Are you standing in a checkout line right now with a cart full of school supplies? If so, you’re not alone. The discount store parking lots are filled with back-to-school shoppers. This no longer includes folks like me, a person whose kids are grown up now and shopping on their own, thank you.
Yet I must admit to a certain fondness for new supplies. I love to find a spiffy pen to replace the old one with ink that clumps when you use it. A stack of sixty-cent notebooks call my name, so I grab several. Just think of all the cool things me and my spiffy new pen can write in them. I may not need more printer paper at the moment, but it’s on sale, so why not?
These days, most schools send a sizable list of things your kiddos will need for first day of school. (In case one hasn’t appeared at your house yet, no worries. Click HERE to find a general shopping list for kids from kindergarten through college. It can at least get you started.) The multiple lists for different ages reminds me that I once knew a family with twelve children. I can only imagine the train of carts required to get the job done for them. Any way you look at it, a new school year feels like an opportunity for a fresh beginning.
Perhaps it’s not too late to think about those goals I set on New Year’s Day. I admit to having lost focus, but that doesn’t mean I can’t review and renew my efforts now. I could pump up those daily writing goals. I could finish painting the scuffed-up baseboards. I could get more steps on my tracker (a Winston-approved plan). I could…well, let’s not get too carried away. I guess the moral to today’s post is carpe diem. Seize the day and don’t give up. Even if it means kicking yourself in the pants now and then. It’s a lot like getting the kids back to school. They might not be ready to go, but you’ll still nudge them along.
On that note, I’ve posted a link to one of the funniest back-to-school-shopping videos I’ve ever seen. Even if you’ve watched it before, this one is worth another look. Caution: there is a certain (hilarious) saltiness to her words and her attitude. Click HERE for OneFunnyMother’s classic back-to-school-shopping video.
##########################################
Pat Wahler is author of a novel, I am Mrs. Jesse James (now available on pre-order), and a holiday-themed collection of short stories, essays, and poetry, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas (coming soon). She is also co-author of a picture book, Midnight the One-Eyed Cat (now available on pre-order).
14 Responses
Pat–You’d better get focused. You have some busy times ahead.
And thanks for the link to the video. It was funny, especially when she paused, mid-video, to “hydrate.”
If everyone felt like her, teachers would have an easier time…
Sioux, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I’ve seen it probably half a dozen times, but still laugh out loud every time. Teachers rock!
That video is the best! We bought our school supplies at the beginning of this week. This has actually been a fast, fun summer for us and I’m not feeling ready for the school year to start, but I have had some summers. I can definitely relate to this woman. I am looking forward to the day when I can get excited about buying a new notebook for myself. That will be someday after I use up all the leftover, unused pages from the thousands of scribbled on one’s my kids have brought home at the end of the school year.
I know, Sarah. She is hysterical.
The summer has flown by, but I’m anticipating fall and all the upcoming holidays. My favorite time of year!
Oh dear this takes me back to my teaching days. I loved the new supplies, many of which I purchased with my own money.
To this day I still get excited when I see a fancy folder… and I admit, I still buy one for my writing stuff.
That video is a hoot!
Linda, there is still a certain appeal when seeing the neat rows of supplies-and on sale, too!
Just the other day I was shopping and had to grin at the harried moms with kids hunting for school supplies and crossing things off long lists. One lady with four kids had a cart piled high with stuff. I have to say it’s nice to have crossed that finish line! lol
Indeed it is, Lisa, although it certainly brings back memories. It doesn’t seem like the check-out lines were quite so long back in the day. 😉
I’ll check out the link and preorder your new book! Congrats!!!! Yes, I snagged some not-so-needed composition books that I use to journal in – and well, at 50 cents, how can you pass up 10 or so?
Thank you so much, Lynn! I hope you like the book.
It is fun to grab bargains, isn’t it? I love the plain old spiral notebooks. That’s where I jot my ideas.
That video is awesome! And I preordered your book – two! You know, save on shipping!
You are so sweet! Thanks a million, Lynn. Saving on shipping is always the best way to go. 🙂
I was just writing about school supply shopping to my friends as it puts me in the WORST mood. I don’t even let Katie come with me. That’s worse. This year, playdoh was on the list. I was a teacher, so I know–if you don’t ask for it, you are paying for it out of your pocket. But still…it is just one of those things about life we have to deal with.
Now as for focus, I am trying, Pat, I am trying. I am at about 47,000 words for this novel and I am going to get to the end before I take on another project. So many ideas so little time. I will also blog because that is good for me and my career, but it is so easy to get distracted.
Can’t wait for your book to come out! By the way, this weekend, we are going to Otterville, near Sedalia, to stay while we wait to go to the state fair tomorrow. And I’m pretty sure, although you may know better, that Jesse James robbed a train in Otterville. It’s the only claim to fame they have.
Margo, I wish I could report even 1,000 words on my next project. An outline. That’s all I’ve got, so in my opinion, you’re percolating along just fine.
It’s funny how many places connect themselves with the James family. Some of them are right on…others, not so much. But many have found it’s a good tourist draw!