Yesterday was not my friend. My darling girls drove me crazy, I had to clean lots of things, and by the time I got my exercise in and dinner done, that was it. Mom needed to remove herself from the house.

Before I prattle on and on about my difficult day (feel free to skip it and move on to another blog), I will show you the little bit of fun I had.

This just doesn’t get old for me. I love it. The top set is really lovely. You can’t see it, but the beads have a slightly greenish tint to them that looks quite striking with the copper wire. The bottom set look pretty close to the photo.

Now, on to my yesterday- I won’t give you the play-by-play, but I’ll select a choice few examples of what drove me nuts.

Veronica spent what felt like a full hour asking me why she couldn’t call Hannie, her very imaginary friend. She wasn’t talking about a pretend phone call. After 30 or so times of trying to be polite and considerate of her feelings, I finally had to say that she couldn’t call Hannie because Hannie isn’t REAL!!! I didn’t know what to expect at that point. I certainly wasn’t expecting an impish smile and then an argument about how because Hannie lives in a pink house with a roof, she ought to be able to call her. What do you say to that?

My girls are the type that can’t say anything without expecting and demanding some sort of a thoughtful response. If they feel like saying that the plate is green, they’ll repeat it 500 times until I say, “yes, you’re right. It’s green. What a smart girl you are.” A full day of this type of conversation and/or mental interruption can drive a woman mad.

I made every possible effort to have a nice dinner last night. I anticipated every scenario I could think of and had half of the kitchen on the table so I wouldn’t have to get up the usual 50 times during dinner. It didn’t matter. Veronica decided she had to wash her hands, but is incapable of turning the water on and off herself. Abby refused to tear apart a tender chunk of pot roast with her fork or fingers, and needed it cut for her. Olivia insisted that she absolutely HAD to have her roll before eating the beef and asparagus on her plate. Abigail burst into tears when I told her the A-1 was all gone. It went on and on. I fully acknowledge that none of this is exceptional, or out of the ordinary with children, but I just couldn’t take it last night. So half way through the very nice dinner I had made, I announced I’d had enough and took my plate to the bedroom, sat on my bed, and tried to enjoy the SILENT company of Ilsa and Agatha, my two beautiful and appreciative fish. It would have been enjoyable had I not already passed the emotional point where enjoying myself was no longer possible. Then I left for awhile, commiserated with my wonderful friend, Celeste, and returned after the monkeys were in bed.

They are good girls, but yesterday, their exuberance exceeded my strength.

And so it was yesterday. But I am better now. I wouldn’t be surprised if you aren’t convinced at this point, but I am better.