The inimitable Mrs. G and I share a love for routine in our daily lives. My routine is like an invisible security blanket, keeping me and mine safe and happy.
As I set out to document my routine I realized I don't have so much a daily routine as a weekly one. Here's the agenda that keeps me sane and functioning.
Practically the first thing I do every morning is feed the 2 dogs and 2 cats. The snake? Not my job!
Monday: Up at 6. Shower, make-up hair, make lunches, check gmail, say bye to the high-schoolers--out the door at 7:15 to meet my carpool buddy at the park-and-ride for the 20 mile drive to Cal State San Marcos where I'm in the last year of my teacher credential/Liberal Studies degree program. I have class from 8:30-3:45.
Home about 4:30 to make a simple dinner (lots of quesadillas and spaghetti with oil and garlic lately) and do a little a lot of blogging. Asleep by 10 p.m.
Tuesday: Up at 6:30, make lunches, start laundry, say bye to high-schoolers. OMomK, my bff, comes by about 7:10; we watch the TiVoed Daily Show from the night before then set off on a 2 mile hilly walk to our swim club where we use the weight lifting machines and them walk home. Home about 9:00 for some blogging, more laundry, The View, shower, make-up, hair and off to work as a Pharmacy Tech from 12-9 (a job I've had for, yikes, 25 years). Happily devote my lunch hour to whatever recreational reading I have. Try to avoid checking the computer when I get home so I can be asleep by 10:30.
CSUSM aka Stairmaster U.
Wednesday: Same as Monday except classes last until 5. Pick up a pizza for dinner at the place by the park-and-ride. Danger Boy has water polo games and Social Butterfly coaches cheer, so it's just Mr. Fix-it and I until about 8. Definitely asleep by 10!
Again with the laundry!
Thursday: Same morning routine as Tuesday but the workout includes a Pilates/strength training class so I'm not home until 10. After The View I head out for my weekly errands. Trader Joe's, Henry's, Costco, maybe Target. I get some cleaning in. I try to make a slightly nicer dinner on Thursdays since I'm home earlier. This is the night we watch Survivor and The Office (we TiVo Gray's Anatomy for Sunday night). Asleep by 10:30.
Other athletes throw balls; cheerleaders throw other athletes!
Friday: Same morning routine as T/Th, but I hit the books hard when I get home about 9. I don't shower until 3ish when I get ready to go to the high school football game to watch SB cheer. After the game it's usually catching up on blogging until I sack out. Of course, more often than not, there is ferrying of teenagers to and from their active social lives.
Saturday: Most Saturdays in the fall will find Mr. Fix-it and I at a water polo tournament where we get to watch DB play his sport with heart and fire--which is all kinds of fun. Depending on my homework load I may have books or my laptop with me. Saturday night is again with the ferrying of teens and maybe a movie from Blockbuster for the grown-ups.
You know there's a little of this in every day!
Sunday: No waking up early! Yay! There will be laundry and much homework, but usually Mr. Fix-it and I find the time to take in a movie in the afternoon (Body of Lies this weekend). Dinner is always hamburgers on the grill followed by The Amazing Race and Desperate Housewives and then straight to bed to start again next week.
Okay, it sounds a little boring when you write it down like this. I do manage to go to my book group, meet up with blog friends, maybe take a walk with Mr. Fix-it or have lunch with a friend. I get to go to Mime and Puppetry workshops, stay late at school to work on a science project and even cut the occasional class. If this didn't put you to sleep or you're new here and still interested, I've actually done an entire post on my laundry routine and how happy it makes me to take care of my family.
What makes this routine not so routine is a family that is always up for a laugh and can turn any situation into a chance to bond.
Jenn, thanks for sharing. You really do pack a lot in during the week. I also need a good schedule....lately though, I have been slacking. Perhaps that is my funk???
You manage to take care of all YOUR needs and those of your family. What a fantastic accomplishment. And no, it is not boring, but inspriring.
You should be proud.
take care....
Suz
Posted by: Suz | October 13, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Routines are good! I wish that I was a little more scheduled but oh well! Thanks for sharing! I agree with Suz above you should be proud, you are taking care or yourself and your family and with such a wonderful sense of humor! An inspiration for us all!
Posted by: Amy | October 13, 2008 at 08:46 AM
We're big on spaghetti with olive oil and garlic here too. My kids are getting to the point where they snub most tomato sauces. And the alternating soft taco nights. We do those frequently, too.
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | October 13, 2008 at 09:38 AM
OK -- everyone's done laundry except me!!!
OTOH, probably none of them have loads of wet laundry moldering away, forgotten in the washer for days.
Great post - I love "aka Stairmaster U."
Posted by: g | October 13, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Why mention laundry Jenn? Really. Isn't it hard enough that we're in an election year? We have to do laundry too?
Seriously, you are busy, girlfriend, busy!
Posted by: Cheri @ Blog This Mom! | October 13, 2008 at 11:53 AM
HA! That kid doesn't have a chance next to your son the shark in the pool.
You are pretty darn busy, lady....really busy.
Posted by: gary | October 13, 2008 at 12:16 PM
i'm tired just reading this! but ahhh, the daily show... one thing we miss not having cable. especially during an election year.
Posted by: amy beth | October 13, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Dang, you have it GOING ON! And you post? Seriously. You must not sleep much.
Posted by: Green Girl | October 13, 2008 at 12:40 PM
A well oiled machine, you life. Thanks for the peek. You are going to be the best kind of teacher.
Posted by: Mrs. G. | October 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Looks like a lovely, full life-- love the week instead of a day!
Posted by: Minnesota Matron | October 13, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Jenn I don't know how you do it all. I suppose having older kids helps. I am looking forward to the days that hubby and I can just head to the movies without scheduling a babysitter! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Karen | October 13, 2008 at 04:42 PM
I'm exhausted by how busy you are!
Posted by: Jen on the Edge | October 13, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Yikes! You have crazy weeks. As a former cheerleader, I can say the job of a cheer mom is hardest! Hard to watch someone throw your kid around... or land ON your kid!
Posted by: Saucy | October 13, 2008 at 06:41 PM
You are one busy woman! I love routine. I have a hard time sticking to one though....
Posted by: Madge | October 13, 2008 at 09:25 PM
I love The View!! Wow, you are one busy lady!
Posted by: Denise | October 13, 2008 at 09:33 PM
I LOVE these day in the life posts!
Posted by: San Diego Momma | October 13, 2008 at 10:19 PM
What I loved about your routine was the balance of fun, work, family and study time. Work includes homemaker & part-time job. :)
Posted by: JCK | October 13, 2008 at 11:31 PM
You sure pack it all in during the week! Routine? Hmmm I think Not in many ways! Wow. Makes me look like a slug!
Posted by: The Girl Next Door | October 13, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Man, I'm totally honored you even read me!!!
Posted by: Janet | October 14, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Wow! You've made me a little tired. Knowing how busy you are, I feel truly honored to get comments from you on my blog. ;)
Thanks!!
Posted by: Grandy | October 14, 2008 at 07:55 PM
My life would cease to exist without pasta of any kind to help me through a busy week!! Easy and we all love it...the little one is a butter and parmesan only kind of guy!!
After reading your schedule, if anyone says again that my days are busy, i'm going to direct them to you!!
you....super woman...kick butt!!
Thanks for sharing all that!!
Posted by: debbie | October 16, 2008 at 10:26 AM