Writer's Workshop

Dear Time and Energy,

Both of you are funny things.  In order to get more of you apparently I first have to expend a good deal of you. At least that’s what the experts in all those women’s magazines tell me. With you Time, I’m supposed to carve out some of you to sit down to make a plan.  I need to make time to organize my time. Once I do that, I will have more of you to do what I please.  And you Energy, by getting up and moving around, I’m supposed to feel better, thus creating more of you.

Unfortunately in order to lose a few…ok a lot, of extra pounds I need both of you at the same time. As a working mother of a 3 month old boy, neither of you are a part of my life.  Or, on rare occasions, I might have one of you, but not the other.

For instance Time, when I have a little extra of you it’s because I used up all of Energy to get there. I’ve spent you frantically doing the dishes, changing diapers, folding laundry, answering work emails, calling my family, making dinner and fighting Max to get him to nap.  And when the stars align and all of those things have been half-assedly completed, Energy is no where to be find.  All I want to do with you, Time, is curl up on the couch with my laptop or one of the aforementioned women’s magazines.  I don’t want to spend you lifting weights and spinning on the bike.

And Energy, you are even more fleeting.  The best form of you comes when I do that weight lifting and bike riding. You know, the way that will also help me drop some poundage. However these days I prefer you in drinkable form, namely very strong coffee. Before Max, I had lots of energy.  I did lots of exercise. I was a regular at not one, but two gyms. I also was able to replenish you by sleeping eight hours or more every night.  Sleep however is no longer a part of my life. I don’t expect to get a full nights sleep for another 18 years. So that’s just another thing that zaps you right up, Energy.

So, Time and Energy, I have a request.  Lets work together, m’kay?  I don’t like these extra pounds and I don’t like not having you two together at the same time. So let’s work together. If you guys could look at your calendar and pick a few days a week where you can combine forces let me know.  I’ll look at my calendar and together we can start working as a team. 

I look forward to working with you again,
Laura

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Just Another Thing I Said I'd Never Do.

Last night as I was getting ready for bed, I caught a glimpse of something shiny in the mirror.

"Is that.....No, it can't be.  It just can't"

Upon closer inspection, my fear was confirmed.  It was...dun dun duuuuunn...a gray hair!  Then I saw another.  And another.  And ONE FREAKING MORE!

Nooooooo!!!

Until this point, I only had two gray hairs in my life and I chalked them up to flukes.  I knew it was inevitable. Everyone goes gray. I was just hoping I had a few years and a few more kids left before they started popping up.

So, I did what every young woman blantantly trying to ignore the fact her 30th birthday is a few months away would do.  I pulled them out and examined them. What was funny is that only part of the strand was gray. As I looked at them, I figured the gray equaled about 3 months of growth.

Max happened 3 months ago.

I can almost pinpoint the exact moment I began labor on each of those strands!

Before I ever found grays I said I was going to be the woman who just let gray happen and be a graceful salt and pepper, like my dad.  I wasn't going to spend thousands a year on coloring my hair.  I only dyed my hair once and was too cheap to keep it up. 

Ha!  Ha! I say to pre-gray Laura.  I made a mental note to check my salon's prices at my next appointment.