An update and a mission, should you choose to accept it

This weekend brought with it a wide range of pregnant emotions; the hormonal extravaganza kicked off on Friday night, when I reached my breaking point and sobbed into Luke's shoulder for a good sixty minutes about how overwhelmed I feel by everything these days. Day jobbing, teaching, freelancing, budgeting, gestating.... Why did I think it would be a smart move to take on so much responsibility during the most physically challenging time of my life? Why didn't I have the foresight to understand that dunking chocolate chip cookies into a generous glass of milk would be more than enough stimulation for my very pregnant brain? Sure, the extra money and professional development sounded like good incentives at the time, but now it takes every ounce of energy I have just to stay on top of things, and I'm wondering if my resume really needed mention of an adjunct teaching position on a subject outside of my field, a gig that demands hours of prep time and out-of-town travel and pays peanuts in return.

If only I were strong like Kayla. She never complained about the messes she'd gotten herself into.

Oh, wait....

Anyway, I had my hissy fit and staunchly refused comfort in the form of ice cream or cheesecake (!), but after getting those thoughts out in the open, the world seemed brighter. Luke saying how proud he was of me for juggling so many things at one time and me admitting that most of the problem was poor time management helped a lot, and by Saturday morning, I was sunshine and smiles again. After taking care of some housework (am I the only one whose mental state can be drastically improved with a clean kitchen?), we paid a visit to the Indianapolis Zoo and spent some time walking through the grounds, enjoying a frozen lemonade, and admiring the animals on display in their artificial habitats. Honestly, how can you hold on to a negative attitude when there are baby giraffes in the world?

We also enjoyed a quite dinner out, budget be damned, and overall just relished in each other's company. It was the best day I've had in a long, long time.

Today I am left to my own devices, as Luke is on assignment for work and won't return home until Tuesday night. There's a whole list of things I hope to accomplish today, things like reading for class and writing a Parents entry and working on a PowerPoint presentation for a blogging workshop I'll be running next Saturday, but so far all I've managed to do is shower, eat some pot roast, and succumb to not one but two naps, one curled up in the rocking chair in the baby's room (I'm drawn to it like Sleeping Beauty to a spindle these days) and the other sprawled out in bed.

What was that about time management again?

And now, the mission.

On Friday afternoon I received a phone call from my friend Gina, who informed me that I would have a very special interest in the issue of OK! magazine "with Larry Birkhead on the cover." Turns out the last page? Features a Q-and-A with my buddy Jason Chambers--you all remember him, right?--who cohosts a relatively new show on the History Channel called "The Human Weapon."

Since Luke and I don't have cable, I have yet to actually see the show. And not living in Chicago anymore means I also missed his one-page write-up in the Sun Times (though it's plastered to my parents' refrigerator for all to see). Missing his debut in a national celebrity publication--no matter how questionable its content--is something I simply cannot allow to happen. I must've visited eight stores yesterday looking for that damn issue, but all they had was the one with Angelina Jolie.

So, dear Internet, I turn to you. Tell me one of you out there not only HAS the issue in question but is also willing to mail it to a random-but-would-be-totally-grateful stranger. Please? I promise to reimburse you for the postage.

Comments

[daddy d]

I am trying to move ahead my computer skills. I don't want to be too far behind the women in my family. I did Google OK magazine to no positive results for your friend, Jason. I will however, check out the magazine in stores.

Talking things out can never hurt the situation. It almost always makes it better.

Nice picture.

[Becca]

Sorry you are feeling so overwhelmed. You have a lot going on. It sounds like taking a break for the zoo and dinner out was just the thing!

[christine]

This is totally not as cool as having it for yourself, but your local library might have a copy of it.

[Audrey]

A clean kitchen and/or house can make a world of difference. I've found that if my house is all disorganized and cluttered, it's much harder to focus on organizing and de-cluttering the rest of my life. But cleaning is a really good way to make me feel in control of my life again. So, to answer your question: No, you're not the only one.

[Marriage-101]

I'm with Audrey. When my house is out of order, I feel like the rest of my life is out of order and I can't address the other things until I address the house. It's a constant struggle though because the busier you are, the less time you have for cleaning. Although I do find cleaning to be therapeutic.

[Virginia Gal]

No OK magazine, but a nice collection of back-issues of Marie Claire. Apparently black and white houndstooth is in for this fall.

I cleaned our bathroom and changed our sheets at 930pm last night because after 2 weeks of procrastination it really had to be done. And I felt so much better afterwards.

[Molly]

No OK here, but my mom and dad get the Sun Times. I can tell them to hang on to it, if you'd like a copy of that article.

Good luck with your to-do list!

[Alexander Pavlovich Romanov, Autocrat of All the Russias]

Isn't it strange what can lend perspective to a hectic situation?

For me, as you most likely read at COTL, my favorite is going down and staring at Lake Mendota...literally just staring out at the water...sometimes for more than an hour.

Sometimes, I try to not move my head and just experience whatever comes into my view. There are sailboats, ducks, the UW rowing team and water...a massive expanse of water.

I need to learn how to completely empty my head more often. I have done nothing formal towards this end, but this time alone by the water is a great start.

Best of luck with the "air traffic control" that is juggling the responsibilities of life...you can take it. I'm pulling for you.

[Mallory]

I so remember the crazies, the feeling overwhelmed, the emotional outbursts--oh wait, that was just last week! Well, it was even worse when I was preggo. I feel for you. Also--baby giraffes? *Awww*

[Isabel]

I'm sorry that you are stressing out. I got stressed just reading this. And then I saw the picture from the zoo. AHHH!!

(Don't be mad. But I had that OK! magazine. I bought it while we were on vacation. And I left it in our hotel room in NYC. SORRY!)

(Don't be too mad at me.)

[Silly Hily]

Sorry, no OK! here.
I'm glad you are feeling better and are all smiles now. Your smile is way too cute to keep it to yourself.