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Vacation is over, there is no school; Life is boring again. I honestly don't have anything interesting to write about. I was feeling a little discouraged about how hum-drum things have gotten all the sudden. I'm spending my days tidying up around the house (which in itself is a never-ending pursuit, often making me feel like I am just plain wasting my time). Then last night I went to Relief Society (for those of you who don't know, that's the name of the women's organization at my church) and the lesson was on Joy. Finding joy in everyday-finding joy in potty training, in feeding your kids, in serving your family. It was a great lesson and I felt renewed from it. It really is up to me to find the joy in my life. No one else is going to provide that joy, or find it for me. I can be happy, and am happy, with the life I have.
Part of our meeting last night was a recipe swap. We all cooked our best dish and brought several copies of the recipe. It was an interesting phenomenon because it wasn't like a normal potluck. Everyone felt obligated to try everything. As a result we were stuffed and that was before we even got to the dessert (which there was as many dessert dishes as there were main dishes!)My favorite of the night was the lemonade pie. It was awesome. I made strawberry pretzel salad. On the way home I had to stop and get gas. I was driving a friend (who knows how broke we are, so I wasn't embarrassed in front of her). I knew I couldn't use the debit card because we have less than $2 in the bank. I counted up all the change in my purse ($2.85) and got gas with it. Aren't I too old for such desperate measures? You know what? The whole episode just didn't really bother me. I had joy! Money, money problems, stuff...that isn't the cause of joy and I know it. Often when we are this broke I feel depressed but not this time. It is a wonderful feeling.
Although I will admit that part of my ability to feel peace in the face of all the no-money-ness is the fact that Chris will be done with school in one year! Only one more year! We have been in school for 8 years and finally, FINALLY, the end is in sight. This time next year we will be settling into our new home and he will be a real professor.
Ok, time to start cleaning and feeding and potty training. With JOY!!
Part of our meeting last night was a recipe swap. We all cooked our best dish and brought several copies of the recipe. It was an interesting phenomenon because it wasn't like a normal potluck. Everyone felt obligated to try everything. As a result we were stuffed and that was before we even got to the dessert (which there was as many dessert dishes as there were main dishes!)My favorite of the night was the lemonade pie. It was awesome. I made strawberry pretzel salad. On the way home I had to stop and get gas. I was driving a friend (who knows how broke we are, so I wasn't embarrassed in front of her). I knew I couldn't use the debit card because we have less than $2 in the bank. I counted up all the change in my purse ($2.85) and got gas with it. Aren't I too old for such desperate measures? You know what? The whole episode just didn't really bother me. I had joy! Money, money problems, stuff...that isn't the cause of joy and I know it. Often when we are this broke I feel depressed but not this time. It is a wonderful feeling.
Although I will admit that part of my ability to feel peace in the face of all the no-money-ness is the fact that Chris will be done with school in one year! Only one more year! We have been in school for 8 years and finally, FINALLY, the end is in sight. This time next year we will be settling into our new home and he will be a real professor.
Ok, time to start cleaning and feeding and potty training. With JOY!!
