In A Hurry To Go Nowhere

Working full time leaves little time for errands and tasks.  My weekdays are filled with the “job”, piano lessons, dinner, homework, and sleep.  Saturdays have become the” hurry to wait" day.  I have so much to do, and only Saturday to complete them.  I don’t like waiting in line, but that is the reality:  hurry to wait at the gas pump, the bank, grocery stores, etc.

People ask me what is wrong with doing something on Sunday.  Well, I need down time, and if the Good Lord determined that we needed a day of rest, who am I to argue?  (and I'm too tired to!)

So Saturday is the day to tend to household chores, cooking for the week, and running all those errands.  Last Saturday I woke up at 6 a.m.  No, I am not crazy.  After getting up at 6 a.m. all week, I didn’t need an alarm.  However, I didn’t get up for a few hours.

Up at 8am, I started grinding wheat.  Made sourdough.  Used up old sourdough to make pizza.  WIN.  The boys love pizza for lunch.  Pulled out meats to defrost.  Made small grocery list.  Went to one store.  Realized I forgot checks to cash at bank.  Went home.  Grabbed boys.  Went to next store.  Got gas.  Realized I forgot checks again.  Went home.  Went to farm.  Stopped at bank to get cash out of ATM—because I forgot the checks. Again.  Farm only takes cash.  Wait in traffic.  Construction on roads.  Wait.  Wait.

Then I arrived home.  Make dinner.  No, make 5 dinners.  With boys’ help.  Each of them is responsible for making dinner.  We freeze food.

That’s part of Saturday’s agenda.  I’ve left out a ton.  Can’t even remember the last half.  Except sleep.

Working Full time with Autism: NOT

For the last three weeks, I have been working full time. It's a writing project. I enjoy writing, so I thought this would be a good mix with family life. It has been a wonderful, novel time. I'm getting out of the house, and my brain is challenged in ways that do not include autism. VERY NOVEL IDEA. This is a time for just me. Again, what a new idea!

However, there is no separating my boys from me. I miss them.

More importantly, they need me. Although the boys can be left alone for hours, the preparation for school, ie homework, dinner, etc really does require a parent.

More than just the boys, school requires attention. School administrators, teachers, counselors, etc. don't necessarily follow up, unless a phone call or email prompts the need. Usually, they respond quite readily. Phone calls really work better than emails. Better yet is a personal visit. I can't manage that while working.

Although I have enjoyed meeting new people and doing new tasks, I've already given notice. The role of motherhood always comes first.

Mom and Sons: We Made It!

Yep, I made it through my first full time work week in years. The boys all took turns cooking dinner. Most of the time they had the dinner table set when I walked in the door. Laundry has been done; well, the clothes are cleaned and waiting on our couch to be folded. They did a great job overall. I love my kids!!! I'm very proud of them.

Home schooling has taken a beating somewhat. Only when my mom has been here has everything been done--on time. Tomorrow will be a "make-up day", but somehow I'll make it fun since it will be Saturday. Maybe it'll be a movie night if we get everything done. Will have to think about it.

I also did thoroughly enjoy going to happy hour with my oldest son. I have not seen him in a social setting in a very long time. I can't tell in words how much fun it is to talk and socialize with my adult son. We can agree, disagree, debate, laugh, etc. while enjoying a margarita and nachos. I LOVE MY KID, and I do love that he is out of the house.

You moms with little ones-- life with your precious babies does go fast, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them when they move out too! No one ever told me that.

SIGH.

The Second Day: Yea and Oops

Today was another success--if you ignore that fact that I forgot to pick up my son from school. OOPS.

I have spent the last week writing down the schedule, where everyone has to be, and who is driving said person at what time. Yesterday and today, my husband, son, and mom have been perfect. Guess who forgot her responsibility? Me.

What is really ironic, is that I always pick up Ryan from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays! How could I forget? Actually, it was quite easy. Do you remember what it felt like to get out of school, waiting for that last bell to ring? Waiting, watching the second hand... Well, I relived that, and boy, when that last "bell" rang, I was out the door, running to the car--FREE. I couldn't wait to get home, see my boys, and get a few minutes of rest before teaching piano.

I was half way home before my brain registered that something was wrong. I suddenly remembered poor Ryan. So much for that quick trip home. I had to turn around and backtrack. Of course, as soon as I realized my mistake, Ryan was calling my cell phone, "Mom, where are you?" I told him I'd be right there, well, in ten minutes. It actually took me twelve minutes. Anyways, he was waiting patiently for me in the school office, reading a magazine. Not too bad, but still: Oops.

Now for the successes: I'm learning many different ways to think. However, there is a lot of reading, so by the end of the day, my eyes are dying. I'm really enjoying the job. Also, I came home, and Cam was making his dinner that he practiced last week. All was under control. So far, I'm impressed with the kiddos... Yea!

Day Two Down!

photo creditr3v || cls