Meanderings of My Mind

...see if you can keep up.

The new year always gets me thinking about resolutions.  Not necessarily because I want to make one, or even twenty, but because they are what everyone else is talking about.  New year, new chances, new opportunities, new promises to ourselves and everyone else.  I never make resolutions because I never keep them.  And who wants the disappointment right?  Not me.  I have this fear of failure and of making a fool of myself.  So, inevitably, I don't try.  Then days like today hit and I begin to question my impact on the world around me.  What contributions have I made?  And I list in my head all the people I know who have bettered themselves, or those around them. 
                People who have continued their education and earned further degrees.
                People who have written articles, even books, that have impacted others.
                People who excel in every aspect of their vocations.
                People who, when they speak, cause others listen.

I reflect on my life and what I have done.  I am not impressed.  Maybe I am not alone in saying this.  Maybe it is a common malady.  I don't say it out of self-pity; not anymore at least.  I say it out of reflection and honest opinion.  But maybe that is what we are to think of our own lives.  If we do impress ourselves with our own works, that could lead us down a road we don't want to travel.  So do I remind myself to be content with what I am doing and where I am?  Or do I hunt for the courage to step foot on a new path?  I guess it depends on where that new path is going.  Where do I see this new path leading?  Is it for selfish gain and satisfaction, or is it for the joy and betterment of others? 

I want to write stories.  I want to write stories for children, plus I have a mystery or two in my head.  And a book about being a mother and wife.  That's the new path I'm hinting at.  I've taken a writing course and I have a story ready to submit to a magazine.  I've had it ready for months now.  It's safe in my laptop's memory, patiently waiting to be printed and mailed away.  Such a cooperative little story!  But I don't feel that it's anything special.  Nothing to write home about, as they say.  And I think to myself, why do I want it published?  Because I want to "be published?"  Because I want recognition as "a writer?"  Yep, I do.  Selfish of me?  Yep, it is.  Might kids enjoy the story?  Yep, I guess they might.  Jo-Jo likes it. 

But then I think about the talents and gifts God gives us.  He gives them for a reason.  If I have stories in my head that I want to write, why not share them with others?  Maybe the selfish thing would be to write them and then keep them to myself.  Or, worse yet, to never write them.  Satan sure does have fun with me.  He finds all kinds of new ways to keep me down and cause me to doubt my importance.  Will anything come of this?  How can I know.  I think that is another personal haunt of mine; the need to know I will be safe in putting myself  "out there."  But I think I have decided that I will take that step this week, of printing and mailing my first story.  Maybe, pessimist that I am, I need to set the goal of receiving my very first rejection letter.  I'll frame it and hang it proudly in my room.  It will signify the courage I found to take the first step.  I'll keep you informed.

Well He knows what best to grant me;

All the longing hopes that haunt me,

Joy and sorrow, have their day.

I shall doubt His wisdom never;

As God wills, so be it ever;

I commit to Him my way.

 

LSB 732, vs.5

 

 

So I'm dinking around on Pinterest early this morning and I come across a recipe for homemade Vick's-type shower disks.  Sounded interesting so I followed the link to the original website.  I'm intrigued by the blog I find as the blogger writes about many things I'm interested in...food, gardening, healthy eating and frugal living. 

In one post I read, her choice of words was colorful, not off-color, but colorful. And, I admit, it made me giggle because I had been in the situation she described and I related to it very well.  A reader replied that she would try the shared recipe but the vulgar language turned her off.  Fair enough.  We all know that a blog belongs to the blogger.  Ideas, thoughts, feelings are shared in whatever way the blogger desires.  "Reader Beware", right?  And, taking that a little further, bloggers need to be ready to receive comments that they may not want. 

That being said, here's what disappointed me.  The blogger's reply to the polite, albeit critical comment, included another colorful word.  Um, why?!  I think the reason is apparent; the blogger does not care what the reader thinks about the language used.  But what was the point of using another offensive word in the reply?  I just don't understand.  I find myself feeling sorry for the blogger.  And very saddened by the disrespect among adults.

Feels like Monday

It's Wednesday.  I have to keep reminding myself of that.  It's Wednesday!

The boyos went back to school this morning.  I'm sitting in a very silent house.  The wind is rattling the old window next to me.  That's about all I hear, except for the clicking of the computer keys.  Strange.  I keep waiting for one of the boys to walk in and ask if he can have a snack.  It's about time for that.  Wonder if they are feeling hungry?



