Over the course of this blog I've had a hard time deciding how much of my personal life to share on in the posts, and to what extent that is "professional." I am guilty of rambling so I don't know how good I've been at that, though most of what I say has something to do with the store in some way. Tonight's post won't have much to do with the store or scrapbooking, unless I want to use it for journaling someday, which I highly doubt I will as I already wish I could forget it. I however feel the need to share because maybe in some way that will help me confess and possibly make up for the events of today. So I gather you are all really curious now, so let's begin shall we?
I will freely admit that over the course of the the last 5 years and running this business I have felt at times as if I was about to crack up, luckily I recover hopefully. Maybe I can blame it on that, right now it just seems like sheer stupidity. I have mentioned that my oldest son has been playing football. Many of you mom's know what a commitment being involved in sports can be. For some reason Football is particularly intense around here, I don't know if it is that way in other locations, but they take it really seriously. My son started playing last year and didn't have very good coaches , he pretty much road the bench until the last few games after my husband decided to use some of that x-football player knowledge and help him on the side. Turns out being built like a brick house is particularly helpful in being a lineman, and he ended up being very good. Of course when Paul was asked to help coach a new team this year he had to jump at the chance to help Trace, regardless of what would be left at home un-done. My kids should come first and I was more than willing to pick up the slack. I naively didn't realize how many hours this actually involves each night, but nonetheless the economy has slowed the store down quite a bit, so I should be able to keep up.
Needless to say I forgot how time consuming entering product can be, and even with less orders than in years past I have felt myself slightly drowning and getting further and further behind between all of last weeks "back to school" events, running here and there trying to get clothes, shoes, supplies, chauffering to soccer practice for the younger son. It's nothing different than most of us do on a daily basis but I started feeling a bit overwhelmedand frazzled by the end of the week. It got so bad that I broke my "no work sunday" rule yesterday merely for peace of mind and I was able to finally feel caught up. Yesterday I entered product, ironed clothes for everyone for the week, packed lunches, cooked, planned dinners. It seemed like a very productive start to the week. Finally I felt I was catching myself.
Today I knew it was a busy day, I had to take one child to Jr. High, one to elementary school, the dog to the groomer, I had the times for it all planned out in my head. I've had alot of anxiety about sending Trace to Jr. High. I hate that he is growing up so quickly, I was nervous for him. Nervous for Tate that he wouldn't have Trace in the same school to look out for him and protect him anymore. Turns out I shouldn't have let him be so dependent (tate). It all started out good, everyone got to school on time. I went out to lunch with Paul, came home pulled orders, got them processed, in the car to take to ship. I was on my way drop the dog off note this time was 2:35 pm. Trace was to be picked up at the Jr. High at 2:55. I "thought" I had 30 minutes after that until Tate needed to be picked up at the elementary school, in which I intended to run to the post office.
I got to the groomer and she in small talk started talking about how glad she was school had started and mentioned she didn't know her son got out early today and good thing he was old enough to take care of himself as he just showed up home, and she had to groom all afternoon. This sent a sudden rush of panic through me, even though this wasn't the same school my son went to. Did he get out early today? They'd done that in the past but I didn't remember reading early out anywhere on the small 4x6 postcard that came in the mail with school info. I can honestly say I'd been so focused on the new change to Jr. High for Trace that I really hadn't paid attention. I got to the car and while driving to the junior high tried to get my onstar phone to call the elementary school as I hate talking with the hand set, (there is something to that California "hands free" law.) She (the stupid computer voice on that thing) never cooperates with me when I tell her to dial, and the phone wouldn't go through. THis is when I get the call on my real cell phone from my mom from her cell phone. This is unusual as she is at work and never calls me on her cell.
This is when I hear the worst words I've ever heard as a mom. The words that make your realize you've had a banner mom day. " Jill, did you forget to go get your little second grade boy? The school has just called me, Jenny (my sister) is close by, she's going to go get him." (I was waiting in the Junior high parking lot at this point.) I burst into tears beacuse I think deep down I had just realized this seconds earlier as that mom instinct told me and I was already panicking. So to sum it up, Elementary school got out at at 1:25, and I had no idea. My boys have always walked through this small park in back of the school and wait for me as the traffic in the front of the school is scary and hectic. He did that all by himself. He walked there, and he waited, and waited, and waited. He walked back to the school to go to the bathroom but didn't think to go tell someone in the office his mom didn't come. He walked back out and waited some more. If you're doing the math you will realize my little 7 year old stood outside and waited for this mother that didn't come and get him for over an hour. In the meantime a nice man that lived across the street came over and asked him if he could help him. That in itself is scary to me. The man called the school, the school called me, I wasn't home. They called my cell, it as sitting on the car seat for the whole 5 minutes I was in the groomer. They called my husband's cell, he was in a meeting his phone was on vibrate and he didn't hear it. They called my mom, luckily she was sitting at her desk, and luckily my sister was close by.
You'll be glad to know that my boy did the right thing and didn't go with the man. I went to thank this mysterious Mr. Merrill after it was all said and done and he told me he was very cautious and didn't want to talk him. Mr. Merrill is an angel, and I am giving thanks that he was a nice man there to help my little one, as there are creepy people in the world these days. Needless to say, I have cried a few tears over this today, have questioned myself over and over. I've learned how important talking to your kids about the details is. How important making sure they understand about strangers as Tate still tells me "but the man was nice mommy." We've had long talks tonight about how that doesn't mean that they wouldn't hurt you. I am very protective of my children, especially Tate as he is my baby and I still treat him like one, I'm learning that may not be such a good thing. I've learned how important reading the fine print is. As the postcard did tell my in about 4 pt type at the very bottom that today was a short day. I will beat myself up about this for the rest of my life I think, so no one had to tell me how stupid I was. I vow to try not to let myself get so frazzled that I miss such important details again. Now I know I am being a drama queen but there is a whole set of rules that change when it comes to your kids. There is one thing I know..... I will NEVER be late again!
Oh and PS.. everyone had a great day at school despite their mother!
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