Clutter, Clutter Everywhere

Poem: Be Thankful For…(the mess)


The mess to clean after Christmas because it means I
have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it
means I have enough to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I
am out in the sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning
and gutters that need fixing because it means I have
a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government because
it means we have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because
it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me in church who sings off key because
it means that I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have
clothes to wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because
it means I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because
it means that I’m alive.
Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I
have friends who are thinking of me.

Unknown


Yesterday I was full of "vim and vinegar." I did all sorts of things. When I put away Christmas...I like to clean and polish every surface. I was busy most of the day...going up and down the stairs putting things in the basement. I fixed a nice meal at 3pm... of pork chops and scalloped potatoes. Then it hit me...I couldn't do any more. The plan for today was...put the things away downstairs and make my painting area tidy. I have a couple of painting projects that I want to do this winter...this will have to wait. I am still tired and achy today, so I will just take it easy. I hate this....I used to be able to work like crazy the whole week. Impatience with myself is something that I will have to deal with from now on. I am the most patient person with sitting in traffic, waiting in the Dr. office, waiting for food to cook (slow cooker), when my children were little...things like waiting for them to tie their shoes but today my impatience comes with my own body. Things I want to do...like in the old days....take days to complete sometimes. Joe and I both... some days...do a few things and then say, "That's it for today." and maybe it's about noon. I am impatient with the house being in limbo...with some Christmas left out and some halfway put away. Maybe the solution is to not put so much out next year. I could happily live with the tree in the living room, my little shelf over the sink decorated with my mementos from my kids and grands, my Manger, and some Christmas plants around and candles. I decorate it seems for others...people who might stop by. I want to have them feel the spirit of Christmas when they visit here. I have to realize that it's time to do things that we can handle. I was talking to a friend the other day...we were discussing hauling up the bins from the basement full of decorations...I told her that I use the recycling bags from the grocery to carry the decorations up and down. It's so much safer that carrying those bins on stairs. I can carry a bag in one hand and hold the railing with the other. I think that as I put things away this year...I will put only the things that I want to display in one bin and just open that one next year. This year was much simpler than last and next year will be even simpler.
I'm sitting here at the computer and looking out the window. The birds are at the feeder which is full of seed. The snow on the ground is patchy...tufts of grass are sticking up all around. The next week promises to be much warmer and maybe the snow will disappear. Another winter with little snow. I don't think that I will be planting many new things if that is the case. I was hoping to put in a few rose bushes. I'll take a walk around the house and see what is going on this afternoon and take a few pictures.
My garden window has my Christmas cactus and an amaryllis that's ready to pop. I'm thinking of changing that too. I might try to put the little black ladder type plant holder there and try my orchids for the rest of the winter. They simply need more light and being in a new window just might make them bloom. I spoke of amaryllis just a bit ago...I tried some mini amaryllis this year and didn't like them. Stunted flowers with long leaves. I wrote the company and they answered and said that the minis were sold out, but they could send me a big one...or a gift card. I told them that I just wanted to let them know about the bulbs...and didn't care what they did about it. Just wanted them to know that after waiting so long for a bloom...how disappointing it was.  So they did nothing :(
I guess I had better get going. I'll take it easy today...doing only what I have to do and making plans in my head for projects to come. It was great yesterday, working like in the old days, so today I will gladly rest.
Balisha 

PS....Blogger wouldn't let me post a picture..so just wait for tomorrow.