Messy Monday?

So today was definitely not the most productive day I've ever had. I had every intention of making the munchkins breakfast, doing some homeschool work, and then running to the post office to pick up the 6 pounds of chocolate that I had ordered in order to continue our new tradition of "Messy Monday."

The day started off great with my little princess' favorite Pumpkin Pancakes, for which I shall owe you all a recipe. They were gobbled up quickly, and everyone was cooperating for what was sure to be a productive day. As the island would have it, that just didn't happen. King had some side work scheduled, and I thought I would be "the good wife" and go and pick up the parts for that project since he was working on another side project this morning. I mean, how hard is it to run to a parts store, get some car parts, stop by the post office, drop the parts off to King, and then go home and finish my day with the girls? DARE I ask.

Everything was good and well until we were leaving the post office. I thought my car was making an odd noise and didn't feel quite right, but I mean it's an island car...so it's not like I'm driving a Mercedes or something. Anyway, I asked the girls for a "quiet ride," and thankfully they obliged...except that I noticed that the car felt like there was something terribly wrong, and there was no safe place for me to pull off of the road because the bush is so overgrown thanks to all of the November rain. Well, I slowed to a complete crawl, and the nearest safe place to pull over was the most expensive resort on island...with an award-winning golf course, a full service spa, 3 beaches...you get the idea. I made it as far as their first parking lot next to the golf course before I stopped the car and went into full-blown panic attack.

I had 14% battery charge (after leaving the house with over 80% just a couple hours prior) when I called King to let him know that I was totally panicking. Thankfully he was able to get on the road right away to meet us. Double thanks that he just happens to be a mechanic with all of his tools in his truck. So he arrived rather quickly and was able to put the spare on...which just happened to have a bent rim and no air...well, more air than the flat tire but not enough to drive on. Enter: Fix-a-Flat, an island staple. Honestly, if you live on an island, just have at least one can in your vehicle.

So while he's working on getting my car somewhat driveable, of course both munchkins have to use the restroom. There is no restroom anywhere near this parking lot. What IS near the parking lot is an award-winning golf course, a bunch of trees, and a lot of iguanas. So, I am now even more thankful that I had a friend in Indianapolis who taught me how to hold my kids while they pee so that they don't pee on themselves...well, or me. And yes, my girls peed in the bush of a 5 star resort with an award-winning golf course just to our left.

Needless to say, the day wasn't all that productive in the way of schoolwork, but I suppose it was definitely "messy." More importantly, I did get to focus on what this week is all about: Thanksgiving. While the Universe most definitely challenged me today, I am happy that I was able to find the blessings, laugh, and let go of the anxiety and frustration. I am incredibly proud that my girls were completely calm, well behaved, and just rolled with the day, even with the challenges presented.

And honestly, who can complain when I was sitting at a gas station in the Caribbean, drinking a beer while King repaired my tire? As a good friend of ours says, "it doesn't suck."