I leave tomorrow morning for a couple of days down on the Gulf Coast.
I’m doing a book festival in Corpus Christi, and a signing, and a school visit.
But apparently I’ve already checked out of things around here.
Today I missed my yoga session in my older daughter’s classroom — and I don’t mean cancelled, I mean I totally spaced.
And I deleted a whole slew of emails I was meant to answer (Hello. Dr. Freud.)
And I swear I almost left my car at the oil change place.
That’s impossible, right?
A couple of years ago I drove away from the gas station with the hose still in my gas tank.
I kind of thought that was impossible, too.
So today was not unprecedented.
I’m just saying.
The thing is, I didn’t really think that’s the sort of thing I’d do as a grown up.
I mean, I have bank cards in my name, people.
I have children!
But I also have a life that keeps me in many different worlds at once.
Teaching and parenting and writing and volunteering and running. (Running a household and running literally, I mean.)
Some of these roles require that my feet be firmly planted and others, that I cut all tethers and float.
Honestly, on good weeks that makes for a pretty swell combination.
But you can’t expect me to remember to put the nozzle back in its cradle everytime, can you?
The one that really killed me today, of course, was the yoga.
I was nearly groveling when I picked up my tall one up from school.
She was fine. Apparently her teacher had a lot to tackle so they used the time well.
But I felt like, “She has a mom who blew it. Who blows many things. That’s who she got. Poor little thing.”
Then, tonight at dinner (I do still manage to get them fed), we were talking about all those myriad options for what to do when we grow up. And she said, “I think I’ll be a writer. And a photographer. And I’ll travel around — like you, Mama — only further. Like to Indonesia.”
So, I’m thinking she’s fine now.
I’m gonna go pack…
Trailing off….
Have a great time, Liz!
Like you, my life goes so many directions. And I’m a list person and usually uber-organized. Imagine my shock when I got an email from our local elementary school on Monday saying, We’re so looking forward to your visit tomorrow. I had on my calendar that my visit was Wed and Thu. Nope, it was Tue and Wed. And I was planning all day Tue to practice and tweak and prep materials (I was already over-preparing, but I was nervous). So Monday aft/eve was panic city. Thank God she said that. Otherwise, I’d have gotten a phone call Tuesday morning while I was unwashed and deep into practicing that said something like, “Um, Laura, there are two kindergarten and two first-grade classes sitting in the multi-purpose room. I’m not sure how long we can keep them waiting…”
We all have our moments. Sounds like your daughter has the right idea:>)
OK, phew. So if you’re a list person and uber-organized I don’t feel so bad…
I’ll bet you were great!
Liz, you’re giving me nightmares. I had a small moment of panic yesterday when I realized the conference I was going to was at a university with two campuses…and I wasn’t 100% sure I was headed to the right one, and there was no way to know until I got there. Ulp!! Luckily, I chose correctly.
Wish we could be on the same road one day!
Let’s count on it…
You Go!
Did I ever tell you about the week I had where I literally could not get
my head out of the way. I think I collided with a cabinet, the refrigerator, and the car door. What the? But it passed and I had a laugh. Step to the right brain my friend! And happy early birthday!!!!
much love,
shannon
Re: You Go!
Thanks, Shan. Now I don’t feel so bad. At least I don’t have any bruises to show for it…
Liz- You’re making me laugh– I’ve had mornings where I pour orange juice on my cereal. Yesterday during my after-shower routine I did the put-hair-gel-in-hair twice thing, because within 5 minutes I’d forgotten I’d already put it in… ah well, too many things to think about! (At least my hair stayed put…)
You must have looked extremely well-coiffed!!!
Club?
I wonder if there is a group for children (like my two middle boys) who have parents who are terminally confused (or disorganized in my case!) A couple of years ago, I was in charge of our state reading conference, and got confused about the date of my son’s birthday (it is January 18th, but I was going to celebrate on January 24– his brother’s birthday is actually July 24th- whoops!). I have decided either my two are going to grow up incredibly well-adjusted and flexible, incredibly disorganized, or else on Dr. Phil or Oprah to talk about how their mother mistreated them!
Carol Wilcox
Denver
Re: Club?
I love it. What shall we call the club. KOMSO — Kids of Mamas Spacing Out???