Thursday... almost Friday

Well my back definitely did flare up! Today is the first day where I have felt able to do anything other than hobble around and lie down...

I have laundry to do, menus to plan, grocery list to sort out and cleaning to do. I am also thinking of starting a new craft project in line with our Homemade Christmas idea this year. Wish me luck! :)

Monday Musings

Well the last load of laundry is in the washer, one load is complete and the other is in the dryer. Now I have time to sit at my computer and ponder the day and week ahead of us. This week I am working on our Master Bedroom as part of my cleaning zones... the bed has been stripped and will be fluffed before being remade.

I am having some back issues at the moment so have to make sure not to do too much to flare up my back. I was in a lot of pain yesterday and last night while trying to sleep. :( The back issues come and go and are something that must be lived with.

I am going to also do a quick clean of the upstairs today for the Home Blessing that I do at the beginning of each week.

In One Small Little Way...

Today is the first day of the rest of my life...

What will I do today that will make my family's life better, someone in my circle of friends better, someone in my city better, or even in the world better? I am going to start at the inner circle of my family which will in turn change the rest of the world in a small part. Like a pebble rippling out over water the small things that I do each day to make my family better start to effect the world around us. Home made food, reusing and recycling all happen because I am home to do the work that they take. My family is able to resist the pull of consumerism somewhat because I am able to take that extra time each day that mindfulness requires. Although we still have many areas where we can improve, we are making a difference. I am making a difference.

Fun Weekend Ahead

Well yesterday was a difficult day, at best. We had a wonderful evening though at a discussion evening hosted by Thornhaven, another druid grove in our area.

We discussed the native spiritual path and whether it is part of the umbrella category of Paganism, or if it is a separate path to itself. It was an interesting evening of discussion with varying views and friendly conversations.

Today we are grabbing groceries, making food and then heading out to visit with more great friends. All in all a great day ahead of us!

This evening we have been asked to pinch hit and present a talk on Stoicism to our ADF family through video chat.

A great day filled with friendly conversation that I am looking forward to! :)

I am angry hear me roar

Well, I have decided that I cannot control my family's actions BUT I can control my reactions to their actions. I have to make the life that I want rather than sit railing against the darkness without turning on a light. I cannot allow their reactions to derail me but shoulder on and take the life that I wish to be living.

I am no longer required to sacrifice to mother my children... gone are the days and nights of wiping noses, healing bumps and counseling into the late hours of the night. My children have grown and are all adults, making their own choices and income. I need to grasp the freedom that comes from this stage of my life and quit thinking that I still need to wipe their noses or heal their bumps.

Freedom comes with this stage of life. I simply must start readjusting and grabbing that freedom. Freedom to think, to exercise, to make choices with only my spouse in mind, and to fly. I need to quit making tentative steps into the next phase of my life, but walk boldly out there and seize the door handle and pull the door open.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

Just a spoonful of sugar

Today's reading on Words of the Ancient Wise was from Epictetus, comparing philosophy and its study to medicine. Medicine is only effective for the illness it was intended for...

How does philosophy cure ills in my life? Well, philosophy helps us focus on the big rocks, the guiding ideals, the foundation of our life. Without a foundation, and a good one, the house of me will not stand. Mindfulness is essential to maintaining my balance in life. This year I will strive to create an environment in my home that nurtures mindfulness and peace.

My plan to create this environment is:

1. declutter each room, surface and cubby (including the shed and garage!) until only loved and essential items remain

2. renovate and decorate to allow each room to be a haven of calm

3. create and maintain routines, menus, etc. to ensure as little crisis and drama as possible

4. create healthy food to fuel our bodies and encourage our return to optimum health

Wish me luck! :)

Seize the Day

Well today has arrived without much fanfare... I am still fighting a truly miserable cold. I am keeping to the bare minimum of housework for now and plan to rest quite a bit with a book and a blanket.

We have rented a car for this weekend and have a number of outings planned with friends and family. I hope to kick this cold enough to still be able to fulfill commitments and have some fun! Wish me luck... :)

Colds and getting motivated

Well a gift for the New Year has been received... a miserable cold. Wow, this one is a doozy!

I am going to spend the next couple of days resting up and doing some light housework. I think I will take this opportunity to figure out what I am focusing on for this New Year. If I come to any conclusions I will definitely post them here. :)

Holidays are over, back to normalcy... sort of

Well the holidays are officially over as my Mum has just gotten on to the bus to head back home. It was a wonderful holiday with lots of family time. Now to get back to "normalcy" and figure out some goals for the new year.

I am going to spend some time thinking about just what I want to achieve for this new year. Stay tuned for my goals... :)

New Year and New Beginnings

Well I hope everyone has recovered, if they need to recover, from last night's gaiety. :)

Mike and I had an unusually quiet New Year's Eve spent together with the animals and my Mum who is visiting. Good to be with family but a tad anticlimactic and quiet for my liking. Next year we will attend a party or host one so we can bring 2011 in with style.

Mike did make some homemade egg nog which totally rocked but it was a sober evening of quietness all round.

I hope everyone came home safely and wish everyone the best of all good things for the New Year that is now upon us. :)