Gettin' her done

So the end of the school year is a mad house for anyone who works in the educational field at any level. It took me a few years to catch on to that but now I just plan on riding the crazy train from April 1st -- May 18th. It's exhausting physically and mentally, but if you know the ride is temporary, no one derails.

Anyway, last Thursday at work was going to be a HUGE day and a wild ride from start to finish with all the events going on. However, I had been preparing for it for quite a while, so instead of being afraid of it, I was ready! I had warned my girls multiple times during the days before, that on Thursday, Mom would have a VERY busy day so don't be calling and asking to go out to lunch, or bring you money or forgotten homework or whatever else you think you might need from dear ol' mom that day. "Y'all are on your own," is basically how I phrased it.

So, as Wednesday night ended, I slept soundly knowing I had all my t's crossed and i's dotted and was sorta even looking forward to the batty day ahead just to get it punched out. But as luck would have it, the first words out of my 9-year old's mouth was that her ear really hurt. I didn't say it out loud but thought sarcastically to myself, "Of course you have an ear infection on the one of the busiest days of my work life." I know I sighed out loud but I was careful to hold back on the eye rolling. She'd been fighting a nasty head cold for over two weeks so as soon as she said the words, I already knew it had to be an ear infection. And most moms know, there's no waiting around on those, so I quickly had to figure out how in tarnation I would be able to fit in a doctor's visit, as well as a Pharmacy visit in the middle of all the chaos. I was blessed to find an hour in between events that morning to rush her in and sure enough, ear infection and sinus infection so I was glad I made the time. Hubby had a few minutes to pick up her meds and all was back on schedule!

And the nutty day continued on till after 8 p.m. There was lots of running, organizing, smiling, re-organizing and praying but in my opinion, the work day went off without a hitch, or at least any noticeable hitches. My feet were killing me and I'm sure my forehead had permanent wrinkles from internal stressing, but I had made it and was proud to have knocked it out.

Since no one had eaten dinner after that incredibly long day, we all packed up and headed to the Mexican restaurant to treat ourselves to a late dinner and finally relax. I even ordered myself a large pop to drink, which I hardly ever order and try to refrain from, but felt like I deserved it, gosh darn it! We all shot the breeze while we wolfed down our chips and queso and I felt relieved to know that my day was complete and only a shower and bed awaited me. Phew!

But then ... as we finish up and the waiter drops the bill at our table, my 16-year-old asks, "Can we go to the store and get my supplies for my Spanish Pudding?" My eyes dart back n forth as I try to recall any conversation about Spanish Pudding. "What pudding and when is it due?" I respond. "You know, that Spanish Pudding recipe I have to make for class tomorrow?" she states as if making Spanish Pudding was on my list of to-do's all along, on one of the busiest days of the year, a day that I had told her about several times. I take a deep breath, ask her what the recipe is and respond by telling her I have 9 out of the 10 items so we can wing it because in no way shape or form am I going to the grocery store after 9pm after the longest day ever. She argues a little about that 10th ingredient she needs but senses the tension I must have been radiating and eventually agrees to "wing" it.

So instead of a shower and heading to bed, I'm up till 11pm helping the oldest, and supposed to be most responsible child, make Spanish Pudding for her class the next day. I only had 100 things to do that day, what's a few more? But I got 'er done and survived with a smile.