Darby Flats

Personal Message from Michelle 09-15-2009

I just wanted everyone to be aware of what I've named "Baxter Burnout."

We have been on this adventure for about three weeks now. I first learned about Flat Traveling from a yahoo group about workboxes. It was the night of my surgery, August 26, 2009. It was major surgery. I wasn't sleeping. The pain medication was making me loopy.

It was love at first sight. I absolutely fell in love with the concept. As homeschoolers, it was my ticket to ignoring geography books, lol. We love to send and receive mail. We love activities. It was a perfect match. I jumped in with both feet, and I stole feet from my husband and kids.

I was going to start a website. I was going to make 500 Flat Travelers. I was going to vicariously travel through Baxter. I was going to get maps and plaster them all over the house. Everyone in this house was going to be as excited as I was. (I already mentioned the pain medication, right?)

So I did. I subscribed to everything available about Flat Travelers. I made 20 Baxters that first week. I spoke to everyone I knew. Don't you know that I already have 30 Baxter sent, and another 20 on the waiting list, for when I make more.

I accepted every trade coming my way. I am currently in possession of nine flats. They will be going to the aquarium with us on September 21st for my 33rd birthday. You'd really think at my age, I'd KNOW BETTER than to jump into ANYTHING with both feet.... sigh.

Last night (9-14), I had to e-mail those waiting for flats and explain that I'm not healing properly. It's taking forever to get back up and going. I had to e-mail those whose flats I have why it's going to take until October 5th for me to send them home. My lack of project planning stinks.

I considered the time activities with the flats would take. I didn't figure in being *broken* for so long. I didn't figure in being three weeks behind on laundry, errands, meal preparation, housework, and homeschooling. I didn't figure in filling out the visitor's travel journals. I didn't figure in that I'd have the sole responsibility of these visitors, and making Baxter's, and creating the website. Oooof!

So now, while I'm happy about it, I'm up to my ears in activity. This is just a personal message from me to you so you can consider all of the facets before you wind up in the predicament that I've found myself in. And to tell you the truth, I'm not going to change a thing. :)

Happy Traveling,

Michelle