When I bought all my patio plants, my daughter convinced me to by this plant, cleverly called The Money Tree. For the last 10 years, my kids and I have lived a frugal life-style with me often saying, "Not today, kids...maybe next time. Mom just doesn't have the money." Digging ditches and slinging mulch was possibly the lowest I got in striving to make ends meet. The good thing is the kids have learned about survival and that you do what you have to, even if it's not that glamourous. So, once again indulging in a little of the fanciful, I purchased the dang plant.
Fast forward to today. A hideous day. My daughter stayed up late last night finishing a year-end project for English. After just a few hours of sleep, I woke at my ususal time of 4:30am. Ugghhh! I struggle to fit in an hour of work before we set off to my daughter's school, an hour and a half round trip drive. My daughter and I listen to the radio morning show, she doses. When we arrive at the school, she jumps out of the car as I ask the dreaded question, "Where is your English project?" "Oh my God, MOM!" You guessed it. I made the 2nd hour and a half round trip to retrieve the missing project. I was tempted to let this be a learning lesson for her and not save her, but not to forsake half her grade. Plus, she did do an amazing job and worked very hard on it. Sucker that I am.
This detour slammed my work day. Exhausted already, I trudged on, finding every file I opened harder and harder to concentrate on. I realized that these long hours and all the driving were starting to take their toll. When my daughter got home, I did not hide my displeasure in her disruption of my day. My kids and I then walked to the bakery to get a loaf of bread. I needed the 10 minute walk to clear my head. But things escalated. I was in a fowl mood. The last thing I wanted to hear was the kids ragging on each other. We got back home, and my son locked my daughter out of the house as I tried to sit back down at my computer. My daughter, of course, started ringing the door bell repeatedly. I lost it, screaming at both of them. It was not a good moment and certainly one our neighbors probably did not appreciate. Doors slammed, Clairyssa stomping upstairs as loudly as she could, Harrison claiming he was just messing with his sister and didn't know I was gonna have such a hissy fit. I logged back on my computer expecting to work another hour and a half and not knowing where I was going to find the mental energy. There was an e-mail waiting for me. I was reluctant to open it thinking it might be more bad news. My contract employer was offering me a promotion, including more pay. I suddenly realized I may not have to keep working 50 hours a week. 45 might do. I wrote a quick e-mail of acceptance and the appropriate Thank You's to those who had recommended me for the position. I had already put in 9 hours for the day, so I logged off. Asking my son to come with me, we ventured upstairs to make amends with my daughter and each other. I explained that I have been extremely exhausted from working so hard but that I had just accepted a promotion.
My daughter's response, "See, Mom, the Money Tree worked." I naturally would like to think all the hard and accurate work was responsible, but who knows... Maybe a little luck from the Money Tree is just what I needed. The evening has gone much smoother!
Fast forward to today. A hideous day. My daughter stayed up late last night finishing a year-end project for English. After just a few hours of sleep, I woke at my ususal time of 4:30am. Ugghhh! I struggle to fit in an hour of work before we set off to my daughter's school, an hour and a half round trip drive. My daughter and I listen to the radio morning show, she doses. When we arrive at the school, she jumps out of the car as I ask the dreaded question, "Where is your English project?" "Oh my God, MOM!" You guessed it. I made the 2nd hour and a half round trip to retrieve the missing project. I was tempted to let this be a learning lesson for her and not save her, but not to forsake half her grade. Plus, she did do an amazing job and worked very hard on it. Sucker that I am.
This detour slammed my work day. Exhausted already, I trudged on, finding every file I opened harder and harder to concentrate on. I realized that these long hours and all the driving were starting to take their toll. When my daughter got home, I did not hide my displeasure in her disruption of my day. My kids and I then walked to the bakery to get a loaf of bread. I needed the 10 minute walk to clear my head. But things escalated. I was in a fowl mood. The last thing I wanted to hear was the kids ragging on each other. We got back home, and my son locked my daughter out of the house as I tried to sit back down at my computer. My daughter, of course, started ringing the door bell repeatedly. I lost it, screaming at both of them. It was not a good moment and certainly one our neighbors probably did not appreciate. Doors slammed, Clairyssa stomping upstairs as loudly as she could, Harrison claiming he was just messing with his sister and didn't know I was gonna have such a hissy fit. I logged back on my computer expecting to work another hour and a half and not knowing where I was going to find the mental energy. There was an e-mail waiting for me. I was reluctant to open it thinking it might be more bad news. My contract employer was offering me a promotion, including more pay. I suddenly realized I may not have to keep working 50 hours a week. 45 might do. I wrote a quick e-mail of acceptance and the appropriate Thank You's to those who had recommended me for the position. I had already put in 9 hours for the day, so I logged off. Asking my son to come with me, we ventured upstairs to make amends with my daughter and each other. I explained that I have been extremely exhausted from working so hard but that I had just accepted a promotion.
My daughter's response, "See, Mom, the Money Tree worked." I naturally would like to think all the hard and accurate work was responsible, but who knows... Maybe a little luck from the Money Tree is just what I needed. The evening has gone much smoother!
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