Routine

There's something to be said about routine. Some would say that it is pretty boring. Some might say it is necessary. Anna needs routine. It makes her feel comfortable to have familiarity and know what to expect. My routine seems to revolve around other people. I have the routine of getting Anna to and from school, to and from her after school activities and making dinner (most of the time). I have some semi-routines like teaching art lessons at the school (which sometimes the time changes based on the teacher's needs). I try to go to yoga every Monday night, but this can change if Frank has a meeting, is out of town or will be home late from work.

My work at the museum is not routine at all. I usually only know when they might need me a few months (or weeks) beforehand. Then, I don't always know how long it will take us. Sometimes it is longer than I plan, sometimes shorter. I also try to go once a week to volunteer when I'm not getting paid. I try to go on the same day but that gets changed with school activities, appointments or other things that come up.

For the past few weeks, I was trying to keep the routine of going to the Y one or two days to take a NIA class (they have it in the morning on two days). That has now changed because I'm working this week, next week and maybe the next week and then the week after that.

School is out next week and that always reeks havoc on any routine. I have to try to find camps for Anna when they want me to work at the museum, as well as others she just wants to take. I was trying to not have her go to too many camps this summer. But now with my work in June, it looks like she won't have very many weeks free. We also have several trips planned this summer.

What I really would like to concentrate on is creating my own routine, especially for working on my art. I realize I have about four jobs: mother/wife, art teacher/yearbook coordinator, curatorial assistant, artist. I'd rather have the artist part be my main work and I need to figure out to set up a routine to make this happen. I don't see how I can possibly do it during the summer (unless it is after everyone is in bed!). That's my goal and I will work on it but it will probably be easier to do in the fall.