I am multi-tasking. I would prefer to focus on one thing at a time, and I think I am more successful when I am able to do that. But in 21st century America, nobody gets to mono-task any longer.
I can't help but reminisce about the old Carousel of Progress at Disneyland, which used (for that time) state-of-the-art animatronic figures to illustrate how the development of state-of-the-art (for that time) household appliances freed us (women) from the drudgery of housework.
I don't know whether to be grateful... or regretful. After all, the ability to accomplish so much at once is the reason why everyone expects so much from us (you know, we partners who stay at home).
It is 9:00 AM. I have already:
- Brewed (and consumed) a pot of coffee
- Made lunch and drove the child to school
- Walked and fed the dog
- Cleaned the cat box
- Emptied and reloaded the dishwasher
- Wiped down the counters
- Wiped down the stovetop
- Vacuumed the kitchen and bathroom, wiped down floor
- Checked and answered email
And that's not all. While I am writing this, I am
- Doing laundry (I have to put away two loads done yesterday, but hamper is overflowing again. How does a family of three generate that much laundry?
- Cleaning the oven (Yes, it is self-cleaning - but I still have to manually handle the racks and door)
- Researching scripts for new web design client
I'm trying to think of good topics to write about (because this one blows). I owe people material - posts at other sites, reviews I promised to write but somehow never got around to. I need to put some effort into updating THIS site... but by the time I get to it, my energy and brain power are shot. Must do better.
But family and finances come first. I vowed to make use of our new kitchen by entertaining our friends more. (We have to - can no longer afford to meet them at restaurants as often). We had a small dinner party Sunday night, which was loads of fun. But I spent most of yesterday cleaning up...
...and trying to fulfill my second vow, which was to save money. This was actually one I'd made LAST year, when our income plunged because of the recession. That vow kind of went out the window when we had to delve into savings to repair and renovate our home. I'm trying to get back on track now, but it's tough when you get hit with things like last week's power outage (which resulted in a fridge and freezer full of spoiled food). I spent a small fortune over the weekend replacing some of the stuff that had to be tossed.
But this week, I'm trying to get back on track. Sunday night's roast chicken was turned into stock yesterday and is going to be the base tonight for chicken noodle soup. And last night, some of Sunday's leftover veggies starred in an impromptu pasta dish for meatless Monday.
Neither of those meals are exactly low-carb/low-calorie. So while I might be succeeding on the financial front, I'm failing miserably with my struggle to maintain my weight.
I dream of a day when I can feel successful in all areas of my life: family, friends, home, work (the fulfilling kind - as opposed to housework), finances, health. It's rare to feel that way simultaneously in all and maybe it isn't possible. Maybe I should just get used to patting myself on the back when I do well in one or two categories in one day and start with the others the next morning (thereby finding some kind of balance of the course of a week or a month or a year).
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