My van is out of commission and all my husband's tools got stolen so we are waiting for payday to get what he needs. In the mean time, I have to drive him to work and pick him up if we want to keep the truck.
You homeschoolers know what that means. The day is chopped up and our routines are mangled. It is hard for me to stay on a routine anyway.
So, yesterday, we take dad to work (a 1 1/2 hour round trip) and get home around 9:15. We eat breakfast, start our morning cleanup and chores but the boys just won't stick to their jobs - routine has been broken. I don't get mine done either because I am running back and forth playing "policeman" getting them to stay on task and do a half decent job.
Then, daddy calls. "Your appointment isn't until 1:45, right? Why don't you come and have lunch with me? We never get to do that." Well, how can I say no?!! But, this will eat up the 2 hours we were going to use to get some school done... I guess that means more catching up another day (we have too many of these already
).We meet dad and have a wonderful McDonald's lunch
.
Then off to my appointment. When we are finally done there it is
2:30. We have to be back in town at 5:00 to pick up dad so might
as well go shopping.At the grocery store (which is still new to me and takes a lot of concentration to shop right) the boys are just full of beans.
They won't keep their hands off each other! And the older one...
man!! can he keep up a conversation, even when you say, "I can't listen
to you. Please quit talking to me. I have to use my brain
myself. Tell your brother." 
I finally remembered to give them jobs to occupy themselves. I
made them compare prices and do the "shopping" for the best deal.
I also made them keep their hands in their pockets so they would quit
pestering each other (but of course, I have to keep policing that as
well). By the time we get done packing the bags (one of those
pack-it-yourself places) and loading them in the truck, squishing them
in the cab around the kids because it is raining, it is time to get
dad. Whew! I'm feeling this:
But I hafta be this: 
when I greet hubby. The 15 minute drive to hubby's job I listen to Christian music and try to adjust my frame of mind. I am only partly successful but at least I don't throw myself at him weeping my dispare at ever getting shopping done without feeling on the verge of a breakdown. Dad senses the boys need to be dealt with strickly and allows no malarky on the drive home.
Home... shoot!!! I forgot to plan dinner
!
I wisper to hubby, "can we get pizza? It's $5 night." He
doesn't say a word, just turns at the right corner and my stress begins
to melt. He is a good husband and father. Once I sat back and looked at the day, it wasn't as wasted as I had thought. Dad got to be part of everyone waking up, which is rare around here. He and I got to chat and share time while on the way to work and during lunch. I got to my appointment on time and the boys were well behaved waiting for me. At the store, I got a money order and took care of a bill I had been forgetting for a week, got a pantry and fridge full of stuff for 2 weeks, did a little practical math with the boys and got in some life-skills training on shopping for heathful, frugal meals. After unloading the groceries, we had a relaxing pizza dinner. The boys were in bed ontime and I got my shower without interuptions
. I even got in bed on time (which is uncommon) and had a restfull night.Now, my only question is: Why am I on the computer doing this instead of getting school done?
I have to get more self-disciplined if I intend my children to be self-disciplined.
Maybe that will be the topic of my next post.
Until then... thanks for joining me.
