Taking my own advice...

Yesterday Marty was working on his "paper bag book report". You are supposed to put things into the bag that represent the book you read and then explain why you chose those specific items and how they relate to the story - I assume it's a version of an oral book report. I walked into the kitchen and saw him taping a piece of paper onto the bag with a picture he had scribbled in about a minute. I asked him if he was finished and he said "Yea, I did it really fast because I didn't want to miss Mythbusters". So I asked him "Did you do it to pass or did you do it to the best of your ability"? He stopped and looked at me with a blank stare (he really loves Mythbusters) and he said "I just wanted to finish". Needless to say, we started over again and he missed his favorite program.

This morning I was thinking about our conversation and I asked myself "Are you living your life to just pass or are you doing it to the best of your ability"? I think some days I'm just trying to pass but others I throw my entire self into life - I don't think I've accomplished the "best of my ability" thing yet.

Even though I'm exhausted every night I think there is a lot more I could be doing. More for my fellow man, for the environment, for my children's future. I watched a movie that a good blogger friend of mine recommended, Tapped (Thanks Victoria!!) and decided I would stop buying plastic containers whenever I could - not an easy task if you really think about how much plastic there is. We don't recycle (gasp!) because I never thought we had that much recycling and there is no pickup where we live. There is, however, a collection bin right next to the preschool where I work - I guess I'll be visiting that more often.

I don't need to leave a big mark on the world, I'm not that ambitious. I only hope that on my last day when Marty asks me, I can say "Yes, I did it to the best of my ability".

Kathy

Random thoughts

Where I've been and why I'm so tired!

I'm not sure why I haven't found time to write a new post, I guess life was just getting in the way. I don't know many Moms who aren't busy, especially if you have small children and I still don't know how Moms who have full time jobs outside of the home do it. From the time I get up in the morning until I drag myself to bed (usually around Midnight) I am always doing something. There are nights when I just can't clean up the kitchen without taking a break first and then I end up cleaning it at 10 p.m. There is always a load of laundry to do, a lunch to pack, a toy to pick up or a toilet that needs to be scrubbed (not my favorite job!). I'm not complaining but I never knew how much my Mother did until I became a Mother. It's just not something you can fully understand until you are actually living that life and walking in those oh so tired shoes.

This weekend I heard my 9 year old mumble under his breath that I was a "Nag". Oh, boy did he get an ear full! My kids don't need to thank me for all I do but they do need to understand how much I do for them and know that I do it willingly because it's my job. I have always been a hard worker, I never do anything half way if I can help it. Both of my parents were hard workers and they instilled that work ethic into all of their kids. My husband also works hard, hopefully my kids will value the example we are setting and when they are adults will put their all into whatever they choose to do.

A life lesson

This year has been quite a trial for our family and I am trying to learn the lesson I am being taught. Sometimes I don't know what that lesson is and sometimes I get angry that I have been chosen to learn it. My husband and I are good people, we are not perfect but if my life came to an end now I wouldn't regret the things I have done. We are nice to people, we do what we can to help our neighbors, friends and family. I have chosen a job that doesn't even begin to pay our debt but I do it because I love children and I want to be a special part of their life. I jokingly call my husband George Baily (from It's a Wonderful Life) but truth be told he will help his friends and customers sometimes even to the detriment of himself and his family. We are always giving our travel money away! Hopefully the lesson I will learn is; "it pays to be nice". Unfortunately I don't always think this is true. I see too many people who are cheats and liars getting ahead because of their callous ways, it makes me sad and angry. I would rather be George Baily than Mr. Potter any day, even if that means we will never get to go on our holiday.

A new project?

This weekend my husband decided that he would move is home office to our third floor and then we could move my son's room across the hall. This is not going to be an easy move because our 3rd floor is currently filled with junk. The room is in good shape but we will have to do major cleaning, re-wiring, some plaster work and painting. The current office is going to have to go through the same thing before my son can move in. This will leave a vacant room that hopefully will become a family room. I'm very excited and nervous about these projects.

A day of thanks

Thanksgiving is next week and I'm looking forward to a little down time. I'm not sure I'll get that but a girl can dream, can't she? I hope everyone will stop to think about all they have and why they should be thankful, not just stuff themselves silly and watch football! And if you really need a good laugh... ask a 3 year old what they are thankful for. The top answers in my Preschool were chocolate and pillow pets!

Life should be that simple for all of us.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Kathy