Enlightenment

Several years ago we had a chore list and I thought it went well and but somehow it fell by the way side.  Several months ago I asked Bob if we should start another one to keep us on track and he said he always felt stressed with it on the days that I worked.  So I put it on the back burner.  Lately though, something has to give.  I don't want a pristine home, just one that I can walk through and for me I work much better with lists.  I like to be able to look and see what I need to be doing and feel accomplishment when I can check something off.  So last week I created a new and improved simple task list.  Very simple, I think, and Saturday we discussed it. 

Yes, agreements have been made.  We are both on the same page!  My explanation that I am not asking for pristine was the key.  I don't want any of us to stress.  We have a home that is lived in by a family.  That means the floor might be messy, the walls may have fingerprints sometimes and dust bunnies might live a while under the couch. 

Along with that chore list is the idea of a menu.  I will be making four weekly menus....  one for each week of the month and will change them seasonally.  Trying to base it on what the garden is producing and what we have in the pantry.  Yes, I am gaining some enlightenment as I tend to the "garden" that I call home.

Please, leave your comments and ideas.  I would love to hear them!

Happy Tending

We will never forget!

Sweet peas and onions

So we have started to TRY to be a bit more strict with bed time.  Lately when Bear does take a nap it's been at 5pm or so, and then she is so sleepy you can't keep her awake with out a bath. Last night I managed to keep her awake through that push and we ate at a decent time since Bob was off early and she was asleep by 7:45 pm.  BUT, backfire......  up before 6 am this morning.  Mommy didn't go to bed at 8pm so mommy was sleepy!  Tonight because of Little Gym bedtime was more like 9pm (Thursdays are light meals when we get home--ie cereal).  For nap today, she actually fell asleep during her Clifford show and well, instead of catching up, I fell asleep too.  LOL



Ballet May 25, 2011  They are little Starfish!



We had a busy day.  Thursday generally are.  This has been a great week though, all things considered.  Helped my mom move some things Monday.  Tuesday we had a day at home and planted our peppers and most of our tomatoes (I need more soil for those since we are attempting to grow them in containers this year).  Then on Wednesday we had a homeschool art project with new friends that homeschool and today we hosted our Thursday homeschool group with a ride on the Tacoma monorail and a morning spent at the children's museum and the Broadway Farmers Market.  Sarah was too shy to talk with a trumpet player we met, even though she still says after more than a year that she wants to play the trumpet. 

Sarah is the last little starfish!



This weekend we have sorting for a sale, a birthday party and a trip to Seattle sometime to Fort Lawton.  Sarah is really beginning to know about the American flag (we have slowly when interest is there) been teaching her about planets, continents, states, towns and counties.  It's slow but she does know what planet, Continent, etc we live in.  She is only three though.  LOL 



In Little Gym Sarah did the high bar on the uneven bars!  She said after wards, "Mommy it was scary, but i did it."  She was so proud of herself!  Of course ballet is going well.  She has had one dress rehearsal and her next one is June 5th and she preforms June 10 and 11.  I can't believe how grown up she is getting.  Such a joy, in her adventurous way! 



Other news from the garden:  Our raddishes are coming up and we have also planted onions.  :-)

Happy Tending,

Outside my window... A light drizzle is falling...
 

I am thinking... About people and things and how lucky I am despite everything.

I am thankful for... A home, loved ones

I am wearing...clothes.

I am remembering... All the things I will need to get done in the next few weeks.....

I am going... SLOW DOWN (the above will hopefully help this!)

I am currently reading... Not much.

I am hoping... For a good nights sleep.  Simple!  :-)

On my mind... Changes......  maybe .....

Noticing that... Rainbows really excite Bear

Pondering these words... Pausing to listen to an airplane in the sky, stooping to watch a ladybug on a plant, sitting on a rock to watch the waves crash over the quayside—children have their own agendas and timescales. As they find out more about their world and their place in it; they work hard not to let adults hurry them. We need to hear their voices.   Cathy Nutbrown--Contemporary British educational theorist   ----yes the need to slow down and not expect our child to keep with our agenda is great.  This doesn't mean we cater to their every whim, but rather we enjoy the world God created.  We enjoy the lady bug on the leaf or the way the sun plays "peek a bo" through the clouds. 

From the kitchen... the hum of the ceiling fan 

Around the house... coupons that need filed!

One of my favorite things…My daughter's grin.

I'm a work in progess

but trying to improve.

Ok, so I'm not perfect.

I had a BIG blow up yesterday afternoon. Made a total fool of myself in front of my family and neighbors. WHY? Because I am trying to keep up with all you perfect women and moms. I give up. I hurt my family and my neighbors, but most of all my best friend and little girl. They mean more to me than keeping up with any perceived notion I might have of how a real woman should be and function.

I wont EVER have a spotless house. I have a child, husband, dog and really, as long as we can function and are clean and happy, should I worry about making someone with their issues think I am worthy of them and their company? I am tired of it. Really and truly. The women that can overlook my lack of keeping everything organized and spic and span clean in a 900 sq foot house (which BY THE WAY I LOVE!) are who I want to have in my life. Odd their s/o's and children have no problem..... It was a very happy home at one time and will return. The walls in this house will once again sing with joy and love like it use to. Some homes have a natural feeling of love and ambiance of peace and this small abode did at one time. The only thing changed is me. The addition of my feelings of needing to keep up with perceived ideas of what family and motherhood and being a good wife is what's changed.... The way I use to be was fascinating enough for my husband, he loved me as I use to be, not this me that worries about what someone will think about our home or any other endless list of things, trying to be something I was never meant to be.
I don't have a housekeeper. Seriously, it has been offered to me in an effort to help me relax. I don't want one. I am to frugal and can think of MUCH better ways to enjoy that money, plus, that need to not have a housekeeper think we aren't pigs would keep me up at night. So I know my limits. Don't put me down for this. Again, if my house is too messy for you, my life and friendship will be too. I'm kind of simple that way.

