Filling Up Time

Image by Cooks & Kitchens via Flickr

There was no retail therapy yesterday!    I was, however, pleasantly surprised by my husband with a movie date last night.   We had a great time and it was nice to do something like that during the week.   (Perhaps my reward for no retail therapy???)

I spent the afternoon kind of working through the holiday schedule.  I have three projects I want to work on in the next few weeks.   One is more long-term and it involves completing the family and kid scrapbooks.   (Side Note:  Not sure if I've mentioned this but the furthest I've gotten on this is just after Boy2 was born (he is now 16).   And I only did that because he kept looking in the books and wondering where he was!  He is going to be sadly disappointed when he discovers our use of the camera decreased dramatically during his childhood!!!)   So I have things to accomplish, its whether I can get organized to do it.

Remember my organization that started this summer:  I only have a couple of kitchen cabinets and the office closet to complete and I will have gotten through the entire house!    I have discovered what I need in my kitchen are pull-outs for my pots and pans; I will need help from the Wonderful Man to get this done but I know once its done I will have doubled the usefulness of three cabinets!   I am coveting this beautiful stainless steel design but am thinking I will settle for coated plastic.   I am also coveting these beautiful stainless steel pots and pans but think that perhaps one should cook first before they move into designer cookware!!!  Oh, well, a girl can dream!

Have a great weekend!

   

Zing for the Blah's

So I changed the look of my blog again!   I wanted something with some "pop"!   And I think this has it.   I've been in a bit a of a funk lately so maybe a little more color, a little "zing" is what's called for here.  Orange isn't usually my color; kind of clashes with my hair.   But for some reason as I was re-redesigning, it just felt right.


I'm needing an infusion of fun and "zing" into my life right now.  Not sure if its the holiday season or colder weather or what - but I've been feeling kind of "blah", so this morning adding some color to my post was my first step.    I also want some warmth and sunshine but looking outside, there will be none of that today!   :-(


So here's my plan:   I have about five things on my to-do list that I should be able to handle in two hours.   So by 10 a.m. the rest of my day should be FREE!!!  I am going to spend my day looking for "zing" to add into my days and just get me out of this funk!   I considered some good, old-fashioned retail therapy and I could hear those plastic cards just quivering in anticipation at the thought of finally being used again.   I was thinking how nice it would be too have some new black shoes (or red, or brown, or whatever!!!) and maybe some jeans and a pretty top and some new makeup and !!!!    Then I stopped myself.   This isn't in line with the Ms. Frugal I was claiming to be on Monday!!!!  Oh well, just a fantasy!   Maybe just a new skirt, something to go with those new boots?????


We'll have to see how this day ends.

Making Time Count

Image via Wikipedia

I spent the weekend with extended family who had come into town for various reasons, but also to see Boy1's show.   He was performing in the 2nd round of a "battle of the bands" contest and they won!   I've said before how he just lights up on stage when he performs.  He's a bass player and performs backup vocals; he is so full of energy and passion.   Seeing it, you can't help but know this is what he loves.   And I was so grateful to be able to share that with family (and friends!) this weekend.    The band is   recording a demo and I am hoping that sometime I will be able to figure out how to link it here.

Being with family reminded me of how precious time really is.   It is so hard to believe that for some of us, our kids now have kids or are married.   My mother always told me that the older I got, the quicker time would go.   Not sure the correlation?  Is it a scientific fact or physics thing or just perception?   Since science was never my strong suit I can't really answer the question, I just know that it happens.    When you are young it seems like forever from Thanksgiving to Christmas, now a childhood seems to pass in that same span.

And so I think to myself , "what do I want to do with the time I have left"?   My initial "gut" reaction is that I want it to count.   I want to spend it with those I love and not waste time with those I don't.   I want to contribute in some way that I know made a difference in someone's life.  (Its the "some way and someone" I don't know yet!)   And, I want to watch those I love move forward in doing what they love, not what someone thinks they should do.  For my remaining time, if my work can't be my passion, then it will be a means to an end only - not something that consumes my time and energy; the best of me will be given to those I love.

Halfway Point

Image by Snapies via Flickr

Well, I am just about at the 6-month mark from when I turned my world (and my family's) - upside down.   So its time for a review of just where I am with my life.    Are things simpler and full of more meaning?   Am I happier?  Do those around me see a person more content and fulfilled with life?

Simpler:   I think so.   I certainly have less stress.  But I want it even simpler.  In realty, with kids, I don't know how much more simple it can get, but I want to find out.  I read somewhere that living a simpler life involves losing this mindless pursuit of possessions, and that in living frugally its not that you are giving up things, its that you are making what you have "count".    I am feeling re-newed to push this further in the next few months to see what we can really do without.

More meaning:   Definitely.   I am personally filled with much more faith and consciousness to bring about change not only in my life but in those I love.    This path is just beginning for me - and I am not sure where it will end.   I do know, however, that I don't want to get off this path (something I've done before).     I am looking for my calling; a place to use whatever skill and talent I possess.

I am working at being present at all times in my surroundings; not so distracted that I don't participate.   I hope that those who care can see these changes, and view this as positive.    My biggest struggle has been my own "second thoughts" about my lack of a plan and what that has done to my family, and I wonder if they too have second thoughts.    I have had days where I just want to say "forget it" and go get a "regular job".   But I am holding on for the "year" I told myself it would take to recreate my life and regain control.