I'm always amazed.....

I'm always amazed at how time just slips away when we aren't paying attention....

The past few weeks have seen some hectic activity in my little home.  Not to mention a blizzard, illness, and just overall tiredness.  I let my writing get put to the bottom of the barrel of all the things on the the to-do list.

The ever-present laundry....

To-do list, original 1/2 page

I started with a small, 1/2 page to-do list.  But then it grew into 1 1/2 pages.....

It's amazing how long that to-do list can just get to be!

I was bustling around, figuring out the most efficient way to get these items accomplished, when my poor Loola came down with some no good, very terrible illness that includes a VERY HIGH fever.  Needless to say I have not really left her side.  When she was very little she had a very high fever which caused a very scary seizure.  We found out it was the body's way of protecting itself from the fever she was experiencing.  However, to this mama, who was at the time 5-6 months pregnant with Moo, it was the most terrifying thing I had, or have, ever experienced.  I know she is out of age range now when that happens, but I am no less scared every time a temp rises up above 102.5.

So, I stay nearby, armed with ibprofen, gatorade drinks, cool cloths, and the telephone.  Just in case....

On a more positive note, today I might take some time to exercise my creative muscles.  To write, to knit, to cook, and to maybe bake up something a little yummy!  Although, I am also very happy curling up with a book, or two, or three.  I'm reading a book on mindful eating, which is a skill I definitely need to learn.  This mama is not good about many things when it comes to eating correctly.  For example, I do not eat slowly, I do not eat only when hungry, and I do not focus on the eating.  In fact I focus on everything else, which means I hardly ever even taste my food.  I end up roaming the cabinets later after the meal looking for the elusive "something to eat".  Which, inevitably, ends up being something sweet, salty, and generally unhealthy.

I would like to set a better example, thank you very much.  God didn't give me this body to treat it badly.  He also didn't give me my children to set bad examples for.  My goal for this week is to slow down when I eat and put my fork DOWN in between bites.  It's a small first step, but that is truly all I'm going to be able to focus on.  (I swear I have the attention span of a gnat!)

This weekend I also rediscovered the farmer's market, which I THOUGHT was closed until spring but found out sells winter items.  YAHOO!  I was so excited to get over there and get some goodies to help me make meals for the next three weeks.  I bought two chickens, two pounds of ground beef, two pounds of italian sausage, and two pounds of bacon.  (A little like Noah's Ark of farm meats.)  I also bought salad greens, danishes (sorry, we ate those before I could get a pic) and homemade beef jerky (same deal with that).  The danishes and jerky fueled our day of nordic skiing.  Next time I go, I'm going to get some of the maple kefir, homemade soap, and possibly some yogurt.  Maybe some more bacon too, because it is so easy to use for so many different things.  Perhaps a couple more chickens as well.  You can't have enough chicken at our house!

Chicken stock based soup is on the menu for the evening.  I need to raid my fridge and freezer to find some other items to put in it.  Otherwise it will be four bowls of chicken stock.  I don't know about your family, but I know that mine would sit at the table and just give me "the look" if I tried that.  I guess they have higher expectations!

I'm glad to be back to posting.  The time away, although unintentional, was good in its own way.  However, I do like sharing better.

I hope everyone has a great week.  I can't believe it is already the middle of February.  Spring is going to be right around the corner before we know it!

T