I was told my a 'professional' this week that I am highly adaptable and flexible.....well I sure have had a lot of experience in changes and it is true plans are only made to be changed. This used to frustrate me to no end! I made meticulous plans down to the very detail of each and everything to be accomplished.....when the least little thing would change or delay I would work myself up into a fester (it was not pretty).....over the years I have really worked hard to lightened up and not be so controlling.....but I still love to plan and one of my favorite sayings is 'plan the work and work the plan'....(yes, I am sick, admission is the first step.....)
For weeks Steve and I planned to go to No Cal to see his Aunts....we were concerned with his recovery and checked with the Dr. and got the go ahead, picked out the nicest hotels and inns, restaurants and shops....then, dates were mixed up by his brothers and the dates had to move out....I had 2 major appointments I could not change (and that was documented!) so I encouraged Steve to go along with out me. He headed out in our truck with his brothers for a long weekend of eating and playing games and boating and shooting pistols and seeing wild antelope.....truth be told I am pretty bummed not to get to go but happy he got to get away.
Not to be discouraged, I made all kinds of plans....they were to start right after the boys soccer game on Saturday! I was going to go the Long Beach Flea Market and to the Encinitas Oktoberfest!
I wanted to send a treat with Steve for the road trip so I made some black raspberry oatmeal bars ....it is so easy, you make a basic crumble mixture of oats, butter, brown sugar.....put 1/2 in a 9 x 11 greased pan
After you put the base, put about 1 1/2 cups of any kind of preserves (I used blackberry - yum)!
Top with the remaining crumble mix and back for 30 minutes at 350 degrees....
You can cut it into slices like bars or like pies!
On Friday I picked up the boys and took them to the park.....they love to be outside, make friends easy with other kids and love to ride scooters and kick soccer balls.....I decided to let them play until they asked to leave as it always seems I am asking them to leave....I caught up on phone calls and just enjoyed the fresh air.....
After almost 3 hours Dylan aka Nature Boy came up to me and said GiGi, let's go - I caught a baby lizard and I need to take care of him! He was the tinest thing I had ever seen!
Dylan made him a little habitat of sand, gravel and grass using his empty McDonalds Happy Meal Box.....he is so resourceful!
We decided to name him Sparky! He found him at the Scripps Park = Sparky! He came home with us and spent the night on the bar under the heat lamp.....Sparky was soaking it in!
The next day Nature Boy decided that Sparky needed to be set free! He carefully placed him in his hand and held him near the plants by the front door....run Sparky run!
Then off to Soccer games! Luckily this week the boys played back to back on the field and at the same time! They love to be outside, running and kicking balls.....
After the game mommy and daddy scooped them up and headed for a staycation at a 5 star hotel in Coronado.....Kristen is one lucky girl who was gifted this awesome treat from a very generous, thoughtful and kind friend!
As they headed off to paradise....I came home to change and head out.....then some mail distracted me and I went into my little office and happened to read this:
Your home is not only your safe haven, it is a reflection of your consciousness. Whatever is going on in your mind will be reflected in the conditions of your home. To achieve balance and clarity in your life, you must have a solid, clean foundation. Your home and the conditions in which you live are a good place to start.
Ok....that was a reality check.....really, how could I justify going to a Flea Market and an Oktoberfest and probably dragging home more stuff when I am no where near my goal to simplify my life and be fully organized!
Immediately I cleaned out the top drawer of my desk!
It did not end there.....I went through the entire upstairs closets ripping things out and sorting and tossing piles and piles and each and everyone I completed I felt better! I even had a stack of things I needed to return and I put together an entire fall casual wardrobe and a list of things I needed to complete it! I know that sounds like a simple task but not for me! I think of a color themes (this fall teal & navy blue and ivory and tan) then I try to make about 6 or 7 mix and match outfits including shoes, jewelry, handbags that I can put on at a minutes notice for casual outings. Then I took the things back and picked up the few pieces on my 'to complete' list. I only bought 2 things that were not on my list! My little entry way table was looking a little bare....I got a little scarecrow and fall leaf garland and filled it out a bit....(baby steps.....)
