A "For Sale" sign, and bitter, bitter cold. I am amazed the pipes haven't frozen yet; I expect it to happen any hour now. Then again, the constant twirl of the washer might be postponing that.
I am thinking...
That change is frightening, and yet invigorating. I also think that there are a lot of plates in the air right now. My plans for January have been completely upended and it's only the 3rd, but the new plans are so much the better. I've read a plethora of wonderful "new year" posts, with lovely thoughts- read everyone's new word for the year- based on Ali's thing from three years ago. All inspiring. I can't muster the brain power to talk about everything I've been thinking about: I think the Lord has ordained for it all to "set and set" a little while longer. If I have any word right now, it is "winsome". That's what I think about when I think about what I want to be, want to do. Or "wise". How about two: winsome and wise?
I am thankful for...
Hands and hearts and dreams and love. Paint that covers a multitude of toddler goo. Space to breathe and move. Children that manage to weasel under my defenses and make me love them even more.
From the learning rooms...
New semester here we come! Amazingly, all house-showing and moving aside, this will be the first "normal" semester for my boys- one in which I am not pregnant and/or in the newborn fog. I find myself much more excited about the learning days ahead, and I know this has a lot to do with health and a few decent nights of sleep in a row. I think everyone is ready to get back into our school day rhthym. Breaks are good, but getting back to work brings its own reward.
From the kitchen...
My kitchen suddenly seems quite spacious pared down to the barest of essentials. Hah! I will not be fooled. Needless to say, with showings happening at the oddest of times, I have to retreat to the 'old faithfuls' that can be fixed in twenty minutes or less, freezing double batches, and making as much as possible in the slow cooker. (I figure it has the added benefit of making the house smell really good all day long- something they say really helps with selling!)
I am wearing...
My heart on my sleeve. Everything is right near the surface right now, so full of hope! Yet admonishing myself to patience and waiting for God's perfect timing.
I am creating...
Stacks and stacks. Box after box is stacking up in the garage. I've had a few ask on facebook why I am packing and painting and the like without an offer on the house or even a house to move to- yet- and the simple answer? Our house is TINY. We have lived in every square inch of it, all seven of us, for the last four years. It has taken a lot of abuse; almost every base board, every wall, the carpet, has the evidence of children. It needed a "washed face" for showing. And, by removing most of our furniture and toys, the house looks much larger to potential buyers. We really want to see our house sell quickly, and I'll do anything that helps that process along!
I am hoping...
To keep my wits about me.
I am hearing...
A new playlist my husband made, aptly named, "Christ". It's perfect. It's also needful. It's helping me to keep focus where it belongs!
Around the house...
Seeing if we can master the twenty minute whole house scrub down for showing. It's hard to keep the house ready for the realtors when we live in every inch of it, but we're pretty close. I hate to admit it, but having most of the furniture, and three quarters of the toys and paraphernalia packed up makes that a lot easier. I don't think we can go very long like this- but I've already purged some things we obviously have no need for. It's good to test how much is really "needed".
One of my favorite things...
Hearing the kids talking about moving to their "farm". Now, I don't know if that is in the cards for us. Oh, it's a great hope in our family- but we have to do what is financially wise for us right now, no matter how much a little white house and big red barn might be calling to our name. We'll have to see. But I can't help but smile when we go look at properties, hearing the boys discuss their plans as to where the (non-existent, not-yet-purchased) John Deere tractor will go, and where they will hang the tire swing. How much fun it is to be that age and have dreams as big as the sky!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
I know I said that Life in the Making would be moving to the new cyber digs today, but I have had nary a minute to make the final tweaks, and neither has my Geek turned painter and all around handyman. I think that the end of the week is a reasonable goal. I've got tons of stuff and goodies to give away all ready to post and go over there...soon. Very soon. I'll make sure to point you there as soon as it is ready!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
The new year is always about hope. This double rainbow happened about 11 am Christmas day. It felt like a benediction! It was amazing- lasting more than an hour. We just sat at windows and stared for the longest time.
You can find more daybooks here.
Thanks for sharing.
I have much on my mind too but letting it set is a good way to put it.
I NEED to start stacking and packing. I think I am in denial LOL!
Posted by: Sandi | January 03, 2010 at 11:41 PM
what a beautiful flow of thoughts and hopes and awareness. So nice to discover this space...it was a great way to top off my morning quiet time:)
Posted by: kate | January 04, 2010 at 08:06 AM