Another day and another dollar is what Sidney thinks has she rolls over and looks at the clock. It is 5:00 am and to bright for this April chilly day. The question now is do I get up and ready for the day before the hectic rush of morning begins or do I lay here thinking of my crazy day and how am I going to get done everything?
If you told me a year ago or even 6 months ago I was going to be on my own with 2 children I would have told you "not me, not even a chance" but here I am alone and on my on with my two wonderful children. One almost 12 and the other 15. As different as night and day are my son and daughter and yet so much alike as well. They have handled the change like champs, supporting me and cheering me on when I really did not think I had the energy to forge ahead.
Well I guess I decided to take the few extra minutes in bed! Time to make for the shower, stretching the old body out first and slowly making my way to the bathroom that was all mine. Although we are renting and lucky for us we were able to work out the rent in trade for dog sitting the landlords to standard poodles, Zeus and Zoe. They would be dropped off at 7:00 from next door and my day would begin! I am standing in the warm walk in shower with the jets all six washing over me. After a quick hair wash I walk into the amazing walk in closet where my less then amazing mom wardrobe is. I am not sure anymore what I have that even fits and does not look like a mu mu house dress! If nothing positive came from the divorce I dropped 60 lbs of the stubborn weight that I tried in the past to loose but was to attached to let go! Nothing to do with I prefer dessert to real food of any kind. Leggings and a clean t'shirt will do for day, scanning my mind for anything I needed to do that would require more of a dress code. Heading into the gourmet kitchen I use to make salads, cereal and pasta in and morning coffee. Not really living up to the state of the art potential of the room. Never much for cooking, I can but I don't enjoy it or the clean up after. Taking a look like it is my first time in here I look around at the cherry wood cabinets, hardware flooring and stainless steel appliances complete with a double oven. Not to be out done with the granite counters and island complete with another sink. Whatever would one do with all this? Would you have dinner parties or would you serve gourmet meals to your very large family every night? My children would laugh if I cooked elaborate meals for the three us, we eat so simple. Healthy but very simple. Lots of chicken and fish and vegetables mostly salad. We do have the occasional burger or steak with fries or other potatoes but not often. Always we have our traditional pizza night once a week. That is what this kitchen needs a brick oven for pizza making something useful. These thoughts keep me busy while I wait for the coffee to brew, one pot for the day iced and enough caffeine to take away the fuzzy brain. I will enjoy the first cup at the breakfast bar and then wake my chicks up for school. Only 23 days then we will pack up and head to the Cape for the summer! Thankfully my other job is a kind older man and his wife that I am a personal assistant to, offering me the flexibility I need to be a mom and pay my rent through doggie sitting. They adopted myself and children as family. They were never able to have children and when they were starting a family modern science was not as up to date as today. They have a house on the cape with four cottages on the property. We have a little three bedroom and the others are rented out. What a lucky day it was to meet these people at my lawyers of all places. I really don't think it was a job he was offering before listening to me sob and blabber on for a half an hour waiting for my lawyer and his friend that was delayed at court! Whatever it is I am grateful and thankful for these two every day, MeMe and Paw known by us. Looking over at the clock 6:15 and time to get the troops up and out. My daughter will go to school with Nick when he drops the dogs off and then shortly after the dogs and I will drop my son off at school. Nick started driving her shortly after we met and became friends. It works and my daughter enjoys the drive as there is always a quick stop for coffee and soccer talk in it. It was not easy trusting this stranger with my child, my baby but several recommendations from trusted people, background check and getting to know him sealed him as a good guy. Though he thinks I am sure of it the crazy lady next door! I hear the loud music which signals the stirrings of little people. My son blaring music that could be classified as loud noise and my daughter waking up to rap music each competing to be heard. Soon they will fight for bathroom time and one will end up in mine because the other is taking to long. I do not when these little people became grown up but it seemed to happen to quick for their mom. Neither will eat more then a protein or cereal bar and lunch will be a snack then when they come home they both eat lunch or Miranda will eat something before soccer practice. Dinner will be late not till 7 or 8 then they will do homework and prepare for the next day. Sleep will not happen till midnight, oh to be young and not require sleep! I require at least eight hours but lucky to get six hours.
The ringing of the bell and the friendly barks let me know time for doggy daycare to begin. Opening the door to my charges they charge in like small puppies kisses and hugs for me then off to find the children and drops of bar they will share for sure with them. Nick says good morning sunshine his usually greeting, oh yah he's a morning person. Tall, dark and hot at forty seven. A retired professional soccer play now owns his construction company with his brothers. He stays in shape by coaching high school soccer, swimming and golfing. No other exercise is needed he said its not a good use of time. I wish I could say the same and would if I look as good as he did. He is part of the coaching team Miranda plays on, she said he is tough but is right there working with the team running laps, drills, pushing us to be our best and encouraging us to not give up. He has been wonderful for Miranda who thought she may not play this year. Nick took her out before school started every night to run and play one on one. He gave her a chance in net too and she found her place. Mom still holds her breath through each game that she will not get knocked in the head or bruise that pretty face. Nick says stop being such a girl wise words from someone with no children. Nick says his nieces and nephews and his team are his children that having his own children were never part of his plan. I remind him that he would be a great father. He gives me the same look every time, crinkles his forehead and gives me a smirk and asks if I will be his baby momma? The first time I must have looked like I was going to past out, he kept asking if I was ok and over and over saying it was a joke. I mumbled something like I know and tried to smile to reassure him I was fine. Now my standard response is " no darling, this baby factory is closed forever due to old age" we both laugh. Now not that the idea of sleeping with him would be horrible and thought of it gives me a shock of lighting down me but in no way is that going to happen. I am so far not his type, still carrying more weight then really needed and being not supermodel beautiful. His type you see every once in a while when he brings someone home or they stop over. Being next door and my living room gives a clear view from the driveway to his front door. As I wave bye to my princess I realize in time she will be driving and then the real worries will begin. She is a good kid it's the other drivers I worry about.
Back in the kitchen I hear Mason talking to the dogs. Not usually an animal lover he took right to these two. Coming around I see Mason seated at the breakfast island with the dogs sitting on either side looking up at him with their sad please feed me eyes. Mason is telling them there is no more go play and he continues scrolling on his phone with the music blasting in his ears through headphones. So handsome is my son and so sweet and kind that anyone that meets him falls in like. Though he lets very few close myself and his sister. Nick and Paw have started takes him to the golf range a few times a month and he seems to enjoy himself. It could be the dinner promise after his choice. Always his favorite hamburger and shake place that mom never takes him! I hate to interrupt this sweet moment but it is time to go to school. Even five minutes later leaving we can be late because of traffic. Mason goes to a private middle school opting instead of the public middle school his sister attended just a short time ago. Mason has thrived and the transition into middle was easier then I expected. I call to Mason we are going to be late if we don't go now. He calls to the dogs to sit and he attaches the leashes. The dogs head out to the car with Mason trailing behind. I take a last look around to be sure everything is off, grab my keys and purse. The dogs and Mason are waiting to climb in and I hit the clicker. The dogs don't need a leash Nick has told me about a thousand times. I use them because I have a mental picture of this being the day they will chase a squirrel and me chasing them out of shape huffing and puffing the sweat poring off and the neighbors gathered around to watch the poor chubby girl who thinks she will ever catch those dogs! We climb in to my "loaner" car which is a large Mercedes that was to big for Memaw, so after my car "left" in the middle of the night they offered the extra car. Nicer then I ever owned and scared to death still after 4 months I ease out of the driveway loaded up with boy and his pups! My day is officially in progress!
