Crammed week

In the past few summers, I have realized I am in the sandwich generation. That's not so bad. Most people--blessed people who see their parents grow old to become grandparents several times over--find themselves in that situation. My problem is that, quite often, the one slice of bread doesn't realize it is not as fresh as it used to be until it's too late. Then I'm the one who finds herself stressing over how to get it all accomplished.

In other words, my father HAS to have a garden and I'M the one who gets to deal with the harvesting.

First, let me say that I'm not trying to complain. I don't mind gardening as much as I mind, say, a root canal. I like what I get from the garden and I have found this year that I really enjoy canning. My biggest stress is trying to do everything I need to do when summer rolls around when the garden comes on. This year is worse because of the extras that are going on at my house.

For instance:

Back in April, we started working on the ceilings that were damaged last fall when we put the new roof on. Now it is July 12 and Bart and Brennan's room is in the middle of my living room for what is starting the third straight week. Brian's had other obligations, too--not to mention unforeseen events like our neighbor's broken water line that he is now fixing. But it is old. REALLY old, especially when I put up with Brett's room for a month.

I have 20 extended days to put in over the summer every year. Now I'm on site-based, to boot. Add to that the prospect of a new baby this time next year. I'm trying to get my extended days put in--as many as possible--BEFORE school starts, but now I'm down to, at the most, 16 days before school begins. And I seriously doubt all of those will come to fruition. Do I pray for snow days or do I go in on those weird off-days? Or both? Who knows? I just know I don't want to go to school--even if I can take her, which I can--next summer until after I've had some time with her and the rest of us together.

And in this month alone I have a wedding for which I have to practice because I'm playing and I found out the songs last Thursday, at least one more SB meeting, senior pics, Sunday night youth groups (have I ever mentioned how much of a waste I feel Sunday night church is? I am NOT a night person, and by night I mean any time after 2:00 PM.), another eye doctor appointment (Ode to Glaucoma) and who remembers what else? And this week the garden makes its full-force debut.

I REALLY think most of my problem with my neck/shoulder this weekend had less to do with strain and more to do with stress. I used to throw up when I got uptight. Now I just hurt.

And yes, I prefer the hurt. Even when it hurts THAT much.