It's like half the daylight to burn.

Maddie's been gone since Tuesday and this break from two kids is confirming one of the things which eats at me sometimes, I'm not very good at parenting two kids. Maybe I should have stuck with one, but then, knowing me I'd spend all my spare time wondering how I was damaging my one kid by not having two.

Reports from Camp Jenn are reasonably good, but Madison is rapidly showing Aunt Jenn exactly why I go insane all summer long. For example, Aunt Jenn took Maddie to Rivi, the happiest place on earth. Madison loves to swim and has been known to spend entire days in the pool. At Rivi yesterday she'd had enough after 40 minutes. This happens during many of the outings I attempt with my darling Maddie.

We arrive at the park and 5 minutes in, she's sitting next to me on a bench wondering when we're going home or, even worse, what we can do next. Or we go to playgroup and within 20 minutes she's questioning what we'll do after this!

On the one hand it's sort of affirming to see someone else feel the pressure of the unending demands of my little monster. On the other hand, Camp Jenn could be a really nice tradition if Madison makes it easy enough for the love of God and waking at 6 o'clock in the morning to tell Aunt Jenn she lost her tooth (the 10th! NOT THE FIRST!) isn't really working to that end.

One of my features isn't going to work out terribly well since we've had 4 showings in three days and my realtor is on vacation so I can't even get the feedback from the first one until the weekend. Though, judging by the lack of offers, I think we can cross C off the list, thanks for voting you wacky optimists!

I know I should be happy about all these viewings, since the house won't sell if no one looks at it. But all the viewings with no offers just confirm my suspicion that we can't sell this price and pay our realtor which is terribly depressing. Also I'm tired of leaving my house every day, sometimes 3 times a day (!!!) so someone can come judge my basement un-livable.

It's disheartening and annoying and since when we had an offer we'd planned to be all moved into the new house by now, it's especially crushing.

The showings today interfered with me sharing the results of my first Burning Daylight Report at The Buzz Off. This was a fun project, even though Max REFUSED to channel Martha Stewart, I guess he had fun anyway.

Comments

[BOSSY]

The fact that Bossy is commenting first - very first - has her too distracted to type what she was going to type, along the lines of One Pay at a Dime. She means One Day at a Time.

[Gullebarn]

I am just curious, and forgive me if you already addressed this, but have you thought about selling the house yourself without a realtor to bring the price down to a manageable level? You are web-savvy enough to build a website to showcase the place and have more than enough marketing expertise to draw people in. Just a thought. I know you are probably really sick of unsolicited ass-vice by now.

[Lucy]

You are describing my youngest daughter (4-1/2).

We arrive at the park and 5 minutes in, she's sitting next to me on a bench wondering when we're going home or, even worse, what we can do next. Or we go to playgroup and within 20 minutes she's questioning what we'll do after this!

It's very affirming to know I am not alone!

[rachel.e]

Your comment about not being very good at parenting two kids and maybe you should have stuck to one really resonated with me. That is the EXACT thing I think about my three kids (and I don't mean that at all in the "I've got it worse" sort of way, but as in the "gee! maybe I shouldn't be thinking the grass is greener" sort of way...) If I was asked to choose which one of them I might give back, Jesus knows I couldn't! But really, in my heart of hearts, I sometimes wonder what life with TWO kids would be like... Thanks as always for your honesty. Makes me feel less worse.

[MelanieinOrygun]

I feel very frustrated for you. This sucks. I wish I had something more productive to say, but all I can do is empathize and hope that all of this is settled soon for you.

[yoyoma07]

Have you tried lowering your selling price yet?

