I had this past week off, like most teachers in the United States, for Presidents’ week, and I really needed the break. But one week of vacation was just long enough to remind me of all of the things I wanted to get done, and not long enough to actually do them. Especially since the first thing on my to-do list really took over.
My to do list: SLEEP; put the new rugs down; think through all of the requirements for our next dog(s), and look for rescue organizations that will let us adopt without a fenced in yard; finish three novels and start two more, though one or more may end up being a memoir instead of fiction; read through my ten boxes of Therapy Pages notebooks and plan how to use them; start exercising again (for the fiftieth time); clean the kitchen and get back to cooking (instead of microwaving); read all of the books on my bedside table and piled haphazardly on my shelves; buy more bookcases; finish translating another ten Israeli pop songs and try not to add more to the list right away; work on lesson plans for the rest of the school year; get a haircut (or find a good excuse for why I shouldn’t have to ever cut my hair again); read through my hundred-page-plus draft of an “essay” on the history of the modern state of Israel, and see how many more books I will need to read before I can convince myself that I’m in over my head; watch every webinar I’ve downloaded from YouTube, on writing and therapy and music and Israel and whatever else; oh, and don’t fall into a deep depression as a result of the isolation and loneliness, if possible.
One nice thing happened before the actual vacation started which gave me hope: we had another birdie visitor. This time it was a young white-throated sparrow who either had ADD or a panic disorder and kept flying and pacing relentlessly around the apartment. Mom got some great pictures of him in the few moments when he was able to remain still.
But then, right after the bird left, I heard from my pharmacy that the FDA is clamping down on off label prescriptions for Ozempic (anything other than a type-two diabetes diagnosis), and then my doctor told me that my insurance won’t cover any of the other weight loss medications (Wegovy, etc.), so if I wanted to keep taking weight loss medication it would cost at least $1,000 per month. So, after six months of slow weight loss, the experiment is suddenly over. There’s a bill in the US congress to try to get weight loss medications covered by health insurance, but who knows how long it will take to get it approved; relying on the smooth workings of the United States government has never been a good life strategy.
If the weight I’d already lost had improved my overall health, then maybe I would feel better about stopping here, but, if anything, I’m more exhausted now than I was six months ago. Which is why the first thing on my to-do list overwhelmed everything else I wanted to accomplish this week, and most of my vacation was spent sleeping, or at the very least, lying down. I also watched a bunch of webinars (and managed to download even more), and got some reading and writing and typing done. But vacation is almost over and my to-do list is, if anything, longer than it was at the beginning of the week. How is that even possible?
Here’s hoping that the rest I’ve been able to get this week will help me get through until the next short vacation, and that somewhere along the way some more birdies will come along to remind me that all of this is worth the effort – even if my to-do list never, ever, gets done.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Young Adult novel, Yeshiva Girl, on Amazon. And if you feel called to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
rachelmankowitz 
I hope the cessation of the Semaglutide doesn’t cause you any health problems. I’ve read that some people experience rebound weight gain when they cease.
That is a big list of things to do. I think I’d stop at SLEEP if I could.
Thank you!
I’m exhausted just reading your list. Personally I’m very happy rest topped the list! Goodness. Did the little sparrow calm down enough to sung? They have a lovely song.
He didn’t sing at all. Maybe he came inside to get away from his fans?
Your Mom’s pictures are fantastic. I especially like the one of him looking right at her. The white throat is one of my favorite birds that come in to our feeder. There song is so happy. What a treat to have such a visitor.
She was even able to get him to sit in her hands, for a moment. He was lovely!
Oh how lovely!! You mom is a very special women indeed. I feel like that could be made into a children’s book.
Wow, your backlog makes me feel dizzy. R&R is the best item on your agenda. Pace yourself and enjoy a few simple pleasures for awhile.
Each time I woke up and remembered all the things I had to do, I went back to sleep.
I’m glad you did.
My time off, whenever I get it, sounds a lot like yours. It is heavenly to finally feel well-rested. But the remainder of my long to-do list is never completed. Often, it isn’t even started.
Yep.
I’m hoping that weight loss meds will be covered. I do, however, am grateful that I can now get my Ozempic for my type 2 diabetes. It was a rough 9-10 months there where my sugars were way too high and everyone seemed to be using my meds for weight loss. Why can’t we just make enough?
That would be much better!
I would have whittled that list down to two things: 1) sleep and 2) watch the bird. What a cutie!
Perfect!
Rachel, you are too hard on yourself! That list looks like a 6-month to-do list. Your body is telling you what it needs … sleep! Give yourself a pat on the back for catching up on your sleep. And the pics of that little bird are wonderful.
Thank you!
I agree with Jane!
What a delightful visitor! After reading your to do list I realized that mine is too much. Here’s to more sleep!
Yes!
Try to breathe. To do lists are a double edge sword. When you are crossing things off, you feel great but you also get anxiety about what’s left undone. It makes relaxing difficult.
