I have been on DIS timeout

... DBOD... it's a disease, I tell you! It's pretty darn bad when the KIDS say "GOD MOM!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!"

Hmpf.
So, I have been um, coerced, into taking a wee break from the DIsney Planning.

For the last few days I have just been doing a bit o' lurking... but as of today (Thankie, Trentmom!) I am BUSTIN LOOSE from my chains and diving headfirst back into the pool that is Disney!
Well, all was not lost in my absence, I DID get the Christmas tree up and most of the shopping done. Well, as much as I COULD do, anyway.
DH has been out of work for 2 months now <sigh> and can't find a job. He, of course, does construction, and the bottom done slap fell out of the building market here. I dunno bout where YOU live, but here, well, let's just say the crowds INSIDE Home Dumpo (er, Depot) have disappeared while the crowds outside have grown to staggering proportions.
If ye dinna ken what I mean... listen to Carlos Mencia, b/c I won't be touchin it wi' a kilt length of pole, aye? (can you tell I'm reading a historical novel set in Scotland right now?!)
So, we are feeding 5 people on $206 a week from unemplyment, and he is working a day here, a day there. And to top it all of, my dagblasted mixer flipped a gibbet and now sounds like some sort of large mammal dying a painful death. And works about as much as said mammal would, in it's aforementioned state of deathly distress. So, that means no cakes, on top of no housy-buildy.
And I thought we were broke before!! Ah well. If the biz don pick up after Christmas, he is going to get a job at Wally World as an over-qualified greeter or something, making about a third what he usually does. And, upon return from WDW (if we ever return), I will be starting 2 classes at the local tech college. Oh! And ya wanna know the best part?? I lost my wallet yesterday (at least I don't have any credit cards

), and have been under so much stress, that I resigned as President of the PTO today
In my defense, I have worked 25 plus hours per school week for a year and a half now, as a volunteer. I am tired. And stressed about money, and truth be told, a lil depressed (who wouldn't be!!), so I decided to take that (much beloved) monkey off my back, and leave my very capable, well trained

Vice President in charge.
I have been thinking about it for a month now, and the Principal and my VP were both informed weeks ago of my possible intentions. So, late last night I sent my resignation letter to all Staff, parents, and PTO Board members via email, and slid quietly into the Office this morning to turn in my files and my "getchya in anywhere" keys to the school. I thought I would avoid a scene doing it early, that no one would have read my email.. but apparently I was WRONG. Judging by the gaggle of teachers and parents that accosted me upon entering the building, and the secretary's dismay at the repeated ringing of the school phone, worried parents asking "Is Mickie OK?? Who's gonna run the PTO now??"
Now, keep in mind, that when I was elected 1.5 years ago, the PTO was a mess. Maybe 5 people attended meetings, and the yearly fundraising totalled about $7,000 annually. In my first year, I increased involvement tthrough an open-door policy and a series of Family Fun Nights (new to the school). Reports from the Office estimated an increase in volunteer hours of about 200%, and we made over $25,000 fundraising. We also started a Safety Patrol, Talent Show, positive behavior incentive program for students, among other things. So, yeah, the LOVE me at good old WES. And I love them, too. But not as much as they love me...
Truth be told, I think the teachers are just worried they won't get their week long Staff Appreciation Celebration.. or their Valentine's Day Chocolate Buffet in the Lounge.. or their duty-free lunch post-Christmas gift.. or the myriad of wonderful suprises my girls and I pulled off last year. And they may not. But they DO have my undying love

, (but possibly not much else, since I have washed my hands of the whole kit and kaboodle).
Have I been called "The best PTO President we've ever had". YUP. Do I believe it? Well... maybe a lil bit. But, I must say, despite the initial wails and lament in the Office this morning, as I drove away, my heart felt lighter with each passing mile. I'm FREE!! FREE TO DISNEY TO MY HEARTS CONTENT!
No more having to peel myself away from the DIS to go pass out fundraiser prizes.. no more Family Fun Nights forcing me to put down my UnOfficial Guide and tri-colored highlighters.

No more little kids running up to embrace me with chocolate cake coated faces..

no more staff members thrilling to yet another wonderful suprise from the PTO.....

no more teachers threatening to hold my children back a grade so I can never leave Waccamaw Elementary....

... okay... maybe I AM still a little sad. But, as I told my worshipers this morning, I just can't do it anymore. Yes, I tried doing less, cutting down my hours, delegating. But the truth is, I have lost my love for the work. I am burnt out. Exhausted. And planning a Disney vacation.
Contrary to popular belief, I am NOT Superwoman. AWESOMEwoman, maybe..
Able to leap bad attitudes in a single bound....
Stronger than a Kindergartner.....
Excelling at finding COOL stuff at the Dollar Store that looks like it came from
JCPenney... yuh, I can do all that, and more.
BUT even AWESOMEwoman gets stressed out and tired. And darn it, the BOTTOM LINE for me, is that the kids in that school DESERVE someone who cares.. and right now... I just don't care anymore. I have to put my family first, and that is what I'm doing.
DH and my sister are ECSTATIC I resigned. The boys, not so much. They were so proud that their mom was "the PTO lady". Whenever we has a cool event (such as Fear Factor Night, or the Parents vs. Staff Softball Game), they were puffed up like lil banty roosters crowing "THAT'S MY MOM!" But, I hope a happy mommy will soon outshine the allure of PTO Mommy. Clean clothes will be better than wrinkled (though non-smelly) ones from the hamper during FallFest week. That a yummy, well balanced lunch box is better than an Uncrustable, a Capri Sun and a Little Debbie. Well, ok, they may NEVER like that last one, but non PTO Mommy sure does!!
Now, I can wholeheartedly take on the challenge of "The $50 Christmas".

This is where that Dollar Store talent comes in REAL handy!!
COMING SOON: (for real this time) the Pitfalls and Perils of Flying Submarines