Academic Down Time

I admit that I have NOT done well on the work front today: daughter #3 had a teacher training day, daughter #2, spouse and Bouncing Babba came round early desperate to show me photos of their trip away (mostly of the BB enjoying himself). I was anticipating the Oldies rolling up mid-morning, as is their want on a Friday, but as luck would have it, the Tesco man arrived earlier than usual to deliver the week's food. This meant that I could put plan B into action and pop into town to see the relics of St Therese of Lisieux at the Minster before they continued on their journey. This was duly achieved and distracted by the delicious sandwiches in Olio & Farina (gorgonzola, mortadella and salad on ciabatta) we dived in for a spot of lunch. We then spent a bit of time looking for a suitably lightweight rowing jacket for #3 (result!) and a new purse for me as my bank cards had annoyingly just all spilled out into my manbag for the nth time (again, result!). By the time we got home it was already half past one and I spent a little while looking for articles on the 'fallacy of intention'. Three fifteen and it was time to pick up the Bright-Eyed Boy and get #3 to the boathouse in time for her training session, which we nearly didn't because of the horrendous road works that have locked the centre of town solid.

I've developed this annoying mental countdown machine in my head and I'm all too aware that I've lost a number of working hours today through a combination of factors: being too available, being easily distracted, being a chauffeur (chauffeuse?). I'm thinking about getting a sign made that reads 'The (potential) Doctor is unavailable for consultation. Please come back after 5pm' and hang it in the front window. Unfortunately, many of the distractions come from within....and not just from within the house! I shall try to be good, however, and take the laptop to Starbucks whilst #3 is rowing again tomorrow morning. Must remember the blinkers and earplugs though.......!

And, yes, I could have spent the time that I spent writing this working, rather than blogging, but -hey! - it's 5pm Friday evening now. Where do the days go?