TGIF

It has been years since TGIF ever meant anything to me. Because ever since I had my oldest son in 2009, I haven’t worked full-time. When I went back to work, it was only 2 to 3 days a week. Then I had my other son in 2014. And then when I went back to work it was only 3 to 4 days a week. And I rarely worked Fridays because there isn’t school every Friday. It was just easier for me to not work, than to arrange for child care if my husband was busy working on his off-the-farm job, or busy with the farm. Then, when both of my kids were in school, there would be these magical days when they would be in school and my husband was working and I would be home alone. Those were the days that I could do nearly whatever I wanted. I miss those days.

January 22, 2021 - View of the Canadian Rockies from my farm

If you’re a parent, you understand that you can live and die for your family and would choose to do most things with them. But when those stars line up and you get time to yourself without having to seek it out…. Magic!

But since March of this year, I’ve been working 5 days a week and will be for the foreseeable future. Which was always the plan for me to step up into that role once my boss - a bad ass and lovely 80 year old lady - retires. And that’s happening this fall. I love being challenged and I feel like I’m qualified to do the job. But I am terrified also. It’s a lot more responsibility and I still have so much to learn about the business I’m in. Plus, there is the fact that I no longer have that extra day. An extra day that was used to do grocery runs to the city, clean house, do fun things with the kids, have lunch with friends, or go on a mini-photo hunt. Weekends seem so short now and full of things to do on the farm, in the home, and with the family.

March 11, 2021 - the kids and I on one of our nightly walks

I know as the kids get older, things will get a bit easier. They’ll be able to stay home by themselves, take on a few more of the chores, etc. I am not going to lie though - I am looking forward to the day when my husband doesn’t have his off-the-farm job. I’m not sure when that will ever happen, but it will be a huge game changer for our family - especially during busy farm seasons like haying and harvest. I know when I talk about all the stuff that is on my shoulders, people assume that he either doesn’t help or doesn’t exist. But that is far from the case. He works like a dog and we are grateful for it. He’s also probably the neatest and tidiest person in the house. He’s a great dad to these kids. He doesn’t have to be asked to take the kids with him or to spend time with them. He teaches them and plays with them and is an active part in their lives. But he’s a super private person. So I don’t often talk about him on social media and I won’t talk about him much here, out of respect for him. But I am not alone in this crazy busy life of ours. I just speak more freely about the things that are on MY plate.

So, Thank God It’s Friday. One more work day and then it’s the weekend. A weekend already full of chores and plans. One more weekend before the last week of school. A weekend that will not be long enough to do all the things. Where I have to prioritize what MUST be done, what I SHOULD/WANT to do for my own physical & mental health, and what my family NEEDS from me. You’d think after 2 months of working full time that I would have adjusted to losing that extra day. But I haven’t. Not yet. I will though. Things might seems topsy turvey right now. And I’ll figure out a balance that will work.

2021 has been a big year of change for me. I’ve had to shift and adjust all sorts of goals and dreams that were set at the beginning of the year. Thankfully, I’m aware that it doesn’t make me a failure or lazy that those things haven’t happened yet. We can’t control a lot of what happens around us. We can only control our own actions and reactions. I know I am going to accomplish those things. But maybe it won’t be this year or the next. And that’s ok. I’ll keep rolling with the punches, get up and dust myself off and keep on trucking forward.

Stay Cool & Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!