Not Working

I like to plan. I like to plan more than I like to put my plans into practice. So I end up procrastinating actually doing what's on my plan to keep planning. Nothing gets done that way.

Another hitch in my planning is that my plans are dependent on the sleeping schedules of two other little people. And like the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, once you enter the situation and try to measure or categorize what's going on, you change it.

So of course just when I thought I had a good schedule going with my toddler, my baby decides it's time to start crawling. She doesn't want to sleep any more -- she wakes herself up and wants to crawl around the bed.

My hopes for the organization and high that come with working isn't materializing yet. But it may be that I'm just having an off day: it's raining, so no park for the kids; I slept in, so I lost a few hours; and I've been procrastinating up a storm, so I lost a few more hours.

Argh. Ok. Deep breath. Don't linger worrying about what you didn't do perfectly. What can I do now to get back on track?

• Check my schedule
• At least I am dressed and so are my kids.
• Figure out what to do with Maggie to wear her out for her nap.
• Start dinner in the crock pot.
• Look at budget and plan for a couple of extra expenses tonight.
• Write like mad as soon as the kids are sleeping.

Deep breath.

Here I go.

(Photo: freefoto.com)

Back to the Grind

I've taken another writing project with Content Divas so I'll be busy for the next two weeks (this time I'm doing a half-project instead of the full 22 days of submissions). I'm a little nervous since last time there were days where I felt like my writing kind of took over my life.

But I'm also excited. This stay-at-home-Mom is looking forward to devoting her brain to more than just working on grocery lists or the logistics of trying to get out of the house daily with two people under the age of three in tow. I've got high hopes for doing various aspects of my day better this time around than last. For example, I have my menus planned for the next three weeks (until we go on vacation!!), so hopefully that will be less of a slow-down point to my weeks.

Finally, I'm looking forward to the increased level of productivity that comes with having most of the day scheduled. Work -- especially working hard -- can be a high: many of us are naturally happy when we have real work to do (as opposed to my playing around on this blog and pretending that people read it). Not necessarily ecstatic, just content (and not depressed).

A podcaster I have come to really enjoy is Kh. Krista West on Ancient Faith Radio. She has some spot-on things to say on that final point (in fact, I think I took some of that point from her because it so resonated with my experience), so I'd like to point any readers I may have in the direction of her podcast "A Tailor’s reflections on the prayer of St. Ephraim" which is really an excellent reflection on the value of work.

So, wish me luck! It may be another bumpy ride, but I can only get better at it. :)

(Photo: FreeFoto.com)

"Too Busy Not To...

...Pray, " goes the original saying. That is certainly the truth. While I don't always succeed at having a formal prayer time at the same time every day (or even at all every day), I try to at the very least pray short prayers throughout the day: "Pray at the seams of the day," says my priest. During my morning routine, I try to say Morning Prayers and a few Matins psalms. Before beginning dinner, I try to say a Vesper's Psalm -- OK, at least I try to cross myself before making dinner: I see this as a prayer without words.

Prayer should still be the foundation of our day; but this week, I have become aware that I am especially "too busy not to finally put my routines into practice." I have finally been given a writing project from a company I signed up with a few months ago. I didn't expect it to happen this week: I had plenty of things planned already! So, to keep myself and the house from falling apart in the process (stressing out myself and my husband, and probably the kids too), I have been focusing on my routines.

I awake feeling the pressure of a project for which I am not completely prepared or entirely confident in my abilities, but I know that I will be inefficient in my work and precious little around the house will get done if I jump onto the computer in my pajamas, with a cup of coffee as my breakfast, and with my bed unmade and my cat box full of... well, you get the picture. I see it as motivation to finally reclaim my routines and reap the rewards of having them under my belt.

So, before I begin to attack today's list, I am clothed (and showered!), my bed is made, my bathroom Swished and Swiped, my cat box scooped, oatmeal with blueberry jam is in my tummy, my dishes from breakfast are done, and my dining table and kitchen counters are wiped down (OK, I still see some oatmeal flakes on the counter -- we're not going for Martha Stewart here, just FlyLady). And before I begin, I should also say a prayer.