Critical Decisions

I have made one very important decision in my life. I am going to take off two quarters from school, writing my dissertation to be exact. I have been enrolling each quarter for several years, but I haven't been getting anything done. Many thousands of dollars later $$$$$$, I finally decided to take a break. I have been at this 'extra' schooling thing now for almost ten years, and I am plain old tired. I worked three years on my National Board Certification, then a year and a half on my Specialist degree, then I went straight into coursework for my Ph.D. After two and a half years of courses and then my comprehensive exams, I started the dissertation stage. Almost three years later, I have not finished the first three chapters. I have gotten two extensions, but life keeps me from writing. I have gotten a house full of stuff that has not been attended, and it looks like a hoarder house. I have many, many obligations to take care of my daddy, including his health and other affairs, and I am just way, way overwhelmed. I think that if I take off from the tension and the pressure of a timeline and a time limit, maybe I can focus on real life for a change. I hope to get this house decluttered during this time. That issue alone could help my brain become more focused and alive. Also, I am going to become a first time Grandma in March, and I need to be de-stressed when all of this happens. So, I am not quitting the pursuit of my doctorate, but I am delaying it for two quarters. I hope that this critical decision is a good one, and I hope that I can now accomplish the regular day to day life things that most normal people take for granted. Wish me luck on this journey to de-stress, de-clutter, and de-activate the tension and nervousness that is my everyday life.
Maybe I will finish a book or two that I have started, childens' books of course.
Wish me luck!