Tuesday, July 21, 2009

WALK A DAY...


I'm a single mom. I didn't plan on it. Seriously. But here I am. And although I'm exhausted and struggling, like all single moms, I know I am one of the lucky ones. I have an amicable relationship with my ex-husband, I work where I have many friends that support and care about me and my children, and I live in a beautiful home where my girls are safe and happy. Not only that, but I have a wonderful family that has always had my back. Always. I'm so very lucky. I count my blessings all the time.

With that being said, my days are jam-packed. It feels like I'm constantly on the go, and my life is one big blur. I decided to break it down to see exactly what it is I do everyday...

7:00 a.m. (summer Hours) I wake up two very sleepy children and get them dressed and sitting in front of cereal bowls. I then jump in the shower and get dressed
7:30 a.m. Get everyone's hair and teeth brushed.

7;37 a.m. Hunt down stray flip-flop and get a juice box.

7:45 a.m. Kiss Trinity and reinforce to Madison that she does, in fact, look like a fairy princess

8:00 a.m. Load everyone in the van (while breaking up the first sister fight of the day), making sure all permission slips are signed and everyone has the necessary crap for the day

8:30 a.m. Drop Madison off at Miss Kim's.

8:45 a.m. Drop Trinity off at Boys and Girls Club

9:00 a.m. Arrive at RiverStone and work the required eight hours

5:00 p.m. Pick up Trinity at Boys and Girls Club

5:15 p.m. Pick up Madison at Miss Kim's

5:45 p.m. Arrive home and feed snack to children, kiss the baby kittens, throw a load of laundry in the washer.

6:00 p.m. Sit on the couch for a second

6:07 p.m. Try and squeeze in a quick blog

6:15 p.m. Clean up various clutter

6:30 p.m. Start cooking dinner. And load the dishwasher.

6:45 p.m. Put clothes (that will never get folded) in the dryer. Track down children to make sure they aren't bleeding

7:00 p.m. Serve dinner.

7:30 p.m. Clean up dinner, and kitchen, and usher children outside

7:37 p.m. Take out garbage and empty dishwasher

7:45 p.m. Let Madison draw a chalk outline of me on the driveway

7:54 p.m. Race Trinity on the scooters

8:00 p.m. Round up the kids and get them in the tub

8:10 p.m. Smoke break

8:12 p.m. Get everyones outfits ready for the next day

8:17 p.m. Lay on the floor and play with kittens

8:20 p.m. Break up second sister fight and rinse shampoo out of hair.

8:30 p.m. Holler that everyone better have a Mommy shirt on, with their hair brushed.

8:45 p.m. Force children to brush their teeth

9:00 p.m. Collapse on the couch and declare that I'm watching a Mommy Show

9:15 p.m. Carry Trinity to bed, since she promptly falls asleep when I sit down

9:17 p.m. Check on Madison, who is peacefully playing with her Polly's

9:20 p.m. Resume Mommy Show

10:00 p.m. Carry Madison to bed.

10:02 p.m. Get told that I smell like pickles, from Madison (sleepily)

10:05 p.m. Turn off all lights and lock all doors

10:15 p.m. Finish Mommy Show

11:00 p.m. Turn the fan on in my bedroom, and scoot the various bodies over so that I can fit in the bed

11:02 p.m. Cuddle up to my life and go to sleep.

So there you go. Not every day is the same, of course. Sometimes I gotta throw vacuuming in there, or mopping the floor, or a doctors appointment, or taking the trash to the dump. Sometimes I forgo all household chores and play checkers with Trinity instead. And then help Madison put her fairy wings on. It's a delicate balance. There's a lot of work involved when running a household and raising children. But there is also a lot of fun to be had. I'm just trying to succeed at both.

Shelly
I bet your feet hurt

3 comments:

Mom said...

And, you do is so WELL without that extra set of hands! You forgot one important thing....your phone call to Grandma and PopPop after work everyday (but we won't tell your father that you are driving and talking on your cell at the same time).

Are you ready for the MadTown Crew?

Poirier Family said...

Sounds to me like you have a great life!!!! You should be very proud of yourself for getting things done, and having two great kids.

What is the Mommy shows you watch? Big Brother? If so I missed it could you fill me in??

SillyShelly said...

Of COURSE Big Brother is one of my Mommy Shows! There was an upset last night when Jeff took himself off the block, and Jordan was put up. I think my dad had heart palpatations!!