Ever had so much to do, so many responsibilities that when put together, seem impossible to complete in any sense of good time? That’s where I am right now.
I look around my house and know so much needs to be done, from cleaning to repair for both aesthetic and safety sakes. The house is half painted, the fence needs repair, the back porch needs to have the railings installed, and the garage needs to be organized before the husband gets injured…
I also have the daily living tasks that need to be done, more than a whole day’s worth, the grocery shopping, filling the car with gas, cooking for the week- I don’t have time during the week to cook-, feeding the dog- oops- I forgot to buy dog food, so another store trip. Clean up after the dogs, wash the dogs, feed the chickens, feed the husband- eat with him, he won’t eat unless I sit with him, laundry, vacume the house… maybe take a shower at some point in the day, mow the lawns, cut down the weeds…
I also have to take care of the husband, he is home alone, mostly all week, ill and unable to do much of anything without support. On weekends, he needs company and his feet scrubbed and cared for, his bedding changed, attention given. He tries to help sometimes, he started to build feeders for the chickens- couldn’t finish- and so this is added to my task list- Now, before the parts are lost. He wanted a fish pond- I built it last week to his specifications- now he wants something different- Now. Many jobs or tasks are started with good intentions during the week, while I am at school, on the weekends, I get to finish them, and they have to be done Now: High Priority.
Then the demands of the rest of the family add to my responsibilities. A son needs help paying a bill,- oops- I haven’t paid mine yet- add it to the High priority list, Another child’s car breaks down- have to take time to go get him, pay for the tow and arrange to have the car fixed. One needs to talk, another needs a ride, another is short on food, and somehow, I am the answer.
Then I have homework, and assigned reading, and more homework. I could work around the clock and not finish what is due on Monday.
So what do I do first, and when? Ive been told “Make a list and prioritize, schedule your tasks, get organized, have them do it themselves.” All great strategies, all take time to implement. So, I have to ask myself, is it worth the time to make these lists? I don’t know yet, I’ve tried in the past and the list just gets longer and longer and the interruptions of daily life happen and not one thing gets accomplished on the “list”. But I work non-stop.
Today, my strategy is to just stop for a moment, and write this journal entry for class. (Homework Category) I am going to see if I can get this ONE item done.
So how does it go?
Up and started at 530 am- guilty for sleeping in an extra 15 min.
Start this journal entry
Stop- fix breakfast, sit at table while husband eats, get his meds, feed the chickens, and feed the dogs
Back to the Journal entry
Stop- the husbands computer won’t let him read his newspaper- Why?, go through the computer and try to figure out what is wrong, discover that it is the newspaper site that is causing the problem, tell the husband he will have to wait
Back to the journal entry
Stop- he wants answers, wants to call the paper, write the paper about not being able to read what he paid for. Take time to show him the phone number and set up email contact.
Back to the Journal entry
Stop- The washer is empty, I must start laundry, Now. I start laundry and then realize that his bathroom is messy, take the time to clean it up.
Back to the Journal entry
Stop- the dogs are barking- Why? Call them in, Chase a chicken back into the pen before they eat her
Back to the Journal entry
Stop- funny noise from the laundry room- washer leaking all over the floor, clean up the mess, investigate the cause, take apart the washer and discover the pump is broken. Empty the washer and go to the store to buy another pump, install it, refill and re-start the load of laundry. The husbands car is gone, phone left on his desk, wonder what he is up to now?
Back to the Journal entry
Stop-Husband drives up, he went shopping, car needs to be unloaded, the groceries put away, lunch started, oops- have to wash the dishes from this morning, what’s for lunch? – discover that he only bought snacks, some he is not allowed, and now wants to go out for lunch. “OK, can I have 15 min to do homework before we go?” “OK”,
Back to the Journal entry
Stop: I need help getting my shoes on
Back to the Journal entry
Stop: you better get dressed better than that
Back to the Journal entry
Stop: “I’m Hungry, It’s been more than 15 min. Let’s go”
And so my day goes. By midnight my journal entry is finally complete.
What did I get done?
- I managed to get everyone fed
- The husband took his meds, I forgot mine
- I washed 2 loads of laundry, none were folded or put away
- I got dressed
- My list got a lot longer- I think that my strategy for tomorrow will change. Instead of trying to get just one thing done- Maybe I will just run away from home.