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My 2010 San Diego 3-Day

2011
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Opening Ceremony

I’ve been meaning to post a recap of my walk in November, but the past two months have just been jam-packed with “stuff” and I finally forced myself to sit down and write something!

I want to start off by saying how much I truly appreciate everyone’s support for my participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. My San Diego walk was an incredible 60-mile journey and I have many wonderful memories. Memories I wouldn’t have without your generous donations.

I managed to come through the walk with just a few minor injuries, sprained wrist and bruised and blistered toenails. I still bear the bruises under two of my toenails and a third nail happened to fall off last month. Yuck! But my feet held up rather well. They were not nearly as banged up as they were in 2009 and my sore muscles were fine just two days after my walk. In DC I was stiff for weeks! I guess all those extra training walks really helped! Ya think? lol

Leslie and Marianna

This walk will go down as the first rainy 3 Day in San Diego history, and my first time walking all day in the rain.

And when I say rain, I don’t mean the gentle, warm spring showers that we were told you find in San Diego, but a “West Coast” Nor’easter. It was a cold, wind-driven rain that stopped only briefly and managed to soak you from head to toe. Not even the two rain ponchos I had on could keep me dry. It didn’t help that we walked along the ocean nearly the entire day on Saturday and most of Sunday.

The San Diego walkers kept apologizing for the rain but the community support made up for the weather. In both cities I’ve walked the community support was great, but San Diego was at a higher level and very different. Besides the normal handouts of water, candy, gum and chocolate, the “San Diegans” handed out Jell-O shots, beer, wine, salsa and chips, coffee, cookies and donuts throughout the route. They also modified their support for the rain, handing out large garbage bags to use as ponchos, Ziplock bags to put over our socks to keep our feet dry and hand towels to dry off with.

All weekend long the 3 Day staff reminded us to change our socks because “wet socks give you blisters” but that is just not true. I got the same blisters on Saturday walking in wet socks all day that I got on the first day in DC and it was dry and sunny. I gave up on changing the wet socks after the second pit stop. As soon as I left the bus we used to stay dry while we ate lunch, my feet were wet again. And the second time I changed my socks it was WAY harder to put my shoes back on, my poor toes were so bruised and blistered.

Thankfully I packed my walking sandals for Sunday. My feet were much happier for it. In spite of the rain, the walk was great. Here are some of the highlights!

Day 1- Friday

The seals at La Jolla Caves

The Melon Men

The Melon Men: three men in hot pink bras stuffed with watermelons

The walk down to the beach at Torrey Pine State Park watching the surfers waiting for the waves

Walking up the steep hill from the beach into Torrey Pines with the San Diego police on bikes asking us to “push the tush” and “cop a feel”

Lunch at La Jolla along the ocean, being windy and cold enough that we did not stay longer than necessary

Jell-O shots, wine and beer being handed out along the route

Mr. Smiley face and his daughter cheering us on as we walked the last few miles to camp. They stayed with us during the entire walk, even in the rain.

Tripping on a hole in the sidewalk about 3 miles from camp and injuring my hand (the medic said I was the only person to come in with a hand injury :-) I always have to be unique)

Arriving at camp after 23+ miles and finding a group of men and their sons helping set up tents and carrying bags for the weary walkers

Showers with no lines and individual changing area, a nice change

The remembrance tents glowing on the hill overlooking the beach

Day 2 – Saturday

Rain, Rain and more Rain!

Homeless man who sleeps under one of the overpasses telling me “you should stay out of the rain today. I am not even going out, not a good day to be walking. Stay dry and God bless you for what you are doing”.

The nice lady that was handing out Ziplock baggies to put on over our socks so that we could keep our feet dry.

The “hug” man at lunch. He stood under a tree waiting for each walker to come by to give them a hug. And boy did I need it after 13+ miles of walking in the rain.

Lunch on a school bus which was warm and dry

No rain for the next 4 miles on the boardwalk at Mission Beach

Parties at the condos on the beach with offers of cocktails, beer and free breast exams from young college men. I thought long and hard about joining them and getting a taxi back to camp! That beer was looking pretty good!

