Saturday, August 14, 2010

Trying To Do It All

I just can't get it all done!  Too much to do, so little time!  I know, I say it all the time.  Most of us say it all the time.  Why?  How does this happen?  What to do about it?  It's not just the "Have" to do, there is also the long list of "Want" to do's.  Then comes in the issues of prioritizing, organizing and scheduling.  A big problem I have is feeling guilty if I put a "Want to" ahead of "Have to".  I feel like I can't do something I want to do until I have everything on my "have to do" list finished first.   At almost 53 years old, should I still be feeling like this? 
Now, sometimes the "want to's" and the "have to's" are on the same list.  Such as cleaning the house, which I really do sort of like to to, and cooking, which I like to do if I'm not rushed.  Outside work and gardening I like to do, but it is very time consuming and by this time of year I'm really almost tired of this job.  By the way, the last couple of days here have almost felt a little Autumn like and it feels good.  I think I'm almost ready for it.
If I could have a whole day of "wants", I would do a half hour of yoga or some sort of exercise in the morning, have my yogurt and coffee, then sit on the deck for a while and knit, then start a new miniature quilt that I've been wanting to do, have a quick and easy bite of a small dinner, watch the television shows that I like to watch while I knit some more.  All of this without an interruption or a request being made of me.  Dream on!! 
When the grandkids come to visit, both lists are pretty much set aside.  Some of the "have to's" still get done to a very limited degree.  And now with almost five grandchildren, the time spent with them is priority whenever possible.  Last weekend we took the two grandsons to the county fair.  We had just as much fun as they did.

The following day was Logan's 6th birthday party.  Bob and I and the GG's (my parents, the Great Grandparents) travelled the one and a half hours to my son and DIL's house for his little party.  It was a fun time and it also gave me the opportunity to hold my new little Leanna, now 6 weeks old.


Here's Little GG (my mother) holding Leanna. 

Anyway, I got a little off my topic there, but I just had to share about the grandkids. 
This week, the kids weren't around since they are in New York with their mother visiting her family.  I also spent a whole day catching up on the computer bookkeeping for our business.  I mean, a whole day!  I sat at this computer from 9 am until 5 pm.  My butt was sore.  I shouldn't let it get so behind like that in the first place. 
So now where does all that leave my knitting, sewing and blogging?  Yep, way down on the list. 
Here's the problem with a husband that works out of the house with a wife that works for him part time and also has a lot of other interests.  This is what I constantly hear all day long:  "What are you doing now?  What are you doing that for?  Shouldn't you be doing this, that or the other?  That's not necessary!  Do that later!"
You get the idea.  Don't get me wrong.  I love him dearly and I need and want to carry my end of the load, but every so often I need some alone time! 
So now on this beautiful summer/fall like day I'm going to take the dogs for a walk and ponder my "have to's", "want to's", and priorities and make some mental notes of adjustments that need to be made.  Then this evening my home alone son, my parents, Bob and I are going to see "Elvis".  Yep, that's right!  I'll take pictures.

8 comments:

Connie said...

Hubby and I were just talking about that last night—not enough time to do all we want and we're RETIRED! Oh, sweetpea, I truly understand. I just do what I can and not fret too much about what I can't.

Leanna sure has a darling head of hair. Adorable.
xoxo,
Connie

Theresa said...

Well, dearest Nina! I tend to jump slap down to my want to's and forget that the have to's exist:) hehe! I am not kidding! Yesterday when I took the Grandkids to school (a 40 minute drive) I didn't have to but I wanted to! I needed to be at home cleaning but instead I stopped at the Estate sale and didn't do ONE thing on my "have to" or "need to" list! But everything is still there today and still on the same list:)

Have a blessed day and enjoy whatever you do on whichever list it is on!

Big hugs (cutest pictures of your grandkids and their GG)

Denise said...

So you know where Elvis is, LOL?? Thanks for the warning about how busy we will be when the grandkids start coming.

I do know how you feel about want to list and need to list, I try to prioritize the need to and mix in with the want to. For instance, I need to chip the branch pile, but I have been doing a lot of physically demanding stuff the past 2 days and realize that it will keep for another day. Does that make sense??

Valerie said...

Gosh, Gina, if I were you I would get rid of your lists. Just do priority jobs and quickly transfer to a few 'want to' things. There has to be some time fo yourself and a little fun too.

Valerie said...

Forgot to say, I love the pictures of the little ones.

Anonymous said...

I have never commented on your blog, but what you said hit so close to home that I just had to. My husband works from home also (real estate) and I am the secretary/treasurer of the company. I SO KNOW where you are coming from. While I do not have any grandchildren yet, I do have 2 teenage sons (one leaving for college in less than one week and one who is 13) and sometimes I just need some ME time. You have my complete and total sympathy.

Tina

Unknown said...

Echoing words throughout our home ... he'd prefer to do nothing all day long, I am the 'when you gonna getter done'.

Nina, that dumpling is adorable.

Have a wonderful PS summer weekend ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Tolentreasures said...

Wow! I feel your pain! I always say...If I just didn't have to work! There is a 40+ block of hours each week that I could be spending with my grandchildren or sewing or painting or knitting...or cleaning!

The lottery, that's what I really need!
Cathy

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