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. :)

and so this is Christmas and what have you done?

Another Christmas has flashed by... without a Christian faith I find that the day is strictly a celebration of family and love for family and friends. I am struck by the need to express love on a daily basis rather than only once a year.

Yesterday was a very momentous occasion, Joshua asked Lindley to marry him, and she said yes. :)

Our family is soon to be expanding again.

We went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie yesterday afternoon. We were surprised at how full the movie theatre was! Guess we weren't the only ones looking for a family activity for the afternoon. :)

We have family coming over for lunch today which I will serve in a buffet fashion; turkey, potatoes, veg, meatballs, tourtiere, and yule log/cookies for dessert. It will be a great way of clearing out the fridge from a lot of the surplus food!

I hope everyone is having a good time relaxing over this holiday period.