Thank you so much for the words
of encouragement from everyone. I honestly didn't expect this response
and this wasn't meant to create any sort of "pity party" on me. I just
simply wanted y'all to know what's going on and why I'm struggling with
blogging. I deeply appreciate everything that everyone has said. When I
checked my email after school today, I was completely blown away at the
comments and emails I've received with encouragement. Your kind words have truly made my day. It's readers like
all of you that keep me blogging. I absolutely love you all.
First off, my husband lost his job back in February. It was terrible. So much stress was put on each of us, financially. He luckily did find a new job this month and started it two weeks ago. The first week was training. The second week he started "on the job". Well, he works overnight. I could not function last week not having him home with me. I wasn't sleeping. I didn't get to see him very much. He'd come home when I was leaving for work and sleep all day, and when I got home we'd eat dinner together and then he'd leave. (I'm not sure why all of that is written in past-tense...it's still happening.) The good news: it's a job. It's full-time. He's on four ten-hour days and then off three. It's only for another month. I'm slowly starting to function without him here. But I pretty much fell apart last week. My bad.
30 (school) days of school left - I'm not sure if I am excited or not. I absolutely adore my class. I love my school. I don't know if I'll still have my job next year or not. Time will tell. (The whole "new teacher" system is terrible.) May is going to be insane though. CRTs, DRA testing, biography reports/wax museum for the parents, rock and mineral show field trip, zoo field trip, my class's town meeting (a.k.a. class play written by our amazing drama specialist), bike/board/blade day, celebrating summer birthdays, etc. I've never felt so overwhelmed in my life. I'm so fortunate to have amazing parent support in my classroom. Every single parent is absolutely amazing and has been such a huge support for me throughout the whole year after everything crazy that happened. (If you're a teacher, please tell me...how do you prep for end of year tests?! I'm so clueless.)
Our apartment = disaster zone. If you've emailed me in the last month and asked for tips on how to keep up with organization, I'm not avoiding you. I'm just looking around at my mess, wondering how to answer your question. I'm not very good at it lately to tell you the truth. We need to clean. I need to go through the incoming paper basket. I have two months of magazines sitting on the floor. I have been good at keeping the entry clean so it looks like we have a clean home from the door. And I'm great at turning the Scentsy warmer on every night so it smells clean.
My life isn't as planned out as you may perceive. It used to be. I love my planners. It's been two months since I've written anything in either one. What a waste of money - or so it feels. Maybe when school's over I'll get back to it. (Here's hoping.) My home management binder, blogging/etsy store binder, and loan binder have all gone to crap. It may all seem hypocritical, but it's not. I'll get back to it when school's out and I can start over. You'll see.
I have some amazing ideas for projects to complete this summer. (I have owned a home I'd be all over new posts all of the time...some day.) I also have plans for the blog design and etsy store additions. I also have some good ideas for summer month challenges. I think I'll be able to handle keeping up this time. =]
I'm sorry but I don't care if you hate that I have some advertising on my blog. Please don't email me and tell me how terrible I am for accepting some advertising. I definitely don't have as much as many other blogs. The extra income (which isn't much, honestly) is a nice compensation for the hard work that I put into this blog. When I don't put as much work in (like recently), it shows in my stats/advertising income. I don't accept anything that doesn't relate to my blog content or my interests. I seriously turn down at least 10 inquires a week because I don't feel like it fits my blog. So, please, don't harass me for accepting some advertising. Thanks.
I want to run in a marathon...and finish (that's the key). I'm willing to start small, but I want to do it. I lost weight a year ago for my wedding. Then, when I didn't get a job, I gained it all back...plus 5 pounds. I guess I was self-destructive. I'm determined, again, to lose 15 pounds by August. This means less time on Pinterest, I'm sure. (So sad.) No reason to not get in shape. My weakness is salt. I can do without sweets. Anyone else in the same boat? Wish me luck.
And finally...I know everyone can sympathize with this...
