Just Right

This is my living room. I snapped this shot yesterday because it looked just right -- not too big, not too small, not too fancy, not too shabby, not too messy, not too clean -- just right. If you go to Flickr you can peruse the photo's notes and learn a bit more about the individual objects within.

Right now I am sitting in that chair by the fireplace. My legs are criss-cross applesauce. There is a pillow on my lap and on top of that my laptop. Delectable heat radiates from my computer and the lamp next to me. Across from my chair is a large picture window that looks out onto the street. There is a slight breeze. The sky is blue overhead but storm clouds lurk on the horizon. Outside it is crisp and cold. I'm happy to be here, inside, still in my pajamas. Little sits in the next room watching the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - on loan from the library. Soon I'll gather up my knitting and join her.

Our house smells scrumptious. A honey mustard pale ale pork tenderloin is simmering in the crock pot. My husband is in the kitchen doing a load of dishes. Later today I'll go to the store for ingredients for my first ever green smoothie (thanks Tammie!).

To sum things up: Life is good.

And now my daughter beckons. I hope you are all having peaceful wonderful days.

Things I love today:

• Spanish lessons on my ipod
• Crock pots
• Baby girls who love to snuggle
• Pajamas
• A weekend to sleep in
• My friend's bird feeder (I am inspired to get one of my own)
• Dreams of an orchard and clothesline in my backyard

Things I'm hoping for today:

• Happy content children.
• To finish Loving Frank before it's due back at the library.
• To be bold and brave and follow my heart.
• To let go of fear and take a chance.

Soon, soon I'll post my Mondo Beyondo list. For now it is simmering, just like that tenderloin, until it, too, is just right.

A Year of Living Positively

In February 2008 Peculiar Momma came to life. It was (and is) a simple place; a place to reflect, grouse and document. Mostly it’s a personal journal that happens to be open to the public. In other words I write for myself. If someone else reads these musings all the better. If not so be it.

Lately this blog has had less actual writing and more listing; lists of things for which I am grateful. These lists are cathartic. They bring about a sense of peace and make me truly happy. I find myself reviewing these lists periodically and, honestly, they warm the cockles of my soul.

Practicing gratefulness is not a novel idea. Buddhists, happiness experts and numerous others have preached this behavior for ages. You know the old adage “smile to make yourself happy”. Previously I thought this idea was oopey, goopy bologna put out by people that were either a) stoned or b) truly miserable and faking it.

And then I began to practice gratefulness. My life hasn’t changed but it has changed my life. My children still fuss and yell (you should have been here the other night - oi vay!). Money is still tight. I continue to work nights and weekends and holidays. My house is a mess. And yet ... yet. I am more content. I am incredibly grateful for the things I do have and do not lament the things I don’t.

Now this doesn’t mean I live without hopes and dreams. In fact I’m working on a Mondo Beyondo list as we speak (yes - another list). The Mondo Beyondo is a list of hopes and dreams that, in the words of Andrea Scher from Superhero designs, are "...so JUICY and unlikely to happen that you are even afraid to write them down."

Two-years-ago I wouldn’t have considered writing such a list. Again - oopey goopy. But, seriously, why not? And really it goes with my theme for the year - Imagine.

And what is point of all this? Simply to tell you that today - April 2nd, Good Friday, I begin my Year of Living Positively. With each and every post I will include a gratefulness list and a list of hopes (not Mondo Beyondo hopes - those are separate- but a small list of austere dreams and desires). I can't wait to see what unfolds!

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And now, without further adieu --

Things I am grateful for today:

• Gorgeous fluffy white snowflakes.
• Babysitting exchanges.
• Solitude.
• A HUGE stack of books waiting to be read.
• The promise of Easter brunch with friends and family.
• My calendar with last year's photo that is oh so appropriate for today.
• Bright and cheery table settings (something old, something new, something thrifted, something blue).

Things I am hoping for today:

• I sincerely hope my husband can find peace and contentment at work (he's still living on the ooey gooey side of gratefulness).
  
• I hope my girls behave tonight as I may have to take them to work with me.
• I hope to finish a small piece of this blanket I'm knitting.
  
• I hope the roads don't ice over.
  
• I hope the Easter wheat grass I planted continues to grow.
  
• I hope those less fortunate are able to find shelter from this storm.