Multitasking your way to failure and exhaustion

I am a multitasker from childhood, I think.  Sometimes I even overwhelm me!  My daughters seem to have inherited the pesky quirk, and I have learned much about myself from watching them.  My youngest daughter who is impressive in her bright, energetic whirl of accomplishments taught me something this week.  Still in college, she has done climate research, completed a grant proposal (which she had to present to the committee) done a presentation on the Salton Sea research she and a team did last summer at the annual GSA meeting, and carries a full load of math and science at school, does volunteer work and committees - well I'm tired just thinking about it all.  So this week she had to drop out of another grant proposal for the climate research because Calculus is kicking her butt.  Okay, I never took Calculus, especially college Calculus, but, I think it is HARD stuff.  So there she is, feeling bad because she can't do it all.  Guess what, none of us can do it all.  As I heard myself reassuring her of this, and praising her ability to prioritize what she needs to do this semester, I learned something.  She prioritizes better than I do.  I would have failed Calculus before I figured out why I was so exhausted.  Instead, she spoke with her mentors, her advisor, got tutoring for the Calculus, and made the very adult decision to drop the one grant proposal, because she didn't have the time.  She also went to the gym twice this week..  How did I get such a smart kid?  Did I mention that she and her High School sweetheart are also "taking a break".  I'd be huddled under the covers of my bed.  But, not her.  I hope that means she's learned from watching me crash and burn a few times.  I already know she's smarter than me.
So why do we work ourselves into oblivion?  I always do more work, at work, than my peers.  I have responsibilities that exceed what I'm actually required to do.  Yes, my boss "loves" me.  I work hard, efficiently and accomplish much.  I earn the decent wage I'm paid.  I take one break a day - lunch (which took a long time for me to figure out didn't mean eating at my desk).  I'm not a smoker, so I'm not busy taking multiple other breaks throughout the day, as are a few others.  Why do I care that they feel entitled to all those breaks?  Human I guess.  But, I am trying to allow myself more down time lately and it helps.  Because I need a break once in awhile, too.

I'm not trying to work through a headache or exhaustion anymore.  If my body says "enough" it means it.  If a break doesn't fix it, then maybe it's time to go home.
This is my sweet baby girl doing her presentation at the big to do in Minnesota. (in the picture)

Update on THE PROJECT

The play room is almost done!  Hurray!  We still need to buy the new flooring and install it.  A little bit of touch up painting and Quinn's play room can officially open.

Angry People and Kindness

Why are some people so angry?  They blow the horn at you if you pause too long after the light changes, bump you with their cart in the check out line (now really, is it going to make the underpaid cashier check me out any faster if you bruise my leg?), complain loudly when the underpaid waitresses, short order cooks, cashiers of the world aren't fast enough.  Do they kick their dog when they go home?  Do they want their kids treated the way they treat others?
The world is  a hard place on a good day.  I learned to be more patient with others as I've grown older.  I've learned to tip more after my daughters served others before finishing college.  I learned to be patient with the new checker who is struggling to remember a multitude of details, because this is someone's child.  They are trying to be a productive member of society.  Most low paying jobs are mind numbing at best, terrifying at worst.  I worked my share before I found out I needed a real education to do more than survive in this world.  Let's all be a little more patient, a little kinder.

The reason for the project!

Today, watched my granddaughter at her house.  Watching her roll and crawl and explore her world made me realize anew why she needs a special safe place to play and nap at my house.  Will be back to work on her playroom tomorrow!

My project continues

Spackling is done.  Will go over for final sanding/sponging tomorrow.  Not going to prime/paint until this weekend, when DH will help me move the hutch out of the room, onto our enclosed back porch, and pulling up the old carpet.  I had fun painting letters for my granddaughter's playroom.  Someday, hope to have several names on that wall!

Project!!

Well, finally picked out the paint for the playroom.  Home Depot even tinted the sealer and chalkboard paint to go with the color I picked.  I decided to go with a light green that matches a green stripe in the valances I've had for awhile now.  Anyway, took down the dusty roman shades, cleaned out the room (almost completely), removed the molding trim around the windows so they could be repaired/sanded, etc.  Spackled and taped imperfections, spackled, sanded, sponged - you get the idea.  My house is a disaster (okay, a very organized pile of STUFF).  Anyway, ceiling fan is going, windows are open, and boy am I tired!  More later - with pictures!

Junk drawer

Well, my next baby step went well this week.  The irritating junk drawer!  Here are before and after pictures.