MUST THINK POSITIVELY!

Okay. I am really trying to think positively today! But it seems that it's not going to happen. Third night in a row of being up coughing. Just got up at 5:00 for the day (which, in Jamie time, is like, 2 in the morning). One good thing: I actually got to see my husband before he went to work! And another: I got my first Bible reading in for the New Testament Challenge. That was a good way to start the day. But then... I had a nail in my tire (I swear to you, this has happened, it seems like, twice a year for all seven years we have been married; Dave must think I seek the nails out and accelerate towards them.) Dave took my car there at seven when they opened to get it fixed. I was just supposed to take his car. But then he called, his badge for work was still in his car. But not to worry, he would just get a temporary one. Okay. So I've got two clean, well-dressed children, backpacks and lunchboxes packed, ready to go to preschool. We go outside, and there is trash EVERYWHERE. Racoons! I guess our deal to feed them catfood to keep them away from the trashcans has expired, and we need to re-negotiate with them. Or maybe they don't like the new brand of catfood? Hmmm. Anyways, I start stomping and huffing around, snatching up pieces of soggy garbage peppered with fireants, all the while trying to tell myself, Don't take this personally. This has nothing to do with you. The racoons did not mean to ruin your morning and make you late. Then I open the door to the car, and see that there are no carseats in Dave's car! He took them out to give some guys a ride to paintball. Okay. Cough all night, nail in tire, trash in yard, carseats gone. Trying to stay happy! Trying to be a calm, positive mother, who does NOT resort to whining and fit throwing when things don't go her way. But I am quickly unravelling, as are the kids. I call Dave to explain about the carseats. He says he is coming home. I stomp, stomp around. If my day as a mother had such a thing as deadlines, getting the kids to school on time would be the big one. If I can't do that, I've pretty much failed the whole day. Then I realize that there are two City of Melbourne employees who have been watching me the entire time. They are fixing a leak across the street. I think that they have been pretty amused by my antics. My stomping, sighing, picking up trash, herding the kids, slamming the car doors, using the cellphone, rolling my eyes self. I am sure I did look and sound pretty ridiculous. Then Dave comes screeching around the corner. We exchange cars. I get the kids to school on time! Yay me! And then I go get my hair done (highlights this time!) by Maura. You know, the Hair Whisperer? I was almost late picking the kids up (okay I was at least five minutes late, but I was not the last one there, so I guess they decided not to charge me the dollar per minute late fee!)
Now Anna is having a huge fit. I am very tired. But all things considered, this really has not been a bad day. My hair looks good! See, there you go, I am thinking positively!