Just a little patience...

Yeah. The song by Guns N' Roses has been running through my head all morning. It's been a trying week: We adopted a dog Saturday, the kids went back to school, my husband has multiple major deadlines and I had to finish up a big project on Tuesday. So patience - and a clean house - have been in short supply. Hence my preoccupation with Axl Rose.

The sad part is I'm stressed about good things. We have enough work to pay our bills, our kids are in safe, educational environments and our new puppy will offer years of love, affection and protection. What would I do if there really was something to be stressed about? It's a question I have to stop and ask myself often. My kids are healthy - I have a few friends with very sick children. My husband and I enjoy each others' company - I have friends in rocky or failing marriages. Life is good; in fact, it could be a whole lot worse. So, Axl, I'm going to keep on humming your tune until it sinks in. Just a little patience....yeah.....

The other cycle

Girls = drama. At least this holds true at my house. As we prepare for another school year, my eldest child is beginning to dread that first day. Will there be a bully? Will any of her friends from last year be in her same class? Will the bigger - and better - playground really be more fun?

Simple worries to be sure. But they dominate her thoughts. And she's begun to act out. As she gets more wound up, I get more tense. This is not a good cycle. In fact, the slope goes from slippery to a plunging drop-off almost immediately. And with no childcare and lots of errands to run, this week looks bleak.

Last night, I sat down to sketch out a strategy. First, we're going to visit the school - and new class room - tomorrow. If possible, we'll get a list of classmates. We're reconnecting with school friends and spending quiet time reading together.

Like any cycle, this too shall pass.

Just say no

I dislike saying no to a project. As a freelancer, my work comes sporadically; I can have a week or two so intense I barely sleep. These peaks are typically followed by valleys of near thumb twiddling. I so fear the slow weeks, I tend to over-commit. Oh, you've done that too?

Why do we feel like we need to take on so much? I know my limitations, but I tend to turn a blind eye to them. I always - won't I ever learn? - paint a much rosier picture than reality turns out to be. So, my goal is to be choosier. I will do less, which means I'll make less. But more importantly, I'll sleep more and spend time with my family. Hmm, maybe that's what they mean by discriminating taste.