and the correct anwser is... animal crackers

Phone conversation with my friend, M.

M: Do you have a sec?

Me: Sure, what's up?

M: I'm at Trader Joe's, and I need to pick up something to send to G's new Preschool for her birthday, a little snack. What do you think about animal crackers?

Me: Sometimes teachers don't like you to bring anything sweet, like a cookie. Did they give you any guidelines?

M: They said to bring a healthy snack. What would you bring?

Me: Maybe pita bread and hummus dip, or cheese and crackers, or sliced apples?

M: You think so?

Me: Trader Joe's has a really great Banana Bread mix that is super easy - you only have to add water, oil and an egg, and then bake it. Slice it up, and you've got a yummy "homemade treat". I've sent it to Seesa's Preschool a couple of times, and they love it.

M: I don't have time to bake.

Me: Then I guess just do one of the easier things.

M: Like the animal crackers?

Me: Sure

M: Should I get animal shaped, or letter shaped? Letter shaped are more educational, right?

Me: Sure, kids like those letter ones.

M: Ok, I'll head over to Safeway for the letter ones.

Me: If you have to go to a whole different store, just get the animal shaped ones. It really doesn't make that much difference.

M: Ok, should I wrap them all in individual bags for each kid, or just give the teacher the box to pass out at snack time.

Me: If you don't have time to bake, how do you have time to wrap the cookies in individual bags?

M: You think it would take a lot of time?

Me: Seems like it, but maybe not. I don't think it's necessary, but if you want to, go for it.

M: Ok, I guess I'll just decide later.

Result of conversation (a lot of which I've actually left out): I should have just said "yeah, great idea" from the very beginning.



More about Me: Some of my friends and family might consider me a hypocrite for even writing this about my friend M, as I myself, am a recovering havetogetanopiniononeverythingandendupdoingwhatIoriginallyplannedoholic. When I told my husband about this conversation, he said "Now you know what it's like from MY end!". I am happy to say that through a successful 12-step program involving in part my husband traveling all the time - forcing me to deal with everything on my own... I am recovering. We all get mired in indecision sometimes, which is why this conversation with my friend M was so humorous to me. I've been there so many times. But for me, my indecision was sometimes debilitating. Am I occasionally lured by the sweet smell of friends with opinions calling to me too? Definitely. Maybe I should offer to be M's indecision anonymous sponsor?