Saturday, April 2, 2011

So much to do and so little time

I pray every day that the organizer fairy will fly into my life and give me the tools I need to stay organized.  But, so far, my prayers are unanswered.  Apparently God has more important issues to tend to, and frankly I don't blame him for letting my little issues run amock!!

I am the queen of procrastination and diversion tactics.  As it is now, I'm dressed and ready to run through the house and "git er done", but I am sitting here instead, writing to only God knows who; so at this time, we'll just call it, "me". 

Frankly, I get overwhelmed pretty easily.  When the mood strikes, I want it all done at once!  Right now!  Not in five minutes....NOW!  However, it didn't take "now" to happen.  It's been a slow culmination of neglect over a long period of time.  So, what I need to do is figure out how to chunk it down!

My "today" goal was to work on my bedroom.  Clothes are strewn everywhere, and I can't even dust because I have a lot of stuff to move before that can happen.  So, I need to go in and even chunk all that down to manageable tasks.  And this...is where I get lost!  I just don't know where to start!  I swear, I wouldn't be surprised if Clean Sweep came to my door and said, I have been turned in! And don't get me wrong; if they showed up, I would promptly deny them access and go back to living "in secret" with my "stuff". 

I need to learn to look at all the little steps first and go from there.  So, for starters, I will give myself one task....my clothes!  (gulp)  I'm going to play the "keep or toss" game for the next few hours until I have to pick up my munchkins.   I just hope I don't get the overwhelming urge to grab a snack, or take a nap, or call a friend.  Because this is precious time I am wasting.   Not that I just have a few hours to get some things done...but I have the desire to do it!  That is rare, in and of itself!!

So, off I go into my room.  I will go through all my baskets and play the game, and hopefully have closure on that, my first task, before I have to pick up the girls.  We'll see where this leads!
Hope your Saturday is less overwhelming than mine!
Pray for me....I'm goin' in!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Losing steam

It seems to me like we are busying ourselves more and more.  The girls started dance team this past year and it's been quite the struggle to keep it all together.  Rarely do we have an "off" day like I have had in years past.  I only work "officially" 3 days a week, yet I feel like I'm running 7. 

When people ask if we can "schedule' something and I find myself starting to cower!  I'm not sure how much more I can fit on my plate!  Take yesterday for example;  I worked two meetings, picked up the kids from school (late...and at a friends house, because I forgot it was early day out) and took them home briefly for a change and a snack.  Then I dropped one at tutoring, the other at dance, had enough time to complete the purchases necessary for not one, not two, but THREE birthday parties (that only one of my children is attending), and then picked the other up from tutoring.  After that I had enough time to run her home, drop her off with daddy and run to my last meeting of the day. 

I counted down the hours until I could relax.  After the meeting got out at 8:30pm, I went to the store to get milk and such, and came home to "rest".  Lo and behold, both munchkins were still up doing homework.  The younger one got off to bed around 9:30 (an hour and a half LATE), but the older one had to finish her two BIG projects that were due the following day.  I ended up helping her with the last push, because now it's getting so late I am getting tired and starting to lose it.  At nearly 10pm, I finally sent her to bed.  Hopefully she remembered to brush!  As I was sitting at my desk, I smelled something burning, and realized, I had forgotten the eggs that I set on the stove to boil.  Well, I'm here to tell you that overcooked eggs stink!!!  I was so frazzled by 10pm, and I wasn't even done!  Now, I had to put together the gifts for the three birthday parties. 

As I sat there in front of the TV, "relaxing" and putting together said gifts, I realized that my schedule conflicts with the early out times, my work, and my hair appointment (to which I only treat myself about twice a year), I have no way to actually get my child to and from the parties.  So, I ran upstairs to send off a quick email to beg someone to help me out!

Upon my return, I realize that my gifts that I am working so hard on, now look disheveled and pieces are missing.  I realize the dog (appropriately named Jinx), in the few short seconds she had, stuck her nose in my business and decided to try to run off and eat the gifts in my absence.  Not a wise decision on her part!  Let me just explain; after 8pm, I'm tired....but after 11pm, I'm downright scary!  You've never seen a dog run so fast for it's life before.  That's all I have to say about that!!!!

