Finding Perspective Again

I read the most beautiful newsletter today filled with poetry, history, recipes, stories and etiquette pointers. This got me thinking about the newsletter I used to post for our website here, and then led me to brainstorming for creative ideas. The best I got was a lecture for my boys about not playing with their private parts. How inspiring, right? I wanted to write something so eloquent and creative. Day to day life doesn't always turn out so eloquent and beautiful. These are the things I did today:

I cleaned up barf.
Made a lovely, beautiful breakfast of omelets, hash browns, strawberries and juice, and no one ate it.
Made tea for Hannah in her antique pink rose cup.
Snuggled with a feverish Ammon for half the morning.
Talked with Curtis until he was almost late for work.
Cleaned my kitchen.
Watched the snow.
Marveled at how quiet our day was without dogs barking and fighting in the backyard (Fox has found a new home).
Didn't take a shower today and laid in bed with Ammon while reading a romance novel.
Watched Dancing with the Stars with Hannah and commented on the dresses while Ammon told us he needed the pink and blue dresses. I think the fever was making him delirious.
Watched Joshua use Cookie's floppy ear as a napkin.
Watched Nemo try to eat my flowers.
Sent Curtis to the store to get paper so I could finish printing out a project.
Made Angel Food cake and strawberries for dessert (which is rare) and brined and cooked some chickens, which smelled wonderful. Then we ran out of dressing and for the second time ever I made a ranch dressing from scratch that tasted good.
Looked at pictures of our trip to Texas last week, but I don't know how to download them to my computer.
Read several articles about "Why You Shouldn't Buy a Home", "My Experience With Being Rich", "Don't Send Your Kids to College", and "Businesses That Your 12 Year Old Should Do". Very enlightening, all by James Altucher.

I found a small notebook on clearance at Target a few weeks ago. I dedicated it to Manifestations and Asking Angels for Help in These Things. Almost every night before going to bed I make a list of things I want to happen and review previous lists. Within about a week, most of the things I listed have happened, been organized so that they will happen, or circumstances have changed that I don't need those things anymore. It's very exciting to cross these things off. It gives me some focus in my life. How often do we go through day to day life, not giving much thought to our duties, chores, responsibilities; just seeming to be on auto-pilot? This gives me some direction.

We found out last week that we will be facing unemployment again in two months. This would be twice in 6 months we have been unemployed. At least this time we have a notice and Curtis is already looking for other jobs. I could be pessimistic about all this (already had my moments a few days ago), but I'm choosing to be optimistic. This also gets my mind racing about school, career choices, businesses I could do from home. Again, I'm reminded my place is in my home with my kids. Still, I'm very curious about what life is like as a cashier at Walmart. I have  no idea why. I know it's not the most glamourous job on earth, but I just think it would be interesting. What do people buy? Why? Are there really people that come through that are featured on People of Walmart? Curiosity killed the cat, I suppose.

Life isn't predictable, as much as we would love it to be. Sometimes it is boring, but as I read in an article today, we should be filled with joy in all we do, from doing the laundry to cleaning the toilet to going to church to playing with our kids. What a difference your perspective in things does for you.

So, cheers to matching 50 socks, changing those diapers, laughing with your kids, and kissing your husband. May everyday life be fulfilling for you. May you find some time everyday to stop and smell the roses.