Coming up for air! . . .

I have finally came up for air! The last 2 months have been a whirlwind of activity, both work & home. Sometimes I feel like I'm on the front lines of battle with the clock & time. With only 24 hours in a day, my 2 worlds constantly collide!

Work – We had to upgrade our Payroll/Benefits software system before the continuing support agreement from the software company expired (2nd quarter 2008). We run up against this about every other year & this was the year! So, February & March were 100% dedicated to working with a consultant from Chicago. Thanks to a great technical team, we got it DONE! with a week to spare & under budget. It is a great feeling to be past that hurdle & now back to the regular daily, weekly, monthly & quarterly “stuff” that makes up my work day.

Somewhere in there, I flew to Florida for a weekend Board of Directors meeting for the software’s users group.

Home – The “bugs” late this winter have been tough to deal with. In Feb I had the flu. Nicky had a staff infection & a cold. In March an intestinal bug went through our family with a rage. I got it 1st, then Nicky, then Uppa D (Dalend).

Nicky had a homework assignment to make a “Leprechaun Trap”. I was sick with the last bug so Uppa D took this on with Nicky. Just your basic box - but what the boys came up with was just so cute & amazing. Lights flashing, a trip wire – Thanks, Uppa D!

Easter weekend, we were all finally well! We had a lovely Easter with church services, Sunday brunch & (over the course of 3 days) 4 egg hunts! Nicholas was quite handsome in his Easter attire.

Nicky is playing Soccer! And, loves it. It is so much fun! I love being a soccer Mom.

I have had a lot of paperwork to do as well before April 1. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) balances for 2007 (it’s a benefit I have thru work) . Then there are 2007 taxes due (I do them myself). I was asked to speak at an adoption support group on our birth family search (being a techy, a power point was a must). And, of course, the adoption work of switching agencies & preparing a new DOE Dossier. It seems I always take on “doing” more than I should, but it is just my nature. It somehow all gets done.

During hectic times, I rely on a “3 tiered methodology”. My 1st line of defense is the triage concept. “who or what is the most critical.” 2ndly, “make a list”. 3rdly, “keep to the schedule”. I find physically checking things off my list gives me a sense of accomplishment & helps me see the light at the end (which never ends). LOL, it takes 3 different mantras to keep me sane!

One thing that has drastically changed for me is “how it looks”. An example, historically, when I submitted my FSA balance for approval, I used to have it practically all “wrapped up with a bow” (LOL). Now, I just make sure all the receipts are accounted for & the math is correct (it isn’t pretty any more!). The end result is the same. Our world’s advancement in technology helps too – Yeah, Turbo Tax & e-filing! I save my energy for the things that really do need to look “pretty”. I have learned, everything doesn’t have to be perfect, sometimes it just has to get the job done!

So, as April arrives – my energy is going into the tasks that do need to be “pretty-ed up”. The yard – I am so ready to be outside! Spring is here! The trees are budding, flowers are coming up & blooming, grass is getting green. A welcome sight! The work office – I moved into a new office late January, but haven’t had the time to personalize it. So, I’m just now putting up pictures & empting the final boxes. It will be good to get those old/new tasks checked off the list!

It is nice to finally stop, breathe & take a few minutes to catch up on life. I look at my sweet boy & realize that time is flying by. My new mantras for a few days are:

“keep it simple” . . .
“switch to low, laugh, love!” . . .