Wednesday, October 20, 2010

working it out



So, on Sunday night I sat down with my planner to figure out what my weeks would look like now. I needed to know when I would get to the things I need to do...and that brought up the question, what do I need to do?

For the past 2 1/2 years I haven't had paying work. I've worked for me and my fam and I had a great deal of freedom deciding how I was going to spend my time. And, I have to say, these past 2 1/2 years have not been boring ones. I've not been sitting around with 20 extra hours a week, wondering what to do. So something had to budge, but what?

It was easier for me to think about what could not budge. These are things that I need to do:
1. bring Isaac to the playground (just about) every day.
2. feed everyone good food.
3. do not rush, or be late, when picking up Andrew from school.
4. be present to the kids in afternoons for homework, snacks, playtime, etc.
5. don't let the house get too messy/dirty.
6. be creative from time to time.

So, I started with that. I'm doing great with numbers 1 and 2. Number 3 needs a little work. Number 4 is the hardest one to do, but I've been doing it. Number 5 has been fine...though I'm worried about it staying around. And Number 6 needed totally rescheduling.

My work hours, are flexible, but have crept into what used to be the time when I would make cards and scrapbook and sew. I am doggedly determined to keep doing those things, so Dave and discussed a new addition to our routine. Craft nights! Except Dave won't be crafting. Little booger. Monday and Wednesday nights, after Isaac goes to bed, Dave, Andrew and I sit at the dining room table with projects. We gave it a dry run Monday night and it was great! Tonight is round 2 and we'll see how it goes...but I already know what I want to work on. The question is will I be up to it?




What about you? What do you need to do? What can't budge?

9 comments:

Ruth said...

Like you, I don't want to budge in dropping off and picking up DS from nursery school. I love the idea of craft nights!

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

I can't budge cooking good meals for the family. I let it slide while sick last week and I don't think a single veggie passed their lips. This is so not good. And I can't let the homework time slide. The accelerated reading programs they are in require nightly parental involvement.

Cat said...

Getting Jake to school on time, making Julia laugh, volunteer work...reading your blog!!!

Mama V said...

I think it's so neat that I can sort of see your hand print in that dough! Not that I didn't think it wasn't real before.. but seeing the print makes it look all the more authentic and awesome!

GREAT list, by the way. What I like about your list is that some of the items have the ability to sometimes be intertwined and you can still end up getting most of it done in those moments. For ex., chipping away at the cooking prep with your boys (while they pretend to cook or do little tidbits like washing potatoes) at your side while you chat and work can address both #'s 2 and 4 (though their messes might create a higher emphasis on #5!). If there aren't a lot of other people at the playground (which is the case for us these days), I do a lot of great brainstorming and note-taking that sometimes helps me address other items on my To Do list once I get back home. (Chasing Isaac and thinking about paid work at the same time?! You'd be a true multi-tasking queen!)

Are you trying to avoid letting paid work creep in to the weekends, or are those kept sacred?

Dave said...

Stacey, I hear ya. Veggies are the first to go.

Cat! so sweet!

Mama V, I loved the handprint too! so neat! umm....right now I am planning one day each weekend at home to catch up on housework, or get ahead a little on work. But on day of each weekend is just for play.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I love that you are setting time aside for crafting! That's what Carrie and I have recently done with Monday nights. I'm in a different situation because I don't have little ones at home anymore. I do remember the feeling though, of not having enough time to do all the things I wanted to. Hang in there, Robyn! I know you'll work it out.

Melissa Belmonte said...

This has nothing to do with this post. But I thought you might be proud of me. Yesterday, I made heart shaped sweet potato biscuits to go with our soup! I rolled out dough and put them into shapes! Are you proud of me?

Larry Sherrell said...

I am going to make a piece of toast now..... undoubtedly won't taste as good as yours but what are ya going to do?!

Dave said...

Melissa...so proud!

Sorry about your inferior toast, Larry. ;)