Just let me lie down!

So today I read an article from the new "Real Simple" magazine (may edition). Can I call you back in 15 years got me at the title, how I so feel like that some days and the past month it has been just definitely like that. Kristin Van Ogtrop author of "just let me lie down" writes about balancing kids, work and sleep - she leaves the husband out of it (for a minute). She talks about us having lots of time when we are young and suddenly balancing everything in our lives in our 40's it brings us to a subject of friends, she never thought she would have to "choose" to see friends rather than it be a natural thing, she notes that "friendships need consistent attention and occasional aggressive pruning" and really having to give up a few minutes of alone time to see a friend it becomes a juggling game.

I did as she did in the article and that was to draw up a pie chart and divide it up with the things you do in a day and boy I discover the same as her, I have very little time alone to do the things I love - yes I do not have cleaning the toilets on my "love to do" list.

I pride myself in being efficient and a good time manager but when asked to go out and I cant make it (babysiter problems or just exhausted) I am often made to feel guilty, but honestly i am tired or I do have to do the cleaning/tidying/shopping, god forbid I go to bed early! Is it because nathaniel is an only child that I take him to all these activities - I doubt it cause if he wasn't doing them he would be on playdates, but I sure feel like I spend a lot of time ferrying to his activities (14 hrs per week), and still working about 30 hrs a week minimum and volunteering and still having food on the table a smile on my face and a clean pair of knickers on!

I try to be good at everything, but it is more than obvious that as I take care of everyone else, it is me that goes down hill in the food I eat and the clothes I wear and the lack of exercise I do and the lack of friends that I see. I really do try and keep in touch as much as I can but it can be a struggle during these busy times! I am sorry.

So if I am sitting alone when I hit 80, please come and say hello, I know being busy isn't an excuse but sometimes it is a reason!

Happy Monday