I was all set to write about something very different today - until this morning happened. It's Spring Break here, which means I have the joy of hanging out with my whole crew all week long. I know many parents who dread this, but I anticipate it. What I don't enjoy, however, is the busyness that comes along with it. There are a bunch of smallish errands and bigger projects that need to be tackled, and as the Chief Planner and Organizer Supreme of this household, I carefully checked over the list of to-dos, and came up with A Plan.
What my plan did not include were variables such as sick kids, cars that won't start in the morning, surprise temporary work for me, or to-dos that were Not. On. The. List. This morning was that kind of day, and I'll admit it sent me into a flap. There is something about watching my carefully laid plans circle the drain that takes me straight into internal panic. It's not pretty, nor is it fun for a single member of our household. Today, faced with the drama that was this morning, I tried something different. (After I went into the flap. I'll admit it. I flapped for a bit.)
I made a cup of tea. I took a shower. And I thought about my plans. Really, very few of the items on my list actually must get done this week. If you want to take it down to bare bones, only one thing really needs to happen, and we would all survive even if it didn't. So what's the flap about? I think someone needs to be more... flexible. Big deep breath. And that, my friend, is how I'm practicing self-care this week. Speaking of flexibility, perhaps a yoga session is in order, too?
By the way - Happy St. Patrick's Day! We were visited last night by the leprechauns. You can tell, obviously, by the green footprints leading from the back door, across the room and up the fridge. Inside, they left us a jug of green milk for our Irish breakfast. Have you had an encounter with a leprechaun today?
I used to get the same way until Jake came along... now I just shrug my shoulders and go with it (and eat a piece of chocolate too)
the leprechauns left some green foil chocolate coins in Jake's Irish cap AND played a trick on us later by turning out milk green for dinner!
Posted by: colleen | March 17, 2009 at 04:29 PM
No, not a single overdressed little green man in sight. Maybe next year. But now cool! Footprints AND a jug of green milk! The leprachauns must really like you.
I go for the flap first myself, but kudos for you for taking a breath and re-evaluating!
Top o' the evenin' to you!
Posted by: Carrie K | March 17, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Well done you - sometimes making a new list is the only way but it does take a step back to see it and that step can be a challenge.
Love your visiting leprechaun!
Posted by: Sarah | March 17, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Love the little green footprints, heh.
ahhh... well laid plans gone asunder... it STILL happens :^) and when there are that many folks... it's easier to go with the flow sometimes.
I'm glad you took that deep breath :^)
Posted by: marianne | March 18, 2009 at 03:44 PM