Keeping it Together

Barely.  Like, hanging by a thread.

This time of year is always busy stressful insane at work.  I'm used to that part.  I'm an event planner.  My job is logistics and logistics means details.  So at any given time (particularly the week before our annual event) there are millions of details swimming in my head.  From flights to ground transportation to room set-up to signage to audio visual equipment to food & beverage to hotel room blocks.  Then there's the tournament portion which requires tee prizes, pairings, flighting and scoring.  But like I said, I'm used to that part.

What I'm not used to is all of the preparation involved with leaving my 2-year old for 10 days.  As soon as I think I've got a grip on all of the work logistics, another hundred things pop in my head on the home front. Never mind the obvious stuff like jotting down Jack's favorite foods, school schedule or the bedtime routine.  I'm talking about random stuff.  Like remembering to show Mom how to work the car seat. Or telling her which mailbox is ours.  Or writing down the security code to get into Princeton. Or remembering to leave Jack's insurance card somewhere handy - god forbid it become necessary.  You know, that kind of stuff.

I know, I know...much of this is self-inflicted pressure.  Drew is perfectly capable of taking care of both Jackson and the household with no instruction from me.  And my Mom is familiar enough with our house and our routine to do just fine on the days she's here as well.  But I will not be comfortable getting into the town car on Sunday morning if the house is not in order, detailed instructions are not left and a suggested menu is not created - if not already waiting in the freezer.  A bit over the top?  Perhaps.  But true none the less.

The thing is, I was on track.  I had all weekend to get myself in order.  Figure out what to pack.  Drop off the dry cleaning.  Run to the Gap for a new pair of khakis.  Freeze a few meals.  Start typing up those instructions. 

Then the boys got sick.  Both of them.  Jack with a stomach thing (he's good now) and Drew with a horrible ear infection (he's still recovering).  And I accomplished nothing.  In fact, I feel like I lost ground.

Did I mention I too have been fighting a cold? 

And that I already miss my little boy and I haven't even left yet?

Not a bad little pity party I just threw, eh? 

Guess it's time to pick myself up by the boot straps and forge ahead.  Will it all get done eventually?  Probably.  Will everybody do just fine with or without my detailed instructions and frozen meals?  Totally.  And in the mean time, am I keeping it together?

Barely.