Slack or Humility

Today was one of those days where I had to juggle several things. Typically, this doesn't bother me, and I tend to bring it upon myself anyway.I agree to do this and that. However, usually, I volunteer to do this and that. Today was one of those days.

I homeschool the kids I nanny once a week. Today was homeschooling day. Being the animal lover that I am, I volunteered to take their dog to the vet (my dad) today because the dog was 6 months overdue for his yearly vaccines. Fine, no problem. We have the appointment. Kid (only had one of the 2 today) in tow. Dog had double ear infection. We get meds. We pay. We take a tour of the hospital for the (very hyper) kiddo to look around.

Then he wants to hit McDonalds because it's now noon. Great. Grab a to-go Boy Kids Meal and we are on the road back home, a 40 minute drive. At this point I have driven to work (40 minutes) back towards home for the vet (another 40 minutes) and headed back to the house (40 more minutes).

Back at the house. Now I have both kids. One grabs their rollerblades and the other his scooter. I leash the two dogs, grab my phone for emergencies, and we head to the park.

Once at the park my phone rings. I recognize it's a number from my state, but not one I know. I hit ignore. Two seconds later my dad calls me from his cell phone.

"Hi, Liz! Are you on your way to pick up Ben?"

long pause

panic

WHAT??!! I FORGOT TO PICK UP BEN!! I HAD IT ALL PLANNED OUT IN MY HEAD. After the appointment at the hospital I was going to pick him up from work and drop him off. I even thought about it this morning. YOU DUMB MORON!! HOW COULD YOU FORGET?! UGH!!!!!!!

My poor dad had to go get him and start his afternoon appointments late because I was 40 minutes away.

You see, I pride myself in being able to handle several things at a time. At the same token, I leave very little room for myself to mess up- no slack. I freely give it to others but not to myself. I'm not a mother or a wife. I have little reason to feel scattered or unable to remember things.

So while I am giving myself no slack, I am a little humbled today, knowing I can't do everything all the time. Even when I have it all planned out and perfectly set, I can easily hinder my plan by simply getting in my own way by trying to be too perfect or too "planned".