Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Endless Task

I wish I could say that I have been working feverishly on the clutter that is my bedroom. I have been working on it, but I've been doing it half-heartedly, hardly knowing where to begin...or when it ends. I am beginning to see the floor, however...so every little bit helps.

I didn't used to be this way. Somewhere along the line, I let paperwork get ahead of me. I set things aside to work on "later, when I have more time"...only that day never arrived. Then three years ago, my daughter and grandchildren moved in. As we began to acquire toys and living space for everyone, the digging out phases were fewer and farther between as the responsibilities for laundry, etc., increased. Now, without the children here to provide motivation to get things done, I often wonder, "Why bother?"

Why bother?? Back in the early '90s, I remember going to spend a weekend at my father's. Mom had been gone for a few years. Dad was at least feeding himself by cooking things. One particular weekend, I arrived to find just about every pot and pan in the house dirty (probably two weeks' worth) soaking in water that had developed scum on top and was breeding bugs. (Seriously!) He told me he had intended to get them cleaned up before I got there, but... (You know the rest.) I spent a couple of hours cleaning up the mess, in tears because I didn't want to think that my father had to live like that. I didn't want it for him...and I don't want it for me. Thankfully, my world isn't particularly unhealthy...just cluttered. I'm working on it.

I am so thankful for the springtime. In the past three days, I have had rabbits and squirrels and a big ol' ugly 'possum in my yard. And the birds have been a hoot! (I live in town, which is why this is all particularly entertaining.) Everything is lush and green--and warm. I love that!

I will be traveling to Muncie tomorrow early morning with Grandma Judy in order to attend Grandparents' Day at the grandkids' school. Will be back by noon, then have to start focusing on getting ready for the Dayton Hamvention. Big deal! Then, after that, the Indy 500... If I were still teaching, I'd be going nuts about now, preparing for the awards ceremony, getting grades ready to export, cleaning up the classroom for summer cleaning, filling out reports, inventories, and trying to keep the lid on discipline. I don't miss it. Not even a little!

Tomorrow is Grandpa Phil's 70th birthday. Cinco de Mayo. Wish he were going with us to Muncie to be honored by the grandchildren, but Wednesday is the day he cooks for the homeless at church. You go, Grandpa!

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