Too early in the semester to be exhausted!

So, we're five weeks into the spring semester and I'm exhausted already. Partly, I'm feeling my age. Partly, it's feeling torn between work and family. And not least, it's not having had a good chance to rest and recoup over Winter Break.

Fall semester comes after three months of time away from school. (Note that I did NOT say "three months off." Work continues for college faculty around the calendar: prepping new classes, committee work, hopefully working on one's own research and scholarly writing...) Yes, winter break is 4 weeks "off." Let me tell you how my four weeks "off" went:

• First week, finish up grading final papers and projects, getting grades submitted;
• Second week, finish Christmas shopping, wrap gifts, get out cards, decorate the house, plan and prepare food for family gatherings;
• Third week, recuperate from Christmas, enjoy a couple days off, start on writing project due January 15;
• Fourth week, continue to work on writing project AND revise/create 4 syllabi for the spring semester.

I also spent 3 days in bed with a horrible cold the week before Christmas (there went any hope of getting out cards and we made reservations at a local restaurant for Christmas dinner) AND we had full-term twin grandsons born the day after Christmas!

It doesn't take a Ph.D. to understand why I'm tired! But in spite of the exhaustion, I still managed to shop, package, and mail Valentine's Day presents to the twins, Jase & Jax and 4-year-old Ava. They're what keep me going.