Hopefully your insurance company will have some ideas about what you can use to replace the Ozempic.
Sending love and prayers
Thank you!
Sleep is a priority. All to-do lists take on a life of their own.
I am glad you rested during your vacation! Sorry your Ozempic is not covered any more on your insurance, I take it, too! I am a type 2 diabetic. Xx
Thank you!
Woah! What a list! I was totally overwhelmed. How about one thing a day, and go have some fun.
I will try!
If it’s any consolation, I don’t think we ever get to the end of « to do » lists as we keep adding to them.
That to-do list is as long as my husbands. He prioritizes things and sometimes never gets to the end – ever. I keep mine short and simple, LOL! I hope you can keep managing your weight without the medication. It can be very difficult.
Thank you!
I love that a bird made its way into your apartment 😁. At least you had a chance to try ozempic..my insurance won’t cover ANYTHING weight related unless you have more than one problem related to your weight. I have none, surprisingly so they consider me a “vanity case”.
I’m hoping the bill passes in congress, but…I’m not usually that lucky.
My wife (not me though) believes that small birds are the spirits of lost loved ones, people or animals. We have Robins that come close to the house, and she believes it is her late father. Maybe if my wife is right, the sparrow is one of your beloved dogs revisiting?
Best wishes, Pete.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!!
And that’s why “Do not add to this list” is one of the first entries in all my to do lists! Good luck! 🙂
Ha! Smart!
😁
Can’t help thinking that the little bird was imitating your need to escape from your long list of to dos! Take a cue from the bird: quit flapping and take a rest. Love your list by the way. Made me laugh at my own. Now for a nap.
Ha! Enjoy!
Your readers all have the same thing to say. Your list is tooo BIG! Prioritise your health first. Then what seems both urgent and necessary for YOUR personal happiness and wellbeing and then consider the rest.
Thank you!
Such a cute bird. I miss them coming into our garden but there are few trees here. We have a lot of starlings, but the smaller birds are few and far between which is a shame.
It really is magical to get to see them up close.
That is one lo-o-o-ng list! Try not to be so hard on yourself. You are doing everything you can. No one can do more than that. ❤
Thank you!
To-do lists can be overrated, if you catch my drift.
You got a whole week off? I wish I had attended school in your state!
I was able to adopt Murphy from the ASPCA without a fenced yard. On my application I stressed that my dogs NEVER go out without a leash and a human. I don’t know if that might help you. I have never understood why fences are a requirement. They won’t protect your pet from hawks or coyotes. 🙄
Such great news!
Sleep… Sleep… and Sleep some more. I think it’s the Franciscans that talk about go an have a nap. Eat. Then start praying…
Pretty much.
Sleeping always at the top of my to do list when we had time off from school. Now being retired, I so love being able to cat nap throughout the day knowing I have time to get to my to-do list.
Sounds good!
LOVE the bird pictures. The small comforts we treasure. I hope you get to some of your to-do items. Small ones first???
Thank you!
Maybe the birdy came to remind you to slow down a little. Take it easy.
Maybe.
I have a hard time getting through my to-do lists during vacation too. I know how you feel.
Thank you!
Rachel, your honest reflection on the balance between rest and the relentless to-do list resonates deeply. It’s admirable how you find moments of joy, like the visit from the sparrow, amidst challenges. Your resilience and dedication, both to your personal goals and to educating others, shine through. Wishing you more birdie visitors and the fulfillment of tackling that list bit by bit. Also, congrats on “Yeshiva Girl”—sounds like a compelling read!
Thank you!!!
My pleasure
I recognise the relentless gap between the things we want to achieve and the reality of time constraints. But I love your blog Rachel and you always inspire loads of people so I think that’s a pretty big box to tick.
Thank you so much!
Do you believe in omens, Rachel? If so, consider what the bird might have been telling you about managing your busy life differently?
Maybe.
Goodness, Rachel! Your huge to-do list should keep you from being lonely! You are brilliant and amazing. Your to-do list made me want to go rest after reading it! The pictures of the sparrow are amazing also. Good for you and your mom for offering hospitality to one of God’s wonderful little creatures.
Thank you!
Well… you can’t say your bored and got nothing to do.
Art
That’s a heck of a to do list! No wonder you needed loads of sleep
Just writing the list wiped me out.
Sorry for a late comment, but I would think your to-do list would drive you into depression! Be gentle with yourself. Also, even though I vowed to not give people advice any more, I want to encourage you to exercise. You don’t have to go to the gym and pump iron or run a marathon. This past week, I took a short walk almost every morning, and I could feel a difference in my mood. It was not a miracle, but somewhat of an improvement. And now I apologize for a long comment!
Thank you!
Looking forward to the memoir. Nice birdie photos.
Thank you!
Wow. How did you get that photo of the bird???? Whenever I get close, as slow and quietly as I can, they fly away!!! Then I just give up and do something else.