Thankfully, the gifts are wrapped *(well, if you can call them that), and the girls got to bed, and the dog is still alive, and I got off to bed near midnight!  So glad I had a night to myself to 'relax'.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Finding Value in your day

Ever find yourself looking back on the day and feeling it was wasted time?

I remember my dad saying to me, "Money wasted can be regained, but time wasted is lost forever".  It's a pretty heavy statement, because it is so true.  It's easy to value money, because we know what we can BUY with it or what we have lost when we inadvertently drop a $20 on the ground by accident, (or drop $100 in our gas tank).  We feel the loss.  But is that the same when we lose a bit of time in our day???

How do you find value in time???? 

It's a tough concept, because for a lot of us, we are so wound up in our lives, we don't have time to think about it.  On the contrary, when we think about money, we budget, we plan and we spend it very carefully, sometimes going without, because we don't have enough money.

In this recession, I have to say I am a bit grateful.    It has made a lot of us stop and reassess what is REALLY important.  And for most of us it is our family, or health, or realizing that we don't always have a say in the cards; that God is the one in charge here! (insert your own diety if you wish).

There have been many wake up calls in recent years that have brought my perspective back into play.  I look at my kids, who were just in my arms as babies.  I realize I have been with my husband almost 2 decades.  I have lost my father and some friends in an untimely passing.  That is enough for me to stop and take a look at what is important and start viewing my time with a bit more value.

I have heard it said, if you don't know what kind of life you want to lead, sit down and write your eulogy. (you know...that thing that people say after you die???)  Wierd I know, but think about it!  What would you want said about you?  What would you want to be remembered for?  Think about the end and work backwards. 

I know that when I look back, I don't want to be remembered for all the "stuff" I had in my life.  I want to be remembered for the good things I have done.  That I was a good friend, mother and wife.  That I contributed to society and was a good example in the world.

Having an idea of how I want to be rememembered and how I contributed to this world gives me better perspective on how I can budget my time and find value in my day.  It makes me realize the value in my kisses to my kids and hugs to my husband and laughs with my friends.

How do YOU find value in time??

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Following up on a "fail"

So, I was asked yesterday about the post I wrote, "
When the recipient misinterprets, then replies in writing themselves, adding another piece of the conversation left to misinterpretation by the original writer, who replies in defense of what they originally MEANT, but that in itself solidifies the original misinterpretation...and on, and on. .......what should the people involved DO to rectify the situation?
 
I loved this question, because it got me wondering?  How WOULD one rectify the situation?  I can only use my own personal experiences, so my answer will have to do mostly with......well, ME!!!  (Fair enough, right??)
 
I have two scenarios of 'failed email messages' that come to mind.  (I'm so proud....not)  I will leave out the gory details, cuz no one really cares about them.  So, I'll speak in generalities....
 
The first instance when my email was sent, I was able to rectify it with a very heated conversation, but fulfilling discussion that made everything 'cool'.  However, there were TWO people involved!  The OTHER person is one I do not have an ongoing relationship with, so it makes it tricky.  I see her at work, but we don't have regular dialog, and this poses a problem.  Though we spoke in person briefly, I DID follow our conversation up with a, "If you misunderstood me, I apologize." To which she replied, "Think nothing more of it."  And, though she said that I appreciated it, but felt that she didn't totally mean it. 
 
THIS is the problem with communicating with someone whom you don't see all the time and don't have a concrete relationship.  Concrete relationships take a lot of time to build.  So when sending messages, it is REALLY important to know your audience.  Now, in my defense, this situation was a work issue.  So I wrote it in a "work" manner with, "just the facts, ma'am".  I didn't really pad it; I just had to get it out there to fix my work issue.    I do believe my request will be heeded, but I'm sad for the work relationship, which now needs, well....WORK!  But whatever.  Some messages go bad and it's hard to recover.

