Daughter's performances at the Pabst Theatre
Shame on me for falling into the all too typical trap of putting aside the things I love to do. I think most mothers understand my plight. I look at the last date I blogged, and it confirms it. When mothers have too much on their plate, the first thing to fall by the way side is those things that personally enrich their lives. Oh, don't get me wrong. I love my children to death and would do anything for them...and fairly often do with little energy left for myself.
I love to write, to garden, and to exercise. All of which are things that not only help me cope with the busy schedule but also make me a much more pleasant person for my children to be around. So, why do we fall in that trap? Those items I just mentioned are always the first to go by the wayside. And why is it so hard to get back into that schedule that makes us happiest...one of balance? No, really, I am asking! Because I haven't a clue. So, here I am back to my blog which I really do enjoy submerging myself into every evening. And I look back at the last 2 weeks since I blogged. Between graduations, end of school activities, those delightful half days that the school throws in which get completely forgotten about until the last minute, dance rehearsals, dance performances, birthday parties...oh, and that pesky full-time job....I take a deep breath. And it culminated with my daughter's belated birthday party.
I love to write, to garden, and to exercise. All of which are things that not only help me cope with the busy schedule but also make me a much more pleasant person for my children to be around. So, why do we fall in that trap? Those items I just mentioned are always the first to go by the wayside. And why is it so hard to get back into that schedule that makes us happiest...one of balance? No, really, I am asking! Because I haven't a clue. So, here I am back to my blog which I really do enjoy submerging myself into every evening. And I look back at the last 2 weeks since I blogged. Between graduations, end of school activities, those delightful half days that the school throws in which get completely forgotten about until the last minute, dance rehearsals, dance performances, birthday parties...oh, and that pesky full-time job....I take a deep breath. And it culminated with my daughter's belated birthday party.
The girls at Summer Solstice
Now, here is where I went terribly wrong! I granted my daughter's wish to have eight 14 year olds over for a sleep over. She made the invitations a few weeks ago after which I thought little of it as I focused on all the other crazy activities spiraling around me. Then came Friday, the day of the party. Who is coming? We are not quite sure. What're we going to do for food? Oh my god, I have to meet this work deadline, and I haven't even done any grocery shopping. Eight teenage girls? Holy shit! I should have my friggin' head examined. Surely they won't all show up, especially since we now live downtown...a bit of a drive for the parents to make. It's Friday, and they were supposed to start arriving at 5pm. My daughter and I dashed to the grocery store. I think I remember changing out of my PJ bottoms into something more appropriate. But couldn't be sure since I had been up since 3am trying to meet my work deadline. I'm pretty sure my hair did not get brushed. Then the mad quest for a Dairy Queen to get the ice cream cake my daughter HAD to have. Then I had to find my cooler in the basement to put the ice cream cake in because it would not fit in the freezer, of course. Aaahhh, then there was the little matter of ice to put in the cooler. Are you kidding me? Another frantic run back to the grocery store and we are back. The door bell rings. They started to arrive one by one...and yes, I ended up with eight 14 year olds in my home, eating, dancing, squealing like pigs. None of them brought a sleeping bag or pillow. Not sure why that was since it was clearly a sleepover. So, another crazy dash to cover the floor with comforters and pillows.
Several of them did not sleep and chose to go out on my balcony at 4am and start singing and laughing...VERY loudly. I corralled them back into the house but in the process one of them managed to fall thru my screen door, tearing the screen, and completely pulling the frame off, bending it in half. Yes, I think I need to think twice about what I agree to.
Several of them did not sleep and chose to go out on my balcony at 4am and start singing and laughing...VERY loudly. I corralled them back into the house but in the process one of them managed to fall thru my screen door, tearing the screen, and completely pulling the frame off, bending it in half. Yes, I think I need to think twice about what I agree to.
The girls in Lake Michigan
No sleeping bags and all refused to wear swim suits. You guessed it...they didn't stay as dry as they appear here. So soon we were running back to the house for showers and a request that I dry their clothes because that's all they have. Eight girls taking showers in my one little bathroom. This was getting exhausting. Once they had spent a good couple of hours primping, redoing makeup, and getting their freshly dried clothes back on, we made our way to the Summer Solstice Festival just a couple of blocks from home. I looked down at my I-Phone clock....just 2 more hours. I think I'm going to make it. And we did. That night I do believe I finally brushed my hair and teeth and passed out on the couch.
Time to get back to some me time, walks to the Lake, tending my garden, and telling you more stories about how completely ridiculous I am when I do not think things through. Thank God for watering my plants over the past two weeks, or those might have suffered as well. And as for the exercise...a 4 mile jog this afternoon. Back in the saddle!
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