"It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line."  ~Ashleigh Brilliant

 If Life was a Hollywood Movie, then the part of mom would have to have a stunt double. At least one.
This week started out rough and is well on the way to being one of the craziest weeks of my life. You name it, it has happened. Major appliances have kicked the bucket, our communications bundle of cable, phone and internet has gone on the fritz and I think I'm coming down with a cold. Not to mention that the end of the week is looming large with Parent Teacher conferences for all three children.
 I've seen the documentaries. In the movies, the Famous Starlett does all of the easy parts while the stunt double does the heavy lifting. The stunt double is the one standing in the pit of snakes, she is the one who runs in front of the rolling boulder, she is the one who jumps out of the burning building. The stunt double is highly trained to handle this type of stress. She is physically fit, well rested and perfectly equipped to deal with the tough stuff. Her main focus is to be ready for the hardest parts of the movie.
 There have been times, especially this week, that I've waited for the director of my life to yell "Cut" and to call in my stunt double. Two nights ago when the washing machine quit and I was standing knee deep in dirty laundry, I was sure that she was on her way. I can imagine her swooping in to take the rough parts of my life while I wait in my trailer and sip a diet soda.
 The truth is, no matter how hard I wish, there is no stunt double. Regardless of the relentness nature of life's challenges, I'm the only one playing this part. Good, bad or ugly, this show is all mine. The good news is, at the end of it all, I'll be the one kissing the handsome leading man and walking into the sunset with the beautiful family. I will have earned every bit of it because I've played every scene. I wouldn't have it any other way.