How Does This Happen?

So, I start off innocently enough by filling in for someone who cannot attend a meeting just to get an update on the progress and plans for an event of which our agency is receiving some of the proceeds.  And now, here we are 6 months later and I've become a minor part of the committee, but nonetheless, I still have 5 boxes of stuff to take over to the location this morning.   And I woke up this morning thinking, "I should have put that list in this format too so we can record all the financials better...."  And so it goes.

I do have a mug that I saved when I was streamlining the cabinet -- it reads, "Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again."

And yet, this stuff energizes me.  It's been a while since I have taken on a big project for one of the kid's schools or other worthy cause, outside of work, and while I'm not sure the group of women who have spent the past year working on this gala fully agree that I've been helpful, it has been fun to get back into this.  It's just been more than originally planned and it certainly would have been less stressful if it were another time of year but, it's almost here.  It's Tonight.  The City of Wheaton 150th Birthday Gala.  400 people. Black Tie (no, Gregg is not wearing a penguin suit -- it was hard enough to get him to attend in a regular suit -- besides since we represent one of the non-profit recipient agencies, I think we should look like we need the money....).  I'm going early so I told him he can take me earlier and then go back home (very close) to get ready and then,  just like when I still give the kids chores, I told him, "...and then come back.  Before the end of the evening.  To be sociable.  And to keep me company."  I'm afraid he'll come back home, pop a pizza in the oven, turn on "Braveheart" and forget all about where he is supposed to be.  The event runs from 6:30 to 1:00 -- his eyes popped out of his head when he heard that....

Well, I guess my thoughts are this -- when you take ownership in something, you truly do get something out of it other than a bit of stress.  You get a sense of pride in the job you've done (even if others may not agree with you whole-heartedly).  You get a sense of accomplishment that you were able to squeeze it all in AND take a shower.  You learn to put on the blinders to the furry furniture and piled up laundry to find something with a bit more meaning and greater impact on others.  And then you get to go to a fancy dinner "GALA".  Beats what we normally do on Saturday night -- Scrabble board, you'll just have to wait.