Same Poop, Different Day

For those of you who've already heard me tell this story, I apologize. It's just too good, too funny and I must share.

Setting: Saturday, mid-morning while I'm toiling away at work.
Players: Big girl, Kid #1 and Mid-kid, Kid #2.

Although they are 5 years apart (8 and 3), these two fight like, well, sisters. I guess Mid-kid was trying to get into Big Girl's room (MAJOR no-no) and she had a fit. There was yelling, slamming doors and I'm sure there was name-calling as well. Hubby was probably downstairs with Baby Love (Kid #3) keeping her from stealing the car or something. I understand that Mid-Kid decided that she'd had enough of Big Girl and was going to plot some revenge.

Fast forward to around 5pm that evening. I hear a piercing scream from upstairs as Big Girl screeches, "MOMMY! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT MID-KID DID!" Of course, I run upstairs as fast as I can, expecting that there was going to be a shoe floating in the aquarium (has happened) or possibly one of the prized Pokemon stuffed toys was going to be beheaded. I get to the door of Big Girl's room and she's got this crazed, incredulous look on her face. And here it comes......."MID-KID POOPED IN MY ROOM. ON MY FLOOR. RIGHT THERE. AND I'M NOT CLEANING IT UP!"

Insert many giggles right here. If you're a mom, you've heard this one before in many different forms.

Mid-kid comes trotting into the room, looking all innocent. I ask her, "Mid-kid, did you poop on Big Girl's floor?" "Nope" she says. "Who did it?" I ask. "Baby Love", she replies. Yeah right. Like Baby Love can remove her pants and diaper and poop a perfect little 3 inch sausage right in the middle of her floor. I ask her two more times and she blames Daddy and Mommy. All with a perfect, innocent expression. Lordy, this child can lie. Not good.

I make her clean it up, of course, and then sit her on the closed toilet lid to discuss what she did and why she did it. "She was mean to me". That's the explanation I got, as I tried not to burst out laughing at the entire incident. Not laughing was Big Girl, who to this day will NOT walk on the spot where the poop was found, even though I cleaned it with bleach water.

Life is going to be REALLY interesting with these little ones.

Soapmaking as therapy

I just realized today that soapmaking is therapy. You know when you're mad at your husband or boyfriend and you feel like you have to clean? I mean, REALLY clean?! There's something about scrubbing, putting away dishes, folding clothes that helps you to really FOCUS on what it was that really pissed you off. I spent the last two days in the shop making soap - LOTS of soap. I am ramping up for my hopefully busy holiday sales season and need a ton of soap. I've made over 200 bars in two days and I feel re--energized. I've spent this time soapmaking but also reflecting on the what, where, and why of my business. Did I get anywhere? Absolutely. I have a clearer plan for 2010 and I feel like I've got some direction on how to get there.

So, next time you're pissed or just need some time to reflect, find something that keeps your hands busy so that your mind wanders. You may be surprised where it takes you. Or, you'll just have a clean house.