I had plans for today.  I planned to spend it in My Room.  I have a new file cabinet I need to organize and a new set of drawers for my 12x12 papers (love!) that needs to be filled.  I want to write.  I want to stamp.  I want to play with my Cricut.  But there are fresh ears of corn, blueberries, and peaches in the kitchen that are calling my name.  Rather loudly, too.  I really can't put off their prep much longer.  So I guess I'll pick some fun music and get to boogieing/boogying/boogiing/boogie-ing (how do you spell that non-existant word?!) in the kitchen for a couple of hours. 

It's still early.  My papers will be here later.  I just hate putting off "Me" time, you know?



Read something interesting this morning.  The source intends it for "out in the world" office-type workers, but I can apply it to my life.  How 'bout you?

"Avoid tasks that don't excite you or you will be more vulnerable to digital distractions and unmindfulness.  Delegate or outsource the necessary but uninteresting parts of your job."

Delegate, delegate, delegate.  That says to me CHORE CHART!  Tomorrow I'll share the bits and pieces that have worked for me over the past year.  I dont' think I've done that yet.

Outsource = take it to the cleaners!  Hubs is picky about his "uniform" so we use the dry cleaners.  Saves me headache and LOTS of ironing.  Which I hate.

How do you delegate and outsource?






THANKS!

Just have to take a moment and shout a big, huge, giganitc

Thank You!

to my wonderful sister-in-law, Tracie!  She and I are big fans of The Eight by Katherine Neville.  Love that story!  Anyway, she introduced me to it as I've shared before and I've borrowed it from her several times.  You may be wondering, "why not just get your own copy, silly?"  Yes, I've wondered that myself.  Well, it's one of those gems that I forget about.  And when I'm reminded of it, it's like pulling out old Christmas stuff..."Oh I forgot about that!  I just love it!"  But do I ever remember the book when I'm out at the stores?  Nope.  Then I got my Nook.  And I remembered The Eight.  And I thought to myself, "Perfect!  I want to own this favorite story so why not buy it for my Nook."  Think I could find a copy?  Yep, I could!  In SPANISH!  Weird.  Not an english copy to be found.  I don't get it.

Anyway.

When I arrived at the island a couple of weeks ago, The Eight was waiting for me.  A treasure found in the used book sale at the local library by Tracie.  And she bought it...and left it there...for me!  Can you believe it?  I was so terribly excited I could hardly stand it.  Weird I know, but I get geeky about books sometimes.  Thank you, Tracie!

Of Bathing Suits and Beauty Queens

(FAIR WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS MY CLEAR OPINION OF WOMEN'S BATHING SUITS THESE DAYS.  NO OFFENSE TO YOUR PERSONAL CHOICES INTENDED.)

During our stay at Kelleys Island, OH I have enjoyed one of my favorite hobbies...watching people!  The front porch is perfect for that, especially because we are two doors away from the hoppin' "downtown" part of KIO.  It's a beautiful, quiet island...except on the weekends.  HooBoy, the people come a flockin' in like seagulls!  The language is bad, the drinking is bad, the clothing is bad.  Mmm!  I am so thankful that my boyos are distracted with their play.




So as I sit on the porch watching the golf carts roll down the street, and the pedestrians meander down the sidewalk, I notice the general lack of clothing on the female figures.  The bottoms head up north, while the tops migrate south.  You know, the Daisy Duke look.


The bathing suits are even worse.   They just seem to shrink inward from all directions.


 
Tell me how these hold the girls together!  Please!



My nightmarish thought about bikini bottoms is that someone would give a tug on the dangling string on the center one.  Bye bye suit!  "But it was just a joke!"  Funny Sad thing is, some girls would laugh at it.

I once saw two young girls running across hot sand to the cool water.  With one hand, they held the girls in and with the other they held up their swim bottoms.  I just had to shake my head.  "Why bother?" I ask myself.  "Might as well just wear their underwear."  But then again, maybe their choice of intimates is even smaller...let's not go there.