As for the other message I sent a while go, this was a family issue and I thought I was 'okay' in expressing my feelings, but realized afterward that I was wrong!  And the whole thing went so far downhill, I thought I would lose my husband!  Yes...it was THAT bad!!  Nobody's perfect, that is for sure!!! (hubby did hang with me, thank GOD!)

I never sent it with bad intentions, but filters, and emotions got in the way of my "message" and it was miscontrued on too many levels to recover.  Would I send it again if given the chance?  NO WAY JOSE!!!  It wasn't worth it.  I honestly though we had a concrete relationship, because it's family.  But this email and the ones that followed made the relationship fall like a house built on sand  As for the reconciliation, I feel the feelings run so deep on both sides that healing may never totally happen.  Conversation isn't really an option, because in my side of things fear has built a brick wall.  I ADORE this family member to whom the ill-fated message was sent.  However, lets just say "I broke it", and I can't unbreak it. 

In summation, I feel that if your relationship bears continuing, email communication isn't always best.  If you have a concrete relationship with someone, it can be rectified.  But if you do not have a concrete relationship, you are putting yourself at risk. 

I did mention that I feel I am a pretty articulate person.  But whether or not one is articulate is not the question.  The question is more like, "How concrete is your relationship and how important is that message you are about to send?" 

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Misinterpretations

It's funny how ones words can get misconstrued so easily.  One simple sentence can be interpreted a million different ways, depending on the person, the inflection, the actual words used, and of course, the mood of the recipient.

Conveniently we hear what we WANT to hear.  Based on the filters we have developed for ourselves, a few words can be totally messed up and taken all wrong.

Recently (in recent months I should say), I have sent a few emails that, well lets say, "Blew Up" in my face.  Let me preface this first, with the fact that I would NEVER EVER IN A MILLION YEARS WRITE A LETTER IF I KNEW IT WOULD HURT OR OFFEND!!!  Which brings us to the first law of letter writing: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!.

Now, I pride myself on being articulate.  I'm very emotional, so I am pretty well versed on the reaction my letter is supposed to have!  But in all honesty, when you write something, it is one sided and there is no real way to have a dialog with this.  You are only working on a monolog.  So, simply put, your words are left to the interpretation of the recipient without any inflection from your voice.

Inflection is HUGE!  It's how we DELIVER a meaning in a sentence!  Without it, you are really left with, well...just words!!!  Without YOUR inflection, THEIR interpretation is at the mercy of THEIR filters that they grew up with, which can be as vast as the sea!  So keep in mind, though you may be the greatest writer in the world, you are only as good as your audience.  If your audience fails to interpret as you have written.....you yourself fail!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Enough information to cripple you

Sometimes I'm confused by all the information "out there".  With all the labels we have nowadays, certainly I can find a name for whatever my 'issue' is.  There is so much research done and so many studies in the world that there is inevitable, conflicting information.
In this instance I am referring to my own personal issues.  I have had a diagnosis of "GERD" which is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.   Apparently, reflux isn't uncommon at all.  Well, nowadays anyway!
I think about how all these "diseases" came about and wonder; were they there 100 years ago?  Or has our society changed so much, we have actually started creating them with our food options?
And now, as I try to reverse the effects of my "disease", I'm overwhelmed with all the information out there on this subject!
Which doctor to see, which foods to eat, which ones to avoid, should I take the meds, or will they create another issue that is worse than the one I'm dealing with, etc.....
The information is literally crippling my ability to move forward!

But I cannot help but reflect back on what got me here!?!?!?!  Is it all the processed foods I ate growing up?  Is it food allergies or intolerances (there IS a difference) that are causing this issue? 

It is pretty scary to think about it all.  Because I do believe the end result will fall onto my children.  Most certainly I will not want THEM dealing with these issues when they get older!  So, I have a lot of work ahead of me.  And though I should just jump in, I feel overwhelmed with options. 

