. . . so here goes.
Each day in my inbox I receive a Daily Challenge email. The email challenges me to do something practical that will, I’m sure, have a positive impact on my life. . .(if I chose to do them.) To be honest, my usual practice is to avoid the email and click delete before opening them. What can I say. . . I’m a mom of two with a recently surgery’d (yep, I made up that word) foot. I’m lucky to make it through the day just getting food on the table.
Anyway, when I received the Daily Challenge on Sunday, I quickly pointed the cursor arrow over delete, but before clicking the button I saw the Challenge for the day: Clean out one kitchen cabinet today.
Dangit. Immediately, I felt guilty.
Blogger friends, you may or may not remember one of my first blog posts, in which I confessed that I am addicted to cookbooks and cooking magazines. And you, my blogger friends, were so kind as to give me so many great suggestions as to how to consolidate my collection. But, I must confess. . .
I’ve made little (or no) progress.
Ahhh, that felt good. Confession really is good for the soul. While I’m at it. . .
Sometimes, we find the kids things in the most strange of places. Why Chanelle’s sunglasses are in the refrigerator, I don’t know. In fact, we left them there. . . just to see how long it takes her to notice them.
Sometimes, we throw chocolate chips in the pancakes. . . simply because they ask. Maybe I won’t make mom of the year for feeding my kids a perfect diet, but really, you’re only young once, right?
Sometimes, I let my kids do things I would usually never let them do. . . just so I might get them to smile for a picture. Like, stand on the counter, for example. I’m sure they must be confused by my making an allowance on one day and forbidding it another. They’ll figure it out, right?
Sometimes, I give my kids a bath simply to buy myself some time. They love to play in the water. Chanelle goes to one bathroom and Charlie to another. They play, while I fold laundry, vacuum, or just put my feet up and breathe for a moment. I see nothing wrong with giving a bath at 12:30 in the afternoon.
Sometimes I like to pretend I’m a photographer, when really I’m just a girl who likes to capture a moment. I’m more than okay with that.
Lastly, and there is no picture for this one, I can’t pass up a good Lifetime movie. (I realize the “good” and “Lifetime movie” might be seen as a contradiction. . . but I get sucked in every time. But really, how can I not with such splendid titles as “Mother May I Sleep with Danger?”, “A Fare to Remember”, “Crimes of Passion: She Woke Pregnant, and my most recent favorite “The Craigslist Killer.”
I know, I know. . . have I no shame?!
Seriously, though, I’ve found that it’s okay not to take myself to seriously. It’s a good thing to laugh. . . especially at myself.
Wow, all that started with the stinkin’ Daily Challenge email that made me feel guilty. I guess this post got a little out of hand. If you’re interested in receiving the daily challenges, click here. . . Maybe you will one up me and actually do them.
oh man. this whole thing made me laugh. esp. the bath at 12:30! hysterical.
i want to point out one small (but HUGE) thing: motherhood has changed you, but not CHANGED you. does that make sense? you are doing this Mom thing as the genuine/unique person that you are. and for that i admire you.
the sunglasses in the fridge? priceless.
p.s. – i signed up for your challenge. mine for today is to do 10 calf-raises. sorry 'bout your luck that you can't do them, so maybe i'll do 20 – 10 for me, 10 for you?
I feel like I wrote this post.
Every time I open my cookbook cupboard (which somehow also became the play-doh, sticker, random pieces of craft paper cupboard???), I tell myself I'm going to clean it out and organize it. Never happens. …although I kind of like the feeling I get as I rummage through all the loose papers until I find 'the one'. It's a great feeling to hold that crinkled piece of food dripping covered paper in my hand, knowing the history of it. How many times I pulled that hand written paper out, accidentally dropped ingredients on it and enjoyed the final product. I'm weird.
TL, maybe knowing you are doing the challenges will motivate me more. Strength in numbers? (I just did 10 1-leg calf raises.)
ST, parallel lives we live.
Hm. Yes. The Daily Challenge seems like a toss-up between giving you something to feel good about each day, and something to riddle you with guilt as you're trying to fall asleep each night. I says if you do even one of them a week, you're doing GREAT.
I will laugh about the sunglasses in the fridge all day today.
Love you, friend. (That picture with the cardinal is LOVELY.)
Laughed!!!! I know in talking to a special lady we both love she told me how she used to clean one drawer a day…..and I keep saying my bedroom and closet will get organized…….
Love the picures. So how long were Channelle's sunglasses in the fridge?? You need to try banana choc chip pancakes, yummy:)