce was easy. Two parts ketchup to one part grape jelly. They were a hit! The gluten-free brownies, however, were most definitely not.

4. I met with Henry's speech therapist on Monday morning. We have several at home activities, but one thing she has us doing is speaking to Henry in a new way. She asked us to take out all of the filler words and only use the words we are trying to get Henry to learn to use. Instead of, "Can you go get your shoes?" or, "Let's go change your stinky diaper." We simply say, "Shoes?" and "Change diaper." I feel quite robotic sometimes and I've felt, more than once, that we are living in the new Ford commercials that advertise their new Microsoft Sync system. (Music On. Play Michael Bolton.) Henry seems to be enjoying the change. His therapist compared it to trying to understand a foreign language. He may know some words, but when we speak in full sentences, it's harder for his brain to pick out the words he knows. So, he ends up ignoring us because he doesn't understand. We'll see. It's a little hard. I have found myself speaking like this to my older kids. "Sam, cup, sink." Next thing you know, I'll be joining Jay in doing the robot dance.

5. These primary results have me a little depressed. Why doesn't everyone in the country think like I do? I can't stomach the thought of a McCain vs. Clinton campaign this next year. Neither candidate inspires me. I think McCain would be a disaster. He is a political Island and not one of the kinds where people like to visit. He clearly holds grudges, and I don't think that is what America needs - a grudge list. Hillary may be smart, but she is beholden to the lobbyists she has pocketed from throughout her and her husband's ascent to power. I think thirty years ago, she really believed what she said. I don't believe that anymore. Mitt isn't going to be the nominee and no one likes him anyway, so I don't think he should be. He may be the most saavy when it comes to the economy, have the best looking hair and family and may even be a decent guy, but if the country won't get behind him, he shouldn't be our president. Which leaves Obama, who says all the right things and has me hoping he means them. I think he does. Of the three left who have a shot at the presidency, I'm hoping that Obama gets the job.

6. Yesterday, a package addressed to me arrived from Amazon. I quickly opened it up and felt entirely warm and fuzzy when I read the note from Amy.

I have never even heard of this book. See, you inspire me. I can't wait to begin!

I'm touched and tickled by the thought and gift. I have a whole post in my head about reading goals and reviews, but ne'er fret, I won't include it here. That would be like deciding to wash the mattress pads after already doing five loads! I'll save it for another day. Last month, I also received a funny and thoughtful card from Barb.

Such a kind friend to encourage me on my gym and word quest. I'm fairly certain I could never have those thighs, but I'll try extra hard with this as inspiration!

You girls! I'm just so fortunate to be part of your circle. Thank you.

7. I have a ton of actual laundry to get done, so I best get off the computer. If you think about it, blogging is a lot like laundry. It's never completely done, because as soon as you're caught up, something else happens. There will be more thoughts, and clothes, waiting for me tomorrow.