March 25, 2008

Welcome to the Monkey House

I'm seriously considering changing the title of my blog from The Salad Days to The Monkey House. I immediately clung to this expression when I heard Tim Gunn say it to Chris on Project Runway. After an entire season of examining Chris's wacky creations, Tim made the greatest analogy when Chris presented to him garments that used human hair as fringe. He told Chris in a very Tim Gunn way that only Tim Gunn could pull off, that he had been living in the monkey house for too long. His analogy goes something like this: So when you first walk into the monkey house at the zoo, what do you do? You cover your nose and think, "Dang this place stinks!" Then, after 15 minutes or so you start to think, "Well, I guess this isn't so bad." And then, after about 45 minutes you don't even notice it anymore. However, the place never stopped smelling like sh**; you just stopped smelling it.

If you're living in the monkey house, it means you that you no longer notice the mess all around you. If you stay there too long, then you begin to enjoy it or to make it your own. Abandon all hope if crap starts flying across the room.

I feel a lot of days like I'm living in my own monkey house. We spend a lot of time running around the house screeching and climbing the furniture naked. Besides that however, I realize that when the tasks get overwhelming, the blinders turn on. I let dog hair pile up and papers sit on the counters for weeks, my socks never match my outfit and aside from applying makeup on the drive to church (to which we are always late), I am seriously lacking any beauty regimen. I could go on and on about how often I (don't) shower, but I don't want to shatter too many positive assumptions people have made about me. Instead, rest assured that Erich gets a bath, clean clothes, a massage, and weird, organic health food every day.. while I sit in my own filth eating Peanut Butter Crunch.

Thankfully, not every day is a "monkey house" day. That is why I would never title my blog to reflect so. I certainly wouldn't want to embrace a lower standard of living than I have now! But life is an uphill battle to find balance, so I'll keep my scooper in hand and start shoveling that poo out the window. Into the yard- where it might actually do some good.

12 comments:

Marc said...

Does this mean I'm your monkey?

(PS. I'm still partial to the Salad Days... Guess H.I. McDunnough is still closer to my heart than ole' Chris Gunn)

Alifinale said...

So well put. Although I do shower most days - I still feel super unorganized and find it way to easy to put off things that need to get done because I don't feel like it. I guess that is a perk to being your own stay at home mom boss.

Melanie said...

That whole third paragraph could just be me talking. Except that I have finally pulled myself out of the not showering every day thing. Now washing my hair is a different story, but shower, I must. But the papers? Forget it. I still haven't filed some stuff away from the sale of our home ... in Vermont ... almost 2 years ago. Yikes!

{lizzythebotanist} said...

you are so funny and i love that you're always keeping it real. i loved your comment about erich always getting special treatment while you sit in filth. things are totally the same here-i was thinking about it this morning as i made nash a healthy and well-balanced breakfast and then ate a handful of m&m's vitamins for mine. seriously? i mean, if i'm treating the kid so well i must know what's healthy and what's not, right? but somehow when it comes to myself i just give up.

{lizzythebotanist} said...

sorry, that was m&m's AND vitamins. i only wish that m&m vitamins existed.

lisset said...

so nice to know that there are other mom's out there who feel my pain. isn't it just so hard to find balance with a toddler? i always feel like the minute i figure out a routine, ethan calls for change. one thing is for sure, mom life does not lack interest.

melbo said...

TIM Gunn, Marc! I thought I raised you better than that. And you're closer to being the kid on a field trip initially entering the monkey house. Totally based on your reaction some days when you come home from work.

It's nice to know you ladies are all in the same boat! I do NOT want any perfect friends. And I'm totally drooling at the M&M vitamin idea.

Bailey said...

This whole post is me in a nut shell. Scout gets a bath every night. Clean cloths and jammies everyday. Lot's of attention goes into how she looks and eats and grows and develops. And how many times have I actually done my hair since she has been born? I could probably count on two hands. Yet I always have time to watch Project Runway! Looks like all of us Mom's have a few things in common.

Treidi said...

When I saw a Tim Gunn vs. HI McDunnough debate going on I knew I had to get in on this...

H.I. wins hands down for the following reasons...

loves babies
ex-con
great sticky out hair
woody woodpecker tatoo
fashion sense (can you beat alligator loafers, polyester pants, and hawaiin shirt?)

Bring it on Mr. Metro Tim Gunn.

(ps-my goal is to make it into the hard core bloggers)

melbo said...

Treidi, you make a convincing arguement, but I'm still not totally convinced. Perhaps we could make a few calls and try and get them in a ring together.
And that's funny, my goal is to make it on your blog roll. Hmm... My criteria for Hardcore is at least 3 or 4 blogs a week based on random inspections. 3 posts since February doesn't quite get you there. And before anyone says anything, I already demoted Marc.

Treidi said...

Nice criteria... I will see what I can do over the next few months.

and congrats you're officially on my blog roll... well deserved!

melbo said...

Hey thanks! And you're doing great so far this week; keep those golden thoughts coming!