Feeling overwhelmed in Irvine

Time for an update! Sorry I haven't put the cruise pictures on the blog yet. I just haven't had a chance. Marlon is either on the computer (and I can only do it from our main computer that has the Kodak software on it) or it's too late at night or I'm just too busy doing other things.

I must admit I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed since we got back, and you know I don't usually get overwhelmed by our life, even though it's quite busy. I just have way too many things to do and there's no way I can get them all done. I recently updated my "to do" list (most of you know how I HAVE to have my to-do list to be able to accomplish anything) and it was distressing to see that I ran out of room in every single column/category. That's NEVER happened before. (In case you're interested, my categories are "errands," "call/emails," "household" (things like paying the bills, doing the laundry, basic correspondence, etc.), "household projects" (more long term, like organizing pictures, cleaning out the closets, etc.), "regular work" (my work with Patti), "other work" (things like steps to take for the book I want to write, any help I might want to give Marlon for consulting, my monthly Kids Konnection articles, etc.), "kids activities" (anything I need to do in relation to their activities or things *they* need to do in relation to their activities), and now I added a new category of "Bar Mitzvah" (things that need to be done for the planning of the Bar Mitzvah).

Anyway, I'll just be plugging through things and doing things as best as I can. Each and every cateogory could single handedly fill all my time.

Today I made work a priority because I needed a really good work day since I hadn't been working while the kids were on break. It was so hard to try not to touch the other stuff I need to do in the house, but I was disciplined all day and it felt good. I rewarded myself with a nice long swim while the kids were at hebrew school and now I'm allowing myself the luxury of blogging while dinner (salmon) is in the oven. Maybe tonight I'll even find time/engergy to post pictures.

I think part of why I'm feeling overwhelmed is that I know our spring is going to be chaotic. It always is. There will be baseball and softball playoffs. Harrison's honor band will have its performances. There will be extra rehearsals and the technical week and performance weekend for their musical theater play. Then there will be a tech week and other stuff associated with harrison's musical at school that he's in. Jacob and Michela will have dress rehearsals, pictures and a 5 days of shows for their dance studio. All of these involve some parent volunteer time as well. And the end of the school year is always busy with projects, reports, spring concerts and other things.

Anyway, I'm sure we'll manage like we usually do. A friend's husband was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a diagnosis which blindsided them and came out of nowhere. As he goes through chemo and fights for his life and she spends day and night juicing, cooking vegan foods so they can eat healthy, taking care of her husband, and taking care of their preschooler, toddler and baby, I count my blessings that my feelings of being overwhelmed come from simply being too busy and not from something like that. We all know that a diagnosis like that can happen to any of us and our lives can change in an instant. I'm sure she'd rather be overwhelmed by school projects, baseball games and dress rehearsals than chemo and cancer and it really puts it all into perspective.

On a lighter note, Harrison had his 12th birthday this week. I can't believe he's getting so old. Where did our baby go? He had a fun skating party at a roller skating rink on friday night. 15 of his friends, including his girlfriend Danna, came and they skated and had pizza and cake. Everyone had fun, including Jacob and Michela. It was WEIRD to see him skate by hand in hand with Danna (I thought Marlon was going to have a heart attack) but I guess we'll get used to it. She's sweet and its innocent. His actual birthday was yesterday and he had a baseball game. They won 20-6, so that was a great bday present! I had asked to be in charge of snack that day, knowing it was his bday, so I had pizza delivered to the field and brought grapes, carrots and cake. Everyone enjoyed it. We got him a new cell phone for his bday (his old one was very basic and didn't work well.) He's enjoying texting with his friends, the new "thing." He even taught me how to do it!

That's about it for now. Keep checking in for pictures.