Day at home

Weather today: High of 85. Lafayette, IN: 47; Peoria, IL: 44; Springfield, MO: 57; Lincoln, NE: 53; Kiel, Germany: 12 C/54 F

After being gone all day yesterday, today I was home. Good thing, because I'll be gone all day tomorrow, and at some point, stuff needs to get done.

Yesterday I rearranged and juggled in order to get Sylvia to the book fair to shop and to see Junie B. Jones. And get to gymnastics. And pick up Alison. And take the neighbor girl. And feed the girls at a reasonable time. Sorted it all out — by ditching gymnastics — got the girls to the book fair ... and the phone rang. Alison was ready, 45 minutes earlier than the schedule said. So, lucky that we had run into a friend on the way in, I left the girls with her, and she took them to see Junie B. It was an illicit performance; we were not to go until 6.30, as we are M's. Got Alison, took her home, and caught the last half of Junie B. When I sat down, my friend, the other mom, rolled her eyes at me, as if to say, "This performance is so lame." At the same time, Sylvia's friend looked at me and said, "This is so good." I stifled laughter.

Then the little girls next to me whispered to me; I couldn't understand what she was saying, so I nodded and smiled. Note: Do not nod and smile, silently acquiescing, when you have no idea what the other party has just said. The next thing I know she was standing up, grabbing my hand, and she looked at her mother and said, "It's OK, she'll take me." Her mother looked bemused and slightly embarrassed, saying, no, no, if you need to go, I'll take you. The other mother and I — whom I do not know — smiled and laughed. A lot. I have no idea where she wanted to go; merely to escape the wretched Junie B.? The June B. who said y'all? The little girl was cute as can be. And not shy.

Got home, even cooked dinner. Helped Sylvia review her math, read her a chapter from Laura & Mary. Then Maddie asked, Did we forget my flute lesson today? Arrgh! Flute! And I thought I was so on top of things. Guess not.

Today I spent much of my day on hold with customer service people. But took care of those details. Talked to my parents, planned our one-day mini-trip to Austin.

A very nice e-mail about the magazine — the first of many, perhaps? And flowers, too — I'm basking in the success. And starting the next issue ... no rest for the wicked.