Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Alphabe-Thursday - M is for Madness!

Yippee! It's Thursday, time for my favorite class, Alphabe-Thursday. Mrs. Matlock is the BEST teacher, and this week she has assigned the letter M. There is only one word that comes to mind right now and that is MADNESS!



I manage a small animal clinic and right now I'm short 3 staff members. Which means that in addition to my regular duties which include accts payable, receivable, inventory, human resources, payroll, customer complaints, employee complaints and scheduling I am also filling in as a receptionist and on occasion, technician. First off, these bones don't do rolling on the ground with 80 lb Rottweilers as easily as they used to. Secondly, there are not enough hours in the day to do all of this. I could probably manage this with a bit more humor if my husband and I hadn't decided to start our own business. In February, DH's boss called everyone together and announced that they were closing at the end of March. DH has worked for this family for 27 years. So what to do? Start our own custom picture framing and art business. We are hoping to eventually find some local artists to publish as well, but that is going on the back burner for now.

But meanwhile, I am doing the paperwork while DH drums up customers and business.
So you'll understand why I'm posting once a week - for Mrs. Matlock!

Meanwhile, let me share my schedule for the time being.

4:30 am - rise and shine. At work by 6. Open the doors at 7. Lunch (if I'm lucky) from 12 to 1. Office closes at 5:30, unless of course an emergency comes in late. In which case, who knows.

Dinner, clean up from dinner.

Oh yeah, I'm having to work Saturdays too until one of my gals comes back from maternity leave.

Work on new web site for business, sort molding samples, sort matboard samples. Decide on artwork to carry and publish. Arrange for printing DH's photography.

Schedule shows for July, Aug, Sept and November. Oh, and we may be doing the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in Austin, which runs from 10 am to 11 pm for two weeks before Christmas.

In addition to the daily schedule, these are our weekends through the end of May:

April 24th. DH's band plays the Red Poppy Fest. Get groupies together and party!
May 1st. Wedding in Fort Worth
May 8th. Market Days (if we can get the booth together)
May 15th. CAIT GRADUATES!!!!!
May 22nd Caiit's graduation party
May 27th Cait's 22nd birthday.

I haven't even looked at the calender for June yet - I'm afraid, very afraid. So while all I want to do right now is this....


I'll more likely be doing this ...

Make sure to help Mrs. Matlock read all the essays. Class is getting really big, and it's alot of work.

45 comments:

mrs. c said...

Bless your little heart! You are amazing, girl! I hope you can keep your chin up and a smile on your face these next couple of months.

When I have tough days at school with my 20 pre-ker's, I come in and get my wine glass and sit and sip and rock and chill. Hubby says he can tell how hard my day is by how big a wine glass I get!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Somewhere in there I hope you have time to plug your finger into a socket and recharge!!

BALANCE.....it's a good thing! :)

Anonymous said...

Good Golley you are unbelievably loaded. Life that is, life. I hope your schedule becomes a bit more manageable soon. Get plenty of nutrients to help with the stress. Hugs, Marla

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I am totally exhausted just reading it!!

Christy said...

Wow, I was tired after reading your schedule. Be sure to take a little time to recharge.

Betty said...

That was a very entertaining post and you haven't lost your sense of humor in spite of everything. Hang in there!

Annesphamily said...

My goodness! I am tired just finishing this post! TLC that is what you need! But this post was Marvelous!

Viki said...

You really have a tough schedule. Hopefully, you'll be able to schedule in some relaxation time soon.

Funny in My Mind said...

Whew, I am tired just reading your schedule!
I know it sucks being short handed because we have been there since our other manager went on maternity leave a year ago- and never came back. No real vacations, no honey do lists getting finished, no relaxation. You will get through it somehow. I will say a prayer for strength for you!
Nice view of the water and palms too!

GardenOfDaisies said...

You really do have too much going on! Hope the positions get filled quickly so that you have a little bit of time to enjoy your daughters graduation. For now.. hang in there!

Red Couch Recipes said...

Yes, madness for the letter M is a very good word to describe your days! Good luck with the new business! You sound like a very hard worker! Joni

Unknown said...

Take a break , my dear.
You surely earned it.
Happy Thursday!
Have you a great week!
hugs
shakira

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

That's a full schedule and more! Well, just kick your feet up and catch some fresh air anyway..Take care of yourself!

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I think it would be exciting to be starting a new business, though.

Unknown said...

I think M needs to be for massage for mom followed by a vacation after all is said and done.

jeff campbell said...

Very cool post...breathe deeply and remember to exhale:-)

Lois said...

Well I'm exhausted just reading about your schedule! I know you are excited about your daughter's graduation though. When my two children graduated from college, those were the two proudest days of my life!

laterg8r said...

that is some kind of busy :D

Jenny said...

