Time

usually the most precious commodity for me. I am almost always going six ways at once. I have become such the consimmate multitasker that it has even earned me this.

Miss KJ Queen of Time

by the lovely and talented Miss KarmaRox
I have always been aware of the fact that the busier I am, the more I get done. It's the whole, "do it right the first time" motto. rarely is there time to do it again, or fix screw ups after the fact. On the rare occasion that I do single task, I usually fall on my face. For example, a lonely trip to the grocery store with no kids in tow, no schedule to adhere to, no cellphone ringing can often take hours versus minutes. I loose the ability to concentrate on the task at hand. As I fumble in the checkout line with no need to send a repirimand to someone under 4 ft tall, I am unable to write a check or locate a frequent buyer card. Ha! I suddenly realize that I have worked in momy mode so long, its all I know.

And so I've digressed. the point of this tidbit is that today I have looked at a calendar with not one, not two, but three blank days ahead. oh, there's the usual bitch work and a mountain of bookeeping to do, as always. It's that lack of appts, meetings and activities that's unsettling. There is a definite fear of the unknown. I know its only a matter of time before I get blindsighted and all hell breaks loose. Experience has taught me that interruptions are expected, but I am not good at conquering the final frontier. I'm no Annie Oakley!
So, off I go to relish in a smidgen of "me time" before the other shoe drops. Its been so long I'm not sure if I know what to do with "me" time, but I'll give it the old college try. I know if I fail, there are dishes, laundry and paperwork waiting to comfort me back to reality.

Time

Usually the most precious comodity i own. I am always going six directions at once, and sometimes one of those is actually something I want to do. I will admit, multitasking is second nature to me. It even earned me this.



I have always know that the busier I am, the more I get done. It seems to keep me on my toes, and a tight schedule lends itself to doing things right the first time.

The kicker is when, on rare ocassion, I am single tasking. Apparently, for me, this is a forgotten art. For example, grocery shopping alone. No kids whining, or playing games or earning a seat on the bench during checkout. No rushing schedule to move on to, no cellphone call or other distractions. What happens? Bam, I am unprepared. my mind gets spacey. I don't have the checkout card handy, or I space out, distracted by a fellow shopper or lost in my own thoughts. Frustrated with my own flakiness, it dawns on me. I have only to accomplish the task at hand and my mind doesn't know what to do with all the unstructured sub categories. Hah! What I can do in 30 minutes, suddenly takes hours, and more often than not, I screw it up.

and so I digressed. The inspiration for this tidbit is that for the first time in more months than I can remember, I looked up at the calendar and to my surprise, it is blank. not just for today, but for the next two days as well. A gal of my age really shouldn't be granted such fantaasies. It's flirting with danger. Know one knows what might happen if the to do list gets tackled, or "me" time actually occurs. I mean come on, I'm a mom, that's jsut not natural!
nevertheless, I will relish it. For even I know it won;t last. I'm sure before the end of the day those blank pages will be bursting with obligations.
So off I go. Before it's too late.

meeting a Milestone

Today I met a milestone in my life and its just a matter of time til it kicks my ass. Yep, today was the day that I became mother to a teenager. Now, believe me, I thank the Dear Lord daily for giving me boys, but he's a teenager just the same. He may not leave the human race and conduct hostage negotiations like a 16 year old girl, but he is also not immune to the occupation of his soul at times by a combative, self absorbed, antiauthoriatarian all American punk! As this happens, I will do my best to remeber to continue to count my blessings and thank the Lord for boys.

Now, i have also come to grips with the fact that this makes me of an age eligible of having a teenager. Whole different ball game there. I am crossing over to the dark side. slowly and begrudgingly, but crossing just the same. I realize that even if I had my children at a young age, this would make me OLD. No more foolin myself ( we all know how well i do that) into thinking I am only getting up there because I had my kids later. ( okay, mid thirties, not like I was old and gray at the time). But it is becoming increasingly more difficult to ignore the fact that I am crossing over. Afterall, DH received an AARP card this week. I should be more sensitive, but I'm not. i laughed hysterically!

and so, though I am still dillusional enough to think my kids think I'm cool, I also know this time is narrowing and I am riding the cusp of being the nersy old mom they hide from and whisper about. Oh well. I guess that means they're normal.

The Good with the Bad

So, I am doing a bit better at keeping up and trudging through my list of things to accomplish. Somehow acccomplishments are more satisfying than just getting things done ( haha, I can so easily fool my own mind sometimes).
I have become a more active member of the Jetteam on etsy. even posting in the team shop. It does ease my mind to know I am doing my part and not just riding others' coattails.

On the homefront, I can see a light at the end of this tunnel of testing I have been swallowed by. Most of it has passed and the results seem to be filing in at a little more than a trickle. I am glad to have done it and praying that it is the means to the end I so seperately seek. DS has been a trouper. No one wants to solve his school/learning woes more than him. I cannot imagine the place he lives regarding that. He is so strong to be able to deal with all of the frustration and confusion and bury all his emotions in a effort to appear so together. I will be so relieved to see all of this come to a head. While I strongly hesitate to claim an end to the battle, I do wish for it. realistically I know that battle will never end, but I can certainly hope it eases.

