Lately I’ve been stressed to the max because of various and sundry happenings in my little corner of the world. Although most of the stressors were positive, they still required time, attention, and/or adjustment. However, many of the events are either behind me now or are about to be, so I’m feeling a little less whelmed.
For starters, there was the marathon which required a great deal of training (translation: hours and hours of walking, a time consuming activity). Then there is the mini-mester course that I’m teaching this semester, a format I refer to as “quick and dirty.” It will end next week. Yay! There are also two online courses that I’m teaching for another college (in addition to my usual five) that require time and commitment. On top of the work load, it was decided that online instructors needed a special certification, so we’ve all been using every spare moment of time to take care of those requirements. Draining. Okay, that’s it for work.
Well, that’s almost it for work. What’s next is that after working five years as a TERI employee, I had to resign. It’s a mandated policy. I resigned and reapplied for the position that my resignation/retirement created, and after going through a couple of interviews, I was rehired. What was stressful about this situation were the additional hassles added to my already full days. Then too, there’s the ever present nagging thought that I’m actually old enough to be retired. Retirement age. How’d that happen??
The other arena is my personal life which is, to borrow one of my son’s expressions, “all good.” However, this same son, my handsome blue-eyed “baby,” is getting married March 15, and there have been many events and expectations surrounding the upcoming nuptials, some of which require traveling, shopping, and decision making. For instance, my future daughter-in-law has requested that all members of the immediate families wear black and turquoise to the reception. I LOVE those colors, but alas, I have been unable to find a single garment that suits my fancy. It’s got to be “just right,” not too dowdy but not too youthful either. Paul’s dad and I are hosting a rehearsal dinner, and although the plans are shaping up nicely, there’s still the lurking anxiety that something will go awry.
If you’ve read this far, thanks. I have several ways of coping with the demands of life, and one of them is to vent to friends. Another is to think “This too shall pass.” Yet another is to thank my Heavenly Father for His bounteous blessings in my life. Having that attitude of gratitude is a soul saver.
mom's musings 
Let me know what I can do to help. I will be glad to help with anything you need.
“For instance, my future daughter-in-law has requested that all members of the immediate families wear black and turquoise to the reception.”
Oh, brides crack me up.
Jayne,
you could wear a paper bag and not look dowdy!
I know you are feeling frazzled but like you said this too shall pass! It does sound like a shopping trip is in order.
Valencia, You’re such a generous and caring person. Thanks! However, I think I must have come across as being a little frantic, when actually (so far) I’m hanging in there.
Hayden, Me too. Still, it’s going to be kind of fun; at least we’ll all be recognizable to the rest of the guests.
Connie, Wow…what a kind friend you are. And yes, a shopping trip is definitely in order.