Work has turned into one crisis after another, as I spent the week writing briefing charts and updates for congressional staffers. Our last program director is now "spending more time with his family" - a euphemism for having been (unofficially) forced to resign. And we're getting ever higher levels of attention. None of this directly affects me, but the prevailing doom and gloom mood at work does. This is the silly season, anyway, with budget rollouts, hearing preparations, and staffer briefs. I spend half my time on the phone and the rest writing lengthy jeremiads to the rest of our group about how we might yet save the program.
I'm keeping up my personal balance largely by going into minimal maintenance mode at home. That takes up a surprisingly long time, since it means things like keeping dishes washed, laundry done, the bed made, and household paperwork up to date. But I'm afraid of not doing it. If I don't handle all of the mail every day, it's worse to cope with when I do handle it. One slip and I'm convinced I'll be down the road to total slovenliness.
I did get in some relaxation this weekend, at least. I used a free movie ticket to see "Monster" yesterday, which was interesting. I might have been better off going to a frothy comedy, though. I also spent some time at home doing things like reading and needlework, instead of just housework. Both of those sort of qualify as decluttering, too, since I sorted out more books to get rid of and most of my crafting time is making charity afghans from scrap yarn.
Alas, I suspect this entry also qualifies as minimal maintenance.
Copyright 2004 Miriam H. Nadel