Multi-Tasking Men?

Well, it seems that there are some men out there that are truly envious of our ability to multi-task! I made the acquaintance the other day of a very nice guy - a banker - who asked if he could come to Multi-TaskingWoman.com and LEARN HOW! "My wife's always telling me I need to learn. Maybe you can help me." Well, we'd sure like to try.

His wife, it seems to me, is a great role model. As he told me about her - a spouse and mom, as well as a business owner - she's a one year survivor of breast cancer. Congratulations!!! Never having even met her, she's our new hero!!! All of you who've gone through such a life altering experience know what I mean. It's times like those that show us the real value of multi-tasking, and at the same time, knowing when it's key to focus on ourselves and what we need at that moment.

Another friend called to relate this multi-tasking man story which brought a smile. "We had our staff meeting and one of the guys got my Multi-Tasking Woman is Redundant coffee mug," she said. One of the other guys saw this, turned to him and said, "You know when I drink out of that mug, I find myself able to do so much more." which earned the response from one of his male counterparts, "Yeah, me, too, but I sometimes I get a little cranky."

Oh yeah? WHO gets cranky when they multi-task? LOL I don't know about you, but when I'm busy doing five things at once, cranky-ness is last on my list. I'm too busy driving, talking, planning my next stop, returning calls and writing a presentation in my head.

So boys, next time you're flipping burgers with one hand and holding a cold one in the other, remember to thank that multi-tasking woman of yours who's baking the beans, bathing the kids, and entertaining the guests all at the same time...with a very un-cranky smile on her face!

The Joys of Sleep

Ahhhh. A Saturday morning where - miracle of miracles - there are no ball games. No meetings. No pressing chores that have to be done at daybreak. Nothing. An incredible occurrence in my life, as I'm sure it is for all you multi-tasking women out there.

Hmmmm....how to take the maximum advantage of these blessedly commitment free moments? SLEEP! Yes, to sleep, perchance to dream (thanks Will!) Extra sleep is, for me, like a mini vacation. A time to simply become one with the bed. To luxuriate in the quietness of the house. To wake just long enough to hear the birds outside and see from the corner of my half-opened eye the glint of sunlight through the shutter. Then to drift back off to dreamland for an oh-so-rare extra hour (or maybe even two) of restorative sleep.

You know they (whoever 'they' are) say you can't 'catch up' on sleep. Me? I'm not so sure about that. Awaking at 9:15 instead of 6:45? It does me a world of good. In fact, I feel so much better, I may even take a nap this afternoon.

Want to join me?

I've got what you need!

I was having a fun lunch with two of my girlfriends a couple of days ago, when the conversation turned to spring, winter weight gain and lack of clothes to wear. (And you know what they say about 'nothing to wear,' for men it means 'nothing's clean' and for women it means 'nothing's new!') :-)

In any case, as they both bemoaned not being their best size and shape to wear their nicest clothes, an amazing thing happened. 'If you need suits, I have some really nice ones that are a size too large for me,' said one ' but I can't bear to get rid of them because I paid so much.' Girlfriend two responded 'And I have a couple of designer ones that are just too small. I was going to take to the consignment store but maybe they'll suit you for now.'

And voila! Just like that, the (temporary) problem of 'nothing to wear' was solved! A win/win for both.

It made me think. When we stop, take a minute and share with a girlfriend, how many times do we find that she has just the solution we've been searching for? If you're like me, more times than not! What a gift we are to each other. But ONLY when we step up, say it out loud, and can be honest about what we need - whether it's clothes to wear, a shoulder to cry on or a new nanny.

Feeling overwhelmed? Frustrated? Have some joy to share? Call your girlfriend. You may find that what you have to offer is just what SHE needs! Share the word...