two week count down

[threadwalker]

In two weeks I'll be snoozing on a plain to Paris.

Wow. It totally sucks to be me.

Interesting side comment: almost all the working moms I've met say, "how in the world did you pull that off?" I've promised to send a warm thought their way at the end of each day.

In the meantime, will the family die without me? Hopefully not.

1. My mom is coming over to stay at my place Monday through Friday to do the thing I do in the evening: pick up the kids from after school program (three blocks away), feed them, supervise homework, get them tucked in. I've posted a daily homework routine for easy reference so that when I'm out late, F can manage. Stuff like Super N reads 3 of his 5 weekly readers each night and his "sheet" homework must be checked because he does it between end of class and pick up from the center. Miss E needs hands-on help, but she can blow through a week of homework sheets in 2 nights. My mom rocks. (Can you forsee the spa day I'm going to take her to?)

2. Pre-ordered grocery deliveries from Safeway.com

3. A house cleaner comes in weekly to repair whatever damage they do.

4. Enough clean clothes for the kids to last 2 weeks without washing. However, if it becomes necessary, the kids have been trained to stage their hampers and then fold and put their laundry away.

5. Step by step directions posted on the fridge so that mom can operate the TV, cable and DVD player. And directions on how to operate the thermostat.

6. Keep my mom happy so that she doesn't get passively annoying to the family. She's got a super-villian power that is often repressed, but it comes out at the least opportune times:

A stash of treats for my mom. Her favorite bottled Starbucks drinks, jelly-filled donuts, and a box of candy. Oh - and frozen waffles. (I don't ask, I'm just into making people smile.)

All my favorite Jane Austin, Vivian Leigh and other black-n-white oldies-but goodies set out and ready for mom.

Put the comfy folding chair out so she can sit outside and read in the sun beams.

Ideally, the health and sanity of all will be preserved.

Comments

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you've planned that about as well as it can be done. Go have lots of fun, but I want to see your pictures afterward - ALL of them.

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

Boy, me too! It sounds wonderful -- for Mom too!

[evilviscountess.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. Have a great trip!

[scotica.livejournal.com]

#2 is inspired!

OT: Florence

[xrian.livejournal.com]

Can I ask a favor? I really, really need decent photos of the heels of Eleanora of Toledo's stockings in the Uffizi. I have excellent photos of the tops and decent photos of the entire things, but I need to see the details of just how the heels were knitted. staffordcastle took some (clandestine, I think) photos years ago, but she keeps forgetting to make me copies of them...

Re: OT: Florence

[thread-walker.livejournal.com]

I am not planning on going to the Uffizi unless it's with a tour. And last time I was there, I don't recall them allowing photos. But I promise to keep my eyes peeled for knitted garment things.