I didn't mean to stay away so long....I really didn't.
Since I have started back working full-time it certainly doesn't leave me much time for anything and as a result my blogging has suffered. When I am struggling to get all the things done that I can on my two days off, blogging is the last thing on my list.
With the wonderful summer like weather upon us I find myself outdoors, cutting and trimming the lawn, cutting back brush, and tending the garden. Even though I'm an early riser some days getting up at 0700 doesn't even give me enough time to do all that I want to do in a day.
I have read so much lately about finding balance in one's life. Finding time for self, others and your community. I have really tried to do something for myself everyday...it's like they say pay yourself first, but sometimes there just isn't enough to go around. That's how I feel about myself. My days are full....but with what. In reflection I find that working 5 days a week a real adjustment for me.
Having worked most of my nursing career doing 12 hour shifts with 4 on and either 4 or 5 off it's hard to go to 5 on 2 off. Case in point. With my 8 hour shifts we do a lot of on call and hence mandatory overtime. An afternoon shift which is 1600-midnight with being on call till 0600 the next morning can and has translated into a 15 hour shift and then you have to come back that afternoon and possibly do it all over again. It's a bit of an adjustment and one that the jury is still out on. I enjoy my job, but I am not sure about the 8 hours. Everyone has told me that even though we shut down operating rooms in the summer the overtime is crazy. I don't mind overtime I just want my life as well.
So this leads me back to finding balance in my life. I am still not 100% post surgery. I have try to get in my yoga and weight training as much as possible, but again sometimes that suffers as when I come home from work, doing a work out is about the last thing I want to do.
As of late birding has been one of my passions. I have really taken a keen interest in learning about the birds in my area. My bird feeder and property are a great start. This spring alone I have observed close to two dozen different varieties of birds on my property. I started a birding blog in order to help me journal the birds that I have seen and to use it as a reference point and connecting with other birders. As you can imagine this to takes time....so although I may not be busy making a post on this blog I am busy posting on my birding blog.
Family is also very important to me. With my children and siblings living on the mainland I take every opportunity I can to connect with them. Trips to the mainland are often a whirlwind. At the beginning of May my brother hosted a "Decade" birthday. His eldest son was turning 30. As it turns out 2009 is the year of the "Decade" birthdays in my family. We have someone in the family celebrating a decade birthday starting from 10 all the ways up to 70, so my brother decided to host the party......
This was the cake.....there are "11" names on that cake......it was a pretty darn scrumptious cake....Every weekend in May was full with family visits and celebrations.
So back to finding balance. It's something I strive for. What do you do to find balance in your life? Or do you think your life is already well balanced?
With the wonderful summer like weather upon us I find myself outdoors, cutting and trimming the lawn, cutting back brush, and tending the garden. Even though I'm an early riser some days getting up at 0700 doesn't even give me enough time to do all that I want to do in a day.
I have read so much lately about finding balance in one's life. Finding time for self, others and your community. I have really tried to do something for myself everyday...it's like they say pay yourself first, but sometimes there just isn't enough to go around. That's how I feel about myself. My days are full....but with what. In reflection I find that working 5 days a week a real adjustment for me.
Having worked most of my nursing career doing 12 hour shifts with 4 on and either 4 or 5 off it's hard to go to 5 on 2 off. Case in point. With my 8 hour shifts we do a lot of on call and hence mandatory overtime. An afternoon shift which is 1600-midnight with being on call till 0600 the next morning can and has translated into a 15 hour shift and then you have to come back that afternoon and possibly do it all over again. It's a bit of an adjustment and one that the jury is still out on. I enjoy my job, but I am not sure about the 8 hours. Everyone has told me that even though we shut down operating rooms in the summer the overtime is crazy. I don't mind overtime I just want my life as well.
So this leads me back to finding balance in my life. I am still not 100% post surgery. I have try to get in my yoga and weight training as much as possible, but again sometimes that suffers as when I come home from work, doing a work out is about the last thing I want to do.