I'm sure any doctor I go to can "cure" me.  If I go to an accupunturist, he'll use his needles, if I go to a chiropractor, he'll tell me my spine is out and he can help, if I go to a Gastroenterologist, he'll find some sore of medication that will surely do the trick.  If I go to a nutrtionist, he'll give me a list of foods to eat/avoid. 

Literally any doctor will tell you they can help you. But where is my money best spent?  Right now, I'm not quite sure! 

And though THIS is MY issue; in the world, we all have our issues, and our plethora O'information to go through before we make our decisions.  It's all so much!

So for now, I think I will just take it one day at a time; and one doctor at a time.  Since I do NOT want to be on meds, I'm guessing, I will see someone who can talk to me about food intolerances.  I have been given some pretty good recommendations. 

I really do think our food choices are making us sick.  But I'll save that tangent for another day!  I don't want to give anyone too much information that will cripple THEM from making any good decisions.  We all need to go with our "gut" and do what is best for ourselves.

Hope your Monday is Sunny and bright!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Happy Sunday

Well, I'm not sure what I have to say, if much at all!  Afterall, everyone needs a day off, right?  (who am I kidding?  I'll find something to blab about).  Being that it is Sunday, I will give a shout out to God.

Recently, we started going to church.  And I mean for the first time EVER as a family! I had gone in the past, but it never really 'stuck' because of this or that or the other!  Truth is, I was raised catholic, and though my mom refuses to understand or believe me, I was riddled with guilt and fear and the worst part is, I never really got "religion" other than you need to live by Gods Rules.  Now, we all have rules, right?  But for some reason, the Catholic rules were presented in a pretty scary way.  At least to me!  And, so I felt like I was either doing something "Right"....or doing something "Wrong, forbidden, and you will PAY DEARLY". 
In my heart of hearts, I didn't feel religion was that way, so I strayed on a path in my own direction.

For a LOT of YEARS!!!!

Now, I'm not here to convert anyone, I really don't care what religion or what church anyone goes to.   And I certainly do not want to discuss anyone's views, so I won't really be putting any here, other than, we all need to find our own way. 

In my years of straying, I held MY  beliefs close.  But what I struggled with, was finding a church that was comfortable for me and left me feeling capable, rather than handicapped.   The other thing that kept me straying was "life was getting in the way".  But the problem that I found, was that I wasn't really worried about my own foundation, so it wasn't so important to me.  What is interesting is the fire that got lit about religion, recently, was my girls.  Yes, I had MY foundation....but what about THEM???  I didn't want them to grow up not knowing God.  Thankfully (yes, I'm going to bring up my friends again) with the help of MANY of my friends, I heard about all sorts of options and the best part is....church AIN'T what is used to be!  That is for SURE!!!

All the churches that we visited had (get this), "Kids programs".  And, I'm here to tell you, if they had this when I was growing up, I would NOT have strayed from church EVER!!!  I'm actually jealous! (that's a sin, I know). 

So, long story, long....we did find a place where not only the kids enjoy....but dear old hubby (whom I used to call atheist), is sitting right next to me!  BOY have things changed! 

And a part of me is feeling fulfilled, because when I was a kid, Sundays were spent in church AS A FAMILY, and that is part of my foundation.  I am now (or shall I say, "WE" are now...) giving our children a foundation that will carry them WAYYYY FORWARD!!! 

The funny thing about church, religion, God, beliefs, or however you wish to present it to yourself....is that I honestly feel that it is all about making a proper balance in life.   That good begets good.  Since we have been going to church, I feel like my husband and I have more to talk about and at least one more thing in common!  And for marriage, the more in your court, the better!!!

I also have something more to share with the kids.  These Sundays are more like a spiritual social outting that makes everyone happy, and I'm so glad!  For those of you who REALLY know me, you know this was quite the journey for me, personally.  And I am thankful that God waited for me to come back!

And for the Catholics out there....I applaud you.  I don't care who is what religion.  That has never been an issue in my life.  What I care about is following a path that feels right in your own body, all the way down to your own soul! 

Life is a Journey!  If it were a trip....we'd all be done already!!!