A double rainbow over the beach

Camp: the inside of the tent and sleeping bag were both dry

Showers, hot water and dry towels

Warm bed

Day 3 – Sunday

Sunshine as we packed up our tents and gear and left camp, even though the rain started shortly after

Residents of the assistant living center dancing and cheering us, some were in wheelchairs

San Diego police department entertaining us at the 1st pit stop as we waited for the porta potty. They were so much fun (even rocking a few of the porta potties while they were occupied, telling people to hurry up) and they used their vacation time to keep us safe on our walk.

Massive hill up from Old Towne, beautiful view once at the top but what a hill!

The “breast man”, he is an old man in a wheel chair with the sign that reads “I am a breast man”. He is out there every year, getting hugs and kisses from the walkers.

The last 3+ miles to holding with the sidewalks full of families cheering us on

Petco park and walking in as a team with the “Walks of Life” sign

The silence and the deafening cheers of closing ceremonies

The hugs and goodbyes

These were the memories that I took back with me

Again to all those who made a contribution, thank you for your support. I could not do this without you. And just in case you are wondering, yes I am walking again in 2011… in Philly.

Because of your generosity and the support of all of my donors, to date I’ve raised $6,800 to help end breast cancer. To contribute to my 2011 walk please visit my site here.

For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, visit komen.org; for more information about the Komen 3-Day for the Cure, visit The3Day.org.

Thank you for making this possible. Maybe next year, you can join me!

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Why I Walk pt 2

2011
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Read part 1 here
When I tell people that I am participating in the Susan G. Koman 3 Day for the Cure they look at me like I’m crazy; ESPECIALLY when I tell them that this will be my 3rd walk. Some people even tell me that it’s impossible for them to walk that far in 3 days, so they aren’t even going to try. But I know it’s all in how you punctuate it! It’s not “Impossible” it’s “I’m Possible”. I know that’s a little corny, but it’s true. On my first walk I discovered I can accomplish the impossible; I just have to believe in myself.

The way that I explain why I walk, is like this…
This is my “one thing” I do for myself every year. I know, I know, normal people go to the spa or Las Vegas for a girls weekend, not walk 60 miles over 3 days. But this is something that I get to do where I’m not so-and-so’s mom, wife, daughter… I’m just Kate. And I’m doing something that makes me feel good about myself. I’m not selling magazines for one of the kids schools or raffle tickets for the church; things that you feel like you have to do. I’m doing this because I want to be a part of something amazing.

It’s hard to explain what kind of experience the 3-Day is unless you have been there. Everyone, 1,000s of people walking, bonding… people of all different backgrounds, sizes, family situations, walks of life… walking for one common goal. The people from the community come out to support you along the way. You see survivors with big signs thanking everyone for walking.

It really makes me feel good about myself, because I am doing something that truly makes a difference to someone other than myself or my family. And if you can get through opening and closing ceremonies and the walk in-between without crying once, you are a stronger person than I. It’s an emotional roller-coaster, but it is the best feeling when you cross that finish line and have all the walkers that crossed before you cheering you on, giving you hugs, high-fives and well-deserved congratulations.
That feeling stays with me for a very long time. And it makes me a better mom, wife, daughter.
And that is why I walk.
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Looking for StudioPress WP packages?

2011
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I just got the coolest email from Brian Gardner of StudioPress. To help me  jump start the donations for my 3rd Annual Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk, he is donating Three single-theme plus Genesis framework packages (unlimited updates, support & sites)!

[Sorry, this one is already gone! one Pro Plus All-Themes package (with unlimited support, updates and websites--meaning you can get all their WP themes and updates forever AND also get any new themes they add in the future)!]

The best part is there’s no “Developer Option”; you can use the themes over and over again! This is a great opportunity to pick up their awesome WordPress themes, save money and make a fully-deductible charitable contribution all in one! And you will be helping me out in the process.

Here are the details: FIRST PLEASE EMAIL ME TO BE SURE THE PACKAGES ARE STILL AVAILABLE. I will reply with the instructions for donating and receiving your packages. This is first come, first served, so please don’t wait or you will miss out.

To purchase one of the single-theme packages you need to make a minimum donation of $50, a $20-50 savings depending on which theme you choose. You also have the option to spread the payment out over 4 months which makes it even more affordable at only $12.50 a month!

Again, please email me before you donate because I only have the four packages to give.

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Life, Hope, and Walking

2011
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My Top Five Reasons for Walking

I walk for my future granddaughters so that they may wear pink ribbons in their hair, and not on their shirts.

