…and snow! So late in the season, so I have more time to do things with my spring cleaning. Washing ceiling and table fans. Cleaning out our libraries of books we don’t want to keep…Ironing a table scarf. Today, I need to gut the cabinets in 2 bathrooms, throw out junk and restack the shelves in a new way. The funny thing is that Russ is also redoing his closets. He was really discreet about it as he silently flew by me yesterday with his arms full of suit coats. “are you leaving me?” “Yes, my golf shirts are moving back upstairs.” On the way to the store yesterday, I asked him what the weather looked like for the weekend…cold and windy. “Great, WE can finish cleaning your closets and drawers!”
You got to be smarter then who you’re dealing with and I know with that threat, he will take care of it himself when I’m not looking. Leaves me more time to watch Oprah and eat bon bons.
So here I am with new supplies, needing to make my lists. But things have changed. I’m in the midst of the year of learning to say “no” to more projects. As I’ve been “editing” my house, I thought, “OH! I can make some money selling this or that”…yet I read that it adds a whole new project…so I have been giving stuff away and then I don’t have to worry about it. A list has become a PROJECT. It takes time to put it together…then stays in the kitchen for months as I scratch it off….stands there on an easel tormenting me as dangling participles (my blog, my language). So my work is NEVER done because that damn list clutters my mind’
Executive decision. NO LIST.
Welcome to THE SWEEP. As when I clean my house…I do everything that needs doing on A WALL until ALL is done. Then I move to the next wall and repeat. That is why yesterday I had to drag out the ironing board, iron, water bottle, extension cord, and steam iron ONE TABLE RUNNER then put everything back. And this plan works. Keeps my mind untangled and I don’t fret because I know I am simply dealing with what that ONE WALL brings me.
Sweeping my flower plots now. I cannot believe how the weight of the world has come off my shoulders! Have done 3 now and am not overwhelmed. And I don’t know how I’m going to arrange the patio, what color combinations I’m going to use but I know I’m changing everything everywhere for a different look. My only concern is that “small wall” outside. Just a little work in a small area….
Yet a new list is building. This one is out of our control. Russ and I do well if we can dance 1 or 2 dances at a wedding…a full day of the SWEEP takes 3 days….Arthritis Tylenol is the “new” lipstick in my purse…where are the bathrooms in town when out running errands…did we take our pills?
The golden years are indeed better and better as I know so much more, because life has taught me much, that I realize that I don’t know enough, so I need to read more to learn and that knowledge reinvents me and I’m doing things I never thought I would do. TWO THINGS I KNOW FOR SURE!
God will not abandon me when I am old AND garage sales are starting up already! ! !
