Some day...

After months of trying to become THE super mom I have finally decided to throw in the towel and move on to something a little less...exhausting and unattainable. I have decided to just be...

Mom.

And you know what? I think that's good enough, perfect even.

As just Mom, I now turn my attention to a Some Day list. A Some Day list is dangerously related to the "I wish I would have..." list. But, have no fear for I have developed a fool-proof plan to turn my Some Day list into a "done" list.

HOW MY SOME DAY LIST WILL BECOME MY DONE LIST


STEP 1: DONE
Philippians 4:11 (New Living Translation)
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

Amen to this!
Several months ago I moved into a house that is almost 100 years old and I have learned to love all of the quirks. Every cabinet door that won't close; every creaky step; every slab of wood paneling. I have embraced the joys of living in an old rental house with loud flowery wall-paper in the guest room. Why? Because it means I get to live in the country. I get to wake up to a beautiful sunrise every morning and watch the sunset over the fields every night. I can take my daughter outside to play and the only sounds we hear come from the cows in our pasture as they munch on my discarded produce. And it's just wonderful. My house might be old but I love my home.


STEP 2: DONE(ish)
Keep It Simple

Since I am content with what I have, I am also content knowing there are lots of things I don't or can't have and that's okay. I know that some day when my husband is done with school we will be able to afford some nicer things. But for now, I find joy in not having to dust around lots of decorations or find space for all of my latest finds. I will mark this step complete when I master the art of meal planning. Just thinking about that is overwhelming. There are so many in's and out's and what-have-you's that go along with meals and diet and exercise, and....let's go to the next step.


STEP 3:
Be Patient- Your Husband Won't Be in School Forever

Okay, I'll admit it. I hate this step. Too many of my sentences end with, "When Jake is done with school we'll do X." Patience is not a virtue that I possess. So, when my husband admitted to me almost four years ago that he needed to switch his major from business to science during his junior year of college my heart sank. We have two more years to go and I am already planning his graduation party (You think I'm kidding but I'm not). Until then, I will continue to be supportive and proud and maybe just a little bit jealous that he has found his passion and will, some day, be able to get up each morning knowing that he is doing what he loves.


STEP 4:
Buy, Spend, & Purchase

Don't get the wrong idea. Yes, I am content with what I have. Yes, I want to be fiscally responsible. But....Yes, I also look forward to the day when my Wants are at least in the same vehicle (but still taking a back seat, of course) as our Needs. Plus, in order to accomplish everything on my Some Day list I will have to (no get to), surprise!, spend money on things that were previously marked as not necessary.


STEP 5:
Start Again

A Some Day list should be on-going. After all, we all know that we can't have everything we want all of the time. Once I get a few things crossed off my list they will be replaced with new goals and ideas and projects. An on-going Some Day list is what keeps life interesting. Well, that and a fun new purse once in awhile.

Let's celebrate...

Holy cats! I'm back!

Has anyone else ever fell into a deep cavernous hole, been thrown a rope, and told to climb yourself out? No? Well, I'm pretty sure that's what just happened to me.

I have been struggling to climb out of my desk for several months now, but I believe I can finally see the top. I was thrown a rope that was too short and I had to free climb the last few feet but I'm here and when I look back at where I've come from....I am thankful for where I currently stand.

And so, for now, I will try to enjoy this brief spot of breathing room...

Until the next flurry of activity crashes into my office and I am again left to sink or swim. Don't worry though...I'll swim. I always do.

And here it comes...do you feel it? Another list. Yep, and this time I will list my top five reasons to celebrate. I'm not celebrating anything in particular. I'm just celebrating because I can.

Why I celebrate:

5. Wine. Which reminds me....I think I opened my last bottle of Moscato the other night. Better add that to my grocery list.

4. New couches. Our Rent-a-Center junkers were purchased over 11 years ago. And let me tell you...no one is going to steal those things from the back dumpster. But the new ones? They are fabulous!

3. Fall has begun. Second only to Christmas in "my favorite times of the year", Autumn has some of the most beautiful reasons to enjoy life and celebrate all of the bounty and beauty that God has given us.

2. My parents. Wow, where would I be without their help?

1. Family. Even though my husband leaves his dirty socks all over the house and Rachel's response to everything is, "No way!" I have to admit...they are truly my reason to celebrate.

Now....about that shopping list. Where in the world did I leave it?

Happy first day of Fall everyone!

i'm sorry, so sorry...

I have written a lot of posts about feeling guilty about a lot of things and right now I have to admit to holding a blog-related quilt that I can not seem to shake.

I was featured on the SITS blog almost two weeks ago and I have yet to respond to all of the wonderful comments that I got.

That pretty much makes me evil.

And rude.

And I have to apologize profusely.

I have been trying to make time to tell everyone thank-you but every day my schedule falls apart and the guilt piles higher. In fact, soon I'll have to duck just get out the door.

So, to everyone who left me amazing comments and lots of bloggy goodness...

Know that I appreciate every single word you said, and I'm sorry for not responding yet.

And get this, I got an email from facebook today reminding me that I haven't logged in for several days. Can you imagine?! Wow...

Anyway, it's on my list of things to do (along with reading my friends' blogs, getting my hair cut, and putting away laundry).

But don't worry.... I would NEVER put laundry ahead of my best gals.

THANKS!

The secret to success is support...

Today is a big day.

Today I put out the guest hand towels, set the good dishes, and open the fine wine.

Today I welcome guests...and what fabulous guests they are!

Today I wave my arms in excitement and welcome my fellow SITS Girls to this humble little blog.

Welcome ladies! Come in, have a seat, make yourself comfortable, and take a look around. I hope you enjoy your visit and by all means, please feel free to pour a cup of coffee and stay awhile. My posts are short and simple and (hopefully) provide a humorous and delightful view into my life- the life of a working mom.

And to my readers...
Not sure what SITS is? The Secret to Success is Support, or SITS, is a group of more than 9,000 bloggers dedicated to supporting one another by leaving comments. Lots and lots of comments. And, of course, we support each other in lots of other ways too. But, let's be honest....comments are the cherry on top of everyone's day.

Have a great day everyone and thanks again to the girls at SITS and especially Kat for making this day so special!