Did you know… in the United States one person is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes (I say person because men develop breast cancer too!). And 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Those are some pretty startling statistics.

No one should ever have to face this disease, so in order to create a future without breast cancer, Nancy Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement.

For me, the breast cancer movement started with the death of my sister-in-law a few years ago. She had a very long and intense battle, and ultimately breast cancer won. One of my five daughters asked me to explain what happened to her Aunt Jackie and I was at a loss for words. How do you explain something like cancer to a 4 year old? I simply said that Jackie was in heaven with Gramma Kelly and Aunt Lilly, two other family members that died from breast cancer. And then she asked why this happened to our family. In that moment I decided I needed to do something meaningful. That is why I walk in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, a 60-mile walk over 3 days that, since 2003, has helped raised nearly $500 million for breast cancer research.

It’s a 3-peat

This year I registered for my 3rd walk, this time in Philly (want to see a slide show from my first walk in DC? visit here http://portal.sliderocket.com/AEVDR/3-Days-of-Walking). If you can find it in your heart to donate to my walk, I would greatly appreciate it. Click to donate to Kate in 2011!

Thank you so much for your support!

Why I Walk

I am walking in memory of Margaret Kelly (my husband Colm’s mother), Elizabeth “Lilly” Crangle (Colm’s aunt) and Jackie Kelly McCann (Colm’s sister) three wonderful people whose lives were cut short by Breast Cancer. And I am walking for my five daughters in hopes that a cure will be found very soon.

This event isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache and injury (tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, pinched nerve, oodles of blisters), weary nights in a little pink tent (high “are we going to wake up in Oz?” winds, pouring rain and way too cold—so much for warm sunny San Diego!) and other interesting experiences that would be considered TMI to share here!

I intend to do this every year until we find a cure for this terrible disease. Let’s hope it’s soon! Again, thanks for your support of my “3rd Annual” Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure adventure. I’m incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Click to donate to Kate in 2011!

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I’m a Very Lucky Girl :-)

2011
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OMG! Totally need to buy a lottery ticket. I was turning left at a traffic light, into the street near the post office. I was sitting in the middle of the intersection waiting for the opposing car to pass so I could turn. Of course, when I was able to turn left the light changed to red, but I was blocking traffic so I finished my turn. This guy at the light honked at me and threw his hands up, and yelled at me with what I could only imagine was very colorful language, so I did what most people from the East Coast do to rude drivers; I flipped him off. (Please note, this isn’t something I would normally do, but I was in a bad mood and he “started it”.)

Only then did I see he was state trooper in an unmarked car.

He turned his car around, no lights and followed me into the post office parking lot. I “pretended” not notice him. Gathered my packages and when I went to open my door he was right there and immediately started yelling at me.

“Why did you drive through that red light?!?”

“It was green when I pulled into the middle of the intersection. If I hadn’t moved you wouldn’t have been able to pull out of the intersection without hitting me,” I retorted.

He kept yelling at me basically waiting for me to say sorry and “fess up” but I’m stubborn and knew I didn’t run the light. Finally he said “Well, then give me your driver’s license and registration and you can tell it to the judge.”

“I will. I have 5 kids and would NEVER run a red light. I haven’t had a ticket in over 16 years and I’m an extremely safe driver.” Again, I would not normally speak to a police officer in this manner, but he was only punishing me because I flipped him off!

I handed him my license and registration. I sat there stewing… thinking about what I was going to say to the judge to get out of this ticket. About two minutes later he jumped out of his car and ran up to my door. I thought ‘Oh crap! I’m in trouble now.’

He said breathlessly “I’ve gotta go” and managed to drop his cell phone under a car as he threw my license and registration at me.

Of course I am thoroughly relieved. I dropped to my hands and knees to help him find his Blackberry. I managed to grab it from behind one of the tires of the car next to mine. He said “Thanks sweetie, drive safe now.”

Guess who won’t be flipping off people in cars anymore, lol.

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Random Thoughts… Catching Up

2010
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The past few weeks I’ve been guilty of the “busys”… I’ve been working, walking, taking care of my girls and husband, oh and did I mention working? So I haven’t been posting on my blog like I would have hoped. And it’s not even that I don’t have enough to say… there’s tons! But I haven’t had the time to sit down and put those thoughts into sentences. When I logged in today I swear I heard a creaking noise when the page loaded, a bat flew out of my monitor and cobwebs were gathered in the corner of my blog page. I know it’s cliché but time flies. I don’t know what happened to July. It was gone in a blink.

