The Circle of Life?

2011

Leave home.

Recorder Class.

Home.

Bible study.

Library.

Shops.

Home.

Ballet.

Home.

Guides.

Friend's house.

Home.

Ballet.

Home.

Guides.

Home.

15 car trips yesterday.

The last one in the dark and pouring rain.

And all of them driving someone else's car.

Dad was kind enough to 

lend us his car while ours

is at the smash repairs

having a mysteriously-appearing

small dent/large scratch repaired.

Throw in some piano and recorder teaching,

shopping, cooking, washing and trying to actually put 

two thoughts together at bible study,

and that's quite a full day.

This is the circle of life 

they don't tell you about.

2006 

A merry-go-round especially for mothers.

A never-ending whirl of outings, drop-offs, shopping,

providing, helping with homework and 

taking up or letting out hems.

And when you do stick your head out for air, 

and pause for some real conversation, 

you are frequently met with teenage 

arguments and complaints.

Quickly followed by requests (demands)

for help in various categories,

only some of which fall within your 

areas of expertise.

2008

These may include such skills as

mending, upcycling, costume design,

poetry analysis, first aid, peacemaking,

mobile phone repairs, science project decisions,

sourcing (and purchasing) of ebay items,

liaising with teachers

and assisting instrument practice ...

... all in addition to the usual demands

for food, clothes, cash and more food.

***

This has been an extra-crazy week for me.

Completely out of the blue

I was offered two days of casual teaching,

which I took.

Life is not always this frantic,

(although Thursdays always are).

Most days, if I remember to take 

a break for myself

when I can, 

just before the girls get home,

I have the energy, patience 

and resourcefulness

to get through whatever is thrown at me in 

the afternoon and evening.

Before I can collapse into bed

and get up in the morning

straight back into that revolving door.

But no matter how many breaks I take

nothing can stop the feeling of spinning

at the sheer number and variety of

things I am expected to do

once the girls get home.

(How do people manage with more children?

Or full-time work? Eek)

2006 - how cute where they?

Was it easier when the girls were younger?

It was exhausting when the girls were younger.

But I think there were far fewer mental demands.

Sometimes the monotony of the day

was almost too much.

* * *

So I'll just keep spinning here.

Not unhappy,

just spinning.