14 Things I Love

(This post is inspired by the YouTube offering by Amy Krouse Rosenthal - link to it by clicking on the title)
1) the view from my kitchen window, ever changing, yet always beautiful
2) a cup of herb tea in the middle of the afternoon
3) my collection of blue glass
4) walking through leaves in the autumn
5) hearing my kids make each other laugh
6)falling asleep
7) waking up
8) singing in the shower
9) painting of a fjord scene, from my grandmother
10) sunflowers
11) a walk on the beach
12) my husband's earlobes
13) having an epiphany
14) putting a smile on someone else's face

Listmania

I'm not sure, but I think there was something I was meaning to do, but I can't remember what it is. Let's see, did I make a list? Maybe it's on the list. I wonder where that list is, anyway. It seems like I must have left it on the counter in the kitchen. Isn't that where I usually leave a list I have made? Or, I suppose, it could be in my purse. That's another place that I tend to put lists that I have made. They make their way there once I am ready to go out and actually do some or all of the things on the list, or lists, as the case may be. Sometimes the things are mixed, that is, some things are meant to be done at home, and some are meant to be done while out. In which case, the list could be anywhere, really. If only there were some rhyme or reason to the whole thing. It seems as though this would be one area that I could control the outcome. I mean, it is my very own list, after all. It is I that decides what to put on the list, how to prioritize the things on the list, and even whether to do the things on it all, if ever. By definition, though, they were important enough to be placed there, so they must be important enough to do. Even so, if enough time goes by, it is possible for the to-do item to be rendered obsolete. If I could think of an example here, I would put it, but I can't, so I won't. It is still true, by the way, that I am thinking there was something I had to do, and I did assume that I had it on some sort of list, even though I am not sure such a list exists. But if the list did exist, and I have reason to think it does, chances are the to-do item is on that list. Or should be. So, proceeding on the assumption that both the list and the to-do item exist, I can only guess as to the whereabouts and whatabouts of each. Is whatabouts even a word? I don't think so, but it sure sounds like it should be a word. Maybe I just coined it! As a matter of fact, while we are on the subject of coining words, that is something that has always been a dream of mine. So, now I can cross that off my list! If I could find the list. Oy vey.

I Made My Bed!

It was a joke! I was kidding! I was making fun of myself, as a matter of fact. By that I don't mean that I don't really do all that to make my bed. I do, in fact, do all that to make my bed. It just struck me as funny,one day as I was making my bed, that I have this specific little routine for it.
As with many daily tasks, I use the time spent making my bed as a mindfulness exercise. While I am completing the job, I think about what I am doing, and try to think only of what I am doing. It is a little bubble of time, where the mundane and the rote become sort of a haven for the mind to dwell in. I find it rather soothing, actually. It also relieves the sheer boredom, say, of washing the dishes yet again for the kajillionth time.

How I Make My Bed

I smooth out the bottom sheet, pulling it back onto the mattress if needed. Then, I pull up the top sheet and the blanket until they come all the way to the head of the bed. As I adjust them to the head of the bed, there is a little pocket of air that has to settle down before I can continue. Once that is gone, I can tidy up the top of the sheet/blanket combination. It is preferred that they come all the way to to the top, but if they don't that is okay, as long as they are neat. I used to fold them both down a little bit, but I stopped doing that, and I have no idea why.
Next I pull the sides down as far as they go, and straighten them if necessary. I put my favorite pillow, the memory foam one, propped up against the headboard with the opening of the pillowcase facing towards the center of the bed (after smoothing out the case, of course).Next comes the king size pillow, which is mainly used when I am sitting up in bed, but also comes in handy as a sound barrier, placed between us like a wall, when John is snoring. The pillowcase, again, has its opening facing the middle of the bed.
At this point, it is imperative to skedaddle on over to the other side of the bed to repeat all of the above. That side is John's side, and needless to say it comes with its own set of issues vis a vis wrinkles, sheets coming undone from the mattress, and so on. These are attended to in short order. Now the bed is ready for the duvet. This often has to be replumped and reshaped. It comes with the territory, and is totally worth it due to its warmth. The duvet makes the bed somewhat lumpy and disheveled looking. I'm not thrilled with that, but the lovely cover does make up for it to a certain degree.
The duvet is pulled up level with and at times may even be under the pillows, but just a bit. It's important that the duvet and pillows coexist in a pleasant way, and that the entire arrangement is pleasing to the eye. Also important is that no sheets appear untucked when you look at the bed from across the room. As long as the duvet is covering it, it is alright.
Finally, the pillow shams are placed in front of the other pillows. These can be placed in either direction because their openings are not evident. However, I do prefer that the opening is outward facing, to be honest. But I don't sweat it either way.
By now, I am pretty much done, except that since there is a chaise at the end of the bed, I sometimes have to move the chaise a bit away from the bed, give the duvet a nice little tug to put it in place, and then return the chaise to its proper position.
I DO THIS EVERY MORNING AS SOON AS I GET UP. sheesh.

Instructions to the child I once was

1) Don't worry so much. Almost everything you worry about never comes to pass.
2) Believe in yourself more. You have a lot to offer the world. Stop thinking that you don't.
3) You do not have to be perfect. Striving to be perfect is one pointless endeavor.
4) Follow your dreams. Have big dreams.
5) Travel. Then travel some more.
6) Live in the big city.
7) Find fun things to do for free or low cost.
8) Stay single until you are 30 (at least.)
9) Do not be afraid to speak your mind, especially in your love relationships.
10) Love yourself above all else.

Fly Away

"Write of where you would fly if you could." There is a place I would go to, although I am not sure if it truly does exist outside my own imagination. It is a beach, of course, with white sand and clear blue water. Set back from the beach is a beautiful, lush garden, with a path leading to a lovely little cottage nestled among a stand of trees. There are no other houses nearby. The whole place seems quiet, safe and serene. It is, indeed, my "safe" place. It is the spot I go to when I meditate, when I want to de-stress, or when I just want a quiet moment. I've come to associate this place I have created in my mind with the peacefulness that is my goal.
Does this place really exist in the "real" world? If I could fly anywhere, it would be to this place. I hope, with a passion unmatched by anything else in my heart and mind, that it does. I yearn for it, and yet it is already in me and cannot ever be taken from me. How curious!

NaNoWriMo

For the third year, I am participating in NaNoWriMo - that's National Novel Writing Month. Last year, over 100,000 people did it! I am not sure how many of us there are this year.
Basically, the idea is that you have a go at banging out 50,000 words. Winners get - nothing. You just get to say you won. Each year I have made it a little further. Maybe this is the year I will make it all the way! Wish me luck!
It is amazing how much trash you can write if you let yourself. Who knows, maybe I will not be blogging as much this month, because I am too busy writing my novel. Then again, maybe I will post more, as I do everything I can to procrastinate and avoid the inevitable! Time will tell!