feb and spring cleaning

So it is February, and usually we are still in the middle of winter. However, this year the snow is gone and we have been left with gloomy,dreary days and mud. January was not a good month for me. In fact everything about screamed "WINTER" from my soul, to my attitude and just life.

So I said good bye to January and I have embraced February with some spring cleaning attitude. I have rolled up my sleeves, and started in on some changes. Like getting rid of face book and it's new look. I HATE it and for many years I was fine without it and I am going to be fine without it again.Oh and the kids bedroom rearranged...always nice to do some rearranging. Which brings me to next spring cleaning item...rearranging my attitude and heart.So, I have prayed for more joy and not just prayed for patience. You see Joy means being content and a sense of well being even if life is throwing a lot of challenges. And it is funny because I do enjoy cleaning and so for me, spring cleaning all the messy,dirty bad stuff ( from house to heart) really does bring me joy.

So it is nearly the kids bedtime and I actually finished everything early. Teeth brushed,kids bathed, bible read, prayers said.

So I think, hey I will let the kids read in bed for 3o min before I turn off the lights. I go with them into their room and make my final decision. IT IS TIME to rearrange their bedrooms. I can see Don shaking his head at me and truthfully I deserve it. But hey, I am started on this idea and now there is no turning back. So 45 minutes later, the kids scared because we talked about fire safety and why I have to leave the dresser where it is, I have swept the mess of it into my small hallway and tucked them into bed. And all I really want to do is relax, read a book but no, I have to finish the task I had started before I go back to work tomorrow and the house builds up its clutter until I have time next week to clean again. Why oh why do I do this to myself?

Thursdays

Thursdays have become one of my most favorite nights! First, it is my Friday. So last day of work and I am always in a good mood. Second, I get dinner made for me by my mom..Thanks Mom! Third, GREY'S ANATOMY!!!!!! and my newest Thursday show - the Mentalist.

I put on my jammies, knowing that the next day I can sleep in a tiny bit longer, and the next few days will be spent with my kids. There is always the inevitable house chores but tonight I can relax and live in the pretend world of TV. And If the phone shall ring, I will only answer it in my 2 minutes of commercials.

Rich Man

Many years ago, I heard this song by Paul Brandt and it made me smile and cry. I instantly thought of Don as we were barely making ends meet and had a new baby girl. Don was a little offended at the "I look in the mirror and don't see much, fashion sense out of touch". But the rest of it fit our family perfectly. Now years later, we are back in that position with Don going to school and me working. I heard this song and thought of our family and although I have had a hard month or so, this song made me smile and reminded me how rich I am.



And as I wrote the lyrics, I was reminded of my own parents struggling through some tough times as I was a child but how much I always felt loved and secure. My parents passed on the truth about how much "wealth" is out there besides the numbers on the paycheck.



RICH MAN by Paul Brandt



I look in the mirror and don't see much
Fashion sense is a little out of touch
The house is run down as the bills pile up
But I am a rich man



The breakfast table, the morning rush
Sometimes it seems we barely have enough
But if its true that all you need is love
Then I'm a rich man



When she smiles and then calls me daddy
all the worries of the world just seem to fade away
I'm alive and I know what matters
If this is all I ever have well that's ok
cause I'm a rich man



Say everymorning and a brand new day
with each and every single breath I take
I'm blessed and I'm thankful
I've got it made
Oh I'm so glad life turned out this way



I have loved, I've been loved
Show me someone else with as much as me



I'm proud to say I'm a rich man