Knowing When To Stop

Piles everywhere.
So much so, that when cleaning the kitchen before dinner tonight, I actually got to the part where you wipe down the counters.

We are packing up our belongings for the haul to Marvel Hill and a visit home to California. There is far too much to accomplish before leaving (whenever that may be), especially if we think we might want to mop the kitchen before we leave... That is at the bottom of my list, but on the list all the same.

So for the last few days, the only way to get anything done between meals, naps, school,errands, and more meals, is to make piles.

There's a pile for sewing stuff, a pile for snow gear, a pile for books and school supplies, a pile at the bottom of the stairs, a pile a the top of the stairs, a pile under the kitchen counter, a pile covering my desk, a pile to trip over wherever in the house you may choose to tread.
There are a LOT of piles, and piles in this application wear me out! Just when I get to the part of my day when the children are tucked into bed and being still, the house is quiet, and the most demanding chores done, THAT is when there is time to work on refining those piles.

Alas... who has the energy for that at nine O' clock pm!! Not me. Not now anyway. I am wiped out. As I told my gracious brother-in-law (whose house we share)
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" Sometimes I have to let the chores go, so I can get to the other important things (or people - such as my children). Things like the dishes and dirty counter tops are always there. They always will be."
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(And that's at least until my helpers are taking more of the responsibility than they are at present)














Do you know what I did this evening? I sat down with my littlest bug and played at the doll house with her! That's one of those things you have to stop for once in a while. Just STOP. So that's what I did. I stopped. I ignored the piles, making big plans for all that I will surely accomplish tomorrow... But even tomorrow, if it is necessary I will let go of the chores, let go of the perceived obligations for "school" time, let go of my uptight-ness, and stop.
Take a deep breath, and with the Lord's wisdom, change gears.

For now, I must stop this staying up late in front of the computer and go to bed. Being ever so careful not to trip over any of my piles on the way:-)