I maintain aspirations of more creative time and energy for creations like this. Here's hoping for an easier, less stressful week with more "me" time.

I'm a Survivor

Yes, I have survived this week. it jas been over 13 years since I worked ( at a paying job) a 5 day week. Don't get me wrong, as a stay at home mom, I put in way more than a 40 hour week on a regular basis, but this was a little different. That part time, spending $$, hey we CAN afford a little get away, snippet of a life of my own job I have was a full blown, full time, clock in, clock out, rearrange my life experience this week.

I can honestly say, it's not for me. I don;t miss that up at the crack of dawn, get ready and out the door in a flash, worry about how I look mindset. I don;t miss the what am I gonna take for lunch and how am I gonna have dinner ont he table by 6 state of frenzy. Now, before you take offense, I have the utmost respect for the working mom. I truly cannot wrap my head around how you do it. I have lived in a state of exhaustion since the birth of my thirteen year old. I whole=hertedly admit that if I was a wroking mom, I would be a zombie. Yes, they would own my brain.

So, in sub zero Chicago, it is Saturday morning of a 3 day weekend ( thank you MLK jr). I have done my errands and have no desire to leave my toasty abode for the next three days. A social extrovert by nature, I have resigned myself to laundry, cooking some good soul warming comfort foods and my jewelry bench. I have 2 weeks before i am scheduled to work again, and though the money is nice, I am perfectly fine with that.

Moving Too Fast

That's what the calendar seems to be doing these days. Selling jewelry makes you think almost a season ahead, or at least a holiday ahead. This makes the calendar go by a little to fast for me. Not to mention, the holidays, even the quick ones seem to last forever.

So here I am in January, not even through a birthday party or a school holiday and already I am working on these. I am not a big fan of pink ( or reds for that matter), but these Venetian Beads just make me swoon. i admit, I do miss getting these little jewels as gifts, but it is also so much fun to sell them to the person who then feels they've purchased the perfect gift.

I haven't quite figured out how to get my husband to start buying me other peoples jewelry creations, but I am definitely working on it. In the mean time, I have bought these from Jewelyrie, and these from the most wonderful modcustomjewelry for myself. I deserve it!

The Buy Handmade Pledge

I did it and I hope you do too. Though I took the pledge last fall, my recent shopping excursion furthered my belief int he need to get back to the days of yore, when artisans sold their wares and consumers knew them personally. Wow! imagine! A conversation with the creator of your goods. Knowing the heart, soul and passion that has gone into a product to meet your needs. And let me tell you, custom work is bliss.

So, if you haven't yet done so, take a minute and take the handmade pledge! you'll be glad you did.

I don't know, but I would assume that most of you would agree with me on this rant. Here goes.

When I buy something, i assume it will be worth it. imagine that! i go to a store, plop down perfectly good money and I want something in return that is not broken, defective or a total farce! Wow! It appears i ask more than the retail Gods allow these days.

I don't want to spend my entire weekend ina car and a store. i want to spend them improving my life. On occassion, that requires cars and stores. i can live with that.
Maybe i need to write to my Lowe's. Maybe invite them over to the house. let them get to know the hubby. Apparently, big business has absolutely no clue the years I have waited for a few simple home improvements. Spending my morning, traffic clogged all the way to their store, only to find every piece of wood shelving damaged was not helping my cause. Trying to shop with the well intentioned gift cards from hell, again, not helping my cause ( well maybe that feeling like it's not costing US anything was a little helpful).
So, on to the boxed items. Hmmmm, wonder what that lamp will look like all lit up? SOL-outlets don't work. Hmmm, that desk lamp might not give off enough light. Ohh, they have one on display, let's check it out! Nope, no bulb! Hmmmmm, that one's cute! Nope out of stock.

I think you get my drift.

Let's just say, we got a lamp. and........................it's been returned. After great care in choosing a sturdy, well constructed box with a hearty product, the object inside is still cracked. back to the store it goes, cause remember, that's how I like to spend my day, or at least Lowe's thinks so.

well, the shelves got up and the lamps got purchased. 5 stores, 9 hours and 2 returns later, and yess we were the proud owners of (sing it with me) 2 desk lamps, four veneered shelves................and a gift card that can't be redeemed. Not what I would consider a totally productive weekend, but better than nothing. Maybe next weekend we can tackle bookshelves.

what a day!

or should I say week? or month? I just don't know anymore! I seem to be maximizing my multitasking abilities these days and it is nap inducing. Problem is then I end up awake at all hours amusing myself with things like this. What can I say? That Karma is my kinda gal!
However, after being held hostage by UPS for 2 days, getting the clutz award for stupid moves, pissing off teachers, doing the job of a pharmacist,teacher,store clerk, insurance adjuster, mom and wife, I needed the laugh.