Doing the Next Thing

The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's "own" or "real" life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life -- the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls "real life" is a phantom of one's own imagination. This is at least what I see at moments of insight: but it's hard to remember it all the time. ------ C.S. Lewis, in a letter to Arthur Greeves (as quoted in Shopping for Time , p. 86)

There was a time, in the days before multiple pregnancies and the busy life of motherhood, when I was in pretty good shape. I even enjoyed exercising! But as the babies arrived and my world became more complex, I pushed workouts to the side and began to view my own fitness as a luxury, not a necessity. Now, however, as the big four-o looms on the horizon and I see my metabolism slow before my eyes, I'm realizing that being healthy actually is a necessity - for when I'm healthy, I'm better equipped to fulfill all that God has given me to do as a wife, mom, and member of the Body. So in January (no originality in my timing, eh?) we joined our local YMCA and I began working out in earnest and training for my first 5K. It hasn't been easy - the hardest part is not the exercise itself. I'm sure you can guess what the hardest part is... finding the time to go work out. I've had to get creative - sometimes the whole family goes and the older ones walk on the treadmil...

(I see A (4) rolling the pizza cutter all over the open dishwasher instead of doing his chore: unloading silverware) Me : A, you need to quit playing around and finish your chores. A : Well, I want to, but my brain is just making me silly! Me : Your brain is going to get your bottom in trouble, so you need to put that away and get finished! A : Oh, I'm remembering how to do my chores now! "Hey, Mom! I did 43 jumps in a row using the crutch as a pogo stick!" 14yo S, who along with 12yo C has been inventing new uses for old crutches. pogo stick and stilts top the list. I just close the door to their basement room and pretend I know nothing. :) Go visit Mary for more Tiny Talk Tuesday

I get so frustrated sometimes trying to find clothes for my girls. Especially as M (10) gets older. I want fun, feminine, modest clothes that are also comfortable. I sew a little bit, and if I weren't also trying to homeschool, run a home, and all that other stuff, I might just find the time to make some. But the reality is that isn't happening. So I must outsource that department for now. I've discovered two great sources for lovely skirts and dresses that will make any "twirly" girl's heart sing. First up is Cupcakes -- "tastefully sweet fashion." Check out their blog for samples of some precious dresses for spring. Second is Amoretti. I love the sweet dresses and skirts. I also love their signature item, the "skirty." A skirty is a must for any girl (like my two) that prefers to wear skirts and dresses. Simply, the skirty is an undergarment, but a pretty one - covers like bike shorts but so much better looking! Check out their websi...