I have no time to think about this...I have Bertolli in a bag to heat at high heat for 4 minutes and let simmer for 8 and then dinner is made.

As I face my first pick up of both girls in the new school year, I wonder if it will feel different.  Will I be calmer?  Can I get both girls with time to spare?

The commute is packed but runs smoothly.  I talk to myself as usual.  Curse the guy in the work parking lot that had no inkling to look to his left as he screamed out of his parking space and could have hit me.  I realize that I am low on gas but have no idea where the gas latch is---JCW, when getting a new car, you should probably spend time on the basics before setting station favorites on the radio.  Yeah, this feels about the same.

I will pick up Rachel first.  She will sense the time crunch and hold me hostage showing everyone her "chicka chicka boom boom" dance.  Knowing that her cuteness can't be rushed, she then will invite four of her besties over for a play date.  I will push her out the door promising other parents a call or an e-mail since Rachel has now made me the host.

The whole city of Newton will be trying to get home at the same time.  And no one is using the main way; we will all try to get home faster by using side streets.  In this rush, I will decide that I will not be doing my standard grilled pork with sauteed kale and a couscous stuffed grilled yellow bell pepper.  Nope, I am doing Bertolli out of a bag.  I shouldn't because gluten has been kicking my ass lately.  But I will, to save time--more on that later.

We will finally reach Laurel's school with five minutes to spare.  Like Rachel, Laurel will also think she is the hostess with the mostest and want to invite everyone over too.  Including this one girl who's mom never returned my calls over the summer. It will get awkward when she does one of those weak..."Summer was so busy."  Whatev...I won't care.  Maybe you think Laurel is that kid in your household but I doubt that.  I have no time to think about this...I have Bertolli in a bag to heat at high heat for 4 minutes and let simmer for 8 and then dinner is made.

I will listen to Ching feeling wronged by some wild animal.  It's not the squirrels but raccoons now.  They were in the trash again (because the cans were not in the garage) and one left a poop present right on the lid. Nothing squicks Ching more than poop and now it's war.  He mentioned trapping them but at that point, I will tell myself to ignore and focus on my Bertolli in a bag.

As I rush to get dinner in front of everyone, the window guy will arrive.  That's right; Ching got sucked into a window installation demo at BJ's and now some guy is coming over to give an estimate.  This will suck--there is nothing worse than being at work all day in a sales job and then coming home and being the audience.  I will notice all of his confirmations that we are following his presentation.  (Seem okay?)  I will notice how he will try to ingratiate himself to me by cluing in on my Connecticut shirt and then asking me, what my major was?  What is this a freakin' frat party?   He will tell us how cute the girls are--tell me something that I don't know, Skippy.  While Ching has promised me that this will only be 30 minutes, I am pretty sure James the Window Guy will be here for two hours.

And I am as right as rain on almost everything--the gluten filled Bertolli didn't kicked my ass.  The bag stated 2 servings but it was really only a regular Ching serving and small Rachel serving. (Laurel ate something totally different.)   I ate left over quinoa and grilled chicken.   The people behind me on the treadmill tomorrow will totally appreciate this.  I know...because I just seem to know the routine.