Simplification for the Body - Hands and Feet

For quite awhile now I have been trying my best to de-clutter and simplify my life: Car, house, body, brain, and spirit. It all seems overwhelming which is the complete opposite of simplification so I decided (which is really difficult for me, by the way) to ask myself two questions: What can I do? and What am I willing to do? I am applying these to the smallest part of each over all task. 

Right now, I am contemplating my body so I will start with my feet. I have no interest in things like pedicures, I just want to treat them nicely because they do a lot of work for me. I have a ton of soft, fuzzy socks so I am already a step ahead (ha ha). They are well calloused because I only wear shoes when absolutely necessary and I'm fine with that. I occasionally like to give them a good scrub and lather on a slightly mentholated cream (right now I have Shaklee's Herbal Blend Multi-Purpose Cream) before putting on a pair of those lovely socks. Of course they don't stay on long but that's okay, too. I did just treat them to a pair of BOBS from Skechers Women's Pureflex Supastar Flats (which run small, btw, so I had to get a size 10, ugh) but they're really comfy and the arch support is in the right place so they'll do.

Next up - my hands. They are a mess, poor things, but I have been treating my nails with Nutra Nail Growth Treatment with Green Tea and using Yves Rocher Riche Creme Hand Cream to moisturize them. I also just stocked up on C. O. Bigelow Rose Salve which is my all time favorite lip balm but it works wherever you put it so I am currently also using it as a cuticle cream. I don't paint them, or do manicures, I just use a nail block (The Body Shop makes my favorite one but, holy cow, the price has tripled!) to file, buff, smooth and shine my nails. I am also trying to remember to take a hair and nail strengthening supplement also. I really hate taking pills, though which is ironic because I have dozens of vitamin, mineral, and herb supplements. I have also gotten rid of a lot due to my new "simplifiy and declutter" mentality. Okay, the mentality I am working on, anyway.

I have also sorted through all the make-up I don't wear anyway (or rarely wear) and am planning to donate un-used items to the local thrift shop. They will at least get a nice assortment of nail polish and lip stick, lol.

Family - Whatcha gonna do?

Six years ago my sister and her family moved from our home state of Michigan to the 'burbs of Washington, DC in search of better economic conditions. This month, they're coming back. Luckily, we've visited often enough (especially in the last couple of years) that my nephews (12, 10 & 7 1/2) and I have formed lasting bonds because it's just them and me (and my own 14 year old son) for the next 2 1/2 weeks or so.

What will I do now that the amount of my children have quadrupled (and then some, with friends of my son also hanging around now that it's summer)? I'm thinking hiding in my room is a viable option (except for when I'm going to the grocery store to feed them all, of course). I was vaguely dabbling with the idea of trying to come up with healthy snacks and meals but, when you've got young ones who've never been apart from their parents for more than a few days now staring 3 weeks in the face (they managed 1/2 a week at Grandpa's before having to be back with Aunt Bel (and their cousin's video games)), comfort food is a must. Now, comfort food for children is different than comfort food for adults - I crave things like meatloaf and mashed potatoes or a pot roast but the kids want chicken nuggets, mac & cheese (from the box, of course), pizza and hot dogs. However, we can all agree that sweets make awesome comfort foods but I'm not an idiot - 4 children stuffed with ice cream, cookies, brownies and soda (AKA SUGAR) does not a peaceful aunt make. I bought fun flavored popsicles, Hawaiian Punch and big pretzel sticks instead (and they can't have the former two after 7 o'clock or so but the pretzels are fair game if I don't mind crumbs everywhere).

I will also indulge them with far more video game playing time than they usually get at home although I'll encourage them to go outside for a little while as long is it's not over 90 F (which it has been and will be but right now we're coasting along in the mid 80's which is on the warm side for me, but perfect for them). I'm also trying to come up with board and card games which will appeal to the lot of them which is not as easy as it sounds, especially if you don't want the pieces spread throughout the house. If I can find 4 different backed packs of playing cards, I think I'll teach them how to play War - fun, easy and fair. Heck, if I can find a 5th pack, I might even play along with them!

Taking the dog for a walk is another option. Our dog will follow me as well as any obedience dog when I'm wandering around the house. He'll even stay right by me for brief forays into the yard regardless of fencing (or lack thereof) but if you put a leash on him, he becomes a 32 lb pulling machine (which feels more like 50 lbs, especially since he's got short legs and a long body which gives him extra pulling power). And, if I don't go with them, he does his darndest to return to the house like a horse to a barn. Should keep them all busy for a little while (and, hopefully, tire them out - evil Auntie Bel).

So, four children, one adult and a dog should be able to survive in an 800 ft house with two bedrooms and one bath without it imploding, right?

It's that time of year again

After celebrating the rebirth of spring beginning with crocuses pushing up through the snow, the blooming of our few daffodils and hyacinths, the return of the robins and witnessing brief visits of fruit trees and lilac blossoms (and the lilacs were disappointing this year - I think the warm/cold/warm/cold weather had a detrimental effect so I really hope they blossom a second time) it's time to start planning and planting our garden.

We didn't become gardeners until our first full summer at our new house, 7 years ago. Every year I vow to sit down and learn when to plan what and every year we just wing it. We are learning as we go but our excitement to get things in the ground so we can marvel at the forming of the fruits always overshadows and prudence we might briefly entertain as to when is actually the best time to plant. At least this year we're relatively close to Memorial Day which officially marks the beginning of planting season here in MI.

We've made an attempt not to buy and plant all the seedlings at once (after a dozen I'm ready for a break while hubby would happy dig holes all day long) and I'm already looking forward to fresh bell peppers and sauteed baby zucchini as well as canning our own dill pickles. I am forever spoiled by the taste of our own pickles, the flavor of home grown roma tomatoes (and I disliked fresh tomatoes as a child) and the incredible sweetness of corn and carrots picked from our own back yard.

Yum, yum, yum (and pretty much worth the effort)!