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By muchagecko (Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 01:45:34 PM EST) hectic days (all tags)

Rainy days and Mondays (and Tuesdays) always get me down. - Karen Carpenter

My week starts with too much to do.

Monday

5:00 am - get up and get ready for work
6:00 - try to get addled brain together enough to understand very technical position as digital prepress artiste
6:30 - 1/2 cup coffee (I was supposed to give it up, which is why I torture myself a half hour before I give in and have some)
7:15 - give kids a wake-up call
8:15 - get call from boy on his way to school bus stop
8:22 - get call from boy on school bus
8:24 - get call from boy as bus passes library
8:26 - get call from boy as he arrives at his school
until 2:00 pm - work, work, work
2:30 - race out of work to fight traffic
3:10 - pick up girl and her friend at school
3:30 - feed fish, get snacks for kids, get mail, pay bills, use bathroom, etc.
4:00 - haul boy's arse out of house and into car while he's throwing tantrum
5:00 - Occupational Therapy for boy
6:00 - long drive home
6:45 - make dinners (everybody eats something different - gluten-free boy, picky girl, and dieting me)
7:30 - dishes
8:00 - check email
9:00 - Heroes
10:00 - shower
10:30 - bed (as long as I don't get distracted by Stephen Colbert)

So that's my Monday, every week. My Tuesdays are just as hectic, but different as the big trip out is to my daughters cello lesson instead of OT.

I've got no wiggle room for goofing off. Not being able to spontaneously try something different at the beginning of each weeks eats at my chaotic soul. I need to either punch everyone around me or dance like a demon.

I choose to dance.

I'm sure every parent has rough days. How do you make it through?

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just getting through | 35 comments (35 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback

Poll should be multi-select. by greyrat (4.00 / 2) #1 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 01:54:20 PM EST

And since I'm at work, I'll say I make it through with lots of self-gratification. And drinking. And running.
~
There is absolutely no correlation or causation amongst intelligence, power, talent and wealth.
Kha-Nyou

Eh. by muchagecko (2.00 / 2) #2 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 02:35:49 PM EST

The drinking would be more fun if there was someone else around to be responsible. You are lucky for that.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

Meh. I don't need anyone to be responsible. by greyrat (4.00 / 1) #3 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 02:43:24 PM EST

I can crawl from the living room to the bedroom just fine on my own, if need be. I can't afford to buy drinks at a bar for heaven's sake!
~
There is absolutely no correlation or causation amongst intelligence, power, talent and wealth.
Kha-Nyou
[ Parent ]

I was thinking of the children! by muchagecko (4.00 / 1) #4 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 02:51:25 PM EST

What will the children think?!

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

I can 'maintain an even strain' pretty well. by greyrat (4.00 / 1) #5 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 02:54:26 PM EST

At least until they go to bed. And now that they're getting older and staying up later, they don't really need much from me in the evenings.
~
There is absolutely no correlation or causation amongst intelligence, power, talent and wealth.
Kha-Nyou
[ Parent ]

You win. by muchagecko (4.00 / 1) #6 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 03:04:29 PM EST

I'm on call 24/7 with Asperger boy. I don't know what he'd think if he saw me drunk.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

: I hardly call that winning. by greyrat (4.00 / 1) #8 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 03:19:05 PM EST

And the boy will grow. Things will smooth out.
~
There is absolutely no correlation or causation amongst intelligence, power, talent and wealth.
Kha-Nyou
[ Parent ]

I sold mine off. by Christopher Robin was Murdered (4.00 / 2) #7 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 03:17:09 PM EST

The boy to a lovely couple from Wisconsin. Hardy Lutheran stock. The man was loan officer of some sort. The wife was a teacher. Nice couple.

The girl went to a lady who worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Or maybe she worked on a farm. Pharm or farm. It was late and her money was green, so either way, right?

Good choice. by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #9 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 03:29:21 PM EST

If I'd done the same, your jacket wouldn't smell like rotten milk or dry cleaning - whichever.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

Meetin' THE muchagecko is more than worth it. by Christopher Robin was Murdered (4.00 / 1) #10 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 03:37:51 PM EST

A jacket's just a jacket, but the MG is the one and only, you know?

Don't give it another thought.

[ Parent ]

I'm a little proud of it. by muchagecko (4.00 / 1) #11 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 03:44:05 PM EST

You are an up and coming, published author.

My boy spilled milk all over you. It's a story I tell better in person.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

We'll both be famous. by Christopher Robin was Murdered (4.00 / 1) #12 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 04:23:19 PM EST

When I do my first comic, I'll demand you as the artist.

Then, when we've reinvented the medium and brought a generation of fans who had justly rejected sequential art as a tired form back to the comic shops, we'll get to go to conventions.

And then you'll get to witness the spectacle of out of shape people squeezed in your character's costumes. Isn't that an appealing thought?

[ Parent ]

Well if that isn't a lovely dream. by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #14 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 04:44:06 PM EST

It's not exactly like spacejack's Number 6 fantasies, but I think we've got an excellent chance of making 'all our dreams come true'.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

It was just for a drawing jam! by spacejack (4.00 / 1) #18 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 06:44:12 PM EST

No.6 is really not my style.

That's a heroic schedule you've got. I'm an inexcusably lazy bum by comparison.

[ Parent ]

: I fantasize by muchagecko (4.00 / 1) #23 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 03:56:59 AM EST

about having the time to produce as much art as you do. You create a lot - that's awesome.
As for No. 6, she just makes the story more interesting. I don't really know what your style is, but I trust that you are looking for someone very unique.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

I count the years by georgeha (4.00 / 1) #13 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 04:28:07 PM EST

I reckon in 16 years, the youngest will be done with college (or nearly done), and maybe I can put myself first.

