Spring Cleaning
I love spring cleaning. That feeling of opening the windows and letting in fresh air, of decluttering and putting things away, packing away winter clothes, taking out the spring clothes. But last night, they called for sleet here . . . and I know spring is a long way off.
However, I tend to view tomorrow, January 1, as the spring cleaning day of my life in general. I make my resolutions. I ponder what I want to accomplish for the year. I reflect on the year past (this last one being not-so-great). I declutter my mind. Buddhists attempt to live in the moment. What we have is . . . well, just this moment. And so for me, this is the last time I will try to look backward on 2007. Instead, I look forward, and center, and try to be right here, right now. I mentally put my house in order.
I also put my physical house in order. It's a big day to put away the Christmas stuff. To put away the gifts, to set aside that which we'll donate to charity.
And I put my "Blog House" in order. To the right, you'll see I added new links to regular visitors and to blogs I now enjoy reading.
You'll also notice that I started a Demon Baby blog, which will be foray into writing on parenting one very smart, very clever, very VERY devilish baby--and other parenting adventures from saying good-bye to my oldest as she leaves for college later this year, to parenting a math wiz and a creative sprite. All while trying to write full-time. Look, nothing up my sleeve . . . a little sleight of hand. Mommies have to be magicians to juggle it all.
This is the last post of 2007. Tomorrow, goals and resolutions. But today, a little inspiration:
All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible. ~~T.E. Lawrence
May you all live your live as dangerous men and women, with eyes open to the world of possibility.
Peace to all . . . and is anyone else cleaning their proverbial houses today?
19 comments:
I love that quote, Erica. I'm a daydreamer from way back.
I'm doing some literal housecleaning today, which isn't as fun as proverbial. :(
Here's a quote that kind of goes with the one you posted:
"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves."
Hi Edie:
Another good one--thanks!
And I have a lot of literal housework too. That's a never-ending tide. :-)
E
I hope 2008 brings all the health and happiness you and your family deserve, Erica.
Peace, Love, and Soul.
Jude
Jude:
Thank you. You, too.
E
I've been cleaning like crazy. All I want to do is clean and de-clutter. I'll be sad to take the Christmas tree down, though.
Oh, right, proverbially.
My mind and my goals are a bit cluttered right now. I need to right them down, organize them, think them through. That sort of thing.
So I guess I'm on a clean and de-clutter mission there, too! Now I need to find this Demon Baby blog!
Hy Spy:
Tomorrow, sacks of crap are going out to the trash--but I AM resolving to make less trash after that--composting!
E
I woke up this morning and cleaned my kitchen spontaneously. And I mean really cleaned ... stainless steel scrubbing, bleaching the stove and oven, moving every appliance, even scrubbing the top of the refrigerator. I had corners full of grit, and grime had accumulated in the little noticed crevasses. Felt good. Metaphoric even.
So I know I'm jumping the gun on resolutions, but I've got a little momentum built up (left over from the kitchen) and I think I'm ready. Looking back, last year was a strange mixture -- I wrote two novels, both of which I'm proud of and hope to sell, but my income-producing business was turbulent and unpredicatble (related? hmm). Yet, heading into the New Year, I feel focused and strong. So here goes -- a few things I want to get done in the 12 months coming up:
1) Take a deep breath every day
2) Water my plants regularly ...
3) Bloom a few hard-to-bloom orchids from my collection (this means you, Chia Lin)
4) Continue to improve in my craft -- really work the process like an addict
5) Drop four pounds of Christmas carbs
6) Triple my protein intake (don't ask)
7) Spend more time with my older son
8) Try not to kill my older son
9) Rebuild my client list
10) Cross a few home improvement projects off my list
11) Master the omelet
And that's it! Serenity, satisfaction and fragrant smoke all around ... Happy New Year's, Erica!
Jon:
I volunteer to try your omelet on my next visit. I'll post mine tomorrow, but I must say, it might read similarly:
1) Spend more quality time with Demon Baby
2) Try not to kill Demon Baby
:-)
And waft some of that fragrant smoke up here.
E
Fragrant smoke is NOT an apt description for the reek coming out of my oven. Who lets a self cleaning oven get so dirty that it smells like burning refuse? (Never mind. I don't really want an answer)
But I did get my family room cleaned (ha ha to the parents who thought they could move around the corner from me and have an empty unfinished basement. Tech and his buddies lined every wall with shelves for me yesterday and M & D's is now a full library of books, DVD's etc. I crated up all DH's sales and promo paraphernalia too. He looks everything up on the Net anyway and if he really misses those mountains of rainbow colored binders, he can always go visit his beloved in-laws. :)
*snicker* careful now about those complaints, parents. You don't really want me to bring smelly dog back, do you?
My office is so clean now DH said it looks like we've been robbed. *blissful sigh*
Happy New Year!
xoxoxoxo
This morning I did a number on my kitchen, which was pretty greasy from all the holiday cooking.
My desk is another story...
At the end of every year we go through our clothes to donate what we no longer use. My motto is, if you haven't worn it in two years, pass it along to someone who can get some use out of it.
This year I have four big bags of good clothes I've been hoarding simply because I haven't been able to part with them. In a tough-love kind of way, I'm making myself get rid of them, sending them along with my blessings to the Salvation Army.
Lainey:
I am SO jealous.
Except for the smelly over, of course.
xo
E
I did an end-of-year roundup post yesterday on the blog. As for housecleaning, not until I get home. But then, dust bunnies beware!
I love the feeling of putting things in order, the simple joy of the fresh start.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year and I look forward to reading the adventures of Demon Baby (or is it Adventures in Parenting, starring Demon Baby).
May 2008 bring health, happiness, joy and kindness.
Jen
Great quote and Happy New Year to you as well.
j.k.:
I'm going to blog-hop over to see your round-up. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
E
Hi Travis:
Happy New Year, toO!
E
Is that pink Christmas tree down yet?
My husband is quite sentimental about all the Christmas decorations so I'll leave them up until he returns to work later this week. Then, watch out for the white tornado!
Happy New Year!
Hi Tena:
I love the Christmas decorations when they go up, but about now, the clutter starts getting to me (I have TWO Christmas trees--one for the den and one for the living room)--like in my living room, I have to rearrange furniture a bit. So I'm usually "ready" for it to come down.
This year was sentimental as it will be the last year Oldest Daughter will be here for preparations--she's going off to college this year.
E
Erica...
All the best in 2008! And thanks... I'm honored to be added to your blogroll!
Slainte!
Richard
Hi Smart:
Peace!
E
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