I am enjoying looking at the beautiful work created by the members of this board. I wanted to say thank you for the entertainment. I have had some horrible weeks (seems like the whole year!) at work and find that I have no energy to be creative. When I did work on the few projects, I worked obsessively, to the chagrin of my husband. How do you all juggle your lives???!!! I started a second family at 43 and now am looking at a very long timeline before an empty nest or retirement. CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY!
just had to express frustrations :)

Calgon or any bubble bath was my best friend and I have to say still is!

A glass of wine and some chocolate!!

Maybe you need to rest more than you need to quilt. Curl up under one of your quilts and just do that.

But what a blessing to start a second family. My mother was 43 when I was born, not a second family just 10 of us over 24 years. She always said I kept her young. In time you will get to sleep again. Enjoy every hectic moment and the quilts will be there.

There are times when I don't have time to do anything other than running kids around and work and just keeping the house in order...but you need to make some time for yourself sometimes. You need it too. :)

Take care of yourself or you are no good to anyone else.

A second family at 43.....makes me tired just thinking about it. I'm sure it will get better and will probably keep you younger.

Try and schedule some "me" time everyday, even if it is 30-60 minutes. You can get a lot done in that time :D:D:D

You just have to do the best you can with what you have. And log onto Flylady.com. She tells how to keep house in 15 minutes at a time, and also take time for yourself. Like the old saying is, "If Mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". And if Mamma is totally exhausted, then she's going to be a nervous wreck in a short time.

My family does a lot of that having babies late..my Mom had her last baby 8 months before I had my first one. And one of my sisters went to her daughter's wedding still nursing her last one!! And my last baby is 17 years younger than my oldest!!

What I don't understand is why Momma has to be happy all of the time so that everyone else can be happy. When my sons were younger and living at home, they and my DH would tell me that "if Momma ain't happy " saying to get me in a better mood if I had an off day once in a while. I hated it. Why was it always my responsibility to keep everyone else happy. It happened seldom but sometimes, I needed to be allowed to be grumpy or tired or whatever without it messing up everyone else's day. Couldn't they just have ignored my off days? I did theirs' and left them alone to work it out after making sure they didn't have a serious problem. My husband is much better about it now once I tell him it is just one of "those days" and I am not upset with him.

YOU are in charge of your own attitude. You choose to face each day with an attitude that can be either good or rotten. No one can "make" you frustrated, unhappy, cheerful, hurried, etc. Just live each moment like it's your last. Enjoy your family. Ignore a few cob-webs. At the end of a life, I don't think there is a single person who says "I wish I would have spent less time with my family". Pick and choose your battles. Take time for things that really matter.

I have had times in my life when I thought stress would eat me alive. I've been discouraged, depressed, busy, etc. Then not long ago I realized I was in control. I can honestly say I'm a new person because of being happy when what I have and making each day great.

Hugs! I am 42, and my youngest will be 18 in August, I miss having little ones around sometimes.
Try to get some rest, and do something for yourself, it really will make you feel better!

I had just got off from work that WAS supposed to be my day off. Too nice and covered for others. My problem is the obsessiveness. When I was younger, I used to read alot, but had a hard time putting the book down until it was finished. I appreciate the support. Thank you!