Busy times

Wow, I haven't had time to sit at my computer for a few days. It's been a whirlwind around here. There was the usual Monday night madness with band and orchestra rehearsals. Tuesday, K20 had his first ever band concert. They didn't sound too bad for students who have only been playing their instruments for 3 months. Last night, I was just trying to get caught up around the house. It seems that the dishes have been piling up- as has everything else.

I still have a few holiday gifts to get- little things for stocking stuffers, mostly. And I need to make some more soap. I've decided that my co-workers will get "spa" sets this year- handmade soap and homemade sugar scrub. So, I've got to get that done as well.

I work on Saturday so I'm in the middle of a 6 day stretch of work. I haven't brought this up with V, but I'm contemplating cutting my hours at work, if we can afford it. V has been bringing in a little money with his writing and has been offered a book deal (nothing really big but it's a start!) I know that, since my job takes care of all the insurance, that I can't cut my hours too much. I was actually thinking of maybe working 90%. That would give me one afternoon off a week- or a full day every other week. Who knows, it's probably just a pipe dream, but I have realized that I'm tired. I have been working full time, supporting the family mostly single handed for most of the last 16 years and I'm just plain, old tired. Something needs to change in my life. I really want more time to spend on the farm and garden but with working at the hospital and working at home, it's difficult to find the time to really make things work. There are many, many times that I envy people who can stay at home or who only work part time. OH, I know it's not all soap operas and bonbons but I would love to be able to structure my time the way I want to, not how someone else tells me it needs to be. I often feel that I've bitten off more than I can handle with this place, starting all the gardens and landscaping from scratch. I know that I'm fortunate that I have a blank slate to work with but it is often overwhelming with the amount of work that needs to be done- both on house and garden.

Oh well, enough whining for one night. I'm just feeling overworked and under-appreciated (mostly by my family). I've got so much to still do before the holidays are upon us. The only decorating that has been done is a single poinsettia that I picked up at the annual sale at the hospital. But, I'm at the point now that, if no one else wants to help me, it just won't get done- then I won't have to take it all down again in January. Oosh, I'm sounding pretty bitter aren't I. I definitely need to find time for some "ME time"... and soon.

Thanks for listening to my whine. Maybe I'll try to make some cheese to go with it next time.