No matter how hard I try ...

This morning we went to a "Homeschooling Open House" at the home of someone who was gracious enough to invite people over and show them how their HomeSchool works, and then have us stay and swim in the pool.

I tried to be good. I printed the directions the night before, did my usual "morning routine," wrote down my plan to make cookie dough in the morning before we left so that it could chill (which did not happen). But by the time I got myself and everybody ready, packed a lunch, and got all the swimgear together, we were just barely on time. To be fair, I should also throw in that I snapped at the girls for Something Stupid.

We were on the road for five or ten minutes (unfortunately, it was about a half hour away) when I suddenly realized that when I grabbed all the bathing suits, I forgot mine. So I had to turn around, and was furious at myself for screwing up and making us all late.

When we got there, I explained what happened, and then said, "It seems like no matter how hard I try, no matter what I do, I just cannot get everything to work right."

It struck me as a somewhat poignant statement.

I imagine it's something a lot of females feel. We strive, strive, strive. Try, try, try. A different schedule. Planning our menus. Laying out clothes the night before. And does it ever feel like we're successful? Does it ever feel like it's enough? Do we ever feel like we've accomplished anything?

I don't know what the answer is. Maybe it's not even a "problem" so much as just a fact. Or maybe nobody else feels the same way.

Mm, well there's an essay with no ending for you. Hey -- something else that I didn't accomplish!

What a drag ...

Robert's been working late almost every night for the past two weeks.

When I say late, I mean he's been coming home between around 11:00 pm and 2:00 am.

He's had about enough of it, and so have I.