Regarding the title... yeah, those three things did not happen by those whom you might expect!
In our typical fashion of jumping from one thing to the next, we are now in the midst of replacing our old cut up (from kitchen reno last year) flooring with new stuff, with the plan being to get it done before Christmas and baby arrival.
To save us a whole pile of buckeroos, the tireless wonder-husband Mark is drilling up the old orange cork flooring which is also under-laid with a rather inconvenient inch of cement. Yesterday afternoon after church, I took the kids to my parents house for a visit so he could get started on the big project - after he had just preached the lesson that morning at church too! I have to admit I was having a rough day, feeling nauseous, vomiting, and just exhausted. When I finally brought the kids home for dinner, I found the entire kitchen/living/dining area covered in white concrete dust and half the kitchen in rubble. I have to admit I was so overwhelmed I simply burst into tears at the sight!! Not just at the current mess but as the floor wasn't coming up as easily as we had hoped, it was looking to be a longer, more complicated and more costly exercise than we had expected. So.... maybe three weeks of dust, rubble and displaced furniture while it got done in stages. Of course, poor Mark was the one who had just done three exhausting hours of drilling and had a whole lot more to go!
But... (can I blame the pregnancy hormones here?!) I just got so overwhelmed at the chaos and mess (and weeks of mess to come) especially in the crazy-busy lead up to Christmas and my current state... yeah, I just kinda panicked and bawled. Just call me crazy pregnant lady. A tad of an over-dramatic reaction I realise (in retrospect) but yeah.... ok, I'm blaming the hormones!!!! Darling Eli clung to my arm consoling 'Awww, don't cwy, Mama, don't cwy...' while Lily cuddled me, and soothed me in her protective way, anxious to make everything ok. She piped up 'I know, we can wipe it all up with a wet cloth'. Darling kids!
I eventually got myself together and after a good mop and wipe down (even though it will get messed up again on the weekend) things were semi-recovered. We will be living in a bit of chaos and a film of white powder till it's all finished up though. However, after a good night's sleep I can laugh at myself (I was not laughing last night, let me tell you!) and realise it's not really a big deal at all and we will be just fine.
Ahhhh, amazing what a night's rest can do to perspective, huh! Instead of overwhelmed, today I am instead grateful... for my hard-working husband, that we can even get these new floors to replace the current four different versions (and heights!) of random flooring throughout the house, and for my sweet children who cared for me so lovingly and this morning (even though I had already mopped) still insisted on wiping the floors...
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| He has his own cleaning techniques... |
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| Eli then thought it would be a great idea to put the warm cloth on his tummy. This kid!! And you can enjoy the view of a half drilled up kitchen in the background... |
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| Dis Nice, Mummy! |
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| A sweet little Cinderella (mmmm, dust stubbornly still there...ugh!) |
Kate, preggo hormones or not, I think a bit of a cry about the mess was perfectly ok. Seriously, I feel good that you put it out there that you had a meltdown (not good that you HAD the meltdown, but you know it makes me feel a little less guilty regarding my many meltdown). I often have this little dialogue going on when I get a bit overwhelmed "Get it together Amber, Kate wouldn't be having a meltdown over this. GET IT TOGETHER!" Yep, I talk to myself. A lot.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been hard to walk in to a whole pile of mess and to see that it was becoming a bigger job than you both expected. Especially this close to Christmas. BUT I have no doubt that your amazing Mark will pull it all together and get it done.
Wow, you kids are amazing hey? helpful and cute too!
aw dear friend! Don't worry, I have my share of melt downs :) I know it will all come together in the end (now Im thinking clearly, lol!). Mark had already done his best to clean up from the drilling,bless him, and we managed to salvage the place a bit more but there is no point in properly cleaning it till its actually finished... weird living in this white film!!
DeleteAwww, sweetest kids ever. Your story almost made me want to cry! I think you were well within your rights to have a melt down. That kind of mess is hard to deal with, pregnant or not. Super hubby to the rescue though and I'm sure it will all work out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteRe the pictures: Eli with one shoe on/off? Too cute!
aw thanks for your sympathy lovely Tarnya! and YES - eli - the boy has his own style for sure (or lack of - haha!) - no idea why he was wanting to wear just one that day!!
DeleteWhy is it we always think the best time to get these rennos done is when pregnant? We did the same and were till going when Seth was born.
ReplyDeleteLOL so true---- must be part of the crazy nesting instinct/wanting to get stuff done before everything changes w new baby. A bit mad though, huh?! :)
DeleteQuite understandable given the circumstances. I must admit to being a little fragile when major change takes place in my nest. We had minor displacement of articles when we had the kitchen renovated but my anxiety level didn't come down till every cup was back in its new home. What is it with women?
DeleteJust loved Kate and Eli's response. Kids to the rescue. Very sweet. :)Hope it is all over with soon ... at least before Xmas. Thanks for sharing a less than perfect day. xx
so true Marg, something about the house being in disarray just raises the anxiety huh!? at least its for a good cause :)
DeleteSorry, that's Lily and Eli's response
ReplyDeleteMarg
What gorgeous little helpers. And renos at the best of times can be a little overwhelming. X
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