Small but annoying potatoes

I was going to tell the Tale of the Ring, as promised, but I confess I am not having the best of weeks and am not in a great frame of mind. It seems petulant to complain about the relatively minor things that are weighing me down- compared to the real problems of others, it is small potatoes. And yet, they are my small potatoes and seem in need of unloading all the same.   

Knox had his Big Important Scary Interview yesterday for his dream job, but he didn't get through to the next stage of the recruitment process. This is disappointing, to be sure but he was quite preoccupied with preparing for it for ages now, and everything else has had to temporarily take a back seat. That might not ordinarily would be not such a big deal except that there's this WEDDING and all, and I am beginning to anxiously watch the days slip by with certain key details (you know, flowers, music, how am I actually going to get to the venue in my pretty white frock) still not nailed down.

Then I feel silly because after all, it's still not entirely clear what he is going to do for a job in the same city as me and Botany and in the long run, that's more important (and scary).

The goddamn mouse is still in residence. I know I said I would stop wittering on about it so much but it's starting to really bug me that the little fucker is managing to crap absolutely everywhere and is utterly resistant to bait, traps and other cruel and unusual methods of destruction. Plus it makes me jump out of my skin every time I unthinkingly wander into the kitchen for a glass of water without turning on the light first and next thing I know there's a small gray object darting across the floor.

I'm worried about money. When I moved into this flat last year, the valuation report flagged up that the windows needed some repairs and maintenance. Since the whole experience of splitting up with E. was already so eyewateringly expensive, I halfheartedly got one quote from a company that weren't really all that interested in doing the work, and then I did nothing else about it. Turns out that original estimate was way off base, because a year and two more quotes later, I have a better idea of what it will really cost. And it's hideous. I can either stump up the cash now and be done with it, or spend the next winter shivering in the icy cold drafts wafting in with a repeat of last season's ghastly fuel bills. Unfortunately I am also spurting money from every artery on wedding related gubbins and you know, generally, the economic climate is not looking so hot just now. 

Botany's early morning wakings are maddeningly close to being something resembling manageable in that she has taken to sleeping until 6-6.30 most days. Then, just when we think we're doing better, she pulls a 5am wake up (or earlier) call for several days in a row. It's become an extremely sore point between me and Knox as to how to handle it; in fact, probably the only thing we ever argue about. In many ways I worry more about her wake ups contributing to the friction about the issue than I do about actually having to get out of bed.

There are other various and sundry tensions brewing with family members which I am not at liberty to write about for fear of discovery. But let's just say I am especially stressed about it given that I'm not sure how to resolve the issues, other than to give myself a personality transplant together with rewriting my chequered past.    

Lastly, I have a spot the size of Nebraaaaaskka on my chin. I know I should leave it Strictly Alone but I am never very good at that, plus it hurts and I find myself inadvertently clawing at it. It's so yucky that Botany has actually taken to pointing at it, or even poking it with her little finger saying, "Mummy has sore spot on chin." Yes, darling. Thank you for repeating that in front of my parents, the grocery store clerk and the nursery staff. Your verbal skills are outstanding.

Really, Botany's speech does make my jaw drop regularly these days. It's actually starting to freak me out a little. Yesterday I put a new dress on her and she said quite calmly and clearly, "take the tags off."  This kid is 22 months going on 12. And she's healthy, gorgeous and bright as a button- which, when I think about it,  makes the above complaints pale into tiny spuds of insignificance.

Comments

[maggie]

Take a deep breath! It always works out in the end. Not sure what the difference of opinion is about sleeping issues but if I had to guess one of you wants to run to her and the other says let her cry it out. From experience, let her cry it out! I imagine it would be hard to share responsiblity but if he is going to be her step father (and at such a young age, really her primary father) please share the decisions with him, in the long run it will make your marriage better. This is advice from someone who has lived it. good luck

[Anna]

Living with the 5:00-6:00 a.m. wake-up calls as well, with my two year old. Wish I had some advice, but I've tried to the whole gamut and nothing working so far. If you find something that works for you, please share.

[Anna]

I have to disagree with the cry it out at 5am advice. I think she's too old, and if she's anything like my daughter then her stamina will far outlast yours. I have recently tried to cut out a 4am feed with my 28 month old and after three days of two hours of early morning screaming I have admitted defeat.

Meh, getting up early comes with the parenting territory. Some kids just wake up early and until they're old enough to get up alone we just have to deal with it. If she's done some 6-6.30 mornings recently then I'd be grateful for those and trust they will start to happen more often.

I really hope you can feel happy and less stressed about your wedding soon. It will be such a beautiful day, no matter how you get there!

[Boulder]

This will seem like an insane expense, but do you have access to Mario Badescu Drying Lotion there? It truly does work. You may even be able to score a sample to try first, before purchase.

http://www.mariobadescu.com/Drying-Lotion

As for the rest? WOW do you have a lot on your plate. I'll be thinking of you & hoping for the best at the end of each day.

[betty M]

I am no good on sleep or family stuff but on mice and windows have you called the Council? They usually have rodent people and these days also have types who can figure out if you are entitled to money to be more environmentally friendly and insulated which may take some of the sting out of the window costs.
Hope things get less stressful not more.