I know; I know. This post should be about senior moments, and I've had more than my share of 'em. Today, though, my angst is sending me in a different direction.
I'm not quite ready for extinction, but I am feeling like I missed the boat today...and it's only Monday morning. (I can't have missed the boat yet, can I?) The thing is, usually I stay a post or two ahead of myself, but spending all day at the outlets with my son on Saturday, prepping/teaching my lesson yesterday, enjoying a succulent lobster dinner, and talking to almost every female relative and all of my kids on the phone for Mother's Day has definitely gotten me a bit off my game. But oh boy, what a way to go!
This week promises to be even more labor-intensive. I have a BIG to-do list, mostly fun but definitely challenging. I hope you won't mind if I share it here as a means of clearing my head. There's something so therapeutic about writing it all down, isn't there? (Do you think that would be acceptable in lieu of actually doing it?) Never mind.
1. Go to the carpet store. (Our back patio is a multi-cracking eyesore, and we want to put down some indoor-outdoor carpet out there until we can find the time, interest, and/or stamina to have the yard redone. Monsieur Bishop would be thrilled if I could get this taken care of before we host the entire singles ward for dinner a week from tonight. (Any ideas for a good and easy meal to serve for countless numbers of young adults?) We have become the one-trick BBQ ponies.
2. Squeeze in the computer guy who's coming this afternoon to fix my MS Word, which is on the blink at a very inconvenient time because...
3. I hope to write a brilliant talk for the Women's Conference I've been asked to speak at in Texas next week, and...
4. I need to write something for Mormon Women before I start feeling like a big loser who isn't pulling her weight over there. (Have you caught the post I actually did manage to get done?) I just hope it's not the last one I ever finish. (Just kidding, Michelle!) Really. Just kidding. ;)
5. Get my hair cut before I look like Rapunzel's crazy grandma, the one who got locked up in the castle for more sinister reasons. (I may be too late on this one. My hair looks suspiciously like that of Kathy Bates in Misery.)
6. Go to the bank and deposit funds in my son's account before he starves to death during finals week.
7. (a) Painstakingly repackage a bunch of ill-fated silk ties I made the mistake of ordering for my husband from an internet tie shop because they were actually as long as he likes them for once, then (b) send the apparently unacceptable lot of them back even though their supposed final return date passed almost a week ago when I wasn't looking. *sigh*
8. Reorganize the "everything" drawer by the phone before my husband disowns me (an impossible feat because the drawer in question is without a doubt too small to hold "everything" it needs to hold). Magic required.
9. (a) Visit teach ere I leave for Texas (before the last day of the month?) cuz Todd gets home from school the same day I fly back, then (b) manage to get the laundry done and repacked in time to hit our mini-family reunion in Palm Desert that weekend.
10. Unearth my desk because every single thing I'm looking for around here seems to be buried beneath the rubble I fondly call my "paper stacks" (now a sort of paper sea with the occasional tsunami).
I could go on, but I won't. I promised to clean out the linen closet and medicine cabinet...and I have officially diagnosed this list as a stalling mechanism.
Wish me luck.
=)
PS. Happy Anniversary to Karin and Bobby. Two years and counting!
PPS. Did I forget to mention the BEST item on my list of things to do? That'd be James Taylor and Carole King. In concert. Tomorrow night!
27 comments:
Great Jehosaphat, Woman! Wow!
Overwhelming, to say the least.
But I do have a suggestion for your YA dinner--I make bacon mac n cheese for 22 seniors every Monday, and it's EASY! If you want the recipe, let me know.
Otherwise, I can be of no help to you whatsoever in finishing this list.
Good luck, and I'd clean off my desk first. You might find your magic wand, and then everything might be a little bit easier!
Top Ramen is good and inexpensive, and most of those guys will be used to eating it. As for the linen closet, why start now?
Respectfully Submitted,
Matthew D. Anderson
What a list! Makes me feel better about my to do list!
Love your Song for Mother post...great pictures and prose.
Thanks for the comments on my blog! Hope you had a great Mothers Day!
Oh boy. That's quite a load. Wish I could help you out over there!
one bite at a time to eat that elephant, right? Reminds me of Shel Silverstein's poem;
Melinda Mae
"Have you heard of tiny Melinda Mae,
Who ate a monstrous whale?
She thought she could,
She said she would,
So she started in right at the tail.
And everyone said,"You're much too small,"
But that didn't bother Melinda at all,
She took little bites and she chewed very slow,
Just like a little girl should...
...and eighty-nine years later she ate that whale
Because she said she would!!! "
I know it wont take you that long :)
Good luck with all your great things to do!
I have a baked ziti that is easy peasy, though it takes a few pans. Can be made ahead of time and is a hit with everybody (can you say mothers day dinner made on friday?) Feeds an army and I did not invent the recipe so you know it could be really good!
As for the list - I love making a list! Mostly with a dry erase pen on my bathroom mirror - that way I see it when I have time to contemplate. Making the list counts for EVERYTHING!!
They sell great outdoor rugs at most big box stores - unroll and that is one down!
Wish I could lend you my wand but you know it would only work if you defeat me in battle (Harry Potter).
