…captured moments of giggles and tears, cheers and fears – shared together.
No two moments are ever the same. Memories always being made.
A micro post written for Limetree, moment for life.
My Finally Friday Secret
Photo Credit: someecards.com
A long week. We all have them, and lately they seem to happen more and more often. I have about given up hope that weeks will run according to plan and be stress-free. Hell, I get nervous when everything does run smoothly because I am certain I made a mistake somewhere along the schedule.
So this week, for Finally Friday, I wanted to share with you my secret to getting through the work week.
It’s actually quite simple and easy for anyone to do.
What is it?
PLAY MUSIC LOUD
Simple, right? Beastie Boys, The Black Keys, LL Cool J, Arcade Fire, Lord Huron, Beyonce……the list is eclectic, but it works. Played loud, it keeps me sane and smiling. Even helps me deal with the occasional WTF moments and people. So get your playlist and smile through to Friday.
Now it’s your turn. What’s on your playlist?
Happy Weekend Folks!
It is a 1.35 mile ride back to Town
I did something today, I thought I would never do. But given the fact that it’s Pay it Forward Day and in light of seeing my fellow Americans pull together during recent events, I did it.
I gave a total stranger a ride into town.
Well, let me clarify. Not a total stranger, but a sort-of-semi-total stranger. This person was a young woman who was attending the same class I was for the better part of the morning. Before class started, she had mentioned in a very Danish sounding voice that she was dropped off to class. Upon hearing her speak I thought to myself, “how very European” and “how will you return home silly girl.”
At the end of class, my question was answered when she sheepishly, yet politely asked if anyone could drive her the 1.35 mile back into town. Apparently, walking was her intended mode of transportation and she, in advance, had checked its length ahead of time, in the event, no one would accept her offer.
So in what seemed like moments and moments of silence, I heard myself say, “Sure, I will!” Instantly, I rationalized the following:
1. I outweigh her by at least 50 pounds so I could easily sit on her and crush her should she try to hurt me.
2. The ride back to town was on heavily traveled streets with speed restrictions of 25 miles per hour.
3. Everyone at the class was witness to this interchange so should anything happen to me, there were plenty of people for the police to interview.
4. I totally just profiled this woman – young, blond, foreign …..harmless.
5. Dam you Facebook for announcing today was National Pay it Forward Day.
As it turned out, this lovely woman was not out to kill, hurt or rob me. She was a student studying the very same major I had back in the day and was looking to get into the field I was already in. We did not learn much more about each other because the 1.35 mile ride back into town took no more than five minutes. We exchanged twitter handles as I left her in town and she kindly thanked me.
I would most likely would not have offered her a ride had she been a male, but I am shocked I did offer. As I pulled away from outside the University, I thought of how despite my better judgement saying offering rides was dangerous, my instincts were right: she was a nice person.
I hope she pays it forward today and in turn that person will pay it forward and so on and so forth.
Until then, I expect my children will not know of this story until they are privy to this blog and over the age of 18. So should they read this having matched the previous qualifications, I say to them:
……………. I hope that I have raised you in a way to use and trust your instincts, always make sure there are witnesses ……..and see, Mommy wasn’t so boring after all.
A Very Dark Coat Room in 1980
In a dark basement “coat room” I made friends with two fellow classmates ……….
We were four and five years old and closely hanging to our mothers’ coats.
Tears filled our eyes unaware of what this new, strange world would bring – but our mothers pushed us along.
Nine years later, we clung to each other not ready to take the next step.
We are were 13 and 14-years-old and about to embark on something very new.
Tears filled our eyes unaware of what this new, strange world would bring – but our mothers pushed us along.
Four years later, we were sassy and thought we knew everything there was to know.
We were 17 and 18-years-old and couldn’t wait to be on our own.
Tears filled our eyes unaware of what this new, strange world would bring – as our mothers reluctantly pushed us along.
Four years later, we were ready for the big, great new world.
We were 21 and 22-years-old and unstoppable.
Tears filled our eyes unaware of what this new, strange world would bring – as our mothers proudly looked on.
Thirty-three years later, we are mothers and our mothers are grandmothers.
Through all this time, we remained friends. We shared successes and life’s greatest moments and we shared tears and sadness. We may not have spoken every day – in fact, years separated some conversations! But in the end, we always made time for each other.
We sat together this past weekend – with babies and toddlers among us. Some much had changed and yet so little seemed different. Our friendship endured from those simple moments in 1980 and molded who we are today.
The story is just beginning and I thankful every day – for that one day - in the very dark coat room in 1980.
dedicated to my mother, AGB, KG, KVC & EV and Sister Magdeline up in heaven.
Three Ways to Cope with “Binge Activity Syndrome”
It’s 4pm. If I leave the office right this moment, I will get to the kid’s school for their late dismissal.
Shit – there is traffic. Hopefully this teacher will take pity on me and not yell at me when I walk in late.
Phew! Arrived just in time to pick up my smiling artist children. “We love this art program Mommy. Look at what I created.”
Mental Note – buy another BIG plastic bin from Target to house additional influx of art work that I will have no idea what to do with.
Off in the car we go. Snacks and drinks consumed as we make it just in time to change for swim and baseball.
Reach swim in time and rendezvous with the Hubby for child-swap off.
One conference call during practice and respond to emails before off to meet up with Hubby and second child.
Yeah for a base hit – game over and into the car we pile. It’s time to go home for dinner and bed!
For those of you with multiple kids, this routine is common place for you. In fact, you can coordinate and execute this in your sleep. However, without fail – there are those who simply shake their head in disgust for being so overbooked and scheduled. In the times BC (before children), I was one of these head shakers. But today, I apologize to all those who I mocked. The fact of the matter is that these days, having kids involved in sports or the arts or community-focused activities takes a committment from both child and parent(s). And when you have multiple kids, the activities only increase.
As children get older, so does their committment requirement. Most sports have up to two games and one practice per week. Have two children both participating in sports or activities and you can have up to six places to be in seven days. And most often, there is overlap.
Burn-out and scheduling mishaps are bound to happen. In fact, I have succumb to an illness I like to call, “binge activity syndrome”. As of today, there is no cure, but we do have a remedy – rule if you will – that helps:
One sport or activity per kid per season and God help you if you try to join anything else!
It works for my family and so I share this with you. 3 Ways to Cope with Binge Activity Syndrome:
- Those of you about to embark on the after school activity journey, set up a limit that you can handle without going nuts.
- Carpool. Carpool. Carpool. When the children reach around the age of 8, a drop off one way with a fellow parent scheduled for pick up the other way can free up time and hassle.
- Write EVERYTHING down. Put all activity schedules in one calendar along with personal and work commitments and share it with your spouse or helper. Hubby and I use Google calendar and sync our accounts. Two sets of eyes are better than one and we have an idea of what is in store in the weeks to come.
Most of all, enjoy the absolute absurdity of it all. Granted our kids will not be in the major leagues or dancing on broadway or competing in the next Olympics. But they will gain confidence, friends, determination and lots of memories. One day – I am sure – we will come home after work to an empty house and have not one activity to drive, carpool or cheer to make. Serve your time now and just enjoy it!
