As a mother of preschoolers, I fell behind the curve when it comes
to technology. While other women were sporting Blackberries, Palm
Pilots, and Blue Tooths dangling in their ears, all I could manage was
a small spiral notebook from the dollar aisle in Walgreens. However, just to stay in the game I decided to refer to it as my Papyrus Pilot. My Bic ballpoint pen is my Cylinder Inkjet 5000.
These
are some of the things that I have put in my Papyrus Pilot. First of
all there's a listing of overdue library notices (now in the thousands
of dollars, carrying with them threat of foreclosure on our home); the
birthdays of all our relatives that I missed while taking anti-nausea
drugs for throwing up during pregnancies; the names of our children (I
forgot their names while taking anti-nausea drugs;) what my husband
wanted for his birthday 12 years ago that's still on the list after the
last child gets their braces....
Are you wondering what I was
doing while you were updating? While other people were updating, I was
scraping out the remainder of my mauve lipstick with the cap of my ink
pen so I could make it last one more week.
While other people
were updating, I was spending an hour walking around the block. That's
how long it took me to walk around the block with preschoolers.
While
other people were chatting on their newest equipment, I was chasing
Pooka out of a drainage ditch. Every time I would ever start a
conversation with another human around my age, Pooka would head either
for a wet ditch, a river, a train track or a tollway. Pooka makes
Curious George seem satisfied.
While other people were updating, I was dating my husband.
While other people were updating, I was laboring in childbirth.
While other people were updating, I was handing out hugs and kisses for all sorts of boo boos that preschool kids can get into.
While
other people were updating, I was making dinner. I don't have a palm
pilot to plan the family's menus. My Papyrus Pilot does a good job
recording the grocery list. I always use my Papyrus Pilot in meal
planning. I need help because the three words that I fear most in the
English language are, "What's for dinner?" I have trouble deciding
what's for dinner. And it's a question at least one of the kids hits me
with before 9:00 Am. I can't think pasta primavera before the Cheerios
are scraped off the floor. And I know the clock will keep ticking
toward 6:00 Pm and I'd better have someth ing steaming, stewing or
grilling.
Over the years I've decided a number of meal planning
methods. My least favorite was to open the freezer and make whatever
fell out and hit me on the head. It had spontaneity going for it, but
the lump on my head grew monotonous. Besides, we couldn't afford the
monthly brain scans this home making method demanded.
Even with
this failsafe method there are certain things I won't make for dinner.
Because when I was pregnant with six children, not all at once mind
you, I calculated that I threw up a combined total of 2000 times. I am
not kidding. One of the combinations of foods I will not eat together
is potato chips and milk. Why? Because I refuse to eat something that
at one time has come out of my nose
I finally settled on
deciding what was for dinner according to the days of the week. Monday
is for M so we eat meatloaf or meatballs; Tuesday is for T so we eat
tacos or turkey, Wednesday is for W which limits us to watermelon and
watercress sandwiches. And how do I remember what day it is? I use my
Papyrus Pilot, of course.
So buy a papyrus pilot, simplify your
life and enjoy your husband, your children, sunsets, fresh air and the
important things in life that really do last.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
