The dreaded email - it's YOUR turn to bring snacks

I was THAT parent. The one that forgot the snack. 

Why oh why was the snack schedule at the end of the email? I completely missed it. And as everyone knows, the hand-clapping, congratulations at the end of a game is really a sprint to get to the snack first. And our team has had some amazingly creative ones this season.

As one of the assistant coaches for my son's baseball team, I cleaning up a little after the game, as usual, but away from the snack location, so I guess that I missed the howls of hunger and disappointment. Since it was a hot Saturday, I had promised the kids smoothies afterwards, so the snack never crossed my mind. As we passed by the other team, I glanced around and though (as were a dozen other parents, I'm sure), "Huh? Our parent must of forgotten. how could someone forget something so important."  My kids put up a small ruckus , but were easily calmed when reminded of the smoothie. A small dark cloud passed through my mind. I'm sure it wasn't me, I told myself.

As soon as we got home, I rushed to the computer to check email. Yes, there was my name! Oh, the shame! Later, one of the coaches tried to assure me that only one kid noticed. Yeah, sure, but thanks for trying to make me feel better.

I did get the make up game snack. And of course, it was a nightmare week at work, my husband was traveling and we had to plan for my daughter's birthday party (and I had book club). My coolness factor went up a notch when the pizza truck drove up the curb, down the path to the baseball field. "Cool, pizza!" Yes, pizza can be delivered almost anywhere; even the diamond "in the back corner."

Taking time with friends - through running

Often in our busy lives, we put off doing something with friends. Today I just finished a half marathon with a friend and I'm grateful for so many parts of the morning.

We met at 6 am, and were home by 11:30. There was not a lot of impact to our families, but we got caught up on so many things. During the drive up, we covered topics like homework, bullies and yoga (I need to do that more!). On the way back, we talked about meeting our husbands, plans for the rest of the day and week, and a promise on when to next run together.

The best part is that we had to put all that aside to focus on our own performance for a few hours. I got to test my self a little - I started slow (too slow?) but was able to really push myself at the end; I got to swallow my pride, when my friend ran ahead and then feel truly proud of her at the end of the race; I got to share the glory of finishing and feeling that I (we!) accomplished something.

It's nice to have friends to do these activities with. I have a sounding board for worries and get ideas for how to handle situations - with work, family and me. I also get inspired to do new things. I haven't done yoga in awhile. We really could meet for a movie and I can see another Oscar contender before it's too late.

And, I get my exercise too. There's nothing more motivating that having to meet friends early in the morning. You can push each other during the run (or not, if it's a bad day). Sometimes, I get so many ideas of things to do or try, that I have to write them down before driving home - easy dinner idea, new book, or a way to deal with one of my kids. Often, this is the only way we get to catch up, so when one of us is sick or injured, the rest have to patiently wait for the other to rejoin.

Part of my motivation for staying uninjured is to keep up this part of my life. It's a great way to enjoy the scenery, friends and life.