Grousing a Little

Parents do a lot of thankless things for their kids. It starts with poop-filled diapers and carries right on through until the time they leave home. (Possibly beyond, but I can't think that far ahead. Note to self: ask Dame Judi). Among those thankless tasks performing taxi service ranks high...especially when in the midst of preparing for a particular event like, say, oh...the spring musical.

I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo over this and the show hasn't even gone up yet (opening night is Thursday). Tonight, for example, rehearsal goes until 8. That's right, 8 in the p.m. Which means for the second week straight The Spouse and I are eating without her, I have to leave the house during prime TV viewing time to fetch her and then feed her warmed up whatever-we're-having (tonight it's lamb chops with gremolata and white beans because that sounds very spring-y to me). Tuesday and Wednesday she rehearses until 6pm (only slightly better) and then there's the the whole picking her up AFTER the show. (Although, to be fair, I only have to do that 2 nights because other people are helping out).

I swear, if that child ever wins a Tony or an Oscar she had damn well better than thank her mother, "without whom I wouldn't be here...at all".

My Day So Far

1, Spill coffee on self walking to car.
2. Spill more coffee on self getting into car.
3. Drink what is left of coffee; start driving The Child to school.
4. A couple miles in, warning light comes on (which only says "Stop vehicle safely").
5. Briefly consider ignoring light until realize that car is not accelerating over 20 mph.
6. Pull into fast food parking lot.
7. Call dealer. (Car dealer, not the other kind).
8. Call roadside assistance.
9. Call The Neighbor to see if she can come get The Child. Neighbor en route to Tacoma. No go.
10. Call one of the housekeepers to a) inform him a family is coming to check in and need to be headed off because I won't be in any time soon and could he please do me a personal favor and come get The Child and take her to the train station so she can go downtown and get a bus to school.
11. Call MAB to tell her what is going on since she has the day off.
12. Turn Child over to housekeeper as tow truck arrives.
13. Go to dealership (having a very pleasant and uplifting conversation with the driver).
14. Get loaner car.
15. Get stuck in traffic.
16. Decide to go home and change.
17. Realize house key is still on the ring with car key

And that was all before 9am.

I had macaroni and cheese out of a box and a Coke for lunch.

And I changed into an over-large Google VetNet t-shirt left over from our Veterans Day party. It does nothing for my figure or the overall look of today's ensemble but at least it isn't stained with coffee. A lot of coffee.

Just Sayin'

5 a.m. is too early to get up.

I refuse.

Making an Ash of Myself

It's late this year. Very late. Usually we are all well into the routine of Lent by now and here it is, only the first day. Appropriate though, because even though The Groundhog predicted an early spring, there has been precious little evidence of that...some pale blossoming, a slender crocus here or there. But Lent actually means "spring"....or rather the lengthening of days toward spring. So now that it is here perhaps the rest will follow.

There's a contagion sweeping through the House this week and I got some of it so I've been home since yesterday. Nothing dire but I'm a big believer in hitting the fluids and naps at the onset rather than waiting until I feel like complete crap and it's too late to do anything but ride it out.

I'll make it out to church for my ashes...maybe one of the little parishes nearby that don't really do much for me liturgically but are convenient. Or maybe I'll rally and go to the Cathedral. It doesn't matter. Getting the ashes, marking the start of the journey, hearing the words "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel"...that's the point.

Oh, I do love Lent. I've been thinking a lot about what is unbalanced in my life these days...the causes (or perceived causes, anyway...the 6 weeks of Lent ALWAYS end up revealing more than I expect). I'm grateful for this time to simplify, to be more thoughtful/prayerful about the direction of my life/the condition of my heart. Some years, I admit, I kinda phone it in. I did that last year...partly, I suppose because it turned out the real journey of last year ended up being about Suzanne's cancer diagnosis. I'm hoping for a little less drama this year...just the opportunity to be open to the Spirit, to tidy up some of the dustier cupboards of my soul and thereby uncover a new freedom (or energy or some sort of positive force like that there) to - oh, I dunno -be more present in my life and to the people with whom I share it.

Happy Lent, to those whom that applies. Happy regular ol' Wednesday in March to those who it don't.