Multi-tasking 101

For today's post, I'd like to publicly express some appreciation to some helpers I enjoy each and every week. They make my life so much more enjoyable and, in all reality, they get a lot done around here.

No, I am not talking about Genius Golfer and The Boy or The Girl. I'm talking about my washer and dryer, my computer and my car.

Today is a catch up day. I had big plans to get a lot of stuff done yesterday as it was the first day of school, but instead I enjoyed a longer than usual lunch with my girlfriends, who were also sighing a big one filled with relief for school beginning again.

Today, then, I am doing our laundry, The Boy's laundry (how DOES he get so dirty?!), running hither and yon doing errands all over the place, and transferring some video tapes for a friend so she and her family can watch their family movies on DVD. I can do all these things--plus post this blog today--because of the wonderful machines in my house, and garage.

A couple of old guys stopped me at the Gas 'n Sip this morning to ask me a little about our little natural gas car. I get a kick out of that. But they were right when they were sure that I "must love it right about now"! I love that it gets me where I need to go and it is so much cheaper than anything we have. Did I tell you we made it from West Jordan to Manti and back to Pleasant Grove with a little to spare this weekend on one full tank of gas that cost $5?! Awesome.

If you have ever taken your kids to the Pioneer Village in Salt Lake City they can have a chance to try clothes washing with a wash board in a tub. The kids LOVE this...because they are only TRYING it. I love my washing machine and the dryer. I love that this is one job I can do each week and actually SEE my accomplishments at the end of the day--until someone puts their pajamas on and throws their dirty clothes in the baskets again. But, I do see it for a few hours each week. And that kind of accomplishment feels good.

The computer? Perhaps my favorite household appliance. I love that it helps me get work done, no really--I mean, like PTA or YW stuff. I love that it gives me information from the Internet, no matter how crazy it might sound to a Liberian. And I love that I can stay connected to friends and family through email. And this blog? I love having a place to vent, write, express, explain, or just muse and where others can critique it with a little comment.

With all that love of housework (a term used very loosely here), you'd think I would get more done each day. But there is something I have come to learn after these many years of practice: When multitasking, you much still pace yourself. Yeah, that is what I am doing...pacing myself.