Too Many Programs Open

Hello to all my Coon Creek friends! It’s a pleasure to see y’all on the porch this morning. I realize everyone has tons of things to do. I feel very fortunate that you’ve made time in your day for me and All Things Southern. I hope you have a great time here. I’ve already swept things off and put out some refreshments; pick your pleasure and have a seat. (You might have to push Rocky and Dixie Belle off the comfy chairs, they’ve been looking forward to your visit as much as I have!) Let’s chat…~smile~

I’ve been duped, swindled, suckered… Don’t laugh; chances are you’ve bought a load or two of the same fertilizer. I’m talking about the buzzword of the millennium: multi-tasking. I remember the first time I heard the word. Big deal, I thought, I’ve been doing that all my life. Technically, multi-tasking is the ability to execute more than one task at the same time. In my world it’s known as brushing your teeth with one hand, putting on mascara with the other, while cleaning the bathroom floor with your socks soaked in Scrubbing Bubbles.

I was simultaneously engaging in different activities a long time before they glamorized it with a name. I’ve since become a multi- tasking machine. I’m overqualified to share what the organizational experts don’t always tell you: multi-tasking has a dark side.

Recently, I read about Diane Sawyer making good use of her desk time by sitting on an exercise ball. She said it engaged her abs. Well now, I’m spending countless hours at my desk, and I’m all for engaging my abs. It sounded like a multi-tasking miracle!

I swapped my padded desk chair that lets me slump comfortably toward the screen—for my big gray exercise ball. I balanced myself on top of it, booted up my computer, and engaged my abs. We had a short, yet very painful relationship. I’d forget about our commitment and slump—causing me to fall off the ball and bond my chin with my desk instead.

In a strange way, I’m glad it happened! While researching this column, I found a study linking multi-tasking to short term memory loss and lapses in concentration! In computer terms, I’ve got too many programs open with too few resources available to run ‘em. In other words, I’ve not been having senior moments since high school; I’m a victim of multi-tasking! I’d file a complaint with the proper authorities while I’m cooking supper, folding clothes and paying the bills…if I could remember what I’m complaining about…

Okay, enough of my rambling…let me make a few announcements and I’ll get out of the way. I hear our Southern Celebration roaring down the tracks even as I speak…

I had a terrific time in Pontchatoula this past weekend! I think it’s safe to say the ladies retreat was a big success. I know I enjoyed myself tremendously. The women had gone all out with the planning and decorations and everyone there was so very, very nice to me and Mama (my traveling companion and chauffeur, *grin*) They were an incredibly appreciative audience. I hope to have a little photo journal for y’all up on the journal page soon, but it might not be this week. This is going to be another short work week for me. I’ll be traveling to the Louisana Broadcasters Association Convention in Lafyette this weekend. Keep me in your prayers…

I reckon that’s about it! Oh, wait! Please don’t forget to join the All Things Southern Relay for Cancer Drive. Just one dollar from each porcher, (unless you’d like to do more, which would be just fine with me), and our team can make a BIG impact on the lives of those suffering from this horrible disease. You can drop your dollar in an envelope earmarked “cancer drive”. (That’s 610 Schneider Lane ~Lake Providence, LA 71254. ) Don’t forget to specify if you’d like it to be in honor of or in memory of a loved one or friend.

Okay, take care, have a great time on the porch and for goodness sakes, come see me. You know I love to hear from y’all!

Hugs,
Shellie