Hectic...or Burning the Candle At Both Ends...or Barely Keeping My Head Above Water...or You Get The Idea

 

So right about now my life has hit a busy time.   It's March 24th and this article is due tomorrow.   I feel like perhaps I've written about something like this once or twice before... it's like the water is about at my lower lip, almost covering my mouth right now, as I'm barely keeping my head above water.   And yes, some of it is my fault.   Admittedly.

 

The spring always traditionally feels like a huge list that I just check off once things are done.   Not that I don't enjoy those things, but once over, it's another one off the list.   I feel the same as I always do at springtime, but this year, things are a bit different.

 

A few of you may know that I took a part-time job at the end of May.   Prior to that, I had called my old boss to see if they were hiring part-time, and while he had some nice things to say to me, turns out they were only hiring in India.   I told him that was too long of a commute for me and that was the end of that... for the moment.   Then out of the blue, about a month and a half ago, my old boss emailed asking if I was still interested, and the wheels started rolling.   End of the fairy tale story is that I happily went back to my old job part-time, which was the opportunity I had been waiting for.   I am so thrilled to be working again in a capacity for which I am well-suited.  So that's great news.

 

However, there was some overlap between saying goodbye to the old part-time job and beginning the new, and last week and this week I was working both jobs.   I do understand that this is only what normal people do on a regular basis (without all the extra commuting around of course) and I don't know how you do it.   (Allow me to offer my kudos here.)   I am super grateful that Jim was able to help out immensely these past two weeks.   And I was warned by a good friend that I shouldn't try to keep up with the pace I would normally run at when working only one (or no) job... for instance, she told me it was ok to buy food for dinner instead of making it and gave other such advice.   But that didn't stop me from trying.   (And that's why a couple of days ago, I knew I was starting to come down with this nasty cold that has now settle in.)

 

For instance, just this past Wednesday, I was only working the old part-time job that day.   I left the house, and headed to the church to plug in my crockpot full of bean soup for the soup supper that night.   I dropped off cookie money at the Girl Scout leader's house.   I went to the produce store to buy a small bouquet for someone who had made a special trip over to the workplace the week before to dig me out after the snow (I mean, who DOES that?   It was so nice of him!) and THEN I headed to work.  I put in a full day, then headed home... almost.   I stopped by the farm to pick up milk, grabbed Megan early from Girl Scouts and drove her over to softball practice at 5, for which I had loaded her equipment in the car before leaving in the morning.   I then went home (finally) to pick up Daniel, stopped by the church to make sure the soup had heated up and took Daniel to the middle school, where I had to drop him off early for a 6:00 dodgeball tournament.   I then headed back to pick up Megan, whose softball practice was done also at 6.   She had gotten hit in the back by a rogue softball throw, so we made a quick stop at CVS to pick up some Epsom salts for her to soak in that night.   We got to the soup supper late, but were able to enjoy some food, fellowship and worship for an hour.   Arriving home, I ran the bath for Megan and begged Jim to go pick up Daniel at 8.

 

When I explained all the running around that evening to several people, they all just shrugged and said, "Well, that's just being a mother."   And they were right.

 

BUT.   But.   but.

 

Do you know what else is just being a mother?   It is the opportunity to be a part of Megan's life by being the assistant coach for her Odyssey of the Mind team.   Megan and her team have been a bright spot in my life for the past 5 months or so.   I have been involved in OM for 7 years now, the 6 before this year as a coach of Daniel's team, and assisting with Megan's team the past three, including this year.   (Daniel decided to take this year off from OM.)   Megan's team is different than any I have ever coached before.   First of all, the parents have been unbelievably supportive and helpful, which makes our job as coaches much easier.   The kids themselves are so excited about the program and their skit and are willing to put the work in to make it happen.   They argue over who gets to create which props; they continually ask what else there is to do and how they can contribute and are always thinking of how to make things better.   Of course, we've had some small bumps along the way, and it's not all unicorns and lollipops, but overall, it's a fun group of 4th graders.   They get along socially with each other and like hanging out, which helps as well.  

 

So wouldn't you know it?   At the Regional Tournament, they placed first overwhelmingly and are now headed to the State Tournament.   We are so proud of them and their accomplishments!   This is a team that I am happy to take to States because they have worked hard and earned it.  So that's NEXT weekend, ironically on April Fool's Day.   And unfortunately, in Pittsburgh.   So wish us well as we drive out to Pittsburgh next Friday for the tournament on Saturday.   Of course, by the time you read this, it will all be over!

 

BUT in the meantime, after taking a few minutes to remember how excited I am for OM, it's back to running.   Because of course, why would it be easy?   I still sing with the Bucks County Choral Society and our concert is on Sunday.   We have a dress rehearsal tomorrow, and I have to send Megan with her softball coach as she travels to their first tournament of the season at the shore.   Jim would have taken her, but he has to take Daniel to a soccer game in South Jersey early tomorrow morning.   They will meet up with Megan sometime during her first game.   Fortunately, the tournament is near Jim's sister's and they will get a chance to visit, so that will be nice.   We'll all meet back at our house sometime tomorrow evening.   On Sunday, Megan has softball practice in the morning.   I am gone from about 1-7 at my concert, and will unfortunately miss Megan's last OM practice before States.   I know it seems crazy, but from experience, I know I will be exhausted after the concert... it is going to be great, and I'll have fun, but will collapse once I get home Sunday night.