It might come in handy some day.

Even after two years of de-cluttering, I still have this mantra and I still believe it true. Some things are worth keeping because the price to replace them is exorbitant. For some items, I have a plan.

When my grand-daughter begins school this year I am sending all the supplies I have saved over the years with her. Some will work for her class and the others I will donate to the school.

However, we have had a flea problem this year. I think Max has more fleas as an inside dog than he ever had living outside. After trying over a dozen remedies, I remembered I had diatomaceous earth. Searching through my deck box, I found it where I imagined.

Check out that price. $0.83 for the bag. Where will I get another deal like that? DE is safe for use all around the house and on pets. Messier than I remembered, but the fleas must die!

Then, driving down the road I saw cast iron skillets tossed on the sidewalk. First I drove past, but at the corner, I thought, "Those might come in handy some day." Zooming in reverse, I backed up to the sidewalk. There must have been some fight because three skillets lay on the walk, two of them damaged - actually broken. I took the third. It fits perfectly in my counter top convection oven.

Washed and seasoned, it has performed wonderfully. Because cast iron maintains its heat, I can reduce cooking times.

Under the desk, I have boxes of stationary from previous jobs that would have gone to recycling. It comes in handy for a little girl to draw and "write letters," paint, or cut.

Before I had grandchildren, I gave away most of my children's books. As happy as I was to gift them to another family, I am just as dismayed that we don't have them. We have more and have been blessed with entire sets from other families - but you know that special thing that cannot be replaced, that's the spot.

I weigh letting go with my life's mission and goals. Things that don't fit, move on. If there's a place, it waits. I look forward to sharing the blessing of plenty. I have got a lot...

Namaste

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

In the last twenty-four hours, the surprise lilies have popped up. I found them after returning home from a walk around my neighborhood. I'd like to say that I was out enjoying the fabulous weather. It was cool and breezy. I wore my hair down, carried my camera out, and listened to music.

My specific journey was to drop my car key at the dealership where my car was towed yesterday. I just cringed typing that. We were on the way to the mall. I thought I might check out the massage station since I have an interview Monday. DA wants another dress. And my daughter had a ten dollar off coupon to a store we usually avoid. We had plans.

Driving along the car just stopped. We were on a hill at the major intersection. It started again and then died as I made the turn. We rolled along until we reached the shoulder. I put on the hazard lights. Gentle freak out... Call KIA road assist. Ten minutes later find that the service expired August 2009. They will still come help for $75.50. Never mind. Call the tow company we know. They arrive within ten minutes and carry my car to the dealer for $56.00. My insurance will reimburse the cost.

We go to the mall. Inside I am just sick. I am overwhelmed because I am the one who helps everyone else and for a moment (hours) I feel I have no one to help me. (It's just a feeling and feelings pass.) The mall is crowded. I don't think I have been here in the last year. I am amazed and a little overwhelmed. I remember coming here and shopping, lots - before I knew better.

We find lots of dresses. Even really cheap ones ($3.99). They are ugly. I probably wouldn't bring them home for free.We find others which are fabulous, but DA is a shopper and none seem to meet her expectation (except a size 14 prom dress - too big). Then she saw Barbie in a swimsuit. The end. She traded all discussion and desire for a new dress for that doll.

I didn't get my massage because the estechnicians were wearing gloves. It is a creepy feeling, to me. And for the price they charge I could get a pedicure as well. I was just kinda sunk, anyway.

My daughter is great with child. That's a whole other piece of the story. We called and got a ride home and I ate ice cream. It was a good time to start drinking, but I like my mind clear when I have an issue, especially distress. On the way to the kitchen, I realized that this was the perfect time to have a car issue. Better to have my car checked out and running well before I get a job.

I love my car! It is seven years old with 51K miles. I have only had two incidents when it hasn't gone. Both were battery issues - too hot and too cold, outside. I trust that all things work together and with that belief the only thing left to do is let go.

To End Preoccupation with Distress

If we are to be happy, we must reclaim the curiosity of a child. And while we might restrain our approach, we can look around and outside of ourselves to discover that the world has expanded beyond our belly buttons.

Sometimes we become bogged down by the baggage of the past - what happened to us (or them), how we used to think, be, have, do, etc, and the myriad comparisons that keep us from living in the present time.

As we age, we gather more past. And while understanding that the past might contain useful information, it is also historical data. To move forward in our lives, opening to the present situation allows fresh thinking. As we continue to rely on what has been done before, we block the channels of inspiration.

When we are overwhelmed by hurt, angry, lonely feelings based in past situations here is the commitment to support letting go and forward movement:

It is logically possible and certainly desirable to end the ancient habit of paying attention to past distress and to replace it with a new attitude or posture of paying attention to interesting and rewarding concerns - including the present time situation. And so, I now decide to to this - and will repeatedly so decide - until the ancient habit is broke. (From Re-evaluation Counseling)

I have found this commitment helpful in reshaping my attention around my family of origin, past romantic relationships, lost friendships, and today's job search. Even as I consider where to apply to work, feeling surface which require acknowledgement and then a redirection of my attention.

Happiness is a choice and it's an inside job.

Look up. There is something to catch your attention.

From the Cloud Collection

YaY!

Freedom of Choice

With more time has come more choices in how I share or spend these moments. Lately, I've spent more time processing the shift from working full time, then traveling, the return home, holidays, and just this week traveling again. Last week, my neighbor asked if I missed working. Well, no! I enjoy the space and time to think and sort whatever will come next. We had our first snow here and the roads were traitorous. Cars were slipping at the slowest speeds and at times right through the lights and stop signs. I was out for an early meeting and then planning to travel north to visit my family. Thankfully, but the time I hit the highway the roads were clear. There were however, lots of vehicles in the ditches and off the shoulders. A huge truck had spun around and was facing back toward oncoming traffic. There is nothing to be said, except, "Oh my." Even the most careful drivers were slip sliding away.

I am thankful I have the time and resources to support my family during this current health challenge. I do miss cooking for other people. When I was working I could cook large quantities of food and carry it in to share. Sometimes I package up portions for my neighbors, but there is still a lot of food for a single person, meaning I eat leftovers for a long time.

I also offer thanks and praise to the Giver of All for several gifts I received this week. I write in long hand when I am away from home and while I was traveling to and from the coast, I really wanted a laptop, but as this is a post employment desire, I felt I needed to pray for its arrival. I passed on what looked like a great deal as I am not that tech savvy. As I checked out the seasons offerings, even those less expensive computers could need an extra $150 for support (taxes, warranties, insurance). So, I let go and figured I would just wait. And while I sat waiting, I was gifted a laptop. (Okay, I wasn't just waiting. I was looking, thinking, praying, imagining, and putting out the word that my hearts desire was for a laptop.) It works great and will meet my needs. I just ordered a new battery so that I can actually be unplugged. I also received a Garmin GPS and had company on the ride home. Wait, wait. I received an offer for a paid online focus group. AND, one final paycheck!

You can't beat God giving; no matter how you try.

 I have been blessed to make these choices. Yes, I live a simpler life, but many years ago I made a decision that shaped the following years. But since I am back from the home where I grew up, perhaps I will say, I chose a particular path to today. If you ever wonder why things look the way they do in your life, travel back to where it began and observe, with compassion. Believe, then you will understand. In another post we will talk about all the stuff that gets saved. And how to keep letting it slip away...