Me and this robin? Kindred souls are we. We are both unapologetically grumpy. At least he has an excuse. It's cold, like sub-zero cold. Some crazy lady keeps taking his picture instead of refilling his feeder. Frozen worms are disgusting (I would guess. I don't actually know).
I have no excuse. I'm just grumpy.
It's been a rough week. It started off with an argument. Then I broke out in hives. Blissdom is next week and I'm not going.
It's been getting tougher and tougher to get Eli down for naps. You either have to lie down with him or go in repeatedly and take things away. I know what this means – the end of nap time is getting near. Today I lost my temper with him – laid him down not-so-gently, yelled, slammed a door. I was grumpy because he wouldn't nap. Now I'm grumpy because I yelled, and it worked – he's sleeping peacefully, and that makes me an ass.
Here's what I know, though. When I get this way, when stupid stuff like regular old life makes me blow a gasket, it's time to sloooowly step away from the grind. Pick up a People magazine and hit the tub. Maybe see that new Colin Firth movie, alone if I have to. Treat myself to some good ice cream and a nap. Sniff my kids when they're sleeping. Cuddle up with my husband on the couch and leave the laundry and the twitter for tomorrow.
Grumpy birds are cute. Grumpy Angies are not. Excuse me while I fix that.
What cheers you up? Maybe I can add it to my repertoire.
Sarah Partain says
When it’s been a long week for me, I ask for a few hours away and Nathan is always happy to watch the kiddos while I run errands for myself and get a coffee or some other treat. And our son, who’s four, doesn’t nap anymore but gets to watch a long movie in the afternoon (we call it “rest”) and it usually works. He stays put for 1-2 hours and I get a break! Hope you have a better week!
Cherie from Queen of Free says
First of all, best blog title I’ve read in a very long while. Hang in there sister. Don’t throw things at me but it sounds like you need a good aggression busting, mood boosting workout. Whether it’s Just Dance, a trip to a treadmill, or some free weights, working out is about the only thing that will lift me out of a funk. Usually though, I turn to food which does not.
*hugs*
Angie Six says
If we can coordinate some time, we should meet up for coffee. And I'm a big fan of quiet time as well. My older daughter quit napping at 18 months (I know! How can I possibly complain about a 3 1/2 year old that still naps most of the time!), but we did quiet time in her room until she went to kindergarten. Just a little space each day does wonder for my sanity.
Angie Six says
Don't worry – I won't throw things! In fact, I think you've hit the nail on the head. I had originally written a part about how I hadn't run consistently in over a month. I don't have a gym membership or a treadmill, so if it's icy or snowy I end up skipping my run. I think not exercising is a huge factor in my general grumpiness. Must do something about that.
Aimee @ Indianapolis Amy says
Angie:
I loved this blog title & the pic. Now I have the Black Eyed Peas song in my head:)
Hope things go better…Plan an overnight trip or a weekend trip– always works for me:) Aimee
Lesley@houseofsawyer says
Been there. Done that…. Slamming the door and yelling at my three old for that exact same reason is not one of my finest moments. Please know that you are not alone. Now take an hour and walk around Target for some retail therapy and buy a workout video while your there. It sounds like you might just have a case of the winter blues. Maybe working out can help get the endorphins going. 🙂
Claire7997.blogspot.com says
I lose myself in magazines. One of my favorite guilty pleasures is my subscription to US Weekly. Once I get through it I head to my bin of other magazines. I feel good finishing one and passing it off to a friend or add it to my recycling. I also take a long bath, and if that doesn’t work I organize things. Sadly grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do. So if I need a pick me up I treat myself to a finding deals with my coupons.
Katy@ThoughtForFood says
In my experience, it was harder to get my boy to do “quiet time” than it was our oldest girl. He just seemed to need me more, in that adorable (yet sometimes infuriating) boy-way.
I agree on exercise. It’s so much harder to fit it in in winter, for me, and I start to feel all trapped and grumpy. Getting out helps a ton, but it’s not always possible.
And when it’s not, there’s always vodka — hello, it was invented in RUSSIA? I think they know winter, and the ways it can be hard ; )
Angie Six says
I think a weekend getaway to Cincinnati for some Graeters, IKEA, Container Store and Jungle Jim's would do me well.
punkinmama says
I am so with you!
I think we are in desperate need of that Dance-off! Or, as Katie said, there’s always Vodka!
Angie Six says
Oh hey! A fellow magazine addict! The only reason I don't have a subscription to something like US Weekly or People is that I would never, ever get anything else done. It's my guilty treat. Mike read my post and came home with a People magazine that evening. But really, any of my favorite magazines cheer me up when I'm grumpy. Thanks for visiting!
Angie Six says
You may be spot on with the boys and quiet time thing. Elena quit napping at 18 months, but she was good for 2 hours of quiet time every day. She'd just sit happily in her room, looking at books or playing quietly. With Eli, I got an extra 2 years of really good naps. I think the tradeoff is going to be that he will not buy into the theory of quiet time willingly. Man, those two years were really, really good.
I love that you suggest vodka and exercise in the same breath. I will go for the vodka now, and the exercise when I can spend more than 5 minutes outside and still feel my extremities.
Angie Six says
Yes to both things. Will get dance-off scheduled after SOME people get back from Blissdom. Ahem.