Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Nap-time is never long enough

It's 12:45 PM on a Wednesday afternoon, and I must make a decision. Either, I can let Dmitri sleep in the car while I run errands, or I can put him down for a nap at home, and chip away at the glacier of homework that I have due tomorrow.

I choose the latter, because I figure that is the responsible thing to do.

Dmitri is asleep within five minutes, I lay him down, and sweet peace! I would love to basque in my infrequent solitude, but I must set to work. I open the three computer programs required for homework, sign in, and I'm ready to go. However, I am unsure of which articles I'm assigned to read. I run down to the car and grab my  notebook. Back at my desk, as I look over my assignments, I hear a familiar rumble. Ahh, the mail truck is here. Of course, I go back outside and get the mail. There were two birthday cards. I write a thank-you note, and then stamp and address the envelope. I remember,oh, yes, I was working on homework.

So, I sit back down, try to open a word document for a reading assignment, and it will not open. Realizing that the document is incompatible with the computer that I am currently using, I open up my laptop, re-open the three computer programs, sign in, and start over again. I have eight articles to read, each of which requires a written response. However, since this solitude is rare, it's also unnerving. I absolutely cannot go forward without some musical accompaniment. I find some satisfactory and appropriate study music. (Imogen Heap in case you are wondering).

It's turbulence-free until I'm halfway through my second response. And then I hear a little mouse squeak. Insert expletive here. He's awake. I rush to pick Dmitri up before he's fully crying, only to unplug my laptop in my flurried exit. I hold Dmitri while trying to return to my work, and the laptop won't turn on. For ten minutes this goes on to no avail.  Unplug it, restart it, shake it, beg and plead, pray, swear, and kick it.

I give-up. I curse student-motherhood, and sit down to write a blog post about it, while breast-feeding Dmitri.
That's what happens when I try to be responsible and do homework. I should have gone shopping.

11 comments:

The Four Week Vegan said...

All that and I sit her impressed you can type while breast-feeding - LOL. I cannot even type while holding my water bottle.

DustyLu said...

That is hilarious! I feel the same with my son..he is hitting 21 months and the naps are getting shorter..rushing to get everything done in time! Ugh..the trials of motherhood..hey but there is always nighttime..ahh when they finally fall asleep! now back to workd! ~lulu

Stephanie said...

Oh I am exhausted from just reading through this post! Shopping really is always the best way to spend your time:)

So glad you stopped by my blog and followed! I'm following right back!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

so sorry that it turned out that way! 'puters can be so fickle!
Hope today is a better day for ya!
gail

(Tia's) Comfy Place said...

Yup, when all else fails, GO SHOPPING! :o) Happy belated Birthday too.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate the comment.

Unknown said...

I got quite the giggle out of your post! Nap-time is always too short when we HAVE to get something done! Thanks for the recommendation on the garlic oil drops ... I will definitely consider that! I appreciate you stopping by our blog and sharing your experience with us!

Confessions From A Work-At-Home Mom said...

What a funny story! So, you're a mother/student? I one day hope to go back to school to get my PhD... but the older I get, the harder that will be!

Thanks for stopping by today, especially since you're a fellow "Gleek".

~Elizabeth
Confessions From A Working Mom

Seizing My Day said...

It could be worse... you could have 2 or 3 ! ;) 1 baby was bliss! Enjoy the little critter! New follower hopping over from Too Many Hats! ;)
Just Jenn~ www.seizingmyday.com

Vanessa said...

You can type and nurse at the same time? I would always see "NAK" on the mom board I was on and marvel at it.

Hope you find some more time to finish everything!

Helen McGinn said...

Oh hon, I feel your pain. I've been there. Multi-tasking is a noun, a verb AND an adjective. ;O)

Amanda Lee said...

Cute story! I've so been there!