It has been a tough month for this family.  Mom (me) seems to always have her nose buried in the computer, trying to fine tune all the balls she's juggling. There's always something that needs tweaking, updating, fixing. I'm new at web design and the learning curve makes me car sick sometimes. When I can no longer focus my eyes, I know it's time to stop and do something else.  My family has been very supportive, but it's hard to remain balanced and prioritize sometimes. I'm sure all moms can relate to this.

Then, a couple weeks ago, the kids and I were involved in a car accident. We're all fine, no one was seriously hurt (thank God!), but it was my first accident. My daughter has her learners permit and was driving us all to the doctor's to get flu shots. A large vehicle crossed the double yellow lines to pass her on the left while she was turning left into the doctor's driveway and SMACK!! Our van lost its left eye and I went into MOM MODE.

"Pull over off the road. Don't worry, everything will be fine."  The police finally showed up, lectured the other driver, assured my daughter and I that the other driver was at fault, and called the tow truck. My daughter was pale and shaking like a leaf the whole time. But I still made them get their flu shots.

Then, two weeks later, the same daughter came down with some bug and ended up in the ER with dehydration and a raging fever.  It's taken her a long time to fight this thing and I think stress has something to do with it. 

Balancing LIFE is a difficult thing sometimes. And being a mom is hard when everyone looks to you for all their physical and emotional needs.  My own projects have to be set aside and I have to decide what is most important.  Sometimes I wish I could have someone take the work out of my hands for an evening and say, "Don't cook dinner tonight.  We are going out because you are stressed and have been burning the candle at both ends."  If you have family or friends that pick up the slack once in a while when they recognize you are at the breaking point, I envy you.  I am very fortunate to have children that see what needs to be done and do it. They do their own laundry, they clean their own rooms.  They cook dinner sometimes.  I just wish I could clock out sometimes and have someone mother ME for a change. 

Which is why I started my website, blog, articles and mission. It's something I do that I love and I appreciate the feedback I get from others who love it, too.   It helps me get into a zone where I can process the stress from car accidents, trips to the ER, leaking roofs, holes in the floor and 24/7 duties.  I'm not exactly great at handling stress, if you haven't figured that out yet. When it all finally sinks in, I pretty much have to cry until it passes.  But that's life. And, it's seeing my children's smiling faces and a beautiful blue sky and all of us gathered around the supper table, well, and with all our needs taken care of, that makes it all worth the stress. I'd hate a stressless life if it meant not having my family!!

So, while you love your hobbies, and feel passionately about your causes, remember that it's the people we pass our passions on to that love us and need us that makes the world keep moving.

Happy Reusing!

Carrie