Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

Monday, July 21, 2014

Perspectives

Sometimes we're just ungrateful, during the winter months we all dreamt of summer at the lake, the warm sun soaking into our very bones. Then the heat intensified, and became what mouse would say oppressive heat. It's too hot for Sir to fish -- almost. Nothing much prevents that.

Maintenance has slowed though, but really it's not a problem since mouse is too uncomfortable to care either way. Thank goodness Sir insisted that mouse bring summer pajamas -- it sounds silly but this is exactly why. At night we have the room fans going all night, mouse becomes chilled, reaches for a blanket, can't get to it because Sir laying on top of them, and even if mouse could cover herself up, she'd just become too warm, then it all begins again. The pajamas keeps mouse just right (almost).

Really it's about perspectives. It's hard to remember that, but really mouse has learned to appreciate many things more. While mouse was obsessed with tilting at windmills just a couple months ago, now that's been replaced with confidence in who she is. That's all a huge credit to Sir.

In the meantime, we've been trying to discover new ways of beating the heat during the day. In the early morning, and later afternoon the lake is filled, but midday, when the sun is highest, everyone takes cover. Sir finds the hammock nice in a shady spot, but lately without a breeze it's been too warm. We all take cover indoors and well usually nap and that's probably since if we all try to do some activity everyone begins to just melt down. Unless we all head to to town like today because even though mouse makes the best ice cream, the ice cream shop in town, is air conditioned. Again perspectives are very important.

 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Zero Hour

And now we embark on the happiest day of the year! Summer is over and school begins today! Around the neighborhood a collective sigh is heard. No more having to back out slowly (ok we do that anyway), but less concern about kids running around creating mischief and bored. No more listening to the endless baseball hoops and balls hitting the side of houses or becoming lost in our backyard. No more kids running barefooted and hunting for garden snakes (they're probably relieved too). No more bicycles left sideways on the driveway.

You can hear the excitement from parents everywhere. All the supplies happily purchased while the kids lagged behind. In dressing rooms children lamenting -- no more -- please...and the favorite, "can't we just go?!" in just a coupe hours, kiddo will be walking down the road to the bus stop to wait with the other kids -- gosh, mouse cannot wait! Yay! Of course, kiddo's all sullen and even asked why mouse was soooooo happy. Giggling and humming....

How can they understand it's like Christmas for us...a wonderful gift. All the boring stuff we've been putting off all summer can finally be accomplished! There isn't someone calling the moment mouse settles for a moment of peace asking where something is, or asking as they stare into the fridge and lament there's nothing to eat....or ask what's for dinner before mouse is finished loading the dishwasher.

Ahhhhhhh...how lovely!

 

Friday, May 17, 2013

Shabbat Shalom

Today is Friday the week is nearly over. Today it's all about Shabbat and preparing.

Now, mouse isn't Jewish, nor does she pretend to be, but she does try very hard to keep Shabbat and kosher, not because she believes but out of respect for Daddy's traditions. There are no extra 5 Things for Daddy because this whole day is really done for him. It's out of love and respect for his beliefs. If mouse had to pick a religion, it would probably be Judaism. Daddy doesn't mind that mouse fakes the prayers, or outrightly doesn't believe. What he sees is only the deference she offers.

It also cannot be over-stated that mouse loves this time of the year, because we light candles at 8:05PM. It gives mouse plenty of daylight to complete this seemingly exhaustive list.

The list for today is about renewing promises and fresh starts:

  • Change all bedding, air mattresses
  • Wash, fold, iron and put away sheets
  • Run to bakery for Challah, candles and pie
  • Pick-up dry cleaning
  • Buy fresh flowers
  • Keep certain lights on
  • Light candles (all night candles) in fireplace
  • Cut up meat, veggies for stew
  • Prep chicken for meal
  • Hard boil eggs
  • Unplug washer/dryer, leave door open to air
  • Turn off heater
  • Tape light in refrigerator.
  • Vacuum as needed
  • Put stew in oven
  • Cook chicken, side dishes, keep warm
  • Fill thermos of hot water
  • Fill kettle
  • Empty pockets of money, tidy purse
  • Polish Silver (if not done on Thursday)
  • Replace toys with Shabbat toys
  • Feed kids a snack
  • Set Shabbat table
  • Open 3 bottles of wine
  • Save ice, turn off ice-maker
  • Store water in refrigerator
  • Make some appetizers
  • Double check list!
  • Breathe -- Enjoy Shabbat

 

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Random Weirdness

When mouse watches a movie, or television show that shows someone cleaning it inspires mouse to clean or dig into corners and organize things. Now, it must show the right type of cleaning. Hoarder shows just don't count, nor do those "my home is a disaster please clean it for me and get rid of my crap" shows don't count. Some decorating shows can inspire mouse to clean or move things. Even reading a book can inspire mouse to clean.

After being still with all this, mouse has arrived at the conclusion that the more the home shown resembles in some ways her own home, the deeper the need or desire! Recently, after watching the film The Long Walk Home, mouse went on a complete cleaning spree -- which had nothig to do with rhe plot really at all. It's something when mouse remarked about to Daddy, he in turn gave mouse a quizzical look.

For some reason the exchange made mouse feel a bit defensive, which possibly has much more to do about her childhood than anything else. Rambling and rehashing the reasons to him, and waiting for the little light of recognition to wash over him. When he failed to see the connection, which was evident to mouse, again she relayed it to him. Mystified Daddy patiently listened, then curtly replied that he heard her the first two times. It seemed meaningless to him.

As if to really make Daddy understsnd, mouse tried something different using a cooking show as inspiration to try a new dish. Nothing.

Watching hockey or football doesn't make him want to run out and play or spend money on cleats or ice skates. So mouse supposes that it would seem off beat to him. The only thing watching golf on tv inspires him to do is run to the pro shop.

Yet it's times like these, mouse feels very simple.