Getting Better at Stuff

I find lately that I'm really coveting other people's skills. I see moms who spend their time getting better at stuff. They take up sewing, scrapbooking, crafts, photography, cooking, photographing their cooking and sewing and crafts, etc. When are they doing these things? Is it during the time that I spend schooling my kids? Is it during the time that I spend on housework? Is it during the time that I spend sleeping? Yeah, I don't know.

Maybe these moms are more energetic than I am? No one has ever accused me of being a bundle of energy. But, still I feel a need to accomplish something. And yet I cannot give up most of the things I currently do. I am, for instance, unwilling to put my kids in school so that I can do crafts in a clean, empty house all day. Some people do crafts and school their kids. A lot of them have fewer kids than I do or none of their kids have autism (result? housework has more longevity and it frees up more time.)

I have tried identifying time wasters like facebook or solitaire or TV to see if I can fit more productive time into my day. I found that I get kinda depressed and lonely if I don't spend any time on those things. So, then I'm thinking maybe I need to do something like cross stitch or knitting that can be done while watching TV. Something to keep my hands busy. So far I haven't even been able to find the time/energy to get the supplies for that. Pathetic.

I have this idea that decent, non-lazy people have organized homes and make time for their families and time for themselves and manage to have energy for everything without ever losing their temper (this is the FIRST thing that happens if I don't get enough rest.) I KNOW there are people that can accomplish a lot in a day and stay cheerful and not stressed. But, maybe there are only very few of them, just as there is only a small percent of the population that has the unique combination of attributes to be a supermodel. (without the invention of the supermodel, excessively tall, scrawny women would just be oddities, I think.)

OK I'm stream of consciousness talking without much focus. I'd like to make more things. I'd like to sew and craft and garden and be good at stuff.

Am I having a mid-life crisis?