Time Management?

One of my struggles as a WAHM is juggling the domestics with work, others not understanding the difference between stay-at-home and work-at-home, and the Man of the House not understanding why the Woman isn't finished by 5pm with dinner ready. Sound familiar to any of you? Hopefully the following can help...

I knew the ticket was time management, but what I didn't know was how to work it in and make it fit. Lately, however, my search for this elusive little magic button has struck pay dirt!

It seems as though the old adage 'slow and steady wins the race' is more valuable than I could have guessed. When I realized my health (physical and mental) was taking a major hit, I decided to slow down...after all, my assignments are flexible and the killer pace was my own doing.

So, I re-evaluated how I work, handle domestics and made only small changes, the most important being to remind myself that I didn't have to run straight through like a bulldozer with an all-or-nothing attitude, only to get pissed at the slightest interruption. I now work sporadically through the day, in between the domestics, and set goals of how much I'd like to see done that day (not being so hard on myself if the goal falls a bit short).

It sounds strange, but you know what? I'm actually more productive than I was before and have been finding time to relax, read, plan some art projects (sewing, painting, etc.), keep up with my email, social sites and blogs, call old friends. I've even managed to have most of this past weekend off and hope to do so this weekend too (with Halloween and my b-day being involved, I think I owe it to myself to). It'll take some time to master, but taking advantage of the flexiblity of my work schedule and taking it easier on myself has already started paying dividends.

Now the question is...how much will I need to re-adjust when school starts back?

What is going on these days?

This is sort of a repeat of my last myspace post, but I had to ask it again. This fall has been strange to say the least. It seems like things are running in patterns and affecting lots of people at once.

September seemed on a fairly even keel, but October has everyone going nuts! People are in weird moods and not acting like themselves, people are becoming depressed (which isn't weird in itself except that it's almost an 'in unison' thing). A lot of people are feeling restless and acting out.

Is it just me or has the whole world gone crazy this time?

Well, the baby, my boyfriend's mom and my sister just had birthdays...got my niece's, a couple of friends and my own coming up...what a month, I'm telling you! I really do love October, though.

Just when I thought getting enough work in was my biggest concern, I get the call that I need another biopsy (they had to do one 7 years ago-came back fine). Being the second time around, I'm not as sure about what the results will be. Fingers crossed that it's just another glitch...I've got a strange system and this wouldn't my first, or even second, 'off' test result.

As someone who's done healings in the past(and looking to get back into it), I'm pretty renowned for knowing what's going on with even my own body. I've even gone to the doctor explaining what it is and why I think it (they typically don't like that!)...one more or less called me a blazing hypocondriac only to have the nurse come back in to apologize for him since he was too proud to do it himself. I don't think it's that bad, but I've been very tired and distracted over the last year and it's left me doubting my ability to keep up with things. I go in Monday for it and should know something in a couple weeks or so after.

I gotta go...my ex just called to say our son got sick at school and his dad's bringing him to me (he's at work and my boyfriend took ours to work)...I may need to get him to a hospital at any point, so I need to be ready just in case. I'm telling you...when it rains, it pours!

I challenge you to...!

No, not to a dual (and you know you were thinking it!). No, I was catching up some of email after a day long 'triple play' (three assignments) session and I came across in an email from Kiwi, an eco-kids newsletter I subscribe to for my oldest, stating that October is Free Trade Month!

It got me thinking and I decided to challenge everyone who reads this blog to buy at least ONE free trade item this month in support of the farmers/workers who work so hard to make a product available to us.

Are you up to the challenge?

October Already?!

UPDATE: I just got a heads up on a site that donates to help fund mammograms for every user click. It's free to donate...all you do is click once daily and help support breast cancer prevention/detection! The site also features other causes your click can support. Thanks Raven!
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WOW, this year's gone by pretty quick! The weather's cooling back down and everybody's settling in, getting ready for Halloween. I don't mind it a bit, though, since fall is my favorite season and Halloween is my favorite holiday...except that it got cold here way too quick! I may need to plan an indoor holiday rather than go trick-or-treating this year. There are plenty of birthdays to celebrate,too,my youngest boy's and my own included.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means the pink ribbons are out in full force. A lot of the products we use will be donating a portion of the profits to organizations dedicated to finding a cure. Count me in for as many purchases as I can afford!

I always try to contribute to causes like these any way I can. I've known three women personally who had developed breast cancer (all survivors in remission, no relapses, thank goodness!) and also, a great-grandmother who died from a cancer of the reproductive system. This has become more widespread in a culture blanketed in a polluted environment. The organizations who honestly work toward the goal of finding cures for this and other diseases deserve any funds they can raise to help them do so.

Even those who aren't interested in donating or purchasing products that benefit the cause can do their part by getting the word out about monthly breast self-exams. A large number of breast cancer cases have been found this way and catching it as early as possible can mean all the difference in the world to a woman and her family!