I feel like I have no time. Seriously. Where do my nights go? I come home, spend time with Chris before he goes to work, then I work on the following...in this order (lately): school related stuff (creating documents, searching for documents, lesson planning, etc.), completing assignments for two online professional development courses I'm taking (I had no idea how time consuming they'd be), doing the dishes, blogging (if there's time), then trying to sleep (failing miserably for 2-3 hours a night, until I finally exhaust myself). Tell me, how do all of YOU do it? Especially those of you who are moms as well. One more thing to add to the plate. I don't know if I'll be able to do it someday. We'll see what happens down the road.
Thanks for letting me vent. I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday. Cross your fingers for me that I'll make it through the next month...and be able to blog at the same time. I miss having things to write about.
Don't let anyone tell you what (not) to do on your blog! It's YOURS!!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you need some time to yourself, just take it :)
We'll be happier when everything goes well with you than when you're posting without liking it...
You're amazing, so just be yourself!
Tiff, Sorry to hear your troubles. Not gonna throw you a pity party 'cause I know you don't want one, but I've been in your shoes and still wear 'em sometimes. (I make the dog sleep with me-LOL!) Love what you're doing, keep up the good work. Those that are complaining 'bout the ads? You take donations don't you? LOL! JK...This too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteHang in there. This is a tough adjustment period for you guys. Everyone falls off the wagon sometimes, unless they're psycho so give yourself a break and a big hug.
ReplyDeleteDo people really give you a hard time about advertising? That's so dumb. Do they have any idea how blogging works! Shut them out and ignore the criticism. Many big bloggers wouldn't have gotten where they are without ad money.
You don't have to be an inspiration every day, just do what you need for you.
- The other Tiffany
I know exactly how you feel. I too have lapsed in my blogging recently, and it is due to just getting run down and finding other things around the house that need done. I am a SAHM and even though I don't go to a traditional job everyday, I do live in my workspace and still have trouble getting everything done. I try not to give myself a hard time about it. And most of my weekend is usually used to catch up on household chores, and organizing and anything that needs to be done and wasn't. I have a series of to do lists in my phone that I add to everyday and am able to check off as it gets done. I keep it going and change it as needed and I set no deadline, so that I don't feel bad about missing the deadline.
ReplyDeleteI usually do labor intensive tasks during sesame street, so that my daughter has something to do other than "help."
I keep my living room clean by limiting the number of toys allowed in it. All the other toys are in my daughters room in baskets on shelves, and when they are played with, they are placed right bask in the basket and placed on the shelf. My daughter knows this and love to clean up.
My husband helps alot with chores, I really only ask him to take the trash out and put the clean dishes away. I am happy to do the rest of the cleaning as long as he watches the two year old.
As far as blogging goes, just pick it up when you have time again. Or you could even do a series of photo blogs, where you share a photo of something, work, home, interests and a comment and leave it at that.
Good luck with all the school work and the changed work schedule. I know it can be hard, but you will get used to it.
I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling. For the sleep thing--> I try to read before I go to bed. I read that if you read a real book or do something that does not involve electronics before bed your mind can settle down faster than If you sit in bed with your laptop or cellphone because it stimulates your brain with the lights.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Rose
http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com
I can't believe people get on you about advertising! When I go to a blog that's as great as yours I fully expect there to be advertising. I try to blog and am horrible at keeping up with it, so I really appreciate the hard work it takes to keep up with it.
ReplyDeleteWe all have hard times, I have them a lot, lol. I'm constantly trying to start new habits and then falling away from them, so knowing other people go through it to some extent too is comforting;). Things will get better, can't wait for all of your summer posts!
PS: My mom is a teacher and just from seeing her workload when she has a classroom, I don't know how you find time to blog, ever! I'm impressed:).
Hi! Just started following your blog yesterday. I love it. It's inspirational, real, down-to-earth, etcetera. Today's post is a wonderful example of why I enjoy it. Keep on keeping on!
