Today’s post is a writing challenge. This is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once, and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.
My words are:
Earlier this week my blogger friend Donna of Our Prime Years - who unfortunately doesn't participate in this writing challenge, and whose birthday it is today - posted this question: If your life was a book, what would the title be?
The way I have been feeling these days I instantaneously said
(whatever you do) just don't drop any balls!
Cause there are so many...
It's this time of the year: my coworker is on vacation, meaning I cover for her at the office, Colin is back to school which is good on paper but also means, I need to make sure I've got the new routine down. He's in 6th grade, and the schedule has slightly changed. Fortunately it corresponds pretty nicely with his practice plan for September which is pretty darn full.
Is it just me or is this crazy? By the way I just found out that between the day I took this screen shot and today there's been one more practice added.
Where did that come from?
What do these coaches think us Moms do? Sit around twiddling our thumbs and hoping to drive their kids four times a week? Don't they know we have jobs and other sh** to do?
Plus when are we supposed to wash the smelly textiles and pack for the next day? What a logistical nightmare.
And I am luckey to have my own washer and dryer! Both are currently working, thank God.
Also it's too bad that he has to do all these trainings and hardly gets to play any games. So far there has only been one.
I had to opt out two Wednesday afternoons so he could participate in some compulsary religious study activities, and I had to ask his lovely teacher to let him leave early another two times.
Shout out to his super lovely teacher! Love her - not just because Colin gets time off!!
Even so, his class ends at 3:05pm. By the time he has packed up his bag, put on his shoes and walked down three floors, it's 3:10 or 3:15. Our drive - if everything goes really smoothly - takes 50 minutes. He needs to be in the locker room at 4pm to allow enough time to put on all his protecitve gear, helmet, skates and stuff.
Shout out to his super lovely teacher! Love her - not just because Colin gets time off!!
Even so, his class ends at 3:05pm. By the time he has packed up his bag, put on his shoes and walked down three floors, it's 3:10 or 3:15. Our drive - if everything goes really smoothly - takes 50 minutes. He needs to be in the locker room at 4pm to allow enough time to put on all his protecitve gear, helmet, skates and stuff.
So I typically try to feverishly finish work and race to school just in time to pick him up. Under no circumstances may I linger in the parking lot, I don't want to aggravate the principal, aka the evil witch.
While Colin trains, I run errands. Now that the days are considerably cooler I am more comfortable to keep groceries in the car. Even if I don't need anything apart from the after practice snack for my hockey player, there's always a baby, birthday or wedding gift to find, candy or chocolate to ship to Canada and the like.
I'm glad there are certain things I can take care of while I'm in hockey town. Time permitting I'll blog, too.
On the other hand there are activities that I need to be at home for - like when I desperately need a handyman to fix our water heater. We had two cold shower mornings which did not contribute to a cheerful start into an early day.
At the same time (what's up with that? Do all the appliances have to fail me simultaneously? Please, washing machine and dryer, bear with me!) our fridge finally gave out. We had been having trouble for three years, like the door would not shut properly, and it would take tons of energy to try and keep things cool, but they ended up wet from condensation, and the freezer compartment grew completely full of ice every couple of months.
Hubby couldn't bring himself to give the go ahead for a minimally invasive kitchen remodelling. My Swiss readers will understand when I tell you that Swiss fridges are tiny:
Height 47 inches, Width 20 inches, Depth 18 inches.
Can you see my - and any other Mom's - struggle? You can't even bulk buy because you can't store your groceries. For that reason I wanted to sacrifice the space right underneath the fridge which we use to store kitchen cloths and towels. This would have given us another 11 or 12 inches.
So a regular appliance vendor will gladly sell a larger fridge, but then you need to coordinate with a carpenter for the rebuilding part.
Our neighbours did exactly that. Three years ago. Hubby kind of committed to ask them about their experience. Of course it never happened.
I hate to nag. I'll mention it every six months or so - even though I have been advised against it ;-)
But at some point I run out of patience, and I'll just tell him this is what I am gonna do, do you want to be around when the handyman arrives?
If he had listened the (insert estimated amount of) times I mentioned the fridge had to go he'd be aware that I had succumbed to my idea of gaining more fridge space, I just needed an equal replacement. So his reaction to the quote (as in "offer") was I don't think they'll get it done in that amount of time, and I'm telling you, if things are not working out, I'll be pissed.
Talk about me being pissed for three years...
I didn't even tell him when the new fridge was gonna be delivered. I just sat there and watched as he opened the new fridge door and paused.
Hahahaha!
Speaking of pissed - my formerly sweet and balanced little boy has begun to transform into a hissing pre-teen. Please send wine. In the meantime I may blog about it.
Speaking of pissed - my formerly sweet and balanced little boy has begun to transform into a hissing pre-teen. Please send wine. In the meantime I may blog about it.
If you need a nap after reading about my busy life you may want to head over to my blogger friend Leanne's post about being deliberately unbusy.
Either way don't leave before checking out my blogger friends' posts:
I remember those hectic and frantic days. They were exhausting.
ReplyDeleteYes, appliances do all need to break down at once, I speak from experience. And I have 2 full sized fridges and a free standing freezer, I could never live with what you have, I commend you for your patience, I would have replaced that thing with a full sized fridge years ago (with all that entails) and asked for forgiveness instead of permission
I don't know how you keep up with it all! You are a superwoman. We live in an apartment and have the tiny fridge problem too. It even doesn't seal properly! I hate that I can't buy more food and therefore have to shop more often which I hate! (Rena)
ReplyDeleteJust reading your schedule was exhausting in itself! Whew! How are you able to fit blogging into all of that?? I'm more at Leanne's pace, yet still struggle with it. I laughed at your back and forth with hubby about the fridge. Husbands have a way of deflecting things, much to our frustration!
ReplyDeleteTamara! That is a busy schedule indeed. I'm exhausted for you! Loved your fridge/husband story; you know I can relate to that! It sounds like you might be in need of a bouncy house. Remember that one?
ReplyDeleteAh, the joys of living in other countries. I admit to being completely spoiled with a residential French Door a fridge in our RV (41' 5th wheel trailer) and a bigger one in the house. Hoping the new fridge helps your time management (less shopping). Good luck with the pre-teen, you know it's going to get worse. LOL! (PS. Thanks for the mention!)
ReplyDeleteOh I remember those days Tamara (not a 50 minute drive though - thank goodness) but the training after school, the weekend games, working, house stuff etc. You need an Aussie fridge - ours are huge compared to yours - a lot of people have separate fridge/freezers and you'd need to remodel half your kitchen to fit those babies in!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the pre-teen parenting and try to find a little bit of time in your frantic week to breathe and have a hot/cold beveridge and pat yourself on the back for what a great job you're doing - and yes, definitely blog about it (that's what keeps us sane!) x
I miss my boys all being home and us being super busy but then at 6 pm when I'm in my pjs and done for the day, I don't miss it at all. Hang in there lady, one day all you'll have is memories.
ReplyDelete