Me (as I either cut them off or don't read any further): "YES"
The other day I told my DH that things will TOTALLY slow down after Run For The Cure wraps up in October. He just looked at me, rolled his eyes and said 'Yeah, until you sign up for something else'. I laughed but then realized he was completely right, eek! There is just something inside me that can't stand to sit on my hands when someone asks for help.
It got me thinking about what else I'm addicted to so I thought I'd start a list. This is what I came up with:
1. Volunteering of any nature and donating to people raising money for walks/runs, their kid's hockey team, a new playground, etc. Whatever it is I can't say no! Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have advertised that, I feel like my inbox will now be full of stuff like someone raising funds to try and find the Bermuda Triangle.
2. Starbucks Chai. Now lets be very clear, it must be a STARBUCKS chai. I've had chai all over the place and no one makes it like them. And even then I can tell you which Starbucks in Edmonton make it consistently the way I like it.3. Books, especially ordering books on-line. I get so bloody excited to open the mailbox and see a key for I know it's my eagerly anticipated new books. It's to the point where I simply can't read as fast as I buy. I joke that someone needs to help me with this but I'd probably secretly hate someone if they tried to take away my on-line Chapters account from me!
4. Bubble baths. I have one almost every night, it helps give me the quiet time needed to read the above mentioned growing stack of books.
5. My Blackberry. I'm not one of those people standing in line for hours for the new IPhone because I don't want to surf the Internet, or play games, or download a bunch of apps, what I want is constant access to my e-mail and a super easy keyboard on the phone to type. I find it vital to have access to my e-mail at all times, I think this is because of addictions number #1, I've signed myself up for so many things it's like I have another full time job on top of my mom full time job and need to keep everything in order. DH didn't understand why I needed one but if you looked at my calendar and the # of e-mails I get an hour you'd understand just like he did.
6. Sonic 102.9. I have it on in the house all...day...long. The first thing I do when I enter the kitchen is turn on the radio to Sonic and then turn on my Blackberry (at least I'm not addicted enough to have it beside me in bed!!). In the car the kids take turns listening to cd's of the music they like; Doodlebops, Wiggles, etc, then I say 'It's mommy's turn' and I turn on Sonic. I truly hope that my children grow to love alternative music rather than pop music!!!
Feel free to share yours as well...
Re #1: You are SUCH a fabulous helper. But keep in mind you cannot help people if you crack. If you want to keep your commitments, you'll learn to smile and say "NO!" I'm sure you know I'm big on volunteering - but definately not to the extent that you take yourself out.
ReplyDeleteI've seen someone take on too much. I admire all they do in some aspects - almost want to aspire to who they are. Then I remind myself that they're on medication just to cope. Enough said?
PLEASE learn to say "no" at least sometimes. (And thank you for saying no to me when you have.) If you really want someone to help these people, simply say you're tapped but that you'll mention it to others and pass the info along. Someone with more time may be a more valuable asset in the long run anyway (no offense to your fabulous skills).
As for donations? Make yourself a policy. A set amount per year or a policy that you don't donate at the door "Do you have a card? I'll contact you . . . ." Though I personally find this difficult with kids (recently purchased a ticket for a draw for something I totally don't need).
Hopefully this helps, and good luck!!