ReplyDeleteNo one is perfect; we do the best we can. Don't beat yourself up about your apartment being unorganized, advertising on your blog, not having enough hours in the day, or anything else.
ReplyDeleteWhen life throws you for an unexpected loop, like your hubby's job, things fall by the wayside whether we want them to or not. Almost eight weeks ago my husband went into the hospital for what was supposed to be an outpatient heart procedure with a 2- to 3-day recovery. He ended up needing open-heart surgery. (No short recovery there, I assure you!) We're in our late 30s and were completely unprepared for the way life has gone the last couple months. The kitchen calendar still says "week of February 26."
Hang in there!
You're a amazing. Remember to breath and take at least 15 minutes a day to just sit, relax, clear your mind. 15 minutes can do wonders! Praying for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteSister, nice job keeping it real! :) Life happens. Find your joy and embrace it cause life's also short. I think you have what it takes. Blessings, Samantha
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me like you have a very hectic life right now and that is ok. It is not hypocritical in any way, you simply sometimes can't do it all. My house is the reverse of yours. I work overnight as a nurse and my other half works during the day in admissions/records on a college campus. It is hard. I work 12 hour shifts so I do not do any house work at all on those days. I just make up for it on my days off. I enlist my man and my daughter for help (mostly on the weekends). Frankly, if it gets done, fine and if not, oh well. As for the advertising. YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT!! It is your blog....who cares what anyone else thinks. If they don't like it, they don't have to read it! I hope things look up for you soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that the organized can be disorganized at times. It makes me feel normal in my struggle to stay organized and that we all struggle. Thank you for writing this blog!
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone is prepared for things when life changes from what you had originally planned. Work on the things you can handle and deal with and everything else will fall into place eventually. If it doesn't maybe it wasn't that important in the first place.
ReplyDeleteKeep breathing and enjoy any time you have with your husband even if that is just for five minutes.
Hope everything settles down soon for you. Hang in there.
Tiffany, as a teacher myself I KNOW how hard that end of the year is. And you are a beginning teacher, so add a bazillion more things you have to learn and do to the stress. Just hang in there. You are a light and an inspiration. I love to follow your blog, and you have helped me sooooo much. Do what you do, and don't worry what anyone says about you or your choices! It's so hard to put yourself out there like you do. . .just remember that you are who God says you are, not who anyone else says you are. Once you make it through this rough spot, you are going to have even more inspiration to give to others.
ReplyDeleteEverything will get better. Feel free to vent anytime.
ReplyDeletehttp://happilyeverafter-tiffany.blogspot.com/
I'm happy reading this post because now I know I'm not alone. I don't think anyone can keep it together all the time. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteVirtual hugs to you. We all get overwhelmed sometimes, even the super organized ;) Life does truly get in the way of even the best intentions.
ReplyDeleteNo great advice here, just know you are not alone and it WILL get better!!!!
I love your honesty! I think we all feel the way you do. I'm a mom I work full time and I blog/eat/sleep/workout/.... My days and nights are crazy even my lunches are planned out to the minute to figure out how to get it all done! I have days when I cry thinking about what a horrible mother I am. And days when I celebrate thinking about all I've gotten done. It's life no one has it all together that's the point it's a journey.
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as ads on your site...good for you put up as many as you can. It's yours to do with as you please! You've developed the community so you get to control it! I can not believe people really e-mail you that kind of stuff!
Keep your head up! :)
That sounds like a ton of stuff to cram into the last 30 days. I remember it being so busy at the end of school but never thought about how much work that was for my teachers.
ReplyDeleteI don't work, but I still struggle with getting everything done around our house. You're definitely not alone.
Thanks for all that you do for us, the readers. We'll still love and follow if you don't post as much for the next little bit. Life gets overwhelming for everyone in their own different ways, so we totally understand!
