Home Alone ...

For the first time since March of 1999, I have more than three hours each weekday without my children!

Can I get an 'Amen'?

That's right, Zakiya started the First Grade today. She was only in a half-day Kindergarten last year, but now she gets on the bus with her sister at 7:36 and they do not get off the bus until 2:36! Woo Hoo! Time to get some stuff done!

I had my day more or less planned out today, go to Costco, go to the grocery store, stop by the bank, take a quick bike ride, clean the house, do laundry, etc, etc. etc. We got the girls on the bus, I came in and did some quick work on the computer. Becky then came in and said, "the van won't start." Doh! She had loaded all of her stuff into it for the first day, including a new desk for her co-worker (Becky makes some lovely desks out of old filing cabinets and doors. Pretty cool.) So this is how my day begins ...

We pushed the van out of the way, so we could get the car out of the garage. Becky crammed as much of her stuff into the car as she could. I went back in and did some more work for the office, then went out and managed to get the van running. So I drove out to Becky's school, dropped off the desk, etc., then drove the mile or so to the car shop, dropped off the van, walked back to the school, took the car home, responded to more email from the office, hopped on my bicycle, rode a hard, fast, eight and a half miles. Got home to discover my cell phone buzzing (the office with some problems), called them back, took a shower, wolfed down a quick sandwich, grabbed some forms the school needed, stopped by school, dropped off the forms, went through the PTO box and picked up some reimbursements that needed attention (I'm the treasurer you know). Went to Costco. The place was packed! Picked up some necessary bulk items. Waited in a long line. "Is it really one o'clock?" The teller asks me. Glance at my watch. Shit. "Yeah, already 1:13" Stopped by the bank. Came home. Unloaded the Costco wears. Responded to more email from work. Called a new player for Zakiya's soccer team (I'm the coach you know). Went out to meet the bus ... it was late. Put some food together for dinner later. Made the girls a snack. Heard all about the first day. Good day. Hallelujah! Got Zakiya ready for practice. Made some quick mental notes on what we were going to do at practice. Headed out. Prayed it wouldn't rain. Those clouds look dark. Ran around with ten energetic children for an hour. Came home. Fixed dinner. Cleaned up after dinner. Put out the garbage. Answered more email from the office ... sigh ...

Are all the days going to be like this??