Friday Funny- So I'M the High Maintenance One?

Remember a few weeks ago when Zoe begged to go on the Brownie Camping Trip? She was completely undone that she was the ONLY one not attending. Remember the conversation (during which I was completely mortified) with her Brownie leader stating that I was more of a mani/pedi, take you to the mall kind of mom? That I was not a camping kind of mom....

And you know, I AM a Nervous Nelly when it comes to leaving my children with others when I'm traveling. But after the conversation with no less than six other moms convincing me she would be absolutely fine and they would watch over her like a hawk, I was convinced to spend an extra six hours packing her camping gear and errands and preparing a small but sweet thank you gift for the Brownie Leader and editing the travel agenda with more phone numbers than the Yellow Pages.

So needless to say I was a little rattled when Aunt Bet called me on Friday morning. After having countless conversations with Zoe, she told me that Zoe was absolutely freaked out about going camping and was adamant that she was NOT going under any circumstances.

Now, knowing my FearlessIMustBeTheFirstToTryIt Daughter, this concerned me. Why, all of a sudden, after all of that planning and begging and and pleading, was she completely going off the deep end about camping?

Being the person I am, after talking with Aunt Bet, I relenquished. Honestly, if she was that set on NOT going, surely there had to be a really good reason. As well, I believe that sometimes you just have to go with your gut... (you know, the whole,"I really felt like I should turn onto this street that day even though I NEVER do that and it saved me from a nasty car wreck that would have ended my life kinda thing. Yep. I'm that girl.)

Turns out.... one of her Brownie mates was not going because there were spiders and the bathrooms were disgusting.

And I'M the one who can't camp? It took everything I had not to say anything. Every last ounce of restraint. I know the important thing here is that Zoe can trust that I am listening, even when I'm on the other side of the States, but dagnabit! that was six hours of sleep I will never get back.

It's true. Children make you gray before your time.

Yours, knowing this will probably happen a few more times, and loving parenthood in spite of it,

Melissa

Monday Minute: Too Many Electronics?

If you read my post last Monday, you know that I was GUILTED into going away this weekend with the family to a (gasp!) military event. And while I wasn’t really looking forward to it, and was REALLY pissed at my husband for manipulated the situation to suit him, it was actually kind-of fun. (By the way, if you mention that to my husband, I will cut your hair off in your sleep!)

But truth be told, I was more nervous about the drive than the actual event. With stops, it was about 8 hours each way. My kids have never been on a road trip. If it’s more than a few hours away, we fly. We’re just not a driving sort of family.

Well I have to say, the kids were GREAT! And of course they were great. We had movies, the PSP, my iPod, along with tons of snacks. WOW! Let’s think for a minute about road trips when we were kids. (Of course, I’m assuming that everyone reading this is around my age. If you’re not, keep it to yourself!)

There was the License Plate game. We never did see Alaska or Hawaii, so how was anyone supposed to win? And we had a Bingo game, with road signs and such instead of letters and numbers. Then there was listing items in a category (decided by Mom) using the letters A through Z in order.

But the thing I remember most from childhood road trips was “THE LOOK” from Dad. (Jaws music playing here!) I still shudder, just thinking about it. If we got “THE LOOK” we knew we were in REAL trouble. Dad never did threaten to stop the car, he would threaten to smack our knees. But the thing was, he couldn’t really drive and aim for one of us. The backseat contained me and my two sisters, giving him 6 knees to smack. And he did! No matter who was in trouble, we all got smacked knees. So that’s why we dreaded “THE LOOK!”

Hmmmm, I wonder if I’ve ever given “THE LOOK” to my kids. Naw, probably not!

Karen

Paradise Postponed

Yep, we had to cancel our trip to Mexico. Darn Swine Flu! If the World Health Organization had not raised the alert level to a 5, we would have still gone. Couldn't they have waited one more day? We were actually hoping that once we were down there, they would close the borders! (Gosh Darn It, we'll just have to stay a while longer!)

Although I'm sure we made the right decision, it's still hard to swallow. I keep looking at the clock this morning, thinking what we'd be doing right now. For instance, we'd be just landing in Dallas, ready to change planes and meet our oldest sister in a few minutes. Who, by the way, may never speak to my other sister and me again! Needless to say, she DID NOT want to cancel the trip.

So we'll talk to the travel agent this morning and try to plan something else for this month, in another part of the world!

And may I add, this is officially a commercial for Traveler's Insurance! We cancelled our trip 12 hours before we were to leave, and will either get all of our money back or be able to use it towards another vacation within the next year. That a GREAT deal for about 100 bucks!

So wish me luck that my sister speaks to me again and we find another destination before school lets out.

Karen

And in case you're wondering, I'm eating everything in sight today and getting a massage. Tomorrow I'll stop wallowing in self-pity!

How Long does it Take To do That?

So if you read my little "about me snippet", you know that I'm a writer.  A songwriter, mostly, but up for whatever comes my way.  This week I am in Nashville, chasing that songwriting dream. I know that I'm fortunate that I have a husband who supports me chasing a dream that requires me to be away for a week at a time.  I totally get that and don't take it lightly. 

BUT. . . . 

It is amazing to me how different it is when the one who is in charge of the kids travels. Here is an abbreviated list of what I have to think through and do before I leave town for a few days:

1. Schedule the trip around all school and spousal functions. GOOD LUCK.

2. Find and schedule and pay enough baby sitters to hold down the fort while the spouse is at work. This may mean three to four different sitters with a back-up plan or two. 

3. Get the house in reasonable order so things can be found. Read: Put everything in order and then all the things that need to be found- put them right out in plain view. On the counter. With florescent colored sticky notes with instructions.

4. Wash, dry, fold and put away the laundry.  I suppose they could do it while I'm away, but the result of having some of my delicates mixed in with the towels is unappealing. Plus, if he puts it away, I may never find it again. Ever.

5.  Prepare a few meals and put them in the freezer. Or just be okay with the fact that pizza contains the four food groups and if they eat it for the next four days, then, well, it's a balanced diet.

6. Put the book out where it can be found. Otherwise, I will be texted/called/e-mailed at all times.  And it's hard to be in a serious conversation with a publisher while saying,"Yes, honey, she needs tights, tap shoes and a leotard. And YES, you have to stay there the WHOLE time." 

7. Write out the schedule for the next 4-5 days. (Of course, mine is in the book. Yes, traveling like this is one big reason it was written). Send copies of the schedule to everyone involved- the hubby (yes, I DO actually e-mail it so that he will be able to find it), aunts, teachers, friends taking care of the kids, and every back up person I know. Yes. I am a little neurotic about it. Sue me.

8. Pack the kids' backpacks for the next school day. 

9. Oh yeah- pack my OWN clothes, supplies, writing stuff and put it in the car.

10. Kiss each child as they are sleeping and try not to split my heart in half knowing I'm not going to see them for the next 4-5 days.

11. Write cute "Mommy misses you!' notes and put them all over the house.

12. Try to get a some sleep in the few remaining hours I have- sometimes- before I have to leave.

So what does the one who is NOT in charge of the kids do? See #9. And you know that means about 20 minutes of packing, if that. OYE.

Somehow this feels a little lopsided.  Anybody got a book to help me?

Yours, happy just to have a few days away, even if it DOES take moving mountains,

Melissa