Ten Words for Ten Days--Day 2

I thought I lost my son at my own school!

I'm Losing It . . . Again

It's been a hectic week with volleyball games, dance chaperoning, track practices starting, working, school parties, and my husband going out of town.  I have been trying to fight off a migraine.

I completed the school party for first grade--it's Shrove Tuesday (as I've been told that is how "Yankees" say Mardi Gras).  I came home for an hour before running my daughter to practice.  While she's at the gym, my son and I run to Target to get him shoes for track.  We return to the gym to pick up my daughter, but we had to wait about ten minutes.  I talked with another mom while my son played with the stray volleyballs.  My daughter and I started to walk out of the gym only to realize that I left my son in the gym.  I'm losing it . . . again! 

Maxiumum Capacity

Approximately four times a year I have one of those periods of time where I am running at maxiumum capacity, and just teetering on going over the edge.  Usually around Christmas time, the end of the school year, mid-February (sports and school reasons), and the first week of school.  I'd like to add the week before Thanksgiving this year.  I was a little overinvolved in projects for others, have parent/teacher conferences to conduct, and have to attend five conferences for my own children.  There was other miscellaneous "stuff" we all have, too.  I was wiped out after school, and then got a call from my mother-in-law.

While I was talking with her, call-waiting beeped in twice (I didn't click over) and the doorbell rang.  I told my mother-in-law just a second while I answered the door.  It was the neighbor returning some spice he borrowed.  I stood and talked to him for about ten minutes.  I did not remember that my mother-in-law was on the other end of the phone until after I closed the door and started to put the spice away.  I WAS HOLDING THE PHONE THE ENTIRE TIME!  She got a good chuckle out of it.  Thank goodness I wasn't cooking!

Fulfilling Moment

On Thursday, our family attended an informal concert for my son's school.  To be honest, when we got the note home about this "additional concert," I was like "Oh great.  Another committment."  I had to pick up my son by 2:30 (because he cannot get off the bus w/o his sisters and/or w/o mom at home), and bring him to my 3:00 tutoring at the other campus.  At 4:15, I loaded my 3 kids (the girls had Rosary Club after school) plus 3 additional to get Subway for supper.  Back at the gym before 5:00 for volleyball pictures & practice.  The other mom was bringing my oldest to the concert after the pictures and practice.  I went home to eat (gave up fast food/restaurant for lent) with two.  My husband got off the plane and got home just in time to leave for the program.  Met up with the oldest--so all five of us were seated in the pew and ready for the performance by 6:45.  Deep breath.

It was the most amazing thing I've attended at this school.  The children wrote their own songs (part of a grant with a singer/writer/naturalist).  Each grade had a social justice theme with which to work.  The songs were very Christ-centered (which was why singing in the church was so appropriate).  These kids are so pure and untainted.  The artist who worked with the children sang one of his more typical funny, up-beat songs.  He ended with a very reflective version of "Give Me Jesus."  This concert--that I was not thrilled about--was the perfect "reset" button for a very busy week.  I left completely fulfilled.  I couldn't have asked for more.

I'm Losing It

There are days that I think I am just plain losing it--I suspect most average parents hit this point.  Today is one of those days--but this has been going on for about a week now.  I cannot hold a thought.  I cannot complete a task without getting sidetracked.  I cannot keep up with the schedule.  I'm just losing it.

Here's a specific example.  I was bringing my daughter home from volleyball last week.  I was beat, but the low fuel light came on in the van.  It would be more convenient to stop that night versus the next morning.  I just needed $25 in gas.  The pump kept running, and running, and running.  I knew I was tired because it seemed to be taking twice as long as it should.  Suddenly at 25--the pump kicked off.  Wierd.

I looked again--I did not pump $25 in gas.  I pumped 25 GALLONS--or over $60 in gas!  Oh well--at least I won't have to stop to fill-up during the weekend.