Something's Gotta Give

Let me just start off by saying I do NOT like having a messy house. I HATE having dirty dishes in the sink and I DESPISE the laundry that continues to pile up. Adjusting to life as a single mom the past few years has not been easy. It isn't ideal that I work a full time job out of the home... nevertheless, it must be done. It was at that point I realized that "Something's Gotta Give" and I would just have to learn to "live" with a mess from time to time.

Fast forward to present day and add school to the mix. I have three classes for credit and one class that is required but no credit. I have calculated that I spend about 10-12 hours a week doing homework for my Computer class (this instructor gives a ton of busy work), about 4-6 hours for my Communication class and about 4-6 hours for my Criminal Justice class. That is like 24 hours a week, which is approximately 3-3 1/2 hours a night, if I did homework every night; which I do not. Suffice it to say, I can get stressed!

Some would criticize and say that if I am busy with school, I should forsake EVERYTHING else. However, if you KNEW me, you would know that I NEED other sorts of distractions too, or else I would get so sick of school, I would give up. Seriously... I hate monotony. So, I am enjoying directing the play. I am enjoying blogging, tho I can't always catch up on everyone's when I want to. I enjoy Facebook, but don't let it take up too much time (I don't play the games, etc). I love writing, although, that has been placed on the back burner until Christmas Break. I love music, and that is something I will never forsake.

I was engaging in textual relations with Eric recently and asked, "Do you ever feel like you have a soundtrack for your life? I mean do certain things in your life remind you of certain songs or vice versa?" He replied, "Absolutely! I think I try to find the music that completes that movie on a daily basis!" I texted back, "Me too! Probably why I am running out of room on my iPod." To which he responded, "That's a BIG soundtrack!" To which I said, "Roflmbo! Yes, well... a LOT has happened. I find myself adding new tunes when I am ready for something new in my life, I guess."

But it's true; that is how I feel. When I am going through another stage of my life, I actually search, and "try to find the music that completes" me during that time. Anyway, how did this post turn into something about music when it was supposed to be about my stress? I guess my point is, that I have a lot going on, hence the "big soundtrack".

Ok, back to the topic at hand... I am in school, and everything else in my life is still full and crazy, and I CHOOSE to create adventures so I do not go crazy! But, something's still gotta give. Unfortunately, that "something" is still my house. It is in worse shape now than before. And I have come to the conclusion that until I am done with school, I am just gonna live in a messy house. Thankfully, I have great kids who help clean (well, 2 out of 3 do anyway. the third one gets mysterious "stomach aches"...). FunnyMan pretty much takes care of the downstairs. Yeah, he's awesome like that. PrettyPrettyPrincess cleans the front room, the bathroom and keeps my kitchen counters wiped down. Yeah, that's how she rolls. I am grateful for the neighbor that periodically mows my lawn because I just can't seem to get a handle on it. If only the weeds and the bushes wouldn't get out of hand. :(

I have made some minor adjustments to help out... such as we are "Going White" here (as opposed to "going green"). My Pantry is stocked with disposable cups, plates, bowls, and utensils. Seriously, I love not having to fuss with dishes. I feel a little guilty, but I remind myself of all of the water I am conserving!

Now... if they could just make disposable clothes so my laundry pile would disappear...

What about you? Did something ever have to "give" in your life?

Proper Procrastination

What I Procrastinate

• Laundry


• Dishes


• Organizing the Storage Room(s)/Spaces


• Paperwork/Assignments


• Trimming the Rose Bushes


• Mowing the Lawn

Why I Procrastinate

• Laundry isn't fun...seems to multiply...and there is a sock monster that eats just one of every type of sock


• I do the dishes every other day...I hate "stationary" tasks


• Storage Areas...too overwhelming...


• I work best under pressure & deadlines.


• It's hot outside! And too many thorns!


• (see above) - It's hot outside! Besides, Mowing the Lawn is a "man's job"

How I Procrastinate

• I spend time with the kiddies - gotta do the mom thing!


• I "busy" myself with more important things...Recipe Club, Bunco Group, Stamp Camp, etc.


• I complete projects on a whim (hey! the side entry needed to be painted)


• I visit with friends and hone my social skills


• I read a little of that book my friend gave me a few months back. Don't want to offend her!


• I watch all the shows I have DVR'd in one setting


• I go walking.


• I work on Church assignments (I mean it's God, right?)


• I spend time with Big-D. (Can't help it -- he's addicting)


• I BLOG!!! (possibly the most important thing, after kids & my social life. Wait - maybe this IS my social life! - hehehe)

What I Never-Ever Procrastinate:

• Showering/Brushing Teeth/Personal Hygiene


• Spending money - If I ever have any, that is.


• Chatting with friends


• Answering emails


• Helping someone else with their projects (always more fun)


• Scrapbooking (only 5 mos behind, which I am told by other "scrappers" is NOT behind)


• Anything already mentioned above in the "How I Procrastinate" section


• Anything that sounds fun & exciting!!!

It's true. I am a self-proclaimed procrastinator! And you can be too, in just 4 simple steps! Cuz let's face it - Sometimes procrastinating is exactly the right thing to do right then and there.

1. Procrastinate without guilt! Seriously, if you're gonna spend your time bemoaning the fact that you're procrastinating, it takes all of the fun out of it - plus it's just plain exhausting! So if you're gonna whine, just do the blasted task to begin with, and get over it!


2. Become An A+ Procrastinator! If you're gonna procrastinate - do it right, give it your all, give it 110%


3. Make Procrastination a Personal Choice. Choosing to do something else is not failure; it's simply choosing to do something else.


4. Own it! When you are choosing to procrastinate - be willing to admit it! Don't make lame excuses! In fact, let those around you know what you're doing. This way, they will have lower expectations of you, and no one will be disappointed.

So, there! Procrastination is not bad in itself. Done right, it can even be a very rewarding experience! So, go ahead - pick something you don't want to do - and Procrastinate!!!

And, don't think I don't know what all of you over-achiever, anal-retentive, better-than-me moms are saying... "Sounds like fun! Maybe I'll start tomorrow."

Some people just gotta suck the life outta everything, don't they???