-
Farewell to Summer
It took me a few days, but I’m here. Acceptance. I’ve been working through some strong feelings during this first week of the school year. I’ve felt annoyed by the demands of work, and home. I felt resentful of my responsibilities. And it’s taken me most of the week to figure out why, but here we go. I’ve been grieving the loss of my summer freedom. The structure of the school year is in direct contrast to the casual pace of summer. And my Summer ’22 has been oh so good. Really it was just so so so so very good. Summer was a supple peach, and I was eating…
-
Good Conditions for Traditions
It’s Christmas Eve and matching pajamas are lined up in matching gift bags beneath the tree. We’re ready! In a year full of uncertainty it feels restorative to embrace things that are certain. Insert our traditions. The day after Thanksgiving we rolled out the Christmas welcome carpet to usher in the most wonderful time of the year. At my house, this ritual includes the following: Playing Soulful Christmas Music (i.e. Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway) Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies Decorating the Tree Having these rituals makes sure we don’t let the occasions slip by unnoticed. The traditions slow us down long enough to notice each other, too – providing a pace…
-
Get your List On! (a free printable) and Grocery Tips.
You’ve surely heard the old adage: Don’t grocery shop when you’re hungry. It’s a good one, because you will find yourself grabbing things based on desire and not need. But I have a few more pointers to share. My biggest tip is to always, always make a list! Whenever I try to wing it. I spend more money and end wandering longer and much less effectively through the store making myself tired and frustrated. Another consequence is getting home from that aimless trip to realize I’ve forgotten something we really needed. What a waste of time to make a second trip and how disappointing is it to go without something you need when you’ve just left…
