still unpacking

Tomorrow, after school lets out, marks the beginning of "Winter Break" for our five children. I also decided to take the next two weeks off of work, in hopes that I could get some stuff done around here. I have lots of things planned. Things that will make the children smile (like swimming at the rec center, baking and sledding) and things that will probably make them run for the hills (like cleaning, getting laundry caught up, cleaning and organizing). The next 2 weeks should be loads of fun. I'm already making lists.

I always have lots of great ideas, but most of them only get jotted down in one of my *many* lists. I think the lists will help me focus better so that I can remain on task. They don't. My lists are really quite long and even when I am able to cross off the things I've accomplished (which I LOVE to do!!) I still feel like I haven't accomplished much. It really is deflating...to say the least. I have lots to do, lots that needs to get done, lots I want to get done and I'm just very detail oriented. This must be the motto I live by:

"Everything must have a place and that which doesn't have a place cannot be thrown out because I'm sure I'll find a place for it."

This morning, after I got up to make a pot of coffee, I noticed the boxes and misc. items that were lining the hallway. I started to feel overwhelmed, but knew it wouldn't do me any good to stress out. I decided to see the tiny bits of progress I had made....even if nobody else notices. "My goal, I thought to myself, will be to get all of these boxes cleared out and organized before we go to dance tonight." Here I sit, at 1:50 pm, and nothing has been touched. We leave for dance at 4:00 pm.

Do I think the boxes are going to unload themselves? I must.