Family Friday (vol. 110): Who Has the Time?

I don’t know about you, but one of the things I’m most concerned about is the emergence from a life that has slowed down soooo much. I’ve often said that the less you do, the less you’re capable of doing. I think I’m right…! Perhaps this is why the though of setting an alarm, putting on make-up, doing my hair, and pulling on pants without an elastic waistband seem daunting. Rinse, repeat. Rinse, repeat. The whole work-from-home gig has been pleasant. The HOURS I’ve saved on laundry (embarrassing but true!), getting ready, making lunches, you name it…where do I find that time back while adding full-time work outside of the home back into the mix? I’m scratching my head, no doubt.

I get sad at night when I can’t watch a 3rd episode of Ozark because the responsible thing to do is go to bed. It is a work night, after all. The random second shift hours, occasional weekend shift, I have no idea what day of the week it is. I rely on my Outlook calendar which is, thankfully, on both my phone and my at-home work station: the kitchen island. I actually shut down my computer last weekend and removed it from the island. The island seemed to double in size. Amazing!

I factor carry-out into the weekly agenda because 1. support local business and 2. reprieve from dinner duty. Will my kids reject home cooking when this is all said and done?

I successfully completed 3 Facebook Live cooking demos for my healthcare system. The last of which fell on Cinco de Mayo and had over 1.3K views thus far! I’m shocked! Maybe this will become a thing…? Should I start a YouTube channel? I have so many questions!

Gina and I posted a podcast episode featuring both our men talking about gardening! As it ends up, our listeners love them more than us?! The downloads don’t lie. I’m trying not to be offended while brainstorming ways to get them both back on the show! 😉

Mother’s Day weekend here in Michigan looks….terrible. Cold and probably no sign of the sun. Have mercy on me, 2020. Wasn’t tearing my calf muscle last weekend punishment enough for the week?

And yes, tearing a calf muscle is as painful as it sounds. I’m about 75% recovered but something tells me this last bit of recovery could take awhile and I’m pretty horrible at resting from exercise. I’ve held off on trying anything physically demanding all week and I stayed at work later than scheduled yesterday JUST so I wasn’t tempted to workout. It didn’t work. I did a light Peloton ride which felt OK. It’s stairs that hurt the most.

I saw my first in-person patient since COVID-19 hit. It was fine. My office looks a little funny with my desk chair and the chairs patients sit in WAY far apart. We were both in masks. I quickly taught him how to inject insulin (impossible to stay 6 feet apart, of course) and off he went. It’s amazing how effective and efficient virtual patient care is…and also a little weird that I’d been taking care of the gentleman for a few weeks before ever having a face to go with the name.

I’m whittling down my PTO, as is asked of us. I’ve scheduled off a few random week days in May, my birthday and the day after in July, and a week+ in both November and December. I still have 12+ days I’ll need to use up before the year is done. I’m not complaining, however, I AM hoping that I can possible turn that into, say…20 half days that can be afternoons at the beach. 🙂 A girl can hope, right? This is why we put up with Mother’s Days that are grey and 40 degrees…come July, I can be at the beach within 10 minutes.

Our weekend will definitely consist of our new routine: carry-out, movie night in the basement, and baked donuts or a brunch of some kind one morning. I’m continuing to “train” the girls to get up on their own, help themselves to their sippy cups of milk, and the granola or cashews from the pantry while Mark and I catch a bit more sleep. Shea is a PRO at feeding the dog and getting her the peanut butter-filled bone she expects and lives for each morning. By the time all this passes, it may be a seamless process for us all. Then again, maybe not.

If you’re looking for some book recommendations, I’ve got several..

• The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (5 stars)
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (5 stars)
• Educated by Tara Westover (4.5 stars)
• Better Off Without Him by Dee Ernst (5 stars)
• Give Me your Hand by Megan Abbott (4 stars)
• Too Late by Colleen Hoover (5 stars)

One more work day to go! I shouldn’t be looking forward to the weekend as much as I am…but I am! Plus, I love Mother’s Day 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there, especially my own and my mother-in-law!

Be well,

from Prevention RD https://preventionrd.com/2020/05/family-friday-vol-110-who-has-the-time/
via Heart Based Marketing