There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who are early, those who are on time...and those who are late. I, unfortunately, am in the third category.
I shouldn't be this way and I know that. My dad is a Navy brat and raised me with the motto, "If you're early - you're on time, if you're on time - you're late, and if you're late - then don't bother."
Somehow this never sank in though. Just ask the dear woman who works at the front desk of our school. I always feel like I should bring her breakfast (or lunch) for all that she does as I scurry in late to school with the kids like a wild herd. I say, "I", because my tardiness has nothing to do with my husband. He was born and raised in the military too and absolutely can't STAND being late. (Are you seeing the dilemma here?)
Besides growing up with my dad being furious with me half the time, it wasn't until my senior year of college when I moved in with one of my best friends on earth. Her name is Pam, and we couldn't be more opposite - and I couldn't adore her more. Her favorite color is black, mine's pink, her favorite music is Country, mine's anything but, she's always on time and was very studious...and well...you get the picture.
It wasn't uncommon for any given Thursday night as we sat on our couch with our pals Ben and Jerry watching "Friends", that our conversation during a commercial break would run like this, "You have that assignment done for tomorrow, right?"
(Gulp) "What assignment?"
"Beatty! Our class assignment is due TOMORROW! PLEASE tell me you have yours done."
"Ummmm...I've been thinking about it."
"Bea, you've had the whole semester. Have you started working on it?"
"Oh, look Pammy! The show's back on!"
Most college students spent their nights partying away, I was usually found pulling all nighters trying to get most of my last minute work and studying done. I made it through though. I went on to graduate school and then began my PhD before I found out I was preggars. Not too bad for the world's biggest procrastinator.
The one thing I didn't think about through all this though, was that I'd someday have children - and guess what that means? They pick up all those fun little things you wish they wouldn't.
Our second son, Ethan is nine years old. He has been given several school assignments this year and I've noticed more and more that he's taking closely after me, rather than my husband...or dad...or college roommate.
Just the other night he approached us, "Mom? Dad? My teacher said that I have to turn my assignment in."
"Okay, buddy. When's it due?"
"Um, yesterday."
"WHAT? What do you mean, yesterday?"
"It was due yesterday. I wanted you to know, but I can get it done tonight!"
My husband's eyes made their way toward me and I could read his mind saying, "He's YOUR son".
This was the first of many nights I'm sure, that I stayed up until midnight with our fourth grade son, working on his assignment...and yes...he had weeks to complete it.
I finally had a taste of my own medicine and it didn't taste good. Not very good at all.
So, to my college roommate Pammy, and my dad...and my husband...I'm sorry. It's annoying to put things off for tomorrow what you can do today. I have a bad, bad feeling that I'm going to get paybacks for all those years though...and Pammy...I owe you lots and lots of Ben and Jerry's. :)
THANK YOU FOR VOTING! We're moving UP! WOO HOO!
I shouldn't be this way and I know that. My dad is a Navy brat and raised me with the motto, "If you're early - you're on time, if you're on time - you're late, and if you're late - then don't bother."
Somehow this never sank in though. Just ask the dear woman who works at the front desk of our school. I always feel like I should bring her breakfast (or lunch) for all that she does as I scurry in late to school with the kids like a wild herd. I say, "I", because my tardiness has nothing to do with my husband. He was born and raised in the military too and absolutely can't STAND being late. (Are you seeing the dilemma here?)
Besides growing up with my dad being furious with me half the time, it wasn't until my senior year of college when I moved in with one of my best friends on earth. Her name is Pam, and we couldn't be more opposite - and I couldn't adore her more. Her favorite color is black, mine's pink, her favorite music is Country, mine's anything but, she's always on time and was very studious...and well...you get the picture.
It wasn't uncommon for any given Thursday night as we sat on our couch with our pals Ben and Jerry watching "Friends", that our conversation during a commercial break would run like this, "You have that assignment done for tomorrow, right?"
(Gulp) "What assignment?"
"Beatty! Our class assignment is due TOMORROW! PLEASE tell me you have yours done."
"Ummmm...I've been thinking about it."
"Bea, you've had the whole semester. Have you started working on it?"
"Oh, look Pammy! The show's back on!"
Most college students spent their nights partying away, I was usually found pulling all nighters trying to get most of my last minute work and studying done. I made it through though. I went on to graduate school and then began my PhD before I found out I was preggars. Not too bad for the world's biggest procrastinator.
The one thing I didn't think about through all this though, was that I'd someday have children - and guess what that means? They pick up all those fun little things you wish they wouldn't.
Our second son, Ethan is nine years old. He has been given several school assignments this year and I've noticed more and more that he's taking closely after me, rather than my husband...or dad...or college roommate.
Just the other night he approached us, "Mom? Dad? My teacher said that I have to turn my assignment in."
"Okay, buddy. When's it due?"
"Um, yesterday."
"WHAT? What do you mean, yesterday?"
"It was due yesterday. I wanted you to know, but I can get it done tonight!"
My husband's eyes made their way toward me and I could read his mind saying, "He's YOUR son".
This was the first of many nights I'm sure, that I stayed up until midnight with our fourth grade son, working on his assignment...and yes...he had weeks to complete it.
I finally had a taste of my own medicine and it didn't taste good. Not very good at all.
So, to my college roommate Pammy, and my dad...and my husband...I'm sorry. It's annoying to put things off for tomorrow what you can do today. I have a bad, bad feeling that I'm going to get paybacks for all those years though...and Pammy...I owe you lots and lots of Ben and Jerry's. :)
THANK YOU FOR VOTING! We're moving UP! WOO HOO!
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