Profgrrrrl writes about making progress, about feeling as if at the end of every day, she’s accomplished something. I feel like I’m accomplishing a lot, too, but I’m also feeling very frazzled right now. Today was the finale of the summer program I ran. We had a great turn out, including the president and provost and nearly all the project sponsors. But there were little things that happened that showed my frayed edges. Because my schedule has been absolutely packed this week, both at work and after work (back-to-school night, soccer practice, faculty cocktail reception), I didn’t have much time to prepare, so my introductions weren’t as polished as they could have been. I also forgot the list of projects and sponsors (I literally came directly from a meeting to the presentation), so I failed to mention the project of one faculty sponsor who had made an extra effort to come. I’ll be calling her tomorrow to apologize profusely.

I’d like to find a way to be more effective even when I’m very busy. I wish I could find the peace Profgrrrrl has found.

At home, I feel like collapsing, though I have managed one workout and one brief stint writing this week. My kids are as tired as I am and that’s not a good thing. They’re snapping at each other; I’m snapping at them. The house is filled with tension.

I am a person who needs down time and I’m not getting much these days. The weekends, filled with soccer and errands, just aren’t quite enough. Interestingly, I was having a conversation with my boss and a faculty sponsor about 4 day weeks. I think I’d love that. I would feel a little more relaxed if I knew I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow. The day could be spent sleeping in a little, taking care of household stuff, perhaps some reading. It would do wonders. But, alas, the 4-day work week is not on the horizon any time soon.