A Balancing Act on Tilt!

Those of you who know me, know that I hate to quit anything. But this week, I finally had to cry "uncle." I've always followed the adage spoken by Lucille Ball (one of my idols): "If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do."

(Don't you love this picture of the two of them?)

Ultimately, though, I guess you reach a saturation point. I've been meeting myself coming and going and haven't been able to get anything done for myself. Why is it that women (particularly southern women) so often feel driven to put themselves last? The puppies have been acting out a bunch lately (yes, more than usual) in reaction to their absentee mommy. I swear, except for last Saturday when I worked the Arts Fest, I haven't been home during daylight in weeks. I wake up while it's still dark, get to work, go to meetings, tutoring sessions, training sessions and by the time I pull into the driveway it's dark again.

So... time to make a change! I've decided to pare down my life and try to focus on what's necessary and what I'm able to do. I'm resigning from my Service League duties to start with. Depending on how things go, I may leave off some other things too. I'll still be plenty busy with being Vice President of PTA, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Reading Recovery Campus Team Leader, and a private reading tutor. These responsibilities are fairly seasonal, or require a small amount of time per week. Last year at this time I was diagnosed with exhaustion and I could feel it coming on again. I don't want to do that, and I can't do it to my babies. Today I was able to be home before 6 (woo-hoo!) and the puppies have been outside for an hour (in the daylight!) just playing and running around and having fun in our slightly cooler weather. I still have to go to an all day training session on Saturday, but maybe I can still find some time to start heavy-duty cleaning of the house. (Don't laugh...I mean it!) It's been since before my surgery that I've been able to do a really good cleaning and boy does it need it!

Wish me luck in my new convictions. Who would have ever thought that time was such a luxury? I may not be the Maharincess of Franistand, but I know I'll feel like royalty with more time for my babies!