This summer has been a roller-coaster ride with the ups and downs that life tends to send you on.

Turned 40 a few weeks ago. Don’t feel any different than I did in my 30′s. Actually still feel like I’m a 25 year old, and I guess that is a good thing, most of the time. It’s getting scary though, my daughters and I like the same music… Sean Kingston, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa (don’t like her much, but like a lot of her music) and shhh, don’t tell anyone but I’m liking Miley Cyrus and Miranda Cosgrove’s new stuff. It find it hard to believe that my oldest is going into 7th grade and my baby will be 3 in a few days. That’s really the only time I start to feel “old”, or when I hear that some of my HS classmates are GRANDPARENTS already. That is truly terrifying.

Just found out today that one of my aunt’s was diagnosed with uterine cancer and is currently undergoing surgery. Her prognosis is good, will still need chemo after the surgery. But she is in good spirits and that is half the battle I think.

One of my 3-Day Walks of Life teammates and training walk leader is battling Leukemia. She is doing good now. Out of the hospital and just got back from an Alaskan cruise. She did some amazing things like riding in a helicopter and hiking on a glacier and is already back to leading training walks! She is an amazing person and I admire her strength and determination.

My oldest and dearest friend Kathy (we met in jr. high) recently got married.

Colm and I will be celebrating out 14th Wedding Anniversary in just a few days! It’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years already!

Another good friend who I’ve known since high school, told me that her husband is on his way back to Afghanistan for his 3rd tour and will be gone for a year! I don’t know how she does it. I go insane when Colm works 18 hour days, I don’t think I could last a whole year without him. (Be sure to send your prayers to Chad and his unit so they make it home safe and sound, and FAST)! It reminds me how lucky I am.

Summer is nearly over (less than four weeks until school starts, not that I’m counting…) and I haven’t done half the things I wanted to do or needed to do. Really must get my list written down and start crossing things off…

Anyhow, my walking is going okay, I get out at least once a week with Marianna, my Walks of Life teammate and try to do some other stuff too.

We have been enjoying the pool this summer, well at least in July we did. It was REALLY hot!! Haven’t been in it this week or turned on the pump for that matter and now it’s turning green. Better make a trip to the pool store and get some chemicals to make it pretty again…

What I really need to do is  start getting serious about training. I should be up to about 10 miles a day 3 days a week by now, only doing 4-8 miles a week. Hubby suggested I get up early and walk when everyone is asleep, but since I don’t usually get to bed until after 1 or 2 getting up at 6 is very hard to do. But I’m going to try to hire a sitter once or twice a week so that I can go out more regularly and on longer walks.

Anyhow back to work. Promise I’ll try to be better about blogging. Chao!

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Why I Participate in the Komen 3-Day for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk

2010
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I am walking in memory of Margaret Kelly (my husband Colm’s mother), Elizabeth “Lilly” Crangle (Colm’s aunt) and Jackie Kelly McCann (Colm’s sister) three wonderful people whose lives were cut short by Breast Cancer. And I am walking for my five daughters in hopes that a cure will be found very soon.

This event isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache and injury (tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, pinched nerve, oodles of blisters), weary nights in a little pink tent (too hot, high “are we going to wake up in Oz?” winds, pouring rain and way too cold—all over a two-night span!) and other interesting experiences that would be considered TMI to share here!

Check out my slideshow from the 2009 Washington DC 3-Day walk here.

Breast Cancer Facts:

  • Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of death among women worldwide.
  • More than 1.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year.
  • More than 465,000 die from the disease each year.
  • A woman dies from breast cancer every 68 seconds.
  • Incidence rates are increasing five percent annually in low-resource countries.
  • Susan G. Komen for the Cure partners or funds programs in 50 countries to end suffering from breast cancer.
  • Komen Founder and CEO Nancy G. Brinker, a Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control for the U.N.’s World Health Organization, is urging global health officials to include cancer in global health agendas.

