Yesterday was a marathon. And it’s not how things usually work for me. I try to be careful not to book marathon days because I know how they wipe me out.
However, circumstances were beyond my control.
It kind of started Tuesday night when we attended my nephew’s confirmation, which I found unexpectedly emotional (more on that later). Tuesday night ended up being a bit of a scramble, and a bit of a late night.
Yesterday:
https://twitter.com/redpenmamapgh/status/578165697370583040
And we were off to the races. I was supposed to pick up my Sarris candy order at 8 a.m. at the school, but the truck was still unloading when I got there. Still haven’t figured out where my candy is at this point. So, visit to the school number 1: drop off girls, pick up candy. Only 50% successful.
Work: as we know, I find my current office situation challenging. The less said here, the better.
I left work yesterday a little after 3 p.m. I was scheduled to conduct the Battle of the Books session on Because of Winn-Dixie. I had written out the questions on Sunday; I had about 60. Flora had picked out snacks over the weekend — Pringles and Honest Kids juice boxes. And then, part-way through the day, I thought of an activity I thought would be fun.
In Because of Winn-Dixie, the main character is a 10-year-old girl who lives with her father, a preacher. Her mother left when she was 3. At one point, she asks her father to tell her 10 things about her mother so the girl will know her if she ever comes back. At another point, the character makes up another list of 10 things for her dog.
I had the girls pick someone in their lives to write 10 things about. I think they liked it! Most of the girls picked their mothers; Flora picked her father (not surprising to me); one girl picked her twin sister; and one girl picked her best friend.
Let me tell you something: six 10-year-old girls are squirmy, and giggly, and rambunctious, and very competitive when it comes to Battle of the Books. I enjoyed spending an hour with them. Very, very much. School visit number 2: 100% successful.
Then: Pick up Michael; pick up dinner; drive to Dan’s office. Kate was cranky and sulky and difficult. She wanted to go to the STEM meeting with me. I said no, and I meant no. The last meeting I took my children too, they were entirely too disruptive, and I had to leave early. Never again.
I ran late to the STEM meeting, but I let myself off the hook for that. I managed to get some food into me, which was more important than being a stressed out, hungry wreck. I contributed; got my lesson plan for my lesson-in-a-box. I have to plan it around sounds or the solar system. I have a great idea, actually. (Thanks to my Twitter friends who made suggestions too!)
And I helped inventory the science lab. I found the magnifying glasses and the LED microscopes that no one knew we had, so that was exciting. We *do* have an automatic egg turner for incubating chicken eggs. I desperately wanted to take a picture of it. School visit number 3: 100% successful.
Now, I was originally scheduled to do BoB on March 4. And the STEM committee meeting was originally scheduled for March 10. But due to weather and other factors, dates got changed. To March 18. Plus, I agreed to help a friend with SEO for his website, for which I had provided content. He came over at 9:20 p.m. and we sat together about an hour assessing the situation.
That’s a long-ass day.
I went to bed at 11:15 p.m.; I woke up at 2:30 and 3:30 a.m., as per usual. I couldn’t drag myself out of bed to do Pilates this morning. But maybe I’ll get it in tonight. I actually have nothing out of the ordinary going on — just the usual sprint to bedtime. Thank goodness.
What’s a long day for you?
Red Pen Mama 