Running on the Treadmill at Our Little House
The closet rotation is one thing I need to do this week
Yesterday morning, our alarm went off at 4:30 and as usual, we laid there and snoozed until 4:45 when we heard Fred, our neighbor roar by on our usually quiet country road.
His wife moved here earlier this summer, but Fred has to commute back to the city every Monday to work.
It reminded me that it was time for us to finally quit hitting the snooze alarm to begin another week on the treadmill of life.
When we first moved here, Dale had to stay in the city, doing the weekly commutes until he could train his replacement on his old job and get confirmation that he was hired on his new one.
Dale only had to do that for three months but the treadmill didn’t stop, it only changed directions. Sometimes it seems like it goes too fast and we can barely keep up and find the balance between our work and rest.
This weekend was a beautiful one at Our Little House, the weather was perfect, if not a bit warm for October.
As he has for most weekends since his return to his old job at the boat factory, Dale worked Saturday. After he came home, we went to grab a bite to eat and hit the home improvement store.
Dale had a long list of projects he wanted to complete on Sunday, his only day of “rest” at home which included staining the deck, cleaning the stove flue and installing gutter guards. I had a long list of “to-do’s” as well that included finishing the clothes rotation, cleaning the cabinets and even doing some writing for deadlines I have this week.
Although Dale found what he needed at the store to embark on his projects and the weather was perfect, our ambitions were bigger than our energy levels.
We accomplished absolutely none of it.
As Fred broke the early morning silence on Monday morning during his long commute, I thought about everything we all do and have done to live our dreams and accomplish our goals. His speeding by, trying to make it to his job by 10 a.m. also reminded me that we’re not alone.
Finding a balance between the work and play, the running and the rest is always a challenge.
I’m wondering how others accomplish that balance and still find the energy to get things done?
If you figure it out, please let us know.
Thanks, Frugal. I will. 🙂
My goodness, you are early risers – and I thought I was early at 5:30 AM. Not because I always have to (only when I have to drive my youngest to work) but simply because I am an earlybird by nature.
I am good at prioritizing – deciding what absolutely HAS to be done and what can wait. It was a long, hard lesson to learn and, when I am stressed, I can forget it. But I keep working at it.
I think I once read that when you start getting overburdened you should ask yourself this question, “In 100 years, will it really matter if I did this or not?” Maybe 100 years is too long – maybe we should just ask ourselves “If this were my last day on earth, would it really matter if this got done?”
Sometimes we lose perspective – it’s easy to do.
Dale has to be at work by 6, Olivia, we’re not normally that early of risers! 🙂
That’s very good advice. I think we should all always live as if today is our last and try to keep everything in perspective.
Life is one big balancing act. I have had workmen here off and on for about a month working on the two bathrooms with water damage. I hope it is finish by this Friday. Then, I have to schedule a man to check the fireplace; have the outside of the house cleaned; plus clean and stain the deck.
Plus, keep up with everything else on my schedule.
Sooo goes life.
At least I’m not the only one, Mary! 🙂
Although I hate to admit it, I have lots more energy and eat less if I exercise during the day. Even though I know this to be true, I keep on putting it off and often take a nap instead.
Ah yes – balance is a tricky concept.
I know you’re right about that exercise too, Heather. Now, where did I put my pillow!? 🙂 My dogs insist on walking, so that’s a plus.
Something to look forward to. 🙂
I find that this only gets more difficult as one ages. I manage to get things done, but have no energy left over for the extras.