Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Reader Time Diaries

Want some encouragement―and comfort that someone's life is as crazy as yours? Check out the time diaries of these three readers.

Saturday

11:00 A.M.: Wake up, exhausted (I swear I never sleep this late), to breakfast in bed, which my son has prepared with the help of his nana. How sweet! Brenan and I share eggs, toast, and juice in bed.
11:15 A.M.: Start a load of laundry and spend time playing with my little sunshine.
12:00 P.M.: Start getting ready for a friend’s daughter’s birthday party at 1 P.M. Where has the time gone? Get dressed quickly. No time to shower. Good thing it’s at a park. Get Brenan dressed.
12:45 P.M.: Out the door. Head to Target to get gift. (I know―I am a procrastinator.)
1:20 P.M.: Purchase gift, gift bag, tissue paper, and card. Quickly put wrapped gift in front seat of car in parking lot. Sign card while stopped at a light. Yikes!
1:35 P.M.: Make it to the park in record speed. I did not bring the invitation or map, so I had trouble finding the party once I got to the park.
1:45 P.M.: Make it to the party and surprisingly I am still one of the first to show up. Mingle with friends and take Brenan to play on the swings.
3:00 P.M.: I know I have to make dinner at 5 P.M., and it will take me a while to get ready, so I start saying my good-byes and try rounding up my little guy. He has become fascinated with a remote-control car, and I have trouble getting him out of there. I use my “I’ll race you to the car” trick. Works every time!
3:45 P.M.: Leave the party. Arrive at house within several minutes and immediately jump in the shower. I really wanted to wash my hair but no time for that. Instead, I put my hair in one of those “messy” updos, throw on a dress and some heels. I ask my husband (who is still outside working in the garden) to help get Brenan (and himself) ready.
4:45 P.M.: I can’t believe we make it out of the house, even though we are still 15 minutes late and need to get gas.
5:10 P.M.: Arrive at dinner (grandparents’ 50th anniversary). We are the last ones to arrive but still manage to make good time.
7:30 P.M.: Say good-bye to family and Brenan, as he is off to his sleepover (at his cousin’s house). Craig and I decide to continue our date and we go grab some drinks.
7:45 P.M.: Arrive at P.F. Chang’s. Call my tax guy from the parking lot and go over last-minute details for our taxes.
8:10 P.M.: Enjoy a few cocktails at the bar.
12:00 A.M.: Get home and get into bed, tired and a little tipsy.

Sunday
8:00 A.M.: Wake up feeling refreshed. It must have been all that water I downed on my way to bed last night. I feel like going on a walk today.
8:30 A.M.: Start some laundry and get myself and the dogs ready for a nice, long walk.
9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.: Walk with my parents and the dogs all around the neighborhood. What a beautiful day!
10:30 A.M.: Get home and eat brunch. Call my aunt. The kids are up. Let her know I will be by to pick up Brenan in an hour or so. Do some straightening up, sweeping, and dusting.
12:00 P.M.: Head out the door with my mom and dad to my aunt’s house. Stop by Starbucks on the way.
12:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.: Spend the rest of the day relaxing in my aunt’s backyard, visiting with my parents, sipping Champagne, and reading a book (for my book club on Wednesday) while the kids play. How relaxing! I feel like a queen.
5:00 P.M.: Call Craig. Discuss dinner plans. I pick up some hamburger meat and buns on the way home. Craig is making his blue-cheese burgers on the grill.
7:30 P.M.: Sit down to dinner with my parents, Craig, and Brenan.
8:30 P.M.: Give Brenan a bath. Multitask and clean the bathroom while he’s in the tub. Brush his teeth and get him in his pj’s. Put on a movie for him.
8:30 P.M.: Watch Across the Universe with my parents. My husband has already fallen asleep on the couch by this point.
9:30 P.M.: Movie ends. Finish up with laundry. Read a few chapters of my book for my book club.
11:30 P.M.: Lights out.

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