Dance Monky Dance

Lately I have felt like a dancing monkey. (Warning, link to flash play where comic uses bad words :-)

I have been finishing a brutal workload semester. I have been facing undue stress at work. I have had everyone close to me have babies :-) I have had postpartum family member in need of attention. I have had my Dad up my rear about the big 4th of July dinner Up North (apparently I'm in charge of this but can't be left alone to plan it). I have had work travel. My brother lost his license for a year so I'm now picking up his travel days for work. My kids are tweens and they have not had enough MOM time. My hubby is out of work and home with my kids this summer and I'm jealous. I'm late on many bills and now I get phone calls.

I feel like I am a monkey who dances. I dance for school requirements. I dance for work requirements. I dance for members of my family and my inlaws. I dance for my kids. I dance for my hubby. I dance for whoever needs me. I dance to pay the bills on time. I dance to keep up with all that is going on in this crazy hectic life.

Dance monkey, DANCE! (In case the first link didn't tempt you, sorry for the language)

Hubby rocks. He sees that I have been a dancing monkey. He feels bad that I'm being pulled in every direction and he tries to make it easier for me (like by making a chiropractor appointment for me on a Saturday morning -- thanks babe!). He sees that I'm the dancing monkey and jokes with me, with each new demand we giggle and say "Dance Monkey, DANCE!"

He shares my warped sense of humor. My sister calls and wonders if I will take her to get her eyebrows waxed (yes, it was an honor to take the mommy out for the first time away from baby). Dance monkey!

I work a 14 hour day and am exhausted when I get home. Dance monkey! My dad wants pictures of my niece to email to his friends (you go mr. techno grandpa!). My sister is not able to handle it, so he calls me. I have finals to study for people. Dance monkey! Go do this for me instead.... Dance monkey!

So now the phone rings with a new request. I dance like a good monkey and we laugh. I am now in the dancing monkey stage of my life. Who would have thought? This too shall pass. You only get one chance to be a support when your sister has her first child. You only get so many chances to put your Dad's mind at rest (be it work stuff or family stuff). You only get so many chances to be there for those you love. I'm dancing like a monkey... but I'm glad to have the opportunity. My time to rest will come. For now.... I DANCE!!! Dance you silly monkey... dance!

I can't wait for the 4th... we will be Up North and will stay away through the weekend. We are spending the cash and kenneling the dogs. I will be with Hubby and the kids and we will be AWAY from it all. Everyone else will return on the 5th. I'm going up crazy late on Tuesday and will stay behind when they all trek back to work on the 5th. We will not dance like monkeys. We will enjoy the peace and catch the sunsets...... I can not wait!
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I agree with the comment I need to delegate more. This post was kind of whiny too. I laugh at myself often and need to vent, but hate when I whine. When life events stack up and you don't want to miss any, it is tiring. When a heavy workload semester ends you have too many projects. Work is work -- I should not let the pressure of it get to me since this will not be my life long career. Hubby is running the home front. These demands are temporary things. I see myslef coming through to the other side. I can't say no to my sister right now as I am really trying to mend that relationship. So, in some respects I'm still a dancing monkey, but it is getting better.