Up, up, the sun is up, so up with you. I used to have that book memorized.

The gentle arrival of daylight. No time for slowness today. Straight to business.

But do they all really want to play? They get more expensive every year. You think you spend a lot in diapers. Wait until they’re old enough to play sports.

I weep on the inside. There will be no time to clean today. Probably not even tomorrow. I’m supposed to not care but I do. Piles of things everywhere. Dirty floors. Unmade beds.

Leftover soup before the conference call. Making a list of questions. Committing myself to asking them.

There’s no point if we aren’t willing to be uncomfortable.

I carefully section her head. I don’t want to make too much work for myself but I know that the upfront investment of time will save all of us so much headache for at least a few weeks.

Snickers.

One week. I leave for New Orleans in one week. In some ways, I will still be working but I am also aware of the fact that I will get a much-needed break.

Done.