No, this title is not code.
It just means that not only can I not decide what to write about today, but I'm having trouble prioritizing. Heck, I'm having trouble doing anything! Did you ever have day with so much potential that all you could do was sit like a lump and watch it all unfold? Or unravel, as the case may be....
Some might call it laziness, apathy, or more kindly, just being overwhelmed. But it's not like there is anything unusual about what's on my plate for today. I just made a list (which I won't bore you with) to check. What I lack is motivation.
Maybe I can chalk it up to CABIN FEVER!
I do live in the Northeast, and despite the lack of drifting snow, frigid temps have kept me relatively housebound. Except for necessary errands, church and work, I've been a hermit....
....a hermit who happens to live with several very noisy and active people. And that's the crux right there. It would be acceptable for me to just curl up in my little cocoon of blankets next to the wood stove, sip a mug of something warm and devour a good book --- if I lived alone. I might even achieve hibernation, as I've been known to doze off within seconds of putting my feet up. But this Momster can't afford the luxury. Not with all of the responsibilities and my.....ahem! - the Critter's - busy schedules and social agendas.
I only have snippets of time, so deciding what to do while I have the house all to myself is where I'm struggling. I know I should tackle the left over pots-n-pans on the counter, or any other of the numerous beckoning household chores. Or I should brave the elements and go for a walk, or snowshoe if I can find enough snow. I could pull out the modeling clay that's been sitting on my sewing table for over a year just waiting to be sculpted into something brilliant. Or.... I can write something pithy about nothing in particular just to say I did.
Yep, that'll do.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
A Morning for Miracles
It began disguised as a normal Tuesday.
I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Despite the rosy glow peeking through the shade on the east facing window, it seemed much too early. But alas, on the rare occasion that Bonus Baby doesn't clamber into bed with us, squirming unmercifully to get me up and going, my aging bladder does.
The Critters seemed to be moving as slowly as I was, maybe because it was so cold in the house. Finally confident that they were sufficiently roused, I headed downstairs toward the warm smell of of coffee, though I never seem to get a cuppa degrump until everyone is out the door. But this morning, I actually did...
Sweetie Petite-y came down while Bonus Baby was finishing her Crispy Rice, complaining of a sore throat. She made herself a cup of tea (because she is self sufficient like that) and even cleaned up after herself - which for her, doesn't seem to come naturally with self sufficiency. For once, Bonus Baby didn't even ask Sweetie Petite-y to drop everything and play, being totally absorbed in tracing her own hand on the cereal box.
Third Child came down fully dressed in modest clothing and humming softly under her breath. And now I started to take notice..... fully dressed? Modest clothing? Humming softly? The only thing Third Child ever does softly is bat her eye lashes! Here she was opening the fridge to make herself a lunch without being nagged, telling me that she has decided to become happy-go-lucky! I don't know if me eyes popped out of my head, but she giggled and kissed me on the cheek and went happy-go-luckily about her business.
Did I wake up to a houseful of aliens?
Finally, Only Son made an appearance, and as usual, was barely in time to grab pre-packaged snacks and head out the door. I could tell he was still sore and achy from whatever had been bothering him last night. Knowing that spells C-R-A-N-K-Y, I attempted to steer everyone clear. But in typical Momster fashion, I just couldn't help trying to mother him -
"Do you want to take somethin-"
"NO!"
"Did you pack a lunc-"
"Yesssssssssssssssssssssss!"
"Are you gonna be oka-"
"I'M FINE!!!!" Slam!
I shuffled over to the window to wave and watch them pull out. Husband, who (as always) has made my coffee, built a fire in the wood stove, and blessed and kissed me goodbye, is scraping frost from the windshield of the van, which he went out early to warm up for the Critters. Only Son flings his backpack inside and hesitates....and turns to come back inside. I meet him at the door thinking he forgot something.
And he did.
"Sorry, Mom" he says, wrapping his arms around me in a warm, but gentle hug. "I love you."
He smiles, and heads back out the door empty handed...... leaving me with a heart that's full.
**************
And one more miracle: I got this written and posted in only half an hour!
I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Despite the rosy glow peeking through the shade on the east facing window, it seemed much too early. But alas, on the rare occasion that Bonus Baby doesn't clamber into bed with us, squirming unmercifully to get me up and going, my aging bladder does.
The Critters seemed to be moving as slowly as I was, maybe because it was so cold in the house. Finally confident that they were sufficiently roused, I headed downstairs toward the warm smell of of coffee, though I never seem to get a cuppa degrump until everyone is out the door. But this morning, I actually did...
