Glorious Morning

This morning's run was nothing short of awesome. The sun was shining, there was a hint of crispness in the air, birds were singing. I felt strong and capable and full of life.

I got out the door a little later than I would have liked, and so the run had be shorter than was ideal, but hell, it can't all be perfect, now can it? ;)

It's a busy week for me this week, what with the birthday party on Sunday and all, but it's a good kind of busy. Throwing myself into a fun project is a good distraction from some of the less pleasurable parts of my life. Yeah, I'll get back to dealing with those unpleasant things, but for now, it's good to take a break from them and focus on something else. The issues will wait. Emma's only ever going to have one 5th Birthday Party.

This morning we have a playdate with a friend. The best part of it for me (besides the company, of course!) is getting a HUGE mug of strong organic coffee. Like the addict that I am, I can't keep coffee in my house, so I need to take advantage of the opportunity to have it whenever it arises. Today is one of those days. I can already feel the caffeine coursing through my veins.

WHEEEEEEEEEE!

Party Countdown!

So Miss Emma turns 5 on Wednesday. Five years old! How is that possible?

(Okay...deep breath...I'll save the moaning and wailing post about my baby growing up for Wednesday).

To honour the occasion, we're having a "Pink Castle Party" next Sunday. I've kind of gotten myself into trouble with the birthday party 'theme' thing. Two years ago Emma had a "butterfly garden" party. Last year was a Pirate party extravaganza. Molly has had parties with a Ladybug theme, teddy bear theme, and this year was (by her decision) a "Purple Spider Party".

Sadly, I've been procrastinating with the preparations this year. In my own defense, I've had a lot on my plate, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I'm definitely on the upswing, but I still have a way to go. And hell, let's face it, even at the best of times, I struggle with procrastination.

So I have a busy week ahead of me....decorations to make...a cake to plan...treat bags to assemble....ugh. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. But a good kind of exhausted, the kind that comes from throwing myself into something, body and soul, that I absolutely love doing. Throwing big parties like these for my kids are my way of working out my artistic urges. I get to geek out making invitations, decorations, and a fabulous cake, coming up with party games and activities and making food.

Yeah, I'll be exhausted, but a big part of me is looking forward to it. And don't worry - I'll be sure to post pictures. :)

Procrastination

Yes, I know I've told y'all this before - I am a HUGE procrastinator. I'm not proud of this fact, it's simply one of those things about me. I'm not sure where it comes from, exactly. Maybe it's my self-destructive tendencies. Maybe it's a method of distraction. Could it be that I'm just lazy?
More likely it's a mix of all of those things.

On Sunday we leave to go away to a nice little country inn with a big group of friends. We do this every year, and it's wonderful. We get away from the city, bond, have fun, relax, communicate...it's great. I've been craving this vacation since Christmas. With recent events in my life being what they are, this is something that I desperately need. I need a break from "everyday life" so that I can focus a little more on what's really important in my life right now -- which is feeling like a whole and complete person.

I've been procrastinating all week long. I have a million and one things to do before Sunday morning. Yesterday afternoon, instead of making lists, cleaning, packing, or doing any number of other preparations, I spent the afternoon playing dress-up with the girls. When Chris arrived home from class, he found me in a huge afro, with a crown on my head, dressed in a yellow gown.

No, I didn't get any packing done, but the girls and I had a lot more fun. Isn't that what life is all about anyhow?

The packing and preparing will get done, one way or another. The great thing about us procrastinators is that we're GREAT at pulling last-minute miracles out of our asses.

"To Do" List

In an effort to make the next couple of weeks as organized as possible, I sat down this morning to make a "to do" list - things that I must accomplish in the coming week.

The list is staggering.

Though the list is staggering, it includes none of the day-to-day regular chores that need to be done, like laundry, meal-making & housecleaning. It also doesn't include things like me finding time for some runs, and a Value Village trip, which I desperately need. There are a few fun things on the list, like baking Christmas cookies with the girls, and having a coffee date with an old co-worker of mine. Of course, when your to-do list is as long as mine is, even the fun things start feeling like items that need to be crossed off.

Although I'm really trying not to, I'm already dreaming of the long, slow, cold, lazy January days where the girls and I snuggle under blankets and watch videos together...research craft projects online, read books...only leaving the house when we really really WANT to.

It's hard to enjoy the here and now when there's just so many things that need to get done. Partly, this is my fault. If only I'd been more organized back in the fall, I could theoretically have all of my Christmas shopping done. I am not, nor will I ever be one of those people. I guess in that case, I simply need to accept my life for what it is, huh?

*sigh*

Guess I'd better start working on that list...