dear nurse ...

Yes, yes ... I'm a forgetful/negligent/waffle-headed mother!

Because of the snow day (and subsequent contraction of said 8th grader's germs!), I've been operating with less "cylinders" than normal! Middle son was unfortunately struck with a most obnoxious little virus that brought on a low grade fever (for about a day) and proceeded to produce the most prolific amounts of head congestion known to man (he sounded quite miserable/disgusting!).

Thankfully we did get that snow day because it went a long way in helping him recover from the "fungus" (unfortunately, he still has a rather juicy, albeit productive, cough).

Double unfortunate, it appears that I, myself, have contracted some residuals of this funk and am seriously questioning why adults even bother messing with germ-carrying progeny at all!

*sigh

Well, that's it in a nutshell. I hope this little missive provides you with the necessary information!
Cheers!

tis the season ...

*cue screams, revving engines and pottery smashing

yep! that's my life right now.

I don't have much else to say other than I can't believe it's almost Christmas ...

I'm really not ready ...

and I'd just rather be reading a book than plowing through these piles of seasonal obligations!

*sigh

this particular school year has been a bit brutal: I'm supporting a nightmare of a class--7th grade boys with reduced academic abilities/interest and know no boundaries--and my two oldest kids are under a lot of self imposed pressure and grappling with some major emotional upheaval.

I'm noticing I'm reading more to avoid it all ...

*sigh

well, I'm sure to keep plodding along (what choice do I have).

a huge part of me would absolutely love, love, LOVE to win the Lottery just so I could exercise some other options.

a nice change of scenery, or some creative challenges, perhaps the time/energy to clean out my closets ...

right now, any and all of those options sound just lovely.

lazy is as lazy does

I have such a burning desire to accomplish so much more in my life than what I'm currently pursuing; however, I have this incredible knack for talking myself out of just about everything -- from taking that first step or making any strategic plans or really exerting any effort what so ever.

In short, I suffer from what I like to call "convenient inertia" ... of the "not moving" variety.

I seemingly like to appreciate other people's hard working efforts/accomplishments but I haven't the gumption to be a part of that group. I'm a fantastic consumer -- lousy contributor.

Love to read -- read alot, but can't bring myself to write [I'm too lazy and have a loud critical voice in my head]. Love beautiful images -- admire and analyze them often, but I can't be bothered to create my own original work [again, lazy and it's awefully loud in here!]. I make up all sorts of glorious excuses for not taking on any personal challenges other than dinner, laundry, car pick up/drop off and impromptu social gatherings.

I'm starting to feel restive and more than a bit rote.

I feel like I'm living a barely contemplated existence and am not willing to take on any challenges. This sorry state might have originated from when I took that last gut-wrenching, mentally exhaustive exam at U of Penn five years ago and, as a result of that final academic effort, I must have subconsciously made a vow that only vapid and shallow pursuits will fill my days from there on out! And now I'm aghast at how long I've allowed myself to become so dormant and vacuous.

*blech

and

*sigh

I guess, in short, I'm looking for a good kick in the pants to get moving on something -- anything! -- either self imposed, from a close friend, from a working group of compadres and friends, or where ever. I obviously need to do something -- anything! -- before I sink any further in this mire of "what's the point? who really cares?" ...

my disease

the terrible case of not being able to say "no"

to friends, family, teenagers, people I work with ... just about anyone!

I absolutely struggle with this affliction.

a reflective time of year

starting school again (both the kids and me) always feels like such a "new beginning" ...

a big start and opportunity to do big, exciting, new and interesting things.

but almost immediately I find myself getting mired in the minutiae of just getting through the day:

the breakfast/lunch/snack/dinner [don't forget the coffee!] routine ...

the laundry piles: the dirty/to wash/to dry/to fold/"where are my uniform pants" piles ...

the attention needed for the dog/the bunnies/the house/the garden/the weeds ...

the touch base ~ make connections ~ check in ~ support ~ problem solve ~ communicate ...

*******

I really don't MAKE the time or find the energy or prioritize my efforts to include challenging personal endeavors (such as painting, writing, or researching new interests!)

What does that say about me and how much importance I put on personal growth.

I'm a tad bit nervous that I'm going to turn into one of those horribly bland and complacent middle aged women whose college-aged kids come home and say "Wow, mom WHAT do you do with your time/with your life?!"

I kinda cringe inwardly when I imagine my lack of response to such a critical (albeit accurate) observation.

I've always really wanted to DO something and BE something even contribute SOMETHING to the greater humanity ...

But right now I'm at a tremendous loss as to what the hell that something may be ...

what happened to that really nice and mild weather?

it was obviously obliterated in the face of such brutal heat and humidity!

YUCK!!

I hate when sweat pools in my girlie parts and my ass sticks to the driver's seat!

Double YUCK!!

I'm already counting the days until autumn :-)

peeing my pants

this post (which I stumbled across whilest browsing Awkward Family Photos, but originally came from here!) had me howling out loud!

and the 700+ comments which follow are quite hysterical as well ...

[this is how I avoid doing any more painting!] :-)