My life is spinning out of control...

No, seriously - it is!

I have too much that I need to do, and I can't seem to get a handle on it.

My house is a DISASTER! Since fall of last year, when Ribbon Blossoms got a bazillion tutu halloween costume orders, my house has sorta slipped into the ghetto-land of no return. Because then came Christmas, along with the news that the director of our charter school was resigning due to an unexpected opportunity for him that was too good to pass up.

So then began the frantic search for a new director...mid-school year. So many hours of searching and interviewing. In the end the decision we made was not the best choice for our beloved school. Within a few months we were faced with holding our school together amid the chaos and shock of the announcement that our new director would no longer be at the school, and we had not hired a replacement because we wanted to be very certain that we hired the right person. We definitely pulled the rug out from underneath the staff when we laid that one on them. What we did next was crazy - and truly inspired.

During the meeting where we (the board of directors) were discussing our options, and what we should do about the management of the day-to-day operations of the school while we searched for the perfect director, we started trying to think of people who could just come in for the interim, just sorta hold the fort down while we made most of the administrative decisions for the remainder of the school year and searched for our new director. Then a name came to one of us that all of us quickly felt good about. The thing was, we were a little nervous about the staff's reaction. This man had NO experience in education whatsoever. But he is a shrewd businessman and has great common sense, people skills, and managerial experience.

During his "interim" employment, I was the board member charged with overseeing hiring for the new school year. We had a few positions to fill for next year, and I was at every interview, reading hundreds of resumes, narrowing down candidates and setting appointments. I spent countless hours with this, along with regular board and budget meetings, and volunteering in my kids' classrooms. Now I don't say this to garner sympathy - just to reiterate that the ghetto land of no return state that my house had been in increased ten-fold.

Add my responsibilities in Young Womens, and the time I had available to accomplish things I should be in my home, well I just felt like vegging out and spending time with my family!

I thought things were winding down when (with a little pushing from me) our board hired our "interim director" permanently. He's amazing. I knew him pretty well before, and was fairly confident he would do a good job for the interim. But after the first few times actually working in the school with Mr. "R" during the hiring for next year - I knew he was our guy. We were looking at a person whom we had tried to hire previously, but the timing wasn't right. I knew that if things didn't work out with him, I just HAD to convince the rest of the board that Mr. R was our guy. Fortunately by the time things played out, he had been doing such a good job, that I didn't really have to do a lot of convincing.

Anyway, I digress. I knew that a heavy load was lifted when he took over permanently - the board was taking on a lot of responsibilities that would normally fall to the director. I had such grand plans for summer. Getting my house sorted through and organized, getting my daughter's room in the basement finished, getting my ghetto yard in shape, getting back to blogging regularly...such grand plans.

But first, the plethora (channeling a little "Three Amigo's" here) of June birthdays (husband, son, mom, brother, SIL, and 3 of our best friends). My son turning 12 and having 16 friends over for a BBQ, and being ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. Oh, now it's Independence Day, then Scout Camp - see the adventures of THAT week here. Then helping with the planning and carrying out of Girls' Camp for 24 Young Women. I got back on Friday.

NOW...here's my to-do list. I have GOT to get my house back in shape. I am seriously not exaggerating the state of chaos we are currently living in. I'm talking laundry backed up to the rafters, piles of mail and school and church papers stacked around everywhere, junk and toys and craft crap that needs to be sorted through in the basement. I cannot stand it. Like I want to run away. My sweet cowgirl NEEDS her own room. Sharing with 2 little sisters who do not share her idea of cleanliness and order is just not working out. That will require getting the basement in shape so we can bring in an electrican to do the wiring, then getting the sheetrock and flooring and painting done, as well as getting the furniture painted (which is a project I am just DYING to do so I can show you all). I'm drowning I tell ya. The thing is, I also want to get Ribbon Blossoms back up and running and I can't decide if that's a good or bad idea. It would be nice to have some extra money for Christmas, and getting bills paid, but I'm not sure if it is just taking on too much and not worth it. I keep going back and forth.

SOOOO...I guess what I need from you are ideas. How do I get started, prioritize, get and stay motivated? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Now I know I have spent this entire post whining, and I really apologize. Before I leave I wanted to let those of you who aren't already aware, know that my sweet friend Tanielle lost her father on Friday. It was unexpected and she is really hurting right now and I know she could really use your love and prayers.

I love you T!

I'll see the rest of you back here when I come up for air!