I would like to request an MS pause button :-)

[lovemy6monkeys]

I'm sure you all can relate to that wish!

I started this week off with a moderately busy schedule...Baby's check up, schoolwork, slightly better than normal housecleaning, meet the teacher for my kindergartener, cake order for Friday, date night for DH & I on Friday, we are wanting to sell unused stuff on craigslist...

Then I find out that my Aunt & Uncle (my dad's sister) will be coming up to visit this weekend. They lost touch about 15 years ago, until they found each other on facebook last year LOL

I have the bigger house, so I tend to host all get togethers. I've had a bit of a rough summer, so my house has become disorganized...not dirty, just cluttered. I swear the kids toys multiply at night! So, I find out yesterday that we will be having guests. My parents & sisters are understanding of clutter...but I can't let my aunt that I haven't seen for 15 years see it! And, people tend to want a tour of the house, so that means all rooms have to be cleaned. My bedroom has become a dumping ground for off season clothes, out grown clothes, etc. Our house is over 100 years old, and my bedroom is the only one with a closet (not that I consider it a closet...it's tiny!) Yesterday I threw all the off season clothes into my closet, and it is now filled completely LOL

Of course, that work to move all the clothes left my arms feeling sore and achy today.

Today I am baking the cake, organizing toys and scrubbing the bathrooms. I know I'll be feeling worse tomorrow, but it will be another full day of cleaning and errands and decorating the cake. I sure hope I can even stand upright by Friday!

I hope everyone is having a great week! I'm off to do more work.....
~Jess

[lovemy6monkeys]

Thank you everyone! I knew you would understand what I mean :-)

Yesterday I decided that I'm going to have to accept "good enough" with the house. The kids have been great helpers, but it is never going to be spotless. I thought I could do this because I've been feeling pretty decent lately. Last week I had some issues at night with the knee/hip/thigh pain and I didn't sleep well. But this week I got over myself LOL and started taking the full 500 mg of gabapentin before bed that my neuro approved. That has helped me sleep better.

But, when I went to sleep at 8:30 last night I knew I was wearing myself out too much. Today I'm just working on the cake order (vanilla pound cake with chocolate frosting) and the kids and my husband can finish up the cleaning.

I probably won't get much chance to check in over the next few days, so I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!!
~Jess

[Sparkysarah]

I also want a mighty large MS STOP button, not just a pause one.

I know that we all have our pride, but do not overdo things if you are too tired...it is enough just looking after your family!

Take care

Love Sarah x

[sllowe]

Yes! I want a cease fire button!!!!!!! Though once hit, it can never get turned back on!

[figuerpa]

Ok well first off if all your family wants this event at your house, knowing that you are ill, then they should be the first ones to step up and ask what you need help with. You shouldn't be doing all the work, after all this get together wasn't your idea alone.

Second off your aunt is coming to visit with you and not to judge your house. I do understand where you are coming from though, I really don't like people coming to my house if it isn't in shape.

Don't do a tour of your house. Close all bedroom doors and just focus on the parts that she will see, that will cut the cleaning in half or more. But really if I was going to see family I havent' seen in 15 years the last thing I would be doing is judging their house.

If you are really worried about what your aunt will say then write a list of what needs to be done, have everyone in the family draw a piece of paper and whatever they pick is what they are going to do for this get together.

Remember that this is everyone's get together, it may be in your house but everyone should chip in to help or you can tell them that you don't want to host the event.

Good luck and don't over do it.

Paula

[MsWobbles]

I hate clutter, but living in a small place, with little spare time and even less energy, I have to accept it as a way of life now.  With my limited time and energy, I just focus on cleanliness.  I have accepted that clutter will always characterize my home.

WAF

[RedFlame]

I too find the house tour to be intrusive.  

I know you love your family, do they know that you have MS and how involved you are with this disease?  Even with family I would never venture to an area that I hadn't been invited to, people want their privacy.

I suggest telling them you don't really want to do that this time.  If your aunt goes on a tour anyway and remarks about any 'untidiness' you might ask if she could help you.  Is there a relative or neighbor that can help you clean and cook?

When my parents were coming to my house, I started cleaning a week in advance.  I wanted everything just right.  Now that I am older, I realize that our time together was what was important.  Not how clean everything was.  

I have also taken huge garbage bags and filled them with toys, clothing, magazines etc. and throwing them in the master bedroom.  I think we all do it

I just really think that you are doing way too much.  I'm worried that you might do so much that this MiSerable disease could kick you in the rear so to speak.

Please take care of you first!!

Hugs,
Red  

[Sumanadevii]

The last thing I want is a tour of someone's home.  Plus, you would never find me giving a tour.  I am much too private a person.  They are invited to visit me in the guest areas of my home.  To expect anything more is just plain rude.