Diary of a Nascar Mom Lisa Matthis I awaken to the sunshine streaming in the window just as my Sony alarm clock starts to screech its morning call to duty. Even though I can still smell the hint of Drakkar in the air, I roll over and realize that my husband has already left for work at the Home Depot. My feet hit the carpeted bedroom floor, protected by Stainmaster from DuPont and shuffle their way to my son's room. I am greeted by the pearly white smile of Jeff Gordon on his door every morning. "Why can't it be another driver," I chuckle to myself as I open the door. There he lies, in his Jeremy Mayfield t-shirt and his Fruit of the Loom boxers, covered by his NASCAR blanket. I gently awaken him and get his clothes put out for him to dress for school, then head to the shower. Grabbing my Venus by Gillette, I catch a quick shower wrapping up in my Fieldcrest-Canon towel when I'm through. After putting on my Levi's and my favorite Dale Jr. shirt, I head to the kitchen to get the child and myself breakfast. With Maxwell-House coffee brewing, I pour his Cheerios into a bowl as he desperately searches the box for another Petty car to add to his ever-growing collection. I opt for the Post Honey Bunches of Oats this morning to go with my coffee. Today is dress down day for the kids so I help him get his belt on his Wranglers, and tie his Nike shoes before heading to catch the bus. After waving good-bye, I start out on my morning errands. First, I must get my Chevrolet Monte Carlo into my neighborhood Mr. Goodwrench dealer. I drive to the dealer, listening to my Sirius Satellite radio on the way there. It appears my alternator has coughed up a furball and is draining the old battery so I must get a replacement. When I get there, they are ready for me with a new Interstate battery, and while they are at it, I go ahead and get a new set of Goodyear's, a set of Raybestos brakes on the fronts, as well as a Valvoline oil change. I have to keep my car happy. While I wait I talk to my husband on my Sprint phone, to make plans for dinner later tonight. The great debate is between fast food and going to the Outback. They get me out quickly, and off to my next stop of the day I run. I gas up at the Sunoco station before stopping at the UPS store to ship a Rubbermaid bin to my cousin, who is in the Marines. "Just a little care package, including a couple of Sharpies, that DeWalt screwdriver he was asking for, and some cookies," I tell the sales representative and off it goes. Then it's off to the post office next to buy some stamps and mail my car payment to GMAC. After doing that I make it to my appointment at Great Clips for my haircut. I've been running all morning now, so I stop at Taco Bell for a quick Fiesta Salad. I sit down and relax for a few minutes, reading my Nextel Scene that arrived in the mail yesterday as I eat. I take my drink with me, and sneak to the next stop on my ever growing list, Lowe's. I pick up some Sherwin Williams paint to do the lawn furniture this weekend, as well as some Kingsford Charcoal and lighter fluid for the grill. Leaving the parking lot I notice that my left turn signal has gone out, so I stop at my local NAPA for another light bulb on my way home. One more stop at the local beer distributor, and after a small debate between Coors Light, Miller, and Budweiser, I settle for a case of Budweiser and a case of Coca-Cola and head out with my drinks. I get home and flip on the computer and check my Net-Zero email. I have received my confirmation for my Schwann's order that should arrive tomorrow. I look into the prices of switching to AOL Broadband and print the information for my husband to look at later. I grab a couple of Oreos for a snack and throw a load of laundry in with Tide before I sit down to relax. I peruse through the mail and the advertisements from Dodge, MBNA and Viagra, although I'm not sure why that one came. It has been a long day, and I've decided we are just going to get some sandwiches at Subway for dinner. The family all returns to the homestead, and I once again saddle up the Monte to run for dinner. I stop at the local Target to drop off my Kodak film to be developed and tell them I'll pick it up tomorrow. I stop at Subway for sandwiches for my husband and myself, then I head to the McDonald's Drive-Thru for the kiddo. While eating dinner, he accidentally spills his Pepsi, so I grab the Brawny paper towels to clean up the mess. After dinner my husband spray the lawn with Round-up as I feed the neighbor's dog some Pedigree and my son does his homework. Finally, we all relax in the family room, watching our Sony TV we rented from Aaron's while ours is in the repair shop. My son gets his Mead folder out so we can review his spelling words for his test in the morning. Munching on some M&M's he correctly spells his 15 words and gets his Jeff Gordon backpack ready for tomorrow. I can hardly wait to put my new Dale Jr. satin pajamas on and head to bed. It's been a long day. |
