It Seems Like So Much More - Redux

Working all of these different jobs means that I receive a lot of different checks, or get money deposited in my checking account. It feels as if money is pouring in. Unfortunately, each check or deposit is not a large amount as it represents somewhere between 8 and 20 hours of work.

The Mass. Library System pays every two weeks. So does the Donohue Group. Their pay day falls on different weeks so there is a deposit one week from MLS and a check the following week from DGI.

The Springfield City Library pays weekly. That's another deposit.

Simmons College pays on the first of the month, although only during the academic year when I'm teaching. My last deposit happened May 1 and I won't get another until October 1.

And then there are the continuing education workshops I give for MLS, the Connecticut State Library and occasionally another organization. Those are checks that arrive a couple of weeks after the workshop.

While the total of all these checks/deposits does not add up to the full time position I had at CMRLS, they represent a steady income on which I can depend and that makes my life (and paying bills) a lot easier.

In or Out?

I love this time of year. The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer. I'm feeling energetic and motivated to do all the things I've been putting off all winter.

The problem is, the change of seasons means there are even more things to do! I've brought my warm weather clothes out of the spare closet and am putting the cold weather clothes away for a few months. I wear hats. I needed to unpack my summer hats and pack up the winter ones.

I'm more aware of the fingerprints on the refrigerator door and the smudges on the windows. I want to clean the house and have it be all sparkling. I want to give my office a thorough cleaning and reorganization.

But other duties call as well. This is the time of year that flowers and shrubs are growing. With them grow the weeds and other things I'd rather not have in my yard. If I let things go too long, I'll never be able to catch up. I always plant some annuals so that I can enjoy their color all summer long, and I can't wait much longer to do that.

Then there are the herbs. I love using fresh herbs when I cook. I buy a few small pots and transplant them into much larger pots that I keep on the screened-in porch off of the kitchen. It's so handy.

But which do I do first? Can I finish everything I want to do? It's best to work outside when the sun is shining and it's not too cold, but that's also when I want to vacuum and scrub.

I was able to get a lot accomplished this weekend. I crossed several things off of my to-do list, so there are fewer items vying for my attention.

I'll just have to do the best I can. After all, I want to do all of these things so that I can relax and enjoy the results (pretty flowers, a clean house). Driving myself crazy for not doing them kind of defeats the purpose. I need to continually remind myself:

1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
2. It's all small stuff.