DDA Chapter 27

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, DDA!

It is to get to 70 degrees here today. I hope Mother Nature (and my groundhog) don't decide we need a winter season this year!

Glynis, I hope your week improves exponentially!

 

[bethbuchall]

Glynis, I hope that this is a better week for you!

Elin, I hope that there will be healing in those nerves. I'm sorry that it's such a long, frustrating process without any way of knowing what it going to happen. Sometimes, it would be so nice to just get a peek into the future to know.

I'm sorry that I have been MIA again. It's a combination of a funk I can't quite shake (and don't want to spread), the boards being extremely slow half the time, and not really having anything going on.

I need a hobby or a volunteer cause or something else in my life. I just don't seem to have any energy or ambition to go looking right now. I think I'd rather just hibernate for a while, though I know that's no way to live.

 

[my3princes]

Glynis, I hope that this is a better week for you!

Elin, I hope that there will be healing in those nerves. I'm sorry that it's such a long, frustrating process without any way of knowing what it going to happen. Sometimes, it would be so nice to just get a peek into the future to know.

I'm sorry that I have been MIA again. It's a combination of a funk I can't quite shake (and don't want to spread), the boards being extremely slow half the time, and not really having anything going on.

I need a hobby or a volunteer cause or something else in my life. I just don't seem to have any energy or ambition to go looking right now. I think I'd rather just hibernate for a while, though I know that's no way to live.

I'm sorry Beth It's so hard to shake the funk once it hits and since 2 of your kiddos are at college I'm sure that there is much less going on to keep you mind occupied. I hope you can find something to pull you out of the funk. Trip planning is always fun

 

[Disney Yooper]

Glynis, I hope that this is a better week for you!

Elin, I hope that there will be healing in those nerves. I'm sorry that it's such a long, frustrating process without any way of knowing what it going to happen. Sometimes, it would be so nice to just get a peek into the future to know.

I'm sorry that I have been MIA again. It's a combination of a funk I can't quite shake (and don't want to spread), the boards being extremely slow half the time, and not really having anything going on.

I need a hobby or a volunteer cause or something else in my life. I just don't seem to have any energy or ambition to go looking right now. I think I'd rather just hibernate for a while, though I know that's no way to live.

I'm sorry to hear you are in a funk. Hope that things improve soon. I am in the same place right now. Trying to make decisions for my future.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, DDA!

Beth - I am sorry that you are in a funk. I agree that you might want to look for something to occupy your "free" time now that your older ones are back at school. Finding something that excites you as well as helping others might be fun to research!! Let's do a poll of sorts to see what each of us might do if we suddenly had extra time to "give away." It can be for money or not. But it cannot be something like, move to WDW and work for the Mouse.

I suppose that means I have to go first.

I am going to have to give this some thought though because I have had a few ideas lately and need to mull them over before actually putting them out here in print. I will get back to you on this one!

 

[bethbuchall]

Thank you, Deb, Vicki, and Elin! It feels so silly to be in a funk, because I know that I have a wonderful life and people who love me. I just can't seem to quite pull myself up over the edge. I'm hoping that more daylight and sunshine will help as we head into spring. I am not so bad that I can't perform what I need to do on a daily basis (and if you ask most people other than my husband and best friend, they probably would not even realize my mood). It's the extras that I can't quite make myself do even though I know that it would probably help me feel better, such as get a good walk in out in the fresh air or do something crafty.

I would love to hear ideas on what people would do with some free time. I feel like I don't really have any free time, but I know that is more of a time management issue than really not having the free time. I am good at reading, watching tv, or napping my life away right now. I just can't think of anything that really excites me. I think I need to do something where I'm in contact with people, too, since I'm a bit too solitary lately. (But I don't always like to be around people either...) I have a ton of projects here that I want to do, but then I immediately feel overwhelmed and too paralyzed to start. Things like organizing photos, cleaning out closets and rooms, cleaning out/re-doing the basement really need to be done. I just don't know how to get the motivation and energy to do them. I guess I really need to just push myself to start exercising and start one of these projects, but I'm feeling too weak to do that. I let myself have too many excuses and "one more day until..."

I'm sorry to make this so long about me. I feel very self-centered and selfish sometimes, too.

Deb, how are you doing?

