The Missing

So I lost something the other day, well, more like the other week, maybe more.  I lost it and I can't find it, even though I have LOOKED EVERYWHERE.  It's not under the couch (but there ARE tons of neat things under there), it's not in a closet.  It's not in the sink, the pantry, on the counter.  It's not hiding in the laundry (wouldn't have been surprised), it's not in the fridge (did THAT one or two times somewhere in motherhood) & it's not in one of Indigo's purses (everything you can imagine ends up in one of Indigo's purses at one time or another and she NEVER remembers putting it there).  

It's not in the basement, garage or shed (but you could probably build a brand new house out of all the stuff hanging out in those 3 spots).  It's not in our bedroom or any of the kids' bedrooms.  It's not in the office, under the desk, in the office closet or the filing cabinet.  It's not in the playroom and I even checked that little bathroom off the playroom that we generally forget about and rarely use anymore (it's been slated for rehab for a long time but we haven't gotten to it yet). 

 It's not hiding under bathtub toys, between stacks of diapers, in the shoe bins by the front door or behind the TV cabinet that goes in the corner but isn't a corner thereby wasting triangular space behind it.  It's not in one of my reusable bags that hang on the hooks, the hooks I hung up for hanging the reusable bags, you know, the bags that I forget every friggin' time I go shopping.  It's not in the downstairs fridge, although sometimes I DO forget about what's in that fridge until the basement starts to smell funny... it's not in the attic (just went through for our giant yard sale last weekend) and it's not in the car.  

I just can't find it anywhere.  

Days start, they continue, they somehow move forward and eventually they end.  

Still I look for it. 

Piles grow on the kitchen counter, the grill top, the island, next to the coffee machine and where my purse sits (good thing it can just sit on top of anything).  

Food gets made, leftovers go in the fridge, we forget about leftovers and make more food. 

I go grocery shopping, in a daze, have no idea what I bought by the time I get home, put it away and realize nothing matches up for a meal.  By the way, the store didn't have what I'd lost either.  

Laundry waits for me.  Like a dumped boyfriend, with a slump and a frown on it's face.  Stares at me when I walk by.  Sends a sideways glance in my direction with one eyebrow up.  "Please, please - come back!" it says as I walk the other way to avoid it.  Threatens to start growing like a vine out of control after a rainstorm, using the railing in the hallway and the foot of our bed as a trellis.  

Phone calls need to be made, appointments followed up with, paperwork filed, the office organized.  

I'm still looking for what I've lost!  You would think I would have found it by now!!  

There is one week left of school, and not even a "real" week.  Two regular days and then 3 noon dismissal's.  No homework anymore but there is BUTTLOADS of stuff coming home - papers, projects and random things with pictures of the kids on it that used to line classroom walls and hallways.  "Mom, no, we did that at _____ with _____ and then we ______ and so you can't just throw it out!" "We need to save it!"  OMG. 

The pool has been up and functional for a week (everyone's husband goes onto the roof and redirects the rainwater to fill the pool instead of using the hose, right? Right? RIGHT??) which really just means there is a NEW pile of stuff in the corner of the kitchen nearest the outside door - towels, halves of suits, pool toys, flip-flops.  

I really wish I could find what I've lost.  Maybe then... ONLY then could I possibly tackle the massive amounts of daily things that await me, gang up against me, pile up in stacks and towers, grin mischievously in my face and threaten to consume me.  

If you see it, could you send it back my way?  Stick a stamp on it and mail it to me?  Tie balloons to it and float it over here?  Send it by courier, maybe even wrap it with a pretty bow?  I mean, it's not very big.  It's doesn't weigh much.  It's not much to look at but it sure is important.  And I really miss it!





Please help me find my Bucket of Motivation!!!