I’m feeling the need to pull back slightly; with guest for 2.5 weeks, which has included a good 2-3 hours in the kitchen each evening prepping dinner/making dinner/clearing up; not to mention breakfasts, lunches, teas/coffees, the laundry, cleaning and caring for my little man, I’m just on my feet constantly at the moment! In addition I’ve had to help a family member through a very tough few days and had busyness related to Haiti (supporting one of my best friends who is en route there in the next week, fundraising, attending charity events, driving others to charity events so they can attend) and trying to figure out what to do over the next few months, well I just haven’t had much time to stop, think, pray or reflect. My eating has suffered, my sleeping has suffered and my friend mr eczema is back with a vengeance :) So this weekend I will simplify, simplify, simplify.
My SMART goals are:
- Swim Saturday & Sunday
- Attend a Charity event to raise money for Haiti
- Walk along the beach
- Hike in the forest
- Read Exodus (OT) and Mark (NT)
- Practice my scripture memory verses
- Spend 1 hour in prayer Sat and Sun
- Provide a grocery shop for my mum
- Find the time to go to my mums & collect/wash/dry her laundry
- Attend a movie night with friends
- Spend some time making a pros/cons list about a big choice I’m about to make
- Drink 6 glasses of water each day
- Fast 1 meal each day
- Eat NO wheat
- Take photographs (oh how I’m yearning to be back behind the camera!)
Every now and then I find life physically & mentally just becomes a tad too busy for my liking and I need to get back to the quiet grace found in simplicity! Sometimes it feels like you have to climb a mountain in order to get back to where you need/want to be, but I’ve got my hiking boots on so I’m ready for the climb! 
You mentioned previously that your grocery budget had been thrown into disarray- I do hope that your guests are contributing if not financially then in help in the kitchen etc while they are staying.
You sound so busy looking after them- I hope you get the change for a little “me-time” this weekend as well as checking off the items on your list. Good luck especially with your big choice.
Thanks Looby! It is very hard making big decisions isn’t it?
Try to have a ‘calm’ weekend ft, and take care of yourself first
that is something I really struggle to do, and yet I know I desperately need some quiet time
i definately think a quiet weekend is called for!
Enjoy
xx
Hope yours is fab Rachel!
I think we will join you in your quiet weekend, I think it’s a fab idea. I hope you’re getting lots of snuggle time with that gorgeous puppy
enjoy yours Compact!
Forgive me for being cheeky….but I think you need to knock some of those items off your list FT.
I’m not seeing enough ‘doing nothing’ there!!!
Said with the best of intentions…..and probably because I don’t operate well with a list
lol Anna, you’ll be pleased to know I watched some mindless tv this afternoon and relaxed, although have to say I’d loooove a nap!
FT I do hope they are providing rent and helping you around the house. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed with someone for that long but I always insist on doing dishes, cooking, buying all the food we need, treating to dinner at a restaurant as a thank you! Sadly there are a lot of people in this world who would use you for everything they can get and while I’m not saying that is what is happening here just be careful
You have a very kind heart and I think a lot of people would just try and get away with what they can.
I agree with the above poster, relax and don’t do too much!
Can’t wait to see your pics!
I’ll try to get some pics posted tomorrow
Forgot to say that that pic is my all time favourite picture you’ve posted
Thanks! Mine too
I hope to have a quiet weekend too…
Enjoy your weekend FT!
oooh enjoy yours! Quiet weekends are just spectacular!
Other than grocery shopping, trying to find some clothing at a consignment shop for daughter, and going to church, I hope to also have a calm weekend. Hope yours is everything you planned it to be.
Blessings
Diane
Thanks Diane! Yours too!
I think one of your strong points is recognizing when you need to change things, reduce the stress, relax, take time out. I’m sure that is a skill that most of us don’t have but is essential for coping with stress!
I’m hoping to read this weekend.
M, it is something I’ve really really had to learn and make a lot of mistakes with in order to get it right! Enjoy reading!
I’m agreeing with the poster who said you should knock a few things off your list as you only have 48 hours in a weekend and you need to spend a good deal of that time recharging. I am like you at the moment. I’m feeling exhausted from the busyness of the past 2 or 3 weeks but I don’t have any guests. I do hope they are contributing toward the food costs & preparations and clean up too. Any little bit helps especially when one is on a budget. God bless and help you get some zzzzs and rest
Joyful, what a lovely comment thank you! I am in desperate need of some zzzzzs! The expression I could sleep for a week comes to mind!
FT, I’m so glad someone will understand exactly what I’m going through at the moment. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by “too much” latley …. master’s degree work, a dating situation that’s moving too quickly for me, an unresolved situation in which I told a person I’ve loved a long time my feelings and he still hasn’t gotten back to me nearly a week later, a horribly untidy house, not wanting to cook or bake but needing food, not getting enough sleep due to horrible night owl tendencies, not finding a good quiet moment to update my horribly-neglected blog … i know that i should try and step back and remember why I’m so fortunate and what I’m grateful for and work my way back from there, but all I could do was have a VERY late-night cryfest about woe is me … and slept until noon today. Now I feel that half my weekend is wasted already, and I have a raging headache. I am trying to remember that these are the times to rest more, move slow, and let go of the guilt of “getting it all done.” I could use some encouraging words if you are around, though. Would you email me? karbear1103@yahoo.com. I so often draw inspiration from your strength and perseverance. I am not religious, but I do have faith in the energies around and above us if that makes sense. I can tune in. I just feel slumpy right now and like the weight of it all is on top of me. Some words would help. I hope you are feeling more relaxed now, too.
Karen, thanks for the comment and your email! I’ll email you later today!
***hugs***
Sounds good FT! Glad to hear you found a bit of ‘doing nothing’ time too
lol it is great this do nothing time isn’t it….!
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What a beautiful list. I make many also, but they are full of jobs, especially on weekends.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things” Robert Brault