If I make it to our Christmas break with my sanity intact, it will be a holiday miracle.

Why, oh why does everything at work fall onto one's desk at once? Any "one." It's the same for us all. There's some unwritten universal law about this, feast or famine.

I actually had to email the director of a government agency yesterday, about an annual data project we do (mostly me, because it goes up on our web site), and tell her that for the first time ever, I didn't think I could make her November deadline. (Keep in mind I'm just the flunky research/admin assistant, pretty low on the food chain.) There's just so much happening right now. I told her I was freaking out over the thought of a missed deadline, but that I just couldn't guarantee getting the project completed. (I've never missed a deadline that I can recall, am always early for appointments and meetings, etc.) As it turns out, another university can't meet that short deadline either, so she's going to extend it by a couple of weeks. That will help, at least a bit. And in truth, there always are institutions that are well past deadline for all this agency's projects, though absolutely not us, not for anything that has been my responsibility.

All the same, I'm sitting here, mind boggling, over my (and our) to-do list. 

It's always this way in the fall; it's one my busiest times of the year. I/we will get through it, and of course it's "only" work -- none of which is life and death.

I am so glad I have the rowing machine, to work off the stresses of the day.

BTW, I've had the rower four weeks today and am seeing a significant improvement in my body's strength and in the intensity of my rowing. I'm reluctant to blog about it, because I don't want to jinx it or me. Suffice to say that every cell of my body sings with Joy when I'm on that machine. I love the motion, I love the sheer power of the body, doing it. It was that way for me 9 or so years ago, when I was rowing in our then-free campus gym, and I'm delighted that this hasn't changed. I wouldn't be doing it otherwise, as I haven't the discipline to force myself into a workout for the sake of burning calories or getting fit. This is for my mental health, my inner Self.

I think I'd better start a rowing machine savings fund, because in a few years I'll have worn this one out, and I know I'll want a better, smoother one.  :-)

Anyway, back to work I go....I hope everyone has a great day and week.

Leftover from my garden, snapped earlier this month.