[FlippyO]

Is there something you can find to getting Maddie obsessed about? Learning a new language, collecting stamps, designing websites (imagine how skilled she'd be at 16, supporting the family while working at home), reading Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys books (there are dozens!), reading any other series of books (Harry Potter!), getting a black belt in Karate, painting, making stuff out of clay, knitting, making stuff out of leather (I loved my Tandy Leather stuff when I was a kid), making movies (a low priced digital video camera would be worth it if it killed off the summer days), etc. Plus, they have those addictive websites for kids that I've read about...but don't recall any of their names because I don't have kids. I know you've probably thought of all of these things, but I figured if maybe there was one that you hadn't, it couldn't hurt to make a list. An aside, my mother swears that raising boys is tons easier than raising girls. I try not to take that personally, considering I'm the only girl in the family, with three older brothers.

Also, I think between you and Logan, you could make an awesome site for selling the house. Witty descriptions of the basement, the lack of garage, great illustrations of the good points of the house, etc. Maybe you could find someone who might be looking for a cute house and is only looking online right now. Hey, you could make the site, then get people to put it in their blogs and offer a $1k commission if a blogger sends you a buyer. Do something weird that gets media attention. Some good viral marketing could get you some attention for your house. You're both really talented, plus you have smart & talented friends too, who could give you ideas. I know that it's probably the last thing you want to do, try to make others fall in love with a house you've grown to hate, but if it'll get a buyer, it's worth a try. Again, probably something you've already thought of, but I figured it couldn't hurt. Some wacky ads that have a bit more thought into them than these, but with this kind of idea. http://tinyurl.com/392jer - my partner and I made them for our mortgage agent class. It was fun, and you & Logan are an artistic/witty team, you can sell this baby.

I really hated making the suggestions, but I do think there's someone out there who wants to buy your house, but doesn't know it exists yet. You only need one person.

It's funny how much easier it is to find answers to other people's problems...

[MelissaS]

Uh, yeah, we've dropped the price. Like I said, all these showings confirm what I fear....that we can't sell at a price where we can still pay our realtor.

Along with our realtors efforts we've made brochures and advertised everywhere we can think of.

I'm contractually obligated to work with our realtor until at least September anyway and selling by owner rarely works in this market anyway.

[KatieS]

I know it's not going to help, but we discussed moving back out to Oakland county and I mentioned your house as a serious possibility... I shouldn't even tell you that since we decided we need to stay in Ann Arbor.

But I have another idea for you-- You're close the downtown of RO? Have you tried advertising in Between the Lines?

Sorry if I'm giving stupid unwanted advice...

[Sta]

I have friends looking to move to RO. I don't kow what their price range is, or really, what they are looking for. But they are young and would probably enjoy your neighborhood. Seriously. Is there a way I can point them in your direction? It probably wouldn't be until end of July because they're getting married in two weeks.

In any case, I feel for you. We just bought a house in town last summer, and I know how picky we were because there were so many houses out there to pick between. We looked at about 30. From the pictures, your house looks adorable. I have faith that it will sell.

[girlsmom2]

My daughter is the same way - 5 minutes into something fun and she's already finished. Incredibly frustrating. I've given up on going anywhere entertaining.

And, we are also trying to sell our house, it sucks. Theres nothing more disappointing than hearing some crap feedback. I especially love your comment about not having a garage. We don't have a basement (well, we have a 5 ft. unfinished crawlspace. . what kind of idiot builder does that??) anyways - it really chaps me when people comment back that is has no basement! No crap! Read the listing!!! Or they love my house but don't like the color of the countertops! Because you know, countertops are permanent and can never be changed!! Frustrating!

I hope you sell soon (and me too)!!

[prettycrabby]

I am sending you all the good vibes I have! Selling (or trying to sell) a house is the most stressful thing there is. I hope it is over soon for you guys.

[KYouell]

Omg, comments are on.

I wonder now if I was a hard daughter to raise. My mom is very go-go-go (I've had people ask if she's on drugs and they were only sort of kidding) and I would much rather just sit in the air conditioning and read. Library? Sure I'll read there if you drive me.

I have to admit that I still want a 3rd, but then the 2nd is only 2 months old so I don't really know what I've gotten myself into yet.