| I have very possibly the greatest job in the world.The work I do is what I LOVE.The people I work with are treasures - we're like family.As odd as it sounds, I am quite attached to the "foundation" members of my team.I get to work at home, too!What could possibly be better?Lately, though, I have been going out of my mind with the amount of work I have to do versus the number of hours there are in a day.It doesn't help that more and more family members seem to be home all day, requiring attention at a time I can't afford to spread my attention that far AND get my work done.These are no small "crises", either.Here's a sampler ...My son's "beloved" happens to be the very Americanized daughter of Afghani/Muslim parents who are NOT happy about her dating my son.(His being a US Soldier probably doesn't help a lot.)For her safety and well-being, I can't say much about what-all has happened, but let's just say we had a weekend within the past month that ended up involving the local police, Homeland Security, and the FBI.Everything turned out alright in the end, but HOLY CRAP!?It was a weekend to remember.?Good side of it is the whole thing seemed to bring the family closer together, and certainly had me completely embracing the daughter as my own.We don't have a "happily ever after" yet, but we're working on it.My other son has been sick and homebound ALL YEAR so far.He's been to specialists, but we have yet to find the right combination of treatments to actually help him.Meanwhile, I continue to fight and plead with the school district to help him get homebound assistance.So far, no luck.This is infuriating because this son is my honor student.He was National Junior Honor Society last year, and has had years of perfect attendance.This year, his world has fallen apart, and he dispairs when some insensitive teacher tells him he FAILING rather than INCOMPLETE in their class.He's depressed.He's ill. He's frustrated.I want to help, but there's so little I can do for him except keep taking him back in for more tests and new therapies.This week, I contacted the Superintendant of Schools, and magically, the responses from his teachers started pouring in.Now he has a whole semester of work to make up, and they've given him three weeks to do it ... without a tutor.My littlest guy is doing better this year, but he's still unbelievably stubborn and creative when it comes to finding ways NOT to do his work.He requires close and constant attention and consistency ... which is just about impossible for me right now with my work schedule.?Therefore, his sneakiness slips by, and the more that happens, the more it conditions him to keep trying to get around the rules.GRRRR!!I am a contractor, so I either work or I don't get paid.There's no such thing as holidays, vacation, or sick days.This June will mark five years without a vacation day.That alone just kind of wears on you, you know?This week has just about brought me to the breaking point.I've had so much work, I can't sleep.I work 8 hours, sleep 2, then work 8 more.Just too much stress and worry to sleep.I'm horrible about feeling I am behind or missing a deadline - completely unacceptable to me. I'd rather drop dead at my desk trying than fail.So this week, Every time I get my frame of mind set clearly to focus on work, someone comes in and wants to say hi and chat for a bit.Don't want to be rude or nasty or antisocial - plus I LIKE these people - so I stop work and visit for a few minutes.Then it takes me time to get my mind resubmerged in my work, and to remember where I was at.(They don't call it a WEB for nothing!)I get going, and here comes someone ELSE wanting to just quickly say hello, etc. It goes on all day long.Everyone wants and deserves their time, and I am forced to choose between work and family in applying my time as broadly as I can.Work suffers, and my work ethic chews at me so I can't even sleep.I wish I could stop the world for two weeks.Just freeze everything and everyone but myself so I can knock all this work out without feeling guilty and putting work ahead of my family.So, Rod Serling ... if you are still out there somewhere ... this is my Christmas wish.For just two weeks, stop the world and let me get caught up.Oh yeah ... and arrange things so I am back to making enough money to pay my bills, which I am NOT right now.That should do it.I'm not asking too much, am I?LATE ADDITION:?Did I mention that my damn DSL connection has been possessed all week and punts me every 20-30 minutes?This is the BEST way to get work done quickly and efficiently ....NOT! |
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