Zen

and the art of motorcycle maintenance (by Robert M. Pirsig). That's the book that I was thinking about  (or rather, the message of the book) yesterday while I was waxing my new table.

Maybe some of you who read this blog are old (sorry, mature, or eh...more my age?) enough to remember the book or to have read it. I liked the table in its more pale and natural state however to care for it properly it needed the wax. And I found good sounding stuff with beeswax, olive oil, lavender, and orange, made in Colorado- that did it for me, in CO they should know what to do with their pine.

And then I thought of a visit to a hair salon, long ago in Hannover, Germany. It was either right before or sometime after I had my girls (that detail I can't remember), and I was in desperate  need of some TLC for myself. The girl who cut my hair confessed that she would rather do only nails, and I said  'but you are doing this so nicely!' (she was unbelievably gentle and never once made a comment about my having 'baby-hair'). She answered "Wenn, dann mit Liebe" (if, then with love).

(yes, I have rather wandering thoughts). So that's what I would like to keep in mind when I go about all the big and little chores and care taking that needs to be done.

my love's espresso cup, made by Emma, on the not-yet-waxed table

Because I make myself crazy sometimes with my list of things to do. And I lose sight of the truly essential. Beat myself up for not accomplishing all my own impossible expectations.

Thus my love and I also spend some time watching movies together this weekend. He persisted in making the holiday lights work, and he put up the trees (we have two- this is too long of story of how that came to pass). And I checked off some items on the list- indoor activities- because it is quite nasty outside (humid and cold).

is there something like...

rehab for workaholics? Not that I really need it- but it was a wee bit difficult to stay away from the hospital today. I did sneak in on Monday so that today was actually the first workday I was not 'taking care of stuff'. At least not at work.

Thijs says she looks like a chicken! Really? This is my Lucy-Lu/ Lucy-poes.

However, plenty to do at home- and although I am somewhat more organized at work (my office mate may disagree), when I'm off, I really run around doing a bit of this, a bit of that...not finishing much, but starting many projects.

our sweet Charlie, my luck-dragon (he reminds me of Falcor from the never-ending story)

I also ventured out and threw myself into some shopping. Not really a favorite but some things you just can't order online. (Don't you love ordering online? It is easy, and double the fun because you get packages twice, once they arrive on the doorstep, and then again on Christmas morning!)

Cat (Homer) on new chair with new table

The weather is not encouraging the cats to play outside, so there is a bit of cabin fever going on. Mainly manifesting itself in bursts of foolish behavior and then plopping on my lap as soon as I sit with some knitting with total disregard for my deadline.

the tree is ready for decorating and some presents

And so my list of things to do is growing rather than shrinking. Oh well.

this...

... is one of the main reasons why I am a lucky girl.

My love, with our cat Homer.

it's been a while

...since I posted something here. Things did happen of course. More sadness, more celebrations- both big and small. We had a lovely thanks-giving.

Lauren made this !

Just hanging out with my kids and various friends, enjoying home-cooked goodness and each other's company.

not everyone there yet

It was wonderful. And now we get to do this again really soon. I am looking forward to it but at the same time, it has crept up on me, as it does every year- the holdiday season. So I am sort of frantically trying to finish the home-made gifts, making sure we have enough beds and bedding, getting the oil changed for two cars (you may laugh but I am really having a hard time finding the right moment for this chore), making the house a bit presentable because my mom is coming (! this is very exciting !), and wrapping up one of my part-time jobs. And wrapping up some presents of course...

Emma having fun with the sibs

My love has hung some lights outside, and we will put up a tree this weekend but not decorate it yet. We had this tradition of doing that as a family whilst enjoying some speculaas and wintery beverages...Adjusting these rituals to our new normal will take a bit of time. 

It's an indoors kind of weekend, temperature-wise, and this morning my love and I tackled some boxes-with-stuff-to-sort-through. Un-opened mail from 2005 was discovered. Need I say more. 

We will take a refreshing walk in a little bit and then continue our casual pace of puttering around the house. It's a good weekend. Lots to enjoy, lots to look forward to.