Absent Minded

I know. I know. I know.

Absent minded does not begin to describe me.

But this past week has been a tough one.

First, I was busy trying to register for a three credit class on line through St. Thomas before last Friday's deadline. I was able to get two other teachers to take classes, so we got a discounted group rate. Among registering, faxing over information, and paying for it via credit card, I left my wallet on my desk.

Then I was also trying to pay for my Hamline MNHS class. But Hamline no longer accepts anything Visa, so I had to cancel the class.

By the time this was all done, it was time to scamper to football practice.

I left my room open for KoKo to use after school.

Saturday morning rolled around, and I had to get up to school early for a morning walk through, breakfast, and then to load the bus for our playoff game. Of course, I spent the first 15 minutes searching for my wallet.

Nowhere. Usually, I look for five or six minutes before I find it in my drawer, in the pair of slacks I was wearing the day before, my bag, or on one of out tables.

Nowhere.

Then I recalled having it on my desk. I didn't recall, though, ever putting it back in my pocket.

So I headed to school in search of it.

Nowhere.

Nearly a week later, it still hasn't turned up.

So everything is canceled and re-ordered.

But no wallet. Must have walked off during the day or after school.

As if that's not bad enough . . . it gets worse!

Yesterday, KoKo and I were running behind. There's a deadline for us to be out of the house by 7:15. The absolute latest we can leave and not be too terribly late for school is 7:25. Any time after that, we are stuck behind two buses and usually 20 cars (I've counted the tail lights. The record is 29).

Well, it was 7:25 and KoKo was still running around trying to get ready. Kristie suddenly got sick and had to lie down in bed.

I now had to take Kenzie to daycare. This is no big deal. At least I had an excuse to be late.

I texted our principal to let him know I was going to be late and got Kenzie dressed and ready to venture out.

Of course, while all of this is going on, I'm trying to grab my coffee mug, my bag, a Pop Tart in a sandwich bag for Kenz to eat as a treat at Small World, and a juice cup for Kenzie. In addition to that, I'm also thinking about what to discuss in my first block class.

Well, Kenz and I go out to my car. I set her cup and my mug on the roof and my bag next to the rear wheel. I load Kenz in, get her strapped in - and she's fighting me all the way because this car seat has narrow straps and they always get twisted around easily. But I get her strapped in, grab my coffee and her cup and keep an eye out for KoKo.

Finally, she comes out of the house and I look at the clock, 7:35.

Errrr.

But I drop Kenz off and she's ready to chow down on her Pop Tart at the table and we're off to school.

We get to LHS well after 8 - and I'm panicking - I need to get copies made and things ready for first block.

KoKo gets out. I drain the last of my coffee, step out, and reach in the back for my bag.

Nothing.

What a terrible feeling.

Did I leave it on top of the car?

Nope.

I left it next to the car.

Did I run it over? With my MacBook in it?

Did someone else run it over?

Did someone steal it?

What a terrible feeling.

I try to call home - hoping Kristie is still there and can run out and grab it off the street - if it's still there and if it's not flattened from a car.

No one answers.

I try her cell. It goes to the recorded message.

I try her work. She's not in yet.

I try home again when KoKo's phone rings. It's Kristie. KoKo hands the phone to me and I get on and Kristie is laughing.

Relief. I doubt if she'd be laughing if my MacBook was a pancake.

"Forget something?"

Of course! I'm absent minded. I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached (I know it's a cliche but it's true).

Apparently, someone was walking into the high school (we live two doors down from the RLF high school) and saw a leather bag by the door, so - bless their souls - they brought it to the office.

The secretaries there found an Amazon slip with Kristie's name on it and called.

She ran to get it and then met me in St. Hilarie with my bag.

All turned out fine. The only things missing were some Blow Pops and a package of IceBreaker sours. A small price to pay for the safe return of my bag!

I wonder if anyone in that office has seen my wallet?
We drop Kenz off at daycare