the essence

So, this whole working from home thing is great, I'm very thankful that we both have this job now. Honestly though, I feel so off now, just like something isn't right. I try to pack all 29 of my hours into the beginning of the week so that I can have some days off later on. It sounds all well & good but it's still exhausting, partly because Ray has to fit in his 29 hours, too, & we can't do it at the same time - plus, most nights one of us is working until midnight. Not to mention, talking on the phone for 10 hours a day saying the same thing over & over wears out the vocal chords! I hate sitting for so long, anyone who knows me knows that I don't even really sit to watch tv. I tried standing in front of the computer for a bit last week but the desk is too low & is started to hurt.

In between the phones I teach piano & I'm trying to pick-up my sewing & stuff a little more. You know, then there's things like cleaning & cooking. Of course, before the cleaning & cooking are the girls. Even though I'm doing the work at home I'm stuck in the back office so it's not as if I get to see them & I'm definitely feeling a bit of mom guilt. Mostly because I can tell from their behavior & stuff that it's affecting them a little.

Ray has been amazing helping out around the house - dishes, bathrooms, floors, taking care of the kids, & even some laundry. That was part of our agreement for me picking up 29 hours, but I can't tell you how much it helps to have him do so much around here! Plus, it's helped him to really appreciate me more & everything I do & have done for the years we've been married. Appreciation from first-hand experience is always nice. :)

Last Sunday, in order to try to help things for the week, I cooked all of our meals for the week ahead.



It wasn't too bad & I was able to do the grocery shopping & cooking mostly in between the meetings for church. I was even able to make some breakfast & lunch items as well!

It was SO nice during the week to not have to fuss with cooking or for Ray to have a ton of dishes each day. (Don't worry, the fridge is stocked up with the produce, I just didn't pull it out for the photo!)

I'm thinking (okay, really really hoping) that part of feeling off is because we're still adjusting to a new "normal."