When competing for Mrs. Kansas U.S., once they narrow it down to a final 3, you are then asked to draw 3 questions out of a fish bowl and answer on stage. For many, it's the most feared moment of competition...or a close second to the swimsuit portion. For me, however, I love this moment! The adrenaline rushing through my veins as I look out into the audience, down at the judges...and up to the good Lord above praying for an "answerable" question. Or something I could respond to with "World Peace". (Thank you Sandra Bullock for the cliche' side of pageantry being brought the big screen!)
On this night, one of the questions I was asked included, "What is something you would change about yourself?" In that moment, I could have said, the fact that I am the world's biggest klutz and right now I have three gashes on my shins, or the fact that I have the worst short-term memory ever...I blame it on "mommy-brain"...self-diagnosed of course.
My answer was something to the effect of: "I would change the fact that I need to say 'No' more often. I tend to over-extend myself and take on too many projects at one time. I can't say no when people ask for my assistance and usually jump at the opportunity to volunteer even, if I don't have the time. My mind is always spinning between my job, my husbands' career, my boys' activities, and just being a mom."
This week, I proved that I was speaking from my heart and in fact...need to take my own advice and say "No" more often, learning to prioritize. It seems my calendar is spinning, and I can't stop it fast enough to write things down!
Here's my moment:
I dropped the boys off at school, in my workout clothes...who am I kidding...my PJ's. Hot tea in hand, thinking all the way home, in the pouring rain...today I have no clients, no fitness classes to teach...just loads of laundry, emails to respond to, floors to mop and and an office desk that is begging to be organized. I had my radio blasting 80's music and thinking that after today I will be totally caught up and back to normal. (Which according to most husbands, means watching Y&R and eating bon-bons) Over the last week everything had been on hold because of the school carnival I had been working so hard on. I pulled into my driveway and, my phone rang...caller ID told me it was school. When I answered, a teacher asks me if I was bringing Banks' sack lunch when I met the bus for the field trip in 15 minutes.
Time stood still.
I could spin this, and say, yes I have that yummy little lunch packed and am waiting at the bus(while tightening my pony-tail, and swapping out my wife-beater for a KU tee, all the while flying 'back' to the school), or that I had written the date down wrong, or that "cough, cough" I was sick! Nope...in typical Kristie fashion, I said, "Wow, Mrs. Thomsen I totally forgot! Can I meet you at the Discovery Center"...over in Topeka, I might add.
Stupid "mommy-brain"! Please tell me I am not the only one this happens too....and that other moms out there feel my pain!
As I pulled into Topeka and exited the highway praying my GPS was on target, I pulled up the stop sign....I heard angels singing, as my eyes spotted the yellow school buses that were safely delivering my son and his friends to their 1st grade field trip. As I followed them to our destination, I was able to take a big deep breath! Realizing that in a few short moments it would all be worth it. In all the frenzy of feeling like a horrible mom, repeating all the way there, "How could I be this unorganized??" I saw these little bouncing heads and realized that for Banks' he has no idea the "heart-attach" I just endured. All he is going to know, is that his mom spent the day with him at his field trip. Oh, and that for some reason today in his sack lunch there was candy! :-)
As moms, we are constantly challenged with the balancing act of life. Admittingly so, my balancing act...needs some minor adjustments.
Will I still take on too many obligations, continue to over-extend myself and live in pure chaos? Of course, I am a mom! And for the record, I thought that with the shiny crown came a cleaning lady and personal assistant???? Boy was I wrong! Here's to all the "Super" moms out there!
If you are wondering what other questions the fish bowl presented....
"Why I competed in the pageant?"
To set a good example for my boys...sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone and face your fears(like being almost 40 and parading around on stage in a bikini!)
And my shortest answer, "Why not!"
"What actress would you be and in what movie?"
Julia Roberts of course, because she is an amazing actress and is very respectable. Steel Magnolias is one of my all time favorite movies...and I quoted my favorite scene in the hair salon...
"My colors are blush and bashful!" Sally Fields in her best southern accent, says "Her colors are 'pank and pank'!"
People magazine agrees with me...one of the most beautiful people!
Happy May Day! And thanks for reading...
Kristie