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Facts:

  • The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. Participants commit to raise at least $2,300 and spend several months training to prepare for the event. They devote the entire three-day weekend to the cause.
  • Since its inception in 2003, nearly $500 million has been raised through Komen 3-Day for the Cure donations, contributions and sponsorships.
  • 3-Day for the Cure net proceeds help pay for vital global breast cancer research and local community programs supporting education, screening and treatment.
  • Komen for the Cure paid for half a million breast screenings in 2009–part of a nearly $1.5 billion commitment to research, advocacy and community programs since Komen was founded in 1982.
  • 3-Day for the Cure participants walk an average of 20 miles a day during the event. Participants are provided meals, snacks, drinks, shower facilities, tents, safety guidelines and 24-hour medical support–all resources needed for a safe and memorable experience. A crew of volunteers spends the entire weekend with walkers and staff to make the event possible.

The 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Series includes events in:

Arizona (Nov. 12-14)

Atlanta (Oct. 22-24)

Boston (July 23-25)

Chicago (Aug. 6-8)

Cleveland (July 30 – Aug. 1)

Dallas/Fort Worth (Nov. 5-7)

Denver (Aug. 27-29)

Michigan (Aug. 13-15)

Philadelphia (Oct. 15-17)

San Diego (Nov. 19-21)

San Francisco Bay Area (Oct. 1-3)

Seattle (Sept. 24-26)

Tampa Bay (Oct. 29-31)

Twin Cities (Aug. 20-22)

Washington, DC (Oct. 8-10)

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

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Random questions

2010
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How come when I have my house neat and clean and my kids are dressed, no one comes over unannounced, but when we are having a “jammie day”, the house is a disaster and there are dirty dishes everywhere, someone decides to stop by spontaneously?

Why is it my daughters can hear me open a wrapper from a Hershey’s Kiss three rooms away, but when they are standing right next to me and I ask them to do something they can’t hear me?

What is it about Facebook that makes people reach out to practically anyone? People that would never speak to you in school are suddenly begging to be your friend and sending you plants and beers? (Don’t get me wrong, I love Facebook! I just think it’s funny-check this out http://tinyurl.com/c35pmh)

Why is it that when you need to get a letter in the mail, the postal carrier delivers early and when you are waiting for something, s/he comes at the end of the day?

Why is it when I’m running late for an important appointment, the car is always on empty?

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Join me in the fight against breast cancer

2010
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As you may know from reading previous posts, I participated in the Washington DC Breast Cancer 3-Day last October. It was an adventure beyond description. I met some amazing friends, saw many wonderful sites in DC and the surrounding area and discovered that when I put my mind to something I can accomplish it, no matter what.

During closing ceremonies, the walkers who are breast cancer survivors walk onto the platform. And even though everyone is sore and exhausted and really rather not bend down to untie their laces, everyone takes off a sweaty shoe, holding it over their head as a toast. Doing this shows the survivors that the group walked these 60 miles for them. And they walked so that some day there will be a world without breast cancer.

Although I wasn’t able to complete the entire 60 miles because of a pinched nerve in my foot, I walked nearly 21 miles on Friday, 10 miles on Saturday and the full 18 miles on Sunday. The last two miles I kept the mantra “Margaret, Jackie, Lilly” (my husband’s mother, sister and aunt, all died/suffered from breast cancer) going through my head with each step to keep me going. But when we entered Closing Ceremonies I forgot all about the blisters on my toes, my unbelievably sore feet and felt powerful feelings of relief, sadness and elation; relief that the hard part was over, sadness that the walk had come to the end and elation that I accomplished something most people wouldn’t even attempt to do. “You are walking 60 miles in 3 days?!? You’re crazy!”

And yes, I’m doing it again! In spite of the fact this year I know what I’m getting myself into. I signed up for the 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure held in Dallas, November 5-7. And I managed to convince my amazing friend Amy, who lives in San Antonio, to walk with me. (We are team “walksoflife” http://www.the3day.org/goto/walksoflife_dallas if anyone else out there would like to join us.) This event isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache and injury (tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, pinched nerve, oodles of blisters), weary nights in a little pink tent (too hot, high “are we going to wake up in Oz?” winds, pouring rain and way too cold—all over a two-night span!) and other interesting experiences that would be considered TMI to share here!

Yes, that says Mobile Shower. Not my first choice, but after a long day of walking it was heaven!