As of late birding has been one of my passions. I have really taken a keen interest in learning about the birds in my area. My bird feeder and property are a great start. This spring alone I have observed close to two dozen different varieties of birds on my property. I started a birding blog in order to help me journal the birds that I have seen and to use it as a reference point and connecting with other birders. As you can imagine this to takes time....so although I may not be busy making a post on this blog I am busy posting on my birding blog.
Family is also very important to me. With my children and siblings living on the mainland I take every opportunity I can to connect with them. Trips to the mainland are often a whirlwind. At the beginning of May my brother hosted a "Decade" birthday. His eldest son was turning 30. As it turns out 2009 is the year of the "Decade" birthdays in my family. We have someone in the family celebrating a decade birthday starting from 10 all the ways up to 70, so my brother decided to host the party......
This was the cake.....there are "11" names on that cake......it was a pretty darn scrumptious cake....Every weekend in May was full with family visits and celebrations.So back to finding balance. It's something I strive for. What do you do to find balance in your life? Or do you think your life is already well balanced?
8 comments:
OMG, Mary Ann! That cake looks sooooo delicious! Good enough to eat the whole thing and not bat an eye, ya know.
About this "finding balance" thing though, if ever you figure out a way to do that, please share it with me! I have a heck of a time trying to keep up with blog readings, blog postings, cooking supper and my embroidery or knitting or sewing -whichever one I am messing with at the time. Plus -something really irritating to me is that whatever I am working on (except for any sewing stuff) I keep on top of an end table by the recliner. Now the recliner also is the only chair in which we can use a hot pad that I love to have against my back while I am embroidering, knitting or reading a book -which has become a true luxury of late. But it seems I have to compete for the chair because either my son-in-law claims it for about 2 hours in the morning while he takes his time sucking down his one cup or tea and after he leaves, if it is a weekday, then Kurt's TSS aide lays claim to it and I can't sit comfortably on the couch or loveseat to embroider so I end up losing anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, Monday thru Friday, because I can't access my favorite crafting spot. Then evenings, it is a fight with Mandy for that chair too. And, if the TSS is in it, usually then Mandy is at the computer so I can't even switch over to read blogs or post to them. Such a dilemma, huh? Another reason to make me go ARRGH!
I hear you on the finding balance thing. Since I have gone full-time, 8 hour days, 5 days/week (even though it is only temporary for a little over a month) I have not been able to fit any 'me' time in anywhere. Thank goodness my full-time will be over the end of this week and I am so very thankful that it will be done. I had forgotten what 'bone-tired' felt like....ahhh...now I remember!
Please be good to yourself my friend, and take it easy when ever you are able!
Many hugs!
I am aware things are not well balanced in my life but not quite sure what to do about it. I have lots of time for myself but little outlet for anything else. I have consciously moved away from the computer and strive to get more exercise and get involved with other pursuits like sewing, knitting, cooking and gardening. My blog has suffered and the visiting of others blogs also but that can't be helped.
I have trouble finding time to do a lot of blogging either. I do a lot of overtime as well, not mandatory-but still, I feel like its an obligation.
I got used to having three days off at my old job. Granted, I wasn't a fan of the double shift every week, but it was nice to have that three day break every week.
What a great idea to have a joint birthday and the cake looks fabulous!
Nice to see you even if it is only once in a while. :)
the Decades party is a fantastic idea!
It's always great to hear from you :)
Balance is a huge question in my life right now - I tend to live in extremes.
Finding balance is so important.. in everything we do.
I know you said your busy doing non-bloggy things but I tagged you for the Power Of Eight meme. Maybe you could work some of these thoughts into your answers, if you decide to do it.
I dont' have a balance solution. but if the days were longer I couldn't stay awake that long!!
its difficult adjusting to different working hours, I've worked shifts and weekly 9-5. I prefer the shifts really it gives day or evening time to do other things.
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