Ok for anyone out there wondering, "what HAVE they been doing all week," here you have it. And you probably weren't, but husband (who has been in Atlanta) likely has. So here's the wrap-up honey. : )
--- 1 ---
We have many feet of new pipe in the back of the house at this writing. I know this for certain being that there is no drywall to block the view and all.... This current week's work came to a halt when they ran out of piping. They will be back Monday.
Probably.
--- 2 ---
Two lovely daughters headed out for a dinner dance with their homeschool group a bit ago. This is Moira's first time attending. Her brother's are struggling. Join the club, boys.
Join the club. : )
--- 3 ---
Had a strange incident with one teenager last night. I saw some recent thrifted finds in the store bag yet and tossed them in the wash. Unnamed teen person noticed this unfolding and had a wee bit of a meltdown in front of the washer. Hello? Apparently those were not "my" clothes and, really, could I just let said person wash them? Ummm ok... I say, slowly backing from the laundry room.
Just going on record here saying that if anyone wants to come wash something of mine by surprise I WILL NOT fight you. I will hug you. I will make you chocolate cake. I am good with it. I swear.
--- 4 ---
Since the house is torn asunder anyway I am purging everything that has yet to be done. The public view has been good. I am determined though to clean inside and out, the seen and unseen. It's all metaphorical and deep - in my head anyhow. Probably a lot gets lost in the translation at the moment.
When I got started digging through the storage boxes, I remembered why I have storage boxes. There is a lot more than stuff stored in there, memories that for years have seemed better kept closed up and neatly shelved.
Such a job. I start sorting school papers and remember big boys who used to write on dotted lines. I unearth letters bearing my grandmother's birthday wishes, my late father's report cards. Rose petals from long ago bouquets slip out onto the floor. It is tempting to close the lids. Maybe another time? But no, now is that time and this job will be done. It is time to sift, to remember even when it hurts, and then decide what I am keeping and what I am letting go.
It is time.
--- 5 ---
ever have one of these days?
yeah, me too
--- 6 ---
I have linked to this once before I think but it came to mind again this week while purging:
"Respect for the gifts that God gave us is reflected in keeping things clean, orderly and in good repair. We are so overwhelmed with stuff, that we can't possibly respect it all, and we really just want it out of our face because our inner conscience is telling us that we must respect it, but our logical side is saying, "I can't possibly give all of these things proper respect!" - Meg Lund
Bottom line? Don't have more stuff than you can realistically care for and honor. (must tattoo this to my forehead...)
--- 7 ---
Finally, thinking alot about permanence - what is, what isn't, what should be, and what should not be. One of my problems with Waldorf practices over the years has been the fleeting quality of the art. The beeswax figures are for the moment. At the end of the day they melt away again ready to take new forms another time. Chalkboard art, almost painfully beautiful. Chalk? That rubs right away? It was a hard thing to wrap my mind around.
But now I am coming to terms with the fact that we cannot, canNOT save it all. And further, even if we could, we are in fact taking the magic away by allowing it to become a burden rather than a gift. It is ok to hold some things more loosely - experiences, things. Like flowers, they are all the more delightful for brief appearance they make.
With that in mind I share these lovely chalkboard drawings from a first grade classroom.
"Don't have more stuff than you can realistically care for and honor."
I need to tattoo that on the inside of my eyelids!
Posted by: KC | February 06, 2010 at 04:02 AM
Im tellin ya!
Posted by: StarrySkyRanch | February 06, 2010 at 06:22 AM
Can we get matching tattoos?LOL!
And wow, those chalkboard drawings are amazing and inspiring!
Posted by: Theresa | February 06, 2010 at 08:35 AM
Your daughters are beautiful! Hope they had a good time!
Love your blog!
Posted by: The Bookworm | February 06, 2010 at 01:26 PM
Your daughters look wonderful. I really liked the article you linked to. I'm feeling like I can't give proper respect to all the stuff around here. I'm becoming really attracted to minimalism, but it's going to take some time to get through everything. Thanks for the motivation.
Posted by: Cheryl | February 06, 2010 at 07:42 PM
would you mind suggesting to unnamed teenager that my clothes are available as well? In fact, the laundry for the whole family is up for grabs! It's quite a deal. :)
Posted by: violingirl | February 07, 2010 at 06:54 AM