Sweetie Petite-y came down while Bonus Baby was finishing her Crispy Rice, complaining of a sore throat. She made herself a cup of tea (because she is self sufficient like that) and even cleaned up after herself - which for her, doesn't seem to come naturally with self sufficiency. For once, Bonus Baby didn't even ask Sweetie Petite-y to drop everything and play, being totally absorbed in tracing her own hand on the cereal box.
Third Child came down fully dressed in modest clothing and humming softly under her breath. And now I started to take notice..... fully dressed? Modest clothing? Humming softly? The only thing Third Child ever does softly is bat her eye lashes! Here she was opening the fridge to make herself a lunch without being nagged, telling me that she has decided to become happy-go-lucky! I don't know if me eyes popped out of my head, but she giggled and kissed me on the cheek and went happy-go-luckily about her business.
Did I wake up to a houseful of aliens?
Finally, Only Son made an appearance, and as usual, was barely in time to grab pre-packaged snacks and head out the door. I could tell he was still sore and achy from whatever had been bothering him last night. Knowing that spells C-R-A-N-K-Y, I attempted to steer everyone clear. But in typical Momster fashion, I just couldn't help trying to mother him -
"Do you want to take somethin-"
"NO!"
"Did you pack a lunc-"
"Yesssssssssssssssssssssss!"
"Are you gonna be oka-"
"I'M FINE!!!!" Slam!
I shuffled over to the window to wave and watch them pull out. Husband, who (as always) has made my coffee, built a fire in the wood stove, and blessed and kissed me goodbye, is scraping frost from the windshield of the van, which he went out early to warm up for the Critters. Only Son flings his backpack inside and hesitates....and turns to come back inside. I meet him at the door thinking he forgot something.
And he did.
"Sorry, Mom" he says, wrapping his arms around me in a warm, but gentle hug. "I love you."
He smiles, and heads back out the door empty handed...... leaving me with a heart that's full.
**************
And one more miracle: I got this written and posted in only half an hour!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Bottled Up
Three days down, twenty-five to go....
I've mentioned before what a highly distractable person I am. If men's thought processes are like spokes on a wheel, and most women's are like a jar of marbles, mine are more like carbonated salad dressing. (Nope, never heard of such a thing either; just bear with me 'cuz I'm trying to make an analogy here!)
There are lots of ingredients in this salad dressing, some weightier than others, some highly fragmented. But when thoroughly mixed in proper proportions, they coalesce into a flavorful sauce that enhances whatever it touches. Left alone, the individual ingredients settle into recognizable components, clearly defined. But shaken up and opened, they spew like a volcano onto whatever (or whoever) is nearest.
Okay, so now that you have that word picture in your head, let me explain.
There's almost always a lot going on in my head. As Momster, not only mine, but all the Critters' and Hubby's "stuff" (both organizational and literal) gets thrown into the mix too. It's a lot to keep suspended. When I have time (and peace and quiet), things can settle into levels of importance, and though not always easily separated, can be dealt with accordingly. But when everything is stirred up in my head and too much pressure builds, it can get messy. To my credit, I've been pretty good, and haven't blown up on anyone lately. I've been juggling a lot though, and at the moment, everything is pretty well shaken. So writing every day this month is not only a practice in self discipline, it's adding a few bubbles to the mix. I'm hoping the result will be something new and extremely satisfying, but it might just blow up in my face. So, just to simplify the recipe a little, I will only be adding cartoons when I have plenty of extra time.....in other words, close to never this month. But stay with me! The goal is to become a better writer, and I'll need you to tell me if I get the flavor right.
And, better make that twenty four days...........
There are lots of ingredients in this salad dressing, some weightier than others, some highly fragmented. But when thoroughly mixed in proper proportions, they coalesce into a flavorful sauce that enhances whatever it touches. Left alone, the individual ingredients settle into recognizable components, clearly defined. But shaken up and opened, they spew like a volcano onto whatever (or whoever) is nearest.
Okay, so now that you have that word picture in your head, let me explain.
There's almost always a lot going on in my head. As Momster, not only mine, but all the Critters' and Hubby's "stuff" (both organizational and literal) gets thrown into the mix too. It's a lot to keep suspended. When I have time (and peace and quiet), things can settle into levels of importance, and though not always easily separated, can be dealt with accordingly. But when everything is stirred up in my head and too much pressure builds, it can get messy. To my credit, I've been pretty good, and haven't blown up on anyone lately. I've been juggling a lot though, and at the moment, everything is pretty well shaken. So writing every day this month is not only a practice in self discipline, it's adding a few bubbles to the mix. I'm hoping the result will be something new and extremely satisfying, but it might just blow up in my face. So, just to simplify the recipe a little, I will only be adding cartoons when I have plenty of extra time.....in other words, close to never this month. But stay with me! The goal is to become a better writer, and I'll need you to tell me if I get the flavor right.
And, better make that twenty four days...........
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