Thursday, February 08, 2007

My "process" and a peek at my mess. =)


I can't blame my kids for all the chaos around my house. Here's a glimpse at my scrap room/playroom, and as you can see I'm in the middle of a little project. Just playing around and having fun- using some of my Heidi Swapp goodness. =)
If after reading my previous entry you got the picture of me sitting in a corner with my Bible, praying and singing hymns, I apologize for that. While it's true that I read my Bible regularly and have daily quiet time and I try to squeeze in some meaningful worship too, it's not like I am out of touch with the world around me- as if I live in a monestary or something. {Which I think would be an enjoyable thing to do for a couple of days sometime....}
What I was trying to say is that I make time for things that are important to me and the way that I function best. I never watch television (or very rarely watch tv...my kids watch plenty of kids' programming) and I admit that I spend a lot of time on my computer, however, I still manage to stay on top of most of my day to day activities. I work around my blogging much of the time, and will do other things at the same time. Like empty the dishwasher or change a diaper while my photos upload. Or I browse magazines (I have Rachael Ray's open next to me right now)or even glance at the newspaper. I find that there are things we all do each day, and I am learning to 'weed out' the things that I find just eat up my time. Like telemarketers on the phone. =)
I find that I can be the most hard on myself when it comes to being a good Mom and "doing enough" for my kids. I find myself feeling guilty once in awhile that I am doing too much for myself. But then I snap myself back to reality and look at the facts...I am home almost constantly for my family. I get out to grocery shop once or twice a week, and that's about it. Seriously. And I feel guilty?! What am I thinking?! =)
I find that if I am baking and doing activities and cooking dinner and have all my laundry caught up, well then that's when I'm "good". On a side note- it's been 2 weeks since we've had fast food in our family- partly from watching "Super Size Me" and the other part due to helping Chip stick to eating healthier. We're all eating better around here and I recommend it to anyone. Not that we were really fast-food hounds before this, but still, we are really watching what goes in...and it makes a difference- physically and mentally. Back to being "good". I just have to say that there really isn't a scale out there in regards to being at the top of our games- as people, no matter what you do, or where you are at in life. I am learning that society paints pictures for us...the corporate Mom who has 2 kids and a housekeeper and jets sets around and has a perfect Pottery Barn/Cottage Living white interior home....well, I love you if you are that woman or family. But the truth is that 'real life' isn't always perfect and pretty and I am practicing being content at every single moment that I have- because that is what I have. It has helped me actually 'do more', because I am less concerned with perfection or living up to unrealistic expectations.
I said it yesterday...ask my family and friends. I fail everyday. And yet somehow I still find simple joy and happiness in the midst of my shortcomings. I have lots of room for improvement- thank goodness for that. Because I think if my life WERE perfect, I wouldn't like it half as much. =)

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love Your Space!!!

Why is it all scrappers have piles of "goodness" on the floor!! I love it!!

Julie said...

I'm new to this blogging thing, but apparently we are online at the same time! Just didnt want you to miss my comments from the post you left yesterday!
Julie

Jamie said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, YOU ROCK!

Jenay said...

Well said! Life is about being thankful for what we have and as Tara Whitney says, "just be".

Anonymous said...

jody-
my daughter lives in chicago and every year she takes a retreat all by herself at a convent in your state-
she comes back refreshed, rejuvinated and ready to take on the world.
you should do it- and so should i!
rose

Krista said...

I WANT THAT ROOM--my scrapbook stuff is all packed neatly in a little corner--I dont even get a table to put stuff on--that is all about to change when I reorganize my house --sometime next century.

Lisa said...

As always I love your posts - I always read - everyday, but sometimes don't get to post. Thanks so much for my cutie cutie Valentine! I feel so special to receive this treat from you and you are super wonderful to actually use my 'honey bunny' on the card. Thanks so much!!!! I had a really yucky day with a bunch of fourth graders and seeing my Nitty.Gritty mail was the best thing! So thanks a ton!!!!! Lots of Love, Lisa

Anonymous said...

If that room is chaotic, then I don't even know how to describe my space! LOL! TFS Jody...it is hard for me to take time out for myself because I think that makes me a bad mom, but really it makes me a better mom because then I am able to give from more than from less. Does that make sense? =)
Melita

Anonymous said...

You know what, Jody? I have been visiting your blog for some time now...and I just don't know what to make of your posts.

Don't mistake me for being BLUNT here, but I just don't understand how someone can be so happy go lucky all the time.

Don't you have anything BAD to ever blog about? Or don't you just ever want to VENT about anything? Lord knows I do.

A very good friend of mine has a husband that is in jail for embezzling money from his company. Now, granted, he did DO IT, but they nailed him to the wall for OVER 5 times what he really stole. He got a hold of about 60K, and they inflated it to OVER 312K.

The poor woman is alone in a city where she moved with her husband, and her family is in Canada. She's lost two of her cats this past year, one to Breast Cancer (yes, cats get cancer in their mammary glands) and the other cat was struck by a car. Her life is just a shambles, and she doesn't know where to turn.

Another good friend of mine recently had her husband DEPORTED back to Mexico. She is also struggling, making ends meet. She was evicted from her apartment due to her inablity to pay the increase in rent. She's also a severe diabetic, and sometimes goes WITHOUT medicine to pay her bills and to eat.

That's just TWO people in my life that are having hard times. I can't believe every day in your life goes as smoothly as you seem to write. I know that the death of a child is hard for any parent to deal with, but you just seem WAY too happy. I think I would still be living my life in my bedroom, waiting for God to take me as well. Lord knows, I probably would have thrown myself in the hole as they were lowering the casket.

Let's hear about some more EVERYDAY things that happen.

Anonymous said...

Hey miss anonymous....why don't you just read her posts, you can see her being real, maybe you need to stop being a BITCH....and then you can actually figure out that she know how to make the bad stuff in her life turn into something good, its called having a postive perspective. She just wrote in the previous post on how hard it is to not be able to see Teagan grow up like the rest of her siblings?