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When we last peeked into the world of Super Mom, she bravely overcame evil using the wonders of technology. Today, Mr. Schedule Stuffer is back, sinking to new levels of dastardly deed-doing.

Travel was on tap for our overextended heroine, but she was used to the plan-ahead routine. Yes, Super Bowl XVII would air while she was preparing to head out of town, but Super Mom could work around the big event, easily updating Web pages, throwing together homemade calzone, answering email and writing checks for school lunches.

As her list of tasks grew, Super Mom employed the skills of her loyal sidekick, Amazing Hubby. He strategically made sure everyone had clean clothes for the hectic week ahead, while taking on the mess left in the kitchen.

Unbeknownst to the super duo, lurking in the shadows was the evil Mr. Schedule Stuffer, quite unsettled by the fact that the family still had time to follow the big game. Mr. Schedule Stuffer knew Super Mom had to leave early on Monday morning, so he coordinated Middle Child's driver's education class sign-up for before school on that same Monday.

Super Mom was unfazed by the efforts of Mr. Schedule Stuffer as she zipped about packing and organizing for her trip well before turning in for the night. Realizing he was making little impact on his own, Mr. Schedule Stuffer conjured up the ghastly Ms. Germ Monster and set her to work on Baby of the Family.

Ms. Germ Monster waved her exposed wand over Baby of the Family's bed as he innocently drifted off into what would become a fitful, restless sleep. His throat began to feel scratchy. Then he couldn't get warm. Each time Baby of the Family began to drift off to sleep, Ms. Germ Monster stirred up her posse of icky microorganisms causing soreness in his throat and chills throughout his body.

Finally, unable to handle the attack on his immune system, Baby of the Family barged into Super Mom and Amazing Hubby's peaceful bedroom. The door flew open and Baby of the Family announced that he really didn't feel good.

Amazing Hubby groggily stirred, mumbling, "What's going on?"

Baby of the Family cautiously plodded forward, stating in a weak, raspy voice, "My throat hurts and I can't sleep."

Super Mom decided she would take Baby of the Family's temperature. But Amazing Hubby reminded Super Mom that the thermometer had been missing for some time. Super Mom thought she could hear the faint giggling of the evil Ms. Germ Monster.

Undaunted, Super Mom casually rose from the bed a full hour before she planned to get up and headed toward the kitchen.

In less than five seconds, Super Mom extracted the thermometer from its usual place, noting that, in everyone else's defense, it was pushed way down in the basket from which it normally sticks.

Within minutes, Baby of the Family's fever was confirmed and a fever reducer was administered. She assured him that the medicine would also help take away the soreness in his throat. Tucking him back into bed next to her and Amazing Hubby, she wrapped her arms around Baby of the Family and waited for the fever to subside and the alarm clock to sound -- which it did just moments later.

Even Amazing Hubby was amazed at the stamina exhibited by Super Mom after less than five hours of sleep. As she rechecked Baby of the Family, made breakfast for Middle Child and reminded The Oldest to be ready when she returned from dropping off Middle Child, Super Mom remained uncharacteristically calm.

Amazing Hubby was keenly aware, in his extremely bleary state, of Super Mom's breaking point, and the fact that she should have been teetering on the edge. Sensing the presence of Mr. Schedule Stuffer and his evil accomplices, he made sure there was plenty of hot coffee and a cooler filled with healthy snacks for Super Mom's impending trip.

Mr. Schedule Stuffer was lurking, waiting patiently with Ms. Germ Monster, sure that what they were witnessing was the calm before the storm.

But the storm never converged.

What Mr. Schedule Stuffer and Ms. Germ Monster failed to anticipate was the power of the intense adrenaline rush experienced by Super Mom eight hours earlier.

You see, Super Mom was a die-hard Giants fan. There was simply nothing that Super Mom could not overcome in the wake of such an awesome Super Bowl victory.

Amazing Hubby took a day off of work and got Baby of the Family to the doctor. Super Mom headed out of town, and Mr. Schedule Stuffer and Ms. Germ Monster skulked away to plot their next attack against Super Mom.

Coming summer 2008: Super Mom Episode IV -- the attack of Boredom the Great.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.