Grey Owl

I love finding helpful household tips in regards to cleaning, organizing, or just making life a little more efficient.  With work, school, a family, home, and a barn to look after, my time is short (and precious).  That is why I have The Daily Buzz bookmarked. Check out their 25 Clever Ideas for Making Life Easier, which includes simple tips for things like coring strawberries, keeping cut apples from browning, and disguising scuffs and scratches on your fine furniture. (Bet you never thought of securing a nylon stalking over the end of your vacuum hose to find small lost items, now did you?) Go. Now. Check out their site. I promise it won’t disappoint!

When August rolls around, we know it’s time to start planning the annual summer party—a tradition since my husband and I first exchanged our vows almost a decade and a half ago.  It is a time to gather old and new friends alike, share some great food, a “friendly” game of softball or volleyball, maybe a water fight or two, and a lot of laughs. Some come for the day; some stay all night. Food and drink are always on the house, but everyone knows if you are going to pitch a tent at the Krautscheid’s, you’ve got to B-Y-O-T!

It is also a chance for me to put my design inspiration/creativity to use.  And, I just “love me” a new project. Nothing compares to a truly productive DIY weekend. Whether it’s building new vegetable garden beds, a fire pit from scratch, extending our deck, or really defining and bringing purpose to our outdoor entertaining space, I’m all in.  And while I don’t find much time for myself between work, school, and keeping up with the family…getting ready for our party is one thing I look forward to all summer.

Usually, I have a few creative ideas saved up that I am just dying to try out—from food and cocktails to decorating.  At last year’s BBQ, we threw a couple of old barn doors across the back of my ‘66 Ford pickup (may as well use it for something since it still doesn’t run) and created a quaint little “bar” as part of our outdoor setup.  So what if it was based loosely on something I tore from a home decorating magazine at the dentist’s office. (Don’t judge . . . everyone does it!)

So, if you are DIY challenge, or are just looking for some inspiration, check out this party planning blog: Hostess with the mostess®_. The Get Your Grill On theme is adorable.

As if the second shift wasn’t enough—I had to take 17 credits this term? What was I thinking? Perhaps I was hoping to confirm what my family has suspected all along—that I really am certifiable.  I guess I am that much of a glutton for punishment. I know, it  isn’t that much of a stretch . . . really it isn’t. I took 15 credits last term, and that wasn’t so bad. And, two more measly credits actually WOULDN’T be a big deal, if all the stars would just align and everything would fall neatly into place. But, of course they never do, and it never does.

Just this last week my nephew ended up in the hospital; my niece (whom I rarely ever hear from, and who rarely asks anything of me), suddenly texted to see if she could hang out for the weekend; I came down with a terrible sinus infection AND my computer crashed! Yes, something is definitely amiss in the universe.

The problem is I really want to graduate next summer, but I need to average 13 credits per term (including summer term) in order to do so. With my daughter set to trial an insulin pump at the end of June, I know I’ll have my hands full with round-the-clock blood glucose monitoring, and if I don’t take at least a week off from work and school this summer my family will most certainly disown me. That being said, it certainly seemed logical when I put this schedule together a month ago. Yes, I should definitely cram this term in order to “enjoy” a lighter term come this summer.

But, just thinking about what still lies ahead got me thinking that I could really use some good work-life balance advice. So, I went searching the blogosphere for answers. Luckily, I came across this post from the Work It, Mom! Blog that has some pretty sound advice. If your life is as harried as mine is, you may want to check this out for yourself. So, I have loaded up on credits this term, and I will just keep on keepin’ on . . . One. Grey. Hair. At. A. Time.  But, I will try to incorporate some new work-life balance practices into my hectic schedule and see what comes of it. Let’s just pray the stars are also lined up for the rest of this term.