Trouble In Paradise...

Today is Wednesday. Since Monday, for one reason or another, Nicky's schedule has been "off", thus putting him into fits of rage, temper tantrums, and non-stop crying. It's enough to make anyone batty ~ and although the other parents at his bus stop are aware of his Autism and delayed development, the screams and screeches pierce so loudly that all conversation stop. It's embarrassing.

Ben's behavior was also extremely over~the~top tonight as well. After I walked to pick up the kids at the bus Brother Blackham and his son Mason were visiting us this evening to do a lesson, and Ben was smelly, loud, and obnoxious the entire time. No respect for any one. And his rude behavior rubbed off on Jessica, who couldn't stop giggling the entire time.

Poor Jesse has worked late both yesterday and today. So far it's turning out to be a busy~bee week for him. Booooo!

Well watching Harry on American Idol has cheered me up, if only temporarily, so I don't feel the need to continue my ranting and raving. Maybe I'll post more later for all you eager readers who are hungry for the details of my existance...heh!

Blah blah blah blog

Well, after major cleaning, we survived the "white glove test" inspection of our apartment. I have, in large part, to thank my Mother- and Father-In-Law for coming over and helping us out by putting up new blinds and even window treatments. They look very pretty and are a small push to keep me moving in the right direction in terms of keeping the place looking nice.

So far, even though the inspection was almost two weeks ago, we have managed to keep the place relatively neat and tidy. Today I actually scrubbed the entire bathroom, paid rent, folded (some of the) laundry, got the kids on and off the bus, obtained a parking pass from our apt complex's office, and dealt with Nicky's major meltdowns. He must be going through a stage or something, because he is always crying when he gets off the bus. For the most part, he cries off and on for the rest of the night until he goes to sleep.

Our current issues are that we are in a major financial crunch. Due to some serious confusion on the part our merry-go-round of apartment management, we apparently owe an extra $386 by the end of May. Rent for this month has been taken care of, but we are behind on all of our other bills and Jesse's already taken out a payday loan. We need a budget that works for us. There is no reason we shouldn't be able to make ends meet. Right now my cell phone is turned off because we couldn't afford to pay the bill.

Something has got to give. Hopefully it won't be my sanity. Heh.

Ahhh, Freak Out!

So I know I'm not a great housekeeper. I hate housework, that is for sure. I'm more of a bill-paying / coupon clipping / grocery shopping kind of gal. I'm not a messy person and I personally clean up after myself, but with a family of five, our place is going to get messy if not downright dirty if I only do what's necessary to get by. Which, ashamedly, I admit is all I generally do on a daily basis - to get us by.

It is worth it to note that my husband also hates housework, but often begrudgingly helps out when he isn't working. So it's in my kids' DNA for sure to despise housework as well, but they don't clean up after themselves and just can't seem to keep their rooms tidy, ever.

Having three pack-rat children is enough to equal bedroom messes of gargantuan proportions if not cleaned on a multiple-times-per-day basis. Add to this fact that one child has a major behavior disorder and another is Autistic and in order to keep our home neat and tidy 100% of the time, I'd need to be following these children around physically picking up their discards 100% of the time during which they are awake and at home. My Autistic 6 y.o. is more on a 2-3 y.o. level when it comes to social function, under which listening and following directions falls. Therefore, he is understandably no help when it comes to straightening up, and the older children find this unfair. He is usually responsible for making the most mess in the common areas and definitely the most responsible for the boys' bedroom mess. He dumps toy boxes. What more can be said?

Now for the *freak out* ~ our apartment complex sent out a memo detailing a point by point inspection of all apartments would be done sometime this week, basically a white glove test. They will be looking in closets, cabinets, and everywhere in between. IF our blinds are broken or missing (which they are in every room, thanks to our illegal cats which as of last night no longer live here *tear*) we are responsible for the cost of replacement. Same thing with all the other standard stuff apartment complexes can get you on.

I am obviously freaking out way to much about this inspection. Last night I dreamed that while one person was inspecting my apartment, another was inspecting my fingernails, asking me why they were so dirty and misshapen! Well, a bit misshapen they may be, but dirty fingernails, nosiree!

Just taking a break from cracking the whip on my own back to clean the boys' room. Yesterday I got our bedroom and Jessica's bedroom done; the cats and nearly ten bags of dirty laundry went to Grandma's house. I'm ashamed to admit that I generally only do what's necessary to get by. How did we accumulate ten bags of laundry and still have some left here?

The plan for today is to finish the boys' bedroom and work on the kitchen. This will leave the storage closet and touch-up cleaning in the bathroom, etc.