all kinds of happy

i think i can already feel that unquestionable weird feeling that you get in the winter stretch between the holidays and the spring. you know that winter-is-going-on-and-on feeling? and what's weird is the fact that our weather was beautiful today. literally 48 degrees. i had on a spring -ish coat. maybe i am anticipating a whack from 'ole mom nature after this week (expected temps in the 50's all week!) and that is making me have the on-and-on feeling. i dunno. the good part is i am not duldromming it. it's actually not at all bad. maybe it's the let down, the post-chaotic blues.

so, to add to my gratitude word of the year, i have made an internal paradigm shift. (how's THAT for a big girl word?) i have come to the assured resolve that things are going to be simplified in my life, around my life, and affecting my life. over the last two months (and most of this happening in the last month) i have purged the closet of my kids (actually found some size 4T in Cameron's - ahem, but it hasn't been THAT long - honest). i have purged my closet (dear god, LONG overdue). i have re-arranged the decor in the house where the holiday decor was, and simplified/removed excess (trinkets and dust collectors GONE). i have, with the help of my dh, simplified the garage, and cleared away the excess (organized and UNcluttered my work things). we have, all together, in several shifts, cleaned out the basement and tossed the crap that accumulates down there (i.cannot.detail.this.one) and probably most efficiently, lately i am simplifying my thoughts.

now, many that know me will argue that i am not a complicated thinking gal. i may be complicated to figure out at times, but my thinking is pretty straight forward - as well as my actions. straight shooter, i am. so, this isn't that far fetched to the average observant bee. but you know, for me, it's a stretch sometimes. for me, the one who lives in my brain, well, it is a challenge to make this change.

you see, i want to over-think things in my own head. i want to analyze, and disect, and detail things to a point that has been known to be painful to say, the tallest red head i live with. so, i want to peel the layers off this part of me. i want to just easily, uncomplicatedly, and just pleasantly think the thoughts that involve the matter at hand. the subject that is discussed. no alterior motives, no what if's, no extra balogny. just hear it, think the thought through, and respond.

don't get me wrong, i will have opinions, and deeper thoughts, but i need to compartmentalize the important stuff that requires the analyzing, and disecting, and deep, complicated thinking. and save the easier, less stressful, bigger picture items for the lighter, fluffier side of thinking.

are you following me?

so, anyway, part of the simplifying has to do with enjoying the little things. breathing a wee bit more, and exhaling the held breath to drink in all the goodness that is around me. tonight, i had a moment of that. tonight, my dh took both the kids to thier activities - gymnastics and hockey practice. and although i had nothing pressing to do, nothing that *needed* to be completed, i sat here, finished an email or two, made a nice dinner for the troops while they were out (chicken pot pie, rice, and corn - a family fave!) lit the candles, turned on JT, hugged the canine inhabitants a little too much, and chilled the heck out. the only thing missing was a nice glass of wine ... you know, i was more inclined to have a hot cup of tea tonight.

i like this simplifying thing. it feels good to slow down and enjoy the things that i am grateful for.

and on that note, i will leave you with a snapshot of another little thing (okay, so it isn't so *little* but still ...) i am over-the-top grateful for.

my 10 month old Newfie - Higgins' front paw. his favorite game to play with us during his sleepy-time evenings is 'paws'. he lays on his back, groans like chewbacca from Star Wars, and has both paws in the air batting at us, stretching out as far as he can to reach our hands. as he played that tonight with cam, i heard cameron tell him 'i love you higgins, i am so glad that we bumped into miss judy in maine so that we could take you home with us'. :O)

all kinds of happy with that ... all kinds.