I have tried to remove catch alls, they remain. I give up. If this bothers you when you come to my home, stay away. Please do, because I will struggle with giving up this need to impress people that will never really find me "worthy". My bathroom will always be clean, but you might have to see some dog hairs in places. We have a fur baby. He is old, but he is the sweetest thing that has ever lived on four legs and he is a member of our family. He is very well loved. I will not apologize for him. He lives here and is much more important to us than your visit. Sorry but he loves me the way God does. Despite my faults and shortcomings he sees my heart, just as God does.

I struggle daily. I am not perfect. I need reminders and hugs and told that things will be ok and to not worry that I'm not able to keep up with all the perfect women. I need people in my life that really are loving and kind, not fake people. I don't dress for "success" nor do I have to be made up all the time. Heck, I have an active 3 year old and I am lucky sometimes to brush my teeth. Maybe you perfect women have perfect children that can read and are potty trained by 2. We don't, it's not where our interests lay at the moment. I give up trying to keep up. I will generally be as modest as I can. That I will do. So if the way I dress or the lack of name brands on our clothing turns your stomach, puke out your sentiments elsewhere.

My yard.... I ENJOY doing my own yard work. That means sometimes it needs weeded. Anyone who has known me for a while knows I have physical limitations, limitations brought about by caring for others. That's what I do. Yard work is my release. My time to think and dream. My yard will never be perfect. I am not going to try to make sure it is for others. My family doesn't mind, so like my house, we may be messy at times.

Don't put down my house. It's small but I am really fed up with women thinking they need to inform me of this. Like it's a bad thing or a disease..... Our home is open to as many as we can show love to. We have had big gatherings, but really why do I feel the need to explain this...... If it bothers you, stay away.
Last night my husband told me no one will hold me accountable or put me down for slowing down and just accepting things. I hope he is right. However if you are one of those perfect women, that name drop or are always attempting to raise your own level by putting on the dog, please just quietly step out of my life. I really need to not worry about what you will think about me. Yes this is my issue, but it's brought about by the lack of love in people, for others and themselves. Don't foist your own obsessive issues on me.
My family comes first. While writing this I stopped several times while we blew up balloons and played catch in the house, this to me is what being a wife and mom means..... my ability is not really gauged by how clean my house may or may not be.

In love

Sunshine and Lilacs

Our lilacs are in full bloom and the scent is intoxicating.  We enjoyed them all morning while we planted our garden.  Speaking of which we ran out of room!  I am already dreaming of the harvest and praying we do well.  Tending the garden with care much like we tend to our children and how God tends to us, even when we don't think He is.  We water the seeds, we teach our children and He guides our walk and paths even if we think we are outside of His view.  If you are meant to walk with Him, you will.  You can either walk the easy path or the one with potholes.  I think mine has a lot of potholes.

Anyway, while tending both the garden and the Bear I took these today. 

Outside my window... The sun set not too long ago, happy for some sunshine the past few days.

I am thinking... Why are the days always so busy?

I am thankful for... my loved ones, the sunshine and the ability to enjoy both.

I am wearing...Pj's .....  Going to bed soon.


I am remembering... What fun it is to be young and no real big cares

I am going... to slow down.

I am currently reading... NOTHING


I am hoping... That my prayers for a fruitful harvest are fulfilled come harvest.

On my mind... What a wonderful husband I have, and I know I don't tell him often enough how great he is.

Noticing that... People are too competitive....

Pondering these words... "My mommy says..." and how one little girl loves to say that.

From the kitchen... silence

Around the house... Mariners Baseball on the TV

One of my favorite things… The lilacs in my back yard and the side of the house.

Blessed Tendings!

April showers bring May flowers?

We have had a very wet spring, but luckily we did get to get our garden tilled this past weekend. Three sunburns later and a full day of outside play time we have our small "victory" garden space and will hopefully be able to plant this week. Our raspberries are doing well (I keep forgetting to take pictures) but my rhubarb died..... I bought a small replacement for it.

It looks like we did lose a few perennials over the winter, I'm not sure if it was from wet weather, wild critters, domestic pets or something other. How did your garden fare?

I have begun couponing a bit more. There is so much to learn and really a whole subculture in the whole thing. I'm not looking to supply the world just to stock our pantry a bit more. In that vain I have been able to pick up some personal care products that we use and a few other items, though I think I will personally forgo the stores like Walgreen's and Rite Aid, I'm not having real good luck. LOL

The other day Sarah had another Kidz on Wheelz Rally and she is getting so good on her bike. Still to soon to take the training wheels but our wee girl is growing up so fast. Next weekend is her dress rehearsal for her first ballet recital in June. I need to buy tickets for that. the first of many such times I am sure.

Parenthood is fun so far but also very trying. We are going through a stage where we like to pout. Does it pass? Soon? All that aside she is a very loving little girl.

This week my best friend, lover and husband celebrated his 50th birthday. Bob turned 50 and today we had a party for him. I am so blessed to be his wife!

So what have you been up to? Have you been able to plant your garden yet? Have you been busy weeding, planting, weeding some more? How do you keep up with the never ending chore and keep things working smoothly at home?

More to come...

Happy Tending!