fatigue

I am very tired. It's approaching 9:30 which is relatively early for me to be this tired. It's been a brutal week - having sacrificed my weekend in order to be on top of my game. I have company - as much as I love to have guests, it is taxing - they're on vacation and I am not. This afternoon I sat for nearly four hours with an attorney from the state capital, our town attorney, my town manager and each department head.... we're trying to codify our ordinances. tiring and boring, but necessary. I am supposed to attend a district meeting in North Port tomorrow, but I havc declined. I'm sure I will be frowned upon. One can only do so much.
I have just showered - needed to wash my hair. Now it's soaking wet and I want to go to bed...can't go to bed w/ a wet head. I envy bald men about now.
Weather says another cold front due in this weekend. It's that time of year.
I sure hope tomorrow is a better day.
Good nite.

an argh eve

I'm not sure what happened - somewhere the day went south - fast. I got to work feeling pretty good, the meeting started only about five minutes' delayed. My part was well accomplished. Somewhere mid-morning I had to excuse myself for a potty break - which I never do. At 1:00 I came home for lunch, had a turkey and cheese sandwich and lingered over aol news. I returned to work and never could get back into the swing. The weather had warmed considerably outside, and some crazy fool had the heat on inside. I felt warm, sluggish and irritable. My bowel was also irritable (sorry if that's "too much information" but it is most unusual, and probably a significant factor in the decline of the day). I have company coming tomorrow and will offer my college kid's room for them. The last time that room was cleaned was when we had company for Thanksgiving and I offered her room. She was home over Christmas for nearly a month, and returned to school - without cleaning her room. I spent a great majority of my weekend doing town hall stuff - it was top on my priorities, and it proved to be a wise decision as I started today. However, I'm feeling a bit 'robbed' of my leisure time... which probably adds to the irritability I feel. Plus the neighbors are noisy. Plus Gracie's being an absolute brat and I have no patience. It's an ARRGGGHH evening.
I didn't sleep particularly well. I was literally exhausted when I turned off the light at about 11:15 last evening. The sound of Gracie's tags jingling woke me and I realized she was "up". I also realized either I take her "out" or I may be cleaning up a mess. So we went out at about 2:30 AM. The neighbors were having one helluva celebration - still. I dreamt weird - the only part I remember well enough to relate is that I stood and walked across a walk way, or bleecher type structure with another female, and I commented, "well, there you go...my skirt's caught up in my shirt and my ass is hanging out." ...Showing my ass, or caught with my pants down?!? What's YOUR interpretation!?
Before it gets too late, I guess I'd better 'get to spirits' and clean for company.

I have and I shall

Here, now..24 hours later from the last post, and I do feel accomplished. I was at the grocery store last night, checking out at 8:35 PM. I encountered an acquaintance - a businessman and community leader - he commented: "you're shopping late, Michelle..?" It had been a looong day.
Today, also will have its challenges - beginning with a council meeting in less than one hour.
Onward and upward - with a smile.

Complexities

"Something needs to change; you cannot keep everything going as is. Instead of waiting for the house of cards to collapse, it would be smarter to voluntarily eliminate some of the complexity while you are still able to choose for yourself."
The above is an excerpt from my horoscope for today. It resonates with me, as I woke and rose mindful of the myriad of tasks I hope to accomplish today. The rising sun casts its light upon another cool clear morning, promising to be another beautiful day in paradise. Often, visitors or new-comers will ask: how do you go to work each day, when every day is like vacation?! Today is one of those days: how shall I accomplish my chores with the temptation to go outside and play? Sometimes I try to structure the chores around the sun - meaning inside tasks are done before sunrise, or after sunset. For today, however, I cannot put off until sundown and must focus in order to get all things done.
Eliminate some of the complexity: I shall meditate on that as I work through today. I feel as if I am playing 'catch-up' instead of being proactive. The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. No good deed goes unpunished. One step forward, two steps back.
Today I shall become as the little engine that could: I think I can I think I can. Optimism and hard work.
It should be sunday, funday, but tomorrow is monday and the start of an escalating energy of expectations. This time tomorrow, I shall be on top of matters, making attacks from the outside impossible; an unshakable stance of deep security.

morning times...

