A Bit of Balance

I'm feeling a little pensive today... perhaps because it's the birthday of my late brother Mike and I'm doing lots of reflecting on life.... not blue, just feeling philosophical. (Started the other day...)

Actually, life has been in a nice balance with me lately and I'm feeling especially grateful for that. It's good to be aware during these times, to analyze them and appreciate them and not just notice when things are so OUT of balance with lots of hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing as they were recently when we were having some challenges here on the farm or when the kids are showing their "teen" colors.

Not long ago, I painted a little page of intentions... and most are truly coming to fruition! Here are a few things that I included....

Time for creative endeavors (studio time has been more abundant than usual)

Quality time with family (we got in a quick trip to see my parents and other family this past weekend, and find time almost every night for the four of us here to sit down together for dinner)

Be with people who inspire... inspire others (my recent felting class accomplished this, as well as recent times with friends)

Don't let the turkeys get you down... whoever they may be! (Nuff said...)

More time with horses

Daily gratitude

In the midst of our busy-ness getting ready to go to Peru, I have somehow carved out time for these things and more.... and this gorgeous fall has been in the forefront of my mind as we go about our daily routine. I had a nice talk with my Mom on our quick visit about how lucky we are to have been taught to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us... and this has been an incrediby pretty fall. My cup is full.

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Day of Rest

Sometimes I find myself wondering how others might cope with the type of schedule I try to follow on occasion when things get truly overwhelming.... like the past few days. I spent most of Thursday working on paperwork in my studio (takes tons of fortitude when all of that luscious fiber is calling out to me and I hate paperwork), trying to beat a deadline with some alpaca registrations.

Paul went out of town on Friday, so I did all of the kid running, making two trips to Lexington and other important stuff like exchanging locker shelves for the RIGHT KIND and picking up meds for alpacas, groceries, post office, bank, tube feed cria, oil change and blah, blah, blah. Then I headed to Ohio with the kids and Munchie. The brakes locked up on the stock trailer while on I-75 with a semi behind me- God helped us safely out of the way and off we went again. We left for Columbus early on Saturday with my parents and slipped in a quick lunch visit with my brother Andy and his family. Then over to OSU to pick up Dulce and Ginger Spice- Ginger was there for treatment for a severe ear infection which resulted in having to have her eye removed (more on that another day or on my other blog).

Afterwards, we headed South, dropped off my parents, and were back in Lexington in time to drop Robert off at the football game. Then home with enough time to get everyone on the farm fed and medicated, then back to Lexington to pick up Robert, then back home.... ending in a long walk in the dark from the not-working-gate (X?@!!!) to the house and collapsing in bed.... phew!

So, how would anyone else cope with all of this stuff to do? Simple... nobody else would choose it but I HAVE. Sometimes I get bitchy and don't cope so well, but I try to remind myself that I have been given and earned and am so fortunate to be living this crazy, loco life... with kids that are truly blessings, a husband who I fight with on occasion but love with my whole heart (and he loves me back!), two healthy, living parents to visit, a ton of animals who have lots of needs but give us so many rewards, a sometimes-complicated farm life which is away from the family I grew up with but still not too far to see them on a regular basis, and so many other great things with which my life is filled.

And Today, Sunday is supposed to be a day of Rest and that I will try to do....not having gone to church this morning, I will at least try to turn my thoughts to gratitude.... for this loco life that I am so blessed to live.

P.S. Out of water at lower barn, had to haul buckets of water for horses, almost forgot about needing to deliver an alpaca to new home... so much for the day of rest. But, today is a new day!

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Thankful

My candidate did not win, but nearly everything in my life is exactly the same today as yesterday, and we always emphasize to our kids that their futures don't hinge on any president or other politician. I have been deliberately concentrating lately on thankfulness and gratitude (appropriate for this month... and anytime!) and have been reading a good book, Thanks, which shares research on happiness. The main gist of the research is that people who "count their blessings" on a regular basis are the happiest, healthiest, and most successful in life. It discusses how people have a happiness "set point" to which they gravitate despite major ups and downs, but that point can be adjusted "higher" with a thankful attitude.
Some of the things I'm most thankful for today:

* The privilege of voting. I have my country and the women of the suffrage movement to thank for that. I love voting in our tiny little friendly precinct at the fire station, and feel patriotic every time I vote there.

* A newly-elected leader that demonstrates the fact that any person of any color and background who has vision and talent and is willing to work hard can succeed in our country. Again, Obama didn't have my vote but I admire him and can only hope that he'll be our best president ever.

* The good health of my family and myself.

* Another gorgeous fall day in Kentucky.

* And, thank you God for the help in getting Mirian to the bus on time this morning- a small miracle which affects my entire schedule today!

My best hopes, prayers, and thanks are with all of those who sacrifice in order to lead our country, and I hope for the best!

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