It Doesn't Even Matter How Hard I Try

So I worked for about 15 hours yesterday. I think I deserve a bit of down-time today. Unfortunately, and I think this is the same for many of you with (or without) young children, my down-time almost always coincides with laundry time. Sure, I hadn't started any by 1pm today, but that's why we have our "own" washer and dryer in a small laundry room just outside of our apartment. For those of you who didn't know, Allen graciously offered our upstairs neighbors/landlords free reign over the washer and dryer as well. Of course, Allen doesn't really do the laundry; sure he'll move a load for me here and there, but it's not his thing. He does pay the lion's share of the bills, and fixes stuff and cooks quite a bit more often than I do, so I try not to complain about too much about the laundry. I did pluck up the courage to ask my neighbors to limit their washer and dryer usage to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. About a month ago, she asked me if she could have Saturdays instead of Sundays, because she "doesn't like to do laundry on Sunday." I don't particularly like it either, so I agreed to share Saturdays. Whatever. (Can you tell this is a thorn in my side?) So today, WEDNESDAY, I took a nap with the baby. He was starting to stir, so I went to make him a bottle. It has been so hot that I have been wearing only my underwear sometimes (I sure hope Benji doesn't remember this too clearly!), and there is a window between the kitchen and the laundry room. Since it was Wednesday, I didn't really worry about it. So I'm shaking the bottle kind-of by the window, when the neighbor comes waltzing in to do her laundry. I quickly ducked and backed into the corner of the kitchen where I could see her shadow, but she couldn't see me. I figured I'd just wait for a bit until she left so she wouldn't see me. I could her her child playing upstairs, so I thought she wouldn't take too long. TEN MINUTES LATER, I got way tired of waiting and went to see what the hold-up was. She was still there, but facing away from me and folding her laundry. So I ran for it. I'm so freaking annoyed! Is she really that dingy? It feels like she has no respect for me! I asked HER permission (to use my own washer) on the Tuesday after we got back from vacation, since she had load after load going then, too. She has said that I can kick her out whenever, but come on--that's why I assigned us different days! We trade babysitting during the week, and it really makes me wonder how often she leaves Benji alone. One day she was taking both our kids somewhere, and I was off to work. I realized I had forgotten something in Benji's bag, so I ran upstairs hoping to catch her before she left. Both of them were strapped into their car seats, with the car doors open and the engine running. She was nowhere to be seen. I felt uncomfortable about that enough to stay with the kids for at least the 2-3 minutes before she came out of her house. I'm sorry, but that's so not okay with me. Ugh--I'm so over it. Allen hates moving, but I'm annoyed enough that I'm looking for new places anyway. Sorry about the off-loading. That's just what's on my mind this hot summer evening.