Good luck - Have fun on your trips - the linen closet will wait for you FOREVER!!
PS - sorry so long
PSS - my word verification? RESTED!!
Good luck on your list!!
I'm looking forward to your visit to Texas!
Also, I just knew you would be going to see James Taylor & Carole King! I got the DVD/CD of their concert for Mother's Day yesterday & it is awesome! I wore out my Mom's Tapestry album when I was younger!
Wish I could go with you! See ya soon!
Love,
K.C.
Oh you busy girl. ha, it will keep you out of trouble! and I forgot to write you and say how much I loved your article on "Mormon Women" you know that's my FAVORITE quote from you. ... and jen, would LOVE that mac&cheese&bacon recipe!
I don't envy you that list, but AUGH! - you HAD to tell me you were going to see James Taylor and Carole King? That makes up for a lot of boring tasks, missie. I have a really good recipe but I don't know how you'd use it. Never mind - too long for this. I'll email you. And Jen - I second the request for bacon mac n cheese! It sounds like pure comfort food to me!
Wow, I need a nap just from reading your post. You are busssssssyyyy! Hope you get a moment to exhale today.
And I love that card.
I sent that one recently to quite a few people I know who sound like they are in the same boat as you lately!
PS Would a taco or baked potato bar work?
When I am overwhelmed with my Todo's I absolutely have to write them down to clear my head and sometimes so I can even go to sleep! So glad you were able to clear your head. Good luck with everything this week! And, have fun with james taylor!
You get to see Carole King????!!!! I didn't know she was even still performing! OHhhhh I love her music. Hope you do a post on the concert.
Good luck!! Sounds like a super busy week!
And I secretly want to see a picture of your hair.
It actually sounds rather cute. :D
Okay I was breathless by number 5 on your list.
Bless. Your. Heart.
I hope you get some help! If I lived near, I'd be right over!
What a great list!! I love lists, I love checking things off and sometimes I love ignoring the list and feeling....bad!
Where are you going in Texas?...that is where my heart is.
Sounds like you won't be getting any rest for a little while. At least you will be going to the Taylor/King concert. That should be relaxing. I am envious. Wish I could go with you. I hate that you are going to be so busy this next week. I was so busy today, I can relate. Didn't even have time to get to your blog as you can see by the late hour. Funny thing, when you have a list like yours (and I have had one almost as bad) When you do get it all done, the feeling is enormously wonderful!!!I just finished the cleaning out of three closets and we took a lot of bags full of clothing to Angel View (D.I. was too far away.) I am loving having a little more room in my closet instead of having everything crushed together.
I will be so glad when you get here. I will pamper you by not letting you do any work at all. You can lie around and read all day. (Know you will love that) At least you will get a really good rest and I will even turn the air conditioning down to 76.
Relax sweetheart, all that work will wait for you. And when you get all the great sounding recipe's, don't forget to send them on to me as I want to try them all.
Holy cow, what a list! I was thinking about all I have to tackle this week and mine looks itsy bitsy compared to yours.
Good luck with it all...and hurry & get that kid of yours food money...he probably needs to get good college brain foods (i.e. Doritos & Funyuns) for studying! :~)
good luck and enjoy the concert
Wow, you are busy. Here's luck to you! Go for it! Get 'er done!
I seem to be having the same problem. Only I have yet to write the list down, so I feel like I have cleaning ADD.
How about pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans? the crock pot is a magical thing.
Good luck!!! Funny cartoon. Isn't blogging great for making you feel productive when you are avoiding work?
sheesh!!! what about funeral potatoes for all??? you could throw chunks of ham in it too, but the ham might be too pricey. i'm just thinking meat needs to be in it somewhere and tuna won't cut it in funeral potatoes.
i laughed so hard at the comic too.
This kinda made my chest feel tight, and I think I may be breaking out in hives. Then I ready your comedian son's comment, and felt relief. Jared comes home for his mid-tour 2 weeks R&R. I was thinking I would try and scramble around in the attic and garage...undoing the messes I've made in his man-spaces since he's been away for the past 5 months! But, I'm taking your boy's advice. Why start now? Thanks for the big laugh!!
On a more serious note, I will be thinking of you. Try to breathe every now & then, ok? Love ya.
For the dinner, I'm thinking bbq meat or sloppy joes (big roaster pans to cook if you do bbq). Another one that isn't too hard on prep but does include a lot of dishes is Haystacks (Mexican, Hawaiian), -- rice and sauce are what cooks and then it's the toppings that.
Another idea is Chinese, with help from Costco (big bags of frozen veggies mixed w/ meat, orange chicken) over rice. Potstickers if it won't kill your budget. (That was what bil made for MD dinner and it was good.)
My other fave fast meal is meat and cheese on rolls (again, Costco) and have people bring salads/sides.
The other suggestion I have is DON'T WORRY about MW. Really.
I just took a nap for you. Anything else I can do?
One more food idea -- baked potato bar -- delegate out the scrubbing/baking of the potatoes part and then have toppings -- pot of chili, shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, etc.
Wow you DO have a busy week! Sounds like you had a marvelous Mother's Day though. Lobster? I'm jealous!
Post a Comment