My little ladies... and yes it did take about 30 shots before I got them all to smile and look at the camera...lol

Come one, come all!  The greatest show on earth is displayed right before your very eyes!  In fact, right in front of your nose… look in the mirror mamas!  What’s this?  You’re the star of your very own unicycle tight-rope one hand tied behind your back juggling act!

If you’re like me that’s how I feel most days.  Thank goodness for the net to catch me (and by that, I mean my hubby and other members of my support system.)  Without them bringing me back down to the stable ground, I might just cycle my way off the deep end.  Believe me, my friends and family can attest at times I am certifiable.

As a mother, most of us have about thirty or more things on our ‘To Do’ list each day as it is.  But when you add working on top of that, it’s a whole other game!  And it’s tough.  Most days I feel very overwhelmed.  And most days I don’t accomplish half of what I set for myself.  Boy, does that bring on the guilty conscience.  I might lay awake at night thinking how I didn’t finish those last two loads of laundry, the sink is full of dishes–from yesterday, one of my kids didn’t get their bath, I didn’t meet my word count, my husband will have to wear the same pants tomorrow he wore today, I missed my deadline, I didn’t post a lesson, I didn’t return 437 emails, I deleted and important message by accident and can’t find it… the list goes on and on…

When things get that crazy it can be so overwhelming I just feel like doing nothing.  That’s when I zone in front of the television, stick my nose in a book I’m NOT reviewing… go to the gym, or maybe drown in a nice bottle of Pinot.  (Speaking of Pinot, can I say how disappointed I am in the snow storm coming this weekend?  My hubby and I were able to convince my mother to take all three kids–yes the baby!–for the night on Saturday so we could go party like rockstars and sleep in… this snow is ruining my plans!)  I also take some time away from it all.  I leave the house, I leave the chores.  I like to go to my local Starbucks and read for a couple hours once a month. 

Once I pout for my allotted mourning period, I get right back on track.  You know how it is!  If you let things slide for too long, you’ll drown in the mountains of unchecked items on your list, your kids will end up going to school looking like ragamuffins and your hubby just might stomp his foot at the tenth night of hotdogs for dinner.  So gear up, regain your balance and start cycling.  The only way to get things done is to actually do it.  Do a little at a time. Set a timer.  For 15 minutes clean your kitchen.  For 15 minutes fold laundry.  Reward yourself.  You got your word count in!  Go to the coffee shop and splurge on a gigantore-mega-mocha-make-my-butt-bigger-please specialty drink. 

And remember you’re not alone!  Mamas across the world are in your shoes.  We all struggle with the list.  We all struggle with perfection (and if you’re like me you struggle with it so much your almost 9 year old will actually tell you not everything has to be perfect.) The world won’t end if you don’t finish, not really. 

Repeat these words:  I’m a hero.  I’m a superwoman.  I’m number one!  (I changed my ringtone to Alicia Keys “Superwoman” song, so whenever I get a call it reminds me I’m something cool and special J)

And how could I forget to mention the kiddies?  If ever I need a pick me up, hearing their laughter and sweet voices is always a reminder of how precious our time is and I can’t spend all my time worrying about what I don’t get done.  If I did, I’d miss out on all the things I could have done–with them.

How do you deal with the tight-rope act?

Impromptu contest…  Answer this question for a chance to win an e-book copy of my release, Her Captain Surrenders:  What is my favorite Starbucks drink?

Captain Nathaniel Cruise has a job to do.  But what happens when a beautiful woman tempts him to turn his eye from his duties to pursue more…pleasurable entertainments?  Not only that, the woman has a wit and intelligence that rivals his own and he finds himself falling deeper and harder for her.

Lady Juliette Blackburn, knows what she wants, and she wants Captain Cruise.  A rich widow in her own right, she’s decided to take her love life in her own hands.  However, at every turn the man of her dreams is running away from her.  She’ll have to keep up a subtle chase to discreetly reel him in.

Despite their mutual attraction something darker is pulling them together.  A rogue former lover of Juliette’s is the main suspect in Nathaniel’s investigation, and now he’s threatening both their livelihoods.  Together they’ll fight the villain and perhaps on the way Nathaniel and Juliette will surrender to love.

Eliza Knight is the author sizzling historical romance and time travel erotic romance.  Visit: www.elizaknight.com