I spent a fair amount of time out in my yards this week, pulling weeds and raking and bagging leaves and debris. An hour or two at a time. I'm going to wait for the grass in the back to seed itself before I mow. Then I might scatter more grass seed and call it done. I'm going to do my yearly deck maintenance, too.
Meanwhile, the front yard was so packed with leaves and crap that I gave it a gentle rake through, then mowed with the bag on to collect as much debris as I could. For years I thought "what pretty yards we have" - they looked so great. I look at other neighbors' green yards and think, what is their secret? Literally all they do is mow and edge. I think a hands off approach is where I'm headed - I am pretty much done worrying about it.
My Highlands barrel cactus died, so I replaced it. I might have to find another place for this to live, though. The rocks in it are not deterring the squirrels. I like to sit out here in the mornings and sip my coffee. My little place of peace.
I did figure out how to get the CD player to work, now I need to go through the CD's. There are some crazy ones in there - a lot that were purchased for the kids (Tarzan soundtrack, horror sounds for Halloween) and some that are ambient music (ocean waves), along with a lot of jazz. It looks like I have right at 200 discs, but I will whittle that down.
I was shopping for new work shoes and thought, why not check Ebay? I found these brand new Alegria (my favorite work shoe!) in the box, in just the right style and size. They normally sell for $130 and I got them for $46 with shipping. Alegria has saved my feet at work. They have a rocker bottom which reduces foot and leg fatigue. I haven't had plantar fasciatis since wearing them. As my mother would say, these are "jazzy".
I'm trying to reframe the whole issue of cooking in my mind. Instead of seeing it as a chore, I am trying to see it as an expression of love and care for myself. Though I can easily go down the path of resentment that I have always been the one responsible for meals, and there is no one here to pamper me with cooking, I also see that I have the choice of eating exactly what I want. I am only limited by what I feel like eating and what I have on hand. Its a work in progress, for sure.
Gina
8 comments:
Those new shoes like great and what a fabulous find. I can definitely start to feel resentment at times that dinner always falls to me to deal with but since I do enjoy cooking I am able to keep that at bay most of the time.
For years I swallowed down the resentment because I was good at it, meals needed to be on time not haphazard, I was at home during the week, and people liked what I cooked. But no one ever stepped up and said "let me help/take this on" because you do so much for us and could use a break. And that's been the sticking point for me.
How curious that squirrels will dig next to all those cactus spines. Your shoes are quite jazzy.
I love the new shoes. You have been a busy girl! Feeding people is my love language and since I love myself I feed myself healthy and delicious food. You will get there. :)
I love those shoes! I’ve not heard of that brand before, but I have had issues with plantar fasciitis, so I’m going to look into them. Plus, they are jazzy. :-)
Your squirrels must be very persistent to mess with those cactus spines in spite of the rocks.
Great looking shoes!!
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog! I have been reading it for about two years, and actually went back and read all of the older posts. I have prayed a lot for you with the loss of your husband. I got divorced last year after 31 years of marriage and it has hit me hard! I am not enjoying "sharing" my children with their dad and his new woman. Ugh!
Those shoes are jazzy for sure!! I feel the same way about cooking, but with my dietary issues I need to pay attention to what I eat more carefully. I like your idea of reframing it...
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