Over-committed.

I have a sign on my head.  The sign says, "Ask me to do shit that is both time consuming and annoying."  I have been trying to wash the sign off for years.

When Axel started elementary school I must have had the "deer in headlights look" and within 5 minutes of the first open house I was targeted by the PTA.  By the looks of the other women at the table my instant answer was, "NO!!!"  I ran away from that table and never looked back at the micromanagers who would like to micromanage me.  (Ok...the $7 it cost to join the PTA had a little something to do with my not joining...how petty...I'll bring my own cookies and juice.)

Just because I didn't join the sorority that is the PTA doesn't mean I am not still recruited as a volunteer.  I LOVE to volunteer at the school.  Re-phrase that...AXEL loves me to volunteer at the school.  For his benefit I have joined the ranks of the book fair, the school carnival, field-trips, classroom parties, etc.

I send canned goods for the food shelf, books for Africa (still confused on how they can enjoy reading books in English), I'm constantly donating outerwear to the other kids of the school as Axel can't seem to keep track of his mittens.

I work in the lunchroom, can be spotted playing "crossing guard" and I help with reading.  It's a full time "JOB".

Here's where the trouble comes in.  Aside from my daily commitment to the local elementary school I'm on an Arden Hills City Committee, in charge of the neighborhood garage sale, the neighborhood picnic, created the neighborhood directory last year and the list goes on.

As of late the volunteering has crept into my professional life and it seems as though I'm not billing for the hours I could.

How the hell does this happen?  If I'm not being targeted by a sweet-little-old-lady neighbor to take over some remedial organizational task, I'm being called at 5am from a recess helper who has a sick kid.

Have I not expressed that I have "sick kids" too?  Why am I setting the excuse bar so high?  Because I appear more rested than the rest I'm expected to carry the load of those who are "just to busy?"

I'm putting my foot down.  I'M DONE.  What's in it for me?  Seriously.  What's in it for me?

Are you feeling over-committed?  Take a break.  I give you permission.

 - Jen

I found this gem from when we rented the houseboat last fall.  So darn fun!