So yesterday I was at work on the weekend (my posts go at midnight so I write each day for the following midnight post…. so Saturday I worked…… all day… and STILL have work to do. How can it me that I can sit at work from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on my day off, not getting paid (love those salaried education jobs) and STILL Have work to do?!?
Thankfully, this does not happen too often… if it did, I would have to find another career option, as I am NOT a workaholic! Then again, I suppose if I was able to work just an hour longer each day (I used to before I had kids) I would be able to stay more caught up and the crazy pile-up would not occur. At least I am working my way through it now.
So, yesterday I was writing about running away – today I ran away to work…. when it was quiet and empty… and at least got things done…. not exactly the running away that I had in mind. Sadly, today when I wake up I will have more work to catch up on, but am hoping to couple that with a few hours spent alone in my bed while my kids are at their Sunday program and my partner is at work…. I will really need that time…. but it is not enough. I have a four-day weekend coming up, perhaps there will be a bit of rest then, even though it will not be a time for vacations, etc.
I think this is the time of year that wears out many educators…. we are all trying to get everything set up for the year and it seems like you step on a bullet train with no way of getting off for a few moments. It usually evens out – by June (just kidding, usually by @ October).
Today, 172 days ’til 40, I am going to try hard to not work too much and spend the day doing nothing – after a ten-hour non-paid work day on my weekend, I think I may even be entitled……
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
walkwiththerabbi
September 2, 2012 at 00:39
May I make a suggestion? Accept the moments that life brings. I don’t mean to passively accept your “lot.” I mean to be ok with the moment for now, to be present and in alignment with “the creative universe.”. To be at peace, at rest, knowing that all is in control. You’ll experience an inner calm as you “practice” this. I’m just sayin.’
400daystil40
September 2, 2012 at 16:12
Very good advice!!!
viveka
September 2, 2012 at 02:17
Must be something … wrong with your job description – woman, you can’t carry on like this .. you’re going to make yourself sick in the end.
No job is worth that …
400daystil40
September 2, 2012 at 16:12
Yea, no kidding! That is the reality of choosing work that is public service – lots of responsibility, never enough time.
viveka
September 2, 2012 at 16:17
You take care of yourself … so you don’t hit the wall in a speed of 100 mph. – easily happen.
buckwheatsrisk
September 2, 2012 at 03:47
i think you’re entitled, maybe even entitled to drool a little 😉
400daystil40
September 2, 2012 at 16:11
hehehe!
buckwheatsrisk
September 2, 2012 at 17:34
okay maybe a lot! lol
stilllearning2b
September 2, 2012 at 08:14
This time of the year is exhausting…and it always seems to be compunded by my body’s inability to fight off the germs carried in by the kids. I always look forward to the relative calm that hits us mid-September (we are already 4 weeks in). I hope you get some R&R and the piles magically shrink while you’re gone:)
400daystil40
September 2, 2012 at 16:11
Yes, it really is and we are indeed much more susceptible to germs when running like mad.
Lela Bonchjela
September 2, 2012 at 10:24
Sucks when we aren’t paid overtime! THEY are very smart. If they pay us teachers for staying overtime, they will lose a lot of $$$ 😉
400daystil40
September 2, 2012 at 15:36
Yes, if they paid us for overtime we would be rich!!!!!
Lela Bonchjela
September 2, 2012 at 21:17
Richer than rich! Hehehe
Another Thousand Words
September 2, 2012 at 19:20
My mantra for many years, which I made for myself:
“Take time to make time,
And make time to take time!”
It may sound like a conundrum, but when you try it, it works.
Have a restful day, 400!
400daystil40
September 3, 2012 at 12:38
I love it! I need to say this to myself more often!
sharonhughson
September 3, 2012 at 01:43
As an educational assistant in a resource room, I can testify that excellent teachers work 50+ hours per week. Thanks for your dedication to the institution of education. I admire and appreciate you, even if our backward bureaucracy does not.
400daystil40
September 3, 2012 at 12:35
Thank you! 🙂
Spider42
September 3, 2012 at 12:06
Wow, sounds like you’ve got a pretty hectic routine going!
Good for you though, keeping positive, because experience has taught me that if you get into the negative at these times it just sinks you down – often when there is least reason to be doing that at that moment.
Always felt that teachers don’t get enough credit for the work they need to put in and that really good teachers aren’t appreciate nearly as much as they should be.
Hope the workload eases up on you soon – I know I’m praying mine does!
Cheers.
400daystil40
September 3, 2012 at 12:41
Yes, definitely – if you keep positive it does help a lot – most days we can laugh and joke and manage – then we pass out drooling on our pillows!
Spider42
September 3, 2012 at 14:06
sounds too familiar! 😀