The Great American Challenge

By Rachel

There are two major challenges facing Americans today: managing the federal debt and managing the school car pool drop-off. And with school starting, I’m overwhelmed with the school car pool drop-off situation.

The problem lies with parents who don’t realize that OTHER parents are ALSO dropping off their kids - and there is a 5 mile line behind them.  What friggin’ takes them so long? What is going on in those cars? Did the drivers fall asleep at the wheel? Did the kids forget where the door handle is? Are the kids just now getting dressed? Are they cooking breakfast in little car toaster ovens?

Just when I want to gently bump their cars, a door opens and I feel the exhilaration that I may be completing my drop-off. But no. The kid gets out but TURNS AROUND! He’s now gathering his school crap - which is scattered all over the car, including the front seat, the back seat, his mom’s purse and the car trunk - which means the driver must get out of the vehicle to help retrieve it.

This is when I see other drivers banging their heads. But wait. The child has gathered his school crap and is moving towards the building. Could this be the time that I can inch forward? Oh, no. NOW the parent decides to have that long needed lecture on choosing friends and trying hard academically. One frustrated parent gets so fed up she honks and yells obscenities. The other parents give her “thumbs up” sign. 

To assist with this pervasive problem and in creating world peace, I have written some guidelines for parents. Feel free to share with others:

1.    Good-byes should start as you exit your driveway and stop as soon the school building is in sight.

2.   Seat belts should be oiled and in good working order. Family contests should be held to see which child can escape the quickest.

3.   Military commands should be shouted when reaching the front of the line. “Let’s go; let’s go; let’s go!” Use a stop watch.

4.   Drivers should remain in the vehicles at all times. Duct tape yourself to the seat if you must.

5.   Finally, if kids forget something, it should be thrown out the window as you exit the line. Someone at school will make sure your kid gets it. If not, I guess you learned a lesson on the importance of labeling your kids’ stuff.

After successfully getting thru the drop off line, invite your girlfriends’ over to celebrate with this wonderful breakfast quiche. Prizes can be given for the best hurry-up tip.

Breakfast Quiche

1/3 cup melted butter

3 ½ cups shredded hash browns, thawed

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup sausage (you can substitute with ham, bacon, etc)

2 eggs

1 cup milk

Frozen 9 inch pie crust

Remove excess moisture from thawed hash browns. Press hash browns into the bottom and sides of the pie crust. Drizzle with butter. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes.

Combine the sausage and cheese; place mixture into the hash brown crust. In a small bowl, mix eggs and milk. Pour the egg mixture into the hash brown crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 – 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting.