Procrastination

I have a million things to do this weekend. Things that I haven't gotten done for school this past week that have piled up. Dishes in the sink that have also piled up because it's a lot to cook and clean and fill and empty for 6 people everyday. Cleaning chores that need to be done around the house, a stack of paperwork that needs to turn into a tax return, a clothing return that needs to be made, picking up that needs to be done all over this house. The list goes on and on and seems endless from my perch on the couch on this Friday evening. I have zero desire to do any of it.

So, in the way of all good procrastinators, or end-of-the-week tired teacher moms, I sat down and didn't start the first item on the list. I recognize that was my fatal mistake. However, it's not really my fault that the doggos are curled up around me. It's not my fault the tv is showing entertaining reruns of Family Ties. It's not my fault that I am cozy under this fuzzy blanket - it was a Christmas gift after all and must be used.

I guess I just have to stay here and cuddle fuzzballs from my warm cocoon. Bummer. I guess I'll just have to wait until tomorrow to begin tackling that list. It's just too bad it's out of my control.

Max

 

Baby? Nah. Sleep like a dog!

I didn't have a slice today and then, in all his cuteness, there he is laying on the floor in front of me. I'll give Max all the credit today...he pretty much wrote the 6 word story for me today. 

It's Finally Happening!

The sun is shining.

If you aren’t from Michigan you might not understand how glorious these words are in the month of March, especially in the first half.

I sat at my table this afternoon admiring the sunshine out the window. It’s funny to me that the thing we, in Michigan, look so forward to seeing again in the spring, is the same thing that people in other places probably take for granted.

Do people in Arizona appreciate seeing the sun on a random March day like I do? Do people in California appreciate a 50* day in March like I do?

I’ll never know for sure…but it’s ok.

Today, the sun is shining in my window, and reminding me spring is only a few more days away.

For now, that is enough for me.

Strangers

 Strangers

There are strangers in my front yard. 

There are strangers in my side yard.

They are lurking, almost hiding, yet still there.

They are small in size and number still.

They creeping in slowly, almost shy, testing the waters.

My little tiny daffodils.

I'm so excited to see the first signs of spring creeping into the brown, gray, cloudy world that has been winter. We have had beautiful sunsets the last few days - amazing pinks and purples. The temperatures have been so pleasant. There are people out for walks and jogs and I don't shiver and automatically think they are nuts! But my favorite part, is when I start to see my flowers poking up out of the ground. It's always the daffodils first, then a few crocus plants that are always a surprise...still not sure where those came from! Finally, the tulips will pop up. Then there is a pause again until the hydrangeas and bleeding hearts arrive. I'm ready after this long, snowy Michigan winter we had. Here comes the sun...

Rag Doll

whirling, twirling,

swirling wind

blows me here to there

tumbling, drifting

whatever way it takes me

exhausted, thrown around, tossed about

like a rag doll

waiting for the next ride

When I left school today I was Monday, time-change, still sick, teacher tired. This time of the year is hard and long and draining, but tomorrow is a new day and I will start again like the rag doll who gets picked up by it's child.

A Slice of Mom

 A little slice of mom today.

When I was a little girl, we had a wooden rocking chair that always sat in the same corner of the living room. This was a remnant of the 70s with pictures of fruit painted on the seatback and gold painted details in all the lines and creases of the chair. It always had some sort of cushion on it to make it more comfortable, but I can't tell you what that cushion looked like anymore. 

But I do remember two things. When I was looking up, reclined in my mom's arms while she rocked me, there was a white glass light with black designs that hung from a hook in the ceiling with a black chain that swagged to the corner and down the wall. 

But the other thing is what I remember best of all. The creak. This rocking chair was old when my mom was rocking me in it and it had a creak that creaked it's creak about midway through each forward and backward rock. I can still hear it in my mind...partly a creak, partly a snap, partly a crack...but it was consistent and ever present. 

So was my mom. She rocked me every night and as she rocked me she sang. My Elvis-loving Mom sang me a different sort of lullaby than most babies heard. She sang It's Now or Never, Love Me Tender and Can't Help Falling In Love With You. I know she sang other songs too, but those are the ones I remember the most. I even danced my first dance with my husband to I Can't Help Falling In Love With You. 

When Mom rocked me in that chair with that creak and sang that song...all was right with my world.

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Week

I have seen a few people make top ten lists, top three lists or top five lists in the challenge so far this year. I am inspired to try one of my own. Today, I think I'd like to write about some of my feel good favorites.

Five things that made me smile this week:

1. When my daughter came home to visit (even though her apartment is only a half mile from our house)        and the first thing she did was wrap her arms around my neck...just like she did as a little ringlet-haired      girl and said "Hi Mom!"

2. Listening to my children laugh and tease each other. Hearing them get along and enjoy each other's            company is one of the great joys of being a parent.

3. When my dogs come snuggle up to me on the couch just to get in a couple extra belly rubs for the            evening.

4. The sweetness of a former student running over everyday to give me a hug before he goes home in the         afternoon. He always tells me he had a great day at school and after some days, I sure need a dose of         that enthusiasm.

5. Sunshine. It's so good to see her again after a long, cold, snowy winter.