This post totally just made my heart melt for you. I have a husband who works nights as well and it is sooooo rough! Until anyone has experienced it there is no way to understand. It messes with every single aspect of your life. For your no sleeping you might think about trying a sleeping pill. I was the same way and could never fall asleep so I finally had to go to my dr. and ask for some help. No sleep is bad for everything. Especially feeling overwhelmed because it is so hard to calm your mind.
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone in the knowing how to be organized and clean and letting it all go to a mess. You are going through some humongous changes in your life so the fact that you are still doing your job at school so well and finding time to spend with your husband is enough. There is no way that you can do everything and don't feel bad that you can't.
It sounds corny but having such a crazy, weird schedule with my husband working nights and me still being in school has made us cherish our time together more and it has really made me rely on the Lord more. (after trying for a long time to keep everything together by myself and completely falling on my face of course) Praying for you!
aww God love ya. I wish I could come give you a hug and clean your apartment so you can take a nap. I bet you all were thankful for that bit of income coming in from the advertisers. Anyone who doesn't like that can get ad-block, quit reading or go pound sand. You be kind to yourself. Everything will get back in line before you know it!
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much want to hug you and each commenter right now. I think we could all use a cup of coffee and three extra hours in the day. Then again, just like you buy a bigger purse just to stick more junk in it, we'd all end up filling those three hours with more to do!
The people that are complainers don't realize that everyone has stuff that they are going through. Not to minimize feelings, but come on! There are better things to worry about than a few ads! Love kristilpow's comment on donations :)
As for organizing and exercising, use those 10 minutes when you can find them. Even if you pace your house while you're on the phone and squeeze your ab muscles while you sit and plan for your classroom. Every little bit helps.
Hang in there girl!
I am happy to see such an honest post! And, from a fellow teacher/"nester"/mother, I can tell you that it really won't ever be perfect or the ideal that we all dream and wish for. But, I can say that I have found solace in remembering that life happens in seasons. Some seasons you'll have time and energy to be on top off things and juggle it all (even when kids are part of the mix) but other seasons (end of a school year, the arrival of a new baby, Christmas etc.) you gotta just know that something's got to give. These are the seasons you prioritize and just take it one day at a time! No one has a perfect life or solution and every now and then, you just need to take a Tylenol P.M., turn out the light and recharge your batteries for the next day! Good luck!
ReplyDeletedon't let anybody tell u what to do with your blog. if they don't like it they can read another blog you have plenty of faithful readers that don't mind any advertising you want to put on. I hope things work out better for you, it seems like were all constantly on a time crunch, life just gets crazyyyyy sometimes. I hope things all come together nicely for you though. I don't know how you've done all you have, your much stronger than I.
ReplyDeleteI think the amount of advertisers is a great amount. I would not let those ones that complain get to you. You have so much on your plate. When my husband worked nights, I did not like it either. It is hard on us. It is hard on them, too. Take 1 day at a time. I would organize a room for 10-15 minutes at a time. Work on what needs to be done. Worry about that first then move on to the next item that needs done. Make a list that needs done.
ReplyDeleteIf my husband was on nights now & with 3 kids, I could not make it on my own. I depend on him too much.
Next month will fly by! Summer will be here before we know it!
By the time I write this, i'm sure you are over your momentary guilt attack. I retired from education three years ago. I used to be caught up in the no time trap. Retirement has given me perpective i wish i had when i was working. Don't worry about being perfect. Get your lessons planned well...your kids can't afford not to have a prepared and competent teacher. Spend time with your spouse to maintain a healthy relationship. Everything else will take care of itself. Hang in there. Summer is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteAs a full-time college student with a part time job- I feel overwhelmed ALL the time. I have pretty severe OCD, which makes everything that much harder. Sometimes I just curl up in bed with my ipod and a book- even when I have a million things to do.
ReplyDeleteI have to remind myself that right now, life is REALLY hard, but soon it will be better.
I wish you luck, your organization tips have saved my butt! I love your printables! The one for keeping track of college courses has saved me so many times!
