Sunday, September 13, 2009

On Lots of Stuff and Also a Few Things...

I keep thinking that life is going to slow down. Until I realize that it really isn't. That I need to take the quiet times and hold on to them, to savor them while they last. 

This summer has been a whirlwind of travel and home improvements and gardening (at which I was sadly very unsuccessful this year) and canning (at which I was surprising adept) and work. Somehow I always assume that work will be a little quieter and a little easier in the summer but it never really is. There is always chaos and planning and extra work that wasn't originally planned. 

I will admit to being rather proud of my canning this year. It is something my mother always did a lot of and I never learned how to do, something I will always regret. Instead, I bought the bible of canning: Ball's. 
I've been able to use this guide for every recipe I have needed and it hasn't failed me yet. There were a few terms I had to look up, but other than that, I'm a huge fan of this handy dandy guidebook. 

This year I put away strawberry & strawberry rubharb jam, peach jam, peaches, pickles, tomato sauce & tomato soup, diced tomatoes and today I am working on grape juice and grape jelly. I would like to do pears, pear jam and also applesauce. Now that I feel as though I have the hang of it, I'm on a roll!


However, at the same time, I'm completely exhausted. I'm 11 weeks preggo (most of you were aware of this little tidbit via Facebook, that purveyor of all things) and this little critter is sucking all of my energy. Some days I feel as though getting up off of the couch is asking too much of me and other days I can accomplish a few things. It seems as though I can get the most done in the evenings, but I also feel the most nauseated them. Frankly, I just can't win. My house is generally a mess and there is always a pile of laundry somewhere that needs to be put away. The worst part is that there is no good tv on right now to keep my lazy self occupied!

Home improvements haven't been at all helped my my lack of motivation. I was able to prime the basement (with low-odor paint) but that was probably three weeks ago now. Theoretically, I will be energized enough to do that tonight, but I can't promise anything. We really want to have the studio finished and everything moved down there this month so that I can paint and curtain the new playroom and get these blasted toys out of my dining room. That is going to be a fun and creative project that I am really looking forward to as well. 

On top of all that, I originally wanted to be able to move into our attic master suite by snowfall but now I'm just hoping for it to be insulated and dry-walled by them. Since there is virtually no insulation up there, that is pretty much a requirement here in good ol' Michigan. The rest won't be as difficult. (again, theoretically)

Regardless, by April (or maybe late March?) this house needs to be ship shape. Because by then, I'm going to be running after a two year old and keeping an infant alive at the same time. Yikes. (ok, I know many of you have way more than two children, but it still seems like quite a challenge to me)

I am tired (of being tired and also) of feeling so very disorganized and cluttered. Of feeling like it isn't just my stuff that is everywhere, but it's also my brain and my life. Did I mention how horribly my garden grew this year? That crazy jungle needs to be cleaned out and mulched over. Next year is there is going to be a very minimal amount of growing done. We'll call it a year to let the ground rest, how about that?I need to sell a ton of things and de-clutter. There are multitudinous sewing and/or crafting projects that need to be done.  Basically, there is an endless list that I feel is hovering over me. 

I'm just so blasted TIRED.  

9 comments:

Kristina said...

Congrats on baby number 2!

Jenn said...

I feel ya! Let's hope that you have a strong nesting instinct kick in soon into your 2nd trimester (when I hope you'll be feeling better) and that will enable you do get your projects done.

Also, the prospect of a 2-year-old and a newborn is daunting to me as well. But we'll all survive, even if we don't remember much of the time!

Kris said...

Congrats :)
I am impressed with all that you are doing along with the 'morning' sickness. I ended up on the couch most of the time...

Alison said...

Congratulations!!!

Jean said...

popcorn and ice cream every night. maybe reruns of Chuck? Lost? Priv. Practice? CSI? oh...and a bath. all the above is strongly recommended.

Becky D. said...

I totally hear every word you're saying! And throw on top of that that my hubby's gone so I don't even have help to do some projects. If I could just get my feet under me and make some semblance of order of my brain that's spread to every corner of my house...maybe the other parts of my life would fall into order? Here's to wishin'!! Hope you start getting some energy back soon! I was fortunate enough to have a 3 1/2 year old when I was pregnant so she was able to help herself to a few more things. Wish we could see Baby #1 before #2arrives!

Andria said...

Aw hon, I'm so sorry you're so tired! Believe me, I understand how frustrating it can be to not have the energy to do the things you want to. Just try and remember that the things that you feel are all hovering over you right now are things that you want to do, not necessarily things that you have to do. That distinction helps me keep my sanity, maybe it will help you keep yours.

And WOW! on the canning! I've always wanted to but have frankly been too much of a chicken to try. :-)

Anonymous said...

...after clicking 'enter' I'm picking up the phone...BABY #2!!!! Yipppeee

Luanne said...

Awww...hang in there! This part will pass soon and you will go into super organize mode...and f not, call me! I LOVE to organize :)