Category: retreat!

shack
power is in organization… and while i may not be a creature of much structure, when it comes to being organized, i’m pretty durned good.  i love an organized, tidy space.  i’m a big believer in one’s surroundings offering many an insight into the depths of one’s mental, emotional and spiritual health.

that isn’t to say that i’m always organized. heavens no.  in fact, it was only last month that i dug out this little hovel of an office… to everyone’s benefit… as this is now a space that nourishes me.  when i emerge i am- usually!?- at peace.

that is, until i take a quick gander at how the rest of the place has gone to the shitter.

but as of today, and for the forseeable next few days, this house is one of tidy organization… a place for everything and everything in its place.  a process, i must add that i hate more than cleaning itself.  unless i’m willing to shed the stuff… purge… it’s a downright demoralizing endeavor trying to find places for the heaps and piles that grow from every possible surface.  cranky, cranky, cranky.  oh yes.

but that’s done… and as of tomorrow, each of our little rooms in this tiny, cottage house will not only be tidy and for the most part organized, but also lemon scented, shiny and clean.

this day… despite my intermittent tantrums, lectures and, ummmm… threats… is a wonderful one as i move about this space and there are no piles threatening to topple over and smother me.

here’s to a house on the way to being tidy and clean.  a new floor moppy thing-a-ma-jig to entice me in the morning, courtesy of my ever helpful mother, perhaps sensing i was in need of some inspiration in this particular arena….

homemade alfredo sauce… butter, parmesan cheese… it’s what i’m sure must run from the faucets in heaven.

cheques in the mail… receiving, not sending.

fairly consistent summer bookings… deposits are a beautiful thing.

a thickly lip-glossed pucker.  bum warmer in the form of a ball of kittens in my office chair.

ideas.  skills.  partnership.

pressure.  increasing discomfort.  fear.  concepts i’ve historically avoided… now finding them an interesting, exciting component to this game called extending one’s boundaries… encouraging change… and moving toward achievement.

oh, and given the progress made on our tiny little homefront, i can’t close without giving thanks to thanksgiving itself.  without it, i wouldn’t be anticipating company the day after tomorrow… my house would be nowhere near clean and i would be near taking up permanent residence, along with my dog and kittens, in the 8X10 space that is the tidy, tranquil room i call my office.

tidy, clean and organized just feel more like home….

porch-nipika
up until yesterday, this is where i’d spent two and a half days.  alone.  soaking up sun… warmth… and a little much needed perspective.  in amongst the yoga and meditation, that is.  just a whole lotta goodness all ’round.

the weather, couldn’t have been better.

the company- 12 other women- wonderful… when i chose to find my way into it.

the yoga, just what i needed.

the meditation… something i intend to resume yet again… finding valuable space.

coming home… into the arms of my waiting five year old chickadee, who fell apart against my shoulder before i’d even made it up the stairs to the house.  the boys… happy to see me too, but couldn’t quite be bothered to tear themselves away from the computer to say, ‘hello’.  i found ‘em and squeezed ‘em anyhow.

husband… dutifully cleaning the kitchen.  now, there’s a homecoming!

on this sunny wednesday… an early morning after many ummmm, not so much.  good coffee… and oatmeal cookie. work.  a generous and gracious rcmp officer.  an afternoon snooze. the sun. warm, fresh air. meeting up with a friend.  girlfriends.

time alone.

a new, invigorated practice… and an enthusiastic five-year-old girl to share it with.  a reliable, mature ten-year-old.  a seven-year-old reader. cuddly kittens.  anger.  release.  rest.  renewal.