Take a deep breathe! Start small! and remember, its not always going to be this way!
ReplyDelete{{hugs}}
Hi, I just started reading your blog. I'm a teacher (subbing right now because we moved unexpectedly in January)and wife of a husband that travels for his job. Nights are the worst, so I feel your pain. I honestly sleep with the windows open to let in light, I lock all the doors (including my bedroom!) and a glass of wine doesn't hurt to help you sleep. It's not easy, but it does get easier. I love you blog, it's perfect just the way it is!
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I try to break up my testing so my little ones are only being given one test a week. We have 4 different tests to give, so I am starting end of the year testing this week since we only have 4 weeks left. We will do sight word testing, DIBELS, a math assessment, and a phonics assessment. (And this is just for my little first graders... A LOT of assessing).
ReplyDeleteAs far as prepping my kids, that's where you have to have faith in your teaching. If you have been teaching to the best of your abilities up to this point, then the outcomes should be just fine. Just take a breath and realize that they will do fantastic! You are a great teacher, and it will show!
I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through a rough patch. Just take comfort in the fact that you're going through it - it never lasts forever :) And as far as time goes - I don't think anyone really has a lot of time, but people are very good at pretending that they have. It's all about looking good you know.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest hugs to you, and all fingers crossed that everything will get easier in a little while!
*hugs* Hope it gets better! I'm going through a similar situation myself and my best friend's 3-year-old son gave me the best advice the other day (without knowing it), courtesy of Finding Nemo ... "Just keep swimming" :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about the hardships but you will get past it. Change is never easy. Good for you about the marathon! That is so awesome. Best of luck in your training. You will lose that 15 pounds in no time. Finally, don't listen to the naysayers about "advertising". Who cares what they think? I'm a brand new blogger, I'm not sure my blog even deserves to be called a blog. I'm sure I'll learn as I go. www.kamsmomusa@blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYou have so much going on at one time - I can sympathesize for sure!! I think we just passed through the most stressful time in our lives - moving, renting, new baby, stay at home or return to work, husband working late nights... anyway, you can run a marathon! It's a great goal!! :)
ReplyDeleteNatalie at www.lilrunner.wordpress.com
First of all, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I am a teacher and a mom to two grown girls, and I aspire to be an organizational diva.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly empathize with your husband's job situation. My husband has lost his job twice in the 25 years we've been married, and it is very stressful. I put my troubles in God's hands and just knew there was a reason for it. Both times the situation worked itself out for the better.
As for having trouble sleeping alone, I find it a little easier to have a light on and the TV on very low to hide the noises the house makes that I don't notice when my husband is asleep beside me! It's not a perfect solution, but it does help a little.
I teach 4th grade, and my students have to take a high-stakes test (if they don't pass, they repeat). Unfortunately, my teaching life revolves around the test. I try to get my students used to the format of the questions and make sure I have covered everything that MIGHT be on it. Not great advice, but unless you have psychic vision, the test is a guessing game.
As for not having your house organized--my mom has a saying. "If you're coming to see me, you shouldn't care what my house looks like."
It's nice to hear you are human :-) A quote I remind myself of often is "You can do anything, you just can't do everything!" There are only so many hours in a day & days in a week. Thanks for the awesome blog and I hope things return to a comfortable rhythm for you soon!
ReplyDeleteAs for sleeping, definitely avoid electronics at least an hour before bed. Than try reading something kind of boring. That helps. If you're plagued by "to do's" having a notepad beside bed to jot notes for tomorrow has helped me there.
I'm sorry you've been struggling. I don't think I'd be sleeping well either in that situation. It makes it even harder when you have to teach all day. If I don't have sleep, school is overwhelming. And the end of the year is always crazy. I teach Title 1 and I'm in week 2 of 5 straight weeks of testing. I added up that I had 18 days worth of testing to do over that time. I don't know that there is any way to really prepare for the test. Just pray that everything you've done all year is exactly what they needed. Usually at the end of the year I start letting things go because I know the year is almost over and I will start my summer cleaning and organizing routine. I have all my lists printed out but I haven't had time to get it all planned out just yet. I'm really looking forward to the time off and finally getting to all of those projects I've been waiting to do!
