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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!

Comments

shortmama said…
I dont have any ideas for you other than maybe listing every single thing you need to do and then putting them in order of priority. Maybe picking a couple of them to do each day depending on how big the job is.

I was very sad to hear about Tanielles dad...my heart goes out to her and her family
Myya said…
I have no words of wisdom for you. My favorite pasttimes are "putting off" & or "avoiding".

So sad for Tanielle. My heart breaks for her & she is definitely in my prayers.
Paula@SweetPea said…
I get great satisfaction from making a list and checking things off. Even small things go on my list. Since you have so many things to do, why not start with one task, like laundry, and just work on that until it is finished. Good luck! Think how much better you'll feel when things are in order.
I did not see any of your post as whining at all.

I think you needed to write it all down to start getting it sorted out. Sounds like to me you are getting on the right track.

Why don't you call some friends and family and ask for help. I love to clean and organize for others! Hire some of the teens from Church!
Hi there, X! You are a busy lady!! I second the others and recommend first making a large list of everything you need to do. Then, separate it out each week by making a smaller list for the week. Maybe one largish task and smaller ones you know you'll be able to accomplish. You've worked really hard to build your business and network. It would be a shame to let it go. You are talented!
Koko said…
You forgot to mention that you had the period of illness for many in your family...that takes a toll! So, one of the tricks I use is I put on some music that I LOVE and my girls and I would go from room to room (each room only gets one song of working frantically hard). We then repeat the pattern until we need to take a break. It actually worked very well and I still use it on myself today (but now I say -- one more song for this room -- because I'm on a roll). Anyway, it's kind of silly, but I know you love music too...and it gives you a time limit so you're willing to work fast, the music helps you move fast (don't put on sssslllllooooowwww music haha), and you (or the kids) have a change of scenery as you have a change of song. Does this make sense? Wish I could help...too bad I'm so many states away. And I'm not saying my house is immaculate (especially with grandkids here this summer), but it's fun to clean other people's homes rather than your own! haha
Koko said…
Oh, and love and prayers to Tanielle. :( <3
Sheila said…
Yes you MUST get ribbon blossoms back up and running! hehe! I just think your stuff is totally adorable!!

So sorry to hear about Tanielle's dad! Poor girl! I know how much she loved him - and spent SO much time at the hospital with him! God Bless her and her entire family in this hard time!
I am so sad for Tanielle. I'm sure her heart is just breaking.

As for you, Missy, hmmm . . . can you enlist the help of your crew? When I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with the housework I find that my older two can be a lot of help. Just catching up on the laundry can lift a huge weight off :) Wish we lived closer so that I could come help!
Rachelle said…
I do, kinda, what Koko does. But I do 2 songs in a row per room. And only 2 songs per room, then with whatever energy or time I have left, I focus on one room after that. That way, it still feels like I cleaned all around the house, but was also able to really focus a little extra on one room. I don't know if that makes sense, but it works for me.

I've also found, that if it looks like it'll take me 3 or 4 songs to get a room done, it actually doesn't take as long as you think. If you can really get in and focus for just 5 or 10 minutes, you can get tons done in a room!

My heart and prayers go out to Tanielle.
Macey said…
Okay, wanna know how to clean it up really FAST??
Get a Bic lighter....
Just kiddin'. I don't know. Pick one area you are going to work on and just work on that one area until you're done. Like the laundry.
And I'm so sorry for T. :(
IndyGo Wylde said…
Well, your awesome friends have all suggested most of my tips for getting things done. If you want, you can enlist Bookwoorm and Cowgirl and you can bring the little ones to me. It'd have to be on a friday, but I know my girls would be happy to play with yours for a few hours...
I personally like to clean with the aid of seriously fast techno music. =)
I suggested she use the help of her mom, but she said no - she's a big girl now and wants to do it herself. Way to go honey!
Sami said…
I know it's probably too late to throw in my 2 cents, but Roon and I have set up a schedule. I have one job (i.e. bathrooms, vacuumming, mopping, dusting, etc.) to do each day. We also have a morning and night time routine that includes things like "throw in a load of laundry" and "do the dishes". It's definitely not a fast method, by any means, but it's making a dent. Then, each month, we have jobs to do, like clean out the car, or spot clean the carpets. Then, each night we spend 15 minutes decluttering something.
Perhaps you can convince the young women to do a service project at your house? Just a thought...

My heart goes out to Tanielle. Thank goodness for Forever families!

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