As most of you know, I am in the midst of a two-month work contract. While sixteen students (Not eighteen! Two bailed!) is far more manageable than the thirty-five I did last year, it still means that I am working between thirty and forty hours per week. While this is far better than the sixty or more hours per week I was working last year, it still means I am BUSY. I honestly don’t know how working Moms do it all year long. Hats (Skirts?) off to you ladies.
In addition to the accounting stuff, I have had a few photo gigs pop up. Honey is fully supportive (per usual), and watches all three kidlets while I go off gallivanting with my camera. This is paying work, which is an added bonus.
His industry (lumber) is not doing so well. At all. We are blessed in the fact that I went and got myself some initials back in the day and can bring in a more than decent salary when I need to. We have to pay the bills and buy food somehow. I still have not figured out how to make money grow on trees, but I’m working on it. I’ll keep you posted.
While I am fully appreciative of the fact I can make the coinage (because I like to eat), can I tell you a little secret?
I like being a Mom. As in, “just” being a Mom. I like taking the kids to swim class, to school, to see friends. I like to cook dinner, to play on the lawn, to tickle them and chase them around with shouts of, “I’m going to GET YOU!”
I could do without the bum wiping (theirs) but every job has its cons, I guess.
So, I have been taking small chunks of time during the daylight hours to get groceries, run errands and GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY. It has been wonderful. It has been wonderful for Matthew as well. He gets a reprieve from Daddy Daycare and gets to do manly things like planting our garden (Machinery involved!) and rebuilding an ATV. Grrrrr!
The down side is that there is still work to be done, deadlines to be made. This week has had the added bonus of finishing off another side project that had a deadline of yesterday, and preparing for a course that I am teaching this weekend. This means that I have been at my computer working away from after supper until I stumble upstairs to bed at some crazy late hour.
The time after the kids go to sleep is usually MY time. I edit photos, write posts, maybe surf a little. I promised myself that I would be a better Facebook friend, so I have been trying to get on there more than the once a month that I used to. Then there is that crazy thing called Google Reader.
I have not edited more than a handful of photos, and my posts have consisted of a couple in the side blog and a bunch of Twitters. 140 characters seems to all that I can fit into my life this week. As for Facebook, I have managed to update my status for our anniversary, and for the newspaper article I was in today. I have not a clue as to what anyone else’s “status” is.
Dear Facebook friends: It’s not you, it’s me. Honestly.
There is simply not much Internet time available when you’re running to get stuff done in the Real World.
This has been a little frustrating. Not that I need the Internet or anything, but I like it. I have posts in my head that are bouncing around with nowhere to go. I think one of them is kind of funny, but I do not have the time to give it justice. It is also killing me that I have not had time to take my daily quota of photos and then play with them in Lightroom. I am feeling creatively constipated.
Things will be better starting tomorrow night. I will be out of town teaching for three days. My days will be busy with the teaching, yes, and some prep work in the evening, yes, but apart from that? IT’S ME TIME, BABY.
I don’t have to cook (Eating out paid for!), I don’t have to clean (Hotel room paid for!) and the only bum I will be wiping will be mine (Yes!) The rest of the time will be ALL ABOUT ME. I plan on doing a little reading, and a little photo (take and edit)-ing.
Maybe even a little posting.
I will probably cry the whole time I am driving to my destination (It happens every time. “What if I die?!? What if THEY die?!?” It’s awesome.), but once I am there I will fall into the routine of work and non-work. There will be no running to and fro. Only peace, quiet, refreshment.
I will return a better Wife, Mommy and Friend because of it.
24 Comments
Oh yea, and the Google Reader? Has this SWEET button called MARK ALL AS READ. It’s hard to push but it’s as refreshing as a hot shower when you’re dirty.
Trust me.
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Wedding Schmedding
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on May 21st, 2008 @ 9:24 pmEnjoy your time away! It reminds me so much of conference work, which I loved! Except for the 30 hours of travelling to GET to said conference. Hmmm.
But anyway, I know what you mean about getting the time to relax and do stuff for yourself. As a full-time working mum, I relish all the opportunities I get for this. I’m going to an all-day seminar on Saturday, and just the thought of being able to sit down, relax, and not think about anyone but myself for 8 hours is filling me with joy!!
Enough about me - this is all about YOU and YOUR weekend! Enjoy every second!
Hannah’s last blog post..Family matters
Comment by Hannah on May 21st, 2008 @ 9:26 pmI’ve seen too many of my friends who are moms not take some time away. I think doing stuff like that, taking care of yourself, is good role modeling and rejuvenating. Hope you have fun even if it is for work. 
sizzle’s last blog post..2nd Grade Traumatics
Have a good and safe trip.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Going Postal
Comment by Elizabeth on May 21st, 2008 @ 9:39 pm“creatively constipated” Ha ha ha!
Have a fun time away!
Kristin’s last blog post..Our Perfect Sunday.
