Hiding My Juggling Act

I know a lot of people. I know a lot of people because I DO a lot of things. I have a handful of close friends but I don't always DO stuff with those friends. But that's okay with me, and with them too, because they're about as busy as I am. It's never boring when we catch up.

However, at some point along the way, perhaps in my twenties although I think it was even earlier, I stopped telling most people the real answer to, "So, what are you up to?" I just found that when I explained all that I was REALLY up to their eyes would gloss over and I'd usually get a, "You've got to be kidding" response. Why? Because I juggle WAY too much for a normal plate. But it's my plate and I like it messy. In conversations about everyday life I stick to two subjects -- what are THEY up to and I pick just ONE thing I'm doing. If I talk too much I can just tell what others are thinking (in parentheses): I have three kids -- all doing great. (Okay, she's normal enough). I homeschool the oldest two. (Okay, a little wacky). I have a successful business, mostly online. (How does she have time). I'm about to launch a website that I've worked on for months. (When? When did she have time to do that....Answer: 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.) My husband and I are the leaders for our local Engaged Encounter program and we often do weekend presentations. (Huh?). I've done a lot fo public speaking about Healthy Homes and plan to get back to that soon. (Huh?) My little one attends a cooperative preschool. I get a little break from that this year but I'll probably be on the Board of Directors next year. (Cooperative preschool? The one where you give up time to work in the classroom? I totally can not relate to this person).

I just do a lot. I don't sit around. I don't watch TV. My "me" time is doing time, not shopping. I'd rather pay a personal shopper to just put stuff in my closet than find it myself. I'm always planning stuff to do or how to fit something else in my life and I'm NEVER bored. How could I be....there's too many interesting things to do! My biggest regret of homeschool is that the actual academic part gets in the way of all the fun outings we could do!

The reality that I hide my juggling act came to me at a nice holiday party tonight with other moms -- some I hadn't seen in a while. That same old question came up. I fell back on my tried and true solution. I talk about ONE thing I'm doing. At this party, because it's relatively unique among public and private school moms, I talked about homeschooling. Same commend me, some think I'm nuts. I discuss the pros, cons, etc. I did start chatting with one old friend about launching my website soon and how much work it was and how psyched I was to give the final sign-off. I think she asked, "Why? Why did you do a website." Oh, ya....she doesn't know the entirety of my juggling act so the website doesn't compute. I cut it short and said I'd send her the link sometime! Do you think I should start telling everybody I blog, too????!!