Oh dear, I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself these days. When was the last time I did something just for me? It's a good question. I haven't so much as picked up a book since I finished Infinite Jest in September. No, nor a magazine. I haven't watched a DVD since August. I haven't been to the movies since ... what year is this, anyhow? I don't watch any TV. I don't exercise at all. I don't have a hobby.
Blogging? Just a few minutes a day. Web-surfing and tweeting? Again, mere minutes, and usually while I'm waiting for a work-related page to load, or some other "downtime."
So what do I do, in between my nightly bouts of insomnia? I take care of my kids, which includes volunteering at school a few hours a week and driving them all over God's creation the rest of the time. I take care of the house (well, sort of ... please call first if you're thinking of surprising me with a visit). I work. And when I'm all done with that, I freak out because I realize that Thanksgiving will be here in 2 weeks, Hanukkah in 4 weeks, and Steph's Bat Mitzvah in 12 weeks.
Calgon, take me away! Calgon? Calgon, where are you? Calgon?
I remember those days and they are fleeting, although they don't seem like it. Seize the moment and the day! I did a fairly good job of that, but really do miss those times of being busy with children and life. Gymnastics, ballet, choir, art, piano lessons, voice lessons... Maybe I'm starting to miss it less. :)
Posted by: Margaret | November 12, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Yes, sounds familiar. Sigh.
Posted by: Sharon | November 13, 2009 at 02:32 PM
Sigh, I get it. And I have only two kids. I hope you can find a little breathing space, Karen. It's no fun to feel so downtrodden! Is there anything I can do to help?
Posted by: Naomi | November 13, 2009 at 08:14 PM
I feel lucky, I guess. I typically get up at 4:30 or 5 and I have about an hour to myself. What do I use this time for, you ask? Laundry, paying bills, mopping floors so no one slips 'cuz it's dry by the time Tony's back from the gym or Tomas wakes up. I actually like doing my "chores". The next hour includes making beds, breakfast, showering, dressing, driving to Kinder and going to work. The next 9 hours include commuting, working, being the primary breadwinner. The next couple are cook, or be cooked for, and kitchen clean up, playing (often involves Transformers or Spy Gear) and bed. Around 3 I'm often awake. And then in another 2 hours or so I'm up anyway. Still trying to find a way to disguise the time on work-related emails because it's embarassing when other people realize that you've responded in the middle of the night. Today, however, I finished a book while on the "throne" at 6 AM (trust me, I'm not usually there alone) AND I had a mani/pedi - one hour out of the week which is less than .6% of the total time in a week - but that is more than I usually get to spend on me, myself and I in any given week - and it felt luxurious. You can find that hour. By the way, in between finishing a book and my mani-pedi, we went to a book signing at Barnes and Noble for Conrad Storad's latest - Rattlesnake Rules. Tomas loved it.
Posted by: judy | November 14, 2009 at 05:15 PM