54. Extinguish

Lately it feels like I am a poster child for Smokey the Bear. I am constantly putting out fires. Fires at work, home, fires at my mom's house. Today I kept repeating the mantra, "If I can only make it to spring break." But besides a short evening of a little wine and time with the family, the week ahead is likely to be very nuts - and it's my vacation. I think I am waiting for things to settle down, but honestly I think you just adjust to the stress and wait for it to get turned up a notch, again. I am always at a lost how to prevent this from happening. My question - has life always been like this? Before TV, cell phones, internet... was there more time in the day? If I add up the time spent answering emails (mostly from students), texts, checking in on Facebook, watching Criminal Minds, tinkering with the iPhone... it's a lot of time. But if I was 40 years old in 1950, would I have more time.  I certainly wouldn't have a blog and I would likely be in danger of being a house wife.  I am not suggesting that I get rid of my iPhone - hell no! The answer is always there, but you can't see the forest because the trees get in the way. Just wondering what a simpler life would be like, back when Smokey was the hero.  I think sometimes I just need to remember to stop and smell the roses.