The suit examples above, I found at Kohls.com.  Pretty modest choices comparatively speaking.  But still ones I would not wear.  And I have several friends who would not wear these either, so I know I'm not alone in my opinions and beliefs.  Speaking of beliefs, doesn't it say something in the Bible about women being modest?  Hm.  I believe so!  Sorry, while speaking the truth I am getting a bit sarcastic in my delivery.  My Hubby's feeling on this is that when women dress this way there is no mystery left for her husband to discover.  Nothing left for her to keep special, just for him.  And I know there are those of you who are concerned about your daughters.  Trying to find modest bathing suits for little girls might not be as easy as it once was.  While I don't have daughters to shop for, I do have my three boyos I need to be concerned about.  We, Hubs and I, need to be teaching them how to respect girls and young women.  It's hard when some of them dress like Daisy.

And for my final thoughts!  I am just full of sarcastic feeling today!  Not sure what it is.  Maybe it's just that I'm fed up with watching people who don't know how to treat themselves or anyone else with respect.  In observing the dress habits of the women, I have noticed that the men dress modestly.  The shorts are long, sometimes past the knees.  T-shirts are big.  Swim trunks are long as well.  So why is that?  What is it that tells women to wear clothing too small to stay on the hanger?

I welcome your thoughts and opinions.


By the way, I have a one piece skirted suit and a two piece suit consisting of a tank-style top and boy shorts.  What do you consider modest?

The Domino Effect

I think one of the reasons we as moms get so distracted is because of the domino effect.  You are familiar with it, I'm sure.  It happens when you begin one task which then causes another to be put on your list, and when you are busy taking care of that "one task" you see three more that need immediate attention.  An example:

I took a load of laundry downstairs to be washed and immediately saw the 3 other loads already waiting to be put in the machine. 

I also saw the two throw rugs Hubby tossed down there.  I decided to get those rugs done first and shook them out before tossing them in.  One of them scattered sand and dirt all over the floor.

While down there, the boys asked me to get the Playmobil Airport down for them.  We keep it up because it's one thing we want to remain as a special activity, only being used occassionally.  So I pulled it off the top shelf only to see tiny mouse poopies on it. 

Gross.

Had to go upstairs to get the disinfectant.  Back downstairs, wipe down the airport, tell the boys to wash their hands.  Go back to sweep up the sand and dirt from the throw rug.

Re-sort the pile of laundry because apparantly I'm the only one who can decipher what the piles mean.  My loving family members see a pile and just add to it. They don't understand the complexities of laundering clothes.  You can't wash jeans with white socks!  Well...actually you could if you wanted to.  I don't want to.  So the re-sorting begins. 

Upon finishing that task, I see the totes full of clothes for the boyos that REALLY NEED ATTENTION!  So many are hand-me-downs, for which I am grateful.  But there are way too many.  I have been meaning to get to this project all summer.  *sigh*  I pass by, choosing to put if off just a bit longer.  Choosing to finish my coffee with Hubs.  Choosing to read a little more.   But I put the task on the top of my mental list knowing full well it will be the first domino to fall. 

I wonder where it will take me?

French Press Friday

The following is what is born from a 9-year old waking me with spider nightmares at 4:00 AM and my inability to go back to sleep because my brain won't shut off.



"Coffee on the Porch"

I sit on my porch
In the sweltering heat;
No fan for my face,
No pool for my feet.

Hot coffee in hand,
You must think me crazy.
Go in and get ice?
Nah, I'm too lazy.



Enjoy your weekend!  Avoid the sweltering heat. And never be too lazy to fetch ice.

I remember this!

I was visiting with a friend and her two teenage daughters last night and we got on the subject of old toys.  It started with the REALLY old toys, like what the pioneers played with.  Yarn dolls, corn husk dolls, different versions of ring toss, things like that.  Then the conversation made its way to our own old toys; things my friend and I played with as kids.


 And we remembered the Chinese Jump Rope!

Chinese Jump Rope

Do you remember playing with a Chinese jump rope?!  Oh my goodness, we LOVED it!

"In, Out, Side by side, On, In, Out!"

My friend and I jumped up at the same time shouting the chant.  Then of course we had to pull out our invisible Chinese jump rope and start demonstrating for her girls.  No, they did not find it weird at all.   What a relief, huh?  They actually thought it was pretty cool and they wished they had one!  Well, that sent my friend out to the garage to start searching because she knew she had one somewhere.  Alas, to my dismay, she did not find it.

