Thursday, March 24, 2011

Good Intentions

by Joyce

Every time it's my day to post, I start out with the intention of writing the best kick-ass-post ever. Then reality intervenes. As I'm typing right now part of me is thinking, Ack, I don't have time to write this! But that's not entirely true.

I may not have time. But I can make time.

Isn't that true with a lot of things?

I don't know about the rest of you, but I do a lot of complaining to myself about not having enough time to do everything I want to do. Every once in awhile I ask myself, Why not? I have a tendency to put off what I really want to do in favor of the things I think I should be doing. After I finish the so-called important things, I try to fit in the other stuff, then get annoyed and frustrated because I run out of time.

Right now we're remodeling our bathroom. We've been in our house for 30 years and this is the third and LAST time we're doing this. For the last several months, I've been shopping for porcelain/ceramic tile. Do you know how many kinds of tiles and how many colors there are to choose from? Having all those choices just confuses the crap out of me. When I was on the verge of tearing my hair out, I finally chose what I wanted. I think the people who work in Lowe's were relieved. I'm pretty sure they were tired of seeing me. I didn't tell them I'll be back. I still have to pick a toilet. Do you know how many different commodes there are???

Back to the tiles. I picked three different tiles--13 x 13 tiles that are ivory and kind of marble-y looking, plain 6 x 6 ivory tiles, and 6 x6 ivory tiles that have a decoration in the center. I figure they should match just about any shower curtain, etc. that I put up. I'm thinking something bright and colorful for the inaugural shower curtain. Maybe red?

Hubby installed a new and bigger skylight and hung new drywall. He removed the fifty year old cast iron bathtub that we never used (he had to cut it up and burned out his Roto-zip) in favor of a 30 x 60 shower pan that can be tiled over. So now the ceiling and walls are sanded (I discovered I'm really good at sanding drywall) and primed and ready for tile and paint.

Bored yet? I did warn you this wasn't going to be the best kick-ass-post-ever.

So that's the big important thing I've been doing lately. I'm really not complaining because it's been fun (and we still have a long way to go). I just don't like the fact that I don't have all the time I want to spend on my book. I've even put aside most of my blog reading, I haven't looked at any of the listservs I belong to, haven't read many blogs, spent minimal time on Twitter. See how deprived I am? But I'll have a really nice bathroom in few more weeks.

You're probably asking yourself what my point is. If you're still reading, that is. My point is that priorities change and we need to learn to "go with the flow." A cliche, I know, but it fits. In a perfect world we'd all have all the time we want to spend on the things we love instead of the things we have to do.

But here's a question for you: Wouldn't it be better to learn to love the things we have to do?

I'm working on it!

6 comments:

PatRemick said...

In answer to your question -- YES!!

I feel the same sometimes, resenting that I can't get everything done and you're right, it's important But I do think that if I was independently wealthy, I would be less resentful, though, because I could afford to spend more time writing!

Annette said...

It's a balancing act every single day.

We did our bathroom a couple of years ago, so I understand what you're going through, Joyce. It really IS amazing how many different toilets there are!

Jenna said...

Boy, can I relate to the resentment of having to stop writing to do other things! But you're absolutely right: it's all about priorities, and those 1,500 words I don't get written today because I have to go have lunch with my 8-year-old will get made up tomorrow. But he won't always be 8, and I need to enjoy him while I can. Thanks for the reminder!

I'm on a first name basis with the people at Lowe's. Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't just get a job there myself.

Joyce Tremel said...

I've thought about getting a job at Lowe's too. Employee discount!

Joyce Tremel said...

And enjoy your kids while they're small. Before you know it they'll be 27 and 23 and you'll wonder where all those years went. Sigh.

Wait. I can't be old enough to have kids that age, can I???

Gina said...

I know the feeling, Joyce. I don't even have time to respond to your post.