Have you seen my marbles?

After spending two solid months working on my boat 12-14 hours a day, the boat went back into the water looking brand new. There was still a boat load of little fiddly projects to be done, but the massive projects were complete. As the boat splashed down, along with a huge sense of accomplishment, I got the overwhelming sensation that I had at least one more boat rebuild in me.

I carried that feeling up until that damn tick got hold of me. Now? Heck, I can’t even rebuild myself, let alone an entire boat. Almost overnight, I morphed from a highly organized, ultra efficient, energetic, fit young human, into a inconscient middle ager. That focused drive I used have? Hmph. Let’s look at an example of how things unfold for me now:

I want to make a shelf for the bathroom. Simple, right? Get a board, cut it to size, screw the brackets to the wall, attach the shelf. On this fine spring morning, let’s get started, shall we? Where the heck did I stash that piece of wood?

I look under the trailer. Look, there’s my rake. I’ve been looking all over for that. I fish out the rake and use it clear some of the debris from the yard. Oh yeah, I was looking for that board, wasn’t I? I head over to house to the basement. No board, but hey, look, the washer. I have to do laundry. I trudge back across the yard, fetch my laundry, and get that started. Oh yeah, the board. Hey, there it is up in the branches of that tree. I wonder why I put it there? Oh well nevermind. I fetch it out. Drat, I need the saw. Where is that? Upstairs in my shop. Back across the yard, go upstairs, get the saw. I see the freezer. Right, I need to defrost some meat for dinner tonight. Look at all that ice in here. This freezer needs defrosting. I may as well sew up the rip in these pants while I wait for the ice to melt. Good job, that’s done.

What was I doing? Oh yeah, a shelf in the bathroom. Back to my place. Forgot the saw, didn’t I? Return back across the yard and upstairs to my shop. Pick up the meat I forgot. That trash bin is kind of full, maybe I should take it out. Head to the dumpster. Go back to work on the shelf. Forgot the saw again, didn’t I? Back to the shop. Oh my, I should water those poor plants. Go downstairs, fetch water, go back upstairs, water plants. Start back downstairs. Dammit, the saw. Finally remembered!

Cut the board. Now, we’re getting somewhere. Hey, look over there by that wall, flowers! Yippee, spring! Walk over to check out the flowers. The bed needs weeding. What was I doing before? Oh yeah, the bathroom shelf. Head back to work on that. The dog greets me. She needs a walk. Let’s take a turn around the fields.

What was I doing? Oh yeah, the bathroom shelf. Look at those dirty car windows! I’d better clean them before my trip to CT tomorrow. Go inside to get window cleaner. What a mess; I left my breakfast dishes. I’d better wash those before they get any crustier. I should check my email to find out what time we’re supposed to meet on Thursday. Appears as though it’s about to rain, and my saw is out there. I’d better get that board in too. Shoot, I need to bring in some wood for the stove. Hey, wasn’t I doing laundry a couple of hours ago? Trudge over and put that in the dryer. Notice the bicycle stored there for the winter. It has a flat tire. Well, it’s almost bike riding season. I should get that out, clean it up, and pump up the tires.

There, now I’m ready to ride. Put the bike back in the basement. Really, it looks like it’s going to snow, not rain. NOOOOO!!! It can’t; it’s spring. Snow will hurt those pretty young flowers. Where did my snow shovel get to? What was I doing? Oh yeah, the bathroom shelf. Damn, the drill needs charging. What will I do for half an hour while that charges? I need to go to the store. Now is a good time.

Go to the store. See that long overdue library book while loading groceries. Take it back. Browse for another book. Remember that groceries are in the car. Go home. Put them away. Dammit, out of those 27 items I bought, I forgot butter, eggs, carrots, tamari sauce, tea bags, kefir and broccoli. Moron. At least I remembered the yogurt raisins. What was I doing before? Oh yeah, the bathroom shelf. I’d better get my skates on. I’m starving. Did I eat lunch? No, forgot again. No wonder I’m so skinny. I’d better marinate that chicken. I’ll have a handful of raisins to keep me going. Drill’s charged. Let’s get that shelf installed. Crap, didn’t I have laundry in the dryer? I’d better get that before it gets dark.

The dog wants to play with her Frisbee. Sure, why not? Toss it until it’s really too dark to see. Ok dog, come in now, before the coyotes come out to eat you. Oh yeah, that bathroom shelf. But first I’d better put the laundry away. Then maybe I should vacuum. Tracked in a lot of crap today. Oh, but before I do that, I should finish that shelf.

AND FINALLY, I FINISH THE SHELF!

It’s dark and I’m exhausted. How the heck did I get so tired when all I did today was make a bathroom shelf?

And there you have it. It’s hard to live with myself. Aren’t you glad you don’t have to?*

*Is it any wonder I haven't posted for so long? I simply get side tracked by all the shiny objects in my path.