Comment by Kristin on May 21st, 2008 @ 9:57 pmAs a full time working mom AND bread winner of the family I have to admit “me time” is few and far between. You can tell by the mess my home is in when I spend too much time working or blogging. If my home is clean it means that either I am having a creative block or have finally realized that I need to get to the 10 loads of laundry and sink full of dishes. Oh well, the true sign of my success is that my little girl is happy, there is food on the table and a roof over our heads. Enjoy your time away! We all need it once in a while!
Comment by red lotus mama on May 21st, 2008 @ 10:01 pmI have had to take massive steps back from the computer. I can’t keep up with it, like, AT ALL.
But…I still try to read, I just cannot compulsively comment to most of my blog reads. (There are ALWAYS exceptions like yourself, though. Hee)
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog:AllMediocre
Comment by Loralee on May 21st, 2008 @ 10:25 pmDo you know how many times you have said so many of the lines you wrote in this post? We know Honeys industry isn’t doing well and you bring home the bacon and you have letters after your name and you like to eat blah blah blag.
Comment by Robyn on May 21st, 2008 @ 11:01 pmAhhh…Time away…Don’t worry too much, enjoy your time to yourself!!! Love the pics!
Comment by Michele on May 22nd, 2008 @ 12:43 amWe all need breaks from the running AND all the things we’re apart of via internet! It does make a us better wives and mothers. Enjoy your time!
Randi’s last blog post..All Kinds Of Goodness
Comment by Randi on May 22nd, 2008 @ 4:12 amI don’t think even pictures of rhubarb will help creative constipation. But it might.
witchypoo’s last blog post..To The Rescue!
Comment by witchypoo on May 22nd, 2008 @ 5:08 amEnjoy the weekend away. I can only dream of that at this point. For now, I’ll be content in the fact that my kids do not need me to wipe their bums. Enjoy it though…it all disappears too fast.
Tammy’s last blog post..Confused…
Comment by Tammy on May 22nd, 2008 @ 7:03 amHave fun!! You deserve it.
Heather B.’s last blog post..Activity Points
Comment by Heather B. on May 22nd, 2008 @ 7:58 amGreat photography!!! Love your blog!
Michele’s last blog post..A Modern Day ?Who’s On First??
Comment by Michele on May 22nd, 2008 @ 9:00 am“creatively constipated” - you make me laugh
hills’s last blog post..And I Could Send You Pretty Flowers Have Them Waitin’ At Your Door
Comment by hills on May 22nd, 2008 @ 9:17 amI have the same issues when the Real World gets in the way of The Internet. I don’t need it either, but it is what I enjoy, reading blogs and posting, etc. So it sucks for me when I have to do other things that take away from my interweb time.
Kristabella’s last blog post..Wine Is My Friend
Have a great time away. I felt very similar feelings when I took my first trip a few weeks ago. But it wasn’t quite the same since I was still surrounded by someone else’s children. 
180/360’s last blog post..The Road Not Taken
Enjoy your time away! Hope you have fun!
Sharon’s last blog post..Jumble
Comment by Sharon on May 22nd, 2008 @ 6:07 pmAh, the ol internet love er addiction… I have it too. Creative limits are necessary but there is so much good from this blogging community too. It’s a balancing act.
I hope you had a good trip and enjoy your FFIS and your me time! I will be listeing to you but only it will be Kevin’s voice I hear - ha ha! I totally wussed out, I am now not presenting anything tomorrow. Maybe on Sat or Sun but maybe not….
Told you it was a phobia!
Love ya!
Kami’s last blog post..HELP!
Comment by Kami on May 22nd, 2008 @ 8:03 pmWhat a lovely blog. Thanks for visiting mine today (I’m clearly lucky that you’re on your trip or you might never have had the time!). After the week I’ve had, I can only imagine the backlog of blog reading and posting that I will suffer when I resume teaching… sigh. But your post reminds me to revel in it now!
I’ll be back frequently, I’m sure. Enjoy your time away. All of us mamas deserve every minute of “me” time we get.
Kaza’s last blog post..Let the Bug Stories Begin!
Comment by Kaza on May 22nd, 2008 @ 8:47 pmI just want to cry when I read your part about wanting to be “just” a mom.
I have so felt that way all week long. I have a post started, just haven’t had the time to finish it.
It started after my son said “Momma, do they have t-ball on Saturday or Church-day? Because I want you to see me play.”
That sound you hear…that’s the sound of my heart breaking.
Have fun on your business trip. Enjoy yourself!
Lisa’s last blog post..Chaos I tell ya! But dang I have cute kids!
Comment by Lisa on May 22nd, 2008 @ 8:55 pmEnjoy the time away, even though you’ll miss them every second.
skiplovey’s last blog post..If the shoe were on the other foot
Comment by skiplovey on May 23rd, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Yay for going away for the weekend!!
I was thinking to night that the internet is like a drug. A good drug. I just tend to overdose sometimes and not having it is like going through withdrawal. Literally.
I may try a whole
weekday without it and see how I do.I’m so glad you get a weekend away. And I totally get your crazy “what if” thoughts. They HAUNT ME. But then, I am crazy, so it’s no wonder.
Have fun, you loverly lady. And make sure to savor your alone time!!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Wedding Schmedding
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on May 21st, 2008 @ 9:23 pm