It seems like we are always busy with something.  

This entire past weekend was spent running around looking for a new washer and dryer (I hate my Neptune front-loader), going to Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. etc.  We didn't eat at home on either Friday or Saturday.  Sunday we went out to breakfast (Old European Breakfast House has the BEST breakfast anywhere!) before we began running around.

Yesterday was my daughter's birthday so we celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese before going to Home Depot, then Baskin Robbins to pick up the cake.  We got home, answered birthday telephone calls (we love it when our families call to sing Happy Birthday...American Idol material they are NOT), opened gifts, ate cake, built the Belville Mermaid Castle, took showers, read from Egermeier's Bible Stories and then fell into bed sometime around 10:00 p.m. 

Today we left the house at 3:00 to take the kids to pottery class.  While they were in class, my husband and I visited the Sea-Ray dealer since we're in the market for a new boat.  After that we ran to the mall and bought a new pair of shoes for my daughter and one for me.  By that time, it was time to head back downtown to pick up the kids.  We went out to eat at the Chinese restaurant, came home and got in the spa, fertilized all of the trees and flowers in the back yard and returned phone calls we missed while we were out.  I still have to:  bid on ebay auctions for a friend (she doesn't have a computer right now), unload the dishwasher (o.k., so the kids will do that, but it's something I still need to address), fold a load of  laundry, change the kitty litter box, watch American Idol (I love Taylor Hicks!), serve up leftover birthday cake to the kids for their bedtime snack and think about what I'll be making for supper tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will leave here around 3:30 for our chiropractor appointment.  After that we are going to Pool World to pick up some chlorine and shock for the spa.  Since we're in the area, I'm sure we'll end up at Target so Sage can spend the gift card she got from Uncle Johnny for her birthday.  On the way home we'll run to the grocery store to pick up milk (I should invest in Darigold since we drink so much) and a few other things.  Once I'm home, I'll cook while my husband begins draining the spa and the kids will probably play on the new swingset (aka Pirate Ship).  I'm certain a hundred other things will rear their ugly head during that time and my evening will be spent doing something.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.  It's something every night.  I would love to have nice, quiet evenings.  I'd love to make supper, clean up, take a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood with my husband and kids, get a shower, put on my jammies and spend a few quiet hours before going to bed.  My husband wonders how I can have insomnia since I go and go all day, but that's just it.  I am constantly going from sun up to sun down and don't have any time to unwind.  I am lucky if I get to sleep by midnight, and I'm usually up and at 'em by 6:00 a.m.  I hate that we are busy every single night of the week.  It's just not right.  It seems like our activities have gotten out of control.  And now, instead of doing all the things I have to do yet tonight, I'm here, typing on my computer.  Yeah, that makes sense.

I think I may have to make a schedule for all of us.  I just don't feel like I'm using all of my time wisely during the day.  I know my kids could be spending their time more wisely.  If I could just eliminate a few things each evening, maybe I could get in a walk with my family and have a reasonably quiet night.  Even if I just accomplish it a couple of evenings each week, it's better than none.