I often feel as if they are actively working against me
Gotta say, I feel this way sometimes too...and I know it's not truth, but it sure feels that way sometimes.
On that topic, why am I buying Christmas presents? My kids only play with couch cushions and pots and pans. Seriously. I have a hard time keeping up! This is bad, because it really bugs H to walk into a deconstructed house. So I try. Some days it's like swimming against the current.
