13 Hours of Rain

It has been a good summer. But busy. Actually, too busy. Strangely enough, I am looking forward to the start of school, when I can find solace in routine. Truthfully, I feel parched. My soul feels parched, just like the dry, prairie grasses that surround our community. I know what I need. Time. Time alone. Time alone for more than a morning. Time alone outside my house and yard. Time alone away from my responsibilities and my family. Time. With. God. I love to entertain. I thoroughly enjoy planning menus, events, and experiences that cater to my guests' interests and needs. And this summer we were blessed with many friends and family who graced our home with their presence. During the year, I can't help myself in inviting people over for a meal or a play date with my children. After all, I desire our home to be a place where people can drop in for a visit and re-energize their spirit. Thus, I am delighted when people do just that. Our spare bedroom has been well used by m...

Lately, I started to track my calorie intake. It's not because I desire to be thinner per se . I just need to loose the stubborn amount of weight I've gained from indulging in too much good food and delectable desserts during my holidays. Plus, it is a great way to be reminded of healthier food choices and smaller portion sizes. However, there are moments when temptations arise and I want to snitch something unnecessary. While I am not as hard on myself as in the past, my mind often cautions me with these words, "Stop while you are ahead." What do I mean by this? Well, it is just my reminder to stop before I overstretch myself and overload on unnecessary weight-gaining calories. Usually my self-talk works and I stop. Now this post isn't about weight loss. Rather, it is about the ongoing process that I am experiencing in letting go of my children's infant years and moving on to embrace the years to come. Honestly, that last few months have been challenging ...

Coming back from our holidays was difficult. Our time away was lovely and chaotic: lovely in the sense it was  wonderful to connect with family, chaotic in the sense that it can be a  challenge traveling with two energetic preschoolers. Then we returned home and WHAM-O, all the reminders of our home improvement projects hit us SMACK-DAB in the face. Oh boy. All I wanted was time to r-e-l-a-x. We've been back for about two weeks now. And in that time frame, projects have been shelved for the sake of health. Kitchen refacing dreams are on next year's list, again . Dining room painting may happen before winter, if we're lucky (and I, the painter, get motivated). Garden beds for Spring 2013 might be built if we ever find a way to secure some cedar in this town. In the meanwhile, we are focusing on minor touch-ups/repairs, which is enough work in itself. So, why is this blog-worth? Well, I believe I am learning some lessons through the process, compliments of friends and...