ReplyDeleteYou and I are in a similar situation, only you're organised, and I'm not!
ReplyDeleteI too am a new teacher, almost a newlywed and not long moved into a new house. You are truely inspirational and in the 12 hours since I started reading your blog I have made a start with all the things I've been putting off or struggling with when it came to organising my school work and home life!
My partner and I have also been through the unemployment and then working out of town phase. Its tough but you learn to adapt and I came to enjoy my 'me' time and it certainly made us appreciate our 'us' time.
I'm sorry I cant offer any advice on the test! I teach high school students across 4 year levels and 3 different subjects so its a little different for me!
I'm right there with you trying to figure out how most people do it. By the time I come home from work, do a few things around the house, start on the hours and hours of work I've brought home to work on, feed myself, and then think about bedtime, it's already almost midnight. Blogging? What's that? I haven't seriously blogged in months! Kids? I can't imagine!!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this I just wanted to give you a hug! Change is always difficult, especially if its unexpected and sometimes even when it is expected. Your house will always be there, dirty or clean, it will get done one day. Don't put so much pressure on yourself, sometimes we can't control that life gets in the way. It will get back on track and you will be back to working on projects that make you happy.
ReplyDeleteDon't listen to the negativ people who comment on your blog choices, remember its YOUR blog. You can't please everyone all the time just aim to make yourself happy! I love your blog and I've followed it for sometime. Stay true to yourself and everything else with fall into place!!
Sending virtual hugs your way!
Dawn
www.twenty63.blogspot.com
If I could wave a magic wand to make it all better, I would have done so in my life...and then in yours! I'm in my 10th full year of teaching, and this year...my 10th full year...I feel that it is finally all coming together so now I've decided to overhaul how I teach Reading and Language Arts (6th gr)! The first year in any teaching position is hell. It just is. As a teacher, you have to learn to be comfortable with constantly feeling like you're not doing enough for your students, your colleagues, and/or yourself. You have to believe in yourself and what you value as quality education that you can provide. You won't find any time for yourself until this year ends. Take advantage of that when the time comes. Recharge, relax, and (my least favorite) reflect. I wish you nothing but luck, and feel free to vent any time!!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your struggles, but it sounds like things are at least starting to come around. When my husband I were first married, I taught middle school English during the weekdays. He worked for the newspaper on the nights and weekends. Even our sleep schedules were completely opposite. We got through with date nights (always during the week because those were his days off) while I drank lots of caffine for the rest of the week to get through school. To put it bluntly . . . it sucked, but it made us stronger as a couple.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the end of the school year. I work in the school libraries now, so the end of the year always means bringing out the dragon lady to collect those books, continue to teach library and computer lab lessons, continue to integrate technology and help students and teachers with theirs -- all while inventorying two libraries. WE CAN DO THIS!
And summer is a great time to get organized. Give yourself a break until mid-June on the apartment mess.
Tiffany
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you are going through all of this, but it will get better! My life is hectic right now as well, it must be with school coming to an end. This week especially, and its only Tuesday. I just don't know where my nights go anymore as well. I just asked myself the other day, what the heck did I do with my time before I had my 2 children??? All in all, things will get better and I wish your husband the best of luck with his new job! Also think of it this way, you have your summer off to get back on track and that is something to look forward too!
Hope everything gets better!
