Productivity in a sense

Hubby is fast asleep. I can hear peeps from Pook, but know that if I peak in, she'll be awake and want me. And, I'm pretty sure she's awake.

Today has been a long day for me. Starting at 5:30 am, I've been on this computer over 11 hours today. Yes, really. No, not all at one time. How do I know this? Because for the next two weeks I've made myself accountable for how I spend my time. (And, I know that for many of you - 11 hours is nothing.)

Why? Well, you can thank Julie Morganstern and her book on Time Management from the Inside Out.

Oh, and, for those of you who were concerned, about 5 1/2 of them I got paid for. The other 5 1/2 were spent checking and responding to email, but the bulk of which was spent reorganizing and designing a new spreadsheet to gather work and expense information, of which, I'm mighty proud of. Alas, if only I could bill for that!

Tomorrow is All Hallow's Eve. Pook is going to be a cowgirl, complete with stuffed horse, hot pink cowgirl boots with matching bandanas, and topped off with a turquoise hat. I hope the weather holds out.

We shall see.

I'm hoping to be on this wonderous machine less, and maybe get some reading in. It is library day after all. :)

A Quiet Friday

I am coming to love the quiet of Fridays. It's the day of the week when we don't have to run out to go to school or activities (unless we're off to the farm and, well, that's just fun!).


Today, it's a gray and rainy day. It's perfect for napping and resting. Although, we've opted to do computer work (me) and school work (Pook).


It's also a great day for reflecting. Pook is four and a half. In the last year, she's come so far. Each day she is learning and absorbing new things. It is incredible. Each age brings such amazing discoveries for her (and me).
She's no longer a baby, no longer a toddler. She's a bonified kid, a little person.

Every day, she gains more independence. Every day, she grows more. She is amazing.

We're going to Disney World

Well, in the next few months or so. I'm not sure if I'm excited or not. Guess we'll have to wait and see how it all works out.

Gray days

It is a beautiful gray morning here. Rain drops have danced about, some choosing to make temporary homes on my window panes. It's the kind of morning that is good for staying in bed, dozing in and out, watching the sky from your bedroom window.

I, obviously, am up, not dozing on and off, though I am looking through a window. :)

It's been a full week of work. There's more to go, but today, I just needed to write about the rain. And, the flashes of red leaves in the trees - so beautiful. It may feel like spring (a frined of mine has seen violets blooming!), but the leave rell us other wish. Two days ago, I looked out my window to green. Now, I see splurges of those colors that bring me such joy.

I am filled with wonder and joy. Such little things; such big gratitude for them.

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.