Trying to grab the reins...

My dreams are trying to warn me. I've been saying yes a little too often. I was busy, busy, busy and when I woke up for real, I had that feeling like I was forgetting something. I can't help it. I do like to stay engaged in life, and my body can't keep up with my brain. There are just so many things I want to do and learn about.

DH took the boys out to drive golf balls. It was their first lesson and they had a great time. Now we have to look for better used clubs. The ancient ones we have will not hold up and if fact, one of them shattered to pieces as DS13 hit the ball. I bet that made it more enjoyable actually. DH said the range was empty except for one other man, so they practically had the place to themselves. They are going to try and make this a regular "boys' night" activity.

I'm jealous. I want to learn to golf too. Of course I also want to learn more about permaculture, immunology, glycemic index and metabolism, cultivating yellow watermelon, peach trees, stone mosaics, recipes for Nutella, Pilates, and networking printers... to name a few. Not enough hours in the day to satisfy this autodidact.

Somewhere in all of this I have to factor in housework, but lately, I've discovered its easier to walk away- literally. I've been going for hour long strolls. My new walking shoes are definitely broken in and you know, I feel no guilt leaving the vacuuming undone. Its better for my health right if I walk instead of clean house?

I'm sure at some point this will be debatable, but isn't this how it usually goes? We are busy enjoying living and learning, and the house cleaning gets pushed to the breaking point. Or you have company coming and you're forced to drop it all and pull out the dust rags. Either way, its not wrong to wait for that motivation. Life has priorities and dust bunnies will hang around and wait for you.  

This fresh, perfect air, cool summer breezes and sunshine will not stick around. We have to get out and enjoy it when we can.

An Autodidacts Agenda

My latest list of things I want to learn more about;

Immunity diets- What should we be eating, and not eating, to boost our immunity. I'd like to get through another cold/flu season unscathed and not count on a vaccine.

HTML Code- Why pay for someone else to do what I should be able to learn to do myself?

Butterfly Garden Design- Looking forward to getting rid of more over rated suburban grass

Cookbook publishing- Family reunion less than 1 year away!

Furniture upholstery - Don't ask.

Tree pruning- Maybe mulberries are a nuisance after all.

Wills and living trusts- Embarrassed to report we haven't completed one, which since we have children, is even more stupid to have procrastinated on.

Chemical free decorating- creating a healthy environment

Small business ideas that succeed- More procrastinating I need to correct!

Tie Dying- Only did this once when as a kid. I'd like to know how to create all those cool, swirly patterns.

This should keep me busy for awhile.

"Fridays Are Fresh Days"

I'm relieved its Friday. Its the one day I plan nothing so I can catch up. Its the one day I know I will be with my family for "Friday Family Fun Night." Its the day before I have my husband home all weekend so its like Christmas Eve in spirit, waiting for that gift! 

Today's Friday will be great because its also going to warm up to above freezing temps! I need spring so badly, I cannot tell you! DH asked if we should take the plastic off the windows, but I'm scared if I do that, we'll drop back down into another cold snap. I'd take out my spring clothes, but I'm worried that too will curse the warming trend heading our way hopefully.

Yumi just reminded me its Friday the 13th. She threw up on the floor vent! Like I really want to dismantle that and try to clean out the vent now?! UGH! Why the floor vent cat??!! You had the entire kitchen floor!!

No, I will stay positive. Even about Supper. If you read my free writing 2 exercise, you know I'm stressing over preparing healthy, tasty meals my entire family will enjoy. I don't feel like playing short order cook, and I've discovered when I stress over a meal's preparation, I can't sit and enjoy it. Menu planning is one of the few things I don't enjoy about being a Domestic Diva.

I don't want to eat out though either. The food really doesn't taste that good to me, eating out. I'm really trying to taste, enjoy and connect with the food I eat. Its part of my learning process working through Karen Koenig's Rules of Normal Eating and The Food & Feelings Workbook.

DH mentioned we should try stir fry at home, only I don't own a wok. I'll be really tempted to look for one at Goodwill when I drop off this week's purge load. I could make stir fry in a regular pan right? I wish I knew how to make homemade stir fry sauces though. Add that one to my autodidact list.

I keep a list of things I want to learn more about. Challenging myself helps me to continue to learn and grow. Plus I'm hoping that my boys will be inspired and model my actions. I saw part of a show on PBS, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, with Dr. Amen. He pointed out each time you learn something new your brain makes another neuro connection, keeping your brain healthy and active. I really believe it.

Becoming an autodidact- a self directed, self taught, person has really helped me in so many ways. Gone are my depression, anxiety attacks and low self esteem. Its freed me to find the path I need to be on, not where someone else thinks I need to be.

"Fridays Are Fresh Days" is a favorite lyric of mine. I hope you all have a Fresh Friday today and a fab weekend!