But oh what fun it was!  Such good exercise, too.  I think I'll buy one and teach my Boyos.  Fat Brain Toys sells them; follow the link with the picture.



GAS!

Oh, what I wouldn't give for it. 

In my stove that is.  I learned to cook on a gas stove and oven.  And in every home I've had since I moved out, I've been cursed with an electric.  I will let the world know,

 I hate electric stoves! 


There. I've said it.  **sigh**  I feel better.

Look at that glow...

I want a gas oven so badly.  It's so much easier to control the heat, and...well,...I just like them better!


So there!


I have been known to pick up the pot with one hand and fan the hot burner with a hot pad held in the other hand.  While blowing madly.  Yep, looks pretty ridiculous.  How else can you get the heat down to a simmer without scorching the bottom of the pot?!?


Although I did eventually learn the trick of getting the pot to boil on one burner, then moving it to another cooler burner for the simmer time.  Clever huh?  Oh it would be so much easier with a gas stove.


I hate electric stoves!


Even my camper has a gas stove top!  I'm so spoiled when we camp.  I'm in cooking heaven!  Ok, I exaggerate slightly.  It is tiny and cramped, but it does have 3 burners that use gas.  Propane.  Same principal. 

More Even Cooking.


My rant for the day has ended.

Raspberry Pickin'

I picked raspberries early this morning.  It was a perfect morning when I was out.  Sunshiney and cool.  Birds singing away.  It'll probably get too hot to be enjoyable later though.  I'm glad I took the opportunity to be out in the early morning calm and quiet of it all.  Nice way to start the day.  Now to make coffee!

view from our little raspberry patch

A Gem

Had to share this little gem of advice I recently read.  Being more positive, more optimistic, is a good thing.  You feel better, you work better, you look better.  You just ARE better!  Do you agree?  Count your blessings.  Give thanks in all circumstances.  Right? 

So try this one:

When you find that lonely sock in your dryer today, just sing out, "Wow!  An extra sock!"  And I bet you need one, too, don't you?

credit

French Press Friday

While visiting my favorite coffee shop the other day I learned something new.  The barista told me - and I'll assume she knows of what she speaks - that the lighter the roast, the more caffeine.

I think I need to switch to a lighter roast in the mornings.

Stupid Days

How does it happen that we have days of stupidity?  Days when we do and say stupid things?  Not with malicious intent, but those stupid things happen none the less.  I sit quietly for a while, reflecting on my day so far and I find myself saying, "How could I have been so stupid?!"

I know to check my rearview mirror before backing up.  The long blast on a horn that is not mine tells me I made a stupid mistake.

I know that it is well after lunch.  The smirk on the clerk's face tells me my greeting of "Good morning" is not quite right.

I know I shouldn't try to sip my hot coffee while accelerating.  The slosh up my nose tells me I should have left my cup in the cup holder.

I  know how to respond politely to strangers.  Yet, because of my mind being elsewhere, I mutter a cool, "Yeah" to the cashier's "Have a nice day!"

I shake my head at myself.  I know, I know, I know....but I make mistakes.  I'm misunderstood.  I choose poorly.  When I'm feeling less reflective and more humorous, I might call them my "blonde moments."  I can laugh at myself.   Today I just wonder, why the Stupid Days?

French Press Friday

DAY DREAMING

I'm sitting here with my hands wrapped around my hot mug of coffee.  Mmmm, it's especially delicious today.  And I feel rushed and ill prepared for the day.  It's my procrastination.  I have some specific ideas for my Friday postings, good ones, too...I hope.  But I can't write about any of them today because they need photo accompaniments.  And I have not done the photos yet.  And I don't have time right now.  And I cannot seem to figure out HOW TO GET THE PICTURES FROM MY PHOTO CARD ONTO MY LAPTOP!!  That frustrates me a bit, can you tell?  (Any advice?)

So today, let's daydream. 

I'm on the front porch of the island house my parents have in Ohio.  The home is a victorian one with many, many rooms that the grandkids love to run through.  It sits on Lake Shore Drive, two houses down from the hustle and bustle of "downtown".  The porch faces Lake Erie and is a favorite place for the adults.  We can watch the kids play ball in the yard, swing on the tire hung from the tree, and tumble in and out of the hammock.  I prefer to sit on the porch swing or in the air chair.  I like the gentle swaying motion both offer.  It matches the rthym of the lake water.  I sip my coffee and inhale deeply the scent of the island.  Fishy lake water, fresh mown grass, boat exhaust, coffee.  I listen to the sounds of my children, the visitors walking by, the breeze in the trees.  I close my eyes and can't help but smile.  This is contentment.  This is what heaven will be like.