Vicki, I hope that you get things figured out. I know that trying to make decisions about your future can be overwhelming, and it's so hard to know what those decisions will eventually lead to. Best of luck to you! I'm sure that you will make well-informed decisions that will lead to a happy future.

 

[bethbuchall]

Deb, I would love to plan a trip, but I don't know when that will be in the cards financially. I also don't know what the older two will be doing for the summer. Matthew is supposed to be finding an internship (he needs it for his major), but I haven't heard anything from him. Laura will need a summer job, too, to help with college expenses. I would like to get a trip in this summer because Matthew will graduate next spring, and I don't know what his plans will be at that stage.

I'd love to hear more about others' trip plans, though. I am good at vicarious living.

 

[Glynis]

Interesting question, Elin. I've actually been thinking about this with things lately.

Alan is so busy with school and work, and I'm playing the role of full time father and mother, so I fantasize a lot about what I would love to do. Here's my list... in no particular order:

I'd like to start a children's theater company. I participated with one in college, and it was so fun. However, I'd need money to rent a space, help with royalties, etc.

I plan on taking a creative writing class through one of the local universities continuing education department.

I'd love to learn how to quilt... not just machine quilt, but hand quilt, as well.


There you have it. Those are things I want to do someday. Don't know when they will happen, but I hope some are sooner rather than later.

 

[mommykds]

Beth,
Sorry you are feeling like this at the moment. If you really want to fill up some free time get a dog. No seriously, if you are down & looking for something to get you going then a dog will do it. I wouldn't suggest a puppy since they are alot of work but maybe an older dog from a shelter. They get you outside & people will be more likely to chat with you when walking your dog or at a dog park.

Now, I am not saying it's easy but sounds like something you might consider...It's taken me awhile to adjust to having our pooch but she has finally seemed to fit into a schedule & understands the rules of the house now. She tries to please us & just wants to play all the time...it's hard to be in a bad mood when this dopey puppy is looking at me & bouncing all around.

 

[mommykds]

If I had any free time I would love to go back to college for a Masters in Art History. However I think that ship has sailed...

 

[Tammi67]

Stupid rodent.

Beth, have you talked to a professional about your funk? It sounds like you might have a bit of depression, which is understandable since your baby girl has left home. I can totally see this happening to me when my kids are gone. Between them and work, that is my life. I have nothing for myself. Honestly, I don't have time for anything else. But I'm afraid someday it's going to bite me in the a$$. I look at it this way....right now they are my life. When they are gone, then I will have time for myself. I hope you can figure something out.

When I have time, I plan on doing home video editing (putting everything on DVDs) and scrapbooking a gazillion photos that I have stored on digital media.

 

[bethbuchall]

Anne Marie, I think I would love a dog, but dh is standing pretty firm against that right now. There is enough doubt in my mind to not push it too hard. I'm not sure that I'm ready for all the responsibilities of dog ownership. We can go away for a night or two and not worry about the cat, but that isn't the same with a dog. (Not that we go away all that often...)

Glynis, quilting sounds like a great choice. I may think about something like that.

Tammi, I agree about the stupid rodent. I have not seen anyone, but you are probably correct. I have a handle on it for now and will make sure I keep an eye on myself. As far as time for myself, I feel a little caught between two worlds right now. I miss the older two so much, and it seems like I should have more time. I guess life has slowed some, but Miles' activities seem to fill in enough holes, that I don't feel I have any real time. Please don't get me wrong; I am thrilled to have Miles around, and I am so happy to do things for and with him. It just feels like I'm not able to move to the next stage, and yet I'm not really fully in this stage anymore either. It's hard to explain.

I need to just force myself to get something started and to force myself outside to walk when it's nicer. I'll get through this!

Thanks, everyone!

It's been fun reading what others want to do, too.

 

[Glynis]

If I had any free time I would love to go back to college for a Masters in Art History. However I think that ship has sailed...

Don't say that, Anne Marie! Seriously! Alan has been out of school for over 20 years, and is now getting his Master's. He's actually loving it! I say it's never too late to learn about something you love!

 

[bethbuchall]

Don't say that, Anne Marie! Seriously! Alan has been out of school for over 20 years, and is now getting his Master's. He's actually loving it! I say it's never too late to learn about something you love!

