A fish jumped out of the water behind me, right next to the shore. The splash broke the stillness of the lake. I leaned back in the Adirondack chair on the dock and tried to get back to breathing.

I’m not very good at relaxing. No. Let’s get real here: I suck at relaxing. I’m wound pretty tight most of the time.

So I was doing breathing exercises. In-two-three-four, until my lungs swelled with the pressure. Out-two-three-four-fiiiiive, pushing out the last little bit of carbon dioxide to get to empty. And repeat. I wonder how many breaths I managed before I got distracted by the splash. Probably not enough.

I’m busy right now. Working almost full-time. And even though my schedule is completely flexible, it’s still full.

So what possessed me the other day to volunteer to be Room Mom for Abby’s third-grade class? I don’t know. What do they say, “When you want something done, ask a busy person”? If “they” are right, then at least I qualify.

However. Room Mom is not really part of my skill set. At least not the administrative duties. I CAN do some administrative work, but it taxes my brain. I have to concentrate much harder than I do when, for example, I’m composing a Tweet or a blog post. So I try not to take on too many admin tasks. Especially if they include math.

So why am I doing this?

I don’t know. I felt like it was the right thing to do. After eight weeks of school, no one else had volunteered. So I suspect it’s part of my ministry at this stage of life. Nothing else would compel me to get to know my fellow parents like being “in charge” of all parent volunteering and parties.

Oh, here’s something funny. Apparently we’re only allowed two “official” parties by the school administration (a “Winter Celebration” and an end-of-the-year party). But that doesn’t keep us from having special snack and craft times on any occasion. And if there’s anything I love, it’s a party. I just need to come up with creative crafts and snacks… Enter Pinterest, which I think will be my new favorite site.

Anyway. I’m processing this as I write. On the one hand, I’m not qualified at all to be a Room Mom. On the other, it’s kind of my thing.

I think I’ll just need to focus on the fun aspects and power my way thru the admin stuff. And delegate, delegate, delegate. At least I can now contact other parents via email. I’m not much of a phone person, but I can ask anything of anyone on the Internets.

Have you ever been Room Mom? Room Dad? What am I missing when it comes to the duties?

PS Oh yeah, today’s my birthday. I’m all of 44 years old. In 2011. Which I find comfortingly symmetrical. Plus I think it merits me more presents. Charlie, are you reading this?

Breathing through busyness is originally posted at: The Red Clay Diaries - Rambling down the dirt road of life Copyright 2007-2011. Use only with permission. Follow me on Twitter. I'm redclaydiaries