Recipe for a Nap

This entire year I've decided to try a stupid little experiment that we'll call "how long can the over-stressed mom go with little to no sleep before she totally loses her mind?" Some days we're ever so close to knowing that answer, and other days I get an hour or two of sleep and then we're pulled from the brink of disaster just in time.

But this week I've managed to push myself to the point of shutting down and tuning out everything for the sake of a mid-week nap. (Let me tell you that this happens once every quarter if I'm lucky.) If you're looking for the recipe for a nap, try this one:

*Take two ponies to the fair, thereby making yourself drive 30 minutes one way twice daily to feed them. Taking out 2 hours of your day (plus feeding time) really slows down production.

*Decide the week before school starts that your son's IEP needs revised, he needs double the amount of speech therapy that he's already getting, and realize that you haven't done any processing and paperwork for him to start kindergarten. School begins Monday.

*Schedule an all afternoon long IEP meeting with the school principal (who's also heavily involved with the fair), the other school principal, the speech therapist, the school teacher and myself the last business day before the beginning of school. And then inform everyone that you'll have to bring along 4 kids.

*Have one pony threaten to kill the other pony at the fair while you're not there to keep an eye on them, all over stray crumbs of hay from the neighboring pony. Worry non-stop that something will happen to ponies that are only yours on loan.

*Work an extra shift to cover for a friend, because actually being home this week would just be weird.

*Have an out of town guest stay for an overnight visit and chat until the wee smalls in the morning trying to catch up. Make breakfast for him with no milk, bread or sugar for coffee.

*Have a total lack of groceries in the house because the day that you planned to restock (for said guest) the car tried to die. We're grateful that it only passed out, but it was touch and go for a while.

*Find a concert 3 hours away for your favorite artist and plan to take the family for a good time, a late night and much melt-down.

*Have the person delegated to do advertising for the corn maze call and say she works full time and couldn't possibly do the job (that she volunteered for). The signs we should be putting out next week now need ordered. Find a place that will get them made and shipped ASAP for a reasonable price. Immediately.

*Promise the kids that I'll make them bookbags for the first day of school, and put it off until the day before.


So there you have it, people. Mix this all liberally with the daily 4 kids, 9 dogs thing and you've yourself a winning recipe for a nap. Just have fun finding time for it.

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And BTW, did nobody notice that the last rabbit in the last post was a stuffed animal? Because I just found that to be completely weird.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wondered about that rabbit, but since I have never known a live rabbit up close and personal, I wasn't going to make that assumption.

I feel your pain on the need for a nap. After last night, I called my husband and asked him to bring dinner home. I was out cold before he hit the door. Thank goodness the kids didn't burn the house down or anything else crazy like that. I wouldn't have heard a thing.

Hopefully, next week will be a little slower for you.

Karen said...

I have no idea how my comment came up as anonymous?! Anyway, It was me.

Michelle said...

Ooooo! I know how to find a nap. Either a) wait until the youngest child is 5 and you can send him/her off to school and blissfully nap while no one is in the house, forgetting all the obligations you have to get things done or b) exhaust yourself to the point of collapse where your body gives you no choice but to rest by fainting and sending you to the hospital.

Granted, sometimes b doesn't give you the choice of waiting for a! But hey, any naps on the schedule for next week yet, Karen?

The Sports Mama said...

Yeah, I just thought the bunny eyes were freaky weird. Of course, I also though the one above it was wearing makeup, so I'm not sure what that says about my powers of observation.

Guess its good I'm not in charge of 4 kids, 9 dogs, multiple ponies, and coordinating many school officials.

Glowstars said...

I did have to go back and check then...
Am still convinced that first bunny's got5 a very long tail. Is it just me? Am I losing my mind?

Anonymous said...

Reading all of that makes ME need a nap!

And the bunny . . . I was so weirded out by the one that appears to be wearing eyeliner that I didn't even notice the last one was stuffed! Rabbit people are weird!

Burgh Baby said...

Yes, but just think about how beautiful it's going to be next week when ALL of the kids are in school. It may only get you a few hours, but enjoy every second of them!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I'm glad I'm not alone. Today I posted what my kitchen looks like (not pretty). We must have had similar weeks!

I did NOT notice the last bunny was stuffed! That is so weird. Thanks for pointing that out since my observation skills seem to be skewed from lack of sleep.

Well, off to work. I decided I should put in an extra day since I don't have enough things to do. Hope you get your nap soon.

Caution/Lisa said...

It's not real?? And that right there is why I am not a trustworthy animal owner.

AutoSysGene said...

Seriously Karen, how in the world do you manage to keep everything straight...just reading that made me tired...thanks! ;)

Spammon said...

This seems like more of a recipe for tequila and a rubber mallet to the head.

caramama said...

Yikes! I need a nap just after reading that!

I was wondering what was up with the last bunny! I feel so much better knowing it was not real and I'm not crazy.

ALF said...

Wow. That is all I can say.

Can we see the backpacks that you made?

Andrea said...

I must be really blonde, I had no idea that rabbit was not real. I just thought it went right a long with the crazy carney rabbit folk!! LOL!!

So sorry you are so stressed! Why do mom's have to do it all and stay beautiful and not go totally crazy? I think that only thing that I get done is go crazy!

Unknown said...

Yup -- that is a sure way to have a melt down. I am going to take your word fo rit and not try it myself :)

I just thought that was a rabbit from hell with really scary eyes!!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Whew! I'm tired just reading that.

I've made a concerted effort to "just say no" more often this year, and I only have half as many kids and no ponies. Hope you can make time for that nap!!!

Shellie said...

GO take a nap, do not pass go...go straight to the bed. Deal with the earth unraveling as you sleep later.

imbeingheldhostage said...

I LOVE the stuffed rabbit. and woman, you made me so tired with the things you accomplished, I am going to bed. In your honor. Know that one Mama won't go crazy tomorrow because you inspired her to give up-- super woman role was already taken!

Happy (hopefully peaceful) weekend.

Karen Deborah said...

I took a nap today, just couldn't keep my eyes open for another minute. I have mental pictures about those rabbit people, ewwwww.

Irene said...

Yup, you definitely had the right ingredients for a nap.

And that bunny? I had no idea. Actually, looking back on the photos, I still almost can't tell!

Maria (also Bia) said...

Okay, now I want to go take a nap!

Wineplz said...

I'm so glad you got a nap.

Is it sad that I can tell you the last time I had a nap? It was Friday, May 2nd. And really, I don't call it a nap as much as going to bed 5 minutes after walking in the door and throwing the children at their father.