Reminiscing about Thursday

It is actually amazing that I did not have a full break down last Thursday. This week continues to be a challenge. I just ended a morning search for my phone with the realization that it went through the washing machine. Cool. I do not know anyone's phone number. I am sure I will function just fine with no phone while I wait for this one to dry in rice and then magically power on (doubtful). Anyway, back to the most difficult day I have had in recent history... I was woken up by V at 3am because his nose was clogged. It took me about an hour to fall back asleep before I woke up at 5:30am to review for an anatomy quiz. The studying went so-so as there are always so many obstacles in getting seven people out the door in winter gear and moreover, formal wear for Thursdays. Anyway, the day was tough as we had a morning of service planned that involved going outdoors and it was raining. We canceled the park clean up and re-assigned those kids and of course, the sun then came out. While I had these kids roll hundreds of dollars in change (still not done counting those UNICEF coins), I had to run to the bank to get more rollers. They are really sick of me and my coins at Shittybank. My whole body is falling apart, a fact that was highlighted as I hobbled to the bank. Both of my knees are fucked up, something is wrong with my wrist etc etc. After school I ran to get our last farm share and dumped it in the car before attending a meeting in my classroom. There was a party at school and since I had to wait for V to finish basketball, I stopped by briefly in between studying. Everyone was wrapping up their day with some drinks and chatter while I was just beginning mine. At 4:55pm I checked my email, only to learn that the basketball class would begin at 5 instead of ending at 5pm- no way. I grabbed all four kids as V complained how unfair it was. Since I had the car, I grabbed random things (hand-m-edown bag, leftover bottles of cider) and threw them into the car. We stopped by 111St to pick F up and raced home. I had to make dinner, start piano and homework, and leave as early as possible to review for my quiz. I pulled into a parking spot near my house even though it was no good for the next day and dragged everyone/everything up the stairs. Surprise! I did not have the keys. It was cold. HEEEEELP. I saw a neighbor's lights on and texted her. She left her lights on for her dog but told me where she hid a spare set of keys. Lifesaver (F was over 30 minutes away on the train). Now warm, we looked like refugees with bags and bottles of milk and cider in the tiny vestibule of our building while F banged on our door yelling "¡abre!". He took some break to try to spill milk everywhere and to scream random letters while V and A were practicing their spelling words. I tried to have M quiz me and her look of bewilderment when I confirmed that the quiz was in a few hours only highlighted my lack of preparation and time left to rectify that. A lifetime later F arrived in a horrible mood. He too, had had a bad day at work and was now saddled with grumpy hungry kids. I prepared as much as I could and left. Quiz was okay though I forgot to include information I knew because I misunderstood the question. The class proceeds with a sheep brain dissection which was actually very cool and not so gross. Not too gross was compounded by the fact that there were no real cleaning materials in the lab (no paper towels, hand soap ran out etc) so that by the end I had formaldihyde in my nostrils and some sheep juice on me for sure. I survived. At 10pm I boarded the train home. Suffice it to say that it was the s-l-o-w-e-s-t trip up ever. The train went local and stopped several times with no explanation for extended periods of time in between stations. Would I rot on the subway? Why didn't I have water or food with me? I tried to practice mindfulness. We crawled to Harlem. The rest is a blur as I was so tired I think I just went to bed but I cannot be sure. I survived. The next morning I took F to day care for the first time because (big) F had a meeting. A bird shat all over him as we waited outside BT. I took it as a good omen rather than think it was a continuation of the shit from the day before. It was Friday. Life was good. Now if I only had a phone... and a new knee (or two)... and the answers to my stat homework... I'd be golden.

31 Days Vegan for What?

Not sure. Do I look and feel a lot better? Not really. Has it been very hard to cut out cheese and butter and eggs etc? I must say that it has been surprisingly easy. While I am certain that nothing bad is going to happen to me for cutting dairy and fish out... nothing great has happened either. I am more impressed with my ability to live without wine (had it once to survive a BORING dinner) and chocolate (yup, you heard it here). So, I am proud of myself for being able to do anything for 30 days (not floss, not avoid yelling, not daily sit ups... nada), this has turned out to be a not particularly successful endeavor. I am going to try to add more physical activity to my mix to see if anything changes. Ideas?

Roses & Thorns

My sister likes to do this exercise a lot so I thought I would frame my day in these terms.

Rose: J performing (quietly) confidently on the bongos with our head of school in chapel.She sang (great voice!) a song by Odetta and played the banjo while he drummed away. Last night he told me how excited he was and asked me if it was a one time performance or if he was in the band because in the band would be awesome!

Thorn: M getting her palatal expander and being UNABLE to turn the motherfuckin' "key". So she is uncomfortable and I am inept and no matter what I could not do it. I have watched YouTube videos and I am convinced that my device is defective. Tomorrow I will request the help of my engineer neighbors. It does not help that fine motor skills, coordination, and spatial intelligence are all not my fortes.

Rose: A new (adorable) first grader whispering tome in the hallway as I took her back to her classroom: Thank you for teaching me Spanish (I almost cried).

Thorn: Wrestling an orthodontic instrument and putting MoJo to bed to then be knocked out by the smell of SHIT in the kids's room. Ay ay ay. When will A be really potty trained?

Rose: V telling me he "loves me too much."

30 Day Check In

How is everyone doing with their challenges? Be honest. I forgot to do my back exercises yesterday. I have read and flossed every day but some days only for 5 min (reading). I am doing well with the not yelling for the most part. I did the "click a day" to support a Miami art project.
How about you guys?