All the way through college? by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #15 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 04:48:06 PM EST

Cripes - with my daughter I figure that when she's off to college, I'm free.

My son will probably live with me for the rest of his life.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

I don't know if they can pay for it theirselves by georgeha (4.00 / 1) #16 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 06:11:18 PM EST

fully at least.

[ Parent ]

Why do you think cello lessons by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #24 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 03:58:21 AM EST

are so important?

Scholarships

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

We have missed the boat with eleven year old by georgeha (4.00 / 1) #28 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 12:18:28 PM EST

if she had dance lessons, she could have used that to get into the school of the arts, but it was too hard to fit the price and inconvenience into our schedules. Hopefully we'll find some way to get her into SOTA.

We'll do better with six year old.

[ Parent ]

: Dance is good, by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #29 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 07:28:41 PM EST

but having run through the pageant circuit as a teen, musicians have the edge when it comes to scholarships. It's a talent that's easy to recognize and judge. I also believe that everyone should have at least a small understanding of music, and there really isn't a better way than playing an instrument.
Dance is my favorite of the arts, and I think getting kids into dance early is important also. My son used to go to my dance classes in NYC. I loved having him there. He spun and jumped and had so much energy to fill the whole room.
Some folks would say that sports are the extra-curricular activity to get your kids involved in.
I guess you can't go wrong as long as the kids are kept active.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

Nope. by Horatio Hellpop (4.00 / 1) #17 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 06:39:20 PM EST

Words and Music by Paul Williams & Roger Nichols.

"You can't really know something until you ruin it for everyone." -some guy who used to have an account here

: Stupid internet by muchagecko (4.00 / 1) #20 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 10:47:27 PM EST

I googled and the 3rd link claims the lyrics are by the Carpenters. ARgh.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

is "heroes" strictly necessary? by dmg (4.00 / 1) #19 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 09:34:18 PM EST

i see 30mins spare time right there...
--
Hard work is morally wrong.

: Actually if I didn't watch by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #21 Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 10:48:56 PM EST

that show, I'd have a whole hour!

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

WIPO: by curmudgeon (4.00 / 2) #22 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 02:02:17 AM EST

Cry when I don't want to drink, drink when I don't want to cry.
---
Get over it.

: That's very crumudgeonly by muchagecko (2.00 / 2) #25 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 04:01:00 AM EST

of you.
Next time you are in the Emerald City, I'll show you how to add dance to your repertoire.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

This Diary Haiku by fleece (4.00 / 2) #26 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 05:53:07 AM EST

Want ten minutes back?
Shave off all your body hair
For faster showers

: But then I'd have to grow the man-beard. by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #30 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 07:30:33 PM EST

I just don't have the right genes for that.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

No idea how you cope without some goofing off time by TPD (4.00 / 1) #27 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 10:08:07 AM EST

I'm lucky in that I typically get one night out on the town (and off parent duty) when I'm staying in London for work. (Without that I'd probably be even more of a mess!)

I know it's way easier said than done, but try to find some self time. Or else these feelings of constantly being under the cosh are just going to build and build.

Do you have any family who could look after the kids occasionally - or even just some friends who could come over an evening and share a bottle of wine?

Given what you are having to contend with every day it sounds like you're coping amazingly, but throughout all these tasks please don't neglect looking after yourself it's every bit as important as the rest!

Rock Hard Abs are just a sw-sw-swivel away!

I have dance class on Thursday, by muchagecko (4.00 / 1) #31 Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 08:02:10 PM EST

and I dance on Sunday morning. I've been using the fake bike in the exercise room with my kids, which has been a great stress relief.

I've written about how hard it is to make friends up here. My family is far off in Salt Lake City. I'm pretty much on my own.

But we're doing well. Thanksgiving was a big hit with just me and the kids. We all talked about how much we appreciate where we're living. We all like the schools (which is so different from last year), and we love our apartment.

We're trudging along and muddling through.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

: Ah sorry by TPD (4.00 / 1) #32 Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 09:42:44 AM EST

I've not been the best follower of peoples comings and goings recently but I had read most of your diaries so should have known most of that.
Sounds like your doing the right things in terms of making friends (I would guess dance or similar class would be top of every agony Aunt or Uncle's suggestions).
It's great that you enjoy it, but half the point of things like that is to meet people who share similar interests and who you can go on to be friends with. If the people are a bit of a wash out maybe there's somewhere else that'd do the same sort of thing, but maybe with more congenial (less hippyish) class mates?
Do the people from work ever go out are you ever invited? I guess with your commitments it would be hard to go anyhow? Whatever hopefully there's a Christmas party on the horizon(?) Nothing like a Christmas party for making work friends ;)

Rock Hard Abs are just a sw-sw-swivel away!
[ Parent ]

i make it through by cicero (4.00 / 1) #33 Sun Nov 25, 2007 at 04:38:32 PM EST

by not having kids, but by trying to find women to practice the art of making kids.

it's just as hectic. :)

: That's a great plan. by muchagecko (2.00 / 0) #34 Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 09:10:50 AM EST

too late for me, of course, but you should follow what you've set forth.
Having sex is a good focus.

"It means more if you have to earn it, even if it's by doing something as simple as eating a meal." Kellnerin
[ Parent ]

wow- by moonvine (4.00 / 1) #35 Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 09:22:26 AM EST

Hectic. Kudos to you, your kids are lucky to have you.

I'll send you some Indian comics. That'd be something different- don't know about the sponteneous part, though :)

just getting through | 35 comments (35 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback