Is It Any Wonder I’m Not the President of the PTO

Apu's school picture

My father's school picture, taken in Hungary, during the 1950's, when they used to call each other, "Comrade!"

My in-laws turned me onto genealogy back in the 90's.  I still remember logging into AOL, taking a shower, making a cup of coffee, putting Heather (my middle girl) down for a nap and then quickly dusting the computer screen, or wiping up sticky spots on my desk — it took THAT long to load a page.

Eventually, I added a few more kids to my family tree and, well, somehow the past took a backseat to planning for the future.

Today, I find myself unable to think passed deciding on which dropoff/pickup lane makes the most sense or, depending on what school I'm at, just what in the heck is his/her teacher's name, anyway?

Never mind, planning the next meal, without thinking, you know, this just may be my last.

"No, Heather has field hockey and my soccer practice was yesterday!"

Because, I swear, 3 days into the school year and it's already killing me.

"Hey, but I need another notebook!"

What?

"Oh, me too and here's the extra stuff my teacher needs!"

Huh?

"Yeah, me too and did you remember to sign the good behavior contract?"

Are you serious?

"Yeah, me too and we HAVE to use book socks!"

I thought recycling paper bags was a good thing?

"Mom, are you okay?"

No, I'm far from being okay.  In fact, I'm being held accountable for every little thing — like, each time my kid sneezes, passes gas or laughs out loud (LOL, for you kids in the back) in class — but, I realize that not everyone has 4 kids, attending 4 different schools, or is used to walking around in a perpetual state of confusion, like me.

"Yeah, yeah, fine."

Still, I can't help but wonder how my father's teacher would have reacted, if she received the following email:

Dear Comrade Teacher,

When dropping little **Jimmy off at school, I was surprised to learn that all the rumors were true.   

I mean, there was absolutely no place to park and the car pool lane reached all the way out onto the highway — as far as Starbucks, even!  

So, I parked in the next town over and walked little **Jimmy to the door, but couldn't get to it, because about 100 parents beat me to it.  

Then, at the end of the day, the same thing happened, except, Jimmy came out a whole different door, from this morning and, well, I'm confused and **Jimmy is upset.  

Yours truly,

Comrade Parent

**I don't know anyone named Jimmy.

But, the rest of the stuff is true and I could have written to any one of the 4 schools my kids attend, really.

"My teacher said that you can pick me up at the same door that you drop me off in."

Phew…well, okay…glad that's over.

"What's for dinner?"

[blank stare]

"Never mind."

I mean, honestly, lunch is at 1:00 o'clock; how hungry can she be?

"I forgot to eat my lunch, today."

Never mind.

[Edited to add:  Recycling paper bags is okay – in fact, using old Christmas wrapping paper as book covers is okay, too – phew, glad that's over!]

Liz@thisfullhouse signature

Ā© 2009 This Full House - All Rights

Comments

40 responses to “Is It Any Wonder I’m Not the President of the PTO”

  1. Headless Mom Avatar

    Welcome to headlessness. It’s fun here, just don’t let it stress you out.

  2. Headless Mom Avatar

    Welcome to headlessness. It’s fun here, just don’t let it stress you out.

  3. Headless Mom Avatar

    Welcome to headlessness. It’s fun here, just don’t let it stress you out.

  4. Headless Mom Avatar

    Welcome to headlessness. It’s fun here, just don’t let it stress you out.

  5. Headless Mom Avatar

    Welcome to headlessness. It’s fun here, just don’t let it stress you out.

  6. This Full House Avatar

    Sort of nice, actually.
    [looks around]
    Now that I see you’re here šŸ™‚
    Hugs,
    Liz

  7. This Full House Avatar

    Sort of nice, actually.
    [looks around]
    Now that I see you’re here šŸ™‚
    Hugs,
    Liz

  8. This Full House Avatar

    Sort of nice, actually.
    [looks around]
    Now that I see you’re here šŸ™‚
    Hugs,
    Liz

  9. This Full House Avatar

    Sort of nice, actually.
    [looks around]
    Now that I see you’re here šŸ™‚
    Hugs,
    Liz

  10. This Full House Avatar

    Sort of nice, actually.
    [looks around]
    Now that I see you’re here šŸ™‚
    Hugs,
    Liz

  11. Melisa Avatar

    You need a wife.

  12. Melisa Avatar

    You need a wife.

  13. Melisa Avatar

    You need a wife.

  14. Melisa Avatar

    You need a wife.

  15. Melisa Avatar

    You need a wife.

  16. mommyknows Avatar

    You crack me up! Great post, I love the photo, Comrade thisfullhouse.
    Have a great weekend.

  17. mommyknows Avatar

    You crack me up! Great post, I love the photo, Comrade thisfullhouse.
    Have a great weekend.

  18. mommyknows Avatar

    You crack me up! Great post, I love the photo, Comrade thisfullhouse.
    Have a great weekend.

  19. mommyknows Avatar

    You crack me up! Great post, I love the photo, Comrade thisfullhouse.
    Have a great weekend.

  20. mommyknows Avatar

    You crack me up! Great post, I love the photo, Comrade thisfullhouse.
    Have a great weekend.

  21. Elisa Avatar

    OMG, I am so dreading when Stella starts school too and I have two school calandars and two extracurricular activities schedules to keep up with!!
    Best of luck! And if the line reaches till Starbucks, get off and get a caramel macchiato šŸ˜‰

  22. Elisa Avatar

    OMG, I am so dreading when Stella starts school too and I have two school calandars and two extracurricular activities schedules to keep up with!!
    Best of luck! And if the line reaches till Starbucks, get off and get a caramel macchiato šŸ˜‰

  23. Elisa Avatar

    OMG, I am so dreading when Stella starts school too and I have two school calandars and two extracurricular activities schedules to keep up with!!
    Best of luck! And if the line reaches till Starbucks, get off and get a caramel macchiato šŸ˜‰

  24. Elisa Avatar

    OMG, I am so dreading when Stella starts school too and I have two school calandars and two extracurricular activities schedules to keep up with!!
    Best of luck! And if the line reaches till Starbucks, get off and get a caramel macchiato šŸ˜‰

  25. Elisa Avatar

    OMG, I am so dreading when Stella starts school too and I have two school calandars and two extracurricular activities schedules to keep up with!!
    Best of luck! And if the line reaches till Starbucks, get off and get a caramel macchiato šŸ˜‰

  26. This Full House Avatar

    Very sage advice, my friend. I often times wonder whether children attending European schools (today) are as involved in extra-curricular stuff and, you know, do they have Starbucks in Switzerland?
    Hugs to you,
    Liz

  27. This Full House Avatar

    Very sage advice, my friend. I often times wonder whether children attending European schools (today) are as involved in extra-curricular stuff and, you know, do they have Starbucks in Switzerland?
    Hugs to you,
    Liz

  28. This Full House Avatar

    Very sage advice, my friend. I often times wonder whether children attending European schools (today) are as involved in extra-curricular stuff and, you know, do they have Starbucks in Switzerland?
    Hugs to you,
    Liz

  29. This Full House Avatar

    Very sage advice, my friend. I often times wonder whether children attending European schools (today) are as involved in extra-curricular stuff and, you know, do they have Starbucks in Switzerland?
    Hugs to you,
    Liz

  30. This Full House Avatar

    Very sage advice, my friend. I often times wonder whether children attending European schools (today) are as involved in extra-curricular stuff and, you know, do they have Starbucks in Switzerland?
    Hugs to you,
    Liz

  31. This Full House Avatar

    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. You want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  32. This Full House Avatar

    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. You want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  33. This Full House Avatar

    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. You want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  34. This Full House Avatar

    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. You want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  35. This Full House Avatar

    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. You want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  36. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Melisa,
    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. Anyone want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  37. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Melisa,
    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. Anyone want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  38. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Melisa,
    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. Anyone want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  39. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Melisa,
    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. Anyone want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me

  40. Liz@thisfullhouse Avatar

    Melisa,
    BAH! Yes, YES, that’s it…I need a wife…AND I’ve been saying it for years, now. Anyone want to marry me? [sound of crickets chirping] I don’t blame you šŸ™
    Hugs,
    Me