Think going back to work on Monday is bad? Try staying home!

I got this!

Ha! Surprise! Stay at home Moms/Dads/ Househusbands/Wives (like this Grandma) dread Mondays even more than working folks dread going back to the grind. Because when you're the keeper of the house, things get ugly on the first day of the week. Really ugly.

By Monday, things are really piling up at Grandma's house. OK, well, maybe it's because Grandma cuts herself a little slack and tries to enjoy her weekend. So, sue me. Everyone else has fun and ignores the mess all weekend too. Difference is, on Monday, everyone else goes back to work while Grandma has no such luck. Grandma is at work every second she's at home because home is her work.

By Monday, we need groceries and lots of them. That means not just going to the store, but unloading them, washing and cleaning out the fridge and cupboards, putting the food, toiletries and cat/dog stuff away and refilling anything that needs to be filled. Oh, you thought that all happened by magic wand? Ya, I thought so. One good thing, though, the grand-daughter works at the grocery store. So, at least I can multitask by getting groceries when I drop her off at work.

That laundry pile is pretty steep by Monday too. Good thing I lugged home that 50 pound bottle of soap. LOL Now, I just have 10 trips up and down the stairs with my arms full of stinky clothes. So much fun I can't stand it! I just have to add all the sheets and blankets to the mix, especially that couch blanket. What the heck is that orange stuff all over it and why does it smell like pee? Never-mind. I don't think I want to know.

Oh man, the upstairs doggies need food and water. Plus, they have to be let out. Now, where did I put those bones I bought them? Oh no! They ate the kitty food again. Plus, her water is empty. Better fill those up too.

The front lawn is dry as a bone. Better get that watered before 10:00. Otherwise, we'll be looking at a steep water restriction fine. Hey, It's OK. I only have to move the hose six or seven times to get it all watered by then. Let's see, half hour for each spot. Yup. I'll be done around noon. Sprinkler system? Did you say sprinkler system? What's that?

Oh, crap, gotta pick that bindweed off the flowers before it chokes them to death, cut back the “Jasper's Beard” switch out the flowers in the vase on the table and I really should fertilize. But the veggie garden needs it worse.

So, off to water, weed and fertilize the veggies in the back. I should only have to mix up about three 5 gallon buckets of compost tea or whatever I have that's handy. Now, each of my umpteen plants will need about half a big gulp cup of that. What do I mean by umpteen? That's a nice way of saying I have too many freaking plants to count. Why oh why did I plant all this stuff? Must have a death wish. Curse my green thumbed enthusiasm all to heck!

Hmm...looks up at the apple tree from hell, pausing for thought.... Right. Gotta find some time this week to saw out those dead branches, spray the sidewalk crack with vinegar to kill the weeds, spray the front lawn with weed and feed and what else? I know I'm forgetting something. Oh, right. Gotta put the tent away before it damages the lawn. Oh hell, let it kill the grass, whatever. It'll be one last patch to water. Ha! I wish I wasn't so ambitious. Gotta do it. Alright now, back to the housework.

Let's see, make the bed, sweep the floors, mop up the spills, wipe the counters and the kitchen table, take out the trash. Wait! Breathe! Don't forget to breathe! OK, now, load the dishwasher. It should only take a couple loads. And be thankful for the dishwasher. Always be thankful for the dishwasher.

Now, let's see, are there any bills that need mailing, other errands that need running, etc? Oh ya, I have a package to mail. Plus, they were out of garlic powder at the store so I have to run elsewhere for it. Oh crap-sicles, I forgot about the sprinkler and it's way past ten o'clock. Better catch it. Guess I'll have to do that last patch tomorrow.

Ding, ding, ding! Did I leave the fridge open or the oven on? Neither, one. It's the laundry. Time to switch it out.

Oh for criminey's sake, can I please sit down for a second? Ha ha ha Sure you can. Right after you trim the flowers, water the indoor plants, get after everyone to put away their scattered belongings, take the dogs out for the third time today and pick up the doggie doo so the lawn guy doesn't step in it. Oh see, more to be thankful for. The lawn guy. Ahhhhhh. At least I don't have to mow and weed-eat.

And I bet, right about now, you guys are saying, “Why doesn't anyone help her?” Oh, they do. When they can. But they have jobs to do and bills to pay and their own set of responsibilities to take care of. And yes, a lot lands on me. But hey, I don't have to work for a living right now unless I want to, so while it may seem unfair, especially on Mondays, it's still not a bad gig.

