Autumnal Bliss

The scent of soup on the stove wafts through our home. It's lentil soup, and today, it's a very special soup. You see, it's because Pook helped to cut the veggies, add the veggies and stir. A dear friend of mine gave me a knife that is not sharp that kiddos can use to cut things. Although, she doesn't quite have the strength yet. So, she sat on my lap and helped push my hand down.

It was one of those sacred moments. It's been one of those sacred days.

She woke up from a bad dream, so I brought her from bed, and kept her in my arms while working. She dozed off and on, then looked up at me, put her hand on my face, and told me I was wonderful. Then, she told me how much she loved me. My heart blossomed.

There were many things I'd wanted to do today, but I put them aside to plan a picnic to the park. She helped to pack up the foods. When it was time, we drove to the big park. We sat on a rock and ate our hardboiled eggs, then we played for a bit on the swings, and sat on the slide to drink and eat a bit more.

We climbed ladders. We explored the sound of crunching leaves, and wondered about which birds sang for us. We slid down the slide together. We laughed. We hugged. We had to rest on a bench on the way back to the car. She told me that when she gets bigger, and can use the stove, that she will cook soup and dinner for me.

I asked her if she'd move away when she got older, or if she'd stay nearby. She informed me that she would live nearby. I sighed, and told her that if at that time she wanted to live far away, it would be okay. In my heart, I hope she'll stay close. But, that's a long time away. For now, I only know that she thinks I am wonderful. That she loves me. That right now, she needs me, and that she is so very precious to me.

I am so eternally grateful for this day.

Thoughts on a lifestyle change

Today, I was reading this blog: http://livelightlytour.com/blog/ .

There is something about the lifestyle this family has chosen that really appeals to me. I've been pondering what it is. It could be how neat and homey the RV looks. Perhaps, it's the lack of stuff and clutter in their lives. Maybe it's the neat colors on the walls. Maybe, it's because they have decided to up, take a chance and follow a dream. Maybe, it's because I can create a really cool image of this happy, close knit, worry-free, faith-filled family in my mind, and make it seem so very cool.

I am in awe of their decisions and the fact they can live their life in such a small space and promote their ideals. I think it's wonderful. Part of me wishes I were like that and could do that. The whole idea of living so simply and with such faith, is very appealing to me. Realistically, I know, that if we lived in an RV and did that, we would not be a happy family. My sweet hubby finds it way too cramped. Plus, I don't know how we'd do with all that driving, and tryig to find oil.

It's fun to dream about what our lives would be like if we changed a few things, or many things. I've always been very creative when it comes to imagining how other people live, feel about their lives, and if they enjoy them. I used to be so inspired, I'd want to drop everything and create a life like the one I imagined for others.

But now, as much as I think it would be cool to sell off everything and go with the flow, I'm not so sure I'd be happy doing that. Well, I could really be happy anywhere, but I've come to love my life so much here, that I now find myself really, truly thining about changes I'd want to take.

Maybe it's because it's clear that happiness isn't guaranteed if you sell everything, live a smaller life, live move simply, eat from the earth, make homemade bread from scratch, etc. Happiness is being happy when you have a lot of stuff, live a complicated life, eat packaged foods, etc. It's a choice; a beautiful perspective that you choose.

I've lived in our home for over 6 years. I loved it when we first found it, but got distracted by what I thought I needed to be happier. Then, one day, I stopped, and took a really good look at my house. I started to really see its potential, and I fell in love with it. In the process, I fell deeper in love with my life, my husband, and well, as y'all know, I'm continually falling deeper in love with Pook. Kids tend to do that, doncha know!

I think what's been fun for me, is making the most of what we have and where we live. It's been a fab life lesson.

There's a chill in the air

Today, I'm wearing jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt, and bundled in a warm sweater. The weather is definitely autumnal; I am blissful.

I dare not get too excited, as I remember what happened last time I was ready to break out the sweaters. :) But I'm looking forward to bundling up, hot cuppas, and homeade soups on a more regular basis.

Autumnal Weather on the Way?

We shall see. It's supposed to get to 70s today, down to 50s this weekend. I shall believe it when I feel it! ;)

Mother Nature, are you listening?

Um, hello, Mother Nature? The leaves are changing, but the weather is not. I'm looking forward to chilly mornings starting with a cuppa or hot cocoa, and soups. I want to wear pants without sweating. This 80 and 90 degree weather, this prolonged Indian summer, I'm really ready to let it go now.

Hmmm... maybe Persephone and Hades are having some issues, or Demeter isn't cooperating. ;)

Anyone else out there ready for Autumn weather? This warm weather wouldn't be so bad if the pools wer still open! ;)

Peace and Serenity

I just got an email from a friend letting me know how impressed she's been with how serene and peaceful I seem to be over the last few months. Normally, I would've wondered what she was talking about.

However, this time, I stopped and looked at my life.

And yes, I could see what she was referring too. Compared to how I used to live my life, and what I used to fret about, I am much more serene and peaceful comparatively.

A while back, I made the intention to live a life that was more peaceful and serene. And then, I forgot about it. I think it's funny that on some level, I've been making decisions to reflect this.

My life isn't completely serene and peaceful; however, it has it's moments, and my perspective has changed a lot. It was really refreshing to be reminded that I want a life of serenity and peace, and to see that I'm getting there. It's a process, a lovely process, and it's really aperspective. And I see it when I my lips touch those of my husband, and I am grateful, oh so very grateful that he is my partner, my love, my support. When Pook touches my cheek to hers, and tells me she loves me. When I look around my house and sigh contentedly, because I am home and it feels like a home. When I'm outside, breathing in the fresh air, glad to feel the sun on my face. When my heart spills over with love and gratitude for my friends and family.

There are moments of chaos in my life (my friends will attest to this!), but it's how I see things that radiate peace, serenity, or those times when I have a major freak out (and I do!). But, with my intention, each step I take brings me closer to living a peaceful and serene life - by my definition at least! ;)

What comes next?

This past weekend, the new curtains went up in the guestroom. This past weekend, I realized that aside from painting, the fence, and the space that needs to be cleared in the back... I was done with the house projects.

I've been through my books, and until I start reading through my shelf of books "to read", I'm really happy with most of those that are left. There are small projects I could do - a personal scrap book I could work on, painting a picture frame, reading those books on the shelf, plotting out Christmas gifts (I have some, but it just doesn't feel right to wrap them until November at least!).

But, in regards to the house, I'm pretty much done with the rearranging and decluttering. And, you know what? It scares me. (Okay, I know that some of you are snickering while you read this! ;) )

But it does. What do I do next?

For so long, decluttering and rerranging, and planning have been such a big part of my time and schedule, and now... I'm almost not sure what to do with myself?

Oh, I'm sure I could find more things to decluter or rearrange, but I don't want to. On the same level, I'm not sure what I want to do. I feel weird, almost empty not working on the house in some way. And yet, at the same time, I am sort of excited, almost anxious, yes, anxious not having something to do.

This makes me wonder, how will I be in a few months? Will I start seeking out things to declutter or house projects? Or, will I get comfortable with just settling in?

Only time will tell. For now, I'm just hoping the anxiety will pass. I'm trying not to come up with more projects... as is my usual custom. Why does this feel so unsettling?