Friday / Vacation

Just because my birthday was this week I took today off.  I was hoping for some down time but I am looking at my to do list and thinking I should have taken Thursday off too. 
Diana, my boss, told me to enjoy my vacation yesterday before she left.  I growled at her.  Now this doesn’t happen often because I like her and try not to annoy her.  After I growled she told me to have a bad day off.  I laughed and said it was just that I had so much to do. 
No surprise – I have a list.  I have three days to write a vision statement, read a couple of chapters for one class and three stories for another class, critique two stories and write letters discussing those critiques, transcribe two interviews, assemble and take pictures of zen gardens (which was on the to do list for last weekend) and that is just the first level of stuff to get done.  I also feel like I’m forgetting something so I probably am.
This morning while the house was quiet I’ve dealt with the hundred emails that had built up over the last two days and sent some business related emails.  Now I’m turning my focus to my to do list.  My biggest problem is deciding which to work on first.  Homework or business? 

I guess since the homework is due on Monday that should probably take priority but I also feel like I’ve not put enough time into the freelance work I have to do.  I guess I need to take a deep breath, pick from the pile and just dig in.  It will all get done because it has to but still deep breath, stop procrastinating and get to work.

Home Stretch

My formal project is done.  In my linguistics class I have whatever quizzes he throws at us and the final.  For my creative writing class I have finished my journal and the rough draft of the final short story.  I only need to polish the short story and turn it in and I’m done. 

I’m disappointed with my classes this semester.  I thought I’d learn a lot and enjoy the process but it has not been a good process for me this semester.  In my one class no one participates and the professor looks out on a sea of blank faces.  In my other class, the writing assignments have been tedious and not stretched my skills at all, plus there’s been little peer critique.  I would have liked to spend more time on that.  Also for the last month no one has really been participating online. 

I hope to be taking two writing classes next semester and hope that I enjoy them more.  I thought I was all settled but I got an email today that one of my classes may be cancelled.  This means that I’ll have to find a second class to be in and one that hopefully doesn’t disrupt my schedule too much.  I will hopefully know by Tuesday – I definitely don’t like the added stress of this.  There is one class that is offered and required at the same time as the class that is being cancelled but it is full already.  That means asking the professor and / or waiting to see if anyone drops it.  More stress – I don’t like stress…

Gout…

Such a small word, who knew it could have such impact on your life.  I’ve had gout for a while.  Mostly it is under control.  Then I have times like this past week where it flares up.  Now normally a flare for me last a couple of days and goes away.  Not this time. 

Last Thursday I left work with a swollen foot and knew it was coming on.  I did what I could.  I doubled up on my arthritis meds, added in pain killers, and anti-inflammatory, increased my cherry juice intake, elevated it and massage (carefully) the affected joint.  These are all things that have worked well in the past. 

I spent all weekend and part of this week in my recliner.  I got a lot of crocheting done.  I read most of my stuff for my formal project.  I caught up some on my DVR watching.  My foot remained stubbornly swollen and the red spot stuck on. 

This weekend I have a lot to do.  I have to finish crocheting the things mom asked me to make.  I have to finish the gifts for my student workers.  I have to read proofs for the short stories I’m getting published in an anthology.  I have to finish reading the articles for my formal project.  Then when I am done reading everything I have to write the formal project.  Oh and let’s not forget the short story and other writing I need to do for my Creative Writing class.  I’m going to have to take a quiz as well for Language Studies. 

This is just a portion (very small portion) of my to-do list.  Somehow I’m going to have to do this all from my recliner because my foot is still painful and swollen. 

Any suggestions?