Productive but Spent!
I didn't have an idea what to call this post when I rambled with words onto the screen. The nuts and bolts are, how the heck did I manage to take care of all the things that need taking care of when I worked a full time job and had three children at home? Tuesday I felt particularly productive, but barely made a dent in my list. I finally got the back mowed, more hacked, and weed whacked, pulled more weeds, after I went around ensuring dog business was clear with scoopers and bags (yes, plural). It was hot so worked while still shady and not yet getting into the upper 80's.
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| To break up all the words, here's my three tomato plants, two golden jubilee and one cherry tomato. |
My younger daughter and a coworker were the speakers for a monthly "lunch" education opportunity. She presented on her work with a researcher she's been assisting. These are open to the public, in person or over Zoom. She's had a much bigger role in the research and writing up findings than was first assigned. She let me know how to sign up for Zoom (too far to drive there and back), but I was made to promise I wouldn't send in questions. It's always fun to see the adult side of your kids in their professional setting.
The rest of the day, I just kept puttering and puttering, getting mostly small but necessary jobs done. I took breaks here and there and visited blogging. My plan was I'd be in a better place to tackle a big purge project today. We'll see how that goes. As today is garbage and recycle day, I wanted to make sure bathrooms were clean, bits and mess thrown from each room, and another round of shredding old papers happened. Even trying to reduce and reuse, my recycling and garbage some weeks seem like an awful lot.
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| And, another picture to break up my text of my hopefully thriving green beans. |
It never really cooled down, but the dogs needed outside time and the big one ball play. With the yard mowed, he could actually find the ball. I get pup for a very slow walk as the sun goes down each night. He loves the smells by the pond. By the time garbage was taken out, dinner cleared and kitchen cleaned up, and pup had his last outside for the night, I was tired! Today I'm going to jump into tackling another space once my second cup kicks in. We finally are getting the much needed rain with thunder and lightning thrown in. Ah, summer. Have a good Wednesday.


I have been read you for years, and I wondered the same thing! Granted you were younger, but we are the same age and back then I would get exhausted just READING about what you did, and often left wondering just where all my time went! Damn, remember when days seemed longer?
ReplyDeleteXoxo
-Meg B.
I probably just got up and got on with things...didn't think, just did. My energy is not what it used to be and going on little sleep is a thing of the past.
DeleteYou should pat yourself on the back, you did a lot! Since I stopped work I seem to be busier than ever, although confess I don't feel the same sense of urgency to get everything done.
ReplyDeleteThat might be it...very few things have urgency so no need to get it done quickly to get to the next item.
DeleteWow!!! A WHOLE lot done!! And I loved your comment about fun watching your children being adults in their world, not our (the parents) world. Made me smile!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun watching her respond to a couple interesting questions without a pause. She knows her stuff!
DeleteYou got a lot done. I have always said the same thing - 'how did I do it all when working and all?'
ReplyDeleteI think our priorities may have been different and I was much younger back in the day!
Slow and steady - don't make yourself sick over doing.
Oh, I hope I didn't come across as being upset. Just noting that a full day now is very different than a decade or two ago.
DeleteOh Sam, Cheryl is right, slow and steady... I have a list every day and get 1/2 of it done and I have learned to be happy. Sissy and I just turned 68 we are slowing down and we have to accept this. Hard but true. Pat yourself on the back. You are doing great! Not Bossy
ReplyDeleteMinimal done yesterday so needcto pace myself, lol. You and your sister are dynamos to this day.
DeleteI find life retaliates when I have a busy busy busy day, and my plans for the next day evaporate! Like you, I wonder how 40 year old, 50 year old me got so much done Every Day on top of teaching several school music classes and up to 10 piano pupils... we were all human dynamos back then! Wonderwoman had nothing on us (but it would have been nice to be able to fly)
ReplyDeleteIt was nothing to work 10+ hours with and additional 90 minutes if commuting time, feed the family, then get to evening activities. My days started at 5 and really weren't done until well after 10. Now, I still wake early, but thats prime coffee time! Yes, I tendvto slow way down now the day after a super busy day.
DeleteI think's Kirsten's right - we really all were human dynamos back then. It came as quite a shock to me that I wouldn't still be a human dynamo in my 60s and that I need to take a rest after a while working but hey, we're retired and we don't have to walk to the beat of anyone else's drum either!
ReplyDeleteNo dynamo left in me, but I'll take slow with steady. True, it's just my list now to accomplish, or not.
DeleteYour opening line had me nodding agreement at the screen……… I constantly wonder how I used to get so much done at home and still work full time…….needs must I suppose and of course , now ,the inevitable getting older………let’s give ourselves a collective pat on the back……..we’re still putting the effort in 😀
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
We really just got on with things, didn't we. Now, I do as well but after leisurely cups of coffee and ignoring something if I choose. I did laundry this weekend and it had been well over a week. 20 years ago minimally, there was a load a day with sports clothes alone, then multiply by 5 what I did Sunday. I have had respect in hindsight for working women.
DeleteYou did it all because really, there wasn't a choice right? Not to mention that was a decade or 3 ago :-) Cheers to having all of your time for you. Isn't it fabulous??? !!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday
Yes, mouths needed feeding, clothes washed, toys cleaned up, etc. each day and to let things slip meant chaos. The dogs and cars don't care except for their food and playtime.
DeleteI remember someone commenting on how we're human beings and not doings ages ago and it really resonated. I'm so inactive at the moment you put me to shame! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, when my knee was screaming at me, my hips were aching after my trip, and then my fall, I was a literal couch potato. I think from your posts youre moving mountains in spite of your pain.
DeleteLike you I often wonder how I managed to get things done working in a school and raising children. You got a great deal completed though so give yourself a pat on the back.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I didn't have #3 yet, but I also went back to school for another degree when my kids were 6
Deleteand 8. That was a brutal 21 months!
So glad you had a productive day!
ReplyDeleteI always find the days flying by and I really don't know how I fit work into the day. Well done to your daughter - it's always good to see your children thrive
Unfortunately the job ends mid July so shes fuguring out either new job or grad school or combination of both.
DeleteSam, this reminds me of the reaction I have when Google serves me up old photos- who was that person? She had so much energy!
ReplyDeleteThe loss of energy as we age is real. Sure, I’m still super energetic, but it’s 60 year old energy which is not remotely the same as 30 or 40 or even 50 year old energy.
So give yourself a break. You are amazing, absolutely amazing, you just aren’t 20 any longer.
Enjoy the glow of all that you achieved yesterday.
I'd settle for 50 year old energy. I'm trying to get some of it back but great I have no real have to do anything in my life.
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