OK. Breathe now.

No, not you!

Me!

I'm exhausted from reading your post.

You probably already thought of this but what about finding someone that needs some intern time? Maybe they could help with some of the repetitive work.

Your top quote was really mesmerizing.

A+ for a great M post!

I wish I lived closer to give you a hand, though!

MrsJenB said...

Gosh, what time do you go to bed?? I can't imagine that it's too early with all the work you're doing in the evening!

Hang in there, friend - this work will surely pay off and as a wise cook once said to me as he watched me running around a hotel kitchen like a chicken with my head cut off: Every bad night comes to an end! Hopefully things will calm down soon and you can put those feet up!

VKT said...

I got tired simply reading your post. How do you do it all? I hope things calm down soon!!!

Janean said...

way too funny (for those of us not called to do the work that is)! your pictures described the scenes perfectly.

Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something said...

Oh "M"y Gosh! You deserve "M"edicine and a "M"assage!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Oh my, your plate is full and overflowing, Kathy! Take a deep breath and keep saying "one day at a time"! I wishing, hoping, and praying that all will work out for you all!

{{{ Hugs}}}} Pat

Brenda said...

My goodness when do you have time to breath?

Jo said...

That is one heck of list ... just be like that little red engine from the kids book ... the one that goes "I think I can I think I can..." and hopefully you will get there!

Pondside said...

Push over and make room on the mad couch for me too. I get nervous when I can look ahead and account for every week for a month or more - it is crazy-making!
Just keep breathing!

Steph said...

Wow! Your life is incredibly full. (I love the image of the lady pulling her hair out.) And yet when you write you seem so cool, collected, capable... (no, this is not another C post) funny and kind. I hope everything goes well with the new business plans and that you find that time some how to put your feet up.

Amy said...

Loved your quote! Life runs us ragged, doesn't it! Best of luck on your new business!

Unknown said...

Oh MY ... bless you!
Hey, you don't happen to have a lovely, spayed, housetrained, good with kids and bunnies and birds ... dog; big enough to frighten away trespassers, but not so big that she will terrify my dog-shy youngest dd, up for adoption at your clinic by any chance??? LOL! Seriously, we are searching for the "perfect" dog ... the one I picked at the animal shelter was a bit nutso when we took her outside, so I think we'll have to keep looking.

Blessings,
Catherine :)

Silvia said...

hi there..thanks soo much for coming my blog and your kind and sweet words, it meant a lot to me..im feeling a little sore still,but better each day, cant wait to eat some real good food,lol..
have a great weekend and thanks again friend...

Silvia,xx

diane b said...

Although you must be stressed/mad you are able to have a sense of humour. That will keep you going. Great post. Chill out. Love the cat pic.

easternsparkle said...

Make sure you find some Me time amongst all this!

Lori said...

I haven't been to visit in a while, so I thought it was time for a visit. You poor thing... You sound really busy. Wish I could help you out. I hope things get better for you. Enjoy your weekend if you can.

Lori

Nadeen said...

My Clone! :)

Amanda Lee said...

Wow. I'm tired just reading your schedule! Mad, I say, just mad!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh my goodness, Kat! I hope you are taking a good multivitamin! I am tired just reading your schedule! lol However, I do know that if anyone can do it...and with grace..it's you! Is Cait so excited? What an accomplishment! Try to squeeze in a little R&R for you in there somewhere! Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie

Jane said...

I'm exhausted just reading your list of to-dos. Hope things slow down soon. I love the idea of a frame shop....best wishes with that.

Smiles,
Jane

and Congrats to the almost grad!!!

xinex said...

OMG, Kat, take some time to relax, will you? You sure have a heavy schedule. All I can do is wish you can tackle everything beautifully and efficiently and I know you can, Supergirl!!...Christine

xinex said...

OMG, Kat, take some time to relax, will you? You sure have a heavy schedule. All I can do is wish you can tackle everything beautifully and efficiently and I know you can, Supergirl!!...Christine

Tracy said...

Hi thanks for visiting. Had a great trip with my M mates this last week glad to be home and am enjoying catching up on the blog I have certainly discovered that a sense of humor helps in life see you next time with N

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

It is a crazy time of year...the pulling of the hair photograph could have been me 20 times last week. It will be OK...take some time and prop those feet up...even if it's just for five minutes.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh My Goodness! Reading about your schedule just wore me out! It is good to see you have a sense of humor about it (you posted some great pictures!). Hang in there - surely things will slow down soon. laurie

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Whew...I'm tired after reading that! I agree....propr those feet up! Linda

Kathysue said...

Kat, I can't breathe!! I am hyper-ventilating!! Oh my you poor thing. I hope you are taking vitamins. Hang in there sweetie I know you hard work is going to be rewarded!! xo Kathysue