Okay now to the hard part. I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the $3,300 that you donated so generously last time around to help end breast cancer. And to kick off my fundraising I have a contest. Everyone that donates $50 or more to my walk will be entered to win a brand new 8 GB iPod Nano. You have to donate by March 31st, 2009 and I will announce the winner on April Fool’s Day. Tell your friends!

Just go to this link http://www.the3day.org/goto/k8thegreat_2010 to visit my personal fundraising Web page and make a donation.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I’m doing, send me a message. I love talking about the event. k8thegreat@thekellys.me

Thanks for all of your support. I’m incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

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Chaos and Craziness

2009
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I love having a large family, most of the time. I enjoy the chaos and the craziness of my kids. But there are times when I just need a break. Like after this weekend, for example.

Saturday, I woke up after only four and a half hours of sleep (and four little feet in my back), gave my daughters their traditional Webkinz Valentine’s Day gift and headed to the kitchen for a strong cup of Irish tea. I sat down at my computer to read my email and skim the newspaper and just as I was about to take my first sip I hear “MOM, SHE HOGGING THE COMPUTER!”

After explaining to my 4 and 6 YOs about patience and setting the timer on my iPhone for 15 minutes, I sat back down to my now cold tea. Got up, went into the kitchen to nuke my tea and as I passed my 18 MO she started to scream. I’m sure she was saying in her baby talk “How dare you walk past me and don’t pick me up for my morning snuggles”. Well, it was probably a bit more colorful than that, she has quite the temper.

Anyhow, I’d had enough of her baby blackmail from Friday night (see earlier post) so I asked my 10 YO to pick up the baby for a little while so I could drink my tea. After getting everyone fed and properly dressed I hopped into the shower and got ready for my day.

My husband was a dear and took care of the kids so that I could run some errands. I spent the afternoon making my 10th trip (this week) to the drugstore, filling up the gas tank on my husband’s car (that mysteriously always seems to be on empty when I drive it) and shopping at the grocery store, laughing at the men picking up their last minute supermarket roses and boxes of candy for their sweethearts.

I wondered what little treat my husband had for me at home. I should have known. Nothing. He was the best gift-giver before we were married. Surprising me with perfume, spa certificates, roses for no reason and once for my birthday, he carried a gorgeous cake his chef had made for me all over Manhattan and on the train home to Stamford without incident. But after nearly 13 years of marriage, now the only time I get a gift from my husband is when I buy it for myself.

This time I gave him plenty of notice and a I set the bar very low. All I wanted was a card. He could have made it for all I cared, I just wanted some effort. And he wondered why I was in such a bad mood when I got home. Okay, he cleaned the house for me, and I really appreciated that but all I wanted was a card! Anyhow I digress.

After dinner, dishes, jammies and another round of trying to put the baby to bed I finally get to sleep around 12 AM. And like all weekends the girls wake up at the crack of dawn (but when they have to get up for school they sleep in until I physically remove them from their beds). I put a pillow over my head and tried to stay in bed as long as possible, but by 9 am there was no sleeping through the noise.

I got up, made my customary cup of tea and sat down to check my email. That is when I saw the calendar reminder pop up and I realized only I had 45 minutes to get dressed and take my 6 YO to a birthday party across town and we still had to stop and pick up a present. Who has a birthday party at 10 am on a Sunday?

I ran around like a crazy person throwing on clothes and trying to comb my 6 YOs hair while simultaneously brushing my teeth. I’m thankful no one lost an eye. Anyhow I grab my 6 YO and run to the car, pull out of the drive and get halfway to the store before I noticed I’d left my tea sitting on the counter after taking 30 precious seconds to pour it into a to-go cup.

We arrived at the store, ran in, grabbed a gift bag, a Polly Pocket play set and a Lil’kinz and high tailed it out of there. I get several blocks up the road before I remembered I’d forgotten the birthday card. As I looked down to see how much time I had to make it to the party, the permission slip caught my eye and I realized I was heading to the wrong facility. Of course I had just passed the correct turn off, but because I was on a divided street and I had drive four blocks out of my way to turn around.

We managed to make it to the party only five minutes late. I dropped my 6 YO off and headed home passing a bagel place on the way. I made a quick u-turn and $15, 13 bagels, 2 tubs of cream cheese and one small chai latte later I smiled. I finally get to enjoy my tea in peace and quiet.

Can I stay in the car all day?

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