Like many mothers I make an effort to be on top of upcoming events. Birthdays, Anniversaries and other special occasions are marked on the calendar. At times, I might even color code such events. Not just to emphasize their importance, but also to acknowledge the great lengths I am willing to embrace in order to triumph over chaos. I shall not hand over another tardy birthday card, accompanied with an “I’m so sorry it’s late! I just can’t seem to get on the ball”!
You know what? I am on the ball! I have the ever popular Mommy calendar. I tape school newsletters to my cupboards so I don’t lose them – sometimes I even read them! I have multiple alarms on my phone, reminding me to “get this”, “pick up that”, “birthday party is tomorrow”; I've synced Google Calendars with my iphone on two different applications; and even put little boxes in front of each line of my to-do lists. No, really! I do! Mock me if you will! When you are surrounded by lists and lists, there is a great sense of accomplishment when you have checked off every little box. That list is completed, it has been laid to rest with the symbol you love not only in adulthood, but did as a child in Elementary School. “The Checkmark”
By now you might be saying to yourself, “this girl has issues”. Perhaps I do. I have been mocked for my color-coded excel Christmas Lists, taunted for my ring-tone reminders, remaining undeterred in my undertaking. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it. You’ll catch yourself thinking, “that’s not a bad idea”. Then, you too will have color-coded post-it-notes!
Everyday there’s always something new to add to the list. Is there any need to be writing down “Halloween costume ideas?” in August? Christmas trees in the stores by mid-September? I barely get my head around one event when there’s two more thrown in my face. The great minds behind retail marketing have us list-loving mother’s all figured out. They appeal for our need to be organized and reel us in to more ball-juggling chaos. After all, back to school isn’t bad enough with clothes, numerous registrations, supplies, and so on. Why not throw a few Aero and O’Henry Halloween bars in there. One look at the Halloween candy (in late August that is) got me thinking I should stock up now. Costumes and Halloween parties tend to overshadow the trick-o-treaters coming to my door. Why not have ample supply on hand? Buy now, check off list, one less thing to do!
Oh yeah! That was a great idea! Those tiny little mini-bars taunt me from within their cellophane packages! I’ve hid them, moved them, lost them and found them with great delight! After all it would only be one; I’d have just one, single, tastebud tantalizing treat, containing a fraction of the calories of their full-sized chocolaty counterparts. Yes, just one....
In theory, it all made sense. Yet, like any hypothesized experiment the assumption was incorrect. For seven weeks now I have been snacking on these evil, addictive little gremlins. So much, they’re all gone!! Countless chocolate pieces and crinkled wrappers! Naughty Mommy! What have I done?
In the end, I have resolved myself to this. My proactive Halloween shopping, once a glorious completed checkmark, is now back with vengeance. Only now, it has a few other friends there with it: 1. Spin class at 7:30pm 2. Drink more water 3.Call Weight Watchers.
4. This year, forget the trick-o-treaters!!
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