July 22, 2010

Bad Day Jar

I feel I must preface this post with the fact that my sweet husband is usually very happy, always willing to help other people, and is one of those people that you like to be around.  I also tell really long stories, so you can just skip to the end if you'd like.  That being said...

Monday was one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.  I felt like all day my phone was ringing with people telling me bad news; I had to make 4 apology phone calls (which all 4 people I called were very gracious); my house was (still is) a complete disaster; I had done 4 loads of laundry and did not get one folded; I had to cancel (last minute) some kids that I tutor (I hate when I do that- I feel terrible); I had watched 10 kids most of the day (that really wasn't bad, they were all REALLY good, I'm just adding that detail to help paint the picture); I had started preparing dinner but didn't end up getting it finished so I fed my kids Dino-bites (HATE when I do that) and I had a bad headache because I felt that everytime I wasn't around my kids I was crying.  Okay, really it wasn't that bad for me, I mostly was just feeling so sad for people I love.
At 7:00 p.m., in enters my husband.  My kids are actually being really good (eating their Dino-bites and talking away) and I'm just heating up Spaghettios for me and the hubs (I know I'm a stellar wife). Usually he greets us all with a kiss and smiles, and will immediately begin asking about our days.  Monday, however, he starts doing the dishes (??), says he doesn't want to eat, and starts snapping at me and the boys for everything.  Kind of how our evening goes for the next half hour when I ask him to go put the big boys to bed and I'll put the baby to bed (our usual routine).  He tells me no and says that he is in such a bad mood that if he has to put kids to bed he will yell at them.  I have all the boys give Dad a kiss goodnight, and promptly wisk them all downstairs to get ready for bed.   I try just to give him space for the next hour and then I run a couple of errands.  Upon arriving home I get my head bit off because I took so long (and really I was quite proud of myself for only taking 45 minutes).  I apologized and the two of us folded laundry in silence for a few minutes.  In the end he said he was sorry.  He had a rough day at work and all he wanted to do that evening was hold his wife and watch a show (see, I told you he is sweet).  The last little bit of our evening was good- filled with folding laundry, good conversation, and watching the news.  When we crawled in bed that evening I felt that all was well between us and in our home.

All week I've been playing Monday through my head, thinking of how I could have done better as a wife (perhaps had a real dinner, our house cleaner, not been on the phone when he came home from work, etc...) but have really come to conclusion that I really did the best I could that day.  My bottom line- everyone (even my practically perfect husband) can have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day once in a while.  Thus my idea..
a Bad Day Jar.

Simple enough, saw a cute jar on sale at Ikea.  Tied a cute ribbon and tag on it and filled it with Laffy Taffys.  Not only are Laffy Taffys one of my husband's favorite candies, but the jokes on them make you smile.  I had the boys come up with reasons why they love Dad, and I added a few of my own.  I printed up the reasons, taped them onto the candy, and tossed them all in the jar.  This way when the hubs is having a bad day at work he can grab a treat and remember why we love him (then hopefully if it's Spaghettios and chaos for dinner he'll be a little more forgiving of me too).   

Now go ahead and make a Bad Day jar for yourself or someone you love!

8 comments:

Amy said...

Kimi, I am going to kick your cute little fanny. I would have been happy to take over the scout calling on Monday. Why didn't you tell me you were up to your eyeballs?

This idea is way darling BTW!!!

Amy said...

I'll kick your bum too. Um the favorite aunt can help out every once in a while ;) And don't start in with "but you work" I'm also only 5 miles away and can afford to take an hour or two.

That being said I think "Bad Day Jars" would make a very good present for people who happen to have birthdays tomorrow. HINT HINT HINT lol

teedle. said...

What a cute idea! I am sorry you all had a bad day on Monday, but I am so happy you were able resolve it in such a calm and loving way.

Missy said...

Kimi - this turned out so cute!! Monday was a hectic day... you had so much going on (literally - with 10 kids, AND emotionally). You really are amazing! Pretty sure I would've just snapped back - you're such a sweet wife! I absolutely love this jar... what a great idea and ADORABLE!!!
Love you!!! Missy

Jessica said...

How sweet. I love it!

Unknown said...

What a GREAT idea!

Unknown said...

This is such a great idea! I love it!!

I stopped by via New Friend Fridays at The Girl Creative

Amy said...

by the way---I love my bad day jar. It makes me think of my 7 adorable nieces and nephews and their adorable little grins and suddenly my day gets a little brighter.I'm sure it helps Andy's days out too

Related Posts with Thumbnails