shortcuts to organized life

As you may know, Borders Bookstore went out of business.  This is a sad day for me because going to the bookstore has always been one of my favorite "date night" activities and now the library is closed more often also...so I feel the slow demise of books as I have treasured them.  Yes! I love my kindle (although right this minute it is MIA and I feel a little frantic about that) but books I treasure...something tangible and delightful. 

I digress...one of the good deals I got was a calendar so to speak called Totally Together by Stephanie O'Dea.  I adore it.  It gives you seven simple things to do each day to keep your house in order and then little hints to do each week.  This week, clean the ceiling fans.  That's it!  One simple little thing to do and then check off!  Even I can do this!  It's perfect for me small attainable goals that I can check off!  I think it would be perfect for anyone who is busy living their life and can't have all those things swimming around in your head all the time...schedule orthodontist appts,fold 14 loads of laundry, get the dog groomed, buy Christmas gifts, pay the bills,   all those things swimming around making me crazy.  This book puts it all in one place for me to check off.  Even menu planning!  Get one for yourself.
+make your beds right away
+do one complete load of laundry a day (this means start to in the drawers)
+empty all the garbage cans
+keep the kitchen sink empty
+Clean up after yourself right away (and encourage the kids and spouse to do the same)
+wipe the bathrooms down (don't let soap scum have time to settle...you don't even have to use cleaner for the daily wipe down)
+ten minute clean up before bed (set the timer...race with the kids...you will be amazed) 
http://totallytogetherjournal.com/author/stephanie/

post call life

Recently, I had dinner with one of my midwife friends and we had a great time catching up and talking about old times.  We talked about the beauty and sacredness of birth, we talked about how the beauty and sacredness of birth is frequently not honored in the current reality of medical care.  We talked about how hard it was to care for families in this atmosphere.  We talked about being on call for days and therefore not sleeping for days, not eating well, not taking good care of ourselves.  Today, when I woke up I felt as if I was "post call"  my whole body hurts, i'm so tired that deciding what is for breakfast was difficult...can't remember what's in the fridge, open it up and then can't remember if I looked in the fridge or what is in there.  Not a driving day.  Feeling a lot like I used to "post call", the only diffeerence is that I didn't do anything useful before to warrent post call status.  I didn't catch any babies, save any lives, or just make anyone's day better.  But, somehow I feel physically tired and emotionally taxed beyond what I can handle.  I just want to hole up here in my house, not talk to anyone, or see anyone, and I surely don't want anyone to need anything from me.  I want to have a day of self care... sleepy sleep, drink hot tea, eat what nourishes me, read (if I can focus well enough), be quiet, no phone, no TV.  So...my thought this morning was this is my life now...everyday "post call" , everyday should be a day of self care.  Not because I deserve it from any good deeds, but because we all devserve self love and self care.  If I didn't bring some joy to the world wouldn't God have granted me the right to leave this place?  So...today, no people, no noise, but tomorrow, self care will involve care of the body, the soul and some of my favorite people.  Make a list of things to care well for yourslef when you are having one of these days.  write it down and put it somewhere handy (like the inside of the cabinet where the coffee cups are...that way you are sure to see it when you are having one of these days)  Do at least one of those self care things everyday.  You are worth it.  You are loved by yourself and a lot of others too. 

connecting with the past

My friend's mother died recently.  I'm getting to the age where this happens with more frequency.  Each time a dear one loses a parent I'm hit anew with the possibility that it could happen to me.  To remain in this world without the One who has loved you best and absolutely unconditionally for the whole of your life ...I can't imagine how that must feel, the deep loneliness for this person, your mother or father.  A part of your very core being has left the planet is what I imagine it feels like.  When I was most sick, (as well as every other day of my life,) my parents have been ever present, always I know that I can depend on them if I need for anything...money, whether they have it to spare or not, if I need it then I will have it, random things like paper towels, or a box of taco mix....just when I need it and I have no $ to get it but wouldn't ask unless all the mac and cheese boxes were used up!  Always there to help , buying the child a coat every year, when she has outgrown the last one and all the back to school expenses piling up and there are my parents with the new beautiful coat or new shoes or whatever, taking good care of us all, like a personal fairy godmother/godfather.  My Dad fixing every house I've ever lived in, and repairing when I leave whatever damage my dogs have done.  He doesn't even have a dog but has become a professional in "after the dog repair".    For anyone to lose this magic from the planet makes me unbelievably sad.

My friend at her office

So this story began with my friend recently losing her mother.  Her mother was a magical woman of 90 with much life experience and zest for life that was inspiring for all.  She is missed by many but we understand that no one can live forever no matter how loved they are here.  It gets uncomfortable here in a body that is old and tired and I would not wish such suffering on anyone.  I happened to be out of town when my friends mother died and the funeral occurred.  I am not good in crowds, they makes me anxious but even still I wanted to be there with my friend (who also doesn't enjoy a crowd).  What could I offer her.  This week my friend asked me to repair a pillow that was hand embroidered by her great grandmother for her mother.  It is a beautiful work of birds and flowers and inside there was an old tired pillow and then to add some fluff after the pillow got too tired there were panty hose added around the edges and a small tag that said, "made especially for you by Granny".  How sweet to have hands on this gift of time and love that has passed down through the generations of my friend.  I could feel the loved imbued within this sacred and intimate object.  I felt such an honor to repair this pillow and glad there was something I could do, physically do, to honor my friend's mother and their connection and all of our connection to those we love and cherish.

Melanie and Her Mama