So, do you still wish you could stay home and not work for a living?

Because, I have to tell you, it isn't just Monday that I go through this. Plus, as long as I am at home, I'm at work. Why do you think I love road trips so much? Did you think it was the scenery? Ha! Well, OK, sure I love to travel for other reasons too. But mostly it's because I get to leave my job behind for a change. Imagine living at your job and always being on duty. Sound fun?

Still want to work at home?

Ya. That's what I thought.

Wimp! LOL

How is this house so peaceful?

And that's just the people!

 OK, sometimes it's not exactly quiet. However, for the most part, with 10 people and a ton of cats and dogs belonging to various people, Grandma's house is actually very peaceful most of the time. The older kids pretty much occupy themselves, the younger kids are busy playing indoors or out, the grown-ups (and everyone else) have hobbies and responsibilities. Even the dogs and cats are pretty quiet.

The only time it's extremely noisy is when we're all hanging out and having fun, really. Oh sure, we have our spats. But those are over pretty quickly in most cases. I think because we'd rather enjoy our lives than pick at each other. And ya, surprise! We do pick at each other. We're not perfect by any means.

Sometimes people get the idea that we think we're perfect, but we have no such illusions. My daughter and I both write some awesome blogs and articles on parenting, so that's likely where people get that impression. But how do you think we got so smart about parenting? Well, just like anyone else, we live and learn and make tons of mistakes along the way.

And we do make lots of noise here and there. It's just that most of us are pretty happy with ourselves. We're not rich by any stretch of the imagination. But we try to live by our individual convictions and just generally be good people. And that's the secret, isn't it? Right there. I mean, happy people who feel good about themselves are generally at peace with others as well.

Anyway, to be completely honest, I'm not exactly sure why it's usually so quiet here with all these people and pets. I'm just glad it is. LOL

Grandma's house just got fuller. And you know what?

That's a lot of peeps and pets!

I am happy to say that I have finally reached a point in my life where I am at peace with it all. And just in time, too. Because Gary and Grandma's house now has 10 people in it. That is, if you don't count the furry people too. If you do, we're looking at 18! And you know what? It doesn't matter.

With the rising cost of, well, everything, many hard working people are finding it difficult, if not impossible to have/maintain their own place. Gary and I are lucky to have purchased our home at a time when rates and prices were low. We're OK. Barely. But we do understand how lucky we are, so we don't mind helping the kids/grand-kids out.

Oh, we're not ready for sainthood yet, for sure. We have days where we wish we could have our house to ourselves. But overall, it's kind of nice having all these people around to have fun with. Plus, there is that new baby. I have a theory that she will be the glue that finally holds us all together.

Because it hasn't always been easy. Nine personalities means lots of conflicts over small issues, especially with the younger ones who are just learning to work and play well with others. It has been a real challenge. And now, there are ten!

A real challenge? That's the PC way of saying that some days, I'd like to boot them all out the door. Ha! But of course, I love them all very much and would never do that. OK, maybe there have been one or two threats that blew over once we came to my senses. It happens.

And despite the number of bodies in this little house, it can actually be quite peaceful at times. Like last night and this morning, for instance.

Most of the kids camped out in a tent in the back yard last night. We could hear them laughing and having a good time as we drifted off to sleep. And this morning, when I let the dogs out, they joined their respective owners in the tent.

There's just something comforting about having family close to you. And sure, sometimes they're a little too close and they do make some hellacious messes. But I find those messes and that crowd to be well worth the payoff.

Besides, when/if they all moved out imagine how lonely I would be during the day when Gary's working. And who would I go to cheap matinee's or the beach with? Oh sure, I could pick them up to go, but it's just not the same.

And honestly, I grew up in a huge family. This is probably the closest I'll ever come to having that again. So, it's sort of like a second childhood for me.

You know, in the end, just like everything else in life, it's all about the attitude. If you concentrate on the good things happening around you, the negative stuff just kind of fades into the background like yesterday's news.

So, what shall we do today? Get ready for a yard sale by weeding out our stuff? Put together a jigsaw puzzle? Play a game? Crank up the stereo and have a dance contest? Sip a little lemonade on our cracked but lovable back patio? Well, whatever it is, I'll have plenty of company. That's for sure!