Squeezing in a Speedy Slice!

Today I join my fellow bloggers in "serving up a slice" 
to the Tuesday Slice of Life sponsored by 

Two Writing Teachers.

It was one of those crazy nights at school.  I was there "mopping the floor."  Actually that's a figurative term for doing anything except what I should be doing.  Someday I'll slice about the origin of that phrase.
Tomorrow I fly out on a red-eye to visit my daughter and her husband in Ithaca.   How will I ever be ready?  Sub plans are still a work in progress, just put the laundry in the washer, and nothing is packed, but I can do that after school tomorrow!
Why was I mopping the floor?  What were the distractors that kept me from working on my real work for the evening - my sub plans?
Well, I needed to call a parent.  The student missed the last two days due to a funeral, and information arrived in my classroom this afternoon about the Natural Helpers Retreat that he's attending tomorrow.  The parent had a long distance cell phone number that I couldn't reach from my classroom phone, tried to use the phone in the front office - no luck, so I finally resorted to my cell phone.
And then I wanted to get the Wonder Wednesday bulletin board up.  I did locate the bulletin board letters, but left it all on a desk, hopeful that I can squeeze it in tomorrow before school starts and after the morning meeting.  It may still be waiting for me next week.
And I phoned Scholastic because my student's tin of books arrived dented.  They'll send a replacement.
And I had the usual mop-up after a day of work.  Where did I put the papers that I need to grade tonight?  Did I post the homework to Schoology?  Am I prepared for tomorrow morning's meeting before school?  Have I looked at the pre-assessments in preparation for the meeting I'll miss?  And where to stash these papers until I return next week?   And do I really want to take papers to grade on my trip?
In the middle of this stress, I break into a smile as I remember the conversation I had with a student today.  I gave my students a week without slicing (having my students try out weekly slicing this year).   The intent is to give me time to catch up.  I'm the one who's behind with reading slices and commenting!  I told my students that they only need to slice or comment this week if they've missed a slice or missed commenting on someone's post from their writing group.  One student asked if he could slice anyway because he loves writing his slices every week!  And it's tender moments like this that I treasure in my heart to carry me through days like today!