As lame as this sounds, "Hang in there - summer is just around the corner!" As a fellow teacher in a grade level with mandatory retention based on state testing, I really do feel your pain. I've found that if I teach my kids test taking strategies, they can handle it better (so do I!). I also work on analyzing the questions- if kids know how to read the question, they can find the answer easier. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I've been at this for awhile. You're not alone . . . :)))
ReplyDeleteAfter 13 years of teaching I feel this way every year around this time. You are looking at that countdown of 30 days thinking how the heck am I going to get everything done. Here's what I have learned. Prioritize what must be taught and focus on teaching that well. Your kids will be fine! You aren't the only teacher in your school that is in the same position.
ReplyDeleteAs far as home stuff, set a timer for 20 minutes and organize. I find I get far more done when I set a timer and know that I only have to do things for 20 minutes then when I have open ended time. It's easy to say-I'm overwhelmed and not do anything.
Hang In There! Summer is almost here!
"Overwhelmed" is the word for it. You are not alone. I read this blog post recently and it reminded me that God is always there to comfort us, sustain us and meet our every need. http://www.whenyourise.com/2012/04/there-is-beauty-in-this-mess.html
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you. Hang in there because it WILL get better. I have a little game I use for test prep that you might like to try. Right now my students are studying for their math ISATs, so I wrote a bunch of different problems and vocabulary words on one side of an index card and the answer or definition on the other side. Each student starts with one index card. They walk around the room quizzing each other, and then they trade cards. They repeat the process until the students have seen most of the cards. The kids love it because they get to be out of their seats and they aren't spending a lot of time waiting for everyone to answer the same problem. It's a win-win. Good luck, summer is coming! :)
ReplyDeleteGod won't give you more than you can handle. Just step back and breathe and look at what is most important and you can control. Some things you can't control and you have to learn not to let that control you. Take it one day or one hour at a time and you will get it done.
ReplyDeleteStart making time for you-that would be your exercise goal, it will help with your being overwhelmed and sleeping.
Tiffany-
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for a few months now & always walk away with some new information to help organize/simplify my life. So first I want to thank you for all the great tips & ideas you share with us. It takes creativity, dedication and a love for blogging to leave an impression on your readers. And my dear that is what you're doing! So hang in there. Life gets messy and can get in the way. But without challenges we wouldn't grow as people.
A quick lil piece of advice about running & training for a marathon. Take it one step at a time & I mean that wholeheartedly. Start w. training for a 5K; take it up to a half marathon & then a full marathon. I say this b/c it’s easy to get discouraged as a novice runner, especially when body parts you never knew could hurt, hurt. The local running store in my town offered a great program geared to women of all ages & running or walking capabilities. The camaraderie I felt helped me push through a ton of obstacles & I completed my 1st 5k. Then came training for a half marathon, which I completed w/ my best numbers. Life got in the way this year, with a bun in the oven =); so I’ll be training next year for my first full marathon. So girlie, set some time aside for yourself to get your mind straight & begin training. Oh & look into the Galloway Method – it’s a run/walk combination, it’s very helpful for novice runners to complete long distance runs.
Best of luck w/ it all. I look forward in reading about your running progress & the great information you share with us.
Abrazos,
Sapphire @ Life with My Pollitos
Wow, obviously you have some great people who really care about you here. And I agree with them, take time when time is needed. Those of us who like your blog for what you put on here when you do will still be here later. It is better to give quality information than quantitative. I too have a husband that works nights, so I understand the lonely feeling. After 7 years I still have not found a good remedy for his warm body and heartbeat. So if you find one let me know. And a cluttered house does not mean dirty. Give your self time to adjust to so many stressors and soon you will find yourself back on track.
