What flew up her nose?

I'm sure that's what my kids and hubby say behind my back as I go from room to room ranting and raving throughout the house. They stare at me and wonder why I was fine yesterday but flipping out today? Completely oblivious to the fact that they, in fact, might be the reason I'm roaming about like a crazed lunatic. Yet, out of fear, no one has the guts to ask what's wrong so they just side step me when I charge through the hall or duck out the back door when I storm in the kitchen.

If they ever do ask me, my immediate answer would be, "Where do I start?!" Could it be the fact that your kids' behinds have been glued to the couch ALL day wasting your brain cells watching the cheesiest tv shows ever made, or is it the fact that every room is destroyed because you spend most your free time playing computer games? Maybe the reason I'm losing it is because I walk into the house from working all day to see a kitchen that looks like a bunch of trolls have moved in. Not only is there leftover lunch everywhere but breakfast too! What mom is thrilled to come home to piles of dirty bowls of half-eaten, soggy oatmeal and pans with dried cheese stuck in them? Add a bunch of sticky, drink glasses and crusty, used silverware and that'll change a mom's mood in a New York minute!

And they wonder why I don't greet them with loving smiles and hugs? I don't know, maybe it's the fact that half them are still in pajamas at 2pm, no one's brushed their teeth or combed their hair or heaven forbid, made their beds even though I specifically asked them to do ALL these things as soon as they get up every morning ... like NORMAL human beings!

Maybe it's because I am solely responsible for the running of the household. If people don't have clean clothes, they're mad at me for not washing them. If people are hungry, they stand and stare at me for answers. I would like, just once, to come home, sit down and have someone else make the family dinner. And if I don't make something, they still stand and stare at me asking, "Where are going to eat?" If we don't have toilet paper, I am responsible. And yes, I'm also responsible for noticing we're OUT of toilet paper. I guess no one else can write items on list. If they want electricity, plumbing, hot water, I make sure the bills are paid on time and if they like to walk from room to room and not live in a hoarder's nest, I am also responsible.

It's not that everyone isn't given chores or tasks; it's just that if I don't nag or make them a list, nobody notices. No one steps up and says, "Gosh, look at all that laundry that needs folded." Or, "Gee, Mom works so hard around here to make us all a nice home, maybe I'll dust and vacuum before she gets home." Well, I'll tell you what, when I'm working all day AND have to be the captain of the ship of dependent sailors at home, there are days when this pot boils over and it's NOT pretty. There's gnashing of teeth, lots of running and some tears here and there. I'm pretty sure I could pass for Cruella Deville or Miss Hannigan on those days, with my wild-eyed look and fuming breath. And as I bend down to rip up a used sucker stick trapped in the living room carpet and stand up with an insane look on my face, they wonder why some days I go ballistic?!