Where do you go in your daydreams?

A Few of My Favorite Things

A friend once shared with me a new way to view our household chores.  And I'll get to that, but first I thought I'd show you some of my favorite things when it comes to working at home.  These are some things I decided I just can't do without.  I'd be interested to hear what your favorite things are, too!

Hm.  The picture's not the best.  Oh well, we make do, right? 

Starting from the left is my food processor.  Oh how I love my food processor!  And for the longest time I thought one of these was an unnecessary waste of precious space.  Not anymore.  I have used it for soups and biscuit dough and shredding and chopping and I love it! 

Next is my new toy I got at Christmas, the immersion blender.  So cool.  Hubby uses it mostly for his smoothies.  But I've used it to quickly smoosh up beans or tomatoes in soups.  Such a useful tool.

Then there is my Swivel Sweeper.  Fell in love with friend Kassie's and had to get my own.  Ooo, this thing is fun.  Battery operated, easy to use, empty and clean, and even the boyos like to use it!  Does it do as good of a job as a broom?  Maybe not.  It can't get under every little thing or in every tight corner, but it does the job well enough for me.  It sucks up the mess. And it's quick.  And the boyos like to use it, did I mention that?

My french press!  (La-La-LAAA!!)  Oh don't ever take this away from me.  Or Hubby.  We love our french press coffee!  But you have to use Kenya AA beans.  The beans do make the difference.  And Kenya AA is our favorite.  Mmmm.

Then, of course, is the dishwasher and stove.  We've had to go a few days now and then without the dishwasher because of drain problems.  We made it through.  But I didn't like it.  I so much prefer loading the machine and having it do the work for me.  Same goes for the most blessed washing machine and dryer in my basement.  Oh the blessings of electricity and indoor plumbing!  Have to say, though, I'd like my stove better if it were gas...

Something Old...

I journaled a lot when I was in the midst of one of my serious struggles with depression.  I read through that journal now and then.  Here is something I wrote in January 2010:

My sadness...

I wish it was not mine.

Maybe that is how I must start-

     

 Disown it.

           

      Remove my name from it.

               Disconnect it from my self.

The sadness that hangs around me, that follows me, leads, accompanies me.
It pulls at me-
I cannot lift my arms to hug,
           My hands to write,
                My legs to walk.

It pulls at the corners of my mouth;
                I frown in my sleep.

It occupies every corner of my brain.
           My memories are sad,
                My thoughts are sad,
                    My words are sad.

My body and soul are consumed.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has never been a big deal in our home.  I decided to start changing that this year.  Not that it needs to be a "big deal", but I do want to observe it.  I've read about St. Valentine this year, here and there, catching bits and pieces off of blogs and the internet.  And it got me to thinking about the tremendous amount of love that has been shown throughout history.  Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways and sometimes in ways that weren't even known to the receiver.  Love shown in secret, more or less.  I want my boyos to know more about giving love to others.  We receive the love of Christ and they know that.  I want them to know more about sharing that love with others.  There are so many ways to do that.  In big and boisterous ways like wrestling on the living room floor. 

In small ways like homemade cinnamon rolls to share with others, and watching them enjoy!

 In secret ways like praying for a loved one who might be lonely. 

I saw a lot of ideas around Christmas time for "Random Acts of Kindness".  That might be something I incorporate into my new observance of Valentine's Day next year. 

Our Valentine's Day this year saw a few decorations around the house.  Vases filled with conversation hearts and tealight candles on top, a beautiful pink cyclamen in the window, paper doilies on the table to create a last minute runner, the good china at suppertime. 

Who knows if any of this meant anything to the boys.  But I've started something.  Something I hope will continue.  A simple observance of love.  Love that was first shown to us and that we can graciously show to others.
                                       *******************************************
And here is Mouse's Valentine monster he made for school to hold his valentines.  Do you remember making these boxes and bags?  I sure do.  It was Mouse's idea to make the teeth out of hearts.  We glued them to the inside of the box lid.  Cute huh?  We shared a lot of love working on this box together!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!