It's been a while, bloggers... readers... followers...
The past few weeks have been a bit hectic for me with grading midterms, papers, posting online lectures and discussions. I spent most of the University's week off grading and doing some spring cleaning. I've also been looking into hiring a new grocer because Sue has been bringing her eight year-old son on her trips to the store and then my apartment, and the little bugger is rambunctious. He doesn't understand my rules, so last week when Sue came to deliver my groceries, he charged through my apartment with muddy sneakers, whining about how he wanted something to drink and proceeded to knock over a lamp, break the bulb...the whole thing was just a mess. Sue was very apologetic of course, but I was so overwhelmed with anxiety and frustration I couldn't deal with her.
She's just hasn't been as mindful lately, either. She keeps messing up my groceries. She'll buy me marinara sauce with mushrooms, which I dislike terribly. Or she'll get the diet iced tea, which never tastes as good as non-diet iced tea. I had a hankering for chocolate cake last week and when the store's bakery didn't have any, she bought Twinkies because she thought TWINKIES were a good substitute for chocolate cake.Then the other week she dropped her purse in my entry hall, and her cheap drug store perfume bottle cracked and leaked through her purse all over my hall. I had to open the windows and ventilate the place for days, as well as clean the floor several times. Between that incident and the one with her son, I went through three clorox sprays and four boxes of wipes to clean up their messes.
I may just have to find someone a little more cautious and orderly, is all.
I also took up yoga during the spring break. I sat on Amazon for hours researching and reading reviews for various DVDs and programs...people write the strangest things for product reviews. I read about how yoga helped a mother of three strengthen her "birthing canal" and she was just raving about it. She didn't stop there though, she went on to get much more intimate about all the details and it was...well, needless to say, I didn't opt for the program she was reviewing.
But I found a pretty great one and it's really helped to bring some relaxation into my life. My cousin Bethany insisted I take it up. She lives in California where she's a yoga instructor as well as real estate agent. We Skype and/or email about once a week. I was very close to her and her brother Tom growing up. Tom is currently abroad in London, so talking to him can be a bit more difficult. But we Skype and email as well.
Anyway, being my family and all, they are very understanding and sympathetic of my situation. Though I can tell they get frustrated with me, and think I should Just get over my OCD. If it were so easy to do, I just would. But it's not.
Well. I've had breakfast, read the newspaper, and now it's time for a run on the treadmill. I save yoga for the end of the day to release the stress of cleaning and fussing all day.
Until next time,
Marty
It's nice to hear that the students aren't the only ones working their butts off. Makes me feel just a little bit better about my studies when I think about my professors stressing just as hard.
ReplyDeleteAt least you have something to keep you occupied. I'm mind numbingly bored and this is the worst possible time for me to be alone with my thoughts. I'd kill to be in your position; the schedule, the interaction, the normality... I'd give anything for that right now.
ReplyDeleteMarty, it seems that the OCD you suffer with can present its difficulties with others around you. I have similar situations in which those around me tend to bring frustration. Right now a war is starting, and I am at the center of it. I have no idea what to do and I have little control. I am following this chico named Adan through the thick of it, with little opinions of my own. Then again, I don't even know what I would say in the matter. It is good you have family. My family is everything, and perhaps that is why I do what I do- for them, and to protect them. Maybe I should try this 'yoga' you speak of.
ReplyDeleteMarty-
ReplyDeleteI like order, too. For a while, I didn't have much order going on in my life. Everything felt chaotic and scary. Now that I've found another job that works me consistently, and also since my mom came back home and has been on the men- I feel so much better. Like my life has moved back into equilibrium. But this time, my job, my mom, and my interactions with the outside and with other people- are just better.
Keep working on creating that balanced order!