Deadlines

Fine, that's me in the leaves...

I woke up at 6:45, got a moment to myself to get downstairs before the kids woke up and got myself a cup of coffee. I was looking forward to turning on the tv to see the reports on TomKats nuptials. However, much to my dismay, I got the reports on how the war in Iraq isn't good, not going the way anyone hoped. And is that really news? Why can't we get the media to hone in on where is Colin Powell? It could be like that stupid Matt Lauer bit, "WHERE IN THE WORLD IS...COLIN POWELL!?" I just think it's interesting to note how controlled the media really is on that point. That's all I'm sayin on politics.

Lucy wakes up, Ricardo jumps in the shower, Max gets dressed. All is right with the world on Monday. I see on the local news that the yard work bag collectors' last day to pick up is today. Super. At this point, I realize, this could be a direct plea to me to get my ass out there and pick up that gigantic pile of leaves I blew for the kids to play in a little over a MONTH AGO. Fine, I had a little fun jumping in the leaf pile, too. Sigh. It's a pretty large pile that I've been meaning to pick up. So, I throw breakfast on the table and get out there and start picking up leaves. I'm now in a race to beat, not only the yard work collectors, but to beat the clock with Ricardo leaving for work, and getting the kids to school fully dressed and groomed. The challenge is on. I get two bags filled, and get in the house to get the kids dressed.

As I'm getting their hats and gloves in their backpacks, I see the memo from the preschool that's on the floor in the foyer: Christmas Portraits will be taken Monday, please have your kid dressed accordingly. SUPER, I scan the kids, Lucy's wearing purple to accomodate her cool new purple fuzzy hair thingy. Max is wearing his token Nebraska football jersey and sweatpants. I'm not changing their clothes because a) it's not worth the fight, they are so excited to be wearing those items; and 2) I just ordered $150 worth of family portraits, including Christmas portraits. We'll pass on the school version.

It's now 8:05, time to get the minivan started and warmed up because I left it outside to get nice and frosted over. Get the car started, get inside to get the kids ready. Pour more coffee. I get the kids in the car, and all is right with the world, while I figure out how to race home and get the rest of the leaves up for pick up.

I get the kids to school, on time today, thank you. Just in time to realize I was supposed to bring in family pictures for their thanksgiving projects. I ask teacher, "Are they working on that today?" Uh, yes. Super, now I race home to get a 4X6 of our happy family. I get home, print off two copies, in B/W because it'll look cool. OR because the printer is low on color ink. Refill the coffee cup and head back out. Drop the lovely family pictures off back at school and race back to the house to get the rest of the leaves up.

I win the race! It's 10:21, all the leaves are picked up, the kids are at school with their assignments (i.e., MY assignment) and they'll have their holiday school pictures done in mismatched non-holiday colors.

I was listening to a cd I made with fun girl power songs on it. Poigniantly, X's & O's by Trisha Yearwod came on. I rocked it out. If you don't know it, download it. It's an oldie but goodie.

I now must away to go burn off the rest of this serious caffeine high.
It's how I roll.