The Storm Before The Calm
Source: www.three2seven.com

Some days highlight who you really are more than others. It all started when a dear friend of mine asked me to join her for a launch on one particular evening. It required getting a little glammed up for the occasion.

But let me take you back to the very beginning of my day. Thinking I was all ready to drive Cody to school and Madison to gymnastics, I realize that I haven't even made Cody's lunch nor have I done his home reading. Then Madison tells me she hasn't eaten breakfast. How can that be? I know she had two bowls of cereal. Somewhere in the middle of doing all of my duties and trying to get out the door Madison dumped her toys in the hallway. Expecting a repairman for our dishwasher mid-morning, I had no choice but to leave him an obstacle path so I could get to school on time.

After dropping Cody off, we arrived minutes late for Madison's gymnastics, which led me to leave our car in the middle of the parking lot so I could get her into class. This is, of course, the first time she decides to cling to my leg for an extended period. Meanwhile I'm having visions of the car being towed away and at the same time I have a fleeting thought about what I'm going to wear that evening as if I was ready to escape the day already. Then my friend calls to discuss MY clothing selection. Once that was approved Madison's gymnastics finished and we headed off for more excitement. A few groceries, our regular Boost smoothie and on a whim I decided it was time our daughter, 4 years old, experienced a pedicure with mommy. Madison selected a beautiful pink, we sipped on our smoothies, chatted about life, waited for the toes to dry, put our shoes on and headed off.

By then it was time for a quick lunch before we hit the ballet scene and pick her brother up from school. Once we got to the school, both kids played on the playground equipment. Cody chased Madison, which ended up in tears after five minutes, with Madison running into a pole. Then a few moments later Cody was showing off his various tricks and fell on his head after hanging upside down. After we got through all the tears it was a relief to get in the car. We were all having a nice talk and then Cody asked the lethal question, "What is for dinner?" The answer being "pasta" led to a car war zone. Cody kicked Madison. Madison screamed with her piercing roar that vibrates across the globe turning me into a raging bull by this stage.

My husband was due home at 6:30pm so I could be ready for my friend at 6:50pm. With pots and pans on full boil, the kids up in arms over our dinner selection, I look down at my toes - they're smudged! How could this be? At the very moment when I need to feel some sort of remote togetherness, it is still falling apart. My hair is on top of my head at 6:00pm, no make-up, barely a clothes selection and kids to feed. By 6:15pm I get a phone call from my glamorous friend, "I've just been in hair and make-up... I'm on my way." Right then and there I realized I am the woman from Desperate Housewives. I am the one who has fleeting thoughts about leaving the kids on the street because I can't stand the screaming in the car. My clothes are barely turned right side up - I am her! But at the same time I have this newfound appreciation for what celebrity moms have to go through - balancing work, motherhood and the need to look like they have walked off the cover of a magazine every time they attend a launch - even with a nanny in toe!