Stress Buster

Stress.  We all have it.  And I know some would gladly trade their stress for mine any day.  But by 5:00 p.m., today, I had had it.  The weight of stress pressed down on me until finally, fat, hot crocodile tears streamed down my face...the kind of tears I used to cry into my pillow as a child.  I was finally overwhelmed with tip toeing through interpersonal relationships, meeting all the home school goals, wondering if the math in the checkbook was correct, making sure the bathroom was clean, hoping my children had gotten some vegetables into them today, and sadly coming to the realization that my weekend was already full, and the prospect of rest was slipping further from my grasp.

The tears brought some relief, but I knew it was time for a breather.  I decided the biggest break I could afford would be to take my children to the movies.

The announcement that I was taking the kids to the movies was a welcome wave of excitement.  We don't frequent the movies often now that four of my five children are really considered "adults" at the movie theater, and we could drop an easy $80 in just one trip.  I struck a deal with them...I pay for your ticket, you pay for your popcorn.  "You're on!"  was the unanimous response, and the flurry of activity to get us all out of the house and on with our stress buster ensued.

This just so happened to be the opening night for the long awaited "Monsters vs. Aliens", so the only thing we needed to decide was when to go!  Thanks to texting and cell phones, the "When will you be home?" and "How long will it take to get there?" and "Which one are we seeing, 3-D or not 3-D?"  began to fly through the air waves between me and my children that were out shopping.  It began to feel complicated as the "I need to be home by so and so," and the "But I haven't found a pair of jeans," and the "How long can we drive with the 'Low Fuel' light on?" began to flow my way.

The shopping children brought it to my attention that an opening night movie at the peak time might sell out, so maybe I should look into that as they were heading my way to pick me up.  We had settled on a show time that was fast approaching...We could make it if the kids got home in 5 minutes, we swung by the store for our Jr. Mints, (sorry, we take our own) and get to the theater!  I quickly looked into Fandango.com.  How hard could that be? 

The stress that I was trying hard to dissolve began to build.  My fingers quickly ran across the computer keys to find the right movie and time.  Then...I had to become a member!  Why must I always have to be a member?!  I found all of the necessary information and felt some relief as I realized the movie hadn't sold out.  Fill in debit card info, get it right, then print!  Oh no.  The wrong page prints out.  "You have just qualified for $10 off your next purchase!" flashes across the screen!  Ugh!  Where is the ticket I was supposed to print out?

Just then the kids burst through the door!  "We're ready!"  There is a flurry of activity behind me as I continue to figure out what to print.  I know I just spent $41, there must be something to print out!  Finally, I find the ticket, press print, and "You're out of paper."  No joke.  The kids are scrambling to the car, 20 minutes left before showtime!  I know it takes at least 10 to get there...No Jr. Mints then?

I slip a piece of paper into the printer, hit print and we're in business!  I race to the car to join the eager bunch, start the car, and the "Low Fuel" light screams at me.  How long has this been on?  Oh, ever since we were out shopping!  The plan changes just a bit as I add 'put gas in car' to the immediate to do list.  Thankfully, the grocery store and the gas station share the same parking lot.  I slowly pull up, throw a $10 bill at two children, drop them off, then head for the gas station.  I quickly get some gas into the tank, the two children with Jr. Mints show up, and we're off!  Only five minutes before show time!  There is a ten minute drive ahead of me, so I calmly head toward the theater knowing full well they play at least 20 minutes of trailers.

I pull into the parking lot and can't quite remember when I've seen so many people there!  Thankfully we have our handy dandy Fandango ticket and walk right in.  The crowd inside is worse than the one outside.  We quickly come up with a popcorn plan, and divide and conquer.  My job is to get our youngest child an Icee, while the others gather the popcorn.  I don't think I've ever noticed anyone getting an Icee at the movies before, but tonight, every 5th grader in town is there, and ordering an Icee.   The previews are well under way, the popcorn gatherers are ready and throwing glances my way.  The compliant 10 year old offers to go without an Icee, but NO!  We rarely frequent the movies, and this is my stress buster, and I'm not going to go without the Icee!!!!

The stress continues to mount as I realize we must all enter together because our Fandango "ticket" is for all five of us!  We finally gather the Icee, head for the ticket taker, and I notice one of the five is missing.  Of course, it is the social butterfly that has found someone she knows in the throng of movie goers!  Where is she?!  We approach the taker, still no butterfly, and hand over the large printout "ticket" and go in.  Finally, the fifth wheel of our outing sprints toward us, shouts, "Does he know I'm with you?"  "He does now," I mumble, and sweep her into our fold.  We quickly trot into the theater, 18 minutes late!  The movie is only just beginning.

It took me just awhile to settle in, pass the popcorn back and forth, and enjoy the show.  There had already been quite a few "Thanks for bringing us, Mom,"  and the calm and smiles on their faces were well worth it. 

"Monsters Vs. Aliens" wasn't the best movie I've ever seen, but the inferences from some of my favorite movies like "Independence Day", "Men in Black", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "War of the Worlds", and others were appreciated.  Even the bad guy looked like "The Grinch That Stole Christmas."  The artwork was amazing and the music was fantastic.  The ending song was one of my favorite B-52 hits, "Planet Claire", and the grand finale was sitting in the empty theater listening to my children sing every word!