Progress

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress. - Nicholas Murray Butler   Winter stinks, it really does and I've surely had enough of it.  It makes chores longer at the farm, it makes me add about 5 pounds to my body every day by wearing triple layers of clothing to keep myself warm at work and any sign of Spring I get a glimpse of makes me a little giddy.   Even before working at the farm I wasn't fond of the winter months.  I am not an avid snowmobiler or skier or anything like that so I could care less if there was any of that white stuff outside.  All it does for me is make a bigger mess inside and outside of my house.  Snow pants and boots strewn all over out kitchen area where our side door to the house is, mittens miscellaneously placed where they fall at the time and I've had enough.   But, today was a little warmer out.  There is a little sunshine in the distance and things are thawing at the farm, I could feel it instantly this morning and the cows could too I think, a couple of them were smiling real big and I saw some chatting about it in the distance.  They too can't wait until they have those wide open pastures to graze in during the day and don't have to be stuck in the barn anymore, it's no fun in there.   With this warmth brought me new energy.  A new attitude I guess.  At least while it's here.  I know what those stupid weather men are predicting right now for later this week so I'm not getting overly excited but am "living for the moment".   So while my little guy is keeping himself busy playing on the WII on his new Hot Wheels game I am making some much needed progress on neglected areas of my house.

First I started off with a request from Luke (who always has to help) and whipped up some chocolate chip cookies with almonds to keep everybody in the household happy.  Double batch as usual, and it will likely only last until the end of the week if I'm lucky.         During the baking process I did two sinks full of dishes, one from last night (I refuse to do dishes at 8 pm in the evening after we've come home and ate supper) and one with the plastic containers in the cupboard I reorganized this morning.         In-between baking cookies, retrieving drinks and food for Luke, and doing dishes I've also managed to fold and put away two loads of laundry and have another one in the dryer and one in the washer as I type.  Sweet!         Our dog Lucy hasn't been much of a help with any of this.  She didn't even flinch much this morning, even while the wonderful aroma of cookies was baking nearby.  She's got the life!!!         Earlier I also reorganized the upper kitchen cabinets.  Tossing out a lot of old things we accumulated over the last while, expired medicine, etc.  I have a motto at my house when cleaning, "If I haven't been using it and it's just taking up space, it's outta here!"  Oh sure, sometimes these poor, neglected items end up in a box for the local Goodwill or they meet their fate in our beautiful garbage can.         Oh don't get me wrong, I have a very LONG way to go before my house is back the way I remember it being long ago, before three kids and before working a lot of long hours.  But for once I feel like I am making some progress.  Just these small baby steps are making me smile.   Now granted, it's very likely nobody else in the house will notice, and what I just spent time organizing will more than likely be out of sorts sooner than I hope, but such is life.  I have temporary satisfaction from these small little things.  These small steps toward some control and some balance in our life makes me happy for now.   Although, by this time, Luke is ticked at his game on the WII and just stormed off to his room because he's mad at me.  I actually kind of like when he does this, it gives me a little quiet time and it usually makes him rest on his bed and give into his much needed nap.   I hope you all have a great rest of the week.  Hopefully I can keep up my energy level (keep your fingers crossed) and continue on this progress I'm making.  I have so much more to do.