like a puppet on a string...

I don't really know how to say what is on my mind without revealing too many details. Lately I have felt like I am being spun in so many directions, my life is careening out of control and I am helpless to stop it. We have been so busy here lately and it seems people have discovered suddenly that we are easy targets to continue to pile on the heavy load. And there are serious misconceptions that because I am a stay at home mom, I do nothing but sit around the house and do nothing. HA! I can't even begin to say that being a mom, a wife, and keeping up with the house are 3 full time jobs in themselves. People somehow get the notion that well, I can just find a baby-sitter and come out and solve their problems, or run their errands or pick up their slack, what else do I have to do all day. Like, say for example I am helping someone with a certain event and I am asked to show up at their next meeting, (only to share my view of how things are progressing) and so I go practically drug there kicking and screaming (in my mind of course) and suddenly I am a member of that committee and what is my e-mail and phone # so people can start calling my for opinions and decsions. WHAT?? I went to that meeting as a favor to a friend and come out a member and am expected to show up at all meetings from now on. Then say another friend is heading up a fish fry and what gets announced at church on sunday? Oh by the way, any questions? See ME I am now in CHARGE.......UH.....WHAT?????....THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP! I am just going crazy, and there have been other things within the past few months. You know when I quit working the stress load just went away, it was so wonderful. I am starting to feel some of those feelings again, don't get me wrong, it certainly isn't to that extent, but I just feel like I am this puppet that everyone else is starting to control. I am going through what I think is my life meanwhile others are planning my course and lot in life. It is so frustrating. I love helping people out but there is a line between being asked and being (ab)-used. I am not a person that says no easily and if I do then the guilt naws at my insides and I can't sleep and I feel like a horrible person, because I selfishly said no. I just don't want any of this to affect my family life, although I feel like it has already taken some toll. I just need to be strong but this is one area of weakness for me.