How are Free Time and Big Purses Related?

After months of distraction, craziness and chaos, I’m now attempting to re-enter the blogging world.  For those fellow bloggers, you know that an absence from posting can mean death for your blog, so I know it will take some time for people to find us again, but I’m willing to be patient while our loyal followers re-discover us.  Thank you to Alyssa for carrying the burden these past few months.  We would have completely evaporated if it weren’t for you. So, enough of that…here is today’s blog…

Topic – Free time is like a space in a purse, the more of it you have, the more filled up it seems to get.

Quick refresh…I have three kids, Brandon (11), Aidan (5) and McKenna (5).

The twins started Kindergarten last month.  For the first time in 11 years all three of my kids are in full-time school.  It is an understatement to say that for months, even years, I have been anticipating this moment.  I was to go from having 7 hours a week of free time to having 35.  I was counting the days over the summer, waiting with great anticipation for this life changing transition.  I would suddenly have the time to do all the things I wanted to do! Garden, exercise, eat healthier, cook 5 course meals every night, organize every closet in the house, have lunch with friends, take a class at the local university, grow vegetables, shower everyday, read…   All my friends warned me, “You think you’ll have a ton of free time, but just watch out.  The time flies and gets filled up before you know it.”

Nonsense!

What?  Aidan’s soccer team needs a coach?  Well, I don’t know much about soccer.  It doesn’t matter?  If I don’t do it, he won’t get a team?  He’ll be waitlisted?  Really?  It doesn’t take that much time?  Okay, I guess I can do it.  After all, I have 35 hours a week now.

What’s that?  You want me to be a room rep for Brandon’s 5^th grade class?  Great!  I’ve never had time to get involved in his class before.  This will be fabulous.  What?  Oh, since it’s the last year of lower school there will be a lot of things to do in the class?  Okay, what’s a lot?  Okay, so how many parties is that total?  Got it, plus helping with field trips?  Okay.  And how long does that project take?  Got it.  Well, no worries, I have 35 hours a week now.  I can handle it!

You want me to get involved with your charity? Oh… I’d love to, I mean it’s a great cause.  What?  The event is 2 months away?  You need me to help with the food?  I have to get restaurants to do what?  In this economy?  Okay…No problem, I have a few hours a week I can spare.  Oh, when are the meetings?  Got it.  I’ll add them to my schedule.  I’m pretty open right now.

That’s right, Mom.  Family reunion.  Next summer.  It will be easy to plan.  We’ve already invited everyone.  Oh, forgot her.  Can you call her?  I’m sort of busy. Forgot him, too, can you call him as well.  Well I think we have a hundred people so far.  I won’t deal with it until after the new year.  Just too busy now.

Sure, Honey.  I can take over the managing of that.  Sure I can take care of that too.  Uh, okay.  If you really need me to do that.  I picked up your dry cleaning already.  No, it’s no problem.  I have plenty of time.  Don’t worry, I’m not taking on too much.  I’m fine!  Gotta go.  I’m late.

The school fair, that’s right.  No, I’m still happy to help.  Absolutely.  When is the first meeting?  I’ll put that in the calendar…oh…I’ll have to move that other thing.  No it’s no problem.  Piece of cake.

I’d love to grab lunch.  No can’t do that day, reading in class.  No, dentist appointment.  Sorry, I have a Fair meeting.  That doesn’t work either.  Maybe coffee would be easier.  No, I’m working at the library that day.  Sorry, can’t do then either.  Okay, well maybe after the first of the year.  We’ll chat then.

So far, of all the things I thought I’d have time to do, the only one I’ve accomplished is “shower everyday” but I only did that for a week.