I’m losing it. Work has been swamped because I keep taking jobs that require me to draw, and I. don’t. draw. I mean I can draw, if I want to make 10¢ an hour. So over the past few days instead of interacting with my kids, I’ve mostly been looking at them when they are regaling me with stories, while in my head, I’m thinking, “When are you going to stop talking so I can get back to work?!” Last night for dinner I fed my kids Dino Nuggets. That’s it, no broccoli, or salad, not even a limp piece of celery.
I was supposed to take two of my kids to the doctor yesterday, one for booster shots, the other for a check up; I missed the appointment. My husband needed to print a copy of his offer letter; we’re out of paper. I sent one of my daughters to school with her hair pulled up in a pony tail, because it’s greasy; I forgot it’s picture day. My house is right on the cusp between “manageably messy,” and “pig sty.” I have bills I need to pay, overdue library books that need to be returned, grocery shopping that needs to be done, ad infinitum.
Because I don’t have enough to do, I told my kids I’d take them to Amish country this weekend, and throw them a Halloween party weekend after next. Today I’m supposed to volunteer in one of my kids’ classes, and I’m so tempted to cancel. Except I’d feel compelled to lie and say my son was home sick, because I don’t think I can say, “Hey, I’m really off my game, and this is the only child-free morning I have this week, and I need to use it to pull my shit together.”
And how’s your week going?
oh my! *hugs* at least you were able to write it all down! even if it’s in a blog to all of us
I have found when i am feeling so completely overwhelmed by life and the 789107498712934723974 things it requires me to do, i feel better if i can make make a list and prioritize. Sometimes i even write down how long i will spend on each item. i like deadlines - very motivating! i also then drink a lot of coffee, not sure this is a good thing though!!!
My mommy IS coming into town this weekend so i am all warm and cozy and happy with that to look forward to. if you were closer i would let you barrow her - she is great fun
Kate | October 10th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
ouch. I’ve had those weeks, and they are not fun.
Playdates. Start making playdates like a mad woman. You can reciprocate another time. Heck, you’re having a party! So pawn the kids off on other mommies for a while and get some head space back!
Kimberly | October 11th, 2007 at 2:27 am
One, two, three cases of croup at my house this week, if you count me. Which I do, even though technically it isn’t croup when you’re a grownup, because Monday? I could not have gotten out of bed if my life had depended on it. My daughter watched one, two, three episodes of Sesame Street On Demand. No, I take that back. She watched the SAME episode three times. Which just has to have lowered her I.Q. a point or two, don’t you think?
I don’t even have time to enumerate all the things I haven’t gotten done this week what with all the needing to sleep 20 hours a day and such.
This is totally not intended to be flip — if you don’t draw and you don’t do web design, what DO you do? I’m genuinely curious here …
Could you say you were afraid YOU were coming down with something and you didn’t want to get all the kiddies in son’s classroom sick? That seems like a white lie I could get behind. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Jan | October 11th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Jan, essentially what I do is manipulate stock images, for brochures, trade show materials, logos, and web graphics. I always do some drawing, but I don’t start from scratch. Some of the banners I’ve made can be found here, on my personal blog.
Sheryl | October 11th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
If you find the secret to juggling all of this you will make millions!!!
My secret? Keep smiling even when it looks impossible. Just the act of smiling changes how I feel and it helps me to keep things in perspective. My mom used to say,” In 100 years from now what will make the most difference? Do that and let the rest go.”
Easier said than done!
Good luck…I’m cheering for ya.
Annemarie | October 11th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
All my weeks are like that!
lizardek | October 11th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Oh! I so have been there and unfortunately expect to be there again! This work/life balance thing is tough to achieve!
Believer in Balance | October 14th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I feel for you. I think we all have days, weeks, months or even years like that, so don´t worry, you are not alone!
This is one of the benefits of homeschooling . . .if things go crazy . . . no one has to know!
Genesis | October 15th, 2007 at 3:33 pm