Where have I been?

Seems like the last several days have just flown by! I know, I say that a lot. Well, what have I been doing? Sending pictures of my daily life to a "pen pal", volunteering at our local elementary school's book fair, going to the zoo with my 2 nephews and sister, trying to find a new pair of red shoes (red's a neutral, you know!), keeping up with my house a little better, taking care of my sick husband. 

Oh, that's why I haven't written much lately!

And now I'm off to do some laundry, sort through clothes I don't need/want anymore, get ready for Bible study, load the dishwasher, and call a friend. Whew! Maybe I'll write more this weekend. Sure is a good thing I don't have a job - I don't think I have time for one. 

In all seriousness, the whole job thing is weighing on me a little heavier lately. Tim and I are getting short on money, and it looks like we might not be selling our current renovation project in time to refill our bank account. Should I be working? Is what I contribute in the house enough (eating out less because I cook, have the energy to work at saving money, etc.)? I'm not sure. I definitely don't want to go back to work, but I think I need to ask those questions of Tim and make sure we're on the same page. I'll let you know what we decide!

Meanwhile, back to those housefrau tasks.

Shiny floor

Yeah! I found my living room yesterday! I can see the floor - it is even swept. The couch is clean enough to sit on. The trash is emptied. The books are picked up. OK, so I still need to vacuum the rugs and dust, but there it is - a room clean enough to relax in. That makes me happy. Oh, and I did almost all the laundry...and even put it away. ;-)

It has been a good 1 1/2 days working in my house. I can see progress, can see keeping it this way for a good long while. Somehow trips out of town derail me from keeping my house clean. Not sure why that is, and haven't ever sat down to figure it out. 

My big goal for this fall? Get the house clean, keep it clean, then start going through all those boxes sitting in the basement. I had a good talk with a friend today who gave me some good ideas and wonderful encouragement. Thanks, Julie!

It feels so good to make progress on a project, to see tasks completed and be able to cross them off the running list I keep. Ethan's hat is finished, Zachary's is almost done, I have a sweater sitting to finish, but that's a good thing. And what a perfect time to finish some things, and start others. Fall and winter will be the perfect season to go through those boxes with the cool temperatures outside, the warmth inside, the golden sunshine that my house collects like a box of treasures. Tea, bagel in the morning, hit the chores, get going on those boxes, and by the afternoon, I will have accomplished enough to sit, knit and enjoy a favorite episode of M*A*S*H or something like that. 

Life is good, ain't it? 

For my friends who are struggling with stuff, I'm praying for you...that you can experience some peace and lovely quiet, too. May my peace be contagious and cross the miles to your hearts.