I agree! There currently is no more tuition money left in the budget, and I'm not sure what I'd want to study. But it's never too late!

 

[my3princes]

I wish I had some free time in my life. Between work and kids, housework and grocery shopping there just isn't any time left for me. Colby has been home sick for 3 days, Chris stayed with him the first day and today and I stayed home yesterday. When Nick got home yesterday I ran to Walmart to get tissues and ginger ale and found myself just wondering around the store to get some "me" time Oh the life I lead.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Elin-nice to hear Bob's eye surgery went well!

Beth-Sorry to read about your funk. I can so relate! We've had a mild winter but I'm still so ready for it to be over.

Lets see if I had lots of free time and motivation I would get out and walk more to get fit and be ready for the DL marathon. I would organize my fabrics and complete lots of projects to use up my fabrics. I would make pillowcases for charity. Take more photos. Read more.

I'm in a funk tonight because I picked up my Mac from the apple store. When I dropped it off they said the hard drive was "failing" but assured me that was better than "failed" and were quite confident they would get the data off of it. When I picked it up the kid went out back and got it and brought it out "you're all set". I asked if they transfered everything and he said he wasn't a tech. He comes back and said they didn't transfer anything. I asked if that was the best they could do and he goes away and comes back and said they could give me the drive and I could try a data recovery service. Shouldn't they have been more upfront when they brought it out and offered the harddrive without my asking for it? I'll see if my office can do anything with the drive but I'm not too hopeful.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Beth-I forgot to post last night what my sister is doing now that her DD is away at school this year. She decided she would do a different owl craft every week. She's made owl ornaments, cards, key change, coin purse, ....

I bought her an owl chocolate mold for Christmas.

Most of the items she makes she sends to her DD and her friends.

She's had a lot of fun with it!

 

[bethbuchall]

Beth-I forgot to post last night what my sister is doing now that her DD is away at school this year. She decided she would do a different owl craft every week. She's made owl ornaments, cards, key change, coin purse, ....

I bought her an owl chocolate mold for Christmas.

Most of the items she makes she sends to her DD and her friends.

She's had a lot of fun with it!

That is a great idea! It is something that doesn't have to take a lot of time. It helps with a creative outlet, and it's a chance to try a lot of different things. Thanks! Now to pick my theme...

 

[bethbuchall]

Bernadette, I'm sorry that your computer has put you in a funk. I definitely agree that they should have been forthcoming with the hard drive and the options from the beginning.

 

[tmfranlk]

Hello DDA!

Beth - I hope you can find a way out of the funk as well. I've been wavering in and out of it myself as well. I've been trying to stay regularly productive (household chores, etc wise so far) and it helps some. Of course, I'm also finding that sometimes it's a fine hold because as soon as something throws me off the "plan" a little bit, I'm a complete mess. I'm trying to remind myself to just keep swimming, and trying. Hopefully we'll all navigate to the end of the funky waters sooner rather than later.

I think if I had free time to start something new, I'd try to work more on my photo organizing and scanning. I'd love to actually do something creative with them as well, but right now I feel too much pressure to preserve the images and organize them first. I want to make sure our family memories are saved - digitally and otherwise - and backed up again and again so that we don't lose them. When I get a handle on that, then I can put some effort to the creative use of them as well. I'm trying to work it a little bit now. I've added scanning pictures and organizing pictures to my to do list/checklist app. The one or the other comes up on my daily plan every 3-4 days. I didn't actually get much done on either day, but I did take a necessary step in the organizing project. This week though, I will actually do something each time they come up! That's my promise to myself.

It's worked on the reading aspect too, which has made me a little happier. I added reading my book to most days' schedules and I've managed to finally make it over halfway through my book. I bought it almost a year ago when it came out and had been waiting for it to come out for years before that. I hadn't actually gotten more than 20 pages in though (it's 800+ pages long) because the only time I was reading was when laying in bed with Deva and the book was too big to hold when I tend to fall asleep and drop things. LOL! I could only imagine dropping that big brick on her head.

Alright, I've got to go get my almost asleep daughter out of the neighbors swing. Apparently Phil's swinging her is lulling her to sleep except not quite enough that he can get her out and bring her inside. Haha.