Some of you know that I write articles for my library for a local area paper...This is an article I wrote for next week's paper, so if you read both my blog and the paper, you are ahead of the game. I just thought this was a fun article/story that turned out well and was something everyone might be interested in.
This is the story of my life...*smile*
I wonder if being born late has anything to do with the fact that I am traditionally late wherever I go. I mean, not late late, just later than I’d like to be getting there. My husband and I always banter back and forth as to who makes whom late on Sunday mornings for church. I always say it’s him because I got myself and 3 other people dressed and ready to go. He always says it’s me because I always try and do just one more thing before walking out the door. Just one more thing is my motto, he teases.
Last Sunday, our church held our annual Fall Festival and Al and Emily went early to help get ready. So, I was down two people and I had extra time to get out the door since there was no Sunday school that morning. All I had to do was get Carter, Casey and myself out the door and to church by 10 a.m. We were all awake and up when Al and Emily left home at 8:30 a.m. I made the boys waffles and took a shower. Before I knew it, it was 9:40 a.m. and I wasn’t even dressed yet. Yikes!! It takes me 20 minutes to drive to church! UGH! Where did the time go? I really don’t know what happens. I look at the clock and I have lots of time. Then, I turn around and I’m running late. How is that possible?
On regular school days, all of you who are parents understand how hard it is to get your children up and moving; take that times 3 for my household and then add something for me. My kids are really rarely late to school, but it feels like they are late if they don’t get to walk in the door with the line of other kids standing outside waiting because their parents dropped them off early.
Some days it feels impossible to make it anywhere on time, let alone early. Take the one Friday of the month we have a staff meeting, for example. I need to have my children out of the door by ten minutes to 8:00 a.m. and I need to be on the road driving to work to be able to arrive on time. I also need to have some food prepared and ready to go. One particular Friday in question, I had the kids up in plenty of time, I had an egg casserole baking before 7:00 a.m., and I had clothes laid out for everyone. What actually happened in between 7:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m is a blur to me. I found myself leaving a message on the library’s answering machine saying, “I’m sorry, but it is just impossible for me to make it on time this morning! I am on my way and I’m bringing food, though…” Where in my morning did I go wrong?? I just don’t know.
These articles are actually due to the paper on Wednesdays of the week before they print. I even start thinking about things to write about as early as the weekend before. But one day, I found I had a lot of work that kept using my time to write an article and I asked Sarah, what the last possible turn in time for the articles was and she told me Friday afternoons. What a mistake to ask that question. Now, I continually find myself pushing right up until that time. Like this Friday morning, I am putting the finishing touches on before I send it on; Friday morning, not Wednesday. Hopefully, you all get the chance to read about my mishaps.
Growing up, my mom was one of those people who got to appointments a half an hour early, just in case you might be able to get in to see the doctor before your scheduled time, or something like that. Unfortunately, that is one gene that I didn’t inherit . I don’t ever intend to be late; it just happens.
It’s just one of those things I’ve tried to accept. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t try to be late. I wake up each new day telling myself that I’m not going to be late today. I am going to wake the kids up early and we are going to have a great morning and leisurely get to school; early. That is my mantra and I keep telling myself that as I put the dishes away and reload the dishwasher, take a shower and get ready for work, check the kids’ backpacks and my e-mail, etc. But, the kids are always tired and I let them sleep in and, now that I think about it, I am always trying to get one more thing done before they wake up. So, we hurry around trying to not be late, as reality sets in that I am again making excuses and running late. I know it’s me, but I don’t know how to get passed it. It’s kind of like exercising for me. I tell myself I am going to do it and I honestly try for awhile, but then one thing and another happens and I’m not exercising like I think I should.
So, if you notice me rushing from here to there, you’ll know that I am running late, but don’t fret; I’m probably not late late. Maybe I should make it my New Year’s Resolution for 2010?
There were some cliff like spots and sheer walls... Very cool and pretty area.
Lunch break after we portaged the dam.
We actually camped this weekend too. I love floating camping and the outdoors, but I also really love my toilet and a/c and heat. *smile*