ReplyDeleteUgh. I definitely feel like this sometimes. I don't journal, but maybe I should, probably felt better to write it all down.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for my comment: the marathon goal! that's great. Seriously, I'm doing my first 1/2 marathon and have been training for 13 weeks now, it's coming up next week. In the first 2 weeks my metabolism ramped up and I lost 10 lbs, easy. I've stayed about the same though now, because You really need to fuel your body to be able to run, but I think I could lose 5 more pounds if I wanted too. Here is my advice: Go slow. give yourself 20 weeks if you can to train. You will be amazed as how easy distances come when you just add a little at a time. If you don't take it slow you'll get frustrated and give up. Eat well. No really, eat well. I don't buy snack food of ANY sort when I'm trying to eat well(this helped when I was pregnant too). I keep fresh fruit around for my sweet cravings. I drink at least 2-3 nalgenes of water. If I want cookies or brownies or whatever, the rule is I MUST bake it (want it bad enough to put out the effort, not just an impulse), no cheating and buying at the store. There are a lot of good training schedules online, if interested let me know and I'll send you the half or marathon schedules I like. I will warn you of one thing though, marathon training is huge TIME commitment more than anything, most people don't think about that until they start getting into large amount of miles/week. That's why I chose the half, I get a lot of good exercise, but still have time for my family and other hobbies, and of course work. Thanks for the great blog!
Tiffany I am just catching up on my reading, first of all you can vent any time. This is your blog and you should be free to do that. To that note if you feel the need to add ads to YOUR blog than go ahead and do it no one should be complaining to you about that how dare they.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear things are getting better, you take care of you first and than the rest will fall into place.
As a mommy, working full time and now adding to the list blogging. It has not been easy for me to find time. But sometimes some things have to give in order for the higher priority ones to get done.
Keep your head up you are doing a good job.
My boyfriend works in an industry that sometimes requires overnight shifts. I'm a wreck during them. He's also worked 90 hours a week for the last two weeks. I was Ok for about a week and a half, and then I LOST it. It's really, really hard to not see your man for more than an (awake) hour or two each day. I get it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm shocked people send you angry messages about advertising. Your blog is amazing and it's apparent how much time you put into it. Don't let them get to you. You've earned any income you receive (and I've never gotten the impression that you have too many ads).
As for time... I have no idea. The boyfriend's really crappy work schedule gave me more time to catch up on blogging and commenting (why I'm here a few days late), but I did 4 loads of laundry today and I'm still not done, and I half-heartedly did the dishes today. I have no idea how people work full time and still do it all. I'm tired!
I recently found your blog and I love it! I definitely don't hate that you have advertising- I understand that's how you make money and I would do the same!
ReplyDeleteAlso, your Friday fonts are awesome! I have already downloaded tons at home and at school!
As for preparing kids for testing, I really don't know either... I'm a first year teacher myself (8th grade Special Education Social Studies) and I don't really know either... I just do my best to review material, along with test taking strategies!
Anyway, I'll echo others and just say have faith that God will get you through this! Just trust in Him. :-)
Don't be so hard on yourself....that is what I have come to realize. I put too much pressure on myself to do everything and be everything. Relax and try to narrow down your to-do list and do what you LOVE!! AND enjoy the place you are in right now..before you know it you will have a house etc etc....and wish for simpler times when you were renting! :)
ReplyDeleteDo only what MUST be done and make sure you take a minimum of an hour for yourself everyday, whether your husband is home or not. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I'm sure he's overwhelmed by life, too, but that doesn't mean he can't catch the laundry or the vacuuming or whatever for you on the day that he's home while you're at work; trust me - if you're less stressed, so will he be. ;p
ReplyDeleteI'm a SAHM with 3 under 7 (the youngest is an infant). My husband works for a global company and travels a minimum (it feels like it anyway) of one week out of every month. He just told me this morning his boss wants him in Asia the first week of June... or maybe July, he'll "let us know." I had to throw a tantrum to get my husband to put his foot down about not traveling during the 6-8 weeks surrounding my due date last February (I tried asking nicely to no avail). I feel your pain about the traveling. But, I make the most of the time he's gone - I have a glass or 3 of merlot, watch MY shows, read and zone in front of Pinterest (after the Collective is in bed, of course - lol). After 10 years of marriage I can tell you that it's good to have time away from one another, gives you breathing room, and after all absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Good luck with the day job. The blog is fabulous and I can't wait to see what you have for us next. ;p