I am not a morning person... never have been. Certain responsibilities require me to rally in morning hours and I always have and always can. I am envious of morning people, particularly when the sun sets so early - that sunrise should be capitalized upon. So part of 2009 resos is for me to turn myself around a bit. Most days, I am expected at work at 8:30 AM. I live minutes from the office - actually driving takes the longest, seconded by walking, and bicycling is the most expedient. With my new responsibility in the form of a puppy, I have made efforts to rise early, give her a good walk, blender up some nutrition and get to work on time. I haven't been doing so well. I like 8 hours of sleep. So I calculated back eight hours from seven AM, and would go to bed by 11:00. I'd fall asleep quickly. Anytime between 2:30 and 5:00 AM, either Gracie or I would wake up with a bladder that needed attention. We'd go...(me inside, she out!) and return to bed and sleep. The alarm would sound anywhere between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM. I'd always hit the snooze. and snooze and snooze. Oh, I was usually awake, lying in bed mapping my day, revisiting my dreams, just loligagging feeling how fine the comfort of my bed really is. Enjoying the sights and sounds of morning. I would wait until the absolute last minute to get out of bed. I have taken careful note of this "abusive" behaviour particularly this week, as I have made determined effort to go to bed with ample sleep time. When I do get up and go to work, my head and my eyes are clear, I feel GREAT! (and look great, I'll say!! ;) ) but...I'm just squeakin' by in time...
You "morning folks"? What gets you to throw your legs over the side of the bed and ditch the covers? What gets you on two feet? A point of humor, in my younger days, growing up in a very Catholic household, my father would stand at the top of the stairs, and declare: "Rise and Shine!Be about your Father's Business!" ..and then call each of us by name..." Jenene! Kathleen! Deborah Jean! ..." and down through all ten.. "Are you awake?!!" (sleepy responses ..yes..) Are you out of bed!?!" (yes) ARE YOU ON YOUR FEET!!? Ten it was: "Wash your face, comb your hair brush your teeth?!" ...yes... I CAN'T HEAR YOU!! YES SIR! "Shoulders back, chest out, stomach in!
Most of my married life, my (then) husband worked earlier than I did - and I had the responsibility of dressing/ feeding/ driving (etc.) the children to the day care/sitter. I would be up several times in the night with one child or the other. As they grew to teens it was some project or homework or special assignment.
I will continue to attempt my realignment. Last night I went to bed just before 11:00 PM. I set my alarm for 6:30 AM and said, " I will get up when the alarm goes off." Well, Gracie and I got up at about 5:00 AM, and when the alarm sounded at 6:30...well..."just 15 minutes more...for 5 or 6 more times!
Dang..!
not a morning person........but a work in progress!

chilly!

We had a cold front come through today. I awoke around 2:00 AM with a gale blowing and palm fronds scattering and howling that was reminiscent of hurricanes. Except is wasn't humid and balmy: it was cold and dry. The weatherman tells us the wind is all out of the North, tonight. Chilly and Windy. Tomorrow night will be even colder. Wednesday morning in the low forty's. Near freezing tomorrow night. High temps only in the upper 50's. As chilly as it is, in a way it's nice - a nice change. I enjoy putting on long pants and sox and boots and sweaters. Candles burning and soup simmering offer nice scents. As long as it doesn't last too long! lol!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Today's Writing Prompt: Obama
You find yourself somehow sitting next to Barack Obama on a plane, the day before his inauguration. What do you say to him?

Am I on Air Force One? Why is there so much controversy over your birth certificate? Explain why you're being called the AntiChrist by many. I didn't vote for you and I am fearful of what your presidency will bring.