Why small success? Because that’s the only kind I know! Even the big ones come in small steps. Here’s my paltry offering for the week:
- Back-to-School Paperwork Conquered – I survived the beginning-of-the-school-year-paperwork flurry. After filling out umpteen forms replete with multiple emergency contacts with multiple contact phone numbers for multiple children and a range of other forms requiring my signature, I thought my work was done. Then a second round of papers hit at back-to-school night. I think I’ve completed every necessary form and attached every necessary payment without letting things fall through the cracks. I think.
- Managed a Birthday Celebration on a Crazy Busy Day – Despite a day in which all the white space on the wall calendar had been filled by library story times, sports, activities, and errands, I managed to cobble together a birthday celebration for our four-year-old. The day ended with us devouring cake and ice cream in the near-dark at our patio table. Sadly, after homemade pizza and birthday cake prepared between errands, dirty dishes filled the sink to capacity. (And we had eaten on paper plates!)
We went from this . . .
. . . to this.
- Cleaned a Kitchen Cupboard – I can’t even remember the last time I did this, and it was long overdue. I admit I was motivated in part by mystery moths appearing in and around this cupboard area. We’ve dealt with our share of pests over the years – mice, ants, and gnats come to mind, but neither my husband nor I have every lived with moths. They keep appearing in random spots. Anyone an expert on moth control?
- Saved a Monarch Caterpillar – My husband landscaped a portion of our yard as a butterfly garden. It includes a variety of native plants attractive to butterflies, including milkweed. We’ve enjoyed discovering a handful of monarch caterpillars feeding on the milkweed throughout the summer. Unfortunately, yellow aphids have swarmed the milkweed. Before tending to the aphids, I saved a young caterpillar that my oldest daughter and resident butterfly expert (and she is an expert, I kid you not) cares for. (Cut me some slack. This may be the only small success in which I claim I’ve saved a life.)
Aphid invasion!
Monarch caterpillar: object of my heroic benevolence.
- Tackled an Innumerable Amount of Book-related Tasks – My novel debuts October 1, and I’ve had myriad little tasks to complete related to its launch. I won’t bore you with the details, but for every task I crossed off the to-do list, two more were added. Not that I’m complaining. I’m thrilled to see my “baby” discounted on Amazon for pre-order!
That’s all I’ve got. Celebrate more small successes over at CatholicMom.com.
Have you had any small successes this week?
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Cool shot of the Very Hungry Caterpillar! One of my aunts is a first-grade teacher who is part of that Monarch Butterfly program in the schools; she has traveled to Mexico to learn more about them. She would be thrilled to see your daughter so engrossed in learning about butterflies and taking care of the garden! (She’s an avid reader too. I should tell her about your book!)
I’m so excited for you as your book launch approaches! I love to read and share good novels and it’s fun to anticipate the release of yours 🙂
Thanks, Barb! My daughter carries a butterfly guide around and identifies them all. She’s our resident expert. I so appreciate your enthusiasm for my book! 2 weeks to go!
I think saving the caterpillar is a great success.
I’m sure the caterpillar agrees! We’re anxious for it to go into its cocoon.
Great photos!
Paperwork is the pits!
Great successes!
Thank you! I was at the ready with a pen in hand when they stepped off the bus the first day. They bring a whole packet of paperwork.