Just In Time

My sociology professor once made an observation that we live in what is called a 'just in time' society.  The longer I live, the more I find it to be true.  Getting to work, dropping kids off the bus stop, bringing them to swimming/piano lessons, arriving at church, finishing up dinner, arriving for an appointment,  cleaning before guests arrive, (the list can go on and on), I have a tendency be really good at getting things done just in time and not a minute earlier. Which wouldn't be so terrible if I lived (to steal the words of Mathew West's song) "in a small little world, population-me".  But because I usually have to tag along my little family, continuing to live -just in time- puts lots of stress on me and them.   Add winterish weather plus a kid who just learned to tie his shoe and I end up really miscalculating the time we need to get out house and drive out of the driveway.

I don't know what it is with me and not liking/willing/trying to arrive early somewhere.  Am I afraid that the time will be wasted or that I would be bored or that I would have to occupy my kids with something longer than necessary?  I don't know.  Probably a combination of these things.  The fact is, that when I happen to make it somewhere earlier than needed, I actually like it a lot.  I relax on the road; I relax when we get there.  I am able to transition and focus on whatever it is I came there for.

Today was another example of me and just in time.   My sister, my kids and I finally made it out to take some fall pictures.   Unlike many other people, we waited until almost middle of November to do it.   I spent about an hour choosing and ironing clothes  and dressing the kids only to completely forget that 45 Degree F is actually fairly cold and I should have spent that time choosing some decent coats, hats and scarfs for them.  We ended up taking a few decent shots.  It started raining soon after we left and the forecast for the rest of the week is more rain.  In other words, we took these just.in.time.

 


My hotblooded girl did not complain about not having a jacket.

With a soon to be big brother.  He can hardly wait.

Now and then (Fall of 2010).  

The four of us.   

The five of us